Glimpses of Rajasthan with Taj Mahal

Glimpses of Rajasthan with Taj Mahal: Complete Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive - Delhi
Arrive Delhi international airport by flight, meet & greet with our office representative, assistance and transfer to hotel. Rest time free for personal activities, relax etc. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 02: Delhi
Breakfast at hotel, full day city tour. Drive past Red Fort & Chandni Chowk Bazar, Khari Baoli spice market. Visit Jama Masjid (Mosque). Shah Jahan (King of the World) founded the city of Shahjanabad, now referred to as Old Delhi, in 1648. Opposite the fort is the Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in the world, built by Shah Jahan to dominate his city. Raj Gath: The memorial of Mahatma Gandhi where he was cremated after his assassination. Qutab Minar: The building complex dated back on the onset of Muslim rule in India and are fine examples of Afghan architecture. Himayun’s Tomb: Build by wife of Humayun, the second mughal king. It is an early example of Mughal architecture. India Gate: The 42m high stone "Arch of Triumph", erected in the memory of Indian soldiers who died in the First World War; Drive through Rajpath "Kingsway" a VVIP area of Delhi including Rashtrapati Bhawan. Laxmi Narayan Temple: Garishly colored modern temple is erected by the industrialist Birla. This temple is dedicated to Laxmi - the goddess of wealth and Narayan - Lord Vishnu, husband of Laxmi.  Lotus Temple: In the heart of New Delhi, the bustling capital of India, a lotus-shaped outline has etched itself on the consciousness of the city's inhabitants, capturing their imagination, fuelling their curiosity, and revolutionising the concept of worship. [Temple is closed on Monday's].Overnight at Hotel.

Day 03: Delhi – Agra (204kms/ 4hrs approx)
Breakfast at hotel drive to Agra. Arrive and check in at hotel. Rest of the day free for personal activities, relax.

Afternoon, visit Taj Mahal: One of the Seven Wonder of the World was build by Shah Jahan in 1631 AD and was completed in 1651. This symbol of love was build in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Described as the most extravagant monument ever build for love. It was constructed by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his queen Mumtaz Mahal, made out of white marble took 22 years to complete. Ustad Ahamad Lahori, a Parsian Architect, is said to be the main designer and planer of this magnificent memorial. On full moon night, the glory of the Taj is at its best. (Taj Mahal remain closed on every Friday)

Agra Fort: Build by the famed Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565AD, the fort is predominantly of red sandstone. Construction of the massive red sandstone Agra Fort on the bank of the Yamuna River was begun by Emperor Akbar in 1565, though additions were made up until the rule of his grandson, Shah Jahan region it has partially become Palace. The fort presents a good sampling of their favoured architectural styles. Akbar drew on Islamic and Hindu traditions and the result is eclectic. By Shah Jahan's time the style had become so homogenized that it is impossible to separate the Hindu and Muslim strands. The Diwan-I-Am (public audience hall) the beautiful Diwan-I-Khas (private audience hall) were also added by Shah Jahan. Overnight at hotel.

Day 04: Agra– Fatehpur Sikri – Jaipur (235kms / 5hrs approx)
Breakfast at hotel drive to Jaipur, Enroute visit to Fatehpur Sikri: built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after 15 yrs. Due to scarcity of water. Predominately, a red sandstone construction sprawling over a huge area, the architectural style is very much in tune with emperor’s dream & partakes of both Hindu & Muslim styles. See the graceful buildings including Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal & other places.

Salim Chishti Dargah; built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after 15 yrs. Due to scarcity of water. Predominately, a red sandstone construction sprawling over a huge area, the architectural style is very much in tune with emperor’s dream & partakes of both Hindu & Muslim styles. Salim Chishti (1478-1572) was one of the famous Sufi saints of the Chishti Order in India. Salim Chishti was the descendant of the famous Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti whose tomb is in Ajmer, Rajasthan.

Continue drive to Agra, on arrival check in at hotel. Evening free to scroll the market. Overnight at hotel.

