3 Weeks Rajasthan Tour with Varanasi
Destination Covered: Delhi – Nawalgarh – Bikaner – Jaisalmer – Jodhpur – Osiyan – Bishnoi – Ranakpur
Duration: 20 Nights / 21 Days
Day: 01 Arrival in Delhi
Three weeks India Tour starts with a hearty and warm welcome by our representative at the airport, you will be escorted to the hotel room booked for your accommodation in the capital city. You need to rest well to get rid of weariness and gear up the next day for an adventurous and illuminating tour. Though the tour is carefully scheduled, the first day of the tour can be fixed on the basis of your arrival time. A half day tour which includes the famous monuments of Delhi like Red Fort : The majestic Red Fort was Built by Shahjahan, the builder of Taj Mahal in Agra, the construction lasted from 1639 to 1648. Rajghat : The simple square platform of black marble marks the place where the father of the Nation, Mahatama Gandhi was cremated. Rashtrapati Bhawan - the one time imperial residence of the British viceroys, India Gate - a memorial raised in honour of the Indian soldiers martyred during the First World War. It will also involve a most enlightened updating of the local history.
Day: 02 Sightseeing in Delhi
Nothing like a good breakfast to ensure a great day! After breakfast at Hotel, the tour of Delhi will be flexible to your priorities ranging from shopping to sightseeing to going for cultural events and so on. Our tour guide also believes in the mantra of the importance of finding and sizing things for oneself. The distinct but intertwined Old Delhi and New Delhi fascinates the tourists with its pure contrasts. One would almost think that this dynamic city has too many. But no other city is as giving and hospitable as Delhi. It is impossible to choose from the Rashtrapati Bhavan and India Gate belonging to modern times and Qutub Minar belonging to classical age. The Humayun’s Tomb, Old Fort, Akshardham Temple, Birla Temple, Raj Ghat, museums and many others deserve equal mention. Morning after breakfast proceed on a tour of the capital city that includes – Humayun's Tomb : Built by Humayun's widow queen Haji Begum in the 16th century, it is supposed to be the prototype of the Taj Mahal. Qutub Minar : Qutub Minar is an excellent example of Afghan Architecture. The Minar is 72.5 mt high victory tower, the construction of which began in the final year of twelfth century by Qutubu'd Din Albak of the Slave Dynasty and was later completed by his successor. It has been given World Heritage Site status. Drive past Jama Masjid - the largest Mosque in India and stands across the road from the Red Fort built in1656 by Shahjahan where about 20,000 people can pray at a time. Bahai Temple: Situated atop the Kalkaji Hill. Its is also known as "The Lotus Temple" due to its distinctive lotus shaped design in Marble. It was built in 1987 by the followers of Bahai faith. The temple signifies the purity and equality of all religions. Gandhi Smiriti: Gandhi Smriti: The Memorial consists of: (a) Visual Aspects to perpetuate the memory of Mahatma Gandhi and the noble ideals he represented, (b) Educative Aspects to focus concentrated attention on certain values of life that made Gandhi a Mahatma, and (c) Service Aspects to introduce activities in order to subserve certain felt needs. Overnight at Hotel in Delhi
Day 03: Delhi – Nawalgarh (270 KM / 7 Hours)
In the morning after breakfast checkout and drive to Nawalgarh. In the heart of the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan lies the beautiful small town Nawalgarh, known throughout the state for its forts and havelis. Beautifully painted murals and paintings, arched doorways, pictures depicting mythological characters and fresco painted havelis recreate the quaint medieval ambience. The structures of this place remind one of the cultural and social hotspot this place used to be in the bygone era. This town gives a glimpse of traditional Rajasthani lifestyle. On arrival transfer to the hotel. After relax & leisure you will be visiting the beautiful village of Shekhawati, here, you will be awestruck at the architectural splendor of the numerous havelis built in 18th and 19th century by the rich merchants as their residence. After the visit, return to Hotel for overnight stay.
