Rajasthan Cultural Tour
Duration: 15 Nights / 16 Days
Places Covered: Delhi - Mandawa - Bikaner - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Kumbhalgarh
- Udaipur - Kota - Bundi - Ranthambore - Jaipur - Agra
Day 01 : Arrive Delhi
On arrival at Indira Gandhi international airport, you would be met by our representative
and given assistance for transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free for independent
activities. Overnight in Delhi Delhi is just not a city but it is a book-- a
book which narrates the history of India. The city was built and destroyed seven
times and has been witness to the various events which has brought India through
the history books. Seven times this city went through the pain of being built
and rebuilt.
Today as the capital of India Delhi is the seat of administration and the
monuments which tell the saga of a bygone era stand there. These icons are
testimony to the grandeur of past and also an attraction for the tourists.
With an area of 1483 sq. Kms, Delhi is all set to acquire full statehood.
The charm of Delhi has attracted Emperors, Conquerors and poor in equally.
It is correctly said that Delhi is a land of 'Dilwalas' or for people with
heart. This phrase acquires a true colour when one goes around the lanes of
Delhi.
Day 02 : Delhi - Mandawa
Morning: Drive to Mandawa and on arrival, check in at hotel. Rest of the day
visit Havelis in and around Mandawa. Overnight in Mandawa Shekhawati is a colourful
fantasy having a fascination uniquely of its own. The open-air art galley, as
it is popularly called, is famous for its plethora of painted havelis, all commendable
pieces of the rich artistic tradition of this region. It is famous for its Havelis
(mansion) built by rich merchants of the region, display a unique architectural
style that evolved around the courtyards to ensure safety and privacy of the
women folk and protection from the heat of the long and harsh summers. The Havelis,
painted predominantly in blue, maroon, yellow, green and indigo have beautiful
wall paintings that adorn their walls.
Day 03 : Mandawa - Bikaner
Drive to Bikaner and on arrival, check-in at the hotel. Afternoon sightseeing
tour of Bikaner. Bikaner, the royal fortified city, with a timeless appeal in
the North State of Rajasthan, retains the medieval splendour that pervades the
city's lifestyle. More popularly called the camel country, the city is renowned
for the best riding camels in the world. This city stands on a slightly raised
ground and is circumscribed by a seven-km long embattled wall with five gates.
The magnificent forts and palaces, in reddish-pink sandstone created with delicacy,
bear testimony to its rich historical and architectural legacy. Undulating lanes,
colourful bazaars and bright and cheerful folks make the visit Bikaner an interesting
experience. Visit the Junagarh Fort, built in 1593 AD by Raj Rai Singh, one
of the best in Rajasthan. It comprises of 37 palaces with pavilions, mosaic
courtyards, carved balconies, kiosks and windows dotted all over the structure.
The Shish Mahal, the Grand Durbar Hall, the 17th century Karan Mahal, Anup Mahal
and the Phool Mahal bring to life the grandeur of a bygone era. The Fort museum
has a rare collection of Sanskrit and Persian manuscripts and miniature painting.
Day 04 : Bikaner
Morning visit Deshnoke Temple. Afternoon visit Camel Breeding Farm
Day 05 : Bikaner - Jaisalmer
Drive to Jaisalmer and on arrival, check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day free.
Rising from the Thar Desert like a golden mirage is the city of Jaisalmer. The
Jaiselmer fort etched in yellow sandstone stands with all its awesome splendour.
The life within the citadel conjures up images of medieval majesty visible in
its narrow lanes strewn with magnificent palaces, havelies, temples and typical
desert life of men women cattle and camels. The 80 meter high fort, perch on
the hill, houses the entire township within its ramparts. It has enchanting
narrow lanes dotted with exquisite havelis, beautifully sculptured Jain temples
of the 12th-15th century and palaces. The fort is approached through four gateways
-Akhaiya Pol, Ganesh Pol, Suraj Pol and Hava Pol. Some of the most exotic mansions
or havelis, all intricately latticed, are strewn all over Jaisalmer each with
a different facade. The Havelis of Nathmalji, Patwon and Salim Singh all in
Yellow Marble of Jaisalmer are exquisite works of art. A camel safari through
the interesting and remote desert villages of Roopsi, Doojasar, Kanoi, Kuldara
and the Cenotaphs of Barabagh can be interesting. The villages are very special,
as different communities inhabit them.
Day 06 : Jaisalmer 
Morning city sightseeing tour. Afternoon visit Sam Dunes with camel ride.
Day 07 : Jaisalmer - Jodhpur
Drive to Jodhpur and on arrival, check-in at the hotel Afternoon sightseeing
tour. At the edge of the Thar Desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes with
tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. The massive 15th century
AD Mehrangarh Fort looms on the top of a rocky hill, soaring 125 mts. above
the plains. A high wall encompasses the city -10 km long with 8 gates and innumerable
bastions. The lifestyle in Jodhpur is unusually fascinating with people wearing
lovely multi hued costumes, artistically designed. Shopping in Jodhpur bazaars
is a heady experience with a colourful display of the rich collection of exquisite
handicrafts. The tie-and-dye fabric, embroidered "jutis" or slippers
in suede, camel skin, velvet and leather, beautiful silks, durries, marble souvenirs
from Makrana, an extensive range of useful and decorative items etc., are of
interest. he Mehrangarh fort is one of the most impressive and formidable structures.
