Day 01: Arrive in New Delhi

Arrive at Terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport. Following immigration & baggage collection, you will be received in the arrivals area by our Representative with a traditional garland and be escorted to your hotel where your room has been reserved for 2 nights.

Stay overnight at the hotel.

 

Day 2 : Old and New Delhi Sightseeing

After a relaxed Breakfast, proceed to explore the 300-year old streets of Old Delhi. En-route, visit Rajghat, a memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation. Continue for a photo stop at Red Fort. The fort complex is considered to represent the zenith of Mughal creativity under Shah Jahan. You will then walk towards ChandniChowk. Visit the Jama Masjid (closed on Fridays for public). Completed in 1650, it is the largest mosque in India. Next you will embark on a unique experience, enjoy a pedicab ride for 1/2 houron ancient roads that pulsate with the rhythm of modernity. This visit show cases the real side with a journey into the past, a sensory venture with distinctive smells, distinctive noises, sights of hundreds of people going about their ways, wares being sold out in the open and commercial activities going on at a frantic pace.

After Lunch, continue with your tour to visit the QutubMinar (World Heritage Site), the tallest stone tower in India at 72 meters high. Qutub-ud-din Aibak began construction of the tower in 1199 by pulling down 27 Hindu and Jain temples to use their columns. Next proceed to visit the tomb of Mughal Emperor Humayun (WHS), which was built in 1565 by his widow Haji Begum. This outstanding monument in the Indo-Persian style is a precursor of the architectural style of the TajMahal.

Continue to drive through Lutyen's Delhi, specifically New Delhi, named after the leading British architect Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944), who was responsible for much of the architectural design and building when India was part of the British in the 1920s and 1930s. Lutyens laid out the central administrative area of the city. At the heart of the city was the impressive RashtrapatiBhawan, formerly known as Viceroy's House which is the official residence of the President of India, located on the top of Raisina Hill. The Rajpath, also known as King's Way, connects India Gate (built to commemorate the soldiers who died in WWII) to RashtrapatiBhawan, while Janpath, which crosses it at a right angle, connects to the RashtrapatiBhawan. Then you have the Secretariat Building, which house various ministries of the Government of India including Prime Minister's Office and the Parliament House.

Time permitting, before returning to the hotel, you will visit the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara (Sikh Temple), built in 1783. Inside the Gurudwara you will visit the Langar- a free, community kitchen that dishes out an astonishing 10,000 vegetarian meals a day to all the visitors (without distinction of background).Stay overnight at the hotel.

 

Day 3: Delhi to Agra (205Kms / 3 ½ Hours Drive)

After breakfast, check-out and proceed on your drive to Agra where you will stay for 1 night.

Agra, the former capital of Hindustan, is a city on the banks of the river Yamuna in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. The golden age of the city began with the Mughals. It was known then as Akbarabad and remained the capital of the Mughal Empire under the Emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan. Shah Jahan later shifted his capital to Shahjahanabad (Delhi) in the year 1649.

Check-in at Hotel, freshen up and later join your guide for an introduction of Agra starting with a visit to the TajMahal (WHS), (closed on Fridays) to view this incredible and extravagant monument built in the 17th century by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his beloved wife MumtazMahal, it took 22 years and the labour of 20,000 men. The white marble for this perfectly proportioned building with its amazing delicate inlay work was transported to the site by elephants from a quarry 200 miles away. The most skilled architects, inlay craftsmen, calligraphers, stone-carvers and masons came from all across Indian and lands as distant as Persia and Turkey. The master mason was from Baghdad, an expert in building the double dome from Persia, and an inlay specialist from Delhi. Yemen sent the gates, the corals came from Arabia, the garnets from Bundelkhand, onyx and amethyst from Persia. MumtazMahal’s final resting-place was ornamented like a queen’s jewel-box.

Break for lunch at a city hotel, freshen up and later join your guide for an introduction of Agra, Starting with a visit to the Agra Fort that dates back more than 450 years. It served as the seat of power during the period of Mughal domination and here you will see some of the most outstanding examples of Mughal architecture. The fort is built alongside the Yamuna river and stretches almost 2.5 km. It consists of a wall built in red sandstone and several buildings inside, such as the multi pillared Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience), the beautiful mosques (Nagina Masjid & Mina Masjid) and palaces (MacchiBhavan, KhasMahal, Shish Mahal, ShahJahaniMahal).

Overnight at the hotel.

 

Day 4: Agra - Jaipur (232 Kms - 5 1/2 hrs drive)

After breakfast, proceed on your overland drive to Jaipur. En route you will have a brief stop at Abhaneri, the 8th century monumentof an amazing step well, about 100 feet deep with flights of steps on three sides that no one has been able to count from a birds eye view. One can see the two royal toilets with carved windows and Jharokhas, which were used by the erstwhile king and queen. Even though Abhaneri is now in ruins, the place has a distinct charm about it.