Day: 04 Mandawa - Bikaner
After breakfast at the hotel you will be driven from Mandawa to Bikaner (170 KMS / 4 Hours). Built by Rao Bika, Bikaner was the former capital of the princely state of Bikaner. On arrival, you will check in at your pre booked hotel. Get freshen up and proceed for a sightseeing tour of Bikaner. Start your excursion by visiting Junagarh Fort which is renowned as one of the most fascinating forts in Rajasthan. It was built by Raja Rai Singh. The architectural style of Junagarh Fort was given special attention as Raja Rai Singh was an extensive traveler and had a taste for art and architecture. Other attraction of the city is Laxmi Niwas palace the former residence palace of the king of the former Bikaner state, Maharajah Ganga Singh, Lalgarh Palace, Laxmi Nath Temple, Shiv Bari Temple etc. Later in the afternoon, you will visit the National Camel Breeding Farm to observe the intriguing sight of a herd of camels coming back after grazing, with the backdrop of spectacular desert sunset. Return to the hotel after your visit for overnight stay.
Day: 05 Bikaner – Jaisalmer
Post breakfast at the hotel, you will proceed towards your next destination Jaiselmer which is 330 km from Bikaner and will take approx 7 hours through surface to reach there. Renowned as the golden city, the exquisite town of Jaiselmer rests on a ridge of yellowish sandstone and is topped by a fort that contains the palace and several metaphorical Jain temples. Delicately sculptured houses and temples attract the due attention of the visitors. Located in the heart of Thar Desert, Jaiselmer is named after its founder Rao Jaisal a Rajput Ruler. On arrival check in at your pre booked hotel and spend rest of the day at leisure. Overnight will be at the hotel.
Day: 06 Jaisalmer
Morning breakfast will be followed by city’s sightseeing tour. Visit Jaisalmer Fort which was built by the Bhati Rajput ruler Jaisal in 1156. Located on the hilltop of Trikuta, it has witnessed many battles in the past. Its ocher lion colored massive sandstone walls appears magical honey-gold at the time of sun dusk. Then visit the famous havelis of the region which include Patwon-ki-Haveli, Salam Singh-ki-Haveli, Nathmalji-ki-Haveli and Haveli Shreenath. The famous museums of the region are Desert Culture Centre and Museum, Jaisalmer Folklore Museum and Government Museum. Also, enjoy a camel ride that will take you into the desert to relish the sundown on this golden desert city, imparting a radiant glow off the desert sand. Come back to the hotel for overnight stay.
Day: 07 Jaisalmer - Jodhpur
After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur (290 KMS / 5.30 Hours). Upon arrival, proceed for check-in at your pre booked hotel. Jodhpur is the second largest city of western Indian state Rajasthan. Due to its magnificent forts, palaces and temples, this city has made it to the list of hot tourist destinations in India. Later, get set for an exciting tour of the city. Due to its blue painted houses around the Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur is quite popular as the Blue City. Hundreds of tourists come all round the year to take an insight of the opulent history of this place. 9 km from Jodhpur, Mandore – an ancient town is located that boasts of certain important historical monuments. Mandore Gardens houses a 'Hall of Heroes' museum and a temple to 33 Crore Gods. Other popular tourist attraction is the Kaylana Lake which is an artificial lake built in 1872 by Pratap Singh. Also visit Balsamand Lake, Sardar Samand Lake and palace, Masooria Hill, Veer Durgadas Smarak, park, museum etc. Come back to the hotel for overnight.
