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30-Oct-2013 : ARRIVE DELHI
On
arrival meet and assist at the airport and transfer to
prebooked hotel.
Delhi
: India’s capital & a major gateway to the country,
contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis which successfully
combines in its fold the ancient & the modern. Its
strategic location was one of the prime reasons why successive
dynasties chose it as their seat of power. New Delhi also
reflects the legacy the British left behind . The division
between New & Old Delhi is the distinction between
the capitals of the British & the Moghuls respectively.
So, wherever the visitor goes, he will invariably confront
the citys’ past.
31-Oct-2013 : DELHI
After
breakfast, visit Old Delhi. Visit Jama Masjid,
the largest mosque in India. Built by Shah Jahan, the
construction was started in 1844 and was not completed
until 1658 ; Red Fort, which was also built by Shah Jehan.
This massive fort was built from 1638 to 1648 ; Chandni
Chowk and Rajghat - the cremation site of Mahatma
Gandhi.
Afternoon, city tour of New Delhi. Visit Humayun's
Tomb : built in mid 16th century this is an early
example of Mughal architecture ; Qutab Minar drive
past India Gate, President House and other govt.
buildings. The tour ends with a visit to Laxmi Narayan
Temple (Birla Mandir).
01-Nov-2013
: DELHI - MANDAWA (250 KMS, 06-07 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, leave for Mandawa.
Arrive Mandawa and check in at prebooked hotel.
Afternoon, visit Mandawa (Shekawati region). This region
came into prominence in the 14th century when a number
of Muslim clans moved into the area and the towns of this
region developed into important trading posts on the caravan
routes emanating from the ports of Gujarat. This region
is famous for painted havelis (houses) most of which date
back from the 18th century. The major towns of interest
are Mandawa, Fatehpur, Nawalgarh. Visit the havelis in
Mandawa and other villages of Shekhawati region
02-Nov-2013 : MANDAWA -
BIKANER (190 KMS, 04-05 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, leave for Bikaner.
Arrive Bikaner and check-in at prebooked hotel.
Afternoon, city tour of Bikaner - a desert town founded
in 1488 by Rao Bikaji, a descendant of the founder of
Jodhpur, Jodhaji. Visit the Junagarh
Fort which was contructed between 1588 and 1593 by a general
in the army of the Mughal Emperor, Akbar. The fort has
a 986m long wall with 37 bastions and two entrances; Camel
Breeding Farm, managed by goverment this camel breeding
station is probably unique in Asia and has thousands of
camels.
03-Nov-2013 : BIKANER - JAISALMER (333 KMS, 05-06 HRS
DRIVE)
After breakfast, excursion to Karni Mata Temple,
Deshnoke.
Afternoon, leave for Jaisalmer. Arrive Jaisalmer and check-in
at prebooked hotel.
04-Nov-2013 : JAISALMER
After breakfast, city tour of Jaisalmer.
Visit the the citadel – the Fort built by Rawal
Jaisal where a fourth of the population lives. The fort
also houses Jain temples of the 12th to 15th centuries,
Patwon Ki Haveli – a five storey mansion with carved
pillars & murals of Salim Singh. Also visit Gadsisar,
which had once supplied water to the city ; the temples
& archways around it have been built by a courtesan.
Afternoon, excursion to Sam – 45 km away, is known
for its sand dunes & is the venue for the Desert festival.
Get the actual feel of the desert by enjoying a camel
ride on the sand dunes and witness a magnificent sunset
on the sand dunes. Return to Jaisalmer for overnight stay.
05-Nov-2013 : JAISALMER
- JODHPUR (290 KMS, 05-06 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, leave for Jodhpur.
On arrival in Jodhpur, check-in at prebooked hotel.
In the afternoon, city tour of Jodhpur : Visit the Mehrangarh
Fort which literally means “Majestic Fort”,
located at the very centre of the city. There are ,in
all , three gates , each built to commemorate a particular
victory, as well as to reinforce the fort. It has a collection
of musical instruments, palanquins, furniture & cannons
on the forts’ ramparts are well preserved. Jaswant
Thada : Close to the fort complex lies this white marble
cenotaph, built in 1899, in commemoration of Maharaja
Jaswant Singh II. Rare portraits of Jodhpur's rulers are,
also, to be seen at Jaswant Thada.
06-Nov-2013
: JODHPUR - MOUNT ABU (264 KMS, 06-07 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, leave for Mount
Abu. On arrival check-in at prebooked hotel.
Afternoon, city tour of Mount Abu which is the only hill
station in the state of Rajasthan.
Visit the Dilwara Jain temple, which are the main attraction
in Mt. Abu and are amongst the finest examples of Jain
architecture in India. The complex included 02 temples,
the older of which is the Vimal Visahi built in 1031 and
is dedicated to the first tirthankar, Adinath. The later
Tejpal temple was built in 1230 AD and is dedicated to
Neminath - the 22nd tirthankar.
