Romance of the Desert
Duration : 13 Nights : 14
Days
Destination : Delhi - Agra
- Jaipur - Udaipur - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer -
Bikaner - Mandawa - Delhi
Day 01 : Arrive Delhi
Arrive New Delhi international airport
Our representative will meet / assist you
at the airport
Later transfer to hotel in air-conditioned
vehicle
Overnight at hotel
Please note, room will
be reserved for your from previous night for
immediate occupency on arrival as check in
/ out time in India is 1200 hrs.
Day 02 : Delhi
Morning after breakfast start sightseeing
of Old Delhi including Red
Fort : The red stone walls of the
fort extend from 2kms and vary in height from
18m on the riverside to 33m on the city side.
The hall of public audiences, the hall of
private audiences, the royal baths and Moti
Masjid built by Aurangzeb for himself are
important part of the immense fort. Jama
Masjid : It is the largest mosque
in India and the final architectural extravagance
of Shanjahan. Raj Gath :
The memorial of Mahatma Gandhi where he was
cremated after his assassination.
Sightseeing of New Delhi
including Laxmi Narayan Temple :
Garishly colored modern temple is erected
by the industrialist Birla. India
Gate : The 42m high stone “Arch
of Triumph”, erected in the memory of
Indian soldiers who died in the First World
War. Humayun’s Tomb :
Built by wife of Humayun, the second Mughal
king. It is an early example of Mughal architecture.
Qutab Minar : The building
complex dates back to the onset of Muslim
rule in India and are fine examples of Afghan
architecture.
Overnight at hotel
Day 03 : Delhi - Agra
After early breakfast checkout and
drive to Agra - 210 Kms
On arrival transfer check in to hotel
Start sightseeing and visit Taj Mahal
(is closed on Friday), described
as the most extravagant monument ever built
for love, for the emperor was heart broken
when Mumtaz, to whom he had been married for
17 years , died in 1631 in childbirth, after
producing 14 children. The most famous Mughal
monument was constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan
in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, chosen
of the palace. The ornamental gardens through
which the paths lead are set out along the
classical Mughal charbagh lines – a
square quartered by watercourses. The Taj
Mahal itself stands on a raised marble platform
on the northern edge of the ornamental gardens.
Later visit Agra Fort, impressive
Agra Fort or Red Fort was built between year
1156 and 1605. Humayun, son of the founder
of the Mogul empire, was offered jewelry and
precious stones by the family of the Raja
of Gwalior, one of them the famous Koh-i-Noor.
The heydays of Agra came with the reign of
Humayun's son, Akbar The Great. During his
reign, the main part of the Agra fort was
built. The fort is built alongside the Yamuna
river and stretches almost 2.5 km. It consists
of a wall built in red sandstone and several
buildings inside. The wall has 2 gates, the
Delhi Gate and the Amar Singh Gate.
Overnight at hotel
Day 04 : Agra - Fatehpur Sikri -
Jaipur
Morning after breakfast drive to Jaipur enroute
visit Fatehpur Sikri, Situated
around 37 kms from Agra, this historic city
was built in Red Sandstone by the Great Mughal
Emperor, Akbar. He had planned this city as
his capital but shortage of water compelled
him to abandon the city. After this within
20 years, the capital of Mughals was shifted
to Lahore. Fatehpur Sikri was built during
1571 and 1585. This deserted walled city has
retained many of the old structures, because
of the efforts of the Archaeological department.
Fatehpur Sikri is one of the finest examples
of Mughal architectural splendour at its height.
Fatehpur Sikri is the best example of the
culmination of Hindu and Muslim architecture.
Some of important monuments here are Diwan-e-Am
: The Hall Of Public Audience was
used for celebrations and public prayers.
