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Day 01. Flight
to India (Delhi)
Around
Midnight arrival in
Delhi. The cosmopolitan City and capital Delhi is
the main gateway for travelers. You are met by an Indo Vacations representative
and transferred to your Hotel.
Day 02. Old - New Delhi
This morning is at leisure. Afternoon sightseeing in Old Delhi. We take
a Rickshaw Ride parallel to the
Red Fort through the old city and famous
Silk Road and Silver Bazaar. Sightseeing of Old Delhi includes "Rajghat",
the place where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated and
Jama Masjid, the great
mosque of old Delhi. Today we also visit the famous "Humayun Tomb"
which is the first substantial example of Mughal
architecture in
India.
Before we proceed to the Hotel we have a drive through New Delhi where
we see the
India Gate, Government Buildings and Embassies.
BD
Day 03.
Delhi - Shekhawati (about 268 km)
Morning at leisure. In the afternoon drive to
Shekhawati region. Arrival in Shekhawati in the evening.
BD
Day
04. Shekhawati - Bikaner (about 190 km)
In the morning we visit the grand havellis of the Shekhawati area.
Shekhawati lies in the north east region of
Rajasthan and is the
homeland of marwaris. The marwaris form one of the most important
merchant and business groups in India, they developed their business
acumen on the trade routes between Delhi and the coast between India
and Central Asia. Marwaris enjoyed protections by Maharajas and many
of them built grand havellis. The hovels are mansions, elaborately
and attractively decorated with a strong main entrance. The walls
are often covered with murals, local legends and religious scenes
from Hindu Mythology. After the visit of Shekhawati area we proceed
to
Bikaner.
After a short break in Bikaner we visit the
Junagarh Fort
(1571-1611 AD) constructed of red sandstone and marble with kiosks
and balconies embellishing the structure at intervals. This imposing
Fort and its palaces are an unforgettable experience for us.
BD
Day 05. Bikaner
- Jaisalmer (about 330 km)
Today we drive through the desert and proceed for
Jaisalmer. Very often one can see along the road to Jaisalmer some of the antelopes of this region. Blackbuck and fast running
chinkara are the most common among them. We have a stop enroute at a
village to observe the traditional life of the villages in Rajasthan.
We
arrive in Jaisalmer in the late evening.
BD
Day 06. Jaisalmer
Sightseeing of the medieval city of Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer's crenellated
golden sandstone walls and its narrow streets lined with exquisitely
carved buildings makes this city unique. Jaisalmer is famous for its
carved havellis (grand mansions). In medieval times, its prosperity was
due to its location on the main trade route linking India to Egypt,
Arabia, Africa and the West. Jaisalmer is a marvel of beautiful culture
and this city remains one of the most exotic city not only in Rajasthan
but in the whole of India. Some of the visitors called this city "a
living museum". We have a walk through the old city and visit the
Fort
and the Jain temple. In the afternoon we drive around 40 km. away from Jaisalmer to
Sam dunes where we enjoy the sunset before we drive back
to Jaisalmer.
BD
Day 07. Jaisalmer - Osian - Jodhpur (about 290 km)
Early morning drive to
Jodhpur via Osian.
Osian is a great centre of Hindu and
Jain religions. The oldest
Temple here was constructed in 1178 AD. The city was once the capital of the
princely state of Marwar (Land of death). Jodhpur is the second largest
city in Rajasthan. Jodhpur is also known as the blue city as most of
the houses of the old city are painted blue. The old city is surrounded
by a huge 10 km long wall which has 101 bastions and seven gates. Jodhpur
lies on the once strategic Delhi-Gujarat trading route and the marwaris
got benefit from the passing traffic of opium, copper, silk which was
traded to China. We will visit the
Mehrangarh Fort (majestic fort). Mehrangarh
Fort was built on a steep hill and is among the best in India with exquisitely
latticed windows in residential apartments within. We also visit the
Jaswant Thada, a royal cenotaph built in white marble. After the sightseeing
we have a walk through the Bazaars of Jodhpur.