07-Nov-2013 : MOUNT ABU - RANAKPUR - UDAIPUR (275
KMS, 06-07 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, leave for
Udaipur.
Enroute visiting the Jain temples at Ranakpur : The cluster
of temples, made of intricately sculpted white marble,
come across as a marvellousfeat of architecture. It would
take anyone by surprise to learn that they were built
in 1460, so well preserved & sparkling is the marble.
The main temple is supported on 1,444 pillars –
none of which is similarly carved. After the visit, continue
drive to Udaipur.
Arrive Udaipur and check-in at prebooked hotel.
08-Nov-2013 : UDAIPUR
After breakfast, visit the romantic city of Udaipur. Visit
the City Palace which is the largest palace complex
in Rajasthan; Jagdish temple, a fine Indo Aryan
temple built in 1651; Sahelion ki Bari or Garden
of the Maids of Honour, which is a small garden with its
fountains, kiosks, marble elephants & lotus pool.
In the evening, boat ride on Lake Pichola.
09-Nov-2013
: UDAIPUR - CHITTORGARH - PUSHKAR (310 KMS, 07-08
HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, leave for Pushkar,
enroute visiting Chittorgarh.
The hilltop fortress of Chittorgarh epitomises the whole
romantic ideal of Rajput chivalry. The fort was sacked
3 times from 1303 to 1568 by a stronger enemy and on each
occasion, the end was "Jauhar". The men donned the saffron
robes of martyrdom and rode out from the fort to certain
death and the women and children immolated themselves
on a huge funeral pyre. Continue drive to Pushkar.
Pushkar - The holy lake of Pushkar is believed to have
been created by Lord Brahma himself. It is as important
as Banaras or Puri. Devout Hindus believe that it is essential
to visit Pushkar at least once in their lifetime. No pilgrimage
is considered complete without a dip in the holy Pushkar
lake. Pushkar has as many as 400 temples and 52 ghats
and the only temple in the country that is dedicated to
Brahma is to be found here. While Pushkar is a heaven
for the religiously inclined, it is also the venue of
one of the country's most colorful cattle fairs - the
Pushkar Fair.
Arrive Pushkar and check in at prebooked hotel.
10-Nov-2013 : PUSHKAR
Explore Pushkar
fair on your own.
11-Nov-2013
: PUSHKAR - JAIPUR (135 KMS, 03-04 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, free to explore Pushkar
on your own.
Afternoon, leave for Jaipur
- The Pink City : Jaipur needed a fresh coat of paint
to welcome its distinguished guest the Prince of Wales
in 1905-6. The contractor inability to supply any other
color in the required quantity compelled the choice of
pink shade for its walls. A contractor’s compulsion
famed Jaipur to Pinkcity. Since then the PINK color is
associated with hospitality in Rajput culture.
Arrive Jaipur and check-in at prebooked hotel.
12-Nov-2013 : JAIPUR
After breakfast, excursion to Amber Fort. Elephant
ride from the foothills of the Aravallis to the fort entrance.
Amber Fort : At a distance of 11 kms from Jaipur, Amber
was the ancient capital of Jaipur state. Construction
of the fort began in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput
commander of Akbar's army and is a superb example of Rajput
architecture.
Afternoon, city tour of Jaipur. Visit the City Palace
which has museum having an extensive collection of art,
carpets, enamel ware and weapons; Jantar Mantar - the
observatory built my Maharaja Jai Singh in 1728 and
the façade of Hawa Mahal.
13-Nov-2013: JAIPUR - FATEHPUR SIKRI - AGRA (240 KMS,
06-07 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, leave for
Agra. Enroute
visit the abandoned Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri : built
by Emperor Akbar in 1569, was the old capital of the Moghuls,
which was abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of
water. See the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid,
Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal & other Palaces
which are still preserved in its original glory.
Continue drive to Agra.
Arrive Agra in the evening and checkin at prebooked hotel.
14-Nov-2013 : AGRA - DELHI
(203 KMS, 04-05 HRS DRIVE)
After breafast, city tour of Agra. Visit Red
fort, which was built by Emperor Akbar in 1565, and
additions were made up until the time of his grandson,
Shah Jahan. It contains the hall of public and private
audiences amongst many other beautiful structues; the
highlight of the day - The Taj Mahal, which was
constructed by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz
Mahal. Contruction of the Taj began in 1631 and was not
completed until 1653.
Afternoon, leave for Delhi. Arrive Delhi and check in
at prebooked hotel.
15-Nov-2013
: DEPART DELHI
Transfer to the airport to board flight
back home. |
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