Cultural Rajasthan
Duration: 5 Nights / 6 Days
Places Covered: Delhi - Udaipur - Ranakpur - Jodhpur - Osian - Jaisalmer - Bikaner - Gajner - Jaipur

Day 1: Delhi - Udaipur
Early morning, transfer to the airport for flight to Udaipur (0610 / 0910 hrs).
Upon arrival, the guests will be met & transferred to the hotel.

City tour of Udaipur - The tour will cover the magnificent City Palace, the Jagdish temple, the pleasure gardens and a drive around the other nearby lakes.

Return to hotel for lunch.

Afternoon, enjoy a cruise by private boat on the placid waters of Lake Pichola. From the lake you have a wonderful view of the City Palace stretching along the east bank, while the south bank has pleasant gardens running down to the waterside.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Udaipur - Ranakpur - Jodhpur
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Jodhpur (280 kms) enroute visit Ranakpur Temples.

Ranakpur Temples - the most magnificent 15th century Jain temples situated in the deep secluded valley of the Aravalli Hills. Though over 500 years old, the temples here are superbly preserved in a near-perfect condition.Includes visit to two more Jain temples and the Temple of the Sun God with its erotic sculptures.

Continue another few kms onto Maharani Bagh Orchards for typical Rajasthani lunch in a Mango grove. After lunch, continue drive to Jodhpur.

Upon arrival, proceed for sightseeing tour of Jodhpur.

City tour of Jodhpur includes Meherangarh Fort - one of the most impressive & formidable in the whole of fort-studded Rajasthan is situated on a high natural rock bluff and from which you can look down on the wonderful panorama of the bustling city below, Jaswant Thada - the Royal Cenotaphs.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Jodhpur - Osian - Jaisalmer
Morning drive to Jaisalmer, (235 kms).Enroute stop for lunch at Osian.

Osian Desert camp - an oasis in the desert, a great centre of Brahmanical and Jain religions.

After lunch drive to Jaisalmer (235 kms).
Upon arrival at Jaisalmer - check into hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure for own activities.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Jaisalmer
After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for city tour of Jaisalmer. Visit this perfect Rajput walled desert city which is like a golden jewel shimmering above the hard sand. Visit the palaces, the Jain temples and magnificent Havelis. Also visit the Fort - built in 1156 by Rawal Jaisal, the Jaisalmer Fort is the second oldest fort of Rajasthan after Chittor. One fourth of the population lives inside the Fort.

Lunch at the hotel.

Afternoon, camel ride to visit the Royal Cenotaphs of the Rawalsin Barra bagh where the rulers were cremated. This is also the best place to witness the spectacular desert sunset, and photograph the fort.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 5: Jaisalmer - Bikaner - Gajner
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Gajner (300 kms) - enroute do sightseeing of Bikaner.

Visit the Junagarh Fort constructed between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Jai Singh, a general in the Moghul Emperor Akbar's army.Thereafter continue drive to Gajner.

Upon arrival at Gajner - check into hotel. Gajner Palace built on the embankment of a lake, beautifully architectured and is made of Red Sandstone. One can appreciate the craftsmanship of the intricate carvings on red sandstone.

Rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the palace with its beautiful lake and surrounded wooded areas which has become the home of different species of migratory birds, most renowned amongst them being the Imperial Sand Grouse. Endangered Antelopes like Black Bucks, Nilgais, Chinkaras and other animals like the Wild Boar roam freely in this area which is now a preserved sanctuary.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 6: Gajner - Jaipur
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Jaipur (280 kms).
Upon arrival at Jaipur - check into hotel.

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Cultural North India
Duration: 13 Nights / 14 Days
Places Covered: Delhi - Udaipur - Ranakpur - Jodhpur - Pushkar - Jaipur - Agra - Orchha - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi

Day 1: Delhi
Arrival at Delhi.
On arrival, transfer to your hotel. Relax.

DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and the present. It is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land. A window to the kaleidoscope - that is India.

Overnight will be at Delhi.

Day 2: Delhi - Udaipur
Breakfast will be at the hotel. Transfer to airport for flight to Udaipur.

Reach and check in at hotel.

The city of Dawn, Udaipur is a lovely land around the azure lake, hemmed in by the lush hills of the Aravallis. A vision in white drenched in romance and beauty, Udaipur is a fascinating blend of sights, sound and experiences and inspiration for the imagination of poets, painters and writers.

Its kaleidoscope of fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples, gardens and narrow lanes strewn with stalls, carry the flavor of a heroic past, epitomizing valor and chivalry. Their reflection in the placid waters of the Lake Pichola is an enticing sight.

Udaipur is the jewel of Mewar -a kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1200 Years.

