Forts & Palaces of Rajasthan

Assistance on arrival and proceed to hotel. Later visit for Delhi sightseeing. Visit Raj Ghat and Shanti Van, the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, Jama Masjid and driver past Red Fort and Chandni Chowk. Drive past President’s House, Parliament House, Government Secretariat Buildings and Connaught Place shopping centre. Overnight Delhi.

After breakfast, checkout and drive to Mandawa, on arrival transfer to heritage hotel. After lunch and relaxation visit Mandawa town, stroll through the bustling bazaars and pick up things of your interest. Evenings there is a special program of music and dance performed by local artists, participate in the dance and feel the life of the people and their hospitality. Overnight Mandawa.

After breakfast visit the Shekhawati region an important town of the years gone by, to see number of remarkable Havelis and Castles in the nearby towns of Nawalgarh and Laxman Garh. These havelis are museums in themselves, numerous havelis built by the rich merchants as their residence in 18th and 19th century. After lunch, drive to Bikaner on arrival transfer to hotel. In the evening take an excursion tour to Deshnok to see the Temple of Karni Mata – at this temple rats are held sacred & roam freely within the temple complex. Spotting a white rat in this temple is believed to by lucky. Evening free for relax. Return to the hotel for dinner and Overnight Bikaner.

After breakfast take a sightseeing tour of Bikaner covering Junagadh Fort – constructed between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Rai Singh, fort has a 986 meter long wall with 37 bastions & two entrances, if time permits you can visit Camel Breeding Farm, one of the known farm of Asia. Later drive to Jaisalmer – 330 kms, en route visit to the massive Fort Pokharan, the town Pokhran came to the limelight when several nuclear tests were conducted here during the 1970’s and the 1990’s. After visit continue to drive to Jaisalmer, on arrival transfer to the hotel. Evening you can enjoy the city atmosphere. Overnight Jaisalmer.

After breakfast take a sightseeing tour of Jaisalmer covering Jaisalmer Fort built on the highest point of the Tricuta hill, consisting of 99 bastions. Outstanding features are Megh Durbar & various temples, Salim Singh-Ki-Haveli & Patwon-Ki-Haveli – some of the beautiful mansions with stone carving and latticework of breath taking intricacy, visit followed by Gadisar Lake. Later after lunch drive to Sam Sand Dunes – 45 kms en route visit the ancient Temple of Lodurwa, Amar Sagar and Mool Sagar Complex, built in 1815 AD, The complex also houses a summer palace where some beautiful paintings and pictures are displayed. On arrival at Sam Sand Dunes and transfer on Camels and enjoy camel safari to discover the various sights andsounds, the ruins and the temples in and around Jaisalmer in an authentic and leisurely fashion with entertainmentby folk performers, visits to villages, and chatter from colorful guides thrownin.After safari drive back to Jaisalmer for overnight jaisalmer.

After breakfast checkout and drive to Jodhpur, en route you can visit Osian Village, ruins of an ancient city called Osian, an oasis in the desert, A drive to this ancient township takes one past undulating terrain, punctuated by desert stretches and little hamlets. Osian has 15 beautifully sculpted Jain and Brahmanical temples. Of these, the most outstanding ones are the earlier Surya or Sun Temple and the later Kali temple, Sachiya Mata Temple and the main temple dedicated to Lord Mahavira. On arrival transfer to the hotel. After settling down in the hotel depart for sightseeing tour of Jodhpur visiting Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada (Mausoleums of the great Rajput Warrior) and Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum.  Later return to the hotel for overnight Jodhpur.

After breakfast checkout and drive to Pushkar en route visit Chittourgarh. Spread over 13 square kms, unlike other forts you can explore this fort by the vehicle you are traveling, Chittourgarh fort is the mightiest Fort in Indian History, The pride and glory of Rajasthan. A ruined citadel, where the royal past lives in its imposing forts, graceful palaces and spectacular chhatris in the fort vicinity visit Kirti Stambha, Rana-Kumbha Palace, Padmini Palace, Meera Temple and Kumbha Shyam Temple and Kalika Mata Temple, State Archaeological Museum. After visit continue to drive to Pushkar. On arrival at Pushkar, transfer to the hotel, evening free for relax or a walk at the Ghats of Pushkar Lake. Overnight Pushkar.

After breakfast visit the only temple of Lord Brahma surrounded by Pushkar Lake. On the banks of the lake you will see devotees taking dip into the holy waters of  Pushkar & offering prayers. Also visit the Pushkar Fair Site, which is right opposite the Pushkar Lake. Optionally you can visit Ajmer Khwaja Dargah in Ajmer (11 kms). After lunch drive to Jaipur, on arrival transfer to the hotel. After relaxing in the evening visit to Birla Temple, speculator white marble temple, glitters in the in the night, at the time of dinner visit to Chokhi Dhani (optional) – an ethnic 5 star resort serving Rajasthani & Continental cuisine with live music, astrology, games, folk dances and music, puppet shows in an ambiance of an ethnic village. Return to the hotel for Overnight Jaipur.

Today after breakfast explore the Pink City with an excursion to Amber Fort, situated just outside the city, enjoy the experience of ride on elephant back to and from the top of the hill on which the fort is situated. Afternoon sightseeing tour of City Palace in the heart of Jaipur is known for its blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Jantar Mantar is the largest of the five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh. The Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds was constructed for the royal ladies to watch the royal processions without being seen, all monuments are located in the vicinity of City Palace Complex of Jaipur. Later late afternoon is kept free to visit the famous Markets of Textiles, Gems, Carpets, and handicrafts. Jaipur is an ideal place for buying souvenirs. Return to the hotel for Overnight Jaipur.

After breakfast drive to Agra en route visit the Old deserted town of Mughal Dynasty – Fatehpur Sikri built in red sandstone in honour of Saint Salim Chisti who foretold the birth of 3 sons to Emperor Akbar, is an example of robust stability combined with originality. Each important edifice here represents a type by itself. Notable among them is the Diwane Khas; Punch Mahal, the Tomb of Salim Chisti, and the Buland Darwaza. After visit continue to drive to Agra, on arrival transfer to the hotel. In the evening you may visit to the souvenirs market of Agra. Overnight at hotel in Agra.

Agra.Note: Taj Mahal is closed on every Friday.

Early morning at rise, visit the world famous Taj Mahal built by Moghul Emperor Shahjehan in 1630 for his queen Mumtaz  Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. Later visit the Agra Fort containing the Pearl Mosque, the Halls of Public and Private Audience. Also visit the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daullah also know as Baby Taj, built by empress Noorjehan in the memory of her father. Afternoon driver to Delhi, on arrival in Delhi driver to airport/railway station for travel to onward destination back home.