EXPLORE RAJASTHAN (12 NIGHTS / 13 DAYS)

Transcription

1 EXPLORE RAJASTHAN (12 NIGHTS / 13 DAYS) Tour Attractions - Dinner with Traditional Folk Dances in Jaipur - Lunch With His Majesty King of Jodhpur (Subject to Availability and Additional cost) - A visit to one of the Seven Wonders of the World The Taj Mahal - Elephant ride in Jaipur. - Witness the biggest handmade gun in Jaipur stretched by 16 Elephants from foothill upto uphill fort of king. - Camel Breeding Farm at Bikaner - Ride on Camels over Sand Dunes as the Sun goes down, leaving an amber sky behind, at Jaisalmer DETAILED TOUR ITINERARY BELOW

2 Day 1 Arrive Delhi Arrive Delhi, on arrival you are met and welcomed with Garlanding by our representative and transferred to your prebooked hotel. Day 2 Delhi In Delhi s 3000 years of existence, seven cities stood where the present capital of India stands. Here you ll encounter a fascinating blend of the ancient and the contemporary - where government buildings, medieval palaces and bazaars exist besides a modern metropolis. Delhi is a city waiting to be explored. After breakfast sightseeing of Old and New Delhi. Enjoy morning sightseeing of Old Delhi visiting Red Fort, Jama Masjid, and Raj Ghat. Afternoon sightseeing of New Delhi includes the visit of Qutab Minar, Humayun s Tomb, India Gate and Govt. Buildings. NOTE: RED FORT is CLOSED ON MONDAY. **Old Delhi Sightseeing Time Approx 4 Hrs. **New Delhi Sightseeing Time Approx 4 Hrs. Day 3 Delhi Agra via Sikandra (200 Kms. / Time Approx. 4 Hrs.) After breakfast at hotel, drive to Agra via visiting Sikandra - The Mausoleum of Great Mughal Emperor Akbar. After visit continue drive to Agra. On arrival meet with our representative in Agra check into Hotel. Evening at leisure to relax in hotel. Agra stands on the right bank of the river Yamuna, was once the seat of the Mughal rulers, the zenith of art and an enshrined romance. A town famous for its beautiful medieval monuments. The passion of the Mughals for building endowed it with some of the loveliest buildings in the world. ** Sikandra Visit Approx 1 Hr. Day 4 Agra - Sightseeing After breakfast at hotel, visit the world famous monument of India, the Taj Mahal ( ), a poem in white marble, built by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaj Mahal, who died giving birth to their 14th child. It employed 20,000 workers from the Central Asia and Europe for 22 years to construct this extravagant monument of love, inlaying the white marble edifice with precious and semi precious stones. Also visit the Red Fort - the rusty and majestic red- sandstone fort of Agra stands on the banks of the river Yamuna. Evening at leisure to relax. Note: TAJ MAHAL IS CLOSED ON FRIDAY. **Sightseeing Time Approx. 5 Hrs. Day 5 Agra Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri (225 Kms. / Time Approx. 5 Hrs.) After breakfast drive to Jaipur. En- route visiting Fatehpur Sikri - 40 km (1 hour) before Agra, lies the beautiful and deserted medieval city built by Akbar the Great in the 16 th century to serve as the capital of his vast empire. It was mysteriously abandoned 13 years later. Today, it is perfectly preserved as a ghost city built at the height of the empire s splendor. After visit continue drive to Jaipur. Jaipur was built in the 18 th century by Maharaja Jai Singh II. It is a planned city built with ancient Hindu rules as the colonial capital of a richly colorful state. It was made attractive with the pink wash - a traditional Colour of welcome in 1853 in honour of the visit of Prince Albert. On arrival in Jaipur check in at the hotel. Rest of the day is free for leisure activities. ** Fatehpur Sikri Visit Approx 2 Hrs.

3 Day 6 Jaipur Sight Seeing After breakfast, half- day excursion trip takes you to Amber Fort. En route, make a photo stop at the palace of winds the Hawa Mahal. A 5 stored building with 25cm thick facade from the 18 century having 953 windows and niches so that ladies of royal family could see the procession and events in the city without being visible to the people. Proceed to the Amber City Fort situated 130m high with the Aravalli hills around and 11 km north of Jaipur. It was the ancient capital of the Kachhawaha Rajputs till Enjoy an Elephant ride to the top of the Palace fort. Return to Jaipur. Afternoon visit the Pink City of Jaipur. The City Palace occupies the center of Jaipur. It now houses the Royal residence and museums with collections of textiles and costumes, armory, manuscripts, paintings etc. Also visit Jantar Mantar ( ) by king astrologer Jai Singh II. The instruments are built of stone with marble facing on the important plains for measuring the harmony of the heavens. Each instrument serves a particular function and each gives an accurate reading. **Sightseeing Time Approx. 5 Hrs. Day 7 Jaipur Bikaner (240 Kms. / Time Approx. 5 Hrs.) After breakfast at hotel leave for Bikaner. Drive through typical desert country to Bikaner in the middle of the Rajasthan s Thar Desert. After arrival check- in to the hotel at Bikaner. Bikaner founded by Rao Bika in An oasis town among scrub and sand dunes. The walled city retains a medieval air and sandstone architecture. Afternoon tour of Bikaner takes you to visit the Junagarh Fort which is unusual, because other major forts of Rajasthan were built on hilltops, but this fort is built on the desert plain, surrounded by a moat. Later proceed to the Camel Breeding Farm 9 km southeast of Bikaner. It claims to be the only one in Asia. A great sight in the afternoon, to see hundreds of camels as they return from grazing. The British army had a camel corps drawn from Bikaner during WW- I. Balance of the day at leisure. Day 8 Bikaner Jaisalmer (330 Kms. / Time Approx. 5 Hrs.) After breakfast at hotel drive to Jaisalmer. Drive to Jaisalmer, in the midst of the Thar desert. The drive passes by dry vegetation, with villages of colorfully dressed people. Plenty of camels, camel- carts, sheep and goats pass you by. Before you arrive Jaisalmer, which would be late evening, on the way from a distance, you can experience the unique view of the fort and the beautiful city Jaisalmer. Upon arrival check- in to the hotel. Later visit the Havelis (mansions of the rich merchants) have beautifully carved facades, jali screens and oriel windows overhanging the streets below. Visit Salim Singh Haveli (17 century) which is especially attractive with peacock brackets. Nathmalji Haveli (1885) was built for the prime minister. Patwon Haveli (1805) is a group of five, built for five brothers. Possibly the finest in town. They have fine murals and carved pillars. A profusion of balconies cover the front wall. **Sightseeing Time Approx.3 Hrs. Day 9 Jaisalmer AM Free + PM Sam Sand Dunes Breakfast at hotel, morning free for own activities. Afternoon excursion to Sam Sand Dunes here you will enjoy the camel ride and witness the sun set against the sand dunes. After visit return back to Jaisalmer.

