18 Nights / 19 Days

Delhi / Shekhawati / Bikaner / Jaisalmer / Jodhpur / Ghanerao / Udaipur / Bundi / Pushkar / Jaipur / Bharatpur / Agra / Delhi

Day 1 – Flight Your Country / Delhi

Late night arrival. Welcome to India, or as we say ‘atithi devo bhava’ (the guest is an incarnation of God). Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you! Meeting and assistance upon arrival as our representatives welcome you and escort you to your car.
Overnight at Hotel.

Day 2 – Delhi

Following a leisurely breakfast, we proceed on a guided tour of New Delhi.
DELHI – India’s capital and a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its fold the ancient and the modern. Its strategic location was one of the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. It is not surprising then, that what constitutes Delhi today is a conglomerate of seven cities.

Morning: Proceed for tour to Old Delhi. Visiting, Red Fort – The old walled city from Mughal India, the chief attraction is the huge fort that contains within it palaces and impressive public buildings. Chandni Chowk – The main street of Old Delhi is the colourful shopping bazaar known as Chandni Chowk. Jama Masjid – The great mosque of Old Delhi is both the largest in India and the final architectural extravagance of Shah Jahan. Raj Ghat – On the banks of the Yamuna River, a simple square platform of black marble marks the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated following his assassination in 1948. The highlight of this tour would be a ride on cycle rickshaws. This is a remarkable way to explore and picture the hustle and bustle as well as the colour of the narrow winding streets bursting with people and pavement shops selling wares of all description - including a laughing set of dentures.

Afternoon: Continue to visit New Delhi, Rajpath – The Kingsway is another focus of New Delhi. It is immensely broad and is flanked on either side by Ornamental ponds. India Gate – This 42 mtr high stone arch of triumph stands at the eastern end of the Rajpath. It bears the names of 85,000 Indian Army soldiers who died in the campaigns of WWI and Afghan fiasco in 1919 Rashtrapati Bhawan – The official residence of the President of India stands at the opposite end of the Rajpath from India Gate. Qutab Minar – This is a soaring tower of victory which was started in 1193, immediately after the defeat of the last Hindu kingdom in Delhi. It is nearly 73 mtr high and tapers from a 15-mtr diameter base to just 2.5 mtr at the top. Humayun's Tomb  - This tomb, built in 1570, is of particular cultural significance as it was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent. It inspired several major architectural innovations, culminating in the construction of the Taj Mahal
Overnight at Hotel.

Day 3 – Delhi / Mandawa

Drive to Mandawa, (260 kms. / approx 06 hrs.), Upon arrival, transfer to Hotel.

Mandawa – Often called the open air art gallery of Rajasthan, the region of medieval Shekhawati comprises the present day districts of Sikar & Jhunjhunu. The high quality frescoes which this region is famous for date between 1750 & 1930. A majority of the frescoes have been executed on the havelis or mansions.
Overnight at hotel

Day 4 – Mandawa / Bikaner

Breakfast and depart for Bikaner. Bikaner is a princely ex-state rested by a chief rajput Rao Bikaji. It was used formerly as passage of the caravans, which crossed the desert of Thar to go in the province of Sindh to Pakistan. Arrival at Bikaner. Checkin at hotel.
Over night at hotel

Day 5 – Bikaner / Jaisalmer

Breakfast at hotel.  Leave for Bikaner city tour
Visit the Strong Fort Junagarh which was transformed into museum. You will see beautiful objects in the museum like the first elevator of the Rajasthan and the first telephone of Bikaner. You will see the photographs of Maharaja Ganga Singh with George Clemenceau. You will also see the private aircrafts of Maharaja Ganga Singh, which he received like gift on behalf of the English after the 1st world war. After this visit, we advise you to make the visit of the old town of Bikaner in rickshaw. It is the best means of seeing the lanes of the old city or you will appreciate the havelis made in 18th century out of red sandstone. You will be impressed by the harmony between the man and the animal when you see cows crowned in the street who are not afraid of anything.
Leave for Jaisalmer. Arrival in Jaisalmer - the city strengthened in the desert of Thar. In way, Pokharan for Lunch. Checkin at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 6 – Jaisalmer

