Rajasthan Forts Tour
Duration: 13 Nights / 14 Days
Places Covered:Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Udaipur - Ranakpur - Jodhpur -
Jaisalmer - Bikaner - Mandawa - Delhi
Day 01: Arrive at Delhi
Company representatives will receive you on arrival at the international airport
in Delhi late in the evening. Transfer to your hotel. Relax. Overnight at 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 - Agra
Proceed for Agra after breakfast. Reach Agra in the afternoon. Visit Itmadullah's
Tomb built by Empress NOOR JEHAN in memory of her father. Overnight at Agra.
Day 03: Agra - Jaipur
Morning: Guided city tour of Agra. Afternoon drive to beautiful Pink City
- Jaipur. Reach and check in at hotel. Overnight at Jaipur.
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 04: Jaipur
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for excursion to Amber Fort in the outskirts of
Jaipur. Elephant ride ascent to the fort. Proceed for sightseeing of the city.
Overnight at Jaipur. 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 05: Jaipur - Udaipur
Start for Udaipur after breakfast. Udaipur is the jewel of MEWAR -a kingdom
ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1200 Years. Relax in the evening. Overnight
at Udaipur.
Day 06: Udaipur
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for 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.
Overnight at 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.
Day 07: Udaipur - Jodhpur
After breakfast drive to Jodhpur. Relax in the hotel and visit the museum of
UMAID BHAWAN PALACE. Overnight at Jodhpur. 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 
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 and memorable moments
of the great desert landscape fascinates one while driving along the countryside.
Overnight at Jodhpur.
Day 09: Jodhpur - Jaisalmer
Proceed for Jaisalmer. Reach and check in at hotel. Overnight at Jaisalmer.
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 10: 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. Stay overnight at the SWISS TENT CAMP.
Day 11: Jaisalmer to Bikaner
Breakfast at the camp. Continue with the safari and reach Bikaner via NAGAUR.
Check in at hotel. Relax in the evening. Overnight at 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 12: Bikaner - Mandawa
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for sightseeing tour of Bikaner. Reach and check
in at hotel. Overnight at 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 13: Mandawa - Delhi
Breakfast at hotel. Also visit Mahensar and Dundlod meeting the local village
chief. Leave for Delhi. Reach by evening. Overnight at Delhi.
Day 14: Delhi - Home
Breakfast at Delhi. Proceed for a full day tour of Old & New Delhi. Latter
transfer to international airport for onward flight.
