02 Day: Mumbai
After breakfast take a sight seeing tour of Bombay,
drive to Gateway of India and from here cruise by motorboats
to Elephanta Caves. A flight of 100 steps takes you
to the top of the hill where it is set. The caves houses
large pillars that seem to hold the ceiling, which is
made, have crossbeams. The picturesque presentations
of the 9 marvelous sculptured panels, set on the walls
are awe-inspiring. The most famous of the panels is
the Trimurthi, or triple-headed Shiva, where the God
is depicted as the destroyer, the preserver and the
creator. Later in the afternoon cruise back to Gateway
of India, one can have lunch at the Taj Hotel or other
several good Restaurants like Leopold & Mondegar
serving continental cuisines. Later visit Prince of
Wales Museum, Parliament House, Marine Drive, Jain Temple,
Hanging Gardens, Return back to the hotel for overnight at the hotel.
Note: Elephanta Caves and Prince of Wales museum are closed on every Monday.
03 Day: Mumbai - Udaipur
(By Air)
Early morning transfer to the airport to board
the scheduled flight for Udaipur. On arrival transfer to the hotel.
After relax and breakfast take a sightseeing tour, visiting
City Palace built in 1559, a small palace over looking
at the Lake Pichola, the additions were made to it by
successive Kings of Udaipur gradually evolved become
the larges place in Rajasthan, Main attraction of Place
are Durbar Hall, Crystal Gallery, Palace Museum and
Jagdish Temple. Later visit Saheli Ki Bari that is a
small ornamental garden built in the honour of Royal
Ladies for recreational purpose and visit Lok Kala Mandal
collection of folk art items like folk dresses, ornaments,
puppets ,masks, dolls folk musical instruments, folk
deities and paintings. Opened seven days a week, puppet
shows and folk dancing are conducted every evening from
1800 to 1900 in an adjacent open air theatre. &
Shilpgram to see the village arts & crafts. Followed
by visit to Eklingji & Nagda Temples - built in
white marble with a double storied porch on the bank
of Lake Bageela - 22 kms from Udaipur. Overnight at
Udaipur.
04 Day: Udaipur - Chittaurgarh
- Udaipur (112 kms: 3 hrs)
After early breakfast, first take an excursion to Chittaurgarh.
Spread over 13 square kms, unlike other forts you can
explore this fort by the vehicle you are traveling,
Chittaurgarh fort is the mightiest Fort in Indian History,
The pride and glory of Rajasthan. A ruined citadel,
where the royal past lives in its imposing forts, graceful
palaces and spectacular 'chhatris'in the fort vicinity
visit Kirti Stambha, Rana-Kumbha Palace, Padmini Palace,
Meera Temple and Kumbha Shyam Temple and Kalika Mata
Temple, State Archaeological Museum. Later drive back
to Udaipur. In the evening you can enjoy boat ride at
Lake Pichola and opt for dinner at Lake Palace Hotel,
located amidst of the Lake Pichola. Overnight at the hotel.
05 Day: Udaipur - Jodhpur
(276 kms: 6 hrs)
After breakfast drive to Jodhpur En route visiting the
Jain temples at Ranakpur Temples of 12 Century –
The cluster of temples, made of intricately sculpted
white marble, built out of marbles with 108 carved pillars
each carved differently from others, Come across as
a marvellous feat of architecture. One can have lunch
at Maharani Bagh Hotel in Ranakpur and visit to local
families on the way. After visit continue to drive to
Jodhpur on arrival transfer to the hotel. In the evening
you may opt to visit On the Rocks a garden restaurant
serving ethnic food followed by live music and folk
dance, located at Ajit Bhawan. Later return to the hotel
for overnight stay.
06 Day: Jodhpur
After breakfast take a sight seeing tour of Jodhpur
including Clock Tower, Mehrangarh Fort situated at an
altitude of about 125 meters and is spread over an area
of 5 sq. km and it has seven gates, Jaswant Thada is
a white marble memorial built in memory of Maharaja
Jaswant Singh, followed by visit to Umaid Bhawan Palace
which is a majestic Palace building that presently functions
as a hotel and museum. Later take an excursion to Bishnoi
Village, the villagers known by cast “Bishnois”
Protectors of animals, wildlife and tree, there is a
list of 29 rules, among other things don't kill any
animals, don't cut down green trees, take from the fields
only what you need, etc. These 29 rules (Bish-noi means
'29' in the Hindi language) forms the base of the Bishnoi-philosophy.
