Duration :16 Nights / 17 Days
Places Covered :Delhi - Varanasi - Agra - Fatehpur Sikiri - Jaipur - Pushkar - Bikaner - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur – Ranakpur - Udaipur - Delhi
DAY 01: ARRIVE DELHI
On arrival, you are met and transferred to your pre-booked hotel. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 02: DELHI
This morning visit old Delhi, built in the 17th century by Shah Jehan the Magnificent (who also built the Taj Mahal). First we will be visiting the famous Jama Masjid mosque with its 9,000 sq. ft. courtyard, three domes and two minarets, and then proceed to the massive complex known as the Red Fort and Akshradham Temple.
Afternoon visit Lakshmi Narayan Temple, a Spectacular structure that's just 60 years old , and then proceed via India Gate and the Governmental building to Qutab Minar, the 240 foot tower built in 1190 to commemorate the arrival of Islam in India, the Bahai Temple with its nine pools on an elevated platform, and the Crafts Museum, which replicates and Indian street with over 50 artists and craftspeople at work. Overnight at the Hotel.
DAY 03:DELHI - VARANASI BY FLIGHT
Morning transfer to Airport to board flight for Varanasi. After freshen up, proceed to the village of Sarnath on the outskirts of town. It was in this Deer Park that the Lord Buddha gave his first sermon. Visit the Park and Museum. Sarnath was made a centre of Buddhist worship by the emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC. We will visit the Main Shrine and Ashoka's Pillar. In the Archaeological Museum we will see the beautifully carved capital from the pillar along with many other priceless Buddhist artifacts. The highlight of this tour would be a participation in the evening Aarti (prayer service) at the Ghat. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 04: VARANASI
Varanasi formerly known as Benares, is the city where the Hindu faithful come to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges. Early this morning get ready for a dawn boat ride on the river Ganges. The Ganges is the most sacred and venerated river in India. Besides the ritualistic aspect of Hinduism ( thread ceremony, head shaving food to the departed souls etc). Also you can see the bathing. Laundry and the cremations of the dead that take place here on the banks of the river. After the boat ride walk through the fascinating narrow twisting lanes of the city to watch the performance of various Hindu rituals by the pilgrims. After the boat trip on the Ganges we return back to the hotel. After breakfast we will proceed for a city tour. Overnight at the Hotel.
DAY 05: VARANASI - AGRA BY OVERNIGHT TRAIN DEP. 17.45 HRS
Morning free. Afternoon transfer to railway station to board train to Agra. Overnight on board.
DAY 06: ARRIVE AGRA AT 05.55 HRS
On arrival, you are met and transferred to hotel. After freshen up, full day city tour of Agra. First see the exquisite tomb of the emperor Jehangir's chief minister and father-in - law, often called the 'BABY TAJ' because its design foreshadows the Taj Mahal. Then we tour Agra's Red Fort, built over three generations by the moghul emperors. Evening sunset visit to Taj Mahal, the mausoleum built by a sorrowing Shah Jehan in memory of his young wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Building's stupendous scale, flawless symmetry, translucent white marble and shimmering reflection in the water channel are truly breathtaking. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 07: AGRA - JAIPUR VIA FATEHPUR SIKIRI 232 KMS 5 HOURS DRIVE
Morning dive to Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikiri and Bharatpur birds sanctuary.Upon arrival check in at Hotel. Overnight at Hotel. In the evening, visit Chokhi Dhani where an ethnic village atmosphere is recreated each evening with thousands of oil lamps, folk dancers, arobats, snake charmers, puppeteers etc. Overnight at the Hotel.
DAY 08: JAIPUR
Today morning we visit the Amber Fort in the Aravali Hills, which is a super example of Rajput (Medieval Hindu) style architecture. A slow elephant ride takes us to the top of the Fort, which houses several graceful building. Afternoon tour of City Palace and Observatory. The City Palace in the heart of the old city is a blend of Rajasthan and Mughal architecture. The Palace of winds - a five storied structure of pink sandstone has semi-octagonal and delicately honeycombed windows overlooking the main street of the old city. It was originally built to enable the ladies of the royal household to watch everyday life and Nahargarh Fort Etc. Overnight at the Hotel.
