Cultural Rajasthan Tour
Duration:
23 Nights / 24 Days
Destinations:
Jaipur - Mandawa - Bikaner - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Mount Abu - Udaipur -
Chittaurgarh - Kota - Sawai Madhopur - Agra - Delhi
Day
01: Jaipur - Breakfast at hotel.
Reach Jaipur. A warm welcome at
the station/airport or hotel(if arriving by surface) by local tour
manager.
JAIPUR - The origins of the beautiful city of Jaipur
can be traced back to the eighteenth century, during the reign of Jai Singh
II who ascended the Amber throne in 1699. Jaipur today, epitomizes the
spirit of Rajputana. In-spite of growing into a bustling metropolis, it
still retains it's character and history - Beautiful fusion of the
yesteryears and modernity. Popularly known as the Pink City because of the
extensive use of the locally abundant pink plastered stone, painted so in
honor of the visit of the royal consort of Queen Victoria. Jaipur thrills
the soul with its massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and
lush gardens.
Overnight at Jaipur.
Day 02: Jaipur
- Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for morning excursion to Amber Fort.
Elephant ride ascent to the fort.
AMBER FORT PALACE - Amber is
the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Its construction was started by
Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh I. It's
forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of
Mughal and Hindu styles finds it's ultimate expression.
Proceed
to JAIGARH FORT.
JAIGARH FORT - Jaigarh used to be the royal
arsenal. The view of the city of Jaipur from this picturesque fort on top of
a hill is truly an experience of a lifetime.
Return to city.
Relax in the evening. Overnight at Jaipur.
Day
03: Jaipur - Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for morning sightseeing
of Jaipur covering the important palaces and monuments.
CITY
PALACE - A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani
architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the
walled city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the
City Palace Museum.
JANTAR MANTAR - This is the largest and the
best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different
parts of the country. This observatory consisting of outsized astronomical
instruments is still in use.
HAWA MAHAL - The ornamental facade
of this "Palace of Winds" is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. Its
five-storey structure of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine
trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows.
Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the
palace women.
Shopping in the city. Overnight at Jaipur.
Day 04: Jaipur - Mandawa - By road covering 160 km in 3hr.
Breakfast at hotel.
Proceed for Mandawa.
The
medieval Fort of Mandawa gradually rises on the horizon like a mirage. A
breathtaking view of the town can be seen from the terrace of Castle
Mandawa. Precious collection of arms with jade handles, traditional
ceremonial costumes can be seen at the Museum at the Castle. The havelies
worth a visit are Chokhani, Saraf, Goenka and Ladia in this town. Built in
1775 by Thakur Nawal Singh, descendant of Rao Shekhaji, who also founded the
city of Nawalgarh. The Castle, now a 51 rooms hotel has no two rooms alike.
It also houses an interesting collection of paintings, jade, costumes and
antiques. The courtyard and the terrace come to live during evenings with
candle-lit dinners and fire-dances during the season. A two hundred and
forty year old fortess, that has been converted by the family into a fine
example of traditional hospitality.
Reach and check in at hotel.
Entering the gates, onto the sandy courtyard, you leave behind
all traces of the present, becoming a part of a legend, a fantasy! War
scarred turrets, lofty domes, heroic cannons that seem to look down at you,
as silent retainers in green appear to whisk you away, the tails of their
orange 'safas' flapping in the gentle breeze, mark your arrival to the
fanciest destination in Shekhawati. Caparisoned camels and horses saunter
in, carrying the guests as musicians blow horns and drums roll the Royal
Welcome. In the Castle, step into an arched open-fronted verandah and wander
in the under the high ceilinged 'Diwan Khana' (Darbar Hall), where the walls
adorned with ancient portraits of the Mandawa family, recall a bygone era
that was royal, rich and resplendent.
Relax for the evening.
Overnight at Mandawa.
Day
05: Mandawa - Breakfast at hotel. From Castle Mandawa you will take
a walking tour of the painted 'havelis' of some of the leading business
families of the country. Though they no longer live here, the local
caretakers are happy to show the visitors around.
Chowkhani
Haveli, Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli, Lakshminarayan Ladia Haveli, Mohahanlal
Saraf Haveli and Bhagchandika Haveli are of special interest. Spend the
major part of the day looking into frescoes.
Shopping in the
evening and spending time with the local villagers.
Overnight at
Mandawa.
Day 06: Mandawa - Bikaner - By road covering 200 km
in 4hr. Breakfast at hotel. Proceed to Bikaner. Reach Bikaner and
check in at hotel.
