Land of fortresses, palaces, haveli’s and deserts

The Trip

Rajasthan, literally, “Land of Kings” or “Land of Kingdoms” is India’s largest state by area (342,239 square kilometers). It is located on the western side of the country, where it comprises most of the wide and inhospitable Thar Desert (also known as the “Great Indian Desert”) and shares a border with Pakistan along the Sutlej-Indus river valley. Travel to India and visit the romantic Rajasthan region. Tour from Delhi to Pushkar and travel to the Taj Mahal of Agra, one of the most famous places to visit in India. Rajasthan is one of the most beautiful places to visit in India, washed in soft colors and breathing the nostalgia of a romanticized era. On our 14 days classic adventure we discover the grisly history of massive forts and the opulence and splendor of Maharajahs’ palaces. Stroll bustling markets, enjoy a sunset camel safari and soak up the culture of the local people. This is truly the essence of Rajasthan.

Day by Day Program

The total northern India tour, especially suitable for all ages.

Day 01: Arrival at India’s capital of Delhi, o/n in hotel +B
We will heartily welcome you on your arrival at Delhi international airport, where you be welcomed by our representative and transferred to the hotel. New Delhi, the capital and the third largest city of India is a mix of ancient and modern buildings. The foundation stone of the city was laid by George V, Emperor of India during the Delhi Durbar of 1911. It was designed by British architects. New Delhi is structured around two central promenades called the Rajpath and the Janpath. The Rajpath, or King’s Way, stretches from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to the India Gate. The Janpath (Hindi: “Path of the People”), formerly Queen’s Way, begins at Connaught Circus and cuts the Rajpath at right angles. 19 foreign embassies are located on the nearby Shantipath (Hindi: “Path of Peace”), making it the largest diplomatic enclave in India. Comprising of two contrasting yet harmonious parts, the Old Delhi and New Delhi, the city is a travel hub of Northern India.

Narrating the city’s Mughal past, Old Delhi, takes you through the labyrinth passing through formidable mosques, monuments and forts. You will discover lively and colorful bazaars that boast to cater all sorts of good and items at mind-blowing prices amidst a barely controlled chaotic ambiance.

Day 02: From Delhi to Mandawa, 250 km, 5 hrs, o/n in hotel +B
After breakfast we will drive to Mandawa. There are a number of fascinating havelis in Manawa, all of them adorned with beautiful wall paintings. Haveli is the term used for a private mansion in India and Pakistan, usually one with historical and architectural significance. The word haveli is derived from Arabic haveli probably through Persian hawli, meaning “an enclosed place.” Mandawa lies in the heart of Shekhawati region of Rajasthan and is basically the municipality of the Jhunjhunu district. Mandawa is also known as Rajasthan’s open art gallery’, as the entire region is filled with artistically painted havelis, mansions and homes. Some of the popular havelis that have become important tourist destinations are the Ladia haveli, the Chokhan haveli, the Binsidhar haveli, the GulabRai haveli and the Newatia haveli.

Day 03: From Mandawa to Bikaner, 190 km, 4 hrs, overnight in hotel +B
Today’s drive to Bikaner covers a distance of 190 km but we will enjoy a half day sightseeing of the famous Junagarh Fort – one of the most imposing forts of northern India. It is also one of the few that has remained unconquered. This fort was built in 15th century by generals of Akbar. For strong stomaches we also visit the Karni Mata Temple, a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Karni Mata at Deshnoke. It is also known as the Temple of Rats. The most intriguing aspect of the temple is the 20,000 odd rats that call this temple home. These holy rats are called kabbas, and many people travel great distances to pay their respects. The temple draws visitors from across the country for blessings, as well as curious tourists from around the world. Next is the Lalgarh palace that was built between 1902 and 1926 according to Rajput, Mughal and European architectural styles, being largely in the Indo-Saracenic style. The imposing red sandstone monument is designed by Sir Swinton Jacob for Maharaja Ganga Singh. In the evening we visit a camel breeding farm,  the only one of its kind in Asia and managed by the government.

