India Insight
Duration: 20 Days / 19 Nights
Destination : Delhi
- Agra - Jodhpur
Ranthambore - Samode - Pushkar - Udaipur - Jaisalmer
-Gajner - Mandawa - Neemrana
Day 01 Arrivel - Delhi
Arrive at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International
Airport.
You will be met on arrival and transferred to your
hotel for two nights
Day 02 Delhi
Enjoy a sightseeing of Old Delhi in the morning.
(Including Red Fort, Jama Masjid and the bazaars of Chandni Chowk)
Note: Red Fort is closed on Mondays
Old Delhi
Old Delhi pulses
with the energy and colour, the hustle and bustle of thronged bazaars
and is laced by a maze of narrow lanes which twist and turn between
tall, leaning houses full of the sights, sounds and aromas of the
Indian sub-continent. In Old Delhi you will see the famous Red Fort
surrounded by shops, and bazaars (built by the Emperor Shah Jehan –
the builder of Taj Mahal), the Jama Masjid mosque with its tapering
minarets and wonderful marble domes, Chandni Chowk (Old Delhi's
business nerve center), the hustle-bustle of everyday Indian life all
around you and chattering voices.
Enjoy a sightseeing of New
Delhi in the afternoon.
(Including Qutub Minar, Humayun's tomb
and Lutyen's buildings)
New Delhi
New Delhi stands
in formal splendour, like a lone sentry guarding an outpost of a
long-gone empire. It is a city of wide boulevards, which offers
ever-changing perspectives of Lutyen's landscaped city. It is a
city rich with formal parks and you will see the magnificent
Parliament Building and the Rashtrapati Bhawan (the official residence
of the President of India in the 330 acres of land and designed by Sir
Edwin Lutyens), once the awe-inspiring residence of the British
Viceroys and now the Presidential Palace, India Gate (a majestic
42-mts high arch, built as a memorial to the Indian Soldiers killed in
World War I), Qutub Minar (the 72.5 mts high tower dating back to
13th century and one of the greatest bequests of Islamic Culture),
Humayun's Tomb (built in the 16th century and architecturally the fore
runner of the Taj Mahal, has Mughal Architecture at its graceful
best).
Day 03 Delhi
– Agra
Drive from Delhi to Agra, approx four hours drive.
Check in at your hotel for overnight stay.
Enjoy a
sightseeing of the city in the afternoon.
(Including Taj Mahal
and Agra Fort)
Note: Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays
TAJ MAHAL
The Taj Mahal
truly is one of the wonders of the world. The Taj Mahal is a monument
of love built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in 1630 for his
Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. For twenty-two
years 20,000 men labuored day and night to build this masterpiece,
which has held the world awe struck ever since.
AGRA FORT
Built principally
as military establishments by Akbar in 1565, the red sandstone Agra
fort was partially converted into a palace during Shah Jahan’s
time. Though Akbar built the original structure, his grandsons made
many more additions. This powerful fortress encompasses the imperial
city of the Mughal rulers within its 2.5-kilometre-long enclosure
walls.
Day 04 Agra
- Ranthambore
Drive from Agra to ranthambore, approx six and half
hours drive, visiting Fatehpur Sikri enroute.
The
deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar in
1569 and abandoned after fifteen years due to scarcity of water. Here
you will see the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, the
Tomb of Salim Chishti, the Panch Mahal & the other palaces.
The attractions in Fatehpur Sikri are
Jama Masjid – a beautiful building containing elements of Persian
and Hindu Design. The main entrance is through a 54-metre high Buland
Darwaza, the Gate of Victory, constructed to commemorate Akbar’s
victory in Gujarat. The Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) is a
projecting room with walls made entirely of stone latticework. Birbal
Bhavan, built either by or for Raja Birbal, Akbar’s favourite
courtier, this small palace is extremely elegant in its design and
execution. Hiran Minar (Deer Minaret) is said to have been erected
over the grave of Akbar’s favourite elephant. Panch Mahal –
This amusing little five-storied palace was probably once used by the
ladies of the Court and originally had stone screens on the sides. The
lower floor has 56 columns, no two of which are exactly alike.
On arrival at ranthambore, check into your hotel
for two nights.
Rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 05 Ranthambore
Enjoy
morning and afternoon game drives to the National Park by jeep or
canter.
Ranthambore National Park, Sawai Madhopur spread over an
area of 392.59 Kms of forest with so many Waterfalls, Lakes, Kunds, is
one of the famous parks for the Tiger. Population of park includes
Chital, Sambhar deer, Blue Bull and Chinkara, besides other mammals
and a variety of bird life. Ranthambore fort located inside the park
is rich in archeological monuments. It has 7 large gates situated on a
high and large hill, which is a protected monument, by the
Archaeological Survey of India. There are very famous temples of God
Ganesh and (Trinetri) & Maa Kali inside the fort. 
