Duration : 16 Nights / 17 Days
Destinations : Delhi – Jaisalmer – Jodhpur – Udaipur – Pushkar – Jaipur – Agra – Khajuraho – Varanasi – Delhi
Day 01: Arrive Delhi
On your arrival at Delhi International Airport, you will be greeted by our representative who will assist you to transfer to your Hotel. (Hotel check – in time 12:00 Noon)
Overnight stay at hotel
Day 02: Delhi
After breakfast, proceed for Full day sight-seeing tour of Old and New Delhi. Old Delhi – Former centre Mughal Power, old Delhi offers ancient monuments, narrow streets and bustling bazaars. Drive past the Red Fort built in 1648, visit the Jama Masjid, the greatest mosque in India and completed in 1658 by Shah Jahan, and the Raj Ghat, the simple memorial to Bapu (Mahatma Gandhi)
In Afternoon you will taken for a sightseeing tour of New Delhi – drive past the stately government building of the British Era designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and drive pass India Gate and President House and Continue onto the Tallest Tower, QutabMinar built by First Muslim ruler Qutb-ud-din Aibak.
Overnight stay at hotel
Day 03: Delhi – Jaisalmer by flight
Morning breakfast at hotel and in time transfer to airport to board the flight for Jaisalmer. Upon arrival in Jaisalmer, you shall be met by our driver and transfer to hotel. rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 04: Jaisalmer
After breakfast, Sights-seeing of the medieval city of Jaisalmer.Jaisalmer's crenellated golden sandstone walls and its narrow streets lined with exquisitely carved buildings make this city unique. Jaisalmer is famous for its carved havellis (grand mensions). 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. Patwon – Ki- Haveli This is one of the largest and most elaborate havelis in Jaisalmer and stands in a narrow lane. It is five storeys high and is extensively carved. It is divided into six apartments, two owned by archaeological Survey of India, two by families who operate craft-shops and two private homes. There are remnants of paintings on some of the inside walls as well as some mirror work. This is the largest Haveli in Jaisalmer and stands in a narrow lane. Salim Singh ki Haveli This haveli was built about 300 years ago and a part of it is still occupied. Salim Singh was the prime minister when Jaisalmer was the capital of the princely state and his mansion has a beautifully arched roof with superb carved brackets in the form of Peacocks. Like other havelis in Jaisalmer, this too has tuskers guarding the gateways.
These are made of sand stones and look very close to the original in appearance. The haveli consists of as many as 38 balconies and they all have distinct designs for themselves. The front facet of the haveli resembles ship stern and thus this haveli is also sometimes referred as Jahazmahal.
Evening drive at Sam Sand dunes where enjoy the camel ride and sunset.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 05: Jaisalmer – Jodhpur (270 Kms, Approx. 05 Hrs drive)
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Jodhpur. On arrival check in at the hotel.
Afternoon visit the Mehrangarh Fort (citadel of the Sun) that evokes the very spirit of the Rathores, the ruling local Rajput clan. Visit its various palaces with their delicate friezes and respective museums, displaying treasures of the royal family. North of Meherangarh Fort, and connected to it by road, JaswantThada is a pillared marble memorial to the popular ruler Jaswant Singh II (1878-95), who purged Jodhpur of dacoits, initiated irrigation systems and boosted the economy. The cenotaphs of members of the royal family who have died since Jaswant are close by his memorial; those who preceded him are remembered by chhatris at Mandor. This south-facing spot is also the best place from which to photograph the fort, looming above the sheer rocky Meherangarh plateau.
Overnight stay at hotel
Day 06: Jodhpur – Ranakpur – Udaipur (By Surafce270 Kms. /approximately 7 hrs. drive)
After breakfast, you will be driven from Jodhpur to Udaipur en-route visiting Ranakpur Jain Temples, an exceptionally beautiful excursion through the rugged, wooded hills of Rajasthan to the Jain Temples of Ranakpur in the Aravalli Valley, to see one of the best complexes of Jain religion which is particularly noted for the grandiose scale of its architecture and the highly decorated ceilings, walls and 1444 different pillars. The priests of the temples did all the temple designing and their generations are still continuing the work. Arrive Udaipur and check in to the hotel.