Day 4: From Bikaner to Jaisalmer, 333 km, 7 hrs, o/n camp/tent, +D, B
In the morning you will enjoy a Tonga ride through the old city of Bikaner. After we immediately leave for our outdoor adventure in Jaisalmar, close to the Pakistan border. Jaisalmer was positioned strategically and was a halting point along a traditional trade route traversed by the camel caravans of Indian and Asian merchants. It is also known as The Golden City and is a World Heritage Site. The town stands on a ridge of yellowish sandstone, crowned by a fort, where in it inside walls the palace is built. Many of the houses and temples are impressively sculptured. Jaisalmar lies in the heart of the Thar Desert. In the evening we drive to the Sam Sand Dunes, where our outdoor camp starts with a camel ride by sunset and later on we will dine and sleep in a spacious tent in the desert.

Day 5:  Rest day in Jaisalmer, o/n in hotel, +B
After breakfast we check out from camp and drive back to Jaisalmer for a full day sightseeing tour which includes: Jaisalmer Fort – it is one of the largest forts in the world. It is an World Heritage Site and the second oldest in Rajasthan and dominates the landscape from its 250 feet high perch on the hill. Three strong walls protect the citadel. The first buttress wall was constructed by the local Jain panchayat in the 15th century. Subsequent additions and fortifications were built by the Rawals. We also visit Salem Singh Haveli -located towards the eastern end of the city. This magnificent building has a rich blue roof and carved brackets designed in peacock shapes. Patwonki Havel near the city center is built by Guman Chand Patwa and his five sons, dealers in brocade, gold and silver embroidery with busines. To make our sightseeing complete we also visit the Nathmaljiki Haveli, some Jain temples and Gadsisar Lake, a rain water conservation lake built by Maharawal Gadsi in 14th century. It was once the main source of drinking water for the entire town. 

Day 6: From Jaisalmer to Jodhpur, 280 km, 5 hrs, o/n in hotel, +B
After a 5 hrs drive we arrive today at Jodhpur. After lunch we will enjoy a half day guided sightseeing tour of Jodhpur including the impressive Meharangarh Fort: again one of the largest forts in India, but it is unsurpassed in beauty and grandeur. A winding road leads to and from the city below. The imprints of cannonball hits by attacking armies of Jaipur can still be seen on the second gate. Innumerable palaces resides in the fort, dispersed with sprawling courtyards. The museum in the Mehrangarh fort is one of the most well-stocked museums in Rajasthan. Various folk musicians and bands gather here and perform against the magical backdrop of the fort – reviving the regal splendor of past era’s. Across the fort we see Jaswant Thada: the 19th century Royal cenatoph, a creation in white marble that was built in commemoration of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II and displays some rare portraits of Jodhpur’s rulers.

Day 7: From Jodhpur to Udaipur, 275 km, 5 hrs, o/n in hotel +B
After breakfast we drive to Udaipur and on our way we stop at Pali to learn about ancient Indian Astrology, the knowledge of early times astrologers, the various calculations they used and the rare Brahmin culture. Later on we will visit the Ranakpur temples, which are acclaimed world-wide for their intricate and superb architectural style. These temples form one of the five major pilgrimages of the Jains. Ranakpur is widely known for its marble Jain temple, said to be the most spectacular of the Jain temples. There is also a small Sun temple which is managed by the Udaipur royal family trust. Upon arrival in Udaipur,we check in at the hotel for 2 nights. The city of Lakes (“Udaipur”) is lovely situated at a lake with green hills that set fire and passion in many poets. Its palaces are straight out of a fairy-tale book, lakes, forts, palaces, temples, gardens, mountains and narrow lanes, relives the reminisces of a heroic past, valor and chivalry. Their reflection in the waters of the Lake Pichola is excitement that defines imagination and has been the location for the shooting of many movies, like Octopussy (James Bond).

Day 8: Rest day in Udaipur, o/n in hotel +B
Although we call it a rest day, we still be active all day since a full-day sightseeing tour awaits us of Udaipur, first covering the CityPalace, on the banks of the Lake Pichola. The magnificent and awesome inspiring citadel is, in fact, a complex of several buildings that were added at different times by rulers spanning nearly three hundred years. The Bharatiya Lok Kala Museum houses a very interesting collection of Rajasthani folk art – costumes, paintings, folk deities, musical instruments, masks, dolls and weapons. You could also spend some quiet moments at the Sahelion Ki Bari (Garden of the Maids of Honour), a small ornamental garden with fountains. Once this site was used for royal picnics. The JagdishTemple, built in 1651 by Maharana Jagat Singh, is located within easy walking distance from the Palace gate. It is an impressive, beautifully proportioned structure, covered with carved friezes and heavily decorated inside.