Arrive in Jaipur and check-in at your hotel for 2 nights stay. Jaipur, the vibrant capital of Rajasthan is popularly known as the 'Pink City' because of the pink colored buildings in its old city. If Jaipur is a dream city for those with an eye for history and romance, it is also a shopper’s paradise. The main tourist attractions are in the old city.

Check-in and freshen up. Later, let your guide show you some hidden facets of Jaipur by foot (a 2 - 2 1/2 hrs free & easy walk). Following your guide through the little known lanes of the walled City, you will probably come across the old ways of life that still continue uninterrupted: stalls stacked with spicy local savouries; women haggling over the price of bangles and sarees; faithfuls offering prayers in little shrines at roadside corners; chai stalls doing brisk business; school children winding their way home through narrow lanes; old arts and crafts that still flourish in the bazaars. Be armed with your camera, plenty of batteries and a bottle of water!

Overnight at the hotel.

 

Day 5 : Jaipur’s Highlights

Following breakfast, proceed to Amber Fort. Enroute, you will have a photo stop at HawaMahal, also known as the Palace of Winds, which is little more than a façade. It is speculated that this honeycombed building was originally built for the women of the royal household to watch the everyday life and processions of the city. Continue to Amber Fort, where you will be transported up to the fortress palace on elephant back (return by sharing jeep). Surrounded by fortified battlements, the fort overlooks the Moat Lake. Once on top, you can stroll through the sprawling complex and tour the elaborately decorated halls, some with delightful fresco paintings, glass or inlaid precious stones. Two of the most outstanding are the Chamber of Mirrors (Sheesh Mahal) where the light from a single lamp, reflected in the many mirrors, illuminates the entire room and the Jas Mandir- a glorious symphony of mosaics, cooled by delicate marble screens.

Next, visit JantarMantar, the observatory built by Sawai Jai Singh. With a collection of astronomical instruments chiseled out of, it is one the largest and best preserved ancient scientific structures. These structures, with their striking combinations of geometric forms at large scale, have captivated the attention of architects, artists, and art historians worldwide and yet remain largely unknown to the general public.

Break for lunch and later you will visit the most distinguished landmark of the 'pink city’, the City Palace Complex.The architecture of the City Palace is a synthesis of Rajasthani and Mughal styles. There are many splendid small palaces and halls in the complex, such as the Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal and BadalMahal. You will also visit the museum inside, named the City Palace, which houses a collection of Mughal and Rajput miniature paintings, rare manuscripts, traditional clothing and an armory.

Next, Johari Bazaar &Triplia Bazaar - A visit to Jaipur is not complete without a visit to the local bazaars, shops display trinkets and other bric-a-brac of various splendid articles, it is also famous for variety of textiles, specially cottons & silks with traditional block prints - an art form that has continued through generations and has acquired a special place in today’s fashion world. From many, the more famous one is Johari Bazaar which offers the most fabulous collection of jewelry of all type. The Tripolia Bazaar is known for its lac jewelry and the beautiful varieties of bangles, textiles, Bandini tie-and-dye fabrics with rich embroideries. Chandpole Bazaar is where the creativity comes alive; and one comes across handicrafts, carvings made out of marble and other handlooms.

Overnight at the hotel.

 

Day 6: Jaipur / Bikaner (334 Kms - 5 1/2 hrs drive)

Following an early breakfast, continue your sojourn to Bikaner and check-in at your hotel for 1-night stay. Bikaner is a delightful small 15th c. town in the Thar Desert. Like Jaipur, it is also a “Pink City” with its impressive fort, palaces, mansions, and public buildings all carved from the rich pink sandstone that is characteristic of this region.

Check-in freshen up and later join your guide to visit the well-known Junagarh fort & museum which is a result of the building activities of sixteen successive generations of rulers. As a consequence, it contains antique monuments and excellent objects of art, such as the symbolic hands of 'sati's', seven historic Parole (gates), nine attractive temples, little shrines of various deities, four deep wells, three beautiful gardens, post medieval stables and barracks, an old Jail, and armory stones in the ground floor. The most notable are the old palaces, with their porches and pillars gates and doors, galleries and corridors that were added from time to time.

The number of old palaces in the second story are fifteen; in the third are eight; in the fourth are eleven; and in the fifth are five. Belonging to different periods, pertaining to history, the old palaces resuscitate the events and glories of Bikaner. You will then visit the 15th century Jain temple of Bhandasar whose interiors are stunning and whose pillars bear floral arabesques. It is also known for its yellowstone carvings, dizzyingly vibrant paintings and beautiful miniatures of the sentries of the gods. End the tour with a tuktuk through the old city, which is a collection of narrow, winding streets that houses some really nice buildings. You can also visit the local spice market ; the smells are amazing and there are huge bags of spice available for next to nothing.

