Exotic Rajasthan

Duration: 14Days /13Nights
Places Covered:Delhi - Jaipur - Bikaner - Jaisalmer - Khimsar - Khimsar - Osian - Jodhpur - Udaipur – Chittorgarh - Kota

Day 01:Delhi.
Arrive Delhi at the international airport. Assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel.
( check-in time 1200 Noon
.Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02:Delhi - Jaipur ( 258 Kms )
After breakfast sightseeing tour of Old Delhi. Visit the Red Fort, Jama masjid and enjoy the Rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes of the Chandini Chowk bazaar. Visit the Raj Ghat, the cremation ground of Mahatma Gandhi.
The old Delhi which was once known as the Shah Jahanabad was protected by rubble built walls, some of which still survive. These walls were pierced by 14 main gates. The Ajmeri Gate, Turkman gate, Kashmiri gate and the Delhi Gate still survive.
The Red Fort, most of it is built of Red Sand Stone, begun in 1639 and completed in 1648. Later visit the Jama Masjid one of the largest mosques in India and the last great architectural work of Shah Jahan. It lies 1 km to the west of the Red Fort.it is judicious blend of red sand stone and white marble, which is interspersed in the domes, minarets and cusped arches.
Last but not the least enjoy a walk through the narrow lanes of the Chandini Chowk bazaar.
Afternoon drive to Jaipur. Assistance on arrival and check-in at the hotel.
Evening free to explore the city on your own.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03:Jaipur.
After breakfast excursion to Amber Fort with elephant ride (subject to availability).
As you take the winding road from modern Jaipur between the barren hills immediately to the north there is a little hint of the magnificent fort and palace, which once dominated the narrow valley. Amber was the site of a Hindu temple built by the Mina tribes as early as the 10th century. This is one of India's most popular tourist sites, with a continuous train of colourfully decorated elephants walking up and down the ramp.
Afternoon visit the City Palace and the Royal Observatory.
City Palace occupies the centre of Jaipur. The main entrance leads to the courtyard at the centre which is the Mubarak Mahal. On the first floor is the Textile and Costume Museum which is the fine example of fabrics and costumes from all over India. In the northwest corner of the courtyard is the Armoury Museum containing an impressive array of weaponry.
Jantar Mantar also known as the Royal Observatory was built between 1728 to 1734 by Jai Singh. Astrology occupies an important place in daily life, observatory is a fascinating and attractive site to walk around.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04:Jaipur - Bikaner
After breakfast drive to Bikaner. En-route visit Fatehpur in Shekhawati region.
This region is famous for its rich fresco paintings on the walls of all the havelis.
Fatehpur, founded in the mid-15th century by a Nawab, has very attractive havelis along the Churu - sikar road. Visit the Devra Haveli, Singhania Haveli, Goenka and Saraogi Haveli. This small town also produces very good tie and dye fabric.
Afternoon proceed to Bikaner, an oasis town among scrub and sand dunes. The rocky outcrop in a barren landscape provides a dramatic setting for the Junagarh Fort, one of the finest in the western Rajasthan. Rao Bikaji set up this city as an independent kingdom in 1488.
Assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Evening free.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 05 : Bikaner - Jaisalmer.
After breakfast sightseeing of Junagarh fort. This fort is the finest examples in Rajasthan, of the paradox between military architecture and beautiful interior decoration.
Later proceed to Jaisalmer. The approach to Jaisalmer across the hot barren is magical as the city shimmers like a mirage. With the crenellated golden sandstone town walls and narrow streets lined with exquisitely carved buildings, through which camel carts trundle leisurely, it has an extra ordinary medieval feel and an incredible atmosphere.
The fort inside , perched on its hilltop, contains some gems of Jain temple building, while beautifully decorated merchants' havelis are scattered through the town. Jaisalmer gives convenient access to the surrounding desert wilderness, sand dunes and oasis village ideal for camel rides and safaris.
Assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 06 Jaisalmer
After breakfast sightseeing city tour. Morning visit the Jaisal Fort built up of Yellow sandstone. This is the only living fort all over the world. You will be able to see a small town based inside the fort.
Afternoon visit the Havelis. First visit the Nathumal ki haveli, Salim Singh ki haveli and patwon ki haveli.( the finest in town, they have the finest murals and the carved pillars.)
Evening drive to Sam Sand Dunes ( 40 kms from Jaisalmer ) to view the sunset along with the camel ride. Here you can see the Kabelia dancers swaying and dancing to the tunes around the bonfire. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 07:Jaisalmer - Khimsar.
After breakfast drive to Khimsar. On the edge of the desert, Khimsar was founded by the Jain Saint Mahavir 2500 years ago. Assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Afternoon visit the Khimsar Fort. If you wish you can you can take a jeep safari to Blackbuck Reserve in the evening.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 08:Khimsar - Osian - Jodhpur.
After breakfast drive to Jodhpur. En-route visit Osian, a Jain temple complex.
Osian surrounded by sand dunes, this ancient town north of Jodhpur in the Thar Desert contains the largest group of 8th to 10 th century Hindu and Jain temples in Rajasthan.
The western group contains a mixture of Hindu temples, including the Surya Temple with beautifully carved pillars. The Jain Mahavira Temple is the best preserved. The Sachya Mata Temple is a living temple of the Golden Durga.
Afternoon drive to JODHPUR, the second city of Rajasthan, once the capital of Marwar, Jodhpur sprawls around the massively impressive clifftop Mehrangarh Fort, one of the most rewarding in the state. The outer city, covering a large area , has the added bonus of the vast Umaid Bhawan Palace with its art and interior decoration.
Assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada. The fort has a museum in it. In a series of palaces, beautifully designed and decorated windows and the walls. Magnificent collection of Maharaja's memorabilia - superbly maintained. If you have time you can also visit Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum, Mandore Gardens, Balsamand lake palace or a jeep safari to Bishnoi Village.
overnight at the hotel.