After breakfast we visit the residential portions of the Jaisalmer Fort., where one third of the population of the old City still lives. The designs of the houses here remain as they used to a couple of centuries behind time, and so are the lifestyles of the people inhabiting them. This is so as most of the families continue to work for generations for the ruler (though only titular now). Hence, their is a sense of continuity. The houses are arranged in narrow lanes and have small windows from where the shy child or the girl peeps through. This city is believed to be the home of the most handsome men and the most gorgeous women in Rajasthan. We would also walk through the narrow cobbled lanes of the golden sandstone city to witness the magnificent medieval Indian Havelis (mansions) of medieval Indian merchants. These elegant buildings which are very well preserved tell an apt story of how medieval Indian society existed.
Afternoon, drive to Sam, a dessert outpost. Enroute we visit a few typical dessert villages, which have a sprinkling of huts. The rough terrain here does not support cultivation; hence the entire village works as casual labourers in road works or community projects. Inspite of their poverty and hard life the people are very friendly and seem to be aware that they are proud owners of very expressive and beautiful faces. We move on to Sam where we explore the dessert on camel back.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 7 – Jaisalmer / Jodhpur

Morning after breakfast drive for Jodhpur. Arrive Jodhpur and check-in at hotel. Later city sightseeing of Jodhpur. Jodhpur stronghold of the fierce Rathore clan was founded in 1459 by Prince Jodha. The home of the Rathore rulers - the princely state of Rajasthan.  A high 10 kms long stone wall protects the well fortified city.  Within, stands an imposing fort on a low range of sandstone hills, about 125 mts. above the surrounding plains. 
Overnight  at hotel

Day 8 – Jodhpur

Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for the sightseeing tour of Jodhpur - gateway to the desert beyond, home of the Rathors of Marwar, visit the Mehrangarh Fort, rising up a hilly scarp, built on the advice of a hermit, overlooking the city in the image of a long sentinel.  Inside the Fort are a number of palaces added by successive rulers. In this palace you would see different miniature paintings & cradle room. After this you would visit Jaswant Thada Memorial - The memorial of Maharaja Jaswant Singh out of white marble. You can go for a walk in rickshaw to see the lanes of Sadar Bazaar; you will see the famous tower of the clock where one sees the dentists sitting in the street on the pavements. Overnight  at hotel

Day 9 – Jodhpur / Ghanerao

After the breakfast, continuation of the road in direction of Ghanerao. Arrived at Ghanerao and Checkin  at hotel in "Royal Castle", true historical vestige, where you will spend the night.

Day 10 – Ghanerao / Ranakpur / Udaipur

After the breakfast, departure by the road towards Ranakpur, located at 95 km of udaipur. Ranakpur is known for its Jains temples. You will visit the temple of Adinath and will be allured by the beauty and the complexity of its architecture. Please note that short clothing is interdict in the temple; it is necessary to have the knees and the covered shoulders. The objects out of leather are prohibited in the temple.
A beautiful place to lunch would be Maharani Bagh, which is has 5 minutes of the Temple of Ranakpur. After the visit of the temples,
departure towards Udaipur
UDAIPUR – The Venice of the East, Udaipur is an enchanting city. From lakes in the midst of sandy terrain to green-forested hills where wildlife still abounds, the surprises are endless. And, in the lakes, or by their edges, are palaces straight out of fairy tales, each more beautiful than the other.

Its kaleidoscope of fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples, gardens and narrow lanes strewn with stalls, carry the flavor of a heroic past, epitomizing valor and chivalry. Their reflection in the placid waters of the LAKE PICHOLA is an enticing sight.
Udaipur is the jewel of MEWAR -a kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1200 Years.
On arrival Checkin at hotel and Overnight will be at Udaipur.

Day 11 – Udaipur

Morning after breakfast city tour of 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. The majestic white City Palace located in the heart of Udaipur, was originally built by Maharana Udai Singh of the Sisodia Rajput clan and extended to its present form by subsequent Maharanas. Built in granite and marble and surrounded by crenellated fort walls, the largest palace complex in  Rajasthan stands on a crest overlooking the Pichola Lake. 
Later Visit , Sahelion Ki Bari ( Queen’s resort for their friends)
Evening we take a boat cruise on the serene and beautiful Lake Pichola. The island palace on the Lake called Jagmandir Palace is quite fascinating. The banks of the lake provide interesting glimpses of the daily bathing and the laundry that takes place here. Looking across the lake, with the city and its great palace rising up behind the island palace, is a scene of rare beauty.
Overnight will be at Udaipur.

Day 12 – Udaipur / Bundi

Breakfast in the hotel then departure in direction of Bundi. Arrival at Bundi. Checkin at hotel. Spare time to walk through the lanes of the city bordered of blue houses, overnight at hotel.

