TOUR INFO:
This trip takes you to the cities of Rajasthan. It will capture the rich heritage of the bygone era of the Maharajas and Maharanis and mesmerizing you with its culture, beautiful temples, monuments and forts. Dotted with fascinating attractions, Rajasthan is endowed with vibrant and colourful traditions, arts, heritage and culture. Its royalty can be best experienced in its architectural marvels such as palaces, forts, havelis, monuments,caves, tombs,mosques and temples. Punctuating the barrenness of Rajasthan, the lively culture of this arresting state beautifully manifests in its fairs and festivals, which are so colourful and lively that even the desert of Rajasthan comes alive and looks like an oasis of merriment during the festive season.
HIGHLIGHT: Colonial monuments/heritage of Delhi, Beautiful Havelies and frescos of Mandawa, Amber Fort in Jaipur, dunes of Jaisalmer, lakes and palace of Udaipur, elusive Royal Bengal tiger of Ranthambare and Taj Mahal of Agra.
BEST TIME TO TRAVEL: October – March
OUTLINE
Day 01 Arrive Delhi
Day 02 Full day SS tour of Delhi.
Day 03 Drive to Jaipur (280 kms/06 hrs)
Day 04 Full day SS tour of Jaipur.
Day 05 Drive to Mandawa (240 kms/06 hrs). P.M. SS tour.
Day 06 Drive to Bikaner (170 kms/04 hrs). P.M. SS tour.
Day 07 Drive to Jaisalmer (330/07 hrs). P.M. Free to relax.
Day 08 A.M. SS tour. P.M. Camel ride in the dunes.
Day 09 Drive to Jodhpur (280 kms/05 hrs). P.M. Free to relax.
Day 10 SS tour of the city.
Day 11 Drive to Udaipur (275 kms/06 hrs).
Day 12 SS tour with boat ride in Lake Pichola.
Day 13 Drive to Pushkar (290 kms/06 hrs). P.M. Free to relax.
Day 14 Drive to Ranthambore (265 kms/06 hrs). P.M. Free to relax.
Day 15 A.M. Jeep Safari. P.M. Jeep Safari.
Day 16 Drive to Agra (290 kms/07 hrs). P.M. Free.
Day 17 Morning Taj and Fort and then drive back to Delhi.
Day 18 Depart Delhi.
Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be welcomed by Kipling India Representative who will escort you to your hotel. He will brief you about the tour and handover the travel documents. Rest of the day free to relax. O/N in your hotel.
After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing tour. First we start with Old Delhi with a visit to Jama Masjid (Mosque). This great mosque of Old Delhi is the largest in India, with a courtyard capable of holding 25,000 devotees. It was begun in 1644 and ended up being the final architectural extravagance of Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor who built the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort. The highly decorative mosque has three great gates, four towers and two 40 m-high minarets constructed of strips of red sandstone and white marble. Travellers can hire robes at the northern gate. This may be the only time you get to dress like a local without feeling like an outsider so make the most of it. Later followed by a short rickshaw ride in the busy Chadni Chowk market. Stop for lunch and then proceed to visit Qutab Minar. It is a soaring, 73 m-high tower of victory, built in 1193 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak immediately after the defeat of Delhi's last Hindu kingdom. The tower has five distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony and tapers from a 15 m diameter at the base to just 2.5 m at the top. The first three storeys are made of red sandstone; the fourth and fifth storeys are of marble and sandstone. At the foot of the tower is the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the first mosque to be built in India. After this visit India gate and drive through presidential palace, parliament and end your trip with a visit to beautiful Bangla Saheb Gurudwara (Sikh Temple). Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is the most prominent Sikh (religion) Gurudwara (place of worship). It is known for its association with 8th Sikh Guru – Guru Har Krishan. It was first completed in the year 1664. However, it was renovated in the year 1783. What we see today has been built post 1947 – year of Independence of India. The story behind Gurudwara Bangla Sahib goes like this – it is said that the 8th Guru of Sikhs, Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji, stayed here in this Palace in the year 1664. He is said to have helped suffering from epidemic . Gurusahib passed away in the end suffering from the same epidemic disease. The water tank inside the Gurudwara is considered to have medicinal properties due to the blessings of Guru Sahib Ji.
