cas_2

CASTLES, COUNTRY HOMES & PALACES – 14 DAYS

Delhi -Mandawa -Bikaner -Jaisalmer -Jodhpur -Udaipur -Jaipur -Agra -Delhi

RAJASTHAN IS THE LAND OF RAJPUT WARRIOR PRINCES of yore, many of whom are inextricably entrenched in the romance and folklores narrating tales of honour, chivalry and romance of Rajput princes. Its royal legacy manifests in great palaces and resplendent forts, painted havelis (mansions) and pleasure gardens, and burnished marble temples. Tours to Rajasthan offers a mesmerizing mélange of travel experience which includes but is not limited to the forts, palaces, desert castles and vibrant culture. It’s diversified landscape of desert, lush plains and wooded Aravalli hills, since time immemorial has inspired poets, painters and writers.

Upon arrival you will be met, greeted with a traditional welcome and transferred to your hotel. One of the oldest cities in the world, Delhi has an excellent old town ambience in Old Delhi, and modern in New Delhi. Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast - Morning tour of New Delhi visiting the Qutub Minar, a gigantic 72-meter tower and Humayun’s Tomb, the mausoleum of second Mughal Emperor Humayun. Drive past the Diplomatic Area, Government buildings, Rashtrapati Bhawan (residence of the President of India), Parliament and India Gate. Visit the Gurudwara, Sikh Temple, an architectural beauty. Afternoon tour of Old Delhi, driving past the Red Fort, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Enjoy a Rickshaw (pedi-cab) ride in Chandni Chowk, one of the oldest and largest enclosed bazaars in India. Continue on your tour visiting the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque of India and Rajghat, the place where Mahatma Gandhi, "Father of the Nation," was cremated. Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast. Morning travel by road to Mandawa in the Shekhawati region, a semi arid dreamscape of dazzling fields and open-air art galleries. The primary attraction is its remarkable art collection -- unusual for the unique painting styles and for the fact that the exhibition space consists of the exterior and interior walls of literally hundreds of havelis, temples, cenotaphs, wells, and forts in the region. Transfer to Hotel. Afternoon visit the Shekawati town’s of Mandawa, Nawalgarh and Mukundgarh. Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast. Morning travel by road to Bikaner visiting en route the Fatehpur, Shekhawati's oldest town. Continue on your drive to Bikaner, more readily called the camel country as the city is distinguished for the best riding camels in the world. Transfer to the Hotel. Afternoon tour of the Junagarh Fort, Parchina museum and the Camel Breeding Farm. Short drive to Deshnook to see the temple dedicated to Karni Mata, also popularly known as the ‘Rat Temple’. Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast. Morning travel by road to Jaisalmer visiting en route the village of Kheechan, home to the famous bird “Demoiselle Cranes”. Continue on your drive to Jaisalmer, founded by Rao Jaisal in 1156 making it the oldest "living" fortified city in Rajasthan. Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast. Morning tour of the Jaisalmer Fort, said to be the largest in the world and its temples. Also visit the Salim Singh Haveli, Nathmalji-Ki-Haveli and Patwon-Ki-Haveli, mansions of wealthy merchants. Visit the Gadsisar Lake, built in the 14th century, which was once the main source of drinking water for the entire town of Jaisalmer. Afternoon visit Bada Bagh to see the royal cenotaphs and take a camel ride on the sand dunes near Khuri, visiting a few villages and enjoy a sunset on the dunes. Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast. Morning travel by road to Jodhpur. Located almost on the edge of the Thar Desert, Jodhpur is also known as the ‘Blue City’ since most houses in the old part of the city are painted blue. Transfer to the Hotel. Afternoon tour of Meherangarh Fort, crowning a perpendicular cliff, it was founded by Rao Jodha in 1459 AD, around which the city grew. Also visit, Jaswant Thada, the imposing white marble memorial, built in the memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh ll in 1899. Visit the Umaid Bhawan Palace and its museum to see a private collection of artefacts of the royal family of Jodhpur. Explore the downtown clock tower to see the vegetable, fruit and spice markets. Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast. Morning travel by road to Udaipur visiting en route the Jain Temple at Ranakpur. Transfer to the Hotel. Often called ‘Venice of the East’ and the ‘city of lakes’, Udaipur is also the centre for performing arts, crafts and its famed miniature paintings. Evening enjoy Rajasthani folk dances at Baghore-ki-Haveli. Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast. Morning tour of the City Palace which was built in a fusion of the Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles. Also, visit Fateh Prakash Palace to view the Durbar Hall's royal portrait gallery, with its massive chandeliers and Venetian mirrors, and see the Crystal Gallery, which has a huge collection of rare cut-crystal furniture and ornaments. Later, visit the Jagdish Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, drive past the Fateh Sagar Lake and visit Sahelion-ki-Bari or the ‘garden of the maidens’. Sunset cruise on Lake Pichola and visit the Jagmandir Palace. Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast. Morning travel by road to Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan, also known as the “Pink City”. Transfer to Hotel. Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast. Morning tour of Amber Fort and enjoy an elephant ride. Drive past the beautifully restored Jal Mahal, a former royal pleasure pavilion. Afternoon tour of the City Palace, it’s museum and Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds–a prominent landmark in Jaipur. Also visit, Jantar Mantar or the astronomical observatory, largest of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II. Explore the exotic ‘bazaars’ of Jaipur to discover the artistic wealth of the region. Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast. Morning travel by road to Agra visiting en route Fatehpur Sikri, a world Heritage Site. Fatehpur Sikri was the first planned city of the Mughals and was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar during 1564 AD. Continue on your drive to Agra, famous as being home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World-the Taj Mahal. Transfer to Hotel. Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast. Morning tour of the Taj Mahal, India’s most fascinating and beautiful monument. Also, visit the Agra Fort, an imposing fort on the banks of the river Yamuna, built by Mughal Emperor Akbar. Afternoon visit the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah and later, enjoy the another view of the Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh. Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast. Travel by road to Delhi and transfer to the airport for your flight back home.

Shopping Basket