BD
Day 08. Jodhpur - Ranakpur
- Udaipur (about 260 km)
Today we drive to
Udaipur. Enroute we will visit
Ranakpur. Ranakpur is
known for its superbly carved marble
Jain Temples. An enormous basement
of this temple covers 48,000 sq. feet. There are four subsidiary shrines,
twenty four pillared halls. The total number of columns is 1,444, all
of which are intricately carved, no two being alike. The Ranakpur Jain
Temples were built during the 15th century. We have a break in Ranakpur
before proceeding further for Udaipur. Udaipur is called the romantic
city of Rajasthan. A city built around shimmering, clear, blue water
lakes which reflect the green hills of the
Aravali ranges.
BD
Day 09. Udaipur
Today we visit Udaipur, also known as the city of sunrise. We start our
sightseeing with the visit of Sahelion-Ki-Bari. This Garden of the Maids
of Honour is well laid out with extensive lawns and shady walks. After
the visit of Garden of Maids we visit a Museum of folk art. This museum
has a rich collection of Folk dresses, ornaments, puppets, masks, dolls,
folk musical instruments and paintings on display. After a break we
proceed to
City
palace, the biggest Palace in India, where 4 generations
of Maharajas added their contribution, is so carefully planned and integrated
with the original buildings that it is difficult to believe that it
was not conceived as a whole. The museum of the palace includes the beautiful
peacock mosaic and miniature wall paintings of Indian mythology. Today
we have an opportunity to visit a traditional painting school and see
the famous miniature paintings done. In the evening we have a Boat
ride
on the lake Pichola. The famous
Lake Palace of Udaipur was the summer
residence of the former rulers. The James bond Film Octopussy was shot
here and made this palace more known in the west.
BD
Day 10. Udaipur - Pushkar (about 300 km)
Today we leave Udaipur and drive to
Pushkar. Pushkar being one of the
most religious places for Hindus has the atmosphere of an ancient religious
town. The only
temple of God Brahma is in Pushkar thus making Pushkar
an important pilgrimage city for Hindus. Pushkar has become famous in
the world due to its Pushkar Festival which takes place in the month
of November when the whole of Pushkar is transformed into a spectacular
fair ground where thousands of pilgrims come to bath in the holy water
of
Pushkar lake and the biggest cattle and camel markets take place
here where Farmers, breeders and camel traders buy and sell. (if this
tour takes place during the time of Pushkar Festival we spend 2 nights
stay in Pushkar instead of one.
BD
Day 11.
Pushkar - Jaipur (about 145 km)
In
the morning we drive to the Pink City,
Jaipur.
This city owes its name, foundations and careful planning to the
great warrior and astronomer, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Jaipur is
the capital of Rajasthan and famous for its handicrafts and precious
and semiprecious stones.
BD
Day 12. Jaipur
After breakfast we drive to the ancient capital of
Amber, laying 11 km. away from Jaipur. Amber was the ancient
capital of Kachhawaha dynasty for 6 centuries before it was moved to
newly created Jaipur. We will ascend to the Palace Fortress on the
back of an Elephant. Enroute to Amber we will visit the
Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), built in 1799 AD, it contains
953 small casements with each having its own balcony. The windows
enabled cool air to circulate and the ladies to watch processions
below without being seen. In the afternoon we visit the
City Palace that is still the formal residence of the royal family,
built in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. In the
museum of the
City Palace we visit the private collection of the Jaipur
Maharajas. We continue to
Jantar Mantar, a stone observatory, and the largest of Jai
Singh's five remarkable observatories. Its complex instruments
reveal us the secrets of medieval Indian astronomy. Later we have a
walk through the colourful Bazaar of Jaipur and visit a factory to
see the famous block printing work being done since centuries in
Jaipur. In the evening we drive through the new city of Jaipur and
visit "Laxmi Narayan Mandir", a Hindu temple made out of white
marble. We might have an opportunity here to observe a prayer
ceremony. Today we have dinner with a presentation of Indian music
and dance.
BD
Day
13. Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra (about 300 km)
Today we leave Rajasthan, the biggest state in India and drive through
a series of fields, small towns and villages in direction of Agra. Enroute
we make a stop and visit
Fatehpur Sikri, which was once an imperial
capital frozen in time, constructed by Akbar the Great in the 16th
century. This
wonderful city constructed by red sand stones was abandoned as abruptly
as it had been built. It has been generally stated that it was due to
failing in the water supply. Late evening arrival in
Agra. Rest of the
day at leisure.