Proceed for sightseeing tour of Udaipur in the afternoon, stopping first at City Palace. Here you will marvel at rooms with mirrored walls and ivory doors, colored glass windows and inlaid marble balconies and the Peacock Courtyard.

Also visit the lovely Sahelion-ki-Bari Gardens, the Jagdish Temple and the local folk Museum.

Proceed for Evening Motor launch cruise on the placid waters of Lake Pichola. From he boat you will be able to view the city of Udaipur as it rises majestically above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan desert. Also visit the Jag Mandir Palace - the other island palace in the middle of the lake. Spend some time at the Jag Mandir Palace.

Overnight will be at Udaipur.

Day 3: Udaipur - Jodhpur
After breakfast drive to Jodhpur.

En-route, visit the Ranakpur Temples, dating back to the 15th century. 200 pillars, none of which are alike, support its 29 halls. The Temple abounds with intricate friezes and sculptures. Includes visits to two more Jain temples and the Temple of the Sun God with its erotic sculptures.

Set at the edge of the Thar Desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes with tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. Once the capital of the Marwar state, it was founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha-chief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs who claimed to be descendants of Rama - the epic hero of the Ramayana. The massive 15th century AD Mehrangarh Fort looms on the top of a rocky hill, soaring 125 Mts. Above the plains. The city is encompassed by a high wall -10 km long with 8 gates and innumerable bastions.

Check in at Jodhpur. Relax in the hotel and visit the museum of Umaid Bhawan Palace.

Overnight will be at Jodhpur.

Day 4: Jodhpur
Morning go for a village safari in the jeep and have a rare glimpse into the rich culture and true essence of India. Abundant wildlife (game) and memorable moments of the great desert landscape fascinates one while driving along the countryside.

Afternoon sightseeing tour of Jodhpur - gateway to the desert beyond, home of the Rathors of Marwar, visit the Mehrangarh Fort, rising up a hilly scarp, built on the advice of a hermit, overlooking the city in the image of a long sentinel. Inside the Fort are a number of palaces added by successive rulers. In this palace you would see different miniature paintings & cradle room. After this you would visit Jaswant Thada Memorial.

Overnight will be at Jodhpur.

Day 5: Jodhpur - Pushkar
Proceed for Pushkar after breakfast. Reach Pushkar by noon and relax.

PUSHKAR - Amongst the grandeur of Rajasthan, discover a unique gem - Pushkar. Lord Brahma - The creator of the world in a search for his abode on earth, performed the supremely spiritual Vedic Yagna at Pushkar. It is thus the site of the only Brahma Temple in the world. Blessed with cultural blends, it is the venue for the famous Pushkar Fair, with people coming from all over Asia to buy and sell cattle of breeds from across the world. The consecrated mausoleum of Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti at Ajmer attracts pilgrims from all over the world. A city of Pilgrimage from time immemorial with over 500 temples and Ghats Pushkar begets a legacy of timeless architectural heritage. Pushkar radiates an ambience of peace and spirituality that casts a lure to visit again and again. The Pushkar fair is amongst the largest cattle fairs in the world and amongst the oldest cities in India, with references in mythology and the Mahabharat. There are 52 bathing Ghats, which are linked to the lunar calendar, enclose the lake. Each Ghat has its own miraculous qualities and powers of healing and this city of temples has over 500 temples built over different eras with varied architectural styles. The rose garden of Rajasthan - the essence of the famous Pushkar rose is exported the world over. Pushkar has the most varied terrain in Rajasthan with sand, rock, hills, and proximity to a number of heritage properties in the area and a number of fairs and festivals - especially on the new and full moon days.

Visit the mausoleum, Anasagar and Akbar's Palace.

Overnight will be at Pushkar.

Day 6: Pushkar - Jaipur
After breakfast drive to beautiful Pink City - Jaipur.

Reach and check in at hotel.

JAIPUR - The origins of the beautiful city of Jaipur can be traced back to the eighteenth century, during the reign of Jai Singh II who ascended the Amber throne in 1699. Jaipur today, epitomizes the spirit of Rajputana. In-spite of growing into a bustling metropolis, it still retains it's character and history - A beautiful fusion of the yesteryears and modernity. Popularly known as the Pink City because of the extensive use of the locally abundant pink plastered stone, painted so in honor of the visit of the royal consort of Queen Victoria. Jaipur thrills the soul with its massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and lush gardens.

Explore the city markets. Overnight will be at Jaipur.

Day 7: Jaipur
Breakfast to be served at the hotel.

Proceed for excursion to Amber Fort in the outskirts of Jaipur. 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 its ultimate expression.

Proceed for sightseeing of the city.

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. Its five-storey structure 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.

Visit a rug factory and see the ladies at the intricate work or a gem factory and see the gem cutting and polishing process.

Overnight will be at Jaipur.