Day 9: From Udaipur to Pushkar, 295 km, 5 hrs, o/n in hotel, +B
Early morning we will drive to Pushkar also known as the land of saints and seers, which is a perfect combination of tradition and modernity. The small and beautiful town is set in a valley just about 14 km off Ajmer in the north Indian state of Rajasthan. Surrounded by hills on three sides and sand dunes on the other one, Pushkar forms a fascinating location and a befitting backdrop for the annual religious and cattle fair which is globally famous and attracts thousands of visitors from all parts of the world. We will invite you here for a half day sightseeing tour including the holy Pushkar Lake and the Ghats. The term ghat refers to a series of steps leading down to a body of water, particularly a holy river. Pushkar has also many temples. Most of the temples are not very old because many temples were destroyed during Muslim conquests in the area. Subsequently, the destroyed temples were rebuilt. The most famous among all is the Brahma Temple.

Day 10: From Pushkar to Jaipur, 145 km, 3 hrs, o/n in hotel, +B
After breakfast we have a short drive to Jaipur, where we also will stay for 2 days. Jaipur is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan in Northern India. Jaipur is known as the Pink City of India. The very structure of Jaipur resembles the taste of the Rajputs and the Royal family. In the present date, Jaipur is the major business centre for the natives of Rajasthan with all requisites of a metropolitan city. The city of Jaipur, painted in pink, grasp the appreciation of every visitor. One can see that hoary charm still alive in the avenues of Jaipur.

Day 11: Rest day in Jaipur, o/n in hotel, +B
After breakfast at the hotel, we first take an excursion tour of Amber Fort, which is a classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. An elephant will spare you the trouble of walking all the way up to the fortress. The aesthetic ambiance of the palace is seen within its walls on a four level layout plan (each with a courtyard) in a well turned out opulent palace complex built with red sandstone and marble consisting of the Diwan-e-Aam or the “Hall of Public Audience”, the Diwan-e-Khas or the “Hall of Private Audience”, the Sheesh Mahal (mirror palace) or Jai Mandir, and the Sukh Niwas where a cool climate is artificially created by winds that blow over the water cascade within the palace. In the after noon we visit the City Palace –a delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture. JantarMantar, the largest and the best preserved of the five observatories, is next on our tour. This observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still in use. We finally visit Hawa Mahal, the ornamental facade of this so called “Palace of Winds”, a prominent landmark in Jaipur. Look at the amazing structures of sandstone, plastered pink encrusted with fine trellis work and elaborate balconies.

Day 12: From Jaipur to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri, 245 km, 4 hrs, o/n in hotel, +B
Today’s journey leads us to Fatehpur Sikri. Emperor Akbar built it as his capital city in the late 16th century.  Here he commenced the construction of a planned walled city which took the next fifteen years in planning and construction of a series of royal palaces, harem, courts, a mosque, private quarters and other utility buildings. Built of red sandstone, the fort looks like poetry on stone, a magnificent new city rose on the craggy hills. In the afternoon we arrive at Agra, the former capital of Hindustan, a city on the banks of the river Yamuna in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.

Day 13: From Agra to Delhi, 204 km, 5 hrs, o/n in hotel, +B
Early morning the highlight of this impressive trip awaits us: the visit to the world famous Taj Mahal. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is widely recognized as “the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage”. Taj Mahal is regarded by many as the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Islamic, Persian, Ottoman Turkish and Indian architectural styles. In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the white domed marble mausoleum is the most familiar component of the Taj Mahal, it is actually an integrated complex of structures. The construction began around 1632 and was completed around 1653, employing thousands of artisans and craftsmen. We also will visit the Agra Fort, built by the great Emperor Akbar in 1565 A.D, a master piece of beautiful mosques and palaces. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled city.
In the afternoon we will drive back to Delhi which also concludes this impressive and unforgettable tour through Rajasthan. 

Day 14: Transfer to International airport in Delhi, +B

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