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Day 01. Flight
to India (Delhi)
Around
Midnight arrival in Delhi. The cosmopolitan City and capital Delhi is
the main gateway for travelers. You are met by an
our
representative
and transferred to your Hotel.
Day 02. Old - New Delhi
This morning is at leisure. Afternoon sightseeing in Old Delhi. We take
a Rickshaw Ride parallel to the Red Fort through the old city and famous
Silk Road and Silver Bazaar. Sightseeing of Old Delhi includes "Rajghat",
the place where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated and
Jama Masjid,
the great
mosque of old Delhi. Today we also visit the famous "Humayun Tomb"
which is the first substantial example of Mughal architecture in India.
Before we proceed to the Hotel we have a drive through New Delhi where
we see the India Gate, Government Buildings and Embassies.
Day 03. Delhi - Shekhawati
(about 270 km)
In
the morning we visit "Qutub Minar" which is 71 meter high and consists
of five stories. In 1199 work began on this tower which was intended
to be the most glorious tower of victory in the world. This tower was
damaged twice and repaired in 1326 and 1368.After the sightseeing of
Delhi we drive to Shekhawati region. Arrival in Shekhawati in the late
evening.
Day 04. Shekhawati
- Bikaner (about 190
km)
In the morning we visit the grand havellis of the Shekhawati area. Shekhawati
lies in the north east region of Rajasthan and is the homeland of
marwaris. The
marwaris form one of the most important merchant and business groups
in India, they developed their business acumen on the trade routes between
Delhi and the coast between India and Central Asia. Marwaris enjoyed
protections by Maharajas and many of them built grand havellis. The hovels
are mansions, elaborately and attractively decorated with a strong main
entrance. The walls are often covered with murals, local legends and
religious scenes from Hindu Mythology. After the visit of Shekhawati
area we proceed to Bikaner. After a short break in Bikaner we visit
the Junagarh Fort (1571-1611 AD) constructed of red sandstone and marble
with kiosks and balconies embellishing the structure at intervals. This
imposing Fort and its palaces are an unforgettable experience for us.
Day 05. Bikaner
- Jaisalmer (about 330 km)
Today we drive through the desert and proceed for Jaisalmer.
Very often one can see along the road to Jaisalmer some of the antelopes of this region. Blackbuck and fast running
chinkara are the most common among them. We have a stop enroute at a
village to observe the traditional life of the villages in Rajasthan.
We
arrive in Jaisalmer in the late evening.
Day 06. Jaisalmer
Sightseeing of the medieval city of Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer's crenellated
golden sandstone walls and its narrow streets lined with exquisitely
carved buildings makes this city unique. Jaisalmer is famous for its
carved havellis (grand mansions). In medieval times, its prosperity was
due to its location on the main trade route linking India to Egypt,
Arabia, Africa and the West. Jaisalmer is a marvel of beautiful culture
and this city remains one of the most exotic city not only in Rajasthan
but in the whole of India. Some of the visitors called this city "a
living museum". We have a walk through the old city and visit the
Fort
and the Jain temple. In the afternoon we drive around 40 km. away from Jaisalmer to
Sam dunes where we enjoy the sunset before we drive back
to Jaisalmer.
Day 07. Jaisalmer - Osian - Jodhpur
(about 290 km)
Early morning drive to Jodhpur via Osian.
Osian is a great centre of Hindu and Jain religions. The oldest
Temple here was constructed in 1178 AD. The city was once the capital of the
princely state of Marwar (Land of death). Jodhpur is the second largest
city in Rajasthan. Jodhpur is also known as the blue city as most of
the houses of the old city are painted blue. The old city is surrounded
by a huge 10 km long wall which has 101 bastions and seven gates. Jodhpur
lies on the once strategic Delhi-Gujarat trading route and the marwaris
got benefit from the passing traffic of opium, copper, silk which was
traded to China. We will visit the Mehrangarh Fort (majestic fort). Mehrangarh
Fort was built on a steep hill and is among the best in India with exquisitely
latticed windows in residential apartments within. We also visit the
Jaswant Thada, a royal cenotaph built in white marble. After the sightseeing
we have a walk through the Bazaars of Jodhpur.
