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Day
01 :
Arrive Delhi
Arrive by International flight, after traditional 'Swagat'
(Welcome) our representative would assist you at airport
& transfer to hotel for check in.
Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully
combines in its folds the ancient with modern. Its
strategic location was the prime reasons why successive
dynasties chose it as their seat of power. In fact, more
mythological cities are believed to be here, like the
city of Indraprastha from the Hindu epic Mahabharata,
founded around 5000 BC. Numerous monuments were built
over several centuries by different rulers like
Qutub-ud-din Aibek, Alauddin Khilji, Tughlaks, Humayun &
Shah Jahan, who built the Walled City Shah Jahanabad.
Later in first half of 20th century much of New Delhi
was planned by Sir Edwin Lutyens, who laid out a
grandiose central administrative area as a testament to
British rule in India. The division in walled city & New
Delhi also marks the division in life styles.
Overnight Hotel - Delhi
Day 02 :
Delhi
Full Day Tour : Today we take a guided tour of Old
Delhi, the 17th century walled city of Shah Jahanabad,
Visiting the great Jama Masjid, the principal mosque of
Old Delhi. Built in the year 1656 AD by the Mughal
Emperor Shah Jahan, it is the largest & best known
mosque in India. Later we walk down or take a rickshaw
ride through Chandi Chowk, the old marketplace of Shah
Jahanabad now a picturesque bazaar to reach Red Fort,
built in the year 1648 by Shah Jehan.
In New Delhi, visit Raj Ghat, memorial to the Father of
the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. It is a simple black marble
platform that marks the spot of his cremation on 31
January 1948. Further we drive past India Gate, memorial
built in the year 1931 to commemorate the Indian
soldiers who died in the World War I & the Afghan Wars.
The names of the soldiers who died in these wars are
inscribed on the walls. President's House, the official
residence of the President of India, built in the year
1931. Until 1950 it was known as Viceroy's House &
served as the residence of the Governor-General of
British India. We will also visit Humayun's Tomb,
memorial of Mughal Emperor Humayun, built in the year
1562. The complex is a World Heritage Site & the first
example of this type of Mughal architecture in India.
Qutub Minar, built in the year 1206 by Qutub-ud-din
Aibek. It is the tallest (72m) brick minaret in the
world, an important example of Indo-Islamic
Architecture. Qutub Minar & its monuments are listed as
a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight Hotel - Delhi
Day 03 :
Delhi - Agra (220 km-5 hr)
Today drive to Agra, beautifully situated on the banks
of river Yamuna. It achieved prominence as the capital
of the Mughal Emperors from the year 1526 to 1628,
remains major tourist destination because of its many
splendid Mughal-era monuments, most notably the Taj
Mahal, Agra Fort & Fatehpur Sikri, all three are UNESCO
World Heritage sites. En route Mathura & Vrindavan. En
route visit Mathura & Vrindavan, places related with the
birth & childhood of Lord Krishna. In Mathura we visit
Shri Krishna Janmabhumi temple, a stone slab marks the
original birth place of Krishna. In Vrindavan we visit
Bankey Bihari Temple, built in the year 1864. Temple is
famous for the black statue of Krishna, also called as
Thakur Ji. ISKCON Temple, one of the most beautiful
temples in Vrindavan. Temple is devoted to Krishna, his
brother Balaram & Krishna's beloved Radha.
Half Day Tour : Today visit Taj Mahal, symbol of eternal
love, which stands on the banks of River Yamuna. It was
built by the 5th Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan in the year
1631 in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It was
completed in 22 years. Further we visit Agra Fort, taken
over from the Lodhis by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the
late 16th century. The Fort can be more accurately
described as a walled palatial city. It was built from
red sandstone, often inlaid with white marble &
intricate decorations. We will also visit Sikandara,
Akbar's tomb. His son Jahangir completed the
construction of the tomb in the year 1613. Overnight
Hotel - Agra
Day 04 :
Agra - Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri (260 km - 6 hr)
Today we drive to Jaipur en route we will visit Fatehpur
Sikri (Ghost Capital), the political capital of India's
Mughal Empire under Akbar's reign, from the year 1571
until 1585, when it was abandoned, ostensibly due to
lack of water. We visit Emperor Akbar's Residential
complex, Mosque & Tomb of Salim Chisti. Later we
continue our drive to Jaipur, popularly known as Pink
City, the flamboyant & colourful capital of Rajasthan.
With its rich & colourful past, resplendent with tales
of valour & bravery, it is now one of the most important
heritage cities in India. The city was founded in 1728
by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber. It
remains the only city in the world symbolizing the nine
divisions of the universe, through nine rectangular
sectors. Overnight Hotel - Jaipur
Day 05 :
Jaipur
Full Day Tour : Today we take an excursion to Amber Fort
(11 km); the palace complex which stands to this date
was commenced under the reign of Raja Man Singh. We take
an Elephant ride to reach the Fort situated on the hill,
an overwhelming experience.
Later we visit the City Palace, a perfect blend of
Rajasthani & Mughal architecture. The center of the
palace is a seven-storied building called Chandra
Palace, with fine views over the gardens & the city.
