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NEW DELHI: An extensive sightseeing
tour of New Delhi would include a visit to the Humayun's Tomb,
the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath,
past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House, the President's
Residence and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic
Enclave. Proceed to see the DANCES OF INDIA SHOW in the evening.
Overnight will be in Delhi.
Day 03: Delhi - Agra (By Road 250 Kms/6
hr)
Proceed for Agra after breakfast. Reach Agra in the afternoon.
AGRA:
Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar
and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of Agra into a
befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire - giving it the
name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}. Today a visitor to
Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices, of red
sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies,
and that irresistible charm that this favorite city of the
Mughals still retains. It is not surprising, that modern Agra
still reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously. A walk
down the narrow bustling streets of the city will introduce the
visitor to the wafting aroma of Mughlai cuisine. Check in at
hotel and proceed for sightseeing.
TAJ MAHAL: Little needs to be said
about this architectural wonder which is always the soul
raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah
Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife
Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and
was designed, and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart
from its stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj
is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately
carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen.
Proceed for sightseeing to the AGRA FORT - Built by the famed
Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort is predominantly of
red sandstone. Ensconced within is the picture perfect Pearl
Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction. Visit Itmadullah's
Tomb built by Empress NOOR JEHAN in memory of her father (The
interiors of which are considered better than the Taj).
Overnight will be at Agra.
Day 04:
Agra - Jaipur (By Road 221 Kms/6
hr)
After breakfast drive to beautiful Pink City - Jaipur. Stop at
Fatehpur Sikri. The deserted, red Sandstone City, Emperor Akbar
built that as his capital and palace in the late 16th century is
an exhilarating experience. It a veritable fairytale city and
its "ruins" are in pristine condition ... it's not hard to
imagine what the court life must have been like in the days of
its grandeur. Also visit the Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway
in the world.
Reach and check in at hotel.
JAIPUR:
The origins of the beautiful
city of Jaipur can be traced back to the eighteenth century,
during the reign of Jai Singh II who ascended the Amber throne
in 1699. Jaipur today, epitomizes the spirit of Rajputana.
In-spite of growing into a bustling metropolis, it still retains
its character and history - A beautiful fusion of the
yesteryears and modernity. It is popularly known as the Pink
City because of the extensive use of the locally abundant pink
plastered stone, painted so in honor of the visit of the royal
consort of Queen Victoria. Jaipur thrills the soul with its
massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and lush
gardens.
Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day 05:
Jaipur
Breakfast will be at hotel. Proceed for excursion to Amber Fort
in the outskirts of Jaipur. Elephant ride ascent to the fort.
AMBER FORT PALACE:
Amber is the
classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Its construction was
started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent
Jai Singh I. Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise
where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its
ultimate expression. Proceed for sightseeing of the city.
CITY PALACE: A delightful blend of
Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture, the City Palace
sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled city. It
houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City
Palace Museum.
JANTAR MANTAR: This is the largest and
the best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh
II in different parts of the country. This observatory
consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still in use.
HAWA MAHAL:
The ornamental facade of
this "Palace of Winds" is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. It is
a five-storey structure of sandstone plastered pink encrusted
with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has
953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal
was a royal grandstand for the palace women. Visit a rug factory and see the ladies at the
intricate work or a gem factory and see the gem cutting and
polishing process.
Overnight will be at Jaipur
Day 6: Jaipur - Udaipur (By Road 300 km/7
hr)
Start for Udaipur after breakfast. Reach and check in at hotel.
The city of Dawn, Udaipur is a lovely land
around the azure lake, hemmed in by the lush hills of the
ARAVALLIS. A vision in white drenched in romance and beauty,
Udaipur is a fascinating blend of sights, sound and experiences
and inspiration for the imagination of poets, painters and
writers. Its kaleidoscope of fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples,
gardens and narrow lanes strewn with stalls, carry the flavor of
a heroic past, epitomizing valor and chivalry. Their reflection
in the placid waters of the LAKE PICHOLA is an enticing sight.
Udaipur is the jewel of MEWAR -a kingdom ruled by the Sisodia
dynasty for 1200 Years.
Relax in the evening. Overnight will be at
Udaipur.