Day: 08 Jodhpur – Ranakpur - Udaipur
After early morning breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven towards your next destination en route visiting the exquisite temples of Ranakpur. Set amidst Jodhpur and Udaipur, they are located in a valley on the western region of the Aravalli Range. It has gained recognition for its marble Jain Temple and age old Sun temple located opposite to the former one. The skilful architecture of these temples wins over the hearts of travelers. Continue your drive towards Udaipur - the city of lakes. It is a colorful city set against the deserted backdrop of affluent Indian state – Rajasthan. On your arrival, check in at your pre booked hotel. Relax and get freshen up for the afternoon sightseeing tour of the city. Known for its Majestic Rajput-era Palaces, this city is blessed with glorious history, ethnicity and scenic locations. City Palace is a famous landmark located on the east bank of the Lake Pichola. It was built by the Maharana Udai Mirza Singh in the year 1559, after he moved from Chittor. Built in a flamboyant style, City Palace represents a fusion of the Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles. Being located on a hilltop, this palace offers spectacular views of the city and the neighboring areas. The array of gardens, courtyards and buildings leaves the visitors satisfied with their excursion. This is the same palace which was used as a hotel in the 1985 James Bond film Octopussy. Later, visit Lake Palace which was built in 1743-1746 as a summer resort on Jag Niwas Island in Lake Pichola. Come back to the hotel for overnight stay.
Day: 09 Udaipur
Morning breakfast will be followed by an excursion to remaining popular attractions of the city. Visit Monsoon palace that stands beautifully on a hilltop. The erstwhile summer resort for maharajas has a strategically constructed rain water collector to fulfill water requirement all round the year. Saheliyon Ki Bari constitutes picturesque gardens laid down for a group of forty-eight young women entourage who escorted a princess to Udaipur as her dowry. Visit Nagda and Eklingji which are quite popular nearby attractions of the city. 22 km from Udaipur, a complex of temples Eklingji is situated in the north part of the city. Its 108 temples which are chiseled out of marbles and sandstones were built in 734 A.D. Come back to the hotel for overnight
Day: 10 Udaipur – Pushkar
After breakfast at the hotel, your will be driven from Udaipur to Pushkar (285 Km/06 Hours). Pushkar town is a host for the colorful Pushkar Mela. Famous for its colorful annual fair during kartik poornima (full moon) in November each year, this town is also included in the five sacred pilgrimage sites for religious Hindus. Located on the banks of Pushkar Lake, It is one of the oldest towns alive today. At the time of Pushkar Mela, this otherwise serene and calm village is thrown into colorful mystification when the desert tribes and camel caravans meet to buy and sell cattle, goat, camels, sheep, jewelry, clothes, and spices beside the holy lake Pushkar. When the equally colorful tribes perform their rituals in waters of the lake, to the accompaniment of temple and folk music, the whole aura of the place is worth being a part of. Watch women go crazy at the stalls full of bracelets, jewelry, textiles and fabrics. An exciting camel race gives the festival an enthusiastic start full of pomp and show followed by 10 hectic yet lively days full of music, songs and exhibitions. On the night of the full moon everybody goes for a sacred dip in the holy lake for cleansing of their soul. Later in the afternoon, you will visit the Pushkar Lake Ghats and the Bramha Temple, which is one of its sorts left In India today. Overnight stay will be at the hotel.
Day: 11 Pushkar- Jaipur
After a leisurely breakfast, you will proceed from Pushkar to Jaipur (150 Km / 03 Hours). Capital of the western state Rajasthan, Jaipur was the first planned city of the country. There is a timeless quality to Jaipur's bazaars and its people. With its historical past, Jaipur revives legends of the ancient Rajputs. The dresses of the women and the turbans of the men add color to this fascinating city. On arrival you will check in at your pre booked hotel. Rest for a while and get freshen up for the afternoon sightseeing tour of the city. Visit the ancient capital of Amber to see the fabulous Amber Fort. Maharaja Man Singh, Mughal Emperor Akbar’s most successful General, started the construction of Amber Fort in the 17th century. Before the City Palace was constructed in Jaipur, Amber was the seat of power. The fort is surrounded by fortified battlements and overlooks the Maotha Lake. Ruins and remains are spread over the Aravalli hills and sprawling crenulated walls lattice the surrounding area. En-route to Amber you will stop and see the `Palace of Winds’, otherwise known as Hawa Mahal. It is really an elaborate facade behind which the ladies of the court used to watch the daily goings on in the street below. It is extremely intricate in its pink sandstone carving. The cool wind blows through its facade of windows and latticed screens through which the queens of the court once viewed the streets of the city. Overnight will be at the hotel.