The royal fortified city with a timeless
appeal. Lying in the north of the Desert State, the city is dotted with many
sand dunes. Bikaner retains the medieval splendor that pervades the city's
lifestyle.
More popularly called the camel country, the city is
renowned for the best riding camels in the world. The ship of the desert is
an inseparable part of life here. Be it pulling heavy carts, transporting
grains or working on wells, camels are the prime helpers. The wells of
Bikaner - an important source of water are other attractions of the city.
These are built on high plinths with slender minareted towers on each of the
Four Corners and can be noticed even from a distance.
Relax in
the evening. Overnight at Bikaner.
Day 07: Bikaner -
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for Jodhpur. Reach and check in at hotel.
Proceed for sightseeing tour of Bikaner.
Rao Bikaji, a
descendant of Jodhaji - the founder of Jodhpur, founded this desert town in
the North of the state in 1488. Visit the Junagarh Fort, constructed between
1588 and 1593 by Raja Jai Singh, a general in the Moghul Emperor Akbar's
army. The city is also called the "Camel Country".
Visit the camel-breeding farm - the only one in Asia.
Overnight
at Bikaner.
Day
08: Bikaner - Jaisalmer - By road covering 340 km in 6hr.
Breakfast at hotel.
Proceed for Jaisalmer. Rising from the heart
of the Thar Desert like a golden mirage is the city of Jaisalmer. A
commanding fort etched in yellow sandstone stands, with its awesome
splendor, dominating the amber-hued city.
The city has an
interesting legend associated with it, according to which, Lord Krishna-the
head of the Yadav Clan, foretold Arjuna that a remote descendent of the
Yadav Clan would build his kingdom atop the Trikuta Hill. His prophecy was
fulfilled in 1156 AD when Rawal Jaisal, a descendent of the Yadav Clan and a
Bhatti Rajput, abandoned his fort at Lodurva and founded a new capital
-Jaisalmer, perched on the Trikuta Hill.
Reach and check in at
hotel. Overnight at Jaisalmer.
Day 09: Jaisalmer
After a relaxed breakfast proceed for full day sightseeing tour of The
Golden City - Jaisalmer. It is in the heart of the Great Indian Desert. Its
temple, fort and palaces are all built of yellow stone. The city is a mass
of intricately carved buildings, facades and elaborate balconies. Visit the
JAISALMER FORT - The oldest living Fort in the world. (This is the highlight
of the tour)
See the Patwon-Ki-Havelies, Salim-Singh-Ki-Haveli
and Gandhi Sagar Tank. Also visit Barabagh Hill.
Overnight at
Jaisalmer.
Day 10: Jaisalmer - Breakfast at hotel.
Day will be free to explore the culture of this unique city.
In the afternoon, visit the Khuri Sand Dunes and the typical
Rajasthani Desert Village. Take a camel ride to view the sunset from the
dunes, as the sky is set on fire. It can be an unforgettable experience.
Return to the village to drive back to Jaisalmer after a
Rajasthani dinner served in the village amidst Rajasthani musicians playing
haunting tunes. Overnight at Jaisalmer.
Day 11: Jaisalmer -
Jodhpur - By road covering 330 km in 6hr. Breakfast at
hotel. Proceed for Jodhpur. Reach and check in at hotel.
Set at
the edge of the Thar Desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes with tales
of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. Once the capital of the Marwar
state, it was founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha-chief of the Rathore clan of
Rajputs who claimed to be descendants of Rama - the epic hero of the
Ramayana. The massive 15th century AD MehrangarhFort looms on the top of a
rocky hill, soaring 125 Mts. Above the plains. The city is encompassed by a
high wall -10 km long with 8 gates and innumerable bastions.
Relax in the evening or proceed for shopping. Overnight at Jodhpur.
Day
12: Jodhpur Morning go for a village safari in the jeep and
have a rare glimpse into the rich culture and true essence of India.
Abundant wildlife (game) and memorable moments of the great desert landscape
fascinates one while driving along the countryside.
Afternoon
sightseeing tour of Jodhpur - gateway to the desert beyond, home of the
Rathors of Marwar, visit the Mehrangarh Fort, rising up a hilly scarp, built
on the advice of a hermit, overlooking the city in the image of a long
sentinel. Inside the Fort are a number of palaces added by successive
rulers. In this palace you would see different miniature paintings &
cradle room. After this you would visit Jaswant Thada Memorial. Proceed to
visit the UMAID BHAWAN PALACE.
Overnight at Jodhpur.
