Colorful Rajasthan Tour: 15 Days Trip

Day 01: Arrival Delhi
Arrive delhi, meet and assist at the airport and transfer to hotel. Night stay in delhi.

Day 02: Delhi
After breakfast gear up for your visit of Old & New Delhi :
OLD DELHI – A sightseeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting the Raj Ghat – the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi is one of the most visited sites in Delhi. It consists of a simple square black-marble platform that stands on the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. Nearby, there are cremation sites of Jawaharlal Nehru – the first Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri. Jama Masjid – the largest mosque in India. Red Fort – One of the most spectacular pieces of Mughal Architecture is the Lal Quila or the Red Fort. Built by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan between 1638 and 1648, the Red Fort has walls extending up to 2 kms. in length with the height varying from 18 mts. on the river side to 33 mts. on the city side. Chandni Chowk – a place that has a history of about 400 years. More evidences of the ancient times that once existed in old Delhi can be found out by winding through the labyrinthine lanes of Chandni Chowk in a rickshaw. The pleasure associated with the Rickshaw Ride here is ultimate. The rickshaw rides gives the passengers an opportunity to see a different prospective of Chandni Chowk, which is otherwise only regarded as one of the favourite shopping avenues of Delhi.

NEW DELHI – An extensive sightseeing tour of New Delhi would include a visit to the Humayun’s Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue – Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate -was built by Edwin Lutyens to pay homage to the Indian soldiers who died in the World War I and the Afgan War. Closely looking at the walls of India Gate would let you know the names of 90,000 soldiers who died during the World War I, the Afgan War and the North-West Frontier operations. The structure was finally completed in the year 1931. India Gate was originally called the All India War Memorial., Laxmi Narayan Temple also known as Birla Temple – one of the landmarks in the nation’s capital New Delhi. It was built in the 20th century by the Birla family of industrialists known for its many other temples in India. It is modern in concept and construction. It attracts several devotees and international tourists. The presiding deity here is Lakshmi Narayan (Vishnu), Parliament House, the President’s Residence and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave. The evening is free to be spent at your leisure. Night stay in Delhi.

Day 03: Delhi – Agra ( By Surface)
After breakfast drive to the city of Taj – Agra. Arrive Agra and transfer to hotel. Later visit the magnificient taj mahal – one of the seven wonders of the world surely the most extravagant expression of love ever created. 20,000 men laboured for over 17 years to build this memorial to shah jahan’s beloved wife. Also visit the Red fort – the rusty and majestic red- sandstone fort of agra stands on the banks of the river yamuna and the construction was started by emperor akbar in 1566. At the diwan-i-am (hall of public audience), a colonnaded hall of red-sandstone with a throne alcoveof inlaid marble at the back, the emperor heard public petitions. At the diwan-i-khas (hall of private audience) where marble pavilions with floral inlays lend an ethereal ambience, the emperor sat on his gem-studded peacock throne and met foreign ambassadors and rulers of friendly kingdoms. Later at sunset visit Evening free to explore the agra’s rich heritage of handicrafts in its markets. Night stay in Agra.

Day 04: Agra – Jaipur ( By Surface 260 kms/ Approx 5 hrs)
After breakfast drive to jaipur – the fabled “pink city” of the desert named after jai singh, the former maharaja of jaipur. This is the only city in the world symbolizing the nine divisions of the universe through the nine rectangular sectors subdividing it. The palaces and forts of the yesteryears, which were witnesses to the royal processions and splendours are now living monuments enroute visiting fatehpur sikri- a perfectly preserved red sandstone “ghost town” which was the estranged capital of mughal emperor akbar, built in 1569 and deserted when its water supply failed. Arrive jaipur in late evening & transfer to hotel. Night stay in jaipur.

Day 05: Jaipur
Morning after breakfast go for a excursion to Amber Fort. 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 it’s ultimate expression. Continue sight-seeing.

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.

HAWA MAHAL – The ornamental facade of this “Palace of Winds” is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. Their five-storey structures 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. Night stay in Jaipur.

Day 06: Jaipur – Samode – Jaipur
After breakfast at hotel, proceed for Day Return trip to Samode. Samode is situated in the royal Indian state of Rajasthan around 42 km from Jaipur, the capital city. Located on way to Shekhawati, this small village is famous for its haveli and fort. The Samode Palace now a heritage hotel is built in the pattern of an open courtyard with rooms leading of the arched corridor that runs along all the four sides of the building lunch at Samode Palace or Samode Bagh (Optional). After lunch drive back to Jaipur on arrival transfer to Hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel in Jaipur.

Day 07: Jaipur – Ranthmbhore ( By Surface 180 kms/ Approx 4 hrs)
Morning drive to ranthambhore- famous for the wildlife sanctuary which is said to have the india’s friendliest tigers and also considered to be the best place in the world to photograph the tiger in its natural habitat. Arrive ranthambhore & transfer to hotel. Afternoon 3 hrs jungle safari in a canter (a vehicle which is open on the top) enjoy the game viewing in the national park. Night stay in ranthambhore.

