colours of rajasthan

Day 01 Arrive Delhi You will arrive late evening in Delhi. Our representative will meet you and On arrival you will be received by our representative for transfer to hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02 Delhi – Mandawa Morning drive to Mandawa (250 km). Upon arrival, check-in at hotel. Afternoon visit the town, a painted arched gateway adorned with Lord Krishna and his cows leads to the bazaar. Walk through the Shekawati region, which was the stronghold of KayamkhaniNawabs till 1730. Besides the cenotaphs, wells, forts and temples the majority of frescoes are painted on the walls and gateways of Havelis. The havelis are mansion of a unique residential architectural style that evolved around courtyards to serve the purpose of family security, privacy for the women as also protecting the inhabitants from the long, harsh summers. The enormous Havelis with fascinating murals built by the wealthy Rajasthani merchants ("Marwaris") in the 19th century. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03 Mandawa – Bikaner Morning drive to Bikaner (230 km). Upon arrival in Bikaner – check into the hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Bikaner - this desert town in the north of the state was founded in 1488 by RoaBikaji, a descendant of the founder of Jodhpur, Jodhaji. Visit the Junagarh Fort constructed between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Jai Singh, a general in the Moghul Emperor Akbar's army. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04 Bikaner – Jaisalmer Morning drive to Jaisalmer (280 km). Upon arrival in Jaisalmer – check into the hotel. Late afternoon visit the sand dunes and enjoy a camel ride to view the sunset. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 05 Jaisalmer Morning visit the city's magnificent havelis or merchant's houses, each richly decorated and carved from golden yellow sandstone - Patwon-ki-haveli (House of the Brocade Merchants) is the largest and most elaborate of the famous havelis of Jaisalmer. The Nathmalji-ki-haveli (The Mansion of Nathmalji), the last of the great havelis was built in the late 19th century. End the morning with a visit to Gadisar Lake - the large natural oasis that attracted RawalJaisal to this site. Afternoon at leisure for own activities. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 06 Jaisalmer - Khajrela Morning drive to Khajrela (330 km). Upon arrival in Khajrela, check into the hotel. Khajrela - a sturdy fort, it is quite simple and uses very little ornamentation to break the almost forbidding exterior. The interiors too are simple and neat where the guests can look forward to genuine Rajput hospitality. In the surrounding area has several interesting temples, cenotaphs and stepwells. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 07 Khajrela - Udaipur Morning drive to Udaipur (250 kms) enroute visit Ranakpur Temples. Ranakpur Temples - the most magnificent 15th century Jain temples situated in the deep secluded valley of the Aravalli Hills. Though over 500 years old, the temples here are superbly preserved in a near-perfect condition. In the centre is the main "Chaumukha temple" dedicated to Adinath. The most distinctive features are the 29 halls supported by 1444 pillars, of which no two are exactly alike. Every conceivable surface is carved and every corner and angle is engraved with Jain images. Includes visit to two more Jain temples and the Temple of the Sun God with its erotic sculptures. Continue drive to Udaipur and check into the hotel. Late afternoon enjoy a boat ride on the placid waters of Lake Pichola. From the lake you have a wonderful view of the City Palace stretching along the east bank, while the south bank has pleasant gardens running down to the waterside. (Boat ride depending upon the water level of the Lake). Overnight at the hotel.

Day 08 Udaipur - Jojawar Morning proceed for city tour of Udaipur. Udaipur is one of India's most romantic cities and famed for its lovely palaces and lakes. Begin by visiting the majestic City Palace, built in granite and marble and surrounded by crenellated fort walls, it is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan standing on a crest overlooking the Pichola Lake. In contrast to its rugged exterior, the inside presents a delicate and feminine world of beauty with lavish use of marble, mirror work, frescoes, wall paintings, a profusion of colored glass, fluted columns, inlay work, silver doors, fountains and gardens. Dive to Jojawar (140 kms). Upon arrival, check into the hotel. Jojawar - is the perfect destination for a vacationer looking for Old World charm of princely fiefdoms of yesteryear. Jojawar offers an amazing insight into the village life and its surroundings. The village boasts of a high camel population bred by the fascinating Rebaris. The vivid colors of the turbans and the dresses of villagers are a treat to watch for the ever-seeking traveler's eye. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 09 Jojawar - PacheswarGarh Morning drive to PacheshwarGarh. Garh in the local language means a fort. PacheshwarGarh , a quiet fort and preserved well with its massive ramparts and imposing gates carved balconies and spacious rooms decorated with old frescos. The fort is built on the bank of built on banks of the lake PumpaSagar. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10 PacheswarGarh - Jaipur Drive to Jaipur (90 km). Upon arrival in Jaipur – check into the hotel. Afternoon tour of the City - "The Pink City" is spectacularly set within surrounding rugged hills, dotted with ancient ruined fortresses. Your tour will include the imposing City Palace, still home to the Maharaja although several of the rooms are now open to the public. Many antiques and artefacts belonging to the ruling family are housed here, including a collection of weaponry. You will also visit the Hawa Mahal "Palace of the Winds", and the open-air JantarMantar Observatory to see the vast astronomical instruments. Enjoy a stroll through the colourful bazaar before returning to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11 Jaipur - Rathambore Morning tour of the impressive Amber Fort, situated on a ridge just outside Jaipur City. At the foot of the hill you will mount your caparisoned elephant for the slow but steady climb up to the main gate, making your entrance in the time honoured fashion. The Fort, completed in the early 18th century, took over 100 years to build and now, although deserted, offers a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the Moghul ruling families. Later drive to Ranthambore (156 kms). Upon arrival in Ranthambore – check into the hotel. Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary - Rajasthan's most renowned wildlife sanctuary, it is 400 sqkms of dry deciduous forest, perfect natural habitat for tigers, and is set in the Aravalli and Vindhya hills, dotted with pavillions and dominated by a hilltop fort. Ranthambore was one of the hunting preserves of the former rulers of Jaipur and because of this the Maharajas ensured the environment was preserved and the forest and their inhabitants well protected. It has a good population of tiger and their prey species, and has been declared a "Project Tiger" reserve. Wildlife includes blue bull, black buck, spotted deer or cheetal, wild boar, a large variety of bird species and, if very lucky, the rarely seen leopard. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12 Ranthambore Early morning and late afternoon you will be escorted on a game viewing in the sanctuary by jeep / canter. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 13 Ranthambore - Agra Morning drive to Agra (290 kms) en route visit FatehpurSikri. FatehpurSikri the deserted, red sandstone city that was built by Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the 16th century. Also visit the BulundDarwaza the largest gateway in the world. Upon arrival in Agra – check into the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 14 Agra - Delhi Morning visit the famous Taj Mahal -This most famous Moghul monument was constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal "the lady of the Taj". It has been described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love, for the emperor was heartbroken when Mumtaz died after 17 years of marriage, during the birth of her 14th child. The central structure has four small domes surrounding the huge, central dome. Above the tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan are false tombs, a common practice in Indian mausoleums. (Taj Mahal is closed on Friday). Visit the Red Fort - lies on the bend of the river Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. It was built by Akbar as his citadel over the years 1563-73 in the finest architectural style. It has imposing gates and walls of red sandstone and a moat. Afternoon drive to Delhi (203 kms) International airport for flight to back home.

Day 15 Delhi - Onward Destination Depart Delhi