Day 13: Jodhpur - Mt Abu - By road covering 320 km in 7hr.
Proceed to Mt Abu after breakfast. Reach Mt. Abu. Transfer to hotel.
At 1,200 meters, Mount Abu is the highest point of the Aravalli
range passing through Rajasthan. The only hill resort of Rajasthan. It is
build around a lake and is surrounded by forested hills. According to the
legend, the place derives its name from ARBUDA, a serpent who descended to
the spot to rescue Shiva's bull NANDI. Besides having all the features of a
pleasant hill resort, this place is also famous for the DILWARA TEMPLES and
many more archeological remains. There are romantic royal retreats and
relics of the Raj.
Enjoy boating at the Nakki Lake and visit the
temples and the museum in the afternoon.
Overnight at Mount Abu.
Day 14: Mt. Abu - Breakfast at hotel. Day will be
at Mt Abu. Visit the Dilwara Temples during the day. The architecture of
these temples is very interesting and famous.
Relax during the
evening.
Overnight at Mount Abu.
Day
15: Mount Abu - Udaipur - By Road 185 km in 5 ½ hr
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for Udaipur. Reach and check in at hotel.
The city of Dawn, Udaipur is a lovely land around the azure lake,
hemmed in by the lush hills of the Aravallis. A vision in white drenched in
romance and beauty, Udaipur is a fascinating blend of sights, sound and
experiences and inspiration for the imagination of poets, painters and
writers.
Its kaleidoscope of fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples,
gardens and narrow lanes strewn with stalls, carry the flavor of a heroic
past, epitomizing valor and chivalry. Their reflection in the placid waters
of the Lake Pichhola is an enticing sight.
Udaipur is the jewel
of Mewar -a kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1200 Years.
Proceed for Evening Motor launch cruise on the placid waters of Lake
Pichola. From he boat you will be able to view the city of Udaipur as it
rises majestically above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan desert.
Also visit the Jag Mandir Palace - the other island palace in the middle of
the lake. Spend some time at the Jag Mandir Palace.
Relax in the
evening. Overnight at Udaipur.
Day 16: Udaipur - Breakfast at
hotel. Proceed for day sightseeing tour of Udaipur, stopping
first at City Palace. Here you will marvel at rooms with mirrored walls and
ivory doors, colored glass windows and inlaid marble balconies and the
Peacock Courtyard.
Also visit the lovely Sahelion-ki-Bari
Gardens, the Jagdish Temple and the local folk Museum. Overnight at Udaipur.
In the afternoon, proceed for motor-launch cruise on the placid
waters of Lake Pichola. From the boat you will be able to view the city of
Udaipur as it rises majestically above the lake in the middle of the
Rajasthan desert. Also visit the Jag Mandir Palace - the other island palace
in the middle of the lake.
Relax or shopping in the afternoon.
Overnight at Udaipur.
Day
17: Udaipur - Chittaurgarh - By Road 121 km in 3 hr After
breakfast drive to Chittaurgarh.
The pride and glory of
Rajasthan, Chittaur echoes with the tales of romance and valor unique to the
Rajput tradition. A ruined citadel - Where the royal past lives in its
imposing forts, graceful palaces and spectacular chattris.
This
fortified settlement has been ravaged thrice and each time the outcome was
'Jauhar'-when women and children immolated themselves on a huge funeral pyre
while men donned in saffron robes of martyrdom rode out of the fort towards
a certain death.
Proceed for sightseeing of CHITTAURGARH FORT -
Believed to have been constructed by the Mori rulers in the 7th century,
this fort is located on a 180m high hill, covering 700 acres. "Tablets"
and "Chattris" lie between several monumental gates. Visit PADMINI
PALACE - The palace of the legendary queen of Mewar.
Overnight
at Chittaurgarh.
Day 18: Chittaurgarh - Kota - By Road 121 km
in 3 hr Breakfast at hotel.
Proceed to Kota in
Western Rajasthan.
Reach and check in at hotel.
Along the eastern bank of the Chambal River lies Kota - an amazing
juxtaposition of the majestic medieval age and modern industrialization,
temples and untouched wealth of impressive forts, opulent palaces and
splendid temples. Kota dates back over several centuries but still retains
its past glory, present day edifices and heavy industries. The industries
have made it the industrial heartland of Rajasthan.
The history
of the city dates back to the 12th century AD when the HADA Chieftain, Rao
Deva, conquered the territory and founded Bundi and Hadoti. Later, in the
early 17th century AD during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, the
ruler of Bundi -Rao Ratan Singh, gave the smaller principality of Kota to
his son, Madho Singh. Since then Kota became a hallmark of the Rajput
gallantry and culture.