Overnight at the hotel.

 

Day 7: Bikaner / Jaisalmer (331 kms - 5 hrs drive)

Following breakfast, drive down to Jaisalmer (53 Kmsapprox / 112 hrs drive). This 'Golden City' was

founded in 1156 A. D. by Rao Jaisal. It was the domain of BhatiRajputs, who were known for their valor and chivalry. No other city in India exudes more fairy tale aura than this exotic desert outpost on the ancient silk and spice route linking India to Egypt, Arabia.

Rest of the afternoon is free to soak in the ambience of your delightful hotel.

Closer to the evening, join your guide to visit GadiSagar Lake, an important place in Jaisalmer. There are numerous temples, shrines, cenotaphs and ghats surrounding this lake. A walk around the lake is recommended in order to get some amazing views from all. GadiSagar is a lovely place to steal a quiet moment.

Preceding your return to your hotel, you can spend time at Jaisalmer’s traditional bazaar. Jaisalmer has always been a trading outpost, and this legacy continues today in the city’s colorful and bustling bazaars. Even if you don’t want to buy, the bazaar is where everything happens, so it’s by far the best place to experience local Jaisalmer life.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

 

Day 8 :Jaisalmer

An eventful day for your cameras lies ahead, starting with a guided visit to Jaisalmer fort. This imposing landscape of Jaisalmer can be seen from almost anywhere in the town and from even further away. Inside, it is like a festival for 365 days a year, with people playing Ravana Hatha (a traditional musical instrument) or amusing you with acrobatics. As you walk in along the fort wall, you will be amused to see this live heritage site still hosting so many houses in its corners. There is more in the fort - a palace, Jain temples, the old Laxminath Temple as well as a vantage point that offers vista of the town and the desert beyond.

Continue your tour with a visit to the large homes or “havelis“ of the merchants, some of which date back to the premedieval times. One such haveli, Patwon Ki Haveli, is a beautiful four-story building with intricately decorated external walls. It has intricately carved screens on the facades and traditional architecture. The insides have now been converted into a museum. Jaisalmer has plenty to offer for your camera, no matter which way you point it.

Closer to the evening, proceed to the edge of the Khuri desert, hop on to camels for a ride in the country side under the light of the setting sun - the most evocative way to sample the desert life, passing by beautiful waves of fine sand spread over the vast deserts. A camel ride is great fun, especially when combining riding and walking side by side with your camel at your own pace; this way you can enjoy both.

Overnight at the hotel.

 

Day 09: Jaisalmer to Jodhpur Drive (280 kms, 5 hours)

The better part of the morning is free until checkout. Relax, unwind, and experience the spa. Later, continue to Jodhpur and on arrival check-in at your hotel for 2 nights stay.

Jodhpur's gentle atmosphere belies a stormy yet glorious past with city walls, seven gates, and numerous bastions & towers that were built in the 16th century by Rao Maldeo. In its maze of old lanes, lie several palaces, havelis& temples.

The afternoon will be free to unwind at your hotel or for independent activities. If you are up to it, you may take an optional tour.

Overnight at the hotel.

 

Day 10: Jodhpur to Bera( 164Kms - 3 1/2 hrs drive )

After breakfast, join your guide to visit the Mehrangarh Fort. So colossal are its proportions that Kipling called it “the work of giants”. Today, it is acknowledged as the finest living example of a Hindu fortress. In the fort, witness some of its palace apartments-the MotiMahal (Pearl Palace), SilehKhana and DaulatKhana - weave their own magic with a rich varied collection of palanquins, howdas, royal cradles, miniature paintings of various schools, folk music instruments, costumes, furniture and an impressive armory. The display of cannons on the ramparts near Chamunda Temple is among the rarest in India. You will have panoramic view of the city. The indigo-colored houses in the old town that signified the home of the Brahmins, are best seen from the ramparts of the Mehrangarh

Next visit JaswantThada, which in its entirety, is built out of intricately carved sheets of marble. These stones are extremely thin and polished so that they emit a warm glow when the sun's rays dance across their surface. Within this cenotaph, there are also two more tombs. The JaswantThadais a traditional cremation ground of Jodhpur rulers. The grounds also include exquisitely carved gazebos, a beautiful multi-tiered garden, and a small lake. The mausoleum is a fine example of architectural brilliance where you will also see beautiful marble Jali work on the cenotaph.

Break for lunch, then continue your sojourn to Bera where you will be reserved for 2 nights stay. Hidden in the belly of Rajasthan, Bera is a small town in Pali district which is home to considerable number of the Indian Leopard (Pantherapardes Linnaeus) and the Rabari villagers who have shared their land with wildlife for centuries.