Day 08. Jodhpur - Ranakpur
- Udaipur (about 260 km)
Today we drive to Udaipur. Enroute we will visit Ranakpur. Ranakpur is
known for its superbly carved marble Jain Temples. An enormous basement
of this temple covers 48,000 sq. feet. There are four subsidiary shrines,
twenty four pillared halls. The total number of columns is 1,444, all
of which are intricately carved, no two being alike. The Ranakpur Jain
Temples were built during the 15th century. We have a break in Ranakpur
before proceeding further for Udaipur. Udaipur is called the romantic
city of Rajasthan. A city built around shimmering, clear, blue water
lakes which reflect the green hills of the Aravali ranges.
Day 09. Udaipur
Today we visit Udaipur, also known as the city of sunrise. We start our
sightseeing with the visit of Sahelion-Ki-Bari. This Garden of the Maids
of Honour is well laid out with extensive lawns and shady walks. After
the visit of Garden of Maids we visit a Museum of folk art. This museum
has a rich collection of Folk dresses, ornaments, puppets, masks, dolls,
folk musical instruments and paintings on display. After a break we
proceed to City
palace, the biggest Palace in India, where 4 generations
of Maharajas added their contribution, is so carefully planned and integrated
with the original buildings that it is difficult to believe that it
was not conceived as a whole. The museum of the palace includes the beautiful
peacock mosaic and miniature wall paintings of Indian mythology. Today
we have an opportunity to visit a traditional painting school and see
the famous miniature paintings done. In the evening we have a Boat
ride
on the lake Pichola. The famous Lake Palace of Udaipur was the summer
residence of the former rulers. The James bond Film Octopussy was shot
here and made this palace more known in the west.
Day 10. Udaipur - Pushkar
(about 300 km)
Today we leave Udaipur and drive to Pushkar. Pushkar being one of the
most religious places for Hindus has the atmosphere of an ancient religious
town. The only temple of God Brahma is in Pushkar thus making Pushkar
an important pilgrimage city for Hindus. Pushkar has become famous in
the world due to its Pushkar Festival which takes place in the month
of November when the whole of Pushkar is transformed into a spectacular
fair ground where thousands of pilgrims come to bath in the holy water
of Pushkar lake and the biggest cattle and camel markets take place
here where Farmers, breeders and camel traders buy and sell. (if this
tour takes place during the time of Pushkar Festival we spend 2 nights
stay in Pushkar instead of one and therefore the duration of this Tour
will be extended for one more day making it 17 days tour).
Day 11. Pushkar - Jaipur
(about 120 km)
Today we leave the holy city of Pushkar and drive to the Pink City Jaipur. This
city owes its name, foundations and careful planning to the great warrior
and astronomer, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Jaipur is the capital of
Rajasthan and famous for its handicrafts and precious and semiprecious
stones. After a break in Jaipur we visit the City palace in the afternoon
which is still the formal residence of the royal family, built in a
blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. In the museum of the
city palace we visit the private collection of the Jaipur Maharajas.
We continue to Jantar Mantar, a stone observatory, the largest of Jai
Singh's five remarkable observatories. It’s complex instruments reveals
us the secrets of medieval Indian astronomy.
Day 12. Jaipur
After breakfast we drive to the ancient capital of Amber, laying 11
km. away from Jaipur. Amber was the ancient capital of Kachhawaha dynasty
for 6 centuries before it was moved to newly created Jaipur. We will
ascend to the Palace Fortress on the back of an Elephant. Enroute to
Amber we will visit the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), built in 1799
AD, it contains 953 small casements with each having its own balcony.
The windows enabled cool air to circulate and the ladies to watch processions
below without being seen. In the afternoon we have a walk through the
colourful Bazaar of Jaipur and visit a factory to see the famous block
printing work being done since centuries in Jaipur. In the evening we
drive through the new city of Jaipur and visit “Laxmi Narayan Mandir”,
a Hindu temple made out of white marble. We might have an opportunity
here to observe a prayer ceremony. Today we have dinner with a presentation
of Indian music and dance.
