Colorful
Rajasthan With Taj Mahal Tour
Places to Visit:
Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Jodhpur - Udaipur - Delhi
Duration:
9 Nights / 10 Days
Day 1 : Delhi Arrival at Delhi
Company
representatives will receive you on arrival at the international airport in Delhi
late in the night or midnight. 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 After breakfast proceed for
a day sightseeing tour of the city.
Start with the sightseeing of Old Delhi.
The tour will begin with a visit to Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi;
drive past the Red Fort continuing to the Jama Masjid by bicycle rickshaws, one
of Asia's largest mosques. The magnificent Red Fort, overlooking the river Jamuna
was built during the years 1638 - 48 when the Moghul Empire was at its peak. The
tour continues to Jama Masjid, one of Asia's largest mosques and which is viewed
from the outside. People stream in and out of the mosque continuously and the
presence of a nearby bazaar means that the area is rarely quiet. Enjoy the rickshaw
ride at Old Delhi.
After visiting Old Delhi, you will be driven to New
Delhi, which reflects the legacy the British left behind. The division between
New and Old Delhi is the division between the capitals of the British and the
Mughals respectively. The division in the walled city and New Delhi also marks
the division in the life-styles. The walled city is all tradition where one will
be able to glean a past life-style in all its facets, colours and spells. New
Delhi in contrast, is a city trying to live up to the best of 21st century standards.
Imperial Delhi will include the Qutub Minar, the tallest stone tower
in India. The tour also includes a drive past the imposing India Gate, the Parliament
building and the Rastrapathi Bhawan, the President's residence.
Spend
night at Delhi.
Day 3 : Delhi - Agra By road 201 km in 4
hr
Transfer to station by Compass Executive for train to Agra.
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. Proceed
for sightseeing.
Visit the
TAJ MAHAL - one of the Seven Wonders
of the World was built by Shah Jahan in 1631 AD and was completed in 1651AD. Taj
Mahal - The symbol of Love was built in the memory of Mumtaz Mahal (Shah Jahan's
second Wife).
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. After Agra
Fort we will visit BABY TAJ - The interiors of which are considered better than
the Taj.
Shopping or relax in the evening. Overnight will be at Agra.
Day 4 : Agra - Jaipur By road 221 km in 6 hr
Breakfast
will be at hotel.
Drive to 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 its grandeur. Also visit the Bulund Darwaza, the
largest gateway in the world. Continue drive to Jaipur.
Jaipur is the
capital of the state of Rajasthan a romantic realm of resplendent palaces, mighty
fortresses and regal Maharajahs that lies in the western deserts and is an utterly
unique part of India. Proudly belonging to the KSHATRIYA warrior caste and fiercely
independent, the Rajput princes made fearsome foes. However, many of them realized
that to maintain their wealth and authority locally, it was expedient to proclaim
allegiance to the central power. Thus, many enjoyed a privileged position under
the Mughal emperors and also the British Raj that followed.
The
bustling Rajasthan capital of Jaipur takes its name from its venerated founder
Jai Singh II, who was given the title Sawai Maharaja by the Mughal. Literally
translated this would mean 'one and a quarter', suggesting that the Mughal thought
this emperor to be more valuable than just 'one'. Jaipur is known as the 'Pink
City' on account of the distinctive colour of its buildings. This did not, however,
form part of the original plan, but dates back to 1856, when the city was given
a wash of pink in honor of a State Visit from Prince Albert.
This evening,
visit the Birla Temple to learn more about the fascinating religious life of Jaipur.
The marble structure, built as recently as 1985, houses ornate statues including
one of Lakshmi (goddess of Wealth and Beauty) and Narayan dressed in gaudy robes,
representing a Hindu vision of heavenly luxury. Carvings in the temple and on
pillars supporting the covered walkways include images of the Hindu pantheon,
as well as Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Francis of Assisi. Your visit
will coincide with the AARTI Ceremony, which involves oil lamps being lit and
waved, in order to awake and invoke the deity. Enjoy the experience and spend
night at Jaipur.
Overnight will be in Jaipur.
Day 5 : Jaipur
Proceed for a morning excursion to Amber Fort after breakfast. 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. 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. Continue sightseeing.
