Duration: 16Days
/15Nights
Places Covered:Delhi
- Mandawa - Bikaner - Jaisalmer - Bikamkor -
Dabdi - Jodhpur - Udaipur -
Jaipur - Ranthambore -Agra
Day 01: Arrive Delhi
You will be met and assisted on arrival in Delhi and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 02 : Delhi
After breakfast in the morning proceed for the full day city tour of Old & New Delhi. In Old city visit Red Fort built by Emperor Shah Jahan; Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India; Raj Ghat- the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi and enjoy a walking tour in Chandni Chowk- the silver street of Delhi bustling with activity. In the afternoon visit Qutab Minar, the tallest stone tower in India; Humayun's Tomb built in the Indo Persian style and a predecessor to The Taj Mahal in Agra; India Gate - A War Memorial Arch. Also drive past the President's house, Parliament house, Government secretariat buildings and Connaught place - the heart of New Delhi and a busy shopping center.
Overnight is at the hotel.
Day 03 : To Mandawa
This morning we will drive to Mandawa, often referred to as Rajasthan's open art gallery. At midway you will stop at NEEMRANA FORT PALACE for lunch before continuing your drive. Mandawa is a sleepy little typical Rajasthani town, which is deep rooted with culture. Stay here in your heritage hotel, Castle Mandwa. Later enjoy a walking tour of Mandawa, which includes the medieval fort that gradually rises on the horizon like a mirage. A painted arched gateway adorned with Lord Krishna and his cows leads to the bazaar. A breathtaking view of the town can be seen from the terrace of Castle Mandwa. The Mandwa family has a collection of traditional ceremonial costumes.
Day 04 :To Bikaner
Morning leave for BIKANER, which was once a major trading post between Africa, West Asia and the Far East. The arts prospered receiving the patronage of a wealthy merchant community. The city is renowned for the best riding camels in the world. Stay in beautiful LAXMI NIWAS PALACE. This afternoon during your tour you will visit Camel Breeding Farms; Junagarh Fort, a formidable structure encircled by a moat and having some beautiful palaces within. Situated at a height of above seven hundred feet above sea level, it towers over the city and can be seen from a distance. The fort and its palaces are profusely decorated with magnificent stone carvings. 30 kms south of Bikaner is the village of Deshnoke, where the famous Mata Karni Temple is situated. The 600-year-old temple is dedicated to Karni Mata, an incarnation of Goddess Durga. The temple plays host to thousands of rats that form the major attraction here. The rats are considered sacred and worshipped accordingly. You have to be very careful while entering the inner sanctum, because it is believed that if you accidentally step on a rat, a gold replica has to be made to compensate for the lost life.
Day 05: To Jaisalmer
Today drive 333kms to Jaisalmer - a fairy-tale town in the Thar Desert founded about 800 years ago by Rajah Jaisal. Unlike any other city, this desert fortress is one of Rajasthan's most exotic and unusual towns. Jaisalmer, an important ancient trading centre because of its strategic location on the camel trade routes, is often described as the 'golden city'. The havelis, built by merchants of the 19th century, are exquisitely carved from golden-yellow sandstone and are still in a beautiful condition. The fort built by Rawal Jaisal in the 12th century, stands on the 80 metre high Trikuta hill, with beautifully carved Jain temples. The annual desert festival takes place in January and February each year and is a riot of colour and activity. Jaisalmer is also famous for its embroidery, Rajasthani mirror work, rugs, blankets, antique, stonework and camel safaris into the barren sand-duned desert. Afternoon visit the Fort. Built in 1156 by the Bhatti ruler, Jaisala, THE FORT here stands atop the 80 m high Trikuta hill. The fort is surrounded by 3 walls and features 99 bastions. Over the centuries, the golden sand stone fortress witnessed many battles between the Bhattis, the Mughals and the Rathors of Jodhpur.
