Classic Rajasthan
Rather than returning back to Delhi, Classic Rajasthan tour can be combined with an extension to Mumbai, Goa or Kerala.
Day – 1 Delhi / Agra
Meals Included: Breakfast.
After breakfast this morning you will proceed on the 4 hour drive to Agra. On reaching Agra you will check-in at your hotel. Agra is globally renowned as the city of the Taj Mahal. But this royal Mughal City has, in addition to the legendary Taj, many other monuments that epitomize the high point of Mughal architecture.
After lunch you’ll tour the Agra Fort, built and added to between the 16th and 17th Centuries by successive rulers of the Mughal Dynasty. The Fort ramparts were raised by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar, Emperor Jehangir built rose-red palaces, courts and gardens and Shahajahan embellished it with marble mosques, palaces and pavilions of gem-inlaid white marble. Later this afternoon you’ll visit the Tomb of Itmad ud Daulah, built by Nur-Jehan, the empress of Mughal Emperor Jehangir. End the day at Mehtab Bagh to enjoy sunset views of the Taj Mahal. Return to Hotel. Free for Dinner. Overnight.
Day – 2 Agra / Fatehpur Sikri / Jaipur
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch.
At dawn you’ll visit the Taj Mahal the most extravagant monument, ever built for love. This wonder in white marble was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in memory of his wife Mumtaz in the year 1631. It took 22 years and 20000 craftsmen and laborers from India and Central to complete the construction of this historic tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, the chosen one of Emperor Shah Jehan.
Return to hotel and breakfast. You’ll then transfer to Fatehpur Sikri. Visit the 16th century capital of the Mughal rulers abandoned due to water scarcity in the area. You’ll then continue to Bharatpur and have Lunch at the LAXMI VILAS PALACE and then commence your drive to Jaipur. On reaching you’ll check-into your hotel. Overnight in Jaipur.
Day – 3 Jaipur
Meals Included: Breakfast.
Jaipur, popularly known as the Pink City of Rajasthan, is the capital of this state. The kingdom of Jaipur was originally known as Amber, which was also the name of it’s ancient capital, situated 7 miles away.
Amber Fort is superbly located and protected by wild Aravali Hills on all sides. Originally built in the 11th Century, it was extended by Raja Mansingh 1 in the late 16th Century. Its history can be traced backed to the 12th century.
In 1720’s Sawai Jai Singh II, began to build the new city of Jaipur. The city turned out to be an astonishing well-planned one based on the ancient Hindu treatise on architecture, the Shilpa Shastra. The sprawling City Palace was an integral part of Raja Sawai Jai Singh II’s new city of Jaipur. Today it’s a museum that displays some of the finest collection of paintings, costumes, carpets and armory of that period.
Nearby is the ornate Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). It is a delightfully idiosyncratic five-tier composition of arches and balconies. The Jaipur astronomical observatory built by Raja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1827 is an amazing monument.
Jaipur is known for its arts and crafts, jewelry, enamel work, hand-printed fabrics and stone sculptures. Wandering through the bazaars of old Jaipur is an experience in itself. They are colorful, noisy and happily chaotic and you can buy anything here.
This morning you’ll visit the Amber Palace with a short ride on caparisoned elephants upto the Fort. You’ll be free for lunch. The afternoon will be dedicated to the visit of the City Palace Museum and the Astronomical Observatory. You’ll be free for Dinner. Overnight in Jaipur.
Day – 4 Jaipur / Pushkar / Jodhpur
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch.
After breakfast you’ll be transferred to the Jaipur Railway Station for a short train ride upto Ajmer. From here you’ll drive to Pushkar a picturesque little temple town and one of the holiest centers of Hinduism. It is the site of an astonishingly colorful camel fair, held every year in during the full moon in November.
Tour the Lake Side and the Brahma temple the most important of all temples at Pushkar and the one of the few temples dedicated to Lord Brahma, considered the creator of this Universe by the Hindus. After lunch at Pushkar, you’ll commence your drive to Jodhpur. On arrival you’ll check-into your hotel. Overnight in Jodhpur.
Day – 5 Jodhpur
Meals: Breakfast
There are many great fortresses all over Rajasthan, but very few can compare with Mehrangarh Fort. Perched on a rocky cliff, it has a commanding view of the surrounding landscape. This Palace complex was first built in the 15th Century and later added to, over the centuries by successive generations of Maharajas. It is one of the most impressive palace complexes in Rajasthan. The museum within the Fort is one of the finest museums in Rajasthan and the best laid out. This morning you’ll proceed on a sightseeing tour of the Mehrangarh Fort.
You’ll be free for lunch.
This afternoon you can browse in the crowded little bazaar shops near the clock tower for Jodhpur’s well known glass bangles, ornamental swords, rugged leather slippers and printed fabrics.
Free for Dinner. Overnight in Jodhpur.
Day – 6 Jodhpur / Ranakpur / Udaipur
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
After breakfast you’ll commence your drive towards Udaipur. You’ll stop at Ranakpur for a visit to the fabulous temples in marble.
Jainism is the religion of the Jinas or Conquerors and was found in the 6th century BC in eastern India. The people of the Jain religion built many beautiful temples, using their position and wealth. The Ranakpur temple dedicated to Adinatha the first prophet of the Jain religion, is a hymn in Marble. What makes it truly remarkable is the intricate carvings that makes for the grand architectural element of these temples.
After sightseeing of the temple you’ll stop for lunch at FATEH BAGH a Heritage hotel located at 15 minutes drive from the temple.
Continue on your drive to Udaipur. On reaching Udaipur you’ll check-Into your hotel.
After some time for rest you’ll transfer to the City Palace to witness a Sound and Light Show.
Free for Dinner. Overnight in Udaipur.
Day – 7 Udaipur
Meals Included: Breakfast.
There’s no place in India, which appeals more to the imagination of poets and painters, travelers and writers, than Udaipur, the lovely lake side capital of Mewar. It’s the most picturesque cities in India, set as it is on three beautiful Lakes and surrounded by hills. The city’s inherent romance and beauty, and its remarkable past, bristling with episodes of heroism and splendor, continue to enthrall the visitor.
Visit the City Palace, a blend of stern Rajput military architecture on the outside and lavish Mughal-inspired decorative art on the inside. The Palace museum contains a wonderful collection of old Rajput weaponry. One of the more unusual moments in the colorful history of Udaipur was when it was used as a location for shooting the James Bond film, Octopussy.
This afternoon will be at leisure to wander in the colorful Bapu Bazaar.
Towards sunset you’ll proceed on a boat ride on Lake Pichola.
Overnight in Udaipur.
Day – 8 Udaipur / Delhi or Mumbai
Meals Included: Breakfast.
Breakfast at Hotel. You’ll be transferred to the Airport for assistance in check-in on the flight to your next destination.
