Duration: 8 Nights / 9 Days
Destination Covered: Delhi - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Jaipur - Agra - Delhi
Day 1: Delhi
You will be met on arrival at the International airport. 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. Delhi is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land and a window to the kaleidoscope - that is India.
Overnight will be at Delhi.
Day 2: Delhi - Jaisalmer
By Overnight Train at 1740 hr
Proceed for a full day tour of Old & New Delhi after breakfast.
Old Delhi - A sightseeing 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 and the Red Fort - once the most opulent fort and palace of the Mughal Empire.
Enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to Chandini Chowk. (Optional)
New Delhi - An extensive sightseeing 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.
In the evening take train to Jaisalmer. Overnight will be on the train.
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Day 3: Jaisalmer
Reach at noon.
Rising from the heart of the Thar Desert like a golden mirage is the city of Jaisalmer. A commanding fort etched in yellow sandstone stands, with its awesome splendor, dominating the amber-hued city.
The city has an interesting legend associated with it, according to which, Lord Krishna-the head of the Yadav Clan, foretold Arjuna that a remote descendent of the Yadav Clan would build his kingdom atop the Trikuta Hill. His prophecy was fulfilled in 1156 AD when Rawal Jaisal, a descendent of the Yadav Clan and a Bhatti Rajput, abandoned his fort at Lodurva and founded a new capital -Jaisalmer, perched on the Trikuta Hill.
Reach and check in at hotel. Overnight will be at Jaisalmer.
Day 4: Jaisalmer
After a relaxed breakfast proceed for full day sightseeing tour of the Golden City - Jaisalmer. It is in the heart of the Great Indian Desert. Its temple, fort and palaces are all built of yellow stone. The city is a mass of intricately carved buildings, facades and elaborate balconies.
Visit the Jaisalmer Fort - The oldest living Fort in the world. (This is the highlight of the tour)
See the Patwon-Ki-Havelis, Salim-Singh-Ki-Haveli and Gandhi Sagar Tank. Also visit Barabagh Hill.
In the afternoon, proceed to the Sam Sand Dunes for visiting the typical Rajasthani Desert Village. View the sunset from the dunes, as the sky is set on fire. Return to the village for dinner amidst Rajasthani musicians playing haunting tunes.
Stay overnight at Jaisalmer.
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Day 5: Jaisalmer to Jodhpur
By Road: 300 km/6 hr
Proceed for Jodhpur after breakfast.
Reach Jodhpur by late afternoon as you will take a short excursion to visit the Osian Temples.
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 125m above the plains. The city is encompassed by a high wall -10 km long with 8 gates and innumerable bastions.
Proceed for afternoon sightseeing tour of Jodhpur - gateway to the desert beyond, home of the Rathors of Marwar, Visit the Mehrangarh Fort, rising up a hilly scarp, built on the advice of a hermit, overlooking the city in the image of a long sentinel. Inside the Fort are a number of palaces added by successive rulers. In this palace you would see different miniature paintings & cradle room. After this you would visit Jaswant Thada Memorial.
Overnight will be at Jodhpur.
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Day 6: Jodhpur - Jaipur
By Road: 250 km/6 hr
Proceed to Jaipur after breakfast.
Visit the Bishnoi Villages close to Jodhpur.
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 color 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.
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Day 7: Jaipur
Breakfast will be at hotel. Morning excursion will be taken to the Amber Fort. Enjoy the fort ascent on elephant back in a royal manner.
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.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of Jaipur visiting...
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.
Free in the evening or you can visit the Choki Dani Village for a sit down dinner of authentic Rajasthani Cuisine. This will be a totally vegetarian meal though if you plan to go there.
Overnight will be at Jaipur.
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Day 8: Jaipur - Agra
By Road: 221 km/5 hr
After breakfast drive to Agra.
Stop at Fatehpur Sikri just before Agra for sightseeing.
Fatehpur Sikri is 37 km west of Agra. Jalal-ud-din-Muhammad Akbar, Humanyun's son, accessed the throne at the tender age of 14. While hunting around Sikri his curiosity was aroused by the songs of some minstrels about the celebrated Khwaja-Mu'inu'd-din Chisti, the founder of the Chisti order of Sufis. Akbar, who was without a male heir heard about Saint Salim Chisti and visited him in the year 1568. The saint blessed him with 3 sons and in gratitude Akbar ordered the great mosque of Fatehpur Sikri built under his supervision. As a mark of respect to the saint, Akbar shifted his capital to Fatehpur Sikri and built various secular buildings like the Diwan-I-Am, Diwan-I-Khas, Jodhabai Palace, Birbal's House, Marian's House and the Panch Mahal.
Continue drive to Agra and reach by late afternoon.
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.
Overnight will be at Agra.
Day 9: Agra - Delhi
By Road: 201 km in 4 hr
Proceed for day sightseeing of Agra after breakfast.
Taj Mahal: Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder, which is always the soul raison-d'etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen.
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.
Drive to Delhi, proceed for the Farewell Dinner and then to the airport for flight to next destination with sweet memories of India.
Tour Ends.
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