An evening game drive will present an opportunity to scrutinize the wilderness and the easy harmony that exists between the Rabari people and the Leopards.

Overnight at the resort.

 

Day 11: Exploring Bera

An early start for the morning game drive certainly is recommended. The mystery of Bera is unravelled for guests by informed guides.

Afternoon free for rest at hotel.

In the evening you will take another jeep ride, else The Bera area is a country made for walking and Ramblers are guaranteed to have a field day out, to relax and tune those muscles tired by long hours of trains, planes and automobiles. They say the only way to truly understand someone is to walk a mile in their shoes. Traditionally, the Rabari shepherds have been nomads and walk for months with their herd. We invite you to take up the unique opportunity to walk around the area with the Rabari’s, who are an interesting and fun-loving tribe. The exact origin of the Rabari people is unknown, most likely that they migrated to India via Afghanistan through Baluchistan. Tall, proud men dressed in white with red turbans wearing silver ornaments, herd goats and cows to graze each day. The return of the herds to their home at dusk is the most magical time when animals are bathed in golden light and the sounds of cowbells fill the air.

Overnight at the resort.

 

Day 12 :Bera to Udaipur 3.5 Hrs Drive

Following a relaxed breakfast, continue on your sojourn with a drive to Udaipur. En route you will visit the Jain Temples at Ranakpur (Open to foreigners between 1200 - 1600 hrs) which lie buried in a shady glen and cover a vast area. The central temple is called Chaumukha (four-faced) and is the most complex and extensive of Jain temples in India, covering an area of over 3,600 sq. meters. Its 29 halls are supported by 1,444 pillars, none of which are alike. Subsidiary shrines in the shape of side altars throng around in all directions, including a temple dedicated to the Sun God, which displays erotic carvings.

Cooking demonstration followed by lunch. Today you could engage in a cooking session based on a style followed in Rajasthan and is based on the natural climatic conditions of this desert land. You will be shown how some of the dishes are cooked, the chef will describe the spices and ingredients used to prepare these wonderful dishes. Rajasthani cooking is an art, more importantly, one that emanates from the heart.

Later, arrive in Udaipur and proceed to check-in at your hotel where you are reserved for 2 nights. Set on the shores of Lake Pichola and surrounded by hills, Udaipur grew in contrast to the harsh deserts of the rest of Rajasthan. As capital of the old Mewar State, it was the only Rajput stronghold to uphold its Hindu allegiance in the face of Muslim invasion.

Overnight at the hotel.

 

Day 13: Udaipur

After breakfast proceed for a city tour which will cover a visit to the Sahelionkibari or garden of the Maids of Honor, a quaint ornamental garden which was laid out for a group of forty-eight women attendants who accompanied a princess of Udaipur, as part of her dowry. Next you will proceed to visit the Jagdish Temple, dedicated to Lord Jagannath. The temple is a three storied structure and has 50 pillars each in the first and second storey's and is one of the largest and popular Vishnu temples in Northern India. From the temple, walk down to GangaurGhat, situated on the waterfront of Lake Pichola. Sitting by the lake on the GangaurGhat, can be very calming.

A brief walk through the lanes will bring you to the City Palace, now a museum, which overlooks Lake Pichola. Here you will see filigreed balconies and ornate windows with glass, a maze of courtyards, apartments and beautifully decorated halls including the Peacock Courtyard. The rooms are covered with frescoes, displays of royal processions, stone and glass mosaics and ornamental doors and painted windows.

Closer to the evening you will enjoy a boat ride on Lake Pichola - this placid lake was enlarged by MaharanaUdai Singh II after he founded the city. During your boat ride you will visit Jag Mandir - the island palace on Lake Pichola which is said to be the muse for the Mughal emperor Shahjahan to build the TajMahal after staying here in 1623-24 while leading a revolt against his father Jahangir. Flanked by a row of enormous stone elephants, the island has an impressive chhatri (cenotaph) carved from grey blue stone. The view across the lake to the city is a scene of rare beauty.

 

Day 14 : Udaipur to Delhi Flight

After a relaxed breakfast, you proceed for the “Heritage Walk in The Old City” tour - this free & easy walk is in the old part of the city, which has a collection of narrow, winding streets leading to some of Rajasthan’s finest architecture. Walking is an integral part of most citizens' lives in Udaipur. Indeed, Udaipur's greenery, the small lanes in the old city, and the proximity of points of interest, make walking an ideal mode of transportation. Udaipur city is web of small and tiny lanes, which lane will open where and where it will close, nobody knows.

Closer to the time of your check-in time for your flight, you will be escorted to the airport where you will be assisted with your check-in formalities for your flight to Delhi and onward connecting flight back home.