Day 06 : To Bikamkor - Camel Safari Begins
This day we'll drive for BIKAMKOR. Arrive in the afternoon and on arrival you are met by safari staff and camel riders. After a quick briefing commence your CAMEL SAFARI for village 'DABDI'. Just before sunset arrive at mobile camp set up exclusively for you. Evening folk entertainment followed by a candlelit dinner. Overnight is at Dabdi dunes in mobile camp.
Day 07: To Dabdi - Camel Camp (Osian)
Enjoy your breakfast at leisure and commence your CAMEL SAFARI journey through the Thar. After 4 hours riding we approach the oasis village 'khetasar' where we visit the local weavers and potters hut. Lunch will be served by the oasis or at a village hut. After an hours break resume safari for CAMEL CAMP at OSIAN, which is a three hours ride. All along the safari route we will be stopping at different tribal dwellings and viewing various species of desert wildlife- the likes of blue bull (one of Asia's largest antelopes), gazelle's, foxes, hare along with partridges, sand grouses, peacocks, demoiselle cranes etc. On arrival at Camel Camp you will check into your tents. Evening folk entertainment followed by dinner.
Day 08 : To Jodhpur
After breakfast there is a tour of the temples in OSIAN near the camp. Then drive 60kms to Jodhpur, where you are booked to stay at the majestic UMAID BHAWAN PALACE. Jodhpur is known for its striking forts, stately palaces and gracious buildings. Rest of the day is at leisure to walk around in the palace and to laze by the poolside after 2-days of rough safari in the desert.
Day 08 : To Luni
After breakfast enjoy a JEEP SAFARI to the Bishnoi tribes. This will take you to traditional villages seeing local Handicrafts viz. shoe makers, pottery hand weaving and also men in their traditional attire, women clad with ancestral silver Jewellery, en-route watch and photograph wildlife - Chinkaras, Peacock etc. freely moving in abundance protected by " Bishnois" Protectors of wildlife and tree and also participate in the "Opium Ceremony". Finish the safari at lunch in Fort Chanwa, in the heart of a small village, LUNI. Later you may try to take a horse safari around the village.
Day 09 : To Udaipur
This morning we'll drive through valleys in the remote and peaceful Aravalli Range to RANAKPUR to visit one of the most important Jain temples in India. This marble complex is noted for the 29 halls supported by 1,444 pillars, each adorned with hundreds of carved figures, no two alike. Continue your drive to KUMBALGARH to explore its magnificent fort, perched atop the desert's fabled sand dunes. This is exotic stuff - straight out of A Thousand and One Nights. We'll continue south, arriving Udaipur, described as the "City of Sunrise" in the evening. In the evening you will enjoy a leisurely boat ride on LAKE PICHOLA. With its main attractions being the two palaces on the islands in the lake, Jagniwas and Jagmandir Lake Pichola is about 4 km in length and 3 km wide. Jagniwas was earlier the summer retreat of the prince of Mewar and now a five-star hotel. The city palace extends along the eastern shore of the lake and you can go for a boat ride from Bansi Ghat.
Day 10: In Udaipur
Udaipur is also a centre of historic arts and crafts of Mewar, like the Mewar School of Miniature Painting. There is of course the modern face of Udaipur, that one can look at if interested, but given the other sights from a glorious past, modernity is no real distraction. This is a place that will hold you in its thrall no matter who you are or where you come from. During a guided tour you will visit the CITY PALACE built in 1725, the grand City Palace is actually a conglomerate of eleven palaces overlooking the sprawling Lake Pichola. One of the largest, most beautiful palaces in the state of Rajasthan, it is now a museum, royal residence and a luxury hotel. This intricately designed monument is an architectural wonder in granite and marble; JAGDISH TEMPLE built in 1651 by Maharaja Jagat Singh, this temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is located in the centre of the old city. The temple has a black marble image of Lord Vishnu, which is unusual for the northern part of the country, where statues of Gods are normally in marble; FATEH SAGAR originally built in 1678 by Maharana Jai Singh, Fateh Sagar was rebuilt by Maharana Fateh Singh after the rains destroyed the dam. The garden island in the middle of the lake is Nehru Park, which also has a cafe. SAHELIYON KI BARI is another small ornamental garden, which used to be the garden-of-maids for the royal family.