Day 08: Ranthambhore
Early morning 3 hrs Jungle safari in a Canter (a vehicle which is open on the top) enjoy the game viewing in the national park and back to the hotel. After lunch second visit to jungle and enjoy the game viewing again. Night stay in Ranthambhore.

Day 09: Ranthambhore – Bundi ( By Surface 190 kms/ Approx 5 hrs)
Early morning jungle safari in national park. Later drive to Bundi & transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit the Local market in Bundi, Rajasthan Bundi is a charming little historic Rajasthani town having everything – impressive fort, beautiful palaces and exotic colorful bazaars – minus all the tourist hype. Bundi is still a virgin tourist spot. The town still seems living in medieval ages and nothing seems to have changed in the past many years. The impressive palace houses “chittrashala”, the collection of famous Bundi murals. It is an open courtyard with gallery around a garden of fountains, has splendid miniatures depicting scenes from the Radha-Krishna story. Right on top of the hill is majestic Taragarh Fort, the interesting fort is worth exploring for hours. Bundi is most famous for its baoris (stepwells) as there are many impressive ones such as the Raniji ki Baori. There are many tanks and lakes in and around Bundi that are worth a visit. The town’s medieval looking bazaars offer enormous photography opportunities. The 84-pillared cenotaph is also worth a look and so is the beautiful countryside around the town. The best feature about Bundi is that it is still not a popular tourist attraction hence any official ways of sightseeing. The ideal way is to explore the attractions on your own with no chance of being hassled!, overnight at Hotel

Day 10: Bundi – Chittaurgarh ( By Surface 148 kms/ Approx 4 hrs)
Morning After breakfast drive to Chittaurgarh. The road towards Chittaurgarh is a complete stretch of unexplored and untouched countryside, which promises many surprises like rural bazaars and fairs on the way. On the route is Bijoliyan, which once had 100 temples of which three ancient temples are still surviving. 16 kilometers shorter is Menal having Shiva temples dating back to the Gupta period. An impressive waterfall flows near the temples during the monsoons. Arrive and check in your hotel, later proceed for sightseeing of Chittaurgarh Fort – Believed to have been constructed by the Mori rulers in the 7th century, this fort is located on a 180m high hill, covering 700 acres. “Tablets” and “Chattris” lie between several monumental gates. Visit Padmini Palace – The palace of the legendary queen of Mewar. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 11: Chittaurgarh – Dungarpur ( By Surface 200 kms/ Approx 5 hrs)
Morning after breakfast drive to Dungarpur, a small town nestling in the Aravalli Hills, The region is more or less untouched of modern civilization and there is not much of urban landscape. There are a few places in this region, which are reasonably equipped to enable the tourists to appreciate the area’s beauty. There is a charming 18th century palace by the picturesque Gaib Sagar Lake known as Udai Bilas Palace, part of which is an idyllic hotel. On arrival check you hotel, rest of the time at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel in Dungarpur

Day 12: Dungarpur
Morning start the sightseeing visit the Juna Mahal, old palace to see the colourful and vibrant frescoes, exquisite miniature paintings, glass and mirror inlay work and explore the near by villages. Later in the evening proceed to the top of the hill to watch the sun set over the hills. Overnight at Hotel

Day 13: Dungarpur – Udaipur ( By Surface 120 kms/ Approx 3 hrs)
Morning drive towards udaipur and visit molela village for its fine terracotta craft then transfer to hotel. Later start the sightseeing tour of Udaipur city this 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 museum, The City Palace, one of the largest palaces in the world, can be approached through the Bari Pol or the Great Gate (1600) with the royal drums and then onto the Tripolia Gate (1725). The Tripolia is a triple gate made of marble arches. Between these two gates are eight carved toranas or archways under which the maharanas were weighed against gold and silver which was later distributed to the poor subjects. Popular entertainment like elephant fights took place in the court beyond the Tripolia Gate. Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir ( Folk art museum) The interesting collection exhibited by this Indian folk arts museum includes folk dresses, ornaments, puppets, masks, dolls, folk musical instruments, folk deities and paintings. Also visit the Pratap Memorial (Historic site that is dedicated to the gallant Maharana Pratap). A stop the Moti Magri or Pearl Hill, overlooking the Fateh Sagar Lake is the memorial of the Rajput hero Maharana Pratap with a bronze statue of the Maharana astride his favorite horse”Chetak”.Night stay in Udaipur.

Day 14: Udaipur – Kumbhalgarh – Udaipur
Morning drive to Kumbhalgarh which is located 64 kms north of Udaipur in the wilderness, Kumbhalgarh is the second most important citadel after Chittorgarh in the Mewar region. Cradled in the Aravali Ranges the fort was built in the 15th century by Rana Kumbha. Because of its inaccessibility and hostile topography the fort had remained un-conquered. It also served the rulers of Mewar as a refuge in times of strife. The fort also served as refuge to the baby king Udai of Mewar. It is also of sentimental significance as it is the birthplace of Mewar’s legendary King Maharana Partap. The fort is self-contained and has within its amalgam almost everything to withstand a long siege.

Day 15: Udaipur – Delhi / Mumbai – Departure
Morning transfer to airport to board the flight for onward destination.