Romance of the Desert

Romance of the Desert

Day 01/Arrival Delhi Arrive Delhi, meet assist at the airport and transfer to hotel. Night stay in Delhi.

Day 02 / Delhi
After breakfast proceed for sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi:
OLD DELHI - A sight-seeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting the Raj Ghat - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India.
NEW DELHI - An extensive sight-seeing tour of New Delhi would include a visit to the Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House, the President's Residence and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave. Night stay in Delhi.

Day 03 / Delhi - Agra ( By road Approx. 4 Hrs.)
After breakfast drive to Agra. Arrive and transfer to hotel. Later visit the Agra Fort, containing the Pearl Mosque - the rusty and majestic red- sandstone fort of Agra stands on the banks of the river Yamuna and the construction was started by Emperor Akbar in 1566. At the Diwan-I-Khas (hall of private audience) where marble pavilions with floral inlays lend an ethereal ambience, the Emperor sat on his gem-studded peacock Throne and met foreign ambassadors and rulers of friendly kingdoms. Also visit Itmad-up-Dau’s tomb, built by Noorjehan in memory of her father. Night stay in Agra.

Day 04 / Agra - Jaipur (By road Approx. 5 Hrs.)
Early morning at sunrise visit the world famous Taj Mahal, built by the Mughal Emperor Shahjehan in 1630 for his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. Later after breakfast drive to Jaipur enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri, built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 to commemorate the birth of his son and later abandoned due to scarcity of water. Visit the remains, it fortifications within the city including Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal and other palaces. On arrival transfer to hotel. Night stay in Jaipur.

Day 05 / Jaipur
Morning excursion to Amber Fort. 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 it's ultimate expression. Continue sight-seeing.

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. Their five-storey structures 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. Night stay in Jaipur.

Day 06 / Jaipur - Udaipur ( By road Apprx. 8 Hrs.) via Pushkar
Morning drive to Udaipur- an oasis in the desert state of Rajasthan enroute visiting Pushkar. 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. Arrive Udaipur and transfer to hotel. Night stay in Udaipur.

Day 07 / Udaipur
Morning city sight seeing tour of Udaipur. The city is built in 1559 A.D. by Maharaja Udai Singh and has been described as the most romantic spot on the continent of India by Col. James Todd. Visit the City Palace museum, the Jagdish temple, Sahelion Ki Bari (Queen’s resort for their friends) Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir (Folk art museum) and the Pratap Memorial. Rest of the day at leisure. Night stay in Udaipur.

Day 08 / Udaipur - Jodhpur ( By road Apprx. 7 Hrs.) via Ranakpur
After breakfast drive to Jodhpur in route visit Ranakpur Jain Temple. Ranakpur is one of the five holy places of the Jain community. These temples were built in the 15th century AD during the reign of Rana Kumbha and are enclosed within a wall. The basement is of 48, 000 sq. feet area that covers the whole complex. There are four subsidiary shrines, twenty-four pillared halls and eligibly domes supported by over four hundred columns. Continue drive to Jodhpur on arrival transfer to hotel. Night stay in Jodhpur.

Day 09 / Jodhpur
After a relaxed breakfast proceed for city sight seeing tour of Jodhpur. Jodhpur - the stronghold of the fierce Rathore clan, was founded in 1459 by Prince Jodha. Visit the Mehrangarh Fort, situated on a low sandstone hill. Within the fort, visit Moti Mahal and Phool Mahal. Also visit Jaswant Thada, an imposing marble cenotaph, built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant singh II around 1899 and Umaid Public gardens. Night stay in Jodhpur.