Day 09:Jodhpur - Ranakpur - Udaipur.
After breakfast drive to Udaipur.
En-route visit Ranakpur. This is one of the 5 holy Jain sites and a popular pilgrimage centre. It is the best know Jain temple complexes in the country. The Adinatha ( 1439) the most noteworthy of the three main temples here, is dedicated to the first Trithankar. The whole temple including the extraordinary array of engraved pillars (which are 1444 in number and none of the pillars are alike), carved ceilings and arches are intricately decorated.
Afternoon proceed to Udaipur, set in the Girwa valley admidst to the aravlli hills of south Rajasthan, Udaipur is a beautiful city. In contrast to some of its desert neighbours it presents an enchanting image of white marble palaces, placid blue lakes, attractive gardens and green hills that keep the wilderness at bay.
High above the lake towers the massive palace of the Maharanas. From its rooftop gardens and balconies, you can look over Lake Pichola, at the summer palace. 'Adrift like a snowflake ' in its centre. Assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Evening free.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10:Udaipur.
After breakfast excursion to Eklingji and Nagada.
The Eklingji temple is built up of white marble and has a two-storey mandapa to Shiva, the family deity of the Mewars. It dates from 734 AD and was rebuilt in the 15th century.
At Nagada, are the ruined 11th century Jain Temple of Adbhutji and the Vaishnavite Sas - bahu temples. The complexis though comparatively small , has some very intricate carving on pillars, ceiling and the mandapa walls.
Afternoon visit the Jag Mandir followed by the Boat ride in the Lake Pichola.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11:Udaipur - Chittorgarh - Kota.
After breakfast drive to Kota. En-route visit Chittorgarh Fort stands on a 152 m high rocky hill, rising abruptly above the surrounding plain. The walls are 5 kms long dominating the city.
Afternoon proceed to Kota. Kota below a deep gorge of the Chambal River, is famous for Sarees. At the south end of the town, near the barrage, is the vast, strongly fortified city palace. The Hatipol at the gate shoes a royal wedding procession. The Madho Singh Museum has a collection of arms and armour, stuffed animals, sculpture, miniature paintings and princely relics.
Assistance on arrival and transfer to the hote
l. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12: Kota - Pushkar.
After breakfast drive to Pushkar.
Pushkar lies in a narrow dry valley overshadowed by impressive rocky hills which offers spectacular views of the desert at sun-set. The lake at its heart, almost magically beautiful in the really early morning or late evening light, is one of India's most sacred lakes. The celebrated Pushkar Fair transforms the quiet village to a colourful week of heightened activity. The once peaceful lakeside village on the edge of the desert has been markedly change by the year-round presence of large numbers of foreigners who were originally drawn by the famous fair.
Assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Afternoon excursion to Ajmer. Visit the dargah of Khwaja muinuddin Chisti and Arhai Din ka Jhopra Mosque.
Evening return to Pushkar to visit the Brahma temple and later view the sunset at the Pushkar lake.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 13: Pushkar - Delhi.
After breakfast drive to Delhi. Assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Afternoon sightseeing of New Delhi. Visit the Humayun's Tomb and the Qutab Minar. Evening free for shopping.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 14:Departure For Home Country .
Early morning transfer to the international airport to fly back home.