Day 11: To Jaipur
Fly to Jaipur this morning. You'll be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Your afternoon tour of Jaipur covers visit to the solar observatory. Later drive 11kms in the outskirts of the city to visit Amber Fort, the ancient capital of the State until 1728. Visit the Temple of Kali, the Hall of Victory or Jai Mahal and Jagmandir. You can have the unique experience of traveling on elephant back to and from the top of the hill on which the fort is situated. After the visit return back to your hotel for overnight stay.
Day 12: To Ranthambore
This morning we will drive 148kms, roughly 3 hours to Ranthambore National park. You will stay here in a lodge or camp for two nights. Enjoy an afternoon safari in the park known for its tiger sightings. The park is quite famous for good population of Tigers, which can be encountered in broad daylight, quite unperturbed by the human presence. Following dinner there may be a slide show and an orientation talk about the park and its wildlife by the lodge staff.
Day 13: In Ranthambore
Early morning a Jeep safari into the park, which is one of the finest tiger reserves in the country. Spread over an area of 392 sq. km, the park is characterized by dry deciduous forests sprawling over the Aravalli and Vindhyan ranges. If you are fortunate enough you can also see the tiger strolling in the jungle or near any of the three lakes namely, the Padam Talab, Raj Bagh Talab and Milak Talab. The park also houses some of the rare species of desert creature like the sambhar, chital, nilgai, chinkara, langur, wild boar and peafowl. After the visit return to your accommodation for a late breakfast. Your car is at your disposal hence you may like to spend the afternoon visiting nearby temples and sites. Also visit the Ranthambore fort built by the Chauhan rulers in the 10th century and is regarded as one of the oldest forts of Rajasthan. Due to its strategic location, the fort was ideal to keep the enemy at bay. The fort is also related to the historical legend of the royal women performing jauhar (self immolation) when the Muslim invader Ala-ud-din Khilji laid siege on this fort in 1303. The fort is characterized by temples, tanks, massive gates and huge walls. You will have another opportunity in the afternoon for tiger spotting during your second safari of the day. Overnight is at the lodge / camp.
Day 14: To Agra
This morning we'll go for a last Jeep Safari at dawn, and then drive towards Agra. We'll stop at BHARATPUR BIRD SANCTUARY and spend an hour here spotting various birds on your bicycle or on cycle rickshaw. The park is supposed to be inundated with more than 300 different species of resident & migratory birds. Later stop at Fatehpur Sikri, 18 kms from the park and only a 15 minutes drive. This was the capital city of Akbar but was abandoned later due to scarcity of water. This complex in red sandstone is considered to be more beautiful than TAJ MAHAL by many visitors. Then continue your drive of approximately 45 min. to Agra. In Agra unwind in the hotel by the poolside after a hectic and long drive.
Day 15: In Agra
Today proceed for a half day guided city tour of Taj Mahal. In particular, Agra has its magnificent fort and the building which many people have visited India solely to see - the Taj Mahal. This morning tours visit this white marble mausoleum, which was built in the middle of the 17th century by the Moghul emperor Shah Jehan for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. On the banks of river Yamuna stands the Taj Mahal, the epitome of love is today the source of attraction for millions of tourists from all over the world. The Taj is made entirely of white marble and its walls are decorated with exquisite pietra dura (stone inlay) work. It is said that different types of precious and semi precious stones were used in the intricate inlay work done on the interiors. His magnificent monument is set around a Charbagh or 'four garden', which is spilt by watercourses - a reflection of Persian style. Late evening, return to your hotel for overnight stay.
Day 16: Agra - Delhi
Drive back to Delhi today in the afternoon and arrive straight at the airport to connect your onward flight. Our representative will meet you at the airport and assist you with connection of your onward flight.
End of our services....
Heritage
Culture 