Day 13 – Bundi / Pushkar

Petit déjeuner puis découverte de la ville, avec son palais Garh et le fort qui le surplombe, ses murailles et ses After the breakfast, Breakfast at hotel. Leave to Visit Bundi. Visit royal tombs of Sar bagh, Sukh Mahal which inspired Rudyard Kipling for its KIM novel. Discovere decorated wells (bawari), Chharal Mahal with the beautiful murals of the famous School of Bundi painting, Zanana Mahal (Palate of the Queen), badal Mahal. Stroll in the old city.
departure in direction of Pushkar. Possibility of visiting the Ajmer on the way. Continuation towards Puskar, Holy City of pilgrimage dedicated to Brahma. Arrival at Pushkar. Checkin at hotel
Spare time to walk to the village and to visit the famous temple of Brahma. Pay attention to the priests who make pretence making prayers for you at commercial purposes! Overnight at hotel.

Day 14 – Pushkar / Jaipur

Breakfast at hotel. Proceed to Jaipur
JAIPUR – The city blushing pink is the picturesque capital of Rajasthan, more famous as the ‘Pink City’. It was colourwashed pink when Prince Albert, the consort of Queen Victoria of England visited India in 1883 A.D.. Founded in 1727 A.D. by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, Jaipur is the first planned city designed in accordance with ‘Shilpa Shastra’ – the epochal treatise of Hindu architecture. Jaipur thrills the soul with its massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and lush gardens.

Visit CITY PALACE - A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled city.  It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum.
       
JANTAR MANTAR - This is the largest and the best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country.  This observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still in use.

Overnight at Hotel.

Day 15 – Jaipur / Amber / Jaipur

Breakfast will be at hotel.

Proceed for excursion to Amber Fort in the outskirts of Jaipur. Elephant ride ascent to the fort.

AMBER FORT PALACE - Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace.  Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh I.  Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate expression.
We will ride up to this hilltop palace on a caparisoned, painted elephant, passing through the ancient main gate where Maharajas of Jaipur have entered for four hundred years. Our guide will elaborate on the history of this architectural masterpiece with its mirror-studded alcoves, dazzling mosaics and water-cooled swings that delight today’s visitors as they did their former royal residents.

Proceed for sightseeing of the city.

HAWA MAHAL( only a photo stop) - The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds" is a prominent landmark in Jaipur.  It is a five-storey structure of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the palace women.

Overnight at Hotel.

Day 16 – Jaipur / Bharatpur

Morning depart for Bharatpur. On arrival, checkin at hotel. Proceed for world famous "Keoladeo National Park". It is one of the finest bird sanctuary of the world with over 400 species of water world including Siberian Cranes from Arctic which are rare. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Hotel

Day 17 – Bharatpur / Agra

Breakfast will be at Hotel. Proceed to Agra enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur sikri - An emperor builds a magnificent city as an act of gratitude to a penniless saint, makes it the capital of his empire and then for inexplicable reason abandons it.

Fatehpur Sikri is a city that a emperor forgot. After just fourteen years of life, the palaces of Akbar great city of victory fell silent. Its echoing corridors still seen to wait for the king to return. The hill top city lies 37 kms from Agra. This deserted city has two distinct complexes. The first comprises the royal enclosure of the palace, the harem and official buildings and the second is the dargarh of a saint, with a mosque and lofty gateways. To wander among the red sandstone courtyard of Fatehpur Sikri is to travel back in the time when Mughal emperor Akbar rode through the gateway after a triumpant campaign, o be welcomed by his delighted subjects and the royal courts. It reflects the many faceted character of the man who inspired it. The ruthless empire builder who enjoyed all the trapping of power and as liberal enlightened man who took a passionate instant in every aspect of life, be it religion, literature or the painting of miniatures.

Later Leave for Agra. Upon arrival check into hotel.
Agra is the city of the Taj Mahal, perhaps the most photographed monument in the world. However, there is a degree of enigma about the Taj. Once you hear about a building so much and once you see so many pictures of a building your expectations are real high; and this is the enigma about the Taj Mahal. No matter how many pictures you have seen or no matter how high your expectations are, the Taj never lets you down - the unparalleled glory and beauty of the building surpasses beyond all human imaginations.

Overnight at Hotel.

Day 18 – Agra / Delhi

Breakfast at hote. Leave for Sight seeing tour of Agra
VISIT TAJ MAHAL [ built by Shah Jehan for his queen Mumtaj Mahal ], perhaps the most perfect architectural monument in the World & the construction of Taj Mahal believed to have taken 22 Years to complete with over 20,000 craftsmen working round the clock. Taj Mahal witness the spectacular monument built for love. Besides perfect symmetry in every aspect of its construction, the inlay work of semi precious stones into marble in pietra dura style is absolutely remarkable
Visit Red Fort  - Built principally as a military establishment by Akbar in 1565, the red sandstone Agra fort was partially converted into a palace during Shah Jahan's time. Though the principal structure was built by Akbar, many more additions were made by his grandson. The colossal walls are 20 feet high and the whole fort is encircled by a fetid moat. Amar Singh gate towards the south is the only entry point in the fort. The building and structures inside the fort gives an impression of a city within the city. Many of the building inside the fort is now closed for the public. The marble pearl mosque inside the fort is one of the most stunningly beautiful mosques in India
Leave for Delhi. Checkin at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 19 – Delhi / Paris

