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Rajasthan Cultural Tours
Places to visit - Delhi - Mandawa - Bikaner - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Rohetgarh - Udaipur - Chittaurgarh - Kotah - Bundi -Ranthambore - Jaipur - Agra - Delhi
Duration - 16 Nights / 17 Days

Humayun Tomb Delhi

Day 01 - Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi by international flight. Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Check-in time is 12 Noon. Overnight.

Day 02 - Delhi
Full day sightseeing tour of New Delhi and Old Delhi New Delhi visit includes Qutab Minar, one of the earliest remains of Imperial Delhi (13th century AD ) Humayun's Tomb-the fine monument believed to be forerunner of Taj Mehal, India Gata, the 42 metre high arch was raised as a memorial to soldiers, drives past Parliament House, President's House, Secretariat Building, Laxminarayan Temple and The Connaught Place.
Old Delhi, constitutes of Red Fort built by Emperor Shahjehaan in 1638 AD, Jama Mosque largest mosque in India also built by Shahjehan, Raj Ghat and Shanti van-the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi and Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and drives past Chandni Chowk, the main congested shopping hub of Old Delhi

Day 03 - Delhi - Mandawa drive, 260 kms
On arrival, check-in at the hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour in Mandawa. The land of Shekha (Rao Shekhaji 1433-1488) is known for its human and artistic enterprises. This region has been the home of Marwari community, for for more than a century has been the backbone of commerical enterpreunership in India. Hundreds of havelies, temples, cenotaphs, wells and forts, as in this region have intricate wall paintings, frescoes. The important ones to be seen are in Mandawa, Mukandgarh, Dundlod and Nawalgarh.

Day 04 - Mandawa - Bikaner drive, 200 kms
Morning drive to Bikaner and on arrival, check-in at the hotel. Afternoon city sightseeing tour of Bikaner. BIKANER - stands on the northern tip of the desert triangle. Junagadh Fort built around 1587 to protect 37 palaces, temples and pavilions within, the fort is one of its kind. Today Junagadh houses a museum of valuable miniature paintings and other rare items that are several centuries old. Lalgarh Palace-the imposing red sandstone monument is a successful blend of oriental facade, designed by Sir Swinton Jacob for Maharaja Ganga Singh. The 14th century Jain temples of Bhandeshwar and Sandeshwar; and their gold leaf paintins are noteworthy.

Rajasthan Culture

Day 05 - Bikaner - Jaisalmer drive, 333 kms
Morning drive to Jaisalmer and on arrival, check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day free. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 06 - Jaisalmer
Morning sightseeing tour of Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer - much has been written about this city but nothing can prepare the visitor for the sheer magic and brilliance of this Desert City. Rawal Jaisal laid the foundation of the city in 1156 AD. The Jaisalmer Fort stands almost 100 metres over the city with its 99 bastions, several entrances, a group of Jain Temples from 12th to 15th century. The other places of interest include Tazia Tower with its five tiered splendour, each storey graced by a delicately carved balcony for its intricately latticed and conspicuous facades. Afternoon visit Sam Dunes and one hour camel ride. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 07 - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur drive, 287 kms
Morning drive to Jodhpur and on arrival, check-in at the hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Jodhpur. JODHPUR - The former capital of Marwar state was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha, Mehrangarh Fort spreading over 5 km on a perpendicular hill and looking down 125 metres, the fort appears rugged and impenetrable from the outside but houses some of the most intricately adorned palaces with exquisitely carved panels and latticed windows, Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal are some of the important areas to visit A collection of royal centaphs, built in while marble, lies very close to the fort. Built in 1899, the cenotaph also houses portraits of rulers of Jodhpur.

Day 08 - Jodhpur - Rohetgarh, 40 kms
Short drive to Rohetgarh and check in at the hotel. Afternoon jeep safari. A Bishnoi village-steeped in history : this 450 year old tribe has a distinctive way of life. They are environmentalists in the fundamental sense, preserving the wilds in scientific and local routines evolved over the centuries of living with nature by nature. In villages of other tribes, one can witness the opium ceremony – a ritual by which guests are traditionally welcomed. Gaily attired men and women carry on about their chores and one can catch a glimpse of their norms and customs. A drive through the starkly beautiful landscape could encounter the agile black buck, wild camel and flights of rare birds.

