Taj Mahal with Rajasthan
16 Nights /
17 Days Tour to Taj Mahal with Rajasthan Delhi / Mandawa /
Gajner / Jaisalmer / Jodhpur / Luni / Udaipur / Deogarh / Khajrela / Pushkar
/ Jaipur / Agra / Delhi
Day 01:Abroad / Delhi Arrive late night at New Delhi
International airport. On arrival the guest will be met by our
representative and transferred to hotel. Upon arrival at hotel the guests
will be provided with the traditional Indian welcome. Consisting of
aarti-tikka and garlands.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 02:
Delhi Morning sightseeing tour of Old Delhi. This morning you will
be taken to visit Old Delhi - Former centre of Moghul Power, Old Delhi
offers ancient monuments, narrow streets and bustling bazaars. Visit the
vast
Red Fort, built in 1648, the
Jama Masjid,
the greatest mosque in India and completed in 1658 by Shah Jahan who also
built the Taj Mahal.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of New Delhi.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 03: Delhi - Mandawa After
breakfast drive to Mandawa ( 280 kms).
Upon arrival check in at Hotel
Castle Mandawa. Late afternoon visit the Shekhawati region. Walk through the
Shekhawati region, which was the stronghold of Kayamkhani Nawabs till 1730.
Besides the cenotaphs, wells, forts and temples the majority of frescoes are
painted on the walls and gateways of Havelis. The havelis are mansion of a
unique residential architectural style that evolved around courtyards to
serve the purpose of family security, privacy for the women as also
protecting the inhabitants from the long, harsh summers. The enormous
Havelis with fascinating murals built by the wealthy Rajasthani merchants ("Marwaris")
in the 19th century.
Overnight at Castle.
Day 04:
Mandawa - Bikaner - Gajner After breakfast drive to Bikaner (240
kms).
Upon arrival in Bikaner lunch at one of the hotels followed by
city tour.
City sightseeing tour of Bikaner, this desert town in the
north of the state was founded in 1488 by Roa Bikaji, a descendant of the
founder of Jodhpur, Jodhaji. Visit the
Junagarh Fort
constructed between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Jai Singh, a general in the Moghul
Emperor Akbar's army.
After sightseeing drive to Gajner Palace (28 kms
/ 40 minutes).
Upon arrival check in at Gajner Palace.
Overnight
at Gajner Palace.
Day 05 : Gajner - Jaisalmer

In
the morning enjoy the surrounding of Ganjer Palace.
After
breakfast, drive to Jaisalmer (260 km).
Upon arrival check-in at hotel.
Jaisalmer - is India's most exotic and unusual town
- a medieval looking place, straight out of the 'Tales of the Arabian
Nights'. This beautiful city is situated inside a huge mud fort and grew as
a result of its strategic position on the trading route between India and
Central Asia bringing great wealth to the city. Jaisalmer is a tiny jewel in
the heart of the Thar Desert - once the capital of the Bhatti Rajputs.
Jaisalmer started as an important caravan center and remnants of caravan
sarais still exist.
Late in the evening visit the Sam dunes where you
will witness sunset while enjoying the camel ride. Overnight at hotel.
Day 06: Jaisalmer After breakfast, visit this perfect
Rajput walled desert city which is like a golden jewel shimmering above the
hard sand. Visit the palaces, the Jain temples and magnificent Havelis or
merchant's houses, each richly decorated and carved from golden yellow
sandstone -
Patwon-ki-haveli (House of the Brocade
Merchants) is the largest and most elaborate of the famous havelis of
Jaisalmer. The
Nathmalji-ki-haveli (The Mansion of
Nathmalji), the last of the great havelis was built in the late 19th
century. End the morning with a visit to
Gadisar Lake -
the large natural oasis that attracted Rawal Jaisal to this site.
sAfternoon, visit the
Royal Cenotaphs of the Rawals in
Barra bagh where the rural were cremated. This is also the best place from
which to watch the spectacular desert sunset, and photograph the fort.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 07: Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Luni
After early breakfast,
drive to Luni (310 km) enroute visiting Jodhpur city.
City tour
of Jodhpur - the largest city in Rajasthan after Jaipur, Jodhpur stands at
the edge of the Thar Desert. It was founded by Rao Jodha. Chief of the
Rajput clan known as Rathores and the Rathore kingdom was once known as
Marwar - the Land of Death. The tour includes Meherangarh Fort - one of the
most impressive & formidable in the whole of fort-studded Rajasthan is
situated on a high natural rock bluff and from which you can look down on
the wonderful panorama of the bustling city below, Jaswant Thada - the Royal
Cenotaphs. Continue drive to Luni.
Day 08 : Luni - Udaipur
Early morning visit the surrounding villages and witness their daily
lifestyle of living and enjoy cup of tea / coffee with them.
Breakfast
at hotel.
Later drive to Udaipur (240 kms).
Upon arrival in
Udaipur, check-in at hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 09:
Udaipur