Breakfast then transfer downtown to make the visits or Last Purchase in spare time. The vehicle remains at your disposal.
Later transfer to the international airport for your onward flight back home with the sweet memories of India

Hotel Proposed - LUXURY

Delhi- The Imperial/ The Grand/ The Park/ The Claridges/ Hotel Taj Palace / The Oberoi/ The Taj Mahal/ The Manor/ The Metropolitan Hotel Nikko
Mandawa- Castle Mandawa
Bikaner- Laxmi Niwas Palace/ Bhanwar Niwas
Jaisalmer- Fort Rajwada/ Gorbandh Palace
Jodhpur- Ajit Bhawan/ Fort Chanwa Luni
Ghanerao- Royal Castle
Udaipur- Shiv Niwas Palace/ Fateh Prakash Palace/ The Trident Hilton
Bundi- Haveli Braj Bhushan Jee
Pushkar- Pushkar Palace/ Jagat Palace
Jaipur- The Raj Palace/ Le Meridien/ Samode Haveli/Jai Mahal Palace/ The Trident Hilton
Bharatpur- Laxmi Vilas Palace
Agra- Jaypee Palace/ Taj View/ The Trident Hilton

Hotel Proposed - DELUXE

Delhi- Hotel Marina/ The Connaught/ Hotel Dee Marks/ Hans Plaza
Mandawa- Castle Mandawa / The Desert Resort
Bikaner- Heritage Resort/ Bikaner Palace/ Lallgarh Palace
Jaisalmer- Hotel Rang Mahal/ Hotel Heritage Inn/ Sonargarh Fort
Jodhpur- Hotel Ranbanka/ Hotel Abhay Days Inn/ Hotel Ajit Bhawan
Ghanerao- Royal Castle
Udaipur- Hotel Jagat Niwas Palace/ Hotel Amet Ki Haveli/ Hotel Udai Kothi/ Hotel Hilltop Palace/ Hotel Shikarbadi
Bundi- Ishwari Niwas/ Braj Bhushan Jee
Pushkar- Pushkar Palace/ Jagat Palace/ Pushkar Resorts
Jaipur- Alsisar Haveli/Park Plaza/ Shahpura House/ Holiday Inn/ Megh Niwas
Bharatpur- Hotel Birder’s Inn
Agra- Howard Park Palza/ Utkarsh Vilas/ The Grand Imperial/ Hotel Mansingh Palace

Hotel Proposed - ECONOMY

Delhi- Hotel Metro Heights/ Hotel Metro City/ Hotel Singh Sons/ Hotel Singh Palace
Mandawa- Hotel Mandawa Haveli
Bikaner- Jaswant Bhawan
Jaisalmer- Deoki Niwas Palace/ Hotel Shahi Palace
Jodhpur- Madho Niwas/Karni Bhawan/ Pal Haveli/ Ratan Vilas
Ghanerao- Royal Castle
Udaipur- Hotel Rampratap/ Hotel Mewar Haveli / Hotel Sarovar/ Hotel Paras Mahal/ Kankariya Haveli
Bundi- Ishwari Niwas
Pushkar- Pushkar Fort/ Hotel New Park Pushkar
Jaipur- Hotel Arya Niwas/ Hotel Mandawa Haveli / Tara Niwas/ Comfort in hawa mahal
Bharatpur- Udai Vilas
Agra- Hotel Amar/ Hotel Atithi / Hotel Royal Regency

Tour Package Includes:
❂ Hotel accomodation as per the itinerary with daily breakfast.
❂ Surface Travel by airconditioned car
❂ All airport, railway station, other transfers & sightseeing as per the itinerary.
❂ Local English speaking guides.
❂ Elephant ride in Amber Fort, Jaipur (Subject to availability),
❂ Boat ride in Udaipur (common Boat).
❂ All applicable taxes, parking fees, driver allowances etc.

Tour Package does not include:
❂ International or domestic flights.
❂ Airport taxes, Visa Charges, Insurance.
❂ Entrance fee to monuments.
❂ Minibar, Tips, laundry.
❂ Any item not shown in Cost Includes.

Notes:

• There will be a supplement for Christmas / New Year / Pushkar festival time.
• There can be some variation in the price according to the hotels finally booked.