Day 06 Ranthambore – Samode
Drive from ranthambore to Samode,
approx six hours drive.
Check in at your hotel for overnight
stay.
Enjoy a jeep safari to explore the
surrounding area.
Samode is situated in Rajasthan around 41
kilometres from Jaipur city. Located on way to Shekhawati, this small
village is famous for its haveli and fort. Like most other places in
north India, Samode too has an extreme climate. The summers can be
very hot with the mercury shooting up to 45°C, whereas winters are
chilly and the temperature can dip down to 5°C. The best time to
go to Samode is the period between October and March. The places of
interest include Samode Palace, Samode Fort and excursions to
Shekhawati village.
Day 07 Samode –
Pushkar
Drive from Samode to Pushkar,
approx five and half hours drive.
Check in at your hotel for
overnight stay.
Later
enjoy a sightseeing tour of Pushkar city.
On the edge of the
desert lays the tiny tranquil town of Pushkar along the bank of the
picturesque Pushkar Lake. It is an important pilgrimage spot for the
Hindus also known as “Nag Pahar” or the snake between Ajmer
and Pushkar. The Lake has a mythological significance associated with
it. According to myth, Lord Brahma was on his way to search for a
suitable place to perform a “Yagna” (a fire sacrifice).
While contemplating, a lotus fell from his hand on the earth and water
sprouted from three places. One of them was Pushkar where Lord Brahma
performed his yagna. Every year thousands of the devotees throng the
lake around the full moon day of Kartik Purnima in October-November.
Day 08 Pushkar – Udaipur
Drive from Pushkar to Udaipur, approx six
and half hours drive.
Check in at your hotel for two nights
Rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 09 Udaipur
Enjoy a sightseeing of the city in the morning
(This will include the City Palace, Jagdish Temple and
Sahelion-ki-bari)
Udaipur, the enchanting City of Dawn,
looms up like a vision in white. City Palace was built in 1725, and
has various palaces inside such as Dilkush Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Moti
Mahal, the Palace of Krishna etc, all ornately decorated. Saheliyon Ki
Bari - this 'Garden of Maids of Honour' is a small ornamental pleasure
garden, contains an elegant lotus pool, gushing fountains, beautiful
black marble kiosks on the corners of the pool and stunning
bougainvilleas covering the wall of the enclosures. Shilpgram situated
on the outskirts of Udaipur, the Shilpgram is a crafts and performing
arts center and houses various craftsmen from different states who
display live their crafts and products for the benefit of the
visitors.
Day 10 Udaipur – Jodhpur
Drive from Udaipur to Jodhpur, approx
six hours drive.
Check in at your hotel for overnight stay.
Enjoy a sightseeing of the town in the
afternoon.
(This will include the imposing Mehrangarh Fort,
Jaswant Thada and the bazaars)
Visit the Mehrangarh Fort, founded by
Rao Jodha in 1459 when he shifted his capital here from nearby
Mandore. There are Palaces, housed within this daunting structure,
among them are Moti Mahal and Phool Mahal. Jaswant Thada, constructed
out of thin sheets of marble, which allow the sun to filter in, was
built in the memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, in 1899.
Day 11 Jodhpur – Osian
Drive from Jodhpur to Osian, approx
one and half drive.
Stay at Tended Camp for one night.
The
ancient town of Thar Desert was a great trading center between 8th to
12th centuries. Today it is desert oasis with 16 Brahamanical and Jain
temples, beautifully sculpted and designed, most of which have stood
ravages of time. The place is highlighted by its camel ride at the
time of the sunset. The tourist's have the liberty to watch the
architectural forms during that camel ride and return back to the
camps or the resorts followed by drinks and thematic evening of
performing arts and a choice of oriental cuisines arranged in the
ethnic style of that region. The stay at the camps enriches the feel
of the holiday. The camp Thar being the best among the staying
facilities.
Enjoy a camel safari with
sunset at Sam Dunes before returning to the camp
Day 12 Osian – Jaisalmer
Drive from Osian to Jaisalmer, approx five hours
drive.
Check in at your hotel for two
nights
Rest of the day is at leisure
Day 13 Jaisalmer
Morning enjoy a sightseeing of Jaisalmer city.