Camels Pushkar

Day 09 - Rohetgarh - Udaipur drive, 275 kms
Morning drive to Mount Abu visiting enroute Ranakpur Temples. RANAKPUR - The Jain community. like several others, had always enjoyed the patronage of the ruling family of Mewar and quite a few important positions were held by the Jains. In 15th century, Rana Kumbha of Mewar gave a large stretch of land in a quite and picturesque valley, deep in the Aravallis, to the Jains. This area came to be known as Ranakpur, Located 96 km from Udaipur, this is one of the five main holy places of the Jains. Although over 500 years old, these temples are well preserved almost in perfect condition. The central temple is the CHAUMUKHA temple, dedicated to Adinath, the first Jain tirthankar (saint). This temple is the most complex and extensive in design. It has 29 halls , 80 domes and 1444 pillars. What is interesting is that no two pillars are alike. On arrival, check-in at the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 10 - Udaipur
Morning sightseeing tour of Udaipur, One of the most beautiful cities in all of Rajasthan, better known as cities of Lake, founded by Maharana Udaipur, the places of interest include City Palace which has several carved balconies, arches and decorated pillars, Zenana Mahal, Fateh Prakash, Durbar Hall and Shambhu Niwas. Also visit Jagdish temple, Sahelion-ki-Bari (queen's resort for the friends). Afternoon at leisure.

Day 11 - Udaipur - Chittaurgarh - Kotah drive, 275 kms
Drive to Chittaurgarh for a visit Chittaurgarh, a place known for the heroism of Rajputs. Equally well known were the Maharani of Chittaur Padmini whose beauty led the Sultan of Delhi, Allauddin Khilji to attach the fort. A fierce battle was fought and the Maharani with her entire entourage committed sati. The Fort lies on a 180 metre high hill and is spread over 700 acres. The Vijay Stambha, or Tower of Victory was built in 1440 to mark victory of Rana Kumbha. Kirti Stambha is dedicated to Shri Adinath, the first Jain tirthankara. On arrival, check-in at the hotel.

Day 12 - Kotah - Bundi - Ranthambhore, 200 kms
Kotah, known as the industrial capital of Rajasthan, it has a few traces of its past still left. The fort overlooking the mighty Chambal river is the major tourist attraction. Built in mid 13th century, the legend has it that its foundation was laid on a slain body of a Bhil chieftain, the community originally inhabited at this place. The other attractions are Jag Culture Rajasthan

Mandir, Brij Vilas Palace and royal cenotaphs. Bundi, its Palace has a distinguished characteristics. It has most picturesque location, isolated and independent that it appears like a miniature. Built of locally queried stone, presents one of the finest examples of Rajput architecture. Intricately carved brackets, pillars and balconies and sculpted elephants are used frequently. Chitra Sala inside the palace provides a colourful glimpse of history – the walls and ceilings of this palace are completely covered with paintings. Other places of interest are Phool Sagar Palace, Sukh Mahal and Shikhar Burj. Bundi is also famous for its baolis or step wells. Unique to Rajasthan and Gujarat, the step wells served as water reservoir for the months of summer when there was a scarcity of water. One of the best preserved is Raniji-ki-Baoli with its exquisitely carved pillars and ornate archways. Arrive Ranthambhore and check-in at the hotel.

Day 13 - Ranthambhore
Morning and afternoon jeep safari to view wildlife.

Day 14 - Ranthambhore - Jaipur drive, 185 kms
Morning drive to Jaipur and on arrival, check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 15 - Jaipur
Morning excursion to Amber Fort, set in a picturesque location. Amer is a fascinating blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture. Built in the 16th centuary by Raja Mansingh in red sandstone and white marble, the palace complex has some very interesting apartments. Jai Mandir, Sheesh Mahal, Sukh Niwas, Ganesh Pol and Temple of Kali are some of the prominent areas of interest. Elephants are provided to ascend the fort to visit the complex. Afternoon city sightseeing tour Jaipur, this city was built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the notable astronomer 260 years ago. Visit the Maharaja’s City Palace, the home of the erstwhile royal family, the Observatory, Ram Niwas Gardens, Hawa Mahal or the Palace of winds built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh and drive past the old part of Jaipur city

Rambagh Palace Jaipur

Day 16 - Jaipur - Agra drive, 235 kms
Drive to Agra visiting enroute Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri, the birth story of this beautiful city is interesting. There, in a grotto in Sikri, lived a Muslim Saint , Sheikh Salim Chishti by name. Akbar hearing of his renown, asked of the blessings of a son, and when a son was born, not only was the child named Salim, the site for a mighty and ambitious project - a city - was chosen near the residence of the saint erected in k1569. The shortage of water lead to the desertion of this city. Visit the mosque of Salim Chishti, Panch Mahal and other Palaces. On arrival, check-in at the hotel for overnight.

Day 17 - Agra - Delhi drive, 204 kms
Morning sightseeing tour of Agra.
Agra, the home of the immortal Taj Mahal, the inimitable poem in white marble is the first expressin of love of an Emperor Shahjehan for his queen Mumtaz Mahal. This great monument was completed in 1653 AD. Agra Fort, the imposing structure on the banks of the river Yamuna is replete with priceless examples of craftsmanship in the Mughal period, including the beautiful pearl Mosque, it was designed and built by Emperor Akbar in 1565 AD. Tomb of Itimadd-ud-Daulah built between 1622 AD by Empress Nur Jehan, in memory of her father, Ghias-id-Din Beg., it is considered a precusor of the Taj Mahal.
Afternoon drive to Delhi airport for onward international flight

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