Day 05: Jaipur
Breakfast at hotel, visit Amber Fort and enjoy Elephant Ride (upto the hills). Raja Man Singh the Rajput commander of Akbar’s army constructed the fortress palace in the end of 16th century. Amber is superb example of Rajput architecture, situated on a hilltop, overlooking a lake. Amber Fort is known for its unique artistic style, blending both Hindu and Muslim (Mughal) elements, and its ornate and breathtaking artistic mastery. The fort borders the Maota Lake. Amber was originally built by the Meenas in the town they consecrated to Amba, the Mother Goddess, whom they knew as `Gatta Rani' or `Queen of the Pass'. Built over the remnants of an earlier structure, the palace complex which stands today was commenced under the reign of Raja Man Singh, Commander in Chief of Akbar’s army and a member of the Emperor's inner circle of nine courtiers, in 1592. The initial structure of the fort was entirely completed by his descendant; Jai Singh I. Amber was modified by successive rulers over the next 150 years, until the Kachwahas shifted their capital to Jaipur during the time of Sawai Jai Singh II.

Afternoon city tour of Jaipur, the origins of the beautiful city of Jaipur can be traced back to the eighteenth century, during the reign of Jai Singh II who ascended the Amber throne in 1699. Jaipur today, epitomizes the spirit of Rajputana. In-spite of growing into a bustling metropolis, it still retains it's character and history - Beautiful fusion of the yesteryears and modernity. Popularly known as the Pink City because of the extensive use of the locally abundant pink plastered stone, painted so in honor of the visit of the royal consort of Queen Victoria Jaipur thrills the soul with its massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and lush gardens. Main tourist attractions of Jaipur are City Palace with its fine collection of textiles, costumes and armory and the Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds. Maharaja Jai Singh was a great astronomer of his time. He built here extraordinary (and very accurate) stargazing Observatory here named as “Jantar Mantar”. Overnight at hotel.

Day 06: Jaipur – Pushkar (145kms/ 3hrs approx)
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Pushkar check in at hotel.

Afternoon visit Dargah of Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti; located at the end of a dusty alley in the main market, makes Ajmer an important pilgrim centre for Muslims from all parts of the world and Pushkar is the abode of Lord Brahma, which devout Hindus aspire to visit at least once in their lifetime. Adhai-din-ka-Jhonpara, In 1193 A.D, the Afghan Mohammad Ghori conquered Ajmer and converted a Sanskrit school into a mosque by adding a seven arched wall in front of the pillared hall in just two-and-a-half days. Ana Sagar Lake, This beautiful lake was built by King Anaji (AD 1135-1150), the grandfather of Prithvi Raj Chauhan at a picturesque site located to the north of Ajmer. Daulat Bagh Gardens, which was created by Jehangir, is located next to the lake. Baradari or the marble pavilion was added to the lake by Shahjahan.

Brahma Temple: This is the only temple in the world where Lord Brahma is worshiped and the main attraction of Pushkar. The temple has a special position in Hindu pantheons. There is life-size four-armed idol of Lord Brahma - the creator in the vestibule. The temple has marble floors and stairs and coins have been put by the devotees to mark the birth or deaths of the loved ones.

Pushkar Lake: According to the legends, the lake was dedicated to Lord Brahma after a lotus fell from his hands and dropped into this picturesque valley. A lake sprang up on the same spot latter on which is considered holy. The entire lake is supposed to be surrounded by 500 temples, 52 palaces, and 52 ghats. On the occasion of Kartik Purnima in November every year, devotees take holy bath in the lake and a fair is organized, known world over as the Pushkar Fair.

Savitri Temple: The temple is dedicated to Savitri, the wife of Lord Brahma and located on the top of the Ratnagiri Hill. According to the legends when Lord Brahma performed a Yagna (holy fire devoted to gods) along with Gayatri, a local milkmaid, furious Savitri cursed her husband that he would never be worshipped anywhere except in Pushkar and that too only once a year. Savitri left for the Ratnagiri Hill after cursing her husband and immolated herself there. There is beautiful statue of Goddess Savitri inside the temple. Overnight at hotel.

Day 07: Pushkar – Udaipur (285kms/ 6hrs approx)
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Udaipur check in at hotel. Rest day free for personal activities, relax etc.

Evening boat ride in Lake Pichola; Lake Pichola; A man made lake, is one of the prime attractions of Udaipur. The lake is known for the palace build amidst the lake. The lake was built by Maharana Udai Singh II. It was made basically for defence purpose. Cradled amongst hills, gardens, havelis, temples and ghats, Lake Pichola is the picturesque spotlight of Udaipur. The lake sports two islands palaces- Jagniwas (Lake Palace) and Jagmandir. The lake is about 4 km long and 3 km wide, and not much deep- it often dries up in times of severe summers. The beauty of the lake and its surroundings can only be felt by seeing it, which increases many folds during sunrise and sunset. Overnight at hotel.