4 Day 10 Jaisalmer Jodhpur (285 Kms. / Time Approx. 4 Hrs.) After an early breakfast at hotel, drive to Jodhpur. Check into the hotel and freshen up. Later enjoy sightseeing of Jodhpur visiting the impressive Mehrangarh Fort on a 37 m low sandstone hill built by Rao Jodha in From the top of the fort one can get a bird s eye view of the old city. You will notice the predominance of blue houses referred to as Brahmin houses - the Colour being associated with the high caste. Proceed to the Jaswant Thada, an imposing marble cenotaph built in 1899 for Maharajah Jaswant Singh II, and smaller memorials to other Maharajahs of Jodhpur. At the end of the tour enjoy in Jodhpur a short walk through the local and vibrant bazaar of Jodhpur. Evening at leisure to relax. Day 11 Jodhpur to Udaipur via Ranakpur (270 Kms. / Time Approx. 6 Hrs.) After breakfast at hotel, drive to Udaipur en- route visit Ranakpur - (Jain temples at Ranakpur built in white marble. Its 29 halls spread over 40,000 sq.ft. and consisting of 1,444 pillars, not one of which is alike in its carving). The unforgettable main Temple dedicated to Adinatha the first Tirthankar (1439) built in marble took 65 years to complete. It is one of the five holy Jain pilgrimage centres, and has one of the best temple complexes. After visit continue drive to Udaipur. Arrive Udaipur and check into hotel. ** Ranakpur Approx 1 Hrs. Day 12 Udaipur Sight Seeing + Boat Cruise After breakfast, morning tour of Udaipur city includes city palace built on the bank of the Pichola Lake, by Maharana Udai Singh In The impressive complex of several palaces is a blend of Rajput and Mughal influences. half of it is still occupied by the royal family, and part converted into a museum. The Jagdish Temple (1651) was built by Maharana Jagat Singh. A fine example of the Nagara style of temple Architectures. a brass Garuda stands outside and stone elephants flank the entrance steps. Inside is a black stone image of Vishnu as Jagannath, the lord of the universe. Sahelion- ki Bari an ornamental pleasure garden specially made for the ladies of the palace in the 18 th century. it has beautiful fountains, trees and flowers. Evening enjoy the boat ride at Lake Pichola. Evening at leisure to relax. **Sightseeing Time Approx. 3.5 Hrs. Day 13 Fly Udaipur Delhi (1 Hr. 40 Mins. Flight Journey) and Fly Back home After breakfast at hotel, intime transfer to airport for your flight to Delhi. Arrive Delhi, on arrival you are met and transferred to hotel. Later intime transfer to International airport for your flight back home. END OF THE TOUR ** OPTIONAL TOUR EXTENSION ON PAGES BELOW**

5 Extension to Luxury Spa for 3 Nights Ananda Spa Resort(Optional) - Day 13 - Delhi - Rishikesh (Ananda Spa) Drive to Rishikesh up to Ananda in the Himalayas Ananda is famous all over as a world class spa resort. Far away from the bustling city life, this resort offers you serenity and peace amidst the beauty of nature. It ranks as the World's Number One Spa and is the proud receiver of a number of awards for its excellent surroundings and treatments. Overnight in Ananda Resort. Day 14 and 15: Rishikesh Early morning wake up for a Yoga class followed by relaxation of body &mind. Ananda Ayurveda Rejuvenation Program focuses on prevention, maintenance and the improvement of one's health and overall sense of well- being. The personalized program will include a dosha specific Ayurveda diet, therapeutic juices, stimulating and purifying therapies, daily Yoga and Meditation. Learn to develop more nurturing and supportive lifestyle habits such as: creating a balanced daily routine, proper nutrition, exercising regularly, learning to cope with stress and developing motivating attitudes. Overnight in Ananda Resort Day 16 Rishikesh - Delhi Drive to Delhi in the afternoon. Upon arrival check- in at the hotel. Day free at leisure. Later intime transferred to airport for your flight back home. Tour Ends