royal past of rajasthan

Day 01 Arrive Delhi On your arrival in Delhi late in the evening you will be received by our representative who will then escort you to the hotel. Your overnight stay is at the hotel.

Day 02 Delhi – Mandawa Your day starts with a Morning drive to Mandawa (250 km). Upon reaching Mandawa you will be checking into the hotel. In the afternoon you will be visiting the town.In the town a painted arched gateway adorned with Lord Krishna and his cows welcomes you in to the bazaar. Stroll through the Shekawati region, which was the stronghold of Kayamkhani Nawabs till 1730. Alongside the cenotaphs, wells, forts and temples the majority of frescoes are painted on the walls and gateways of Havelis. These havelis are mansion of a distinctive residential architectural style that was developed around courtyards to serve the purpose of family security, privacy for the women as also protecting the inhabitants from the long, harsh summers. These colossal Havelis with enthralling murals were built by the wealthy Rajasthani merchants ("Marwaris") in the 19th century. Relax overnight at the hotel.

Day 03 Mandawa – Bikaner In the morning embark on a journey to Bikaner (230 km). On arriving in Bikaner you will be checking into the hotel. In the afternoon take sightseeing tour of Bikaner. Bikaner is a desert town in the north of the Rajasthan state.It was founded in the year 1488 by Roa Bikaji, a descendant of the founder of Jodhpur, Jodhaji. Travel to the the Junagarh Fort constructed between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Jai Singh, a general in the Moghul Emperor Akbar's army. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 04 Bikaner – Jaisalmer In the morning travel to Jaisalmer (280 km). Upon your arrival in Jaisalmer you will be checking into the hotel. Late in the afternoon tour the sand dunes and embark on an enjoyable camel ride to view the sunset. Your overnight stay is at the hotel.

Day 05 Jaisalmer Start your morning by visiting the city's splendid havelis or merchant's houses, each resourcefullydecorated and carved from golden yellow sandstone - Patwon-ki-haveli (House of the Brocade Merchants) is the huge and most extravagant of the famous havelis of Jaisalmer. The Nathmalji-ki-haveli (The Mansion of Nathmalji), the last among the great havelis was built in the late 19th century. Your morning tour endswith the visit to Gadisar Lake - the large natural oasis that attracted Rawal Jaisal to this site. You will be spending your afternoon at leisure for your own activities. Relax overnight at the hotel.

Day 06 Jaisalmer - Khajrela In the morning drive to Khajrela (330 km). Check into the hotel on arrival in Khajrela. Khajrela is a well-made fort, it is quite modest and is least decorated to break the almost forbidding exterior. The interiors of the fort are also kept simple and neat where the guests can look forward to gracious Rajput hospitality. In the surrounding area you can visit several interesting temples, cenotaphs and stepwells. Relax overnight at the hotel.

Day 07 Khajrela - Udaipur In the morning set on your journey to Udaipur (250 kms). On the way visit Ranakpur Temples. Ranakpur Temples are considered to be one of the most magnificent 15th century Jain temples situated in the deep secluded valley of the Aravalli Hills. Although now 500 years old, the temples here are fabulously preserved in a near-perfect condition. In the centre is located the main "Chaumukha temple" which is dedicated to Adinath. The most characteristic features are the 29 halls supported by 1444 pillars, of which no two are identical. Every possible surface is carved and every corner and angle is patterned with Jain images. Visit also includes two more Jain temples and the Temple of the Sun God renowned for its erotic sculptures. Continue your travel to Udaipur and check into the hotel. Late in the afternoon have an enjoyable boat ride on the placid waters of Lake Pichola. From the lake you have an enchanting view of the City Palace stretching along the east bank, while the south bank has pleasant gardens lining the waterside. (Boat ride depends upon the water level of the Lake). Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 08 Udaipur - Jojawar Morning starts off with a sightseeing tour of Udaipur city. Udaipur is one of India's most loveliest cities and is famous for its lovely palaces and lakes. Visit the majestic City Palace, built in granite and marble and surrounded by crenellated fort walls, it is one of the largest palace complex in Rajasthan standing on a crest overlooking the Pichola Lake. In distinction to its rough exterior, the inside presents a delicate and feminine world of beauty with rich use of marble, mirror work, frescoes, wall paintings, a profusion of colored glass, fluted columns, inlay work, silver doors, fountains and gardens. From here drive to Jojawar (140 kms). Upon reaching Jojawar, check into the hotel. Jojawar is the precise destination for those vacationer who are looking for Old World charm of princely fiefdoms of yesteryear. Jojawar offers an astonishing insight into the village life and its surroundings. The village boasts of a huge camel population bred by the enthralling Rebaris. The varied colors of the turbans and the dresses of villagers are a treat to watch for the ever-seeking traveler's eye. Rest and relax overnight at the hotel.