Morning,
city tour of Udaipur - the romantic Lake City in Southern Rajasthan, famous
for the stunning white marble Palace built on an island in the Lake Pichola.
It was the former Palace of the Maharana and now converted to one of the most
glamorous hotels in India. The tour will cover the magnificent
City
Palace, the
Jagdish temple, the pleasure gardens and
a drive around the other nearby lakes.
The magnificent
City Palace, which is simply enormous - an
assemblance of not one but four separate palaces covering some four acres of
area and exceeding all other palaces for colossal grandeur. Here you will
marvel at rooms with mirrored walls and ivory doors, colored glass windows
and inlaid marble balconies; and the Peacock Courtyard.
Late
afternoon,
enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Pichola at sunset visiting
the Jagmandir Island - in the middle of the Romantic Lake Pichola. It
commands a magnificent view of the City Palace, Lake Palace and Sajjangarh
Fort, on its own island, and it is where Prince Khurram was given refuge in
the 17th century.
Overnight at hotel
Day 10:
Udaipur - Deogarh After breakfast drive to Deoagrh enroute
visiting Ranakpur Temples.
Ranakpur temples: A
visit to the famous Jain Temple, dating back to the 15th century. 200
pillars, none of which are alike, support its 29 halls. The Temple abounds
with intricate friezes and sculptures. The tour also includes visits to two
more Jain temples and the Temple of the Sun God with its erotic sculptures.
Lunch at Maharani Bagh.
Upon arrival in Deogarh, check-in at
hotel.
Deogarh Mahal - built in 1670 A.D., the Mahal
stands at a height of 2100 ft. above sea level with its bold battlements,
domed turrets and balconies offering a commanding view of the surrounding
Aravalli mountains and its rugged rock-strewn countryside dotted by a number
of lakes. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11: Deogarh -
Khajrela After breakfast drive to Khajrela (184 kms).
Upon
arrival check in at hotel.
Khajrela seems to rise out
of the Narwar plains like a sentinel. A sturdy fort, it is quite simple and
uses very little ornamentation to break the almost forbidding exterior. The
interiors too are simple and neat where the guests can look forward to
genuine Rajput hospitality. In the surrounding area has several interesting
temples, cenotaphs and stepwells and for the more adventurous - camels are
available to explore the countryside and visit Raika and Bisnoi villages.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 12 : Khajrela - Pushkar

After
breakfast drive to Pushkar (180 kms) enroute visiting the Dargah at Ajmer
Ajmer, is the most sacred of all Muslim places of
pilgrimage in India. Ajmer is a green oasis on the shore of Ana Sagar Lake,
hemmed in by barren hills. Historically, Ajmer has always had great
strategic importance. It was founded in 7th century by Ajaipal Chauhan. He
named it Ajaimeru the 'invincible hill'. The city's Muslim history began
when Prithviraj Chau-han lost Ajmer to Sultan Muhammad Ghori in 1193 A.D.
The Persian saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti who came with Muhammad Ghori from
Persia in 1192 settled here. Thus the place where he was buried is today
known as the Dargah Sharif. Construction of the shrine was completed by
Humayun and the gates were added by the Nizam of Hyderabad. Later Shah Jahan
constructed a mosque of white marble, it has 11 arches and a Persian
inscription running the full length of the building.
Later check in at
hotel in Pushkar.
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
This
traveler-friendly 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.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 13 : Pushkar - Jaipur
After breakfast drive to Jaipur (120
kms / 3 hours).
Afternoon tour of "Pink City" - Surrounded on
three sides by the rugged Aravali hills, Jaipur is the picturesque capital
of Rajasthan. It takes its name from the prince, soldier and astronomer Jai
Singh II who moved his capital here in 1727. Jaipur is notable for its
distinctive pink-orange coloring. The whole of the old city, including many
fine palaces and buildings, was constructed from solid blocks of Sandstone
or faced with the same stone. But it was only in 1853 that it gained its
famous title, the "Pink City"- it was painted pink for the first
time in honour of a visit from Prince Albert. You will visit the Hawa Mahal
and the open air Jantar Mantar Observatory enjoy a through the colorful
bazaar before returning to your hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 14 : Jaipur

After
breakfast tour of Amber Fort.
Tour of the impressive
Amber Fort, situated on a ridge
just outside Jaipur City. 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.
Afternoon, enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride through
the bustling bazaars. Jaipur is renowned for textile block printing, blue
pottery, carpet weaving, semi-precious stones and local crafts which still
thrive from the day of Maharaja Jai Singh's patronage when he designed
special areas in the city for the 'bandhanas', the 'cheepas' and the
'meenakari' workers.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 15 :
Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra After breakfast drive to Agra (221
kms) enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri
Fatehpur Sikri
- the impressive sandstone fortress was built in the 16th century and only
occupied for a few years before being abandoned, leaving the buildings in
virtually perfect conditions.
Continue drive to Agra
Upon arrival in Agra - check-in at the hotel.
Thereafter, visit the
Taj Mahal, the guests will board the
'decorated tongas' (horse carriage) which will take them to Taj Mahal
Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which is always the
soul raison-de-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 it's 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.
The guests will remain till late afternoon to witness
the pristine Taj Mahal at sunset, to see this true Wonder of the world in
gentle late afternoon light.
Overnight at hotel
Day
16 : Agra - Delhi

Breakfast
at hotel. Thereafter, visit the Red Fort.
Red Fort- lies on the bend of the river Yamuna, almost in the
heart of the town. Akbar built it as his citadel over the years 1563-73 in the
finest architectural style. It has imposing gates and walls of red sandstone
and a moat.
Afternoon, drive to Delhi
(203 kms/5 hrs).
Upon arrival the guests will be assisted and
transferred to airport for flight back home
Day 17 : Delhi -
Abroad Depart Delhi.