Of course they are vegetarians and therefore they have
great respect for all living things. Sure they keep
buffaloes, sheep and goats but only for the milk, the
wool and the manure. Later visit to the local handicrafts
viz shoe makers, pottery hand weaving clothes and also
men in their traditional attire, women clad with ancestral
silver Jewellery, en-route watch and photograph wildlife
black buck, chinkaras, peacock etc. freely moving in
abundance of care by villagers. Later drive back to
Jodhpur for overnight stay.
07 Day: Jodhpur - Jaisalmer
(290 kms: 6 hrs)
After breakfast drive to Jaisalmer en route visit to
Osian Village, ruins of an ancient city called Osian,
an oasis in the desert, A drive to this ancient township
takes one past undulating terrain, punctuated by desert
stretches and little hamlets. Osian has 15 beautifully
sculpted Jain and Brahmanical temples. Of these, the
most outstanding ones are the earlier Surya or Sun Temple
and the later Kali temple, Sachiya Mata Temple and the
main temple dedicated to Lord Mahavira. On arrival transfer
to the hotel. In the evening you can visit Gadisar Lake
in the main city or the local market to acclimatize
with the city atmosphere. Overnight stay at the hotel.
08 Day: Jaisalmer
After breakfast take a sight seeing tour of Jaisalmer
covering Jaisalmer Fort - built on the highest point
of the Tricuta hill, consisting of 99 bastions. Outstanding
features are Megh Durbar & various temples, Salim
Singh-Ki-Haveli & Patwon-Ki-Haveli - some of the
beautiful mansions with stone carving and latticework
of breath taking intricacy, later after lunch drive
to Sam Sand Dunes - 45 kms en route visit the ancient
Temple of Lodurwa, Amar Sagar and Mool Sagar Complex,
built in 1815 AD, The complex also houses a summer palace
where some beautiful paintings and pictures are displayed.
On arrival at Sam Sand Dunes and transfer on Camels
and enjoy camel safari to discover the various sights
and sounds, the ruins and the temples in and around
Jaisalmer in an authentic and leisurely fashion with
entertainment by folk performers, visits to villages,
and chatter from colorful guides thrown in. After safari
drive back to Jaisalmer for overnight stay.
Note: Optionally you can stay overnight
at the Sam Sand dunes in luxury tented accommodation,
enjoying the starry night with ethnic food, folk dances,
bone fire and camel safari in dues in nights hours.
09 Day: Jaisalmer - Bikaner
(330 kms: 7 hrs)
After breakfast checkout & drive to Bikaner, en
route visit to the massive Fort Pokharan, the town Pokhran
came to the limelight when several nuclear tests were
conducted here during the 1970's and the 1990's. Pokharan
Fort is Built in 1532-1584 the yellow sandstone Pokhran
fort, though not as grand a fort as some of the others
in Rajasthan has a few exquisite palaces like the Mangal
Niwas, the Rani Mahal and the Phool Niwas or the Flower
Palace, visit to Pokhran Museum: housed inside the fort’s
premises is fairly small and contains an assortment
of weapons, paintings, pottery and the costumes which
the Maharajas wore. After visit continues to drive to
Bikaner. On arrival transfer to hotel. The evening free
for leasiure. Overnight at the hotel.
10 Day: Bikaner - Jaipur
(350 kms: 7 hrs)
After breakfast take a sight seeing tour of Bikaner
covering Junagadh Fort - constructed between 1588 and
1593 by Raja Rai Singh, fort has a 986 meter long wall
with 37 bastions & two entrances, Bhand Sagar Temple
- The 16th century Jain temple, is the most important
temple of this complex. Later check out the hotel and
drive to Jaipur en route visit Deshnok to see the world
famous rat Temple of Karnimata - at this temple rats
are held sacred & roam freely within the temple
complex. After visit continue to drive to Jaipur, if
time permit you can take a stop over at Mandawa visiting
old havelis. After visit continue to drive to Jaipur,
on arrival transfer to the hotel. Evening free for individual
activities and relax. Overnight at the hotel.