Invincible from the outside, the fort has four gates approached by a winding
road. Within the fort are some magnificent palaces with marvellously carved
panels with latticed windows These palaces house a fabulous collection of trappings
of Indian royalty including a superb collection of palanquins, elephant howdahs,
miniature paintings of various schools, musical instruments, costumes and furniture.
Day 08 : Jodhpur - Kumbhalgarh
Morning: Drive to Kumbalgarh (180 kms/05 hrs) and on arrival check in at The
Aodhi hotel.
Afternoon: Guided visit to Kumbalgarh Fort.
Day 09 : Kumbhalgarh-Udaipur
Drive to Udaipur visiting enroute Ranakpur temples.
Day 10 : Udaipur
Morning: Guided city tour of Udaipur. Afternoon: Enjoy a boat ride in Lake Pichola.
Overnight in Udaipur Udaipur, the city of Dawn, is the Jewel of Mewar -a kingdom
ruled by the Sisodia Dynasty for 1200 years. Its kaleidoscope of fairy-tale
palaces, lakes, temples, gardens and narrow lanes strewn with stalls, carry
the flavour of a heroic past, epitomizing valour and chivalry. Their reflection
of these building in the placid waters of the Lake Pichola is an enticing sight.
Morning: City tour of Udaipur. Visit the City Palace, a majestic architectural
marvel that is perched on a hill and towers over Lake Pichola. The Palace is
a majestic conglomeration of courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors, rooms
and hanging gardens. Each palace within is an outstanding creation of art. Visit
the Bharatiya Lok Kala Museum, which has an interesting collection of Indian
folk art including costumes, ornaments, puppets, masks, dolls, musical instruments
and deities. Later visit Saheliyon-ki-bari the "Ladies Garden", with
its rich foliage and intricately designed fountains.
Afternoon: Enjoy a Boat cruise on Lake Pichola on which the majestic
Lake Palace Hotel is situated. See the ghats along the lake and the interesting
buildings on the banks. The view of the city palace from the lake is spectacular.
Dock at the Jagmandir island where the Maharana of Udaipur once gave Shah Jehan
sanctuary.
Day 11 : Udaipur - Kota
Drive to Kota visiting enroute Chittaurgarh On arrival, check-in at the hotel.
Kota: The history of the city dates back to the 12th century A.D. 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.
Kota History
Day 12 : Kota - Bundi - Ranthambhore
Drive to Ranthambhore visiting en-route Bundi On arrival, check-in at the hotel.
Ranthambore National Park is in Sawai Madhopur District of Rajasthan state.Located
at the junction of the Aravalli and Vindhya hill range, this is one of the finest
places to view animals, especially as they are used to being stared at here.The
park covers an area of Approximately 400 sq Km and if combined it with the area
of sawai man singh sanctuary area,it is around 500 Sq km. Ranthambore national
park was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1957 and in 1974 it gained the protection
of "Project Tiger". It got it's status of a National Park in 1981.
Day 13 : Ranthambhore - Jaipur
Morning jeep safari to view the wildlife (Sanctuary remains close from Jul.
to Sep.) Afternoon drive to Jaipur and check-in at the hotel.
Day 14 : Jaipur
Morning visit Amer Fort & elephant ride. Afternoon city sightseeing tour.
Jaipur, the vibrant capital of Rajasthan, is popularly known as the ' Pink City
' because of the pink-coloured buildings in its old city. It sits on a dry lake
bed in a somewhat arid landscape, surrounded by barren hills surmounted by forts
and crenellated walls. This buzzing metropolis is certainly a place of wild
contrasts and a feast for the eyes. All through, Jaipur has retained its strong
Rajputana flavour tempered by several influences - the mughal being the most
prominent. The region's strong cultural heritage is distinctly evident even
today. The city is a visitor's delight. From the intricate, delicate looking
Hawa Mahal to the graphic forms of the Jantar Mantar - an open air observatory
of outsized astronomical instruments, the Badi Chaupar lined with shopsand business
establishments on both sides to the majestic fort-palace at Amber; from the
colorful fountains of life to the sublime Birla Temple; from the architectural
delight of the City Palace to the serene Jal Mahal.
Day 15 : Jaipur - Agra
In early we drive to Agra, en-route visit Fatehpur Sikri.
Taj Mahal
One of the Seven Wonders of the World, built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the
memory of his beloved consort Mumtaz Mahal. This beautiful mausoleum took
22 years to complete with a work force of 20,000 craftsmen and master builders,
who came from all over Asia to join in this great work from Baghdad, Shiraz,
Delhi, Samarkand and Turkey. The marble, India s finest; was quarried at Makrana
near Jodhpur. Precious and semi precious stones were imported from distant
lands : Jasper from Punjab, Jade & Crystal from China, Turquoise from
Tibet, Lapis from Afghanistan and Ceylon, Chrysolite from Egypt, Amethyst
from Persia, Agate from Yemen, Malachite from Russia, Diamonds from Golconda
and Mother of Pearl from the Indian Ocean. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 16 : Agra - Delhi
Morning city sightseeing tour. Afternoon drive to Delhi for