Day 8: Jaipur - Agra
After breakfast drive to Agra.

Stop at Fatehpur Sikri. The deserted, red Sandstone City, Emperor Akbar built that as his capital and palace in the late 16th century is an exhilarating experience. It a veritable fairytale city and its "ruins" are in pristine condition ... it's not hard to imagine what the court life must have been like in the days of it's grandeur. Also visit the Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world.

Reach Agra in the afternoon.

AGRA: Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire - giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}. Today a visitor to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices, of red sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains. It is not surprising, that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously. A walk down the narrow bustling streets of the city will introduce the visitor to the wafting aroma of Mughlai cuisine.

Check in at hotel and proceed for sightseeing of Itmadullah's Tomb built by Empress NOOR JEHAN in memory of her father (The interiors of which are considered better than the Taj). Proceed to visit Taj at sunset. Enjoy battery van ride to the Taj.

TAJ MAHAL: Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which is always the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen. Proceed for sightseeing to the AGRA FORT - Built by the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort is predominantly of red sandstone. Ensconced within is the picture perfect Pearl Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction.

Overnight will be at Agra.

Day 9: Agra - Orchha - Khajuraho
Breakfast will be at hotel. Transfer to the station for train to Jhansi.
Reach Jhansi and transfer to Orchha, 12 km away.

Orchha - A medieval city founded by Bundela rulers with Palaces and Temples of the 16th and 17th century - which have remarkably withstood the onslaught of time. The city is Picturesquely flanked by the river Betwa.

Proceed for sightseeing of ORCHHA sites within the Fort Complex. Enjoy your lunch at Orchha.

Continue drive to Khajuraho.

Situated in the heart of India, in the state of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is a fascinating village with a quaint, rural ambience and a rich cultural heritage, honoured by the World as India's unique contribution to human civilaisation. The Chandela Dynasty built eighty-five temples here. Twenty remain as embodiments of Indian Architectural and Sculptural Art at its most evolved state. Even ten centuries after they were constructed, the temples of Khajuraho reflect an eternal philosophy relevant to all mankind. The temples of Khajuraho is a World Heritage Site and belong not just to India but to the World. Khajuraho is one of the few millenium destinations of the World.

Reach Khajuraho. Transferred to hotel and relax. Evening will be free. You can go out for a stroll.
Overnight will be at Khajuraho.

Day 10: Khajuraho - Varanasi
Breakfast will be at hotel. Proceed for a guided tour of the exotic temples of Khajuraho.

Transfer in time to airport for flight to Varanasi.

Varanasi is the World's most ancient living city. Sunrise on the riverfront, as seen from a boat, can be spiritually uplifting sight. Crowded with temples, and its labyrinth of streets, the city attracts the maximum number of tourists. The religious capital of Hinduism, Varanasi is the carpet manufacturing place of India. It was previously known as Kashi - the city that illuminates. The present name is derived from the fact that the city is at the confluence of the rivers Varuna and Asi.

Visit Sarnath - 5 miles out of Varanasi for a day excursion: One of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world, where Buddha preached his first Sermon in 590 BC. Witness the ruins of a once flourishing Buddhist monastery and then visit a fine Museum which houses an excellent collection of Buddhist art and sculptures found at the site.

Proceed to the hotel. Overnight will be at Varanasi.

Day 11: Varanasi - Delhi
Morning drive to Daswamedh Ghat and take a boat ride on the sacred river Ganges to see the cremation Ghats and witness the living traditions of one of the world's oldest and most important religions. (To start at 0500 hrs. for the best lifetime experience) For you to appreciate this remarkable city, we'll transfer you to the banks of the River Ganges before the sun rises. Board a boat with your guide and proceed to the middle of the river, where at sunrise the sight unfolds before you. Thousands of faithful come daily to the banks to bathe and pray while in the background, temples and palaces rise in tiers from the water's edge. Return for a walk through the cobblestone streets along the banks of "Ganga". As shops are opening, the place now becomes a beehive of activity as the faithful are coming and going.

Breakfast will be at hotel.

Proceed for a day-guided tour of Varanasi including the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Gyanvapi Mosque, Benaras Hindu University and other important monuments.

Transfer to airport for flight to Delhi. Reach and transfer to hotel.
Overnight will be at Delhi.

Day 12: Delhi
Breakfast at hotel.
Proceed for a full day tour of Old & New Delhi.

OLD DELHI - A sightseeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting the Raj Ghat - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India and the Red Fort - once the most opulent fort and palace of the Moghul Empire.

Take a cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to Chandni Chowk.

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, Parliament House, the President's Residence and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.

Relax in the evening. Overnight will be at Delhi.

Day 13: Delhi - Home
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Morning will be free to explore the city and finish last minute shopping.
Transfer to the airport for flight home with sweet memories of India.

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