BD
Day 14. Agra
We start today
our sightseeing by a visit to the Agra
Fort, built by three of the greatest Mughal emperors. The
construction of this massive structure began in 1565 under Akbar's
reign and continued till the time of his grandson's reign, Shah
Jahan who built the impressive imperial quarters and mosque. After
the visit of Agra Fort we proceed to visit the most beautiful
monument of India, the Taj
Mahal, an enduring monument to love, with a continually
fulfilling beauty. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan
between 1631-52, as a tomb and memorial to his beloved wife Mumtaz
Mahal (Jewel of the Palace), who died at the age of 39 giving birth
to her 14th child. We spend enough time at Taj Mahal to take this
impressive memory home. After the visit of Taj Mahal we have a look
at the famous fine marble inlay work which is still being done in
Agra by the descendants of the families of builders and artists of
the Taj Mahal.
BD
Day 15.
Agra - Gwalior – Orchha (about 250 km)
After the breakfast we drive to Orchha. In route we will visit the
Gwalior. Gwalior's strategic position between North and South India
has made it's Fort an important possession and it was captured by
several ruling houses. Some left almost as soon as they came, while
others stayed on to build and beautify the citadel. We will visit
the fort of Gwalior. After sightseeing in Gwalior we drive to
Orchha. Orchha's grandeur has been captured in stone, frozen in
time, a rich legacy to the ages. In this medieval city, the hand of
time has rested lightly and the palaces and temples built by its
Bundela rulers in the 16th and 17th centuries retain much of their
pristine perfection.
Day 16. Orchha - Khajuraho (about 178 km)
In the morning we visit the temples and palaces in Orchha and later
drive to
Khajuraho.
Khajuraho was the capital of the Chandela dynasty. The Chandela
Kings claimed descent from the moon. The temples of Khajuraho are
among the finest examples of temple craftsmanship in the whole of
India. In the evening arrive in Khajuraho. The rest of the day at
leisure.
Day 17. Khajuraho - Varanasi (by air)
Today we visit the temple complex of
Eastern Group and
Western Group to see the
most beautiful temples in India. Most famous among them is the Laxmana
Temple which is dedicated to god Vishnu. The presence of erotic sculptures
in the Temples at Khajuraho is one of the expression among others of
the celebration of all human activities displaying different aspects
of Hinduism. In the evening flight to
Varanasi. The rest of the day
at leisure. Varanasi is without doubt India’s most sacred city and thus
visited by over one million people. Varanasi is also called the city
of light. Buddha visited this city in 500 BC.
Day
18. Varanasi
In the early morning we take a boat ride on the holy
river Ganges
and enjoy sunrise on the boat.
Ghats
(flight of steps) and the activities of pilgrims on that are the
principal attraction for visitors to Varanasi. Thousands of pilgrims
and devotees visit this city to make holy prayers, to meditate and
to purify themselves through taking a bath in the holy river Ganges.
In the noon we visit the city of Varanasi.
Optional: A drive can be organised to
Sarnath (10 km). Sarnath is the place where Buddha delivered his first sermon at deer
park.
Day 19. Varanasi - Delhi (by air)
In Afternoon we fly from Varanasi to Delhi. In Delhi we have rest of
the day at leisure.
Optional: Further excursion in Delhi can be organised
as per the individual wishes. Rooms are available to get fresh and change
before we depart for the Airport with Indo Vacations representative.
Day 20. Flight to Home
Around Midnight flight to home destination.
About
Hotels:
We
provide you the accommodation as per your budget mentioned above in
the table of hotels category for any of the booked tour. Hotels
provided by us are from budget to luxury class hotels. Luxury hotels are
all five stars or of above standard. Deluxe would be a combination
of 3 and 4 star Hotels and standard would be a combination of 2 and
3 star or similar hotels. The criteria for selecting hotels by us
remains the best value of your money. We also provide you wherever
possible accommodation in heritage hotels. Heritage Hotels are old
Palaces, Forts and Grand mansions of Maharajas which have been later
renovated and converted into Hotels. Rooms are decorated all
individually. Rooms are comfortable, romantic and present the flair
of olden Maharaja days.
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