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Rajasthan is where all