Day 13. Jaipur - Fatehpur
Sikri - Agra (about 260 km)
Today we leave Rajasthan, the biggest state in India and drive through
a series of fields, small towns and villages in direction of Agra. Enroute
we make a stop and visit Fatehpur Sikri, which was once an imperial
capital frozen in time, constructed by Akbar the Great in the 16th
century. This
wonderful city constructed by red sand stones was abandoned as abruptly
as it had been built. It has been generally stated that it was due to
failing in the water supply. Late evening arrival in Agra. Rest of the
day at leisure.
Day 14. Agra - Orchha
We start today our sightseeing by a visit to the Agra Fort, built by
three of the greatest Mughal emperors. The construction of this massive
structure began in 1565 under Akbar's reign and continued till the time
of his grandson's reign, Shah Jahan who built the impressive imperial
quarters and mosque. After the visit of Agra Fort we proceed to visit
the most beautiful monument of India, the Taj Mahal, an enduring monument
to love, with a continually fulfilling beauty. It was built by the Mughal
Emperor Shah Jahan between 1631-52, as a tomb and memorial to his beloved
wife Mumtaz Mahal (Jewel of the Palace), who died at the age of 39 giving
birth to her 14th child. We spend enough time at Taj Mahal to take this
impressive memory home. After the visit of Taj Mahal we drive to
Orchha. Orchha's grandeur has been captured in stone, frozen in time, a rich legacy to the ages. In this medieval city, the hand of time has rested lightly and the palaces and temples built by its Bundela
rulers in the 16th and 17th centuries retain much of their pristine
perfection.
Day 15. Orchha - Khajuraho
In the morning we visit the temples and palaces in Orchha and later
drive to Khajuraho. Khajuraho was the capital
of the Chandela dynasty. The Chandela Kings claimed descent from the
moon. The temples of Khajuraho are among the finest examples of temple
craftsmanship in the whole of India. In the evening arrive in
Khajuraho. The rest of the day at leisure.
Day 16. Khajuraho - Varanasi
(by air)
Today we visit the temple complex of Eastern Group and Western Group to see the
most beautiful temples in India. Most famous among them is the Laxmana
Temple which is dedicated to god Vishnu. The presence of erotic sculptures
in the Temples at Khajuraho is one of the expression among others of
the celebration of all human activities displaying different aspects
of Hinduism. In the evening flight to Varanasi. The rest of the day
at leisure. Varanasi is without doubt India’s most sacred city and thus
visited by over one million people. Varanasi is also called the city
of light. Buddha visited this city in 500 BC.
Day 17. Varanasi
In the early morning we take a boat ride on the holy river Ganges and
enjoy sunrise on the boat. Ghats
(flight of steps) and the activities of pilgrims on that are the
principal attraction for visitors to Varanasi. Thousands of pilgrims
and devotees visit this city to make holy prayers, to meditate and
to purify themselves through taking a bath in the holy river Ganges.
In the noon we visit the city of Varanasi.
Optional: A drive can be organised to Sarnath(10 km). Sarnath is the place where Buddha delivered his first sermon at deer
park.
Day 18. Varanasi - Delhi
(by air)
In Afternoon we fly from Varanasi to Delhi. In Delhi we have rest of
the day at leisure.
Optional: Further excursion in Delhi can be organised
as per the individual wishes. Rooms are available to get fresh and change
before we depart for the Airport with Indo Vacations representative.
Day 19. Flight to Home
Around Midnight flight to home destination.
About
Hotels:
We
provide you the accommodation as per your budget mentioned above in
the table of hotels category for any of the booked tour. Hotels
provided by us are from budget to luxury class hotels.
Luxury hotels are
all five stars or of above standard. Deluxe would be a combination of
3 and 4 star Hotels and standard would be a combination of 2 and 3
star or similar hotels. The criteria
for selecting hotels by us remains the best value of your money. We
also provide you wherever possible accommodation in heritage hotels.
Heritage Hotels are old Palaces, Forts and Grand mansions of Maharajas
which have been later renovated and converted into Hotels. Rooms are
decorated all individually. Rooms are comfortable, romantic and
present the flair of olden Maharaja days.
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