The name Jaisalmer evokes a vivid picture of sheer magic and
brilliance of the desert. Over the years the remote location of
Jaisalmer kept it almost untouched by outside. Jaisalmer is a marvel
of beautiful culture and harsh climatic conditions, together amounting
to a memorable experience. Jaisalmer Fort - like a yellow sand stone
fabric that seems to issue skywards from the golden sands, Jaisalmer
Fort is sheer magic. Standing proud to a height of hundred meters over
the city with its 99 bastions, the fort is a splendid sight in the
afternoon sun. One of the largest and the most elaborate houses in
Jaisalmer is Patwon Ki Haveli, which is five storeys high and
extensively carved.
Late afternoon enjoy a camel ride to see
the sun over the sand dunes.
The ancient town of Thar Desert was
a great trading center between 8th to 12th centuries. Today it is
desert oasis with 16 Brahamanical and Jain temples, beautifully
sculpted and designed, most of which have stood ravages of time. The
place is highlighted by its camel ride at the time of the sunset.
Day 14 Jaisalmer
– Gajner
Drive from Jaisalmer to Gajner, approx
five and half hours drive.
Check in at your hotel for overnight
stay.
Rest of the day is at leisure to explore
the city.
Gajner Palace is built by Maharaja Ganga Singh of
Bikaner and is surrounded by a lush forest. Its copious wooden fringes
attract an innumerable variety of feathered species. During the reign
of Maharaja Ganga Singhji, the palace served as an ideal base for
grand shoots and lavish entertainment.
Day 15 Gajner - Mandawa And
Shekhawati Region
Drive from Gajner to
Mandawa, approx seven hours drive visiting Bikaner enroute.
The
fortified city of Bikaner is encircled by imposing battlements
and stands on a slight eminence. Its roads undulate through colourful
bazaars and the predominant hue of the buildings is the strong reddish
pink of local sandstone. Junagarh Fort was built by Raja Rai Singh, an
outstanding general of Mughal Emperor, Akbar. It is encircled by a
moat and contains palaces made of red sandstone and marble with kiosks
and balconies embellishing the structure at intervals. Karni Mata
Temple at Deshnoke is dedicated to Karni Mata, a mystic. Legend goes
that she foretold the victory of success of Rao Bika and the
prophecy came true. Today along with her, thousands of rats are
revered here. The strange mode of worship owes to the belief, that the
souls of her devotees are housed in these rats, and consequently
they must be protected and well fed.
On arrival at Mandawa, check in
at your hotel for overnight stay.
Rest of the day is at leisure
to visit the Havelis.
Day 16
Mandawa - Jaipur
Drive from Mandawa to
Jaipur, approx five hours drive.
Check in at your hotel for two
nights
Rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 17 Jaipur
Morning enjoy an excursion to Amber
Fort which is ascended on elephant back or by jeep.
Amber
Fort
Amber, built by Man Singh,
embodies the Rajput belief that the fort symbolizes the strength of
the King. The commanding view, sheer walls and rock face, and the
curved route that leads to the palaces within, all point to concern
with security and defense. The fort is mirrored in Maota Lake, which
stands adjacent to the Dilaram Garden. The private apartments begun by
Man Singh in the17th century combine Hindu and Mughal styles and the
Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors), its walls covered with tiny mirrors,
becomes a dazzling fantasy with the light of a single match. Visit
the Jag Mandir or the Hall of Victory, glittering with mirrors,
Jai Mahal and the Kali Temple.
Enjoy a sightseeing of the
city in the afternoon.
Jaipur – city sightseeing
The capital of Rajasthan, also known popularly as the ‘pink city’,
Jaipur was founded in the year 1727. Here you will see the Hawa Mahal
(Palace of Winds), which remains only a facade today was originally
built to enable ladies of the royal family to watch the everyday life
and processions of the city. The Jantar Mantar (Observatory) was built
between 1728 and 1734. Each of the instruments serves a particular
function and each gives an accurate reading. Situated in the centre of
the city occupying a large area divided into a series of courtyards,
gardens and buildings, the City Palace is an interesting place to
visit. You can see the textile and costume museum, arms and armour
museum, art gallery and hall of public and private audience.
Day 18 Jaipur - Neemrana
Drive from Jaipur to Neemrana, approx five hours
drive.
Check in at your hotel for overnight stay.
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Neemrana
city.
Built since 1464 AD, Neemrana Fort-Palace is India’s
oldest heritage resort. Sited on a majestic plateau, concealed in a
horseshoe formation of Aravalli ranges, Neemrana became the third
capital of Chauhans. From 1896, the ruins of this Fort-Palace have
been sensitively restored and constructed. Non-residents are allowed
for visiting the public areas for 2 hours, between 9 am & 5 pm
only and with prior approval
Day 19 Neemrana - Delhi
Drive to Delhi approx 02 hrs. On arrival check-in
hotel.
Day 20 Depart Delhi
You will be transferred by surface to Delhi
International Airport, approx three hours drive, for your onward
flight back home.
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