Diwan-e-khaas : The Hall
of Private Audience. It is believed that Akbar’s
throne occupied the circular space over the
capital and the corners were assigned to the
four ministers; Palace of Jodha Bai
: The most important building in
the royal palace, named after Akbar’s
Rajput wife, Jodha Bai. Jami Masjid
: One of the largest mosques in India,
Jami Masjid was built in 1571 AD. Inside,
there is a vast congregational coutyard. To
the right, at the corner, is the Jammat Khana
Hall and next ot this is the tomb of the royal
ladies. Buland Darwaza : This
gate can be approached from the outside by
a 13-metre flight of steps which adds to its
grandeur. The gate erected in 1602 AD to commemorate
Akbar’s victory over Deccan is the highest
and grandest gateway in India and ranks among
the biggest in the world. Dargah of
Sheikh Salim Chisti : To the North
of the Mosque is the Dargah of Shaikh Salim
Chishti. This Dargah was built in 1570. The
lattice work in the Dargah is among the finest
to be found any where in India.
On arrival check-in at hotel. Overnight at
the hotel.
Day 05 : Jaipur
After an early breakfast excursion to Amer
Fort
Enjoy Elephant ride (upto the hills)
Explore the majestic fort and experience the
richness and depth of Rajputana architecture.
on the back of Elephant.
PM : Sightseeing of Jaipur.
The city is a living testament to one of the
most remarkable men of his age - Jai Singh
II, he was an extremely talented politically
as well as on the battle field. Indulging
in his passion for science and the arts resulted
in the creation of Jaipur. However, much of
the pinkness of the city goes to the credit
of Maharaja Mansingh who dressed up the city
in the symbolic welcoming colour when the
prince of Wales, later Edward VII visited
Jaipur in 1876. A tour of the city visiting
the City Palace and Museum
comprising of several courtyards, gardens
and buildings and is a blend of Rajasthani
and Mogul architecture. The former Maharaja
still lives in part of the palace. The museum
has an extensive collection of art, carpets,
enamelware, old weapons, miniature paintings,
an armoury of guns and swords, costumes and
dresses of the former Maharajas and Maharanis
of Jaipur. On display are two huge silver
vessels which have found their way into world
record of being the largest single pieces
of silver in the world. A former Maharaja
used them to carry his drinking water to England
a he was a devout Hindu. Adjacent to the city
palace is the observatory built by Jai Singh
in 1728, who had a passion for astronomy.
Stop at the Hawa Mahal or
the Palace of Winds built in 1799. It is a
stunning example of Rajput artistry and was
originally built to enable ladies of the royal
household to watch the everyday life in the
streets below through the delicately honeycombed
sandstone windows.
Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 06 : Jaipur - Ranakpur
Jain Temples - Udaipur
After early breakfast we will have a long
drive to Udaipur,- an oasis in the desert
state of Rajasthan. Enroute we will visit
Ranakpur Jain Temples, superbly
preserved in a near-perfect condition for
over 500 years. The most attractive features
are the 29 halls of the temple, which have
1444 pillars of which no two are like.
By the evening arrive Udaipur and check in
to hotel for overnight stay
Day 07 : Udaipur
Breakfast at hotel
Start sightseeing of Lake city of Rajasthan,
Udaipur. The city is built in 1559 A.D. by
Maharaja Udai Singh and has been described
as the most romantic spot on the continent
of India by Col. James Todd. Visit the City
Palace & museum.
The City Palace, one of the largest palaces
in the world, can be approached through the
Bari Pol or the Great Gate (1600) with the
royal drums and then onto the Tripolia Gate
(1725). The Tripolia is a triple gate made
of marble arches. Between these two gates
are eight carved toranas or archways under
which the maharanas were weighed against gold
and silver which was later distributed to
the poor subjects. Popular entertainment like
elephant fights took place in the court beyond
the Tripolia Gate. Jagdish temple
built by Maharana Jagat Singh between
1628-1653 at a whopping cost of Rs 1.5 million.
The temple, dedicated to Lord Jagannath, is
at a great height and can be approached by
a long flight of stairs. The interior of the
temple has exquisite carvings and is supplemented
with prominent friezes. The temple has several
smaller shrines in four corners of it that
are dedicated to Lord Ganesh, Shiva, the Sun
God and Goddess Shakti. A Sanskrit inscription
in the porch written by Krishna Bhatt in the
year 1651gives a detailed history of the reign
of Maharana Jagat Singh.