Relax for the day. Overnight at Kota.
Day 19: Kota - Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for sightseeing.
Brijraj Bhawan Palace, a colonial style palace, situated on the bank
of river Chambal, was build in the early nineties. The palace has large
spacious rooms that are tastefully done up with antique furniture. An
intresting feature of the palace is the fact that almost all the rooms
overlook the Chambal river providing an arrresting view of the mighty river.
Umed Bhawan Palace is one of the most beautiful palaces of Kota.
Built in 1009 by Maharao Umed Singh II of Kota. This palace was designed by
Sir Swinton Jacob who spent many years in Rajasthan. The overall design of
the palace is European. There is an Edwardian drawing room, a billiard room
and a very well laid out garden surrounding the palace.There are long
corridors, courtyard and Italian marble floors.
Chambel Garden
The lush green garden at Amar Niwas makes a lovely picnic spot. While
absorbing the ambience of the place one can enjoy a boat ride.
Maharao Madho Singh Museum situated in the old palace, it houses a rich
collection of Rajput paintings of the Kota school, exquisite sculptures and
other valuable antiques. The museum is the treasure house of artistic items
used by the rulers of kota.
Relax in the evening.
Overnight at Kota.
Day
20: Kota - Sawai Madhopur - By road covering 173 km in 4hr.
Proceed to Sawai Madhopur after a relaxing breakfast.
Reach and
check in at hotel.
Lying on the main Delhi - Mumbai railway
line, Sawai Madhopur is the gateway to the world renowned Ranthambhore
National Park - the famous Tiger Reserve, just 12 kms away from here.
Ranthambhore has been a witness to the rise and fall of many rulers and a
series of battle scenes. In the 13th century AD, Govinda, the grandson of
Prithviraj Chauhan took over the reign of the land. Later his successor
Vagbhatta, beautified the city and built a noteworthy temple at Jhain. In
the middle of the 5th century AD, Rana Kumbha captured the fort and gifted
it to his son to be occupied later by the Hada Rajputs of Bundi and Mughal
Emperors, Akbar and Aurangzeb. Mughal Emperor Shah Alam gifted it to
Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I of Jaipur in 1740's and since then it was
maintained as the hunting preserve of the Maharaja. (Queen Elizabeth II and
the Duke of Edinburgh were part of the royal hunting parties who stayed
here.
Get in tune with nature for a luxury holiday in the heart
of the jungle. Ranthambore is perhaps the best place in the world to sight a
tiger in the wild. The Ranthambhore National Park has had more Tiger
sightings than any other National Park in the country. It has come to be
known as "The land of the Tiger", where most of the documented
footage of this majestic beast has been recorded.
It spreads
over a highly undulating topography varying from gentle to steep slopes;
from flat topped hills of the Vindhyas to the conical hillocks and sharp
ridges of the Aravallis, from wide and flat valleys to narrow rocky gorges.
An important geological feature the 'Great Boundary Fault' where the Vindhya
plateaus meet the Aravali hill Ranges, meanders through the Reserve. The
River Chambal in the South and the River Banas in the North bind the
National Park.
Ranthambhore forest is of tropical dry deciduous
type further classified as Dhok climax forest because of the predominance of
Dhok (Anogeissus pendulla) found nearly everywhere. Dhok is an extremely
hardy tree, capable of withstanding prolonged droughts. The leaf of this
tree is good fodder and they are browsed by herbivores, and form a
significant part of their diet. Even the dry, fallen leaves, eaten by them,
are rich source of nutrition.
The lakes abound with aquatic
vegetation including Duckweed, lilies and lotus. A haven for a multitude of
wild animals, the Park boasts of playing host to tigers, leopards, the
elusive hyenas, sloth bears, wild boars, crocodiles and so on. Besides,
there are over 300 species of birds, from the majestic Crested Serpent Eagle
to the exotic Golden Oriole.
Tiger, at the apex of the food
chain, lord over the kingdom in a subtle way. Solitary by nature, it
operates in stealth. Therefore tiger sightings, frequent as they are, are
always a matter of chance. However, even evidences of tiger's activities are
very exciting.
Ranthambhore is also very rich in bird life with
over 300 species of birds. In fact, for a keen bird-watcher Ranthambhore and
its surrounding areas are paradise. Birds like Greylag geese, Bar headed
geese, Painted stork, Pochards, Gadwall, Mallard, Tawny Eagle, Greater and
Lesser Spotted Eagle, the rare Black Eagle, Greater and Lesser Flamingoes
and many more are regular winter migrants which come from their nesting
grounds north of Himalayas to Ranthambhore and surrounding areas.