After breakfast, drive to Jaipur. Founded in AD 1727 by Sawai Jaisingh II, Jaipur the capital of Rajasthan is popularly known as the Pink City with broad avenues and spacious gardens. The capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is steeped in history and culture. Here the past comes alive in magnificent forts and palaces, blushed pink, where once lived the maharajas. The bustling bazaars of Jaipur, famous for Rajasthani jewellery, fabric and shoes, possess a timeless quality and are surely a treasure-trove for the shoppers. This fascinating city with its romantic charm takes you to an epoch of royalty and tradition. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel. Rest of the day free .
After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing tour. First we visit drive to Hawa Mahal (wind palace) and then drive to Amber Fort - Also referred to as the Amber Palace, the fort is located on a hill in Amer, Rajasthan. Just eleven kilometers from the city of Jaipur, the Amber fort is a major tourist attraction. Built by Raja Man Singh, the fort, which is also spelt as Amer fort, is a scenic marvel. It stands on top of an easily scalable mountain, which is situated right next to the beautiful Maota Lake. The fort’s majestic appearance and its geographical advantages make it a special place to visit. The fort presents a fascinating blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture. It is built using red sandstone and white marble. After lunch we visit City Palace & Observatory.
After breakfast, drive to Mandawa. The city of Mandawa, founded in the mid 18th century, was once a town inhabited by the rich merchant families. The wealthy and dominant merchants constructed massive havelis, adorned with beautiful wall paintings, for the purpose of their residence. However, with time, the merchants moved on and migrated to other areas, leaving the beautiful havelis in the shadows of anonymity. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel. Afternoon proceed for sightseeing tour of the Havelies. The beautiful wall paintings that decorate the havelis of Mandawa in Rajasthan, India, have seen the themes changing from time to time. In the earlier days, mythology dominated the themes of the frescoes, displaying local legends, animals, portraits, hunting and wrestling scenes, etc. 19th century saw the themes being changed to reflect the British (Raj) influence on the Indian culture. The traditional subjects were exchanged for cars, trains, balloons, telephones, gramophones, English men in hunting attires and portraits of the haveli owners immaculately dressed, etc.
After breakfast, drive to Bikaner. Bikaner’s history dates back to 1486 AD when Rao Jodhaji, the illustrious founder of Jodhpur challenged his son to establish his own kingdom. For Prince Rao Bikaji, one the five sons of Rao Jodhaji, the barren wilderness called Jangladesh became his focus point and he transformed it to an impressive city. He accomplished his task with 100 cavalry horses and 500 soldiers, and established his kingdom on 84 villages abandoned by the Shankhlas. When Bikaji died in 1504, his rule had extended to more than 3,000 villages. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel. Afternoon proceed to visit Junagarh Fort - Located in Bikaner, the Junagarh fort is one of the most impressive fort complexes in India. Junagarh fort was built by Raja Rai Singh in 1588 AD. Junagarh fort is one of those few forts that are not built on a hilltop. The fort complex consists of palaces, courtyards, pavilions and balconies. The walls palaces etc. are ornamented with carved stones, marbles, paintings and inlaid semi-precious stones. Each palace in the Junagarh fort complex was built by a different ruler over the centuries. Later visit the Camel breeding Farm - Located at a distance of around 7 km from the city, National Research Centre on Camel is one of the best attractions in Bikaner. It is home to various types of camels in huge numbers. It is a government owned and run research and camel breeding center. This center helps the locals in earning more from their camels. They center also offers assistance to them for good upkeep of this extremely useful animal, the ‘Ship of the desert’. It was founded in 1984, and is also known as Camel Breeding Farm.
After breakfast, drive to Jaisalmer. The Golden City of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan is simply unmatched. It was the part of the famous Silk Route during the days of yore. The splendid Jaisalmer Fort stands proudly on its land and narrates the stories of the valor and chivalry of the Rajput rulers. Jaisalmer still retains its medieval charm, which is evident in its colorful narrow streets, splendid forts and palaces of Rajasthan, opulent havelis and bazaars. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure.
