Taj Mahal with Gems of Rajasthan

Meet our representative upon arrival in Delhi and check-in at the hotel. India’s capital & a major gateway to the country, Delhi is contemporary and a bustling metropolis which successfully combines in its fold the ancient & the modern. Its strategic location was one of the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. New Delhi also reflects the legacy the British left behind. Overnight in Delhi.

After breakfast, proceed for a full-day tour of Old and New Delhi. This fascinating city has been in existence since the 6th century BC and has seen ups and downs from the rule of the Pandavas right up to the British Raj. Visit Jama Masjid, which is the largest mosque in India, commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan. The courtyard of the mosque can hold about 25,000 worshippers. Enjoy a rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk, the busiest market in Old Delhi…noisy, chaotic and uniquely Indian. You will then drive past from the Red Fort, which was constructed during the rule of Emperor Shah Jahan and served as the residence for the Mughal royal family. It continues to be significant till date, as every Independence Day, the Prime Minister makes a speech from its ramparts as the Indian flag is hoisted. Later, drive past President House and several other government buildings in Edwin Lutyen’s Delhi before you head toward Rajghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. This simple memorial marks the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in 1948. Thereafter, visit Humayun’s Tomb, commissioned by Humayun’s wife Hamida Banu Begum in 1562. It was the first garden tomb built in the Indian sub-continent where the Persian architect used red sandstone on a large scale. Later in the evening visit the Qutab Minar, which is the tallest brick minaret in the world; it was commissioned by Qutbuddin Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi. Overnight in Delhi.

This morning after breakfast proceed to Mandawa. Arrive Mandawa and check in to your hotel. Later, enjoy a half day sightseeing tour of Mandawa. The entire Shekhawati region is well known for its painted havelis (mansions with frescoes). Mandawa, in particular, is central to this beautiful form of art. Some of the notable haveli’s are the Hanuman Prasad Goenka Haveli, Murmuria Haveli, Goenka Double Haveli, Jhunjhunwala Haveli, and Mohan Lal Saraf Haveli. Not surprisingly, the entire town is referred to as an Open Art Gallery. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Mandawa.

After breakfast, drive to Jaipur and en route visit Fatehpur Sikri, which was built by Emperor Akbar and is home to many historical buildings. Akbar wanted to make Fatehpur Sikri his headquarters; however, he had to abandon it due to the shortage of water. The Tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti enshrines the burial place of the Sufi saint who lived a religious life here. Today, Fatehpur Sikri is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Further, drive to Jaipur and check into your Hotel. Jaipur is the gateway to the magnificent and vibrant state of Rajasthan. The evening takes a stroll in the markets of Jaipur for traditional dresses and shoes, curio shops,
blue pottery, etc. Overnight in Jaipur.

Proceed for full-day sightseeing trip of Jaipur, also known as the ‘Pink City’. The city of Jaipur is capital to the state of Rajasthan, famous for its colorful culture, forts, palaces, and lakes. Jaipur owes its name to the founder of the city, warrior king Sawai Jai Singh II. Visit the Amber Fort. The best way to explore the fort is to ride up to it on Elephant back. Prominent structures inside the fort are the Diwan-i-Aam, adorned with latticed galleries, the Ganesh Pol, with a beautiful painted image of Lord Ganesh, and the stunning Sheesh Mahal, a hall decorated with thousands of tiny mirrors. Later, stop to photograph the beautiful Hawa Mahal, also known as the “Palace of the Winds.” This beautiful façade with its ornately carved latticework windows was designed so the ladies of the palace could look out onto the streets unobserved. Later you will visit the City Palace… again, a synthesis of Rajasthani and Mughal styles. The museums here showcase rare and ancient manuscripts, arms dating back to the 15th century, and costumes of erstwhile royalty. Later, visit the Jantar Mantar Observatory, comprising geometric devices for measuring time, and tracking stars in their orbits. Overnight in Jaipur.

After breakfast proceeds to Jodhpur. Arrive Jodhpur and check-in to your hotel. Proceed for half-day sightseeing trip of Jodhpur, which is the second largest city in Rajasthan and also called the ‘Sun City’. Visit the Mehrangarh Fort. This spectacular fort made from red sandstone stands on a perpendicular cliff above the skyline of Jodhpur. The foundations of this fort were laid in 1459; today it houses a museum with a fine collection of arms, costumes, paintings and even a collection of palanquins. Also visit Jaswant Thada, a marble cenotaph built to commemorate Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. The monument, in its entirety, is built out of intricately carved sheets of marble. These stones are extremely thin and polished so that they emit a warm glow when the sun’s rays dance across their surface. Later, drive past the Mandore garden, which showcases cenotaphs of Jodhpur’s former rulers; instead of the usual umbrella-shaped cenotaphs, these are built along the lines of a Hindu temple. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Jodhpur.

This morning after breakfast proceed to Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer, which lies in the heart of the Thar Desert…a city, steeped in color and rich tradition; it was once a major center on the trading route between India and the west. Arrive Jaisalmer and check in to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Jaisalmer.

This morning after breakfast proceed for a half day tour of Jaisalmer. Visit Jaisalmer Fort, which is the only living fort of India and houses the entire township within its ramparts. Visit Salim Singh ki Haveli, built around 300 years ago, and Patwon-ki-Haveli which is the largest and most elaborate mansion of its kind in Jaisalmer, followed by a visit to Nathmal Ji Ki Haveli, a grand mansion that blends Rajput and Islamic architecture. Later, drive past the beautiful Gadisar Lake and Badal Vilas, the present residence of the erstwhile royal family. Later, visit Sam Sand Dunes, around 42 km from Jaisalmer, is the closest place from where you can lose yourself in ‘The Great Thar Desert’. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Jaisalmer.

This morning after breakfast drive back to Jodhpur. Check-in to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Jodhpur.

After breakfast, proceed to Udaipur. Enroute, visit the Ranakpur Temples, acclaimed worldwide for their intricate and superb architectural style. These temples form one of the five major pilgrimages of the Jain’s. Arrive Udaipur and check in to your hotel and relax. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Udaipur.

After breakfast, proceed for a full-day tour of Udaipur. Visit the City Palace, standing on the east bank of Lake Pichola. The complex is a massive series of palaces built at different times from 1559. The balconies of the palace provide panoramic views of the Lake Palace Hotel and Jag Mandir on one side, and the city of Udaipur on the other. The paintings, mosaics, intricately carved ‘chhatris’ and the architecturally brilliant facade all contribute to making your visit to the City Palace a truly memorable experience. Thereafter, visit a picturesque garden, Sahelion ki Bari. You will visit also visit Jagdish Temple, which is raised on a tall terrace and was completed in 1651. It attaches a double-storey Mandapa (hall) to a double-storey saandhara (with a covered ambulatory) sanctum. In the evening, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Pichola (depending upon the water level of lake), which is an artificial fresh water lake, created in the year 1362 AD. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Udaipur.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Udaipur airport for return flight back home. End of Services.