RAJASTHAN DESERT (17 Days, 16 Nights)

Destination: Delhi, Mandawa, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Luni, Ranakpur, Narlai, Kumbhalgarh, Udaipur, Pushkar, Jaipur, Agra, India

"DAY 01: DELHI

Arrival in Delhi and transfer to the Hotel for overnight stay.

Standing on the west bank of the Yamuna river at the narrowest point between the Aravali hills and the Himalaya, Delhi, for over 2,000 years, has commanded the strategically vital route from the Northwest frontier to the agriculturally rich Ganga plains. Former Sultans have left their lasting mark in the Qutub Minar complex, while Old Delhi, Emperor Shah Jahan?? 17th century capital, retains a flavor of its atmospheric past. Several great Munhall buildings remain; Humayun?? Tomb, the Red Fort and the Jama Masjid are among the most spectacular remnants of a great Muslim dynasty. In the triumphant late colonial architecture of British-built New Delhi, India?? capital buildings testify to the city?? renewed strategic importance.

DAY 02: DELHI

After breakfast you will proceed for a sightseeing of both Old and New Delhi. In Old Delhi, the capital of Moslem India, you will visit the Red Fort (Closed on Mondays), and Jumma Masji, India?? largest mosque built by Emperor Shah Jahan of Taj Mahal fame. Also, you will visit the Raj Ghat, the site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated.

We will proceed through New Delhi, driving past the majestic government buildings and India Gate, which was built, to commemorate the 70,000 Indian soldiers who died in the WWI. The wide boulevards were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in the 1920s. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 03: DELHI / MANDAWA

In the morning, we will drive to Mandawa. Upon arrival in Mandawa, check in at your hotel.

Mandawa lies in the heart of the Shekhawati Region (a painted arched gateway) and is famous for the Shekhawati art. We will visit the Havelis in Mandawa which are wonderful example of beautiful Shekhawati paintings. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 04: MANDAWA / BIKANER

After breakfast, we will depart for Bikaner, founded by Rao Bika in 1488. On the way, we will visit more Havelis in Fatehpur. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel.

Bikaner is an oasis town among scrub and sand dunes. In the afternoon visit the Junagarh Fort. A Mughal army general, Raja Rai Singh, built Junagarh fort in 1593. The massive fort has a 986m-long wall with 37 bastions, a moat and two entrances. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 05: BIKANER / JAISALMER

After breakfast, we will drive to Jaisalmer. A full day drive westwards to Jaisalmer, in the midst of the Thar desert. The drive goes through a dry vegetation with villages and colorfully dressed people. Plenty of camels and camel carts, sheep and goats pass you by. Upon arrival in Jaisalmer, check-in at your hotel and free afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 06: JAISALMER

After breakfast, we will visit the Havelis that have beautiful carved facades, jali screens and windows overhanging the streets below. Other sites will include Salim Singh Haveli (17 century), which is especially attractive with peacock brackets. Nathumal Haveli (1885) was built for the Prime Minister. Patwon Haveli (1805) was built for five brothers and have fine murals and carved pillars.

Also, we will visit Jaisalmer Fort. The golden hued fort is a sentinel to the bleak desert escape from its 80 m high perch on the hill, housing the entire township within its ramparts. It has three beautifully sculptured Jain Temples dating from the 12th-15th century A.D. and five interconnected palaces. Later, we will enjoy a Camel Ride in SAM with Sunset. Overnight at your hotel.

DAY 07: JAISALMER/ JODHPUR / LUNI

After breakfast, we will drive to Luni visiting Jodhpur enroute. Visit Mehrangarh Fort situated on a 125m-sandstone hill built by Rao Jodha in 1459. Later, we will visit Jaswant Thada, an imposing marble cenotaph built in 1899 for Maharajah Jaswant Singh II. In the evening, we will drive to Luni for overnight stay.

DAY 08: LUNI / RANAKPUR

In the morning, we will drive to Ranakpur, one of the five holy places of the Jain community. These temples were built in the 15th century AD during the reign of Rana Kumbha and are enclosed within a wall. The basement is about 48, 000 sq. feet area and covers the whole complex. The central Chaumukha Temple is dedicated to the venerated Tirthankara Adinath. With its 29 halls and 1,444 distinctly different carved pillars, this is an astounding monument. Overnight at your hotel.

DAY 09: RANAKPUR / NARLAI

In the morning, we will drive to Narlai. Free time (you may want to visit the local bazaar of the village, an exciting and colorful market place). Overnight in Narlai.

DAY 10: NARLAI/ KUMBHALGARH

After breakfast, we will drive to Kumbhalgarh, a massive hilltop surrounded by walls and comprising a maze of temples and palaces. Overnight stay.

DAY 11: KUMBHALGARH / UDAIPUR

After breakfast, we will drive to Udaipur, the city of lakes. Overnight stay.

DAY 12: UDAIPUR

After breakfast, we will visit the City Palace built on the bank of the Pichola Lake, by Maharana Udai Singh in 1570. The Jagdish Temple ??(1651) is a fine example of the Nagara style of temple architecture. Sahelion-ki Bari, an ornamental lovely garden specially built for the ladies of the palace in the 18th century, has beautiful fountains, trees and flowers. We will also visit the Jagdish Temple ??(1651) a fine example of the Nagara style of temple architecture. Later on, we will enjoy a boat ride on the Pichola Lake (subject to water level and other conditions). Return to your hotel for overnight stay.

DAY 13: UDAIPUR / PUSHKAR

In the morning, we will drive towards Pushkar, known for its Brahma Temple. Check-in and overnight stay.

DAY 14: PUSHKAR / JAIPUR

In the morning, we will visit the Brahma temple believed to be one of the few temples dedicated to lord Brahma in the country. The temple houses a four-headed idol of Lord Brahma. The floor of the temple is made of black and white tiles on which coins are engraved. Also, we will visit the beautiful Pushkar Lake. Later on, we will drive to Jaipur. Check in and overnight stay.

DAY 15: JAIPUR

After breakfast, our half-day excursion trip takes us to Amber Fort (Elephant ride). En route, make sure to take photographs of the Palace of Winds (Hawa Mahal). In the afternoon, we will visit the ??ink City??of Jaipur featuring the City Palace, and the Royal Observatory. Overnight at your hotel.

DAY 16: JAIPUR / AGRA

After breakfast, we will drive to Agra and stop on the way at Fatehpur Sikri, a beautiful deserted medieval city built by Akbar the Great in the 16th century to serve as capital of his vast empire. The Mughals later abandoned this city for lack of water. Upon arrival in Agra, check-in at your hotel. Later on, we will visit the world famous Monument, Taj Mahal (closed on Friday), built by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaj Mahal. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 17: AGRA / DELHI

After breakfast, we will visit Agra Fort (Fort and Palace) situated on the West Bank of the Jamuna river. Later, we will drive to Delhi International Airport for your return flight.
"

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