Day: 12 Sightseeing in Jaipur
After breakfast at the hotel you will proceed for sightseeing tour of the city. Among the highlights to be seen today include visit to the City Palace, a famous landmark that is expanded over a large area as it occupies one seventh of the city. Built during the reign of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, the plan of this fort is the exact replica of the city’s plan. A part of the palace is still home to the erstwhile royal families while the rest of it has been converted into museum. The other attractions of this palace are: Chandra Mahal, Maharani's Palace, Mukut Mahal, Mubarak Mahal and Shri Govind Dev Temple. The exquisite architecture of this place is complimented by the elegant paintings, mirror embellishment on walls and floral ornamentation. The other attractions include The Textile and Costume Museum, Attraction of The Silver Urns, Diwan-i-Aam--The Hall of Public Audience and The Peacock Gate. The array of gardens, courtyards and buildings leaves the visitors satisfied with their excursion. Then visit Lake Palace which was built in 1743-1746 as summer resort on Jag Niwas Island in Lake Pichola. Walk to the adjacent Jantar Mantar or Astronomical Observatory made by the Maharaja of Jaipur, built in 1726 and is one of the five such astronomical wonders built by Sawai Jai Singh and makes accurate predictions even to this day. It has also been included in the world heritage lists. You will also have the opportunity to wander in the local markets where you can shop for souvenirs, traditional Rajasthani attires, skilful art craft of the region etc. Come back to the hotel for overnight stay
Day: 13 Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra
After breakfast at the hotel you will get on for a drive to Agra which is 265 km away from the pink city. On your way you will visit the UNESCO world heritage site – Fatehpur Sikri. This deserted red sandstone city was built by the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the late 16th century. He built this city in honor of Shaikh Salim Chisti, a Sufi saint who resided in a cave on crest at Sikri, and predicted the birth of his son. Besides being the first planned Mughal city, it puts forth a unique example of Mughal architecture which was an amalgamation of Indian, Islamic and Persian architecture. It is bestowed with palaces and mosques and used to be a town larger than London when it was originally constructed. Popular highlights of this region are Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chishti, Diwan-i-Am, Panch Mahal etc. Later proceed to Agra – the city of love. Agra in terms of ambiance is still associated with its Mughal period. The Mughals besides being great rulers were also great builders and they preserved their best architectural wonders for Agra and its neighborhood. It has many wonderful monuments and the Taj Mahal, the greatest of them all, is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture. On arrival check in at your pre booked hotel. Overnight will be at hotel.
Day: 14 Agra - Delhi - Onward Destination
After early morning breakfast, you will be taken to witness the exquisiteness of Taj Mahal at the time of sunrise. You will be overwhelmed to see the beauty that the rising sun will add to the white beauty of this one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Taj Mahal was built by grandson of Akbar -The Great, Shah Jahan (1628-1658) in the loving memory of his third wife Mumtaz Mahal. When Prince Khurram (Shah Jahan) met Arjumand Banu Begum (Mumtaz Mahal), he fell in love with her at the very first sight. Five years down the lane in 1612 he married this Muslim Persian princess and was deeply in love with her. They both shared every moment of their life together and were regarded as inseparable companions until the time when she died giving birth to their 14th child in the year 1631. Grief stricken by this loss, Shan Jahan decided to build world's most beautiful monument to pay tribute to his wife. In 1632 the construction of Taj Mahal began and till 1648 only the principal mausoleum was done as it took other five years to complete the surrounding gardens and buildings. However, the date of its completion has always been a topic for debate. 22,000 laborers and 1,000 elephants were involved in the making up of this architectural wonder that is built completely of white marble. Spend some time exploring the magnificent architecture of this pious monument. Sightseeing also includes visit to Agra Fort and Itmad-ud-Daulah Tomb. Later you will drive back to Delhi which is near about 204 km away from Agra. On arrival you will be directly transferred to international airport to board flight for your onward destination