Rajasthan Cultural Tour
Duration: 15 Nights / 16 Days
Places Covered: : Delhi - Mandawa - Bikaner - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Kumbhalgarh - Udaipur - Kotah - Bundi - Ranthambore - Jaipur - Agra
Day 01 : Arrive Delhi by international flight
Assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Day 02 : Delhi - Mandawa
Drive to Mandawa and on arrival, check-in at the hotel. After breakfast visit this beautiful small town of Rajasthan with numerous forts and havelies in the Shekhawati Region.
Day 03 : Mandawa - Bikaner
Drive to Bikaner and on arrival, check-in at the hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Bikaner.
Day 04 : Bikaner
Morning visit Deshnoke Temple. Afternoon visit Camel Breeding Farm
Day 05 : Bikaner - Jaisalmer
Today visit the Junagarh Fort, one of the major forts of Rajasthan, which are on hilltops. Also visit the National Camel Breeding Farm and view the spectacular desert sunset in the background. After lunch drive to Deshnok, to visit the Karni Mata Mandir. Later continue your drive to the desert town of Jaisalmer. Evening time for leisure. Overnight in the hotel. Rest of the day free.
Day 06 : Jaisalmer
Morning city sightseeing tour. Full day city tour visiting
Jaisalmer Fort- This fort is the second oldest fort of Rajasthan. A sight to behold, this living fort is one of the marvels of Rajasthani Architecture, especially of the stone carver's art.
Havelies- Evoking a vision of chivalry and valor, wealthy merchants built these havelies. Famous for their intricately- carved facades, the workmanship of Jaisalmer's Havelies present a beautiful amalgam of Rajput architecture and Islamic art. Some of the famous havelies of Jaisalmer are Salim-Singh-ki-Haveli, Patwon-ki-Haveli, and Nathmal-ki-Haveli.
Gadissar Lake- The origin of this artificial water tank dates back to 1156 AD. Surrounded by small temples and shrines, it also gives a view of the exquisite archway, Teelon ki Pol - one of the main entrances to the lake and the city. Afternoon visit Sam Dunes with camel ride.
Day 07 : Jaisalmer - Jodhpur
Drive to Jodhpur and on arrival, check-in at the hotel Afternoon sightseeing tour. visiting the Mehrangarh Fort, situated on a low sandstone hill, including Moti Mahal and Phool Mahal. Visit Jaswant Thada an imposing marble memorial built in 1899 and the Museum located in the Umaid public gardens. Overnight in hotel.
Day 08 : Jodhpur - Kumbhalgarh
Drive to Kumbhalgarh and check-in at the hotel Afternoon visit Kumbhalgarh Fort
Day 09 : Kumbhalgarh-Udaipur
Drive to Udaipur visiting enroute Ranakpur temples
Day 10 : Udaipur
Morning city sightseeing tour Afternoon at leisure
Lake Pichola- this lake presents the picturesque beauty of Udaipur. Encircled by numerous palaces on all sides, it houses various islands where the famous Jag Mandir and Jag Niwas are situated.
Maharaja Jagat Singh II built Lake Palace- the palace. It is situated on Lake Pichola, and it appears to be floating on the lake. City Palace- The largest palace of Rajasthan, it represents the architectural and artistic evolution of Mewar over the centuries. The palace is divided into various sections, each with its own distinctive style.
Saheliyon ki Bari- this garden was the picnic spot for the 48 royal ladies who were offered to the prince as dowry. The gardens here have lush green lawns & beautiful fountains in the shape of birds - presenting a wonderful sight! Jagdish Temple- One of the largest and popular Vishnu Temples of Northern India, this temple has exquisite carvings and four other smaller shrines dedicated to other deities.
Day 11 : Udaipur - Kota
Drive to Kota visiting enroute Chittaurgarh On arrival, check-in at the hotel.
Day 12 : Kotah - Bundi - Ranthambhore
Drive to Ranthambhore visiting en-route Bundi On arrival, check-in at the hotel
Day 13 : Ranthambhore - Jaipur
Morning jeep safari to view the wildlife (Sanctuary remains close from Jul. to Sep.) Ranthambore National Park is in Sawai Madhopur District of Rajasthan state.Located at the junction of the Aravalli and Vindhya hill range, this is one of the finest places to view animals, especially as they are used to being stared at here.The park covers an area of Approximately 400 sq Km and if combined it with the area of sawai man singh sanctuary area,it is around 500 Sq km.
