Classical Rajasthan
Duration: 15 nights and 16 days
Delhi, Mandawa, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Rohetgarh. Jodhpur, Udaipur, Deogarh, Samode,
Jaipur & Agra
Day 1 Delhi
Arrive in New Delhi, you will be met and assisted by our representative and transfer
to your hotel. India's capital & a major gateway to the country, Delhi is contemporary
and a bustling metropolis which successfully combines in its fold the ancient and
the modern. Its strategic location was one of the prime reasons why successive dynasties
chose it as their seat of power. New Delhi also reflects the legacy the British
left behind. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Delhi.
Day 2 Delhi
This morning after breakfast proceed for full-day tour of Old and New Delhi. Visit
Jama Masjid, which is the largest mosque in India, commissioned by Emperor Shah
Jahan. The courtyard of the mosque can hold about 25,000 worshippers. Enjoy a rickshaw
ride in Chandni Chowk, the busiest market in Old Delhi noisy, chaotic and uniquely
Indian. Drive past Red Fort, President House, India Gate and several other government
buildings in Edwin Lutyens modern Delhi before you head to Rajghat, the memorial
to Mahatma Gandhi that marks the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in 1948.
Thereafter, visit Humayuns Tomb it was the first garden tomb built in the Indian
sub-continent where the Persian architect used red sandstone on a large scale. Later
in the evening visit the Qutab Minar, which is the tallest brick minaret in the
world; it was commissioned by Qutbuddin Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi.
Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Delhi.
Day 3 Mandawa
This morning after breakfast proceed to Mandawa (260 kms/ 6 hrs drive approx). Arrive
Mandawa and check in to your hotel. Later, enjoy a half day sightseeing tour of
Mandawa. The entire Shekhawati region is well known for its painted havelis (mansions
with frescoes). Mandawa in particular is central to this beautiful form of art.
Some of the notable havelis are the Hanuman Prasad Goenka Haveli, Murmuria Haveli,
Goenka Double Haveli, Jhunjhunwala Haveli and Mohan Lal Saraf Haveli. Not surprisingly,
the entire town is referred to as an Open Art Gallery. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Mandawa.
Day 4 Bikaner
This morning after breakfast proceed to Bikaner (185 kms/ 4.3 hrs drive approx).
If ever beauty has bloomed in a desert, it has been at Bikaner it comprises imposing
palaces and beautiful, richly sculptured temples of red and yellow sandstone. Arrive
Bikaner and check in to your hotel. Later proceed for a half day tour. Visit Junagadh
Fort an unassailable fortress, it never been conquered. Inside the fort are some
magnificent palaces like Anup Mahal, Ganga Niwas and Rang Mahal or palace of pleasure.
The Har Mandir is the majestic temple for the royal family. Later, visit a camel
breeding farm here; professional camel breeders research how to breed the best camels.
Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Bikaner.
Day 5 Jaisalmer
This morning after breakfast proceed to Jaisalmer (333 Kms/8 hrs drive approx).
Jaisalmer, which lies in the heart of the Thar Desert a city, seeped in color and
rich tradition; it was once a major centre on the trading route between India and
the west. Arrive Jaisalmer and check in to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Jaisalmer.
Day 6 Jaisalmer
This morning after breakfast proceed for half day tour of Jaisalmer. Visit Jaisalmer
Fort, which is the only living fort of India and houses the entire township within
its ramparts. Visit Salim Singh ki Haveli, built around 300 years ago, and Patwon-ki-Haveli
which is the largest and most elaborate mansion of its kind in Jaisalmer, followed
by a visit to Nathmal Ji ki Haveli, a grand mansion that blends Rajput and Islamic
architecture. Later, drive past the beautiful Gadisar Lake and Badal Vilas, the
present residence of erstwhile royal family. Later, visit Sam Sand Dunes, around
42 kms from Jaisalmer, is the closest place from where you can lose yourself in
The Great Thar Desert'. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Jaisalmer.
Day 7 Jodhpur
This morning after breakfast proceed to Jodhpur (290 Kms / 7 hrs drive approx).
Arrive Jodhpur and check in to your hotel. Later, in the day proceed for a half-day
sightseeing trip of Jodhpur, which is the second largest city in Rajasthan and also
called the Sun City. Visit the Mehrangarh Fort. This spectacular fort made from
red sandstone stands on a perpendicular cliff above the skyline of Jodhpur. Also
visit Jaswant Thada, a marble cenotaph built to commemorate Maharaja Jaswant Singh
II. Later, drive past the Mandore garden, which showcases cenotaphs of Jodhpur's
former rulers; instead of the usual umbrella-shaped cenotaphs these are built along
the lines of a Hindu temple. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Jodhpur.
Day 8 Rohetgarh
This morning after breakfast proceed to Rohet Garh (20 Kms/ 20 minutes drive approx).
