Pushkar Festival
Duration: 14 Nights / 15 Days
Places Covered: Delhi - Udaipur - Kumbhalgarh - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer - Osian - Pushkar - Jaipur - Agra - Delhi

Day 1: Abroad - Delhi
Arrive late night at New Delhi International airport.
On arrival, transfer to hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Delhi
Afternoon sightseeing tour of Old Delhi.

This morning you will be taken to visit Old Delhi - Former centre of Moghul power, Old Delhi offers ancient monuments, narrow streets and bustling bazaars. Visit the vast Red Fort, built in 1648, the Jama Masjid, the greatest mosque in India which was completed in 1658 by Shah Jahan who also built the Taj Mahal, and the Raj Ghat, the simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

A unique experience of taking 'cycle rickshaws' from the Red Fort, through "Chandni Chowk" or Silver Street, experiencing the sights and sounds of this very busy avenue heading west from the Fort. Chandni Chowk - literally means "moonlit crossroads" and an area which best represents the "super-oriental" - the glory and the guile; the grandeur and the grime, with its crowded bazaars, twisting lanes, maze of small streets, strange aromas, the pungent odour of Oriental spices, the cries of shopkeepers, coolies and "rickshaw-walas".

Afternoon sightseeing tour of New Delhi

New Delhi - drive past the stately government buildings of the British Era designed by Lutyens, including the India Gate & the Presidential Palace. Continue onto the beautiful Humayuns tomb of the Mughal era & predecessor of the world famous Taj Mahal. End the tour at the towering minaret of Qutab Minar. Overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Delhi - Udaipur
In the morning the guests will be transferred to the Domestic airport for Delhi - Udaipur flight (0610 / 0800 hrs.)

On arrival in Udaipur the guests will be met and transferred to hotel.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of Udaipur.

City tour of Udaipur - the romantic Lake City in Southern Rajasthan, famous for the stunning white marble Palace built on an island in the Lake Pichola. It was the former Palace of the Maharana and now converted to one of the most glamorous hotels in India. The tour will cover the magnificent City Palace, the Jagdish temple, the pleasure gardens and a drive around the other nearby lakes.

The magnificent City Palace, which is simply enormous - an assemblance of not one but four separate palaces covering some four acres of area and exceeding all other palaces for colossal grandeur. Here you will marvel at rooms with mirrored walls and ivory doors, colored glass windows and inlaid marble balconies; and the Peacock Courtyard.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Udaipur
Morning tour of Nagda & Eklingji.

Eklingji in the village of Kailash Puri ( 22 kms north-east of Udaipur ). It is a tiny temple complex with 108 shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, the deity of the rulers of Mewar and date from the 16th century, although this has been holy site associated with Lord Shiva since ancient times.

Nagda - close to KailashPuri down the rough country road, Nagda once a Solanki strong-hold now in ruins is one of the most ancient places in Mewar dating to the 11th Century.

Late 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 gardens running down to the waterside.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 5: Udaipur - Ranakpur - Kumbhalgarh
Morning drive to Kumbhalgarh enroute visiting Ranakpur Temples.

Visit the 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. In the centre is the main "Chaumukha temple" dedicated ot Adinath. The most distinctive features are the 29 halls supported by 1444 pillars, of which no two are exactly alike. Every conceivable surface is carved and every corner and angle is engraved with Jain images. The tour also includes visit to two more Jain temples and the Temple of the Sun God with its erotic sculptures.

Continue drive to Kumbhalgarh.
Upon arrival - check in at hotel.

Afternoon visit the Kumbhalgarh Fort (alt 1,087 m) was the second most important fort of the Mewar Kingdom after Chittaurgarh. Built mostly by Maharana Kumba (11485), it is situated on the west facing ridge of the Aravallis, commanding a great strategic position on the border between the Rajput Kingdoms of Udaipur (Mewar) and Jodhpur (Marwar). It gives superb views over the lower land to the North-west, standing over 200m above the pass leading via Ghanerao towards Udaipur.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 6: Kumbhalgarh - Jodhpur
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Jodhpur.
Upon arrival check in at hotel.
Afternoon, 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. Also visit Jaswant Thada - the Royal Cenotaphs. Overnight at hotel.

Day 7: Jodhpur - Jaisalmer
After breakfast drive to Jaisalmer.

Upon arrival at Jaisalmer - check into hotel. Afternoon drive out to the Sand dunes, enroute stopping to visit several interesting villages and the way of life in one of the largest desert in the world. Enjoy a Camel Safari in the thar desert and over the massive sand dunes and witness sunset. It can be an unforgettable experience.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 8: 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 which are quite different to the Shekhavati Havelis - they are very tall to catch the breeze and thick - walled to keep cool, with jali screens. Instead of paintings, their exterior walls have been carved to honeycomb delicacy. Visit the city's magnificent havelis or merchant's houses, each richly decorated and carved from golden yellow sandstone - Patwon-ki-haveli (House of the Brocade Merchants) is the largest and most elaborate of the famous havelis of Jaisalmer. The Nathmalji-ki-haveli (The Mansion of Nathmalji), the last of the great havelis was built in the late 19th century.End the morning with a visit to Gadisar Lake - the large natural oasis that attracted Rawal Jaisal to this site.

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.

Afternoon, visit the Royal Cenotaphs of the Rawals in Barra bagh where the rulers were cremated. This is also the best place from which to watch the spectacular desert sunset, and photograph the fort. Overnight at hotel.

Day 9: Jaisalmer - Osian
After breakfast drive to Osian - the ancient site of 8th Jain temples.