DAY 09:JAIPUR - PUSHKAR 150 KMS 03 HOURS DRIVE
After an early breakfast we continue our drive to Pushkar, which is a quiet little town ,on the edge of a small and beautiful lake in eastern Rajasthan. A city of 500 temples and 52 bathing ghats. Pushkar prides itself on being the site of the only temple of the Hindu God of Creation, Lord Brahma and is therefore believed to be the centre of the creation of the world. Afternoon is spent visiting the ghats and the temples. Overnight at the Hotel
DAY 10: PUSHKAR - BIKANER 300 KMS 6 HOURS DRIVE
After breakfast, we continue our drive towards Bikaner. The drive is through desert country, with scanty vegetation. Upon arrival checkin to the Hotel. The endless monotony of the desert is broken by the fort and palaces of Bikaner. The city 's deity is Karni Mata.The temple dedicated to her provides sanctuary to mice in the belief that those who serve the goddess are reborn as mice. Other places of interest are the Junagarh Fort and the Lalgarh Palace and evening visit Local markets etc. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 11: BIKANER - JAISALMER 330 KMS 7 HOURS DRIVE
Morning drive to Jaisalmer, a fascinating city rising from the heart of the Thar Desert like a golden mirage. The commanding fort etched in yellow sandstone stands in some splendor, dominating the Amber hued city. A visit to Jaisalmer is a must for any traveller to Rajasthan. Jaisalmer is located on the edge of the desert, which is a bustling center from where one can trek across the beautiful stretches of sand on camels or, paradoxically enjoy the nearby lakes and reservoirs. Few places in India could rival the medieval charm and magnificence of Jaisalmer. The rich and beautiful palaces and havelis of Jaisalmer shimmer against the relentless monotony of the Thar Desert. Its rulers were known for their valour and their beautiful havelis and temples has assumed the air of virtual museum. Evening visit sand dunes. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 12: JAISALMER
Today visit the awesome Jaisalmer Fort, housing the entire township within its ramparts. Lovely havelis dot the enchanting network of narrow lanes. Among the sights you'll visit : Nathmalji - Ki- Haveli and Patwaon ki Haveli, three beautifully sculptured Jain temples built between the 12th and 13th Centuries; and five interconnected palaces. The fort is approached through four gateways - Akhaiya Pol, Ganesh Pol, Suraj Pol and Hawa Pol and Visit the Desert Festival. Overnight at the Hotel.
DAY 13: JAISALMER - JODHPUR 350 KMS 7 HOURS DRIVE
Morning Again Visit the Desert Festival and by Afternoon Drive to Jodhpur including visits to interesting Hindu and Jain Temples at Osiyan. Jodhpur the gateway to the Thar desert , the city is known for its striking forts, stately palaces and gracious building. Arrive Jodhpur, The second largest city in Rajasthan, standing on the edge of the Thar Desert. The old city was founded by Rao Jodha, its walls with seven gates and countless bastions and towers were built by Rao Maldeo in the 16th Century when Jodhpur was a booming trading town. Jodhpur is called the "Blue City" for the characteristic plea indigo color of its traditional homes. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 14: JODHPUR
Full day city tour of Jodhpur visiitng Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant thada etc. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 15:JODHPUR - UDAIPUR VIA RANAKPUR 260 KMS 5 HOURS DRIVE
Morning drive to Udaipur enroute visit Ranakpur which is situated between Jodhpur, Mount Abu, Udaipur. Here we visit the famous Ranakpur Temple Complex, one of the biggest and most important cluster of Jain Temple in India . Nestled in the Aravalli Range.The Chaumukha temple , or Four Faced Temple is the main temple in the complex and dates back to the 15th century.Built in marble , the temple has 29 halls supported by more than 1400 pillars, no two of which are alike. After visiting the Ranakpur we continue our drive to Udaipur and upon arrival checkinto at hotel. Evening we take a boat ride on the Lake Pichola. Overnight at the Hotel.
DAY 16: UDAIPUR
Udiapur was built along three lakes and ringed by green hills. Udaipur (pop, 366.000) is known as the ' Venice of the East ' The City 's palaces, gardens, ghats, temples and painted houses match the beauty of the setting. This morning we will visit the towering City Palace, the largest in Rajasthan, and the Saheliyon ki Bari ( Garden of the Maidens.) Once for bidden to all but he queen and her ladies. From here we visit the e superb Jagdish Temple noted for its elephant - motif carvings. The afternoon Excursion to Nagada and Eklingi. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 17: UDAIPUR - DELHI BY FIGHT
Morning transfer to Airport to board flight for Delhi. On arrival, transfer to International Airport to board flight for Onward Journey.