11 Day: Jaipur
Today after breakfast explore the Pink City with an
excursion to Amber Fort, situated just outside the city,
enjoy the experience of ride on elephant back to and
from the top of the hill on which the fort is situated.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of City Palace in the heart
of Jaipur is known for its blend of Rajasthani and Mughal
architecture. Not far away is the Central Museum. Jantar
Mantar is the largest of the five observatories built
by Sawai Jai Singh. The Hawa Mahal or the Palace of
Winds was constructed for the royal ladies to watch
the royal processions without being seen, all monuments
are located in the vicinity of City Palace Complex of
Jaipur. Later in the evening visit to Birla Temple,
speculator marble temple, glitters in the in the night,
later at the time of dinner visit to Chokhi Dhani -
an ethnic 5 star resort serving Rajasthani & Continental
cuisine with live music, astrology, games, folk dances
and music, puppet shows in an ambiance of an ethnic
village. Return to the hotel for overnight.
12 Day: Jaipur - Agra:
(230 kms: 5 hrs)
After breakfast drive to Agra. En route visit the Old
Deserted Town of Mughal Dynasty - Fatehpur Sikri built
in red sandstone in honour of Saint Salim Chisti who
foretold the birth of 3 sons to Emperor Akbar, is an
example of robust stability combined with originality.
Each important edifice here represents a type by itself.
Notable among them is the Diwan-e-Khas; Punch Mahal,
the Tomb of Salim Chisti, and the Bulund Darwaza. After
visit, continue to proceed to Agra. On arrival transfer
to the hotel. After some rest and relaxation visit to
the Agra Fort from where one can get the most moving
view of the Taj from the little octagonal tower in the
Agra Fort, which lies, across the river Jamuna. In the
evening you may visit to the souvenirs market of Agra,
one should visit Oswal Emporium where they have built
a Mini Taj Mahal inside their showroom and it took 10
years for the artists to complete the mini replica of
the Taj. Overnight at the
hotel.
Note:
Taj Mahal is closed on every Friday.
13 Day: Agra - Delhi (200
kms: 5 hrs)
Early morning visit to witness incomparable Taj Mahal with its’ speculative view at the time of Sunrise. Taj Mahal, the architectural modern day wonder of the world; this monument is a fine example of the fusion of many architectural styles is one of the wonders of the modern world. Taj, endowed it with some of the loveliest buildings in the world. Later visit Agra Fort, designed and built by Akbar in 1565 A.D., built with barricaded wall of red sand stone; it houses the beautiful Pearl Mosque and numerous palaces including the Jahangir Mahal, Diwan-i-Khas, Diwan-i-Am, Macchhi Bhawan, Nagina Masjid, Meena Bazar, Moti Masjid, Sheesh Mahal, Musamman Burj where from Taj Mahal is visible in all its beauty from one side of the fort. So very ironically, Emperor Sahahjahan, prisoner of his son Aurangzeb in his old age was put in a cell from where he could gaze at the Taj Mahal at a distance, from his cell in the fort. So very ironically, Emperor Sahahjahan, prisoner of his son Aurangzeb in his old age was put in a cell from where he could gaze at the Taj Mahal at a distance, from his cell in the fort. Later drive to Delhi, en route; you can visit Sikandra to see the Tomb of Mughal Emperor Akbar. On arrival transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
14 Day: Delhi
After breakfast take sightseeing tour of historic city
visiting Old Delhi visiting the majestic Red Fort, a
marvel in red sandstone, Jama Masjid, the largest mosque
in India, both built by emperor Shah Jahan of Taj Mahal
fame, Rajghat - memorial of Mahatma Gandhi & a Rickshaw
ride past through the silver street in Chandani Chowk,
the city tour continues covering New Delhi, visiting
Rashtrapati Bhawan, one-time imperial residence of the
British viceroys; the India Gate, a memorial raised
in honour of the Indian soldiers martyred during the
Afghan war; the Laxmi Narayan Temple, built by the Birlas,
one of India’s leading industrial families; Humayun’s
Tomb, lotus shaped Bhai’s Temple, Qutub Minar, built by Qutub-ud-din Aibek of the Slave Dynasty;
in the evening you can visit see speculative Light and
Sound Show at Red Fort. Return to the hotel for overnight
stay.
15 Day: Delhi - Hometown
(By Air)
After breakfast morning is free for leisure. Later check out of the hotel and drive to the airport to board the flight for hometown.
Tour concludes here with happy memories.