After breakfast, visit Gadisar Lake - Gadsisar Lake was a water conversation tank built in 1400 AD, and was constructed under the reign of Maharwal Gadsi Singh. If a traveller wants to enjoy bird watching on their tour to Jaisalmer, then Gadsisar lake is the right place to be. On the bank of Gadsisar lake one can see a gateway made of yellow sandstones known by the name of Tilon Ki Pol. A Krishna Temple is located by the side of the archway. Jaisalmer Fort - Built in 1156 by King Rawal Jaisal, Jaisalmer Fort dominates the countryside in the far northwestern corner of Rajasthan, near the border of India and Pakistan. The magnificent complex, also known as Sonar Kila ("Golden Fort") for its gleaming golden sandstone walls and buildings, flourished on the east-west caravan route connecting India and Central Asia to the Middle East and North Africa. Merchants built elaborately designed havelis among the numerous palaces, temples, bazaars, and residences inside the walls of the complex and Jain Temple - Jain Temples situated in the Jaisalmer Fort are a must visit site in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. You will find these temples to be very old and high pilgrimage as well as archeological value attached to them. These are a group of Jain temples dating back 12th and 15th centuries and are dedicated to various Jain Tirthankars (Hermits). On the walls of the temples, you can find animal & human figures, carved in famous Dilwara style. Late afternoon proceed for camel ride in the dunes. A camel safari is the most original way of exploring Jaisalmer. Trudging through the Thar Desert on the back of a seasoned camel is an experience that you would remember for years to come.
After breakfast, drive to Jodhpur. Jodhpur "The Sun City" was founded by Rao Jodha, a chief of the Rathore clan, in 1459. It is named after him only. Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India was previously known as Marwar. Jodhpur is the second largest city in Rajasthan. It is divided into two parts - the old city and the new city. The old city is separated by a10 km long wall surrounding it. Also it has eight Gates leading out of it. The new city is outside the walled city. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel. Rest of the day free to relax.
After breakfast, visit Mehrangarh Fort - Mehrangarh Fort holds the pride of place in Jodhpur because of its splendid architecture and the diverse history associated with it. Considered as one of the most formidable and magnificent forts of Rajasthan, Mehrangarh fort was built by Rao Jodha in the year 1459. The fort is spread over an area of 5 km and is built on 125 m high hill in the outskirts of Jodhpur city. Jaswant Thada - This white marbled architecture is a memorial site of a Rajput clan. This cenotaph was built in the 19th century by Maharaja Sardar Singh in the memory of his father, Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, the 33rd Rathore ruler of Jodhpur. Mandore Garden - The garden is adorned with beautiful looking Cenotaphs or dewals of the former rulers of the region. These cenotaphs are different from the regular typical Rajasthan’s umbrella-shaped structures as they have been erected by taking a cue from the architecture of a Hindu temple. Made in red sandstone, these structures are four-story high, have stylish spire and finely defined columns. The most stunning dewal is that of Maharaja Ajit Singh. The colors of red sandstone structure on a hill outcrop and lush garden looks soothing to the eyes and Clock Tower with market visit- The clock tower is a popular landmark in the old city. The vibrant Sardar Market is close to the tower, and narrow alleys lead from here to a bazaar selling vegetables, spices, Indian sweets, textiles, silver and handicrafts. It is a great place to ramble around at leisure.
After breakfast, drive to Udaipur. Oftern referred to as the Venice of the East, the city of lakes Udaipur is located around azure water lakes and is hemmed in by lush green hill of the Aravallis. The famous Lake Palace, located in the middle of Lake Pichola is one of the most beautiful sights of Uaipur. It is also home to Jaisamand Lake, claimed to be the second largest man made sweet water lake in Asia. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel. Rest of the day free to relax.