This National park is a wildlife enthusiast and photographer's dream. It offers excellent accommodation and internal transportation facilities. The park remains open every year from October to May.Famous for the exciting and frequent tiger sightings captured dramatically in several books, this park is today affected by ecological pressures and poaching. Afternoon drive to Jaipur and check-in at the hotel
Day 14 : Jaipur
Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan is a wonderful tourist attraction in Rajasthan. The Pink City of Jaipur has a number of architectural wonders that attract tourists from all over the country and abroad. Most of the foreign tourists, who come to India, also tour this city of majestic forts and beautiful havelis.
Hawa Mahal is one of the most common and popular tourist attractions in Jaipur. Hawa Mahal was basically used as a veil by the royal women folk to watch the proceedings on the road below. Today it is the one of most visited monuments in Jaipur.
The City Palace is another beautiful landmark that was built by Kachchwah Rajput rulers of Jaipur.
A part of the palace today is museum that houses a collection of rare manuscripts, weapons, Mughal carpets and costumes, and Mughal and Rajasthani miniatures.
Jantar Mantar makes another wonderful sight to visit. Built in 1718 by Sawai Jai Singh.
There are a number of other tourist attractions in Jaipur that include Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh Fort, Govind Deoji Mandir, Rambagh Palace, Kanak Valley and Laxmi Naryan Temple. Afternoon city sightseeing tour
Day 15 : Jaipur - Agra
Taj Mahal (3 Km): The inimitable poem in white marble is the finest expression of love of an emperor for his queen situated on the banks of the river Yamuna. It was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his queen Mumtaz Mahal, in 1632.
Agra Fort: Built by the great Emperor Akbar in 1565 A.D., the fort is a masterpiece of design and construction. Within the fort are a number of exquisite buildings, including the Moti Masjid, Diwane-i-Am, Diwane-i-Khas and Musamman Burj, where the Emperor Shah Jahan died in imprisonment, besides Jahangir's Palace, Khaas Mahal and the Sheesh Mahal.
Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb(6 Km): The tomb was built by Empress Noor Jahan, in memory of her father, Ghias-ud-Din Beg in 1622-25A.D. This ornate tomb is considered a precursor of the Taj Mahal, this small garden tomb reflects the taste and sophistication of the gifted queen. The warm yellow marble is highlighted with white and black marble inlay, and the lacey pierced marble screens and rich, jewel-inlaid mosaics have a delicate, feminine quality that is pure enchantment.
Fatehpur Sikari This magnificent fortifield ghost city was the capital of the Mughal emperor Akbar between 1571 and 1585. The downfall of this once magnificent capital of the Mughals started with the rise of the Jats when Emperor Aurangazeb left this place never to return again. The credit for preserving the ancient monuments situated here goes to Lord Curzon. Since then , these protected monuments and the environs of the city have been well maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. The city is rectangular in shape with nine huge gates - Delhi Darwaza, Lal Darwaza, Agra Gate, Suraj and Chandra Darwaza, Tehra Gate and Ajmeri Darwaza.
Day 16 : Agra - Delhi
Morning city sightseeing tour
The best-known sights are the two buildings that dominate Old Delhi, the Red Fort and Jama Masjid. A stroll through the chaotic, raucous, smelly alleyways of the Old City (also known as Shahjahanabad, after the 17th-century Mughal emperor who built it) is an unforgettable experience. The people-packed bazaars of Chandni Chowk are a riot of colourful exoticism and frenetic activity. The Old City is decaying rapidly but it is still possible to glimpse a mosque here or the courtyard of a proud old townhouse there, hidden behind a shop front.
To the south of Old Delhi and in complete contrast to it, is Rajpath and the buildings on Raisina Hill (Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Secretariat) which form the centrepiece of British New Delhi. After the clamour of the Old City, the calm elegance and baroque vistas of this most splendidly laid-out scheme is a welcome relief. Between Old Delhi and Rajpath is Connaught Place, the arcaded bull's eye of New Delhi, with shops, banks, bars, restaurants, hotels and oodles of pesky touts.
Heading south once more, through the leafy enclaves of New Delhi (which have an allure all of their own, as they are spacious, shady and lusciously green), the visitor will find the bulk of the ancient monuments of medieval Delhi. Humayun's Tomb, the Lodhi Gardens and various other sites, are readily accessible from the centre of the city. The Qutb Minar complex, the vast and formidable Tughluqabad and the remains at Haus Khaz are located deeper in the southern suburbs.
Afternoon drive to Delhi for onward flight.
Rajasthan Cultural Tour Reservation
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