Day 08: Udaipur
Breakfast at hotel, city tour of Udaipur: a splash of colour in Rajasthan that is brighter when tinged with the tones of local lore and legends. Visit the City Palace, built in 1725, which houses the Dilkhush Mahal, Sheesh Mahal - studded with glittering Belgium Mirrors, Moti Mahal and the Palace of Lord Krishna all of which are ornately decorated.  Later visit the Jagdish Temple.  This temple built in 1651 is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu Trinity of Gods.  Also visit the Sahelion Ki Bari gardens and fountains.  Later drive around the Fatehsagar Lake. Visit Eklinji and Nagda Temple. Eklingji was built for the tutelary deity of the Maharanas of Mewar, of sand stone and marble in 734 A.D.  Its 108 temples are enclosed by high walls and has a pyramidical roof composed of hundred of knobs.  Later visit Nagda, one of the ancient Palaces of Mewar dating back to the 6th century A.D. The Sas-Bahu Temples are among the most exquisitely carved temples. Overnight at hotel.

Day 09: Udaipur – Jodhpur (290kms / 5hrs approx)
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Jodhpur, Enroute visit the stunning Jain temples at Ranakpur, superbly preserved in a near-perfect condition for over 500 years. The Ranakpur Jain Temple were built during the reign of the liberal and gifted monarch Rana Kumbha in the 15th century AD. An enormous basement covers 48,000 sq. ft area. There are four subsidiary shrines, twenty four pillared halls and appropriate domes supported by over four hundred columns. There are 1,444 columns in all, which are intricately carved. The artistically carved nymphs playing the flute in various dance postures at a height of 45 feet are an engrossing sight. In the assembly hall, there are two big bells weighing 108kgs whose sound echoes in the entire complex.

Continue drive to Jodhpur, on arrival check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10: Jodhpur - Jaisalmer (290kms / 5hrs approx)
Breakfast at hotel, city tour visit Mehrangarh Fort; From the outside its wide, high walls and sheer cliffs appear unassailable, imposing and austere, but once inside you discover several lavishly decorated palaces, with intricate carved ‘jalis’ and panels that take your breath away. Inside the fort Phool Mahal (Flower Palace), with its beautifully painted walls, Moti Mahal (Pearl Palace) with its Shringar Chowk (coronation seat) featuring peacock armrests and gilded elephants, Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace), the Sileh Khana, the Umaid Vilas and the Daulat Khana. At the Daulat Khana, visitors get to see a rich and varied collection of royal memorabilia, fine Rajput miniatures and Ragmala paintings. Jaswant Thada; a few metres below the fort, is the site of the white marble royal cenotaph of Jaswant Singh II and four of his successors. The Mahamandir, dedicated to Lord Shiva is an architectural wonder, built in 1812, with 84 intricately carved pillars. As it was outside the city walls it was given its own protective fortifications, a sign of those turbulent times.

Umaid Bhawan Palace was built during the 1920s and '30s as a famine relief project when Maharaja Umaid Singh started a food for work program. The palace took 16 years to complete- no wonder, then that with its 347 rooms, it is one of the largest private residences in the world. It houses a fine collection of royal memorabilia, armours and arms, bejeweled howdahs, palanquins etc.

Afternoon drive to Jaisalmer, check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11: Jaisalmer
Breakfast at hotel, full day city tour, visit, Jaisalmer Fort. The fort towering high above the sprawling city of Jaisalmer has an exciting, almost fairytale quality to it. The fort is often spoken of as a ‘living museum’ because of its many ‘havelis’ – the mansions of the rich merchants built in the 19th century. The residential area of the fort takes visitors back in time with beautiful ‘havelis’ with breath- takingly exquisite intricately latticed golden yellow sandstone facades. The most famous homes are Nathmalji ki Haveli, whose interiors are extensively decorated with splendid miniature paintings, Salim Singh ki Haveli capped with blue cupolas and superb peacock shaped brackets, and the Patwon ki Haveli the five storied and is the largest and most elaborate of all with multiple carved pillars and colonnades, wall murals, long corridors and ornate chambers.

