HIGHLIGHTS OF RAJASTHAN
Destination :
Delhi - Agra
- Ranthambore - Jaipur
- Pushkar - Osian - Jodhpur.
Duration : 12 Days 11 Nights
DAY 01 ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive at Delhis 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 & Gurudwara Bangla Sahib)
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 perspec¬tives 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
Jahans 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
- RANTHAMBHORE
Visit Taj Mahal at sunrise. Later continue
drive from Agra to Ranthambhore, 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 Akbars
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, Akbars 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 Akbars 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 Ranthambhore, check into your hotel for two nights.
Rest
of the day is at leisure.
DAY 05 RANTHAMBHORE
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 RANTHAMBHORE
- JAIPUR
Drive from Ranthambhore to Jaipur, approx four
and half hours drive.
Check in at your hotel for two nights.
Rest of the day is at leisure.
DAY 07 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 08 JAIPUR -
PUSHKAR
Drive from Jaipur to Pushkar, approx three hours
drive.
Check in at your hotel for overnight stay.
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 09 PUSHKAR -
OSIAN
Drive from Pushkar to Osian, approx six hours
drive.
Stay at Tented 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 10 OSIAN -
JODHPUR
Drive from Osian to Jodhpur, approx five and half
hours drive.
Check in at your hotel for two nights.
Rest of
the day is at leisure.
DAY 11 JODHPUR
Enjoy a sightseeing of the town in the morning.
(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.
Afternoon is at leisure
DAY 12 DEPARTURE
JODHPUR
You will be transferred to Jodhpur airport for
your onward flight.
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