Later visit Saheliyon ki Bari -
the Garden of Royal Ladies .Saheliyon ki Bari
lies just beneath the Fateh Sagar Lake. Maharana
Sangram Singh II designed this garden in the
early 18th century purely as a pleasure garden
and a summer palace for the 48 young maids
that formed a part of the prince’s dowry.
It is also said that the garden was presented
as a peace offering from the Emperor of Delhi.
Inside the garden is a reservoir surrounded
by four black marbled cenotaphs in its four
corners and one white marbled one in the centre.
The terraces of these cenotaphs have water
fountains shaped like birds from whose beaks
water gushes out in thin sprays like the singing
rain – producing a wonderful sight.
The Maharanas entertained themselves around
the four ornamental pools and the five fountains.
These fountains were imported from England
in 1889. Maharana Bhopal Singh specially was
very fond of this place and built a rain fountain,
so that it looked like rain dancing on the
dancing maids. Also visit Bhartiya Lok Kala
Mandir ( Folk art museum) and the Pratap Memorial.
Rest of the day at leisure. Night stay in
Udaipur.
Day 08 : Udaipur - Jodhpur
After breakfast drive to Jodhpur
On arrvial check in to hotel
Evening free at leisure
Overnight at hotel
Day 09 : Jodhpur
Morning after breakfast start city tour of
Jodhpur - the stronghold of the fierce Rathore
clan, was founded in 1459 by Prince Jodha.
The major attraction of Jodhpur is Mehrangarh
Fort, situated on a low sandstone
hill. Within the fort, visit Moti Mahal and
Phool Mahal. Also visit Jaswant Thada,
an imposing marble cenotaph, built in memory
of Maharaja Jaswant singh II around 1899.
Overnight at Jodhpur
Day 10 : Jodhpur - Jaisalmer
After breakfast drive to Jaisalmer
On arrvial check in to hotel
Evening free at leisure
Overnight at hotel
Day 11 : Jaisalmer
After braekfast sightseeing tour of Jaisalmer.
Throbbing in the heart of the Thar, the burnished
sandstone, is an intricately molded wonderland
in place of a barren land, today stands a
city of gilded magic. The origins of Jaisalmer
go back to the 12th century, when Rawal Jaisal
abandoned his old fort at Ludarwa and laid
the foundation of a new city. The
magnificient fort, the Patwon Ki Haveli (
Mansion) and Salim singh Ki Haveli, with their
carved balconies and brackets which are supreme
examples of the art are the major
attraction for toursits.
Evening excursion to Sam Dunes and Enjoy
Camel ride and sunset view. The perfact place
for photography. Overnight at hotel
Day 12 : Jaisalmer - Bikaner
Morning drive to Bikaner. On arrival transfer
to the hotel. Later sightseeing of Bikaner,
named after its founder Rao Bikaji in 1488.
But long before this, the city was trade center
on the caravan routes from Africa and West
Asia. Bikaner’s dominant features are
rippling sands and abundant sunshine. The
city stands on an elevation, enclosed by a
7 Kms wall, which can be entered from 5 gate.
Bikaner City is bolstered by imposing walls
and has a 16th century fort housing old palaces,
temples and mosque. Founded by Raja Rai Singh
the fort is distinguished by its long range
of 37 pavilions, a line of balconies and aerial
windows of varying designs. Also visit Lallgarh
Palace, the museum, Bhanda Sagar Jain and
Deshnoke Rat temple. Overnight at hotel in
Bikaner
Day 13 : Bikaner - Mandawa
Morning after early breakfast drive to Mandawa,
on arrival check in to hotel. transfer to
the hotel.
Later sightseeing of Mandawa, founded 1755
by Thakur Nawal Singh and still the home of
his descendants, has beautiful frescoes, havelis
and mansions. Mandawa castle one of the finest
castles of Rajasthan, is now a hotel and house
of collection of armories, costumes of ancestors,
canons from 1820 ancient coins, numismatic
collection and many other interesting items,
preserved in a museum. Overnight at hotel
Day 14 : Mandawa - Delhi Departure
Breakfast at hotel. Later drive to Delhi
By the evening arrive Delhi and have dinner
at local restaurant
Later transfer to international airport for
flight back home