Overnight stay at hotel
Day 07: Udaipur
After breakfast you will proceed to visit the vast and exquisite City Palace, a well-fortified, majestic white monument. The main entrance, a triple-arched gate named the Tripolia, was built in 1725 and is a marvel. The SurajGokhada, the Balcony of the Sun, where the SuryavanshiMaharanas of Mewar presented themselves in times of trouble to the people torestore their confidence, is also a fascinating sight. Afternoon visit the Jagdish Temple, a 16th-century temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, it is the largest and most splendid temple in Udaipur Drive past FatehSagar Lake and visit Sahelion-ki-Bari, the Garden of the Maids-of-Honor, which has numerous fountains in four pools, embellished with delicately chiseled kiosks and elephants. The garden brings to the fore the unique lifestyle of the royal ladies, who once strolled through these gardens.
Later in the afternoon, take a Boat cruise on Lake Pichola to visit Jag Mandir Palace by common boat, which covers almost four acres and is noted for its marble pavilion and an imposing dome. You’ll see people doing their laundry on the shores of the lake against the backdrop of the massive City Palace and the old city.
Overnight stay at hotel
Day 08: Udaipur – Pushkar (By Surafce290 Kms. /approximately 7 hrs. drive)
After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to Pushkar. On arrival check in at the hotel.Afternoon visit Pushkar Temples.
Pushkar is a mellow, serene and bewitching little town which attracts those in search of some respite from the tumult of India. Pushkar is right on the edge of the desert and is only 11 kms from Ajmer but separated from it by Nag Pahar, the snake Mountain. The town clings to the side of the small Pushkar Lake with its many bathing Ghats and Temples. For Hindus, Puhskar is a very important pilgrimage centre and you'll see plenty of Sadhus (individuals on a spiritual search). Pushkar boasts temples, though few are as ancient as you might expect at such an important pilgrimage site, since many were deserted by Aurangzeb and subsequently rebuilt. The most famous is the Brahma Temple, said to be one of the few temples in the world dedicated to this deity. It's marked by red spire, and over the entrance gateway is the hans, or goose symbol, of Brahma, who is said to have personally chosen Pushkar as its site.
Overnight stay at hotel
Day 09: Pushkar – Jaipur (By Surafce 140Kms. /approximately 3 hrs. drive)
After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to Jaipur. On arrival check in at the hotel.
Rest of the day is at Leisure.
Overnight stay at hotel
Day 10: Jaipur
After breakfast at the hotel we will take you for excursion of Amber fort to see the fabulous Amber Fort. En-route to Amber you will stop and see the `Palace of Winds’, otherwise known as HawaMahal. It is really an elaborate facade behind which the ladies of the court used to watch the daily goings on in the street below.
Afternoon visit the City Palace, a famous landmark that is expanded over a large area as it occupies one seventh of the city. Walk to the adjacent JantarMantar or Astronomical Observatory made by the Maharaja of Jaipur. It has also been included in the world heritage lists. You will also have the opportunity to wander in the local markets where you can shop for souvenirs, traditional Rajasthani attires, skilful art craft of the region etc.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 11: Jaipur – Agra Via FatehpurSikri (235Kms, Approx. 05 Hrs drive)
After breakfast, you will be driven from Jaipur to Agra en-route visiting FatehpurSikri, the deserted red sandstone city, built by the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the late 16th century. It was abandoned soon after it was built when the local wells went dry and it remains today in much the same condition that it was over 300 years ago. It is complete with palaces and mosques and used to be a town larger than London when it was originally constructed. Now it is an extraordinary place to wander around with its buildings in near perfect condition.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 12: Agra
After Breakfast visit TajMahal(Closed on Fridays).The TajMahal is everything that has been said about it and more. Taking 22 years and 20,000 men to build, the white marble was quarried 200 miles away and was transported to the site by a fleet of 1000 elephants. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of his love for his wife MumtazMahal, in mid 17th century, the TajMahal is truly one of the wonders of the world. Though the Taj appears to be amazingly perfect from almost any angle, it is the close-up marble inlay work, which is really astounding. You will have ample time to view and be mesmerized by this outstanding piece of architecture. Also visit Agra Fort, an outstanding example of Mughal architecture. Agra Fort - the seat and the stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations. This was the seat of Mughal rule and administration and the present structure owes its origins to Akbar who erected the walls and gates and the first buildings on the eastern banks of Yamuna River. Shah Jehan added the impressive quarters and the mosque while Aurangzeb added the outer ramparts. Visit its Hall of Public Audience and its Royal Pavilions.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 13: Agra – Jhansi – Orchha – Khajuraho (By Train / Surface)