After breakfast, visit Jagdish temple - The temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu who is also known as the preserver of the universe. The temple is celebrated as the largest temple in entire Udaipur. The gateway of the shrine can be seen from Bara Pol of the City Palace which is 150m away. This huge temple is constructed in the Indo- Aryan style of architecture. The temple is three storied and is an example of wonderful architecture. City Palace - Udaipur City Palace is one of the architectural marvels of Rajasthan, located peacefully on the banks of Lake Pichola. This majestic City Palace is the most-visited tourist attraction of Udaipur and often distinguished as the largest palace complex in Rajasthan. Initially, Maharana Udai Singh built this superb wonder, but the present form of the Palace is the result of subsequent additions by his successors. Saheliyon Ki Bari is one the most beautiful gardens and a major tourist destination in Udaipur. The garden is famous for its lush green lawns, marble art and fountains. English translation of Saheliyon Ki Bari means "Garden of maids". This renowned garden is located on the banks of Fateh Sagar Lake, presenting a green retreat in the dry lands of Rajasthan. Maharana Pratap Memorial - Maharana Pratap Memorial is a historic site that is dedicated to the gallant Maharana Pratap. Situated at the top of Moti Margi or Pearl Hill, the memorial overlooks the Fateh Sagar Lake. In Hindi, memorial is known as "smarak" and smarak is always made in the memory of loved ones. Maharana Pratap Memorial was constructed with the initiative taken by Maharana Bhagwat Singh Mewar with the help of a public trust. Later enjoy the boat ride at lake Pichola.
After breakfast, drive to Pushkar. Pushkar is a small town located in Ajmer district of Rajasthan. The most sacred town is attached with ample of religious beliefs and known for its old lakes and legendary temples. The city derives its literal meaning from the Sanskrit word “Pushkar” which means blue lotus flower. Pushkar is one of the oldest cities in India. It is said that Lord Brahma performed Tapasysa here for thousands of years to have glimpse of Lord Vishnu. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel. Later visit the town on your own.
After breakfast, we drive to Ranthambore National Park. Established in the year 1955 as a game sanctuary, Ranthambore National Park is one of the most popular places to visit for wildlife lovers. In 1972, the commencement of Project Tiger took place. Ranthambore received the status of a national park in the year 1980. At this point of time, Ranthambore National Park was conferred the status of a tiger reserve in the country. It is spread on an area of 1,334 square kilometers along with its neighboring sanctuaries- the Kaila Devi Sanctuary and the Mansingh Sanctuary. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel. Rest of the day free to relax.
Early morning proceed for Jeep Safari. Back to hotel for breakfast. Relax. After lunch again proceed for one more Jeep Safari.
After breakfast, drive to Agra. Surrounded by the mighty Yamuna River, “Agra” does not have only the heart-stopping masterpiece of Mughal era “Taj Mahal” to boast of but its many other attractions, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and innumerable things to do will leave you mesmerized, from visiting Agra Fort, Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-i-Khas, Sheesh Mahal & Khas Mahal to shopping at Kinari Bazaar and relishing in the famous Mughlai cuisine, really there is a lot to revel in a beautifully nestled city in the northern region of India’s Uttar Pradesh state. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel. Rest of the day free to relax.
Early morning we proceed to visit the magnificent Taj Mahal (FRIDAY CLOSED). Famous as one of the wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal at Agra, India, is epitome of true love and passion. The Taj Mahal was built by the famous Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaj Mahal. The architectural beauty and magnificence of the Taj Mahal has never been surpassed. It is said to be the most beautiful monument built by the Mughal rulers and represents the zenith of the Mughal architecture. Built entirely out of white marbles, the beauty of the Taj Mahal is beyond description. The beauty of the Taj Mahal has been aptly summarized by the famous English poet, Sir Edwin Arnold, as "Not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passions of an emperor's love wrought in living stones."Later back to hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, visit the Agra Fort - Agra Fort was built in the year 1573 under the reign of Akbar – one of the greatest Mughal Emperors. It took more than 4000 workers and eight years of hardship to complete the fort. Knowing the significance of its location, Akbar built the fort to make it the main residence of the Mughals. The fort remained as the main residence of the emperors belonging to the Mughal dynasty until the year 1638. The fort houses numerous impressive structures like the Jahangir Mahal, Khas Mahal, Diwan-i-Khass, Diwan-i-Am, Machchhi Bhawan and Moti Masjid. Later drive straight to Delhi
Final departure transfer to airport to board your flight for onward journey.