Day 09 Jojawar - Pacheswar Garh In the morning set on your journey to Pacheshwar Garh. Garh in the local dialectmeans a fort. PacheshwarGarh is a noiseless fort and preserved well with its hugefortifications and magnificent gates carved balconies and spacious rooms adorned with old frescos. The fort is built on the banks of the lake Pumpa Sagar. Proceed to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 10 PacheswarGarh - Jaipur In the morning continue with your journey to Jaipur (90 km). Upon reaching Jaipur – check into the hotel. In the afternoon set on the city tour Jaipur. Jaipur is also called - "The Pink City" is a spectacularly set within surrounding rugged hills, dotted with ancient ruined fortresses. Youwill be visiting the imposing City Palace, still the residence of the Maharaja although several of the rooms are now open to the public. Many antiques and artefacts belonging to the ruling royal family are housed here, including a collection of weaponry. You will also tour the famed Hawa Mahal "Palace of the Winds", and the open-air Jantar Mantar Observatory to see the vast astronomical instruments. Enjoy a walk through the colourful bazaar before retiring back to your hotel. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 11 Jaipur - Rathambore In the morning visit the notable Amber Fort, located on a ridge just outside Jaipur City. At the foot of the hill you will be mounting your caparisoned elephant for the slow but steady ride up to the main gate, making your arrival in the time honored fashion. The Fort was completed in the early 18th century. It took almost over 100 years to be built and now, although deserted it offers a spectacular insight into the day to day life of the Moghul ruling families. Later you proceed on a drive to Ranthambore (156 kms). On arriving in Ranthambore – check into the hotel. Ranthambore hosts Rajasthan's famous and renowned Wildlife Sanctuary, it is spread across an area of 400sqkms of dry deciduous forest.It is a perfect natural habitat for tigers, and is set in the Aravalli and Vindhya hills, dotted with pavilions and dominated by a hilltop fort. Ranthambore was one of the hunting grounds of the former rulers of Jaipur and because of this the Maharajas made it sure that the environment waspreserved and the forest and their inhabitants well protected. It has a sizeable number of tigers and their prey species, and has been declared a "Project Tiger" reserve. Here wildlife fauna includes blue bull, black buck, spotted deer or cheetal, wild boar, a large variety of bird species and if you are very lucky you can have the glimpses of the rarely seen leopard. Stay overnight at the hotel in Rathambore.

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

Day 13 Ranthambore - Agra In the Morning travel to Agra (290 kms) en route visit the famous Fatehpur Sikri. FatehpurSikri the deserted, red sandstone city which was built by Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the 16th century. Also tour the famous Bulund Darwaza the largest gateway in the world. Upon arriving in Agra - check into the hotel. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 14 Agra – Delhi In the morning your tour starts with the visit to the famous Taj Mahal. This world famous Moghul monument was constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal "the lady of the Taj". It is counted among the Seven Wonders of the World. It has been labelled 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 building has four small domes surrounding the massive, central dome. On top of the tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan are false tombs, a general practice in Indian mausoleums. (Taj Mahal is closed on Friday). Proceed to the Red Fort that lies on the bend of the river Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. This fort was built by Akbar as his citadel over the years 1563-73 in a remarkable architectural style. It has impressive gates and walls of red sandstone and a moat. In the afternoon drive back to Delhi (203 kms). Journey on to the International airport tocatch your flight back home.

Day 15 Delhi – Onward Destination Departure from Delhi