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The
State of Rajasthan is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful
Region of India. Rajasthan's many princely states, impressive
forts and magnificent palaces set in the Thar desert evoke uniquely
colorful images of medieval India. Rajasthan means land of Rajas
(or Kings) but also called Rajputana "the country of Rajputs"
The Aravali mountain range, one of the oldest mountain ranges
of the world, extending from north to south, divides the state
into two natural regions. Aravali range and the
Thar Desert
are the two most contrasting features of Rajasthan's geographical
make-up. Fairs and festivals of Rajasthan reflect the vigour
and life style of its people. Vibrant colors, music and festivities
make the golden sand come alive. Veiled, bejeweled women sing
and dance to devotional rhythms. Rajasthan has a fair for every
religious occasion, for every change of season and for every
harvest.
The Cultural tour of Rajasthan Tour will able us to know the less known places. During
this cultural tour of Rajasthan we visit places like Delhi, Agra,
Bhandarej, Ranthambore, Kota, Bundi, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Pushkar
and Jaipur.
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Day 01. Flight to
India (Delhi)
Around
Midnight arrival in
Delhi. The cosmopolitan City and capital Delhi
is the main gateway for travelers. You are met by an Indo Vacations
representative and transferred to your Hotel.
Day 02. Old - New Delhi
This morning is at leisure. Afternoon sightseeing in Old Delhi. We
take a Rickshaw Ride parallel to the
Red Fort through the old city and
famous Silk Road and Silver Bazaar. Sightseeing of Old Delhi includes
"Rajghat", the site where
Mahatma Gandhi was cremated and
Jama Masjid, the
great mosque of old Delhi. Today we also visit the famous "Humayun
Tomb" which is the first substantial example of Mughal
architecture
in India. Before we proceed to the Hotel we have a drive through New
Delhi where we see the
India Gate, Government Buildings and Embassies.
Day 03. Delhi - Agra (about
180 km)
In the morning we visit
"Qutub Minar" which is 71 meter high and consists of five stories.
In 1199 work began on this tower which was intended to be the most
glorious tower of victory in the world. This tower was damaged twice
and repaired in 1326 and 1368. After the sightseeing of Delhi we drive
to
Agra. Arrival in Agra in the evening.
Day 04. Agra
We start today our sightseeing by a visit to the
Agra Fort, built by
three of the greatest Mughal emperors. The construction of this massive
structure began in 1565 under Akbar's reign and continued till the
time of his grandson's reign, Shah Jahan who built the impressive imperial
quarters and mosque. After the visit of Agra Fort, we proceed to visit
the most beautiful monument of
India, the
Taj Mahal, an enduring monument
to love, with a continually fulfilling beauty. It was built by the
Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between 1631-52, as a tomb and memorial
to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal (Jewel of the Palace), who died at
the age of 39 giving birth to her 14th child. We spend enough time
at Taj Mahal to take this impressive memory home. After the visit
of Taj Mahal we have a look at the famous fine marble inlay work which
is still being done in Agra by the descendants of the families of
builders and artists of the Taj Mahal.
Day 05. Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur (about 260 KM)
Today we drive to the Pink City,
Jaipur.
Enroute we make a stop and visit
Fatehpur Sikri, which was once an imperial capital frozen in time,
constructed by Akbar the Great in the 16th century. This wonderful
city constructed by red sand stones was abandoned as abruptly as it
had been built. It has been generally stated that it was due to
failing in the water supply. In the evening arrival in Jaipur. This city owes its name,
foundations and careful planning to the great warrior and astronomer,
Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Jaipur is the capital of
Rajasthan and
famous for its handicrafts and precious and semiprecious stones.
Day 06. Jaipur
After breakfast we drive to the ancient capital of
Amber, laying 11 km. away from Jaipur. Amber was the ancient
capital of Kachhawaha dynasty for 6 centuries before it was moved to
newly created Jaipur. We will ascend to the Palace Fortress on the
back of an Elephant. Enroute to Amber we will visit the
Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), built in 1799 AD, it contains
953 small casements with each having its own balcony. The windows
enabled cool air to circulate and the ladies to watch processions
below without being seen. In the afternoon we visit the
City
Palace
that is still the formal residence of the royal family, built in a
blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. In the museum of the
City Palace we visit the private collection of the Jaipur
Maharajas. We continue to
Jantar Mantar,
a stone observatory, and the largest of Jai Singh's
five remarkable observatories. Its complex instruments reveal us the
secrets of medieval Indian astronomy. Later we have a walk through the colourful Bazaar of Jaipur and visit a factory to see the famous block
printing work being done since centuries in Jaipur. In the evening we
drive through the new city of Jaipur and visit
"Laxmi Narayan Mandir",
a Hindu temple made out of white marble. We might have an opportunity
here to observe a prayer ceremony. Today we have dinner with a
presentation of Indian music and dance.
Day 07. Jaipur - Ranthambore
(about 190 km)
Today after the
breakfast we leave for
Ranthambore.
After a break and refreshment at our hotel in Ranthambore we will
explore the world famous
Ranthambore
National park on a Jeep. Ranthambore National Park is surrounded
by the Vindhyas and the Aravali mountains and covers an area of 392
square km. The Tiger remains the biggest attraction of the Ranthambore National
Park.