Day 10 / Jodhpur - Jaisalmer ( By road Approx. 7 Hrs.)
Morning after breakfast drive to Jaisalmer - induces a dramatic picture of utter magic and brilliance of the desert. The hostile terrain not with standing the warmth and color of people is simply over whelming. One of the main draws is the daunting 12th century Jaisalmer Fort and beautiful havelis which were built by wealthy merchants of Jaisalmer are yet another interesting aspect of the you can let your eyes caress the sloppy sand dunes while you ramble your way in a camel safari. Bhatti Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal, after whom the city finds its name, founded Jaisalmer in 1156. The drive passes by dry vegetation, with villages of colorfully dressed people. Plenty of camels and camel carts, sheep and goats pass you by. On arrival in Jaisalmer, check in the Hotel. Rest the day is free at leisure. Night stay in Jaisalmer.

Day 11 / Jaisalmer
Morning city sightseeing tour of Jaisalmer Visit Jaisalmer Fort, over the Trikuta hill, this fort is the biggest and the most beautiful landmark of the city. The fort is occupied by shops, stalls, and a number of other business concerns. It is also known as Sonar Quila or the Golden fort, rising from the sand, the mega structure merges with the golden hues of the desert ambience. The Jain temple, situated inside the fort, made between 12th and 15th century, bears testimony to Rajasthan unique artistry Visit the havelis; the mansions built by the wealthy merchants, which are still in very good condition. The intricate craftsmanship is beyond parallel. The havelis like the Patwon-ki-Haveli and alim-Singh-ki-Haveli are remarkable for their exclusive cutwork, yellow and red stone treatment and the bracket-shaped decoration of peacocks. The rich merchant inspired by the classic style of the royals, constructed huge mansions (havelis) adjacent to each other in the nature of medieval culture and profusely decorated walls and ceilings and intricately carved outdoors and interiors. In the afternoon, visit the Khuri Sand Dunes and the typical Rajasthani Desert Village. Take a camel ride to view the sunset from the dunes, (Same camels to be used for Safari - getting to know the camels) as the sky is set on fire. It can be an unforgettable experience. Overnight in Jaisalmer.

Day 12 / Jaisalmer - Bikaner ( By road Approx. 6 Hrs.)
Morning drive to Bikaner. On arrival transfer to the hotel. Afternoon city sight seeing tour. Bikaner is named after its founder Rao Bikaji in 1488. But long before this, the city was trade center on the caravan routes from Africa and West Asia. Bikaner’s dominant features are rippling sands and abundant sunshine. The city stands on an elevation, enclosed by a 7 Kms wall, which can be entered from 5 gate. Bikaner City is bolstered by imposing walls and has a 16th century fort housing old palaces, temples and mosque. Founded by Raja Rai Singh the fort is distinguished by its long range of 37 pavilions, a line of balconies and aerial windows of varying designs. Also visit Lallgarh Palace, the museum, Bhanda Sagar Jain, Deshnoke Rat temple and The Camel’s Breeding Farm. Night stay in Bikaner.

Day 13 / Bikaner - Mandawa ( By road Approx. 06 Hrs.)
Morning drive to Mandawa, on arrival transfer to the hotel. Later visit the painted havelies of the Dundlod town and surrounding areas of the Mandawa, Mandawa founded in 1755 by Thakur Nawal Singh and still the home of his descendants, has beautiful frescoes, havelis and mansions. Mandawa castle one of the finest castles of Rajasthan, is now a hotel and house of collection of armories, costumes of ancestors, canons from 1820 ancient coins, numismatic collection and many other interesting items, preserved in a museum. Night stay in Mandawa.

Day 14 / Mandawa - Delhi ( By road Approx. 06 Hrs.) - Departure
Morning After breakfast drive to Delhi and transfer to airport for your onward journey.


Includes :» 13 nights accomodation as per the itinerary with daily breakfast.
» Surface Travel by exclusive airconditioned car.
» All transfers & sightseeing as per the itinerary.
» Local english speaking guides.
» Elephant ride in Jaipur (Subject to availability), Boat ride in Udaipur, Camel ride in Jaisalmer.
» All taxes, driver allowances, Parking etc.

Does not include :» Entrance fee to monuments.
» Any airfare
» Tips, laundry.
» Any item not shown in Cost Includes.