Also visit Gadsisar Lake, further free to stroll around the local bazaars. Later in the evening, a short drive to Sam Dunes, explore the desert on camel and enjoy watching sunset. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 12: Jaisalmer – Sam Sand Dunes Village (45kms/ 1hrs approx)
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Sam Sand Dunes Village, check in at tent. Evening Camel Safari, The ship of the desert, the camel, was domesticated thousands of years ago primarily for the purpose of making tedious journeys through the unrelenting Thar Desert. So, how would you like a camel safari - to explore the eccentricities of Rajasthan on the back of the most native guide? You may go for a short safari through a typical Rajasthani village or a long-distance expedition lasting a few days. The best times for travelling are the cooler parts of the day, the mornings and evenings.

The sights en route will captivate you and become a part of your most treasured memories. There may be barren land for as far as the eyes can see. The sea of yellow shimmering sand looks extraordinary. Closer to the village you can see herds of cattle and sheep roaming around purposelessly. Watch the children trotting off to school, while their mothers prepare their afternoon meal on a dung-fire. Stop over for a taste of the authentic Rajasthani food. The hospitable men and women will be at your service, eager to fulfill your every request.

Underneath the star-studded sky, you feel the cool desert breeze and wonder about life in the untamed countryside of this fascinating desert. Overnight in Tent.

Day 13: Sam Sand Dunes Village – Bikaner (300kms/ 6hrs approx)
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Bikaner, check in at hotel. Rest day free for personal activities relax etc. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 14:  Bikaner – Mandawa (185kms/ 4hrs approx)
Breakfast at hotel, visit Junagarh Fort: One of the most imposing forts of northern India- Junagarh Fort- has remained unconquered till date. This fort was built in 15th century by one of the most able and trusted generals of Akbar, Raja Rai Singh. It has a 96 mt long wall, with 37 bastions and 2 entrances. The main entrance of the fort is Suraj pol or sun gate. The fort encompasses many palaces amongst which the most spectacular ones are the Chandra Mahal or Moon palace, the Phool Mahal or Flower palace, both ornated with carved panels and mirrors and the Karan Mahal. Karan Mahal was built in remembrance of the celebration of the grand victory over Aurangzeb. Durga Niwas, a fabulously painted courtyard and Ganga Niwas which housed a finely carved red sandstone front, are the other places of attraction in this fort. Lalgadh Palace: Designed by a Britisher for Maharaja Ganga Singh, this palace dispalys a magnificient blend of oriental and european style. The imposing red sandstone monument is designed by Sir Swinton Jacob for Maharaja Ganga Singh. The Palace has beautiful latticework and filigree work, Sprawling lawns with blooming bougainvillea and dancing peacocks make it a not-to-be missed visual treat. Part of the Palace has been converted into a luxury hotel and a museum known as Shri Sadul Museum. The museum covers the entire first floor of the palace and houses well preserved old photographs and trophies of wildlife.

Afternoon drive to Mandawa, check in at hotel. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 15:  Mandawa – Delhi (260kms/ 6hrs approx)
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Mandawa known throughout the state for its forts and havelis. The structures of this place reminds one of the cultural and social hotspot this place used to be in the bygone era.

The compact and busy little market town of Mandawa was settled and fortified in 18th century by the dominant merchant families of the region. The wealthy businessmen of the village constructed many havelis and baolis with colored painting adorning their walls. Later on, with the migration of these merchant families, their old settlements remained in total obscurity with no one to look after them. Despite the time lapse and ignorance about these visual and architectural extravaganzas, their attraction did not fade and today they are some of the major attractions for the tourists visiting Rajasthan.

Mandawa provides the visitors with a sense of discovery at every turn; battlements that offer spectacular views of the town below, a whimsical peacock weather van, and an arched window that overlooks the verdant garden visited by peacocks. Most importantly, the fact that no two rooms are alike in the palace here. In the zenana or women's quarters, one room offers antique murals, another has a marble fountain, and the turret room boasts of walls that are seven feet thick. Looking out from the window of the turret room, it is easy to imagine the marauding bandits that once roamed freely here. Little wonder then that the family crest contains the motto, 'Veer Bhogya Vasundhara', which translates into 'the brave shall inherit the earth'.

Founded in the 18th century, the medieval fort of Mandawa dominates the town with a painted arched gateway adorned with Lord Krishna and his cows. The Chokhani and Ladia havelis and the street with Saraf havelis are some of the splendid examples of this region's havelis.  The Binsidhar Newatia Haveli has some curious paintings on its outer eastern wall-a boy using a telephone, and a European woman in a car driven by a chauffeur. The Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli has some defaced erotic images.

Afternoon drive to Delhi, check in at hotel. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 16: Delhi – Home country
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to international airport to board flight for your home country.