Day 08. Ranthambore - Kota (about 135 km)
In the early
morning we again explore the park on jeeps. After the Jeep Safari
and perhaps with the memories of our encounter with tiger we leave
for
Kota. The town of Kota was once the part of the erstwhile Rajput
kingdom of Bundi. In Kota we will visit the city fort and palace,
this type of fort-palace complex is one of the largest to be found
in the state of Rajasthan.
Day 09. Kota - Bundi
(about
38 km) - Kota
Today we have
an excursion to the fort city of
Bundi. Bundi is most famous for its
baoris (step wells) as there are many impressive ones. On the top
of the hill is majestic
Taragarh Fort of Bundi, the interesting fort
is worth exploring for hours. The fort has many reservoirs, which
are annually emptied flooding the streets leading down to the city.
After
the whole day excursion we return to Kota in the evening.
Day
10.
Kota - Chittorgarh (about 140 km)
After an early
breakfast we drive to
Chittorgarh. The
Chittorgarh Fort is
the indomitable
pride of Chittorgarh. The fort is massive structure with many gateways
built in 7th century A.D. Perched on a height of 180m hill it sprawls
over 700 acres. This fortified settlement has been ravaged thrice and
each time the outcome was "Jauhar", where women and children immolated
themselves on a huge funeral pyre while men donned in saffron robes
of martyrdom rode out of the fort towards a certain death. Overnight
stay in Chittorgarh.
Day 11. Chittorgarh - Udaipur (about 120 km)
Today we drive
to
Udaipur. Udaipur is called the romantic city of Rajasthan. A city
built around shimmering, clear, blue water lakes which reflect the green
hills of the Aravali ranges. In the evening we enjoy a Boat
ride
on the
lake
Pichola. The famous
Lake Palace of Udaipur was the summer
residence of the former rulers. The James bond Film Octopussy was shot
here and made this palace more known in the west.
Day
12. Udaipur
Today we visit Udaipur, also known as the city of sunrise. We start our sightseeing
with the visit of Sahelion-Ki-Bari. This Garden of the Maids of Honour
is well laid out with extensive lawns and shady walks. After the visit
of Garden of Maids we visit a Museum of folk art. This museum has a
rich collection of Folk dresses, ornaments, puppets, masks, dolls,
folk musical instruments and paintings on display. After a break we
proceed to
City palace, the biggest Palace in India, where 4 generations
of Maharajas added their contribution, is so carefully planned and
integrated with the original buildings that it is difficult to believe
that it was not conceived as a whole. The museum of the palace includes
the beautiful peacock mosaic and miniature wall paintings of Indian
mythology. Today we have an opportunity to visit a traditional painting
school and see the famous miniature
paintings done.
Day 13: Udaipur - Jodhpur (about
290 km)
After breakfast we drive to
Jodhpur via Osian.
Osian is a great centre of
Hindu and Jain
religions. The oldest Temple here was constructed in 1178 AD. After
visiting the temple we proceed further for Jodhpur. The city was
once the capital of the princely state of Marwar (Land of death).
Jodhpur is the second largest city in Rajasthan. Jodhpur is also known
as the blue city as most of the houses of the old city are painted
blue. The old city is surrounded by a huge 10 km long wall which has
101 bastions and seven gates. In the afternoon
we will visit the
Mehrangarh Fort (majestic fort). Mehrangarh Fort is built on a
steep hill and is among the best in India with exquisitely latticed
windows in residential apartments within. We also visit the
Jaswant
Thada, a royal cenotaph built in white marble.
In the evening we have a walk through the Bazaars of Jodhpur.
Day 14. Jodhpur - Pushkar (about 300 km)
Today we leave Jodhpur and drive to
Pushkar. Pushkar being one of the
most religious places for Hindus has the atmosphere of an ancient
religious town. The only
temple of God Brahma is in Pushkar thus making
Pushkar an important pilgrimage city for Hindus. Pushkar has become
famous in the world due to its Pushkar Festival which takes place
in the month of November when the whole of Pushkar is transformed
into a spectacular fair ground where thousands of pilgrims come to
bath in the holy water of
Pushkar lake and the biggest cattle and
camel markets take place here where farmers, breeders and camel traders
buy and sell. (if this tour takes place during the time of Pushkar
Festival we spend 2 nights stay in Pushkar instead of one and therefore
the duration of this Tour will be extended for one more day making
it 17 days tour.)
Day 15. Pushkar - Delhi (about
400 km)
In the morning, after having our Breakfast we drive to Delhi. Arrival
in Delhi in the afternoon. The rest of the day at leisure. (Opportunity
for the last shopping or enjoy a massage in the Hotel)
Day 16. Flight to Home
Around Midnight flight to home destination.
Tour
Reservation
To get more
information or to book this tour please submit the
Query Form
or send us an
e-mail ! Your
booking will be activated only after we get a reconfirmation from
your side.
About Hotels:
We
provide you the accommodation as per your budget mentioned above in
the table of hotels category for any of the booked tour. Hotels
provided by us are from budget to luxury class hotels. Luxury hotels are
all five stars or of above standard. Deluxe would be a combination
of 3 and 4 star Hotels and standard would be a combination of 2 and
3 star or similar hotels. The criteria for selecting hotels by us
remains the best value of your money. We also provide you wherever
possible accommodation in heritage hotels. Heritage Hotels are old
Palaces, Forts and Grand mansions of Maharajas which have been later
renovated and converted into Hotels. Rooms are decorated all
individually. Rooms are comfortable, romantic and present the flair
of olden Maharaja days.
We always look forward for any changes in the itinerary as wished
by you for your individual trip.
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