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. It is a 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.
This afternoon is free for you to relax, shop or explore
independently. Shopping is superb in Jaipur, particularly for gold and silver
jewellery, pottery, tie-dye materials, silk, saris, wooden handicrafts and carpets.
Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day 6 : Jaipur - Jodhpur By
Road 280 km/06 hrs
Breakfast will be at hotel. Proceed to Jodhpur.
Stop
at Pushkar on your way.
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.
Enjoy the BRAHMA TEMPLE and the holy lake.
Continue
drive to Jodhpur after lunch and reach by late afternoon or early evening.
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.
Overnight will be at Jodhpur.
Day 7 : Jodhpur Breakfast will be at the hotel.
In the
morning visit Mehrangarh Fort (1459 AD) by Rao Jodha who considered themselves
the descendents of Lord Rama. In this palace you would see different miniature
paintings & cradle room. After this you would visit Jaswant Thada Memorial.
Take a walking tour of the old town and return at the hotel late in
the afternoon after lunch at Umaid Bhawan Palace with palace museum visit.
In the evening proceed for shopping in the old city or relax at the hotel.
Overnight will be at Jodhpur.
Day
8 : Jodhpur - Udaipur By Road 250km/05hrs
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed to Udaipur.
Visit Ranakpur en route. A visit to the famous
Jain Temple, dating back to the 15th century is part of the itinerary. 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.
Enjoy a village drive in
a jeep enjoying the rural culture of the rustic country side. Reach Udaipur 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 Pichhola is an enticing sight.
Overnight will be at Udaipur.
Day 9 : Udaipur Breakfast
will be at hotel.
Proceed for sightseeing tour of Udaipur in the morning,
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.
In the evening proceed for a cruise on the
placid waters of Lake Pichola. From the 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.
Visit the 300-year-old
Jagdish Temple and the Royal Cenotaphs of the Rajput kings. Relax in the evening
at the beautiful hotel. Overnight will be at Udaipur.
Day 10 : Udaipur
- Delhi By Air Flight Number : 9W 708 / IT 603
Airline : Jet Airways
/ Kingfisher Airlines
Aircraft : Boeing 737 / Airbus 320
Departure : 1540
/ 1535 hr
Arrival : 1630 / 1655 hr
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Enjoy the morning at the city or in the hotel and proceed in time for an afternoon
flight to Delhi. Reach and enjoy last minute shopping in Delhi. Reach the international
airport in time for your flight home with sweet memories of India.
TOUR
ENDS
THE PACKAGE INCLUDES: a) SIGHTSEEING TOURS AS MENTIONED IN THE ITINERARY,
b) ACCOMMODATION AT SUGGESTED HOTELS,
c) AIR-CONDITIONED SUV AT DISPOSAL
WITH DRIVER ,
d) ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDE FOR ALL MENTIONED TOURS,
e)
MEET AND ASSIST SERVICES ON ARRIVAL / DEPARTURE,
f) DAILY BREAKFASTS,
g) ECONOMY AIRFARE FROM UDAIPUR TO DELHI BY JET OR KINGFISHER,
h) ALL MONUMENT
ENTRANCES,
i) BOAT RIDE AT LAKE PICHOLA,
j) RICKSHAW RIDE IN OLD DELHI,
k) ALL APPLICABLE TAXES AND SERVICE CHARGES,
l) ELEPHANT RIDE AT AMER
FORT - JAIPUR AND
m) ALL PARKING, ROAD TAXES AND DRIVER ALLOWANCES.
SUGGESTED HOTELS:
| City | 5 Star Deluxe hotels | 5 Star Luxury
hotels | Nights |
| Delhi | The Park / Nikko
/ Claridges | Imperial / The Oberoi | 02 |
| Agra | Hilton
Trident / Taj View | Amarvilas | 01 |
| Jaipur | Jai
Mahal Palace | Rajvilas / Rambagh Palace | 02 |
| Jodhpur | Taj
Hari Mahal | Umaid Bhawan Palace | 02 |
| Udaipur | Fateh
Prakash Palace / Laxmi Niwas Palace | Lake Palace / Udaivilas | 02 |