Arrive Rohet Garh and check in to your hotel. Rohet Garh is a classified Heritage
Hotel. Over the course of fifteen years it has been nurtured and developed with
great love and care by the family into one of the finest Heritage hotels in the
country. No new building has been added in the renovation process, but rather, old
edifices have been skillfully redesigned to create a heritage property that has
few parallels. Situated on the banks of a lake and set in the midst of rural surroundings,
it is a haven of peace and tranquility. Sprawling lawns and manicured gardens, which
invite a multitude of birds and dancing peacocks, herald your entry into this oasis
where the bird song is the only sound you will hear. Later proceed for The Village
Safari by Jeep. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Rohet.
Day 9 Udaipur
This morning after breakfast proceed to Udaipur (230 kms / 5 hrs drive approx).
Enroute, visit the Ranakpur Temples, acclaimed worldwide for their intricate and
superb architectural style. These temples form one of the five major pilgrimages
of the Jains. Arrive Udaipur and check in to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Udaipur.
Day 10 Udaipur
This morning after breakfast proceed to for full day tour of Udaipur. Visit the
City Palace, standing on the east bank of Lake Pichola. The complex is a massive
series of palaces built at different times from 1559. The balconies of the palace
provide panoramic views of the Lake Palace Hotel and Jag Mandir on one side, and
the city of Udaipur on the other. The paintings, mosaics, intricately carved 'chhatris'
and the architecturally brilliant facade all contribute to making your visit to
the City Palace a truly memorable experience. Thereafter, visit a picturesque garden,
Sahelion ki Bari. You will visit also visit Jagat Temple, which is dedicated to
Goddess Ambika- a form of Goddess Durga. Built in 961 A.D, this temple is renowned
for its intricate carvings in the exteriors. In the evening, enjoy a boat ride on
Lake Pichola, which is an artificial fresh water lake, created in the year 1362
AD (Depending upon the water level of lake). Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight
in Udaipur.
Day 11 Deogarh
This morning after breakfast proceed to Deogarh (135 kms / 3 hrs drive approx).
Arrive Deogarh and check in to your hotel. Deogarh : As soon as you glimpse the
Deogarh Mahal, you can see that its rulers must have been serious players in the
Mewar aristocracy, their magnificent fort a fitting stronghold for one of its sixteen
umraos - the most senior feudal barons attending on the Maharana of Udaipur. Even
so, you might not necessarily guess that the Rawats of Deogarh (a local title equivalent
to Raja) once ruled over the fourth largest jagir in the whole of Rajasthan. At
its most extensive, their territory comprised some 210 villages, with one of their
defensive forts as far as 100 km away. Yet there is little ostentation and even
less gold to be found in their palace. Like most of the Mewar nobility, they spent
too much time fighting to have much to spare for amassing great wealth. Rest of
the day at leisure. Rest of the day at leisure. One can do Jeep drive into the countryside
with an escort, Trekking (in the hills), English saddle horse riding around the
hotel and the nearby villages, Romantic horse-carriage ride, A walk through the
village, Boating on the lake ( monsoon permitting). Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Deogarh.
Day 12 Samode
This morning after breakfast proceed to Samode (335 kms / 6 hrs 30 min drive approx).
Arrive Samode and check in to your hotel. Samode Palace: A splendid example of regal
Indo-Saracenic architecture, the Palace combines the best of Indian and Mughal styles.
The 475-year-old palace is a celebration of the senses, underlined at all times
by contemporary luxury and the signature service of Samode hotels - a magical hospitality
and rare courtesy. Guests are known to want to lose themselves in the maze of bougainvillea
covered courtyards, connected by quaint narrow staircases and chance upon lounges
adorned by charming arches, stunning mirror work, exquisitely painted walls and
ceilings. Royal suites and rooms surround the courtyards, each with their unique
personality and décor. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Samode.
Day 13 Samode
This morning after breakfast proceed for an excursion to Jaipur (40 kms / 1 hrs
drive approx). Visit the Amber Fort a fascinating blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture.
Later, stop to photograph the beautiful Hawa Mahal, also known as the Palace of
the Winds. Later visit the City Palace. Visit the Jantar Mantar Observatory, comprising
geometric devices for measuring time. You will also visit the Albert Hall, which
was modeled on the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and is a fine example of
Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. Drive back to Samode. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Samode.
Day 14 Agra
This morning after breakfast proceed to Agra (270 kms/6 hrs drive approx) enroute
visit Fatehpur Sikri (UNESCO World Heritage Site), which was built by the Emperor
Akbar. Akbar wanted to make Fatehpur Sikri his headquarters; however, he had to
abandon it due to shortage of water.. Further drive Agra. Arrive Agra and check
in to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Agra.
Day 15 Agra Delhi
This morning after breakfast proceed for half day tour of Agra. Visit the Red Fort,
this beautiful yet forbidding structure houses many exquisite palaces, and is a
handsome example of Mughal architecture. Also visit the Taj Mahal a mausoleum built
as a symbol Emperor Shah Jehans devotion to his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal. Considered
an architectural marvel, its construction took thousands of workers over 21 years
to complete. Later drive to Delhi (210 kms / 4.3hrs). Arrive and check in at your
hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Delhi.
Day 16 Onwards
This morning after breakfast proceed to the airport to board the flight for your
onward destination.