You will arrive at New Delhi's International Airport in the morning. Following customs,
immigration formalities and baggage collection, a BHARAT TRAILS representative will meet
you as you EXIT the ARRIVALS TERMINAL building after which you would be transferred to
your hotel.
Later proceed for Delhi city tour.
You will first visit 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 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.
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.
The tour to Imperial Delhi will include a visit to the Qutub Minar, the tallest stone tower in
India. Qutub-ud-din Aibak started it in 1199. Pulling down 27 Hindu and Jain temples and
using their columns erected the attached Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque also built by him. The
tour also includes a visit to Humayun Tomb and a drive past the imposing India Gate, the
Parliament building and the Rastrapathi Bhawan, the President's residence.
Dinner Overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast you will be driven from Delhi - Mandawa (approx 265 kms / 06 hrs).
MANDAWA (Shekhawati) - The semi-desert region lies in the triangular area between Delhi,
Jaipur & Bikaner. Starting around the 14th century, a number of Muslim clans moved into the
area and the towns which developed in the region became important trading posts on the
caravan routes emanating from the ports of Gujrat. Some of India's richest industrialists of
the 20th century belong to Shekhawati. This region is famous for painted 'havelis'
(mansions) most of which date back from the 18th century.
Upon arrival check in at your hotel. After a sightseeing tour of the town Mandawa which lies
in the heart of Shekhawati. A painted arched gateway adorned with Lord Krishna and his
cows Leeds to the bazaar. You can wander through the streets where mansions of rich
merchants are adorned with elaborate frescoes.
Dinner & Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel and you will be driven from Mandawa - Khimsar (approx 210 kms / 05
hrs).
On arrival in Khimsar, check-in at your hotel. Afternoon Jeep Safari to the neighbouring
villages.
Dinner & Overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast you will be driven to Jodhpur (approx 110 Kms / 02 Hours) en route visiting
Ossian ( approx 67 Kms) from Jodhpur towards the north-west, Osian has 16 Jain and
Vaishnava temples dating back from 8th to 11th centuries, representing the grandeur of
Indian temple architecture. All the sixteen temples are within the outer limit of the village.
Post the visit continue your drive to Jodhpur
Jodhpur: The old city of Jodhpur is surrounded by a wall 10km long, which was built about a
century after the city was founded. From the fort you can clearly see where the old city ends
and the new begins. The old city is a fascinating jungle of winding streets of great interest to
wander around. Eight gates lead out from the walled city. It's one of the more interesting
cities in India and those baggy-tight horse riding trousers, jodhpurs, took their name from this
locale.
Upon arrival check in at the Hotel. Afternoon proceed for a half day city tour of Jodhpur -
gateway to the desert beyond and home of the Rathors of Marwa. The tour will start with a
visit to 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
North of Meherangarh Fort, and connected to it by road, Jaswant Thanda 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.
Dinner Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at hotel and drive to Udaipur (approx 290 Kms / 06 Hours) via Ranakpur. The
beautifully sculptured Jain temples lie in a tranquil valley of the Aravalis. The main
'Chaumukha Temple' is dedicated to the tirhankara Adinath and has 29 halls supported by
1444 pillars, all distinctly carved. Two Jain temples dedicated to Neminath and Parsvanath
and a Sun Temple a little distance away, are also noteworthy.
Continue your drive after the visit and on arrival check in at your hotel.
UDAIPUR: One of the most romantic cities in Rajasthan, Udaipur is also known as the city of
lakes. The marble palaces, beautifully laid out gardens and the lakes make Udaipur seem
almost like a mirage in the desert.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at hotel and proceed for a sightseeing tour of Udaipur City, also known as the
City of
First on your sightseeing tour you will proceed for a tour of the City Palace, which overlooks
Lake Pichola. The City Palace was built in 1725 of granite and marble with filigreed
balconies, ornate windows and craftsmanship in glass. The royal palace walls stretch over a
mile on the eastern side of the lake. Within the palace is a maze of courtyards, apartments
and decorated halls. The rooms are covered with frescoes, displays of royal processions,
stone and glass mosaics and ornamental doors and painted windows. The marble throne in
the coronation rooms was last used during the time of Maharana Sangram Singh II (1710-
30) and nearby is the Sun Window installed by Maharaja Bhim Singh (1778-1828). This is
the divine symbol of the house of Mewar, which traces its lineage to the Surya Vansha,
descendants of the Sun. Each palace within is an outstanding creation of art.