During summers also there are many migratory species of birds that
come to this region from southern parts of India and Srilanka. Such species
include Indian Pitta, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Painted Snipe, Common Hawk
Cuckoo (or Brain Fever Bird) and Golden Oriole.
Besides Tiger,
there are many other animals to observe, understand and enjoy, Elegant and
graceful Spotted Deer, huge Sambar, Crocodiles basking around the banks of
the lakes, Vultures soaring in the sky, Crested Serpent Eagle scanning the
ground from its perch or the kaleidoscope of waterfowls at the pools are all
the interest for a visitor with sensitivity.
Relax for the day.
Overnight at resort.
Day 21: Sawai Madhopur -
Breakfast at hotel. Game drives can be availed through the
day as per annexure given at the end of the itinerary.
Overnight
at resort.
Day
22: Sawai Madhopur - Agra - By road covering 400 km in 8hr.
Proceed by surface for Agra after breakfast. Reach Agra and check into
hotel.
Badal Singh established the city of Taj in 1475. Agra
finds mention in the Mahabharat as Agraban. This city in those days was
considered to be the sister-city of Mathura, which was more prominent than
Agraban. Agra came into its own when the Lodhi Kings chose this place beside
the RIVER YAMUNA to be their capital city. Sikander Lodhi made Agra his
capital but Babar defeated the Lodhis to capture not only Agra but also laid
the foundation of the Mughal empire.
The coming of Babar
heralded a new era, which was to see Agra at its zenith during the reign of
Akbar, Jehangir and Shah Jahan. It was during Akbar's period that Agra
became the center of art, culture and commerce and learning. This trend
reached its height when Shah Jahan became the ruler.
In the Mid
16th century and earlier 17th century Agra witnessed a frenzied building
activity and it was during this time when the symbol of love Taj Mahal was
built. The buildings made during this era were purely in the contemporary
Mughal style and of very high quality. The same is still reflected in
whatever monuments remain in Agra. The narrow lanes of Agra filled with
aroma of Mughlai cuisine, the craftsman who are busy in crating master
pieces with their skill all remind of the Mughal royalty which this city had
once experienced. Today whatever remains, has become a major tourist
attraction which has taken Agra again to the heights of glory but this time
as a major tourist destination of India.
Overnight at Agra.
Day 23: Agra - Delhi - By road covering 201 km in 4hr.
Breakfast at hotel.
Proceed for sightseeing.
Visit the TAJ MAHAL - one of the Seven Wonders of the World was built
by Shah Jahan in 1631 AD and was completed in 1651AD. Taj Mahal - The symbol
of Love was built in the memory of Mumtaz Mahal (Shah Jahan' s second Wife).
AGRA FORT - Built by the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort is
predominantly of red sandstone. Ensconced within is the picture perfect
Pearl Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction.
After Agra
Fort we will visit BABY TAJ - The interiors of which are considered better
than the Taj.
Proceed to Delhi via Sikandra and the holy city of
Mathura. Reach Delhi and check in at hotel.
India's capital and
a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is 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. It is not surprising then, that what
constitutes Delhi is a conglomerate of seven cities. Down the ages the
region in and around modern Delhi saw Lalkot built in the mid 11th century,
siri established by Allauddin Khilji, tughlakabad and Ferozabad built by the
Tughlaks followed by the city of the lodhis and then came Shahjahanabad,
capital of the Mughals under Shah Jehan. New Delhi also reflects the legacy
the British left behind. The division between new and old Delhi is the
distinction between the capitals of the British and the Mughals
respectively. So, wherever the visitor goes he will invariably confront the
city's past.
Overnight at Delhi.
Day 24: Delhi -
Home - Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for day tour of Old &
New Delhi.
OLD DELHI - A sightseeing tour of Old Delhi would
entail visiting the Raj Ghat - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was
cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India and the Red Fort - once
the most opulent fort and palace of the Moghul Empire.
Cycle
rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to Chandni Chowk.
NEW DELHI - An
extensive sightseeing tour of New Delhi would include a visit to the
Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue -
Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House, the President's
Residence and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.
Transfer to airport or station in time for flight or train or leave by
surface for the next destination.
Bookmark
this Page !! 
E-mail this page to your friend
!! 
Print this Page !!
::
Quick Links to North India Tourism :: 