Day 7: Udaipur
After breakfast proceed for sightseeing tour of Udaipur,
stopping first at City Palace. Here you will marvel at rooms
with mirrored walls and ivory doors, colored glass windows and
inlaid marble balconies and the Peacock Courtyard. Also visit
the lovely Sahelion-ki-Bari Gardens, the Jagdish Temple and the
local folk Museum. Proceed for Evening Motor launch cruise on
the placid waters of Lake Pichola. From the boat you will be
able to view the city of Udaipur as it rises majestically above
the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan desert. Also visit the
Jag Mandir Palace - the other island palace in the middle of the
lake. Spend some time at the Jag Mandir Palace.
Overnight will be at Udaipur.
Day 8: Udaipur - Jodhpur (By Road 260
km/6 hr)
After breakfast drive to Jodhpur.
En-route, visit the RANAKPUR TEMPLES, dating
back to the 15th century. 200 pillars, none of which are alike,
support its 29 halls. The Temple abounds with intricate friezes
and sculptures. Includes visits to two more Jain temples and the
Temple of the Sun God with its erotic sculptures. Reach Jodhpur.
Set at the edge of the Thar Desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur
echoes with tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert.
Once the capital of the Marwar state, it was founded in 1459 AD
by Rao Jodha-chief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs who claimed to
be descendants of Rama - the epic hero of the Ramayana. The
massive 15th century AD Mehrangarh Fort looms on the top of a
rocky hill, soaring 125 Mts. Above the plains. The city is
encompassed by a high wall -10 km long with 8 gates and
innumerable bastionsRelax in the hotel and visit the museum of UMAID
BHAWAN PALACE. Overnight will be at Jodhpur.
Day 9:
Jodhpur - Jaisalmer (By Road
300 km/5 hr)
Morning sightseeing tour of Jodhpur - gateway to the desert
beyond, home of the Rathors of Marwar, visit the Mehrangarh
Fort, rising up a hilly scarp, built on the advice of a hermit,
overlooking the city in the image of a long sentinel. Inside the
Fort are a number of palaces added by successive rulers. In this
palace you would see different miniature paintings & cradle
room. After this you would visit Jaswant Thada Memorial. Proceed for Jaisalmer.
Rising from the heart of the Thar Desert like
a golden mirage is the city of Jaisalmer. A commanding fort
etched in yellow sandstone stands, with its awesome splendor,
dominating the amber-hued city.
The city has an interesting legend associated
with it, according to which, Lord Krishna-the head of the Yadav
Clan, foretold Arjuna that a remote descendent of the Yadav Clan
would build his kingdom atop the Trikuta Hill. His prophecy was
fulfilled in 1156 AD when Rawal Jaisal, a descendent of the
Yadav Clan and a Bhatti Rajput, abandoned his fort at Lodurva
and founded a new capital -Jaisalmer, perched on the Trikuta
Hill.
Reach and check in at hotel. Spend night at
Jaisalmer.
Day 10: Jaisalmer
After a relaxed breakfast proceed for full day sightseeing tour
of The Golden City - Jaisalmer. It is in the heart of the Great
Indian Desert. Its temple, fort and palaces are all built of
yellow stone. The city is a mass of intricately carved
buildings, facades and elaborate balconies. Visit the JAISALMER
FORT - The oldest living Fort in the world. (This is the
highlight of the tour) See the Patwon-Ki-Havelies,
Salim-Singh-Ki-Haveli and Gandhi Sagar Tank. Also visit Barabagh
Hill.
In the afternoon, proceed to the SAM SAND DUNES for visiting the
typical Rajasthani Desert Village. View the sunset from the
dunes, as the sky is set on fire. Return to the village for
dinner amidst Rajasthani musicians playing haunting tunes.
Return to the hotel and night will be at
Jaisalmer.
Day 11:
Jaisalmer to Delhi By Rail
Morning will be at leisure after breakfast. Take train to Delhi in the afternoon. Overnight
will be on train.
Day 12 : Delhi - Home
Reach Delhi in the afternoon. Reach and proceed for last minute
shopping. Enjoy the FAREWELL DINNER and transfer to airport for
flight home in the mid afternoon. |
