Duration: 07
Nights / 08 Days
(Delhi - Jodhpur - Manwar - Jodhpur - Jaipur - Agra - Delhi )
Day 01 : Delhi : Arrival at Delhi
You will be met on arrival at the International airport. Transfer to your hotel.
Relax.
DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis
with a fascinating blend of the past and the present. Delhi is a perfect introduction
to the composite culture of an ancient land and a window to the kaleidoscope
- that is India. Cvernight will be at Delhi.
Day 02 : Delhi
After breakfast proceed for a day sightseeing tour of the city.Start with the
sightseeing of Old Delhi. The tour will begin with a visit to Raj Ghat, a simple
memorial to Mahatma Gandhi; drive past the Red Fort continuing to the Jama Masjid
by bicycle rickshaws, one of Asia's largest mosques. The magnificent Red Fort,
overlooking the river Jamuna was built during the years 1638 - 48 when the Moghul
Empire was at its peak. The tour continues to Jama Masjid, one of Asia's largest
mosques and which is viewed from the outside. People stream in and out of the
mosque continuously and the presence of a nearby bazaar means that the area
is rarely quiet. Enjoy the rickshaw ride at Old Delhi. After visiting Old Delhi,
you will be driven to New Delhi, which reflects the legacy the British left
behind. The division between New and Old Delhi is the division between the capitals
of the British and the Mughals respectively. The division in the walled city
and New Delhi also marks the division in the life-styles. The walled city is
all tradition where one will be able to glean a past life-style in all its facets,
colours and spells. New Delhi in contrast, is a city trying to live up to the
best of 21st century standards. Imperial Delhi will include the Qutub Minar,
the tallest stone tower in India. The tour also includes a drive past the imposing
India Gate, the Parliament building and the Rastrapathi Bhawan, the President's
residence. Overnight will be at Delhi.
Day 03 : Delhi - Jodhpur
Breakfast will be at the hotel. Take flight to Jodhpur. Set at the edge of the
THAR Desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes with tales of antiquity in
the emptiness of the desert. Once the capital of the Marwar state, it was founded
in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha-chief of the RATHORE clan of Rajputs who claimed to
be descendants of Rama - the epic hero of the RAMAYANA. The massive 15th century
AD Mehrangarh Fort looms on the top of a rocky hill, soaring 125 Mts. Above
the plains. The city is encompassed by a high wall -10 km long with 8 gates
and innumerable bastions. Check in at hotel. Start sightseeing tour of Jodhpur
- gateway to the desert beyond, home of the Rathors of Marwar, visit the Mehrangarh
Fort, rising up a hilly scarp, built on the advice of a hermit, overlooking
the city in the image of a long sentinel. Inside the Fort are a number of palaces
added by successive rulers. In this palace you would see different miniature
paintings & cradle room. After this you would visit Jaswant Thada Memorial.
Overnight will be at Jodhpur.
Day 04 : Jodhpur - Manwar(By Road 130 km/3 hr )
Breakfast will be at hotel. Drive to Manwar - the camel camp. In the late afternoon
/ early evening take a short camel trek and dinner will be at the dunes. Overnight
will be in the camp.
Day 05 : Manwar - Jodhpur (By Road 130 km/3 hr)
Jodhpur - Jaipur
Breakfast will be at the camp. Enjoy a jeep ride in the desert through the villages.
Start for Jodhpur after lunch and reach by early evening. Take flight to Jaipur.
Jaipur is the capital of the state of Rajasthan a romantic realm of resplendent
palaces, mighty fortresses and regal Maharajahs that lies in the western deserts
and is an utterly unique part of India. Proudly belonging to the KSHATRIYA warrior
caste and fiercely independent, the Rajput princes made fearsome foes. However,
many of them realized that to maintain their wealth and authority locally, it
was expedient to proclaim allegiance to the central power. Thus, many enjoyed
a privileged position under the Mughal emperors and also the British Raj that
followed. The bustling Rajasthan capital of Jaipur takes its name from its venerated
founder Jai Singh II, who was given the title Sawai Maharaja by the Mughal.
Literally translated this would mean 'one and a quarter', suggesting that the
Mughal thought this emperor to be more valuable than just 'one'. Jaipur is known
as the 'Pink City' on account of the distinctive colour of its buildings. This
did not, however, form part of the original plan, but dates back to 1856, when
the city was given a wash of pink in honor of a State Visit from Prince Albert.
Overnight will be in Jaipur.
Day 06 : Jaipur
Proceed for morning excursion will be taken to the Amber Fort. Ride to the Fort
on elephant back in a royal manner.
AMBER FORT PALACE : Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace.
Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent
Jai Singh I. Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful
fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate expression. Afternoon sightseeing
tour of Jaipur visiting...
CITY PALACE : A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani
architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled
city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace
Museum.
JANTAR MANTAR : This is the largest and the best preserved of the five
observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country. This
observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still in use.
HAWA MAHAL : The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds"
is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. It is a five-storey structure of sandstone
plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The
palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal
was a royal grandstand for the palace women. This evening, visit the Birla Temple
to learn more about the fascinating religious life of Jaipur. The marble structure,
built as recently as 1985, houses ornate statues including one of Lakshmi (goddess
of Wealth and Beauty) and Narayan dressed in gaudy robes, representing a Hindu
vision of heavenly luxury. Carvings in the temple and on pillars supporting
the covered walkways include images of the Hindu pantheon, as well as Jesus,
the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Francis of Assisi. Your visit will coincide with
the AARTI Ceremony, which involves oil lamps being lit and waved, in order to
awake and invoke the deity. Enjoy the experience and spend night at Jaipur.
Day 07 : Jaipur - Agra (By Road 221 km/6 hr )
Drive to Agra visiting Fatehpur Sikri en-route after breakfast. The deserted,
red Sandstone City, Emperor Akbar built that as his capital and palace in the
late 16th century is an exhilarating experience. It a veritable fairytale city
and its "ruins" are in pristine condition ... it's not hard to imagine
what the court life must have been like in the days of its grandeur. Also visit
the Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world. Continue your drive to
Agra and on arrival check-in at Hotel.
AGRA : Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the
little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire
- giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}. Today a visitor
to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices, of red sandstone and
white marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm
that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains. It is not surprising,
that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously. Overnight
will be at Agra.
Day 08 : Agra - Delhi (By Road 201 km/46 hr )
Proceed for sightseeing of Agra after breakfast.
TAJ MAHAL : Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which
is always the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by
Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz
Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and planned
by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design balance and perfect
symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately
carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen.
AGRA FORT : Built by the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort
is predominantly of red sandstone. Ensconced within is the picture perfect Pearl
Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction. It lies on the bend of the river
Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. Akbar built it as his citadel over
the years 1563-73 in the finest architectural style. It has imposing gates and
walls of red sandstone and a moat. After Agra Fort we will visit BABY TAJ -
The interiors of which are considered better than the Taj. Drive to Delhi after
lunch and reach by evening. Reach Delhi and take connecting flight home with
sweet memories of India.
TOUR ENDS
Golden Triangle with Camel / Jeep Safari Travel Reservation Form