After early breakfast, transfer to Agra Railway station for Train to Jhansi, Train ShatabdiExpress departure Agra at 08:11 a.m. arrival Jhansi at 10:45 hrs. On arrival in Jahnsi drive to Khajuraho via Orchha(165 Kilometres / 03 hrs. 30 minutes drive). We will visit the Orchha Fort which is reached by an arched bridge and the three palaces set in an open courtyard within the fort are the first buildings to explore. The tiered Jahangir Mahal was built in 1606 to commemorate the visit of Emperor Jahangir in 1606. The Raj Mahal, to the right of the courtyard, was built by Madhukar Shah and has bold colorful murals inside. The third palace, is the Rai Praveen Mahal, which is a two storey brick structure set in the gardens of AnandMahal. Of the many temples within the fort, three are especially worth visiting. The Ram Raja Mandirwas originally a palace and became a temple more by accident than design. An image of Ram was installed while the temple, The Chaturbhujwas being built for it. For some reason the image could not be moved from the palace and despite its spires and ornate decoration became a sacred place. Linked to the Ram Raja is the Lakshminarayan temple, the interiors of which have some of the best preserved murals and wall paintings in Orchha.
After the visit we will drive to Khajuraho. On arrival in Khajuraho, check in at the hotel.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 14: Khajuraho – Varanasi (By Flight)
Morning after breakfast, visit the world famous Khajuraho Temples. Inscribed in the list of world heritage sites by UNESCO, the whole complex is divided into eastern and western group of temples. Eastern group is constituted by Parsavanatha Temple - The largest in the group of three Jain temples, Ghantai Temple - This Jain temple has a fresco depicting the 16 dreams of Mahavira's mother, and a multi-armed Jain goddess perched on a winged Garuda, Adinatha Temple - The last of the Jain temples dedicated to the Jain saint, Adinatha. Later visit the Western group which is undoubtedly the best recognized, because the largest and most typical Khajuraho Temple KandariyaMahadev belongs to this group. Other temples of the western group are Vishwanath Temple - The temple enshrines a three-headed image of Lord Brahma, Lakshamana Temple - The lintel over the entrance of this temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu shows the holy trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva with Goddess Lakshmi, Vishnu's consort, Chaunsath Yogini - The oldest surviving temple in the group, Chitragupta Temple - Dedicated to the sun-god, Surya, Matangeshwara Temple - This temple, which happens to be outside the precincts of the western group, is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
After the visit, transfer to Khajuraho airport for flight to Varanasi. On arrival in Varanasi, transfer to your hotel. Evening we enjoy the AARTI at the GHATS of holy river Ganges. Return to your hotel.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 15: Varanasi
Early morning (5:00 AM) proceed to DaswamedhGhat 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. Return to hotel for Breakfast. After Breakfast proceed for a visit of Varanasi including the Bharat Mata Temple, which features a big relief map of Mother India engraved in marble.
Afternoon we will visit Sarnath- the prime Buddhist center all across the world. Located 13 km north east of Varanasi, Sarnath is the place where Gautama Buddha after achieving enlightenment in Bodhgaya, imparted first teachings of dharma. Also, through the enlightenment of Kondanna, Buddhist Sangha came into existence at this park only. Gautama Buddha came here to teach his former five companions Dharma and thus Sarnath is regarded as the place where Buddhism found its roots, the native land of this art of life! Later drive to our hotel.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 16: Varanasi – Delhi (By Flight)
After Breakfast check out from the hotel and in time transfer to Varanasi airport flight to Delhi On arrival in Delhi, transfer to hotel.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 17: Delhi Departure
After Breakfast check out from the hotel and in time transfer to International airport for your flight to onward destination.
*** Tour Ends***