Visit the museums and the hall of public audiences, the private chambers of the royal ladies
at the palace and Sahelion-ki-Badi.
In the afternoon, enjoy a motor launch cruise on the placid waters of Lake Pichola.
The beautiful Lake Pichola was enlarged by Maharana Udai Singh after he founded the city.
The city palace extends a considerable distance along the east bank of the lake. 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. One would get an interesting view of the Dhobi (laundry)
ghats. Also visit the Jag Mandir Palace - a lovely island palace in the middle of the lake.
Dinner & Overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast you will be driven from Udaipur - Jaipur (approx 420 Kms / 07 Hrs) enroute
visiting Pushkar- visiting the temple of Lord Brahma, which is only one in India, followed by
a visit to the sacred lake of Pushkar
After the visit of Pushkar, proceed to Jaipur.
Rajasthan's kingdoms are an enduring legacy to India's history. A land endowed with
invincible forts, magnificent palaces and waves of sand dunes and serene lakes. No other
region in the country assembles the many paradoxes of India, as does the desert land of
Rajasthan. By far it is the most colourful region in India.
Upon arrival proceed to check in at your hotel.
Dinner & Overnight at the hotel.
After a buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven just outside Jaipur to the ancient
capital of Amber to see the fabulous Amber Fort. Maharaja Mansingh, Mughal Emperor
Akbar's most successful General, started the construction of Amber Fort in the 17th century.
Before the City Palace was constructed in Jaipur, Amber was the seat of power. The fort is
surrounded by fortified battlements and overlooks Moat Lake.An elephant (or Jeep) will
spare you the trouble of reaching up to the fortress (Elephant ride is subject to availability)
Once on top, stroll through the sprawling complex of courtyards and halls. Many of the
rooms have delightful wall paintings, with precious stones and mirrors inlaid in the walls.
Most fascinating, perhaps, is the Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors) where a single lamplight is
reflected in the many mirrors, lighting up the room.
While driving back to your hotel you will stop and see the 'Palace of Winds', otherwise
known as Hawa Mahal. It is really an elaborate facade behind which the ladies of the court
used to watch the daily goings on in the street below. It is extremely intricate in its pink
sandstone carving. The cool wind blows through its facade of windows and latticed screens
through which the queens of the court once viewed the streets of the city.
In the afternoon you will visit the city of Jaipur. Among the highlights to be seen while touring
Jaipur include the City Palace, which is an overwhelming complex of exquisite palaces,
gardens and courtyards, decorative art and carved doorways. The palace museum houses
collections of rare manuscripts, armoury, costumes, carpets and miniature paintings. Walk to
the adjacent Jantar Mantar or Astronomical Observatory made by the Maharaja of Jaipur,
built in 1726 and is one of the five such astronomical wonders built by Sawai Jai Singh and
makes accurate predictions even to this day.
Special Dinner & Overnight at the hotel.
After buffet breakfast in the hotel, you will be driven from Jaipur - Agra (approx 240 Kms/ 5
Hrs) en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri, 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.
Later drive to Agra.
Agra in terms of ambiance is still associated with its Mughal period. The Mughals besides
being great rulers were also great builders and they preserved their best architectural
wonders for Agra & its neighbourhood. It has many wonderful monuments and the Taj
Mahal, the greatest of them all, is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture at its best. The
massive but elegant Agra Fort, the delicate artistry of Itmad-ud-daulah's tomb, the
magnificent Taj and Akbar's deserted capital, Fatehpur Sikri, are each unique and
outstanding.
Dinner & Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel and proceed for a sightseeing tour of Agra.
In the morning, proceed for the sunrise tour of Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal 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 Mumtaz
Mahal, in the mid 17th century, the Taj Mahal 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.
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.
Later drive back to Delhi (approx 205 kms / 05 hrs). Upon arrival check-in at the hotel
Dinner & Overnight at the hotel.
In time transfer to the airport to board the flight for onward journey.