Further we visit Jantar Mantar, the Solar Observatory,
an astronomical treasure house, with solar devices that
give accurate predictions till date. We now visit Hawa
Mahal (Palace of Winds), a five-storied structure of
pink sandstone. It was built in the year 1799 so that
veiled royal women could peer down the busy street
market unseen by the world through its 593 stone
Jharokas (mini windows).
Overnight Hotel - Jaipur
Day 06 :
Jaipur - Jodhpur via Pushkar (317 km- 8hr)
Today we drive to Jodhpur via Pushkar, an enchanting
small town located exactly on the edge of the desert but
is separated from it by Nag Pahar, the Snake Mountain.
The town frequently visited by devotees lies to the side
of the small Pushkar Lake with its multitudes of bathing
ghats & temples. It also holds the most unique fairs of
its kind in the world. It is a combination of an animal
fair & the religious fair. Both the fairs are enchanting
& have their own unique aspects & quality. As per the
Indian calendar the fair is held in the first lunar
cycle in the month of Kartik culminating on the Kartik
Poornima (Full moon). Here we visit Brahma Temple, said
to be the only dedicated to Lord Brahma in India. This
is the only temple of the god Brahma in the world. No
pilgrimage of Hindu places is considered complete till
the pilgrim bathes in sacred waters of Pushkar.
Later we continue our drive to Jodhpur. Set at the edge
of the Thar Desert, Jodhpur is the second largest city
in Rajasthan & once was the capital of the Princely
State Marwar. It was founded in the year 1459 AD by Rao
Jodha, chief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs & its
landscape is dominated by the massive Mehrangarh Fort.
While the graceful palaces, forts & temples strewn
throughout the city bring alive the historic grandeur,
the exquisite handicrafts, folk dances, music & the
brightly attired people lend a romantic aura to the
city. Overnight Hotel - Jodhpur
Day 07 :
Jodhpur
Half Day Tour : Today take a guided tour of Jodhpur,
visiting the Mehrangarh Fort (Majestic Fort), one of the
most impressive & formidable structures anywhere in
India. Built by Rao Jodha, this 5km long Fort is on a
125m high hill & has some magnificent palaces with
marvelously carved panels latticed window. The Fort
Museum houses an exquisite collection of palanquins,
howdahs (Elephant saddles), royal cradles, miniatures
paintings, musical instruments, costumes & furniture.
We also visit Jaswant Thada, a cluster of royal
cenotaphs in white marble built in the year 1899 AD in
memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Within the main
cenotaph are the portraits of various Jodhpur rulers. It
is an architectural landmark of Jodhpur.
Overnight Hotel – Jodhpur.
Day 08 :
Jodhpur - Udaipur via Ranakpur (325 km - 7 hr)
Today drive to Udaipur, was founded in the year 1568 by
Maharana Udai Singh after his final unsuccessful attempt
to defend the Mewar capital, Chittorgarh from the
invading Mughals under Emperor Akbar. The Kingdom of
Mewar was considered the most respectable among all
Princely states in Rajasthan & still remembered for the
courage to protect the Kingdom. The site for Udaipur was
chosen for its natural beauty, abundant water & natural
protection afforded by the surrounding forests & Aravali
mountains. It is set on the edge of three lakes & also
known as the "City of Lakes & Palaces". Undoubtedly one
of the most romantic cities in India, its beautiful
Palaces are mirrored in the calm waters of Lake Pichola
& the city is a brilliant kaleidoscope of narrow lanes
flanked by bright stalls, gardens, lakes, palaces &
temples.
En route Ranakpur. En route visit Ranakpur, renowned for
some marvelously carved Jain temples in marble, created
in the 15th century AD during the reign of Rana Kumbha.
Later we continue our drive to Udaipur,
Overnight Hotel - Udaipur
Day 09 :
Udaipur :
Full Day Tour
Today we visit the City Palace, an intriguing collection
of buildings contributed by various Maharanas (Kings)
after Udai Singh & built in the year 1725. The
magnificence of the Palace starts right from its
entrance at the northern Tripolia Gate that brings us to
the central courtyard, the best place to view the facade
of filigreed balconies & ornate cupola-topped towers.
Sahelion ki Bari (Garden of Maids of Honour) is an
ornamental garden built by Maharana Sangram Singh for
his daughter & the Ladies of the Queen's court. He built
the garden with several fountains, pools & is decorated
with chiseled pavilions & elephants. The fountains
worked on the unique hydraulic technique devised in the
year 1700 AD & work till today.
Later we visit Jagdish Temple, the Indo-Aryan temple,
built in the year 1651 AD by Maharana Jagat Singh, is
the largest & the most beautiful temple of Udaipur with
noteworthy sculpted images. We also enjoy boat ride on
Lake Pichola, the beauty of the lake is enhanced by the
surrounding hills, palaces, temples, bathing ghats &
embankments. The Jag Niwas (Lake Palace) & Jag Mandir,
the two island palaces on the lake look like pearls in
the lake.
Overnight Hotel - Udaipur
Day 10 :
Udaipur - Mumbai ( Train ) (2996A) Udaipur Bandra SF
Express Departure Udaipur:
2140 Hrs Arrive Following Day Bandra Terminus 1425. Days of Operation of the said
Train : Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. |