Osian - is an oasis in the desert, and a great centre of Brahmanical and Jain religions. This luxurious tented camp nestles in the most marvelous sand dunes of the great Thar Desert.

Late afternoon, Camel safari through the great dunes to reach Khetasar, a "Bishnoi" village for tea & coffee in a hut, near the oasis where all the village women come to collect water.

An evening splendor with the family of Maharaj Ratan Singh - camp-fire, folk musicians & dancers followed by candle-lit dinner with liveried waiters under the stars and in the romantic silence of the great desert dunes.

Overnight at camp.

Day 10: Osian - Pushkar
After breakfast, drive to Pushkar.

Pushkar - is famous for its colourful annual fair during kartik poornima (full moon) in November each year. At this time this otherwise peaceful and gentle village on the banks of holy Pushkar lake is thrown into colourful confusion when the desert tribes and camel caravans meet to trade cattle, camels, goat, sheep, clothes, jewellery and spices beside the sacred Pushkar Lake and to perform their rituals in its waters, to the accompaniment of temple & folk music. Upto 200000 traders and 50000cattle pour into town, along with numerous festoned camels and colourful pilgrims. After 10 hectic days of livestock dealing, camel racing and colourful festivities, everybody goes for a big holy dip in the lake on the night of the full moon. (Kartik Purnima).

Upon arrival check-in at camp. The Swiss Camp captures the luxurious nostalgia of a bygone age of the Maharaja's Safari and Shikar camps, combined with innovative design demonstrating many of the skills and crafts of Marwar. The camp consists of tents, each with verandah, bedroom and bathroom. There is a large dining tent serving the best of Rajasthani cuisine and a large open reception tent with seating areas. The campfire is the focal point for the evening entertainment programme with cocktails & rhythms of the Thar-music, dancing, magicians, puppet shows, jugglers, flaming torches & camel parades. (Important note: As this is a religious and sacred place therefore no non-vegetarian food or alcohol will be served).

Day 11: Pushkar
Full day at the fair. Built as 'an explosion of fun, frolic, games and laughter', the fair provides some wonderful photographic opportunities and is a rare change to see Rajasthani women decked out in all their traditional jewellery, dress and finery. Temple music wafts through the night, as the fires die down and the Rajasthani melodies played on the stringed ek-tara come to a close. On the night of the full moon, the pilgrims bathe by moonlight, then send marigold and rose petals floating across the lake on green plate-like leaves. It is worth getting up early to see the camels and tribes rousing themselves in the pink of the dawn desert light.

Overnight in the camp.

Day 12: Pushkar - Jaipur
After breakfast, drive to Jaipur.
Upon arrival in Jaipur - check into hotel.
Afternoon city tour.

Tour of the City - "The Pink City" is spectacularly set within surrounding rugged hills, dotted with ancient ruined fortresses. Your tour will include the imposing City Palace, still home to the Maharaja although several of the rooms are now open to the public. Many antiques and artefacts belonging to the ruling family are housed here, including a collection of weaponry. You will also visit the Hawa Mahal "Palace of the Winds", and the open-air Jantar Mantar Observatory to see the vast astronomical instruments. Enjoy a stroll through the colourful bazaar before returning to your hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13: Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra
After breakfast, tour of the impressive Amber Fort, situated on a ridge just outside Jaipur City. At the foot of the hill you will mount your caparisoned elephant for the slow but steady climb up to the main gate, making your entrance in the time honoured fashion. The Fort, completed in the early 18th century, took over 100 years to build and now, although deserted, offers a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the Moghul ruling families.

Afternoon drive to Agra (265 kms / 6 hrs) enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri.

Fatehpur Sikri - drive to the impressive sandstone fortress of Fatehpur Sikri. The fort was built in the 16th century and only occupied for a few years before being abandoned, leaving the buildings in virtually perfect conditions.

Continue drive to Agra, upon arrival check in at Hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 14: Agra - Delhi
Early morning visit the Taj Mahal to witness its changing colour at sunrise. (Closed on Fridays)

Taj Mahal is the mausoleum of Empress Mumtaz Mahal, the beloved spouse of Shah Jahan, who died in 1630. The Taj complex comprises a forecourt, a lofty entrance, a charming formal Mughal garden with canals and a central tank with a series of fountains, the tomb proper, and an attached mosque on the west and its symmetrical counterpart on the east. The Taj is remarkable for its perfect proportion and rich pietra dura, with minute details executed with great skill. The building, often styled "a dream in marble" is said to have taken at least 22 years (1631-1653) to build.

Return to hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast, visit the Red fort( Thereafter drive to Delhi enroute visiting sikandra.

Red Fort - lies on the bend of the river Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. Akbar built it as his citadel over the years 1563-73 in the finest architectural style. It has imposing gates and walls of red sandstone and a moat. (Only for guests who are not taking the extension to Khajuraho & Varanasi).

Sikandara - lies 8 kms north of Agra, the site of the tomb of Akbar. The emperor's mausoleum lies inside a huge garden. The slim minarets of the imposing gateway sprout from a wealth of Moghul inlay work in stone. Each floor of the four-storied mausoleum is a series of arcades, tapering to a marble cloister, which seems to float on the top. Legend says that the pedestal in the tomb chamber once supported the Kohinoor diamond.

Upon arrival in Delhi wash and change rooms will be provided and dinner.

Thereafter transfer from hotel to the airport for flight back home.

Day 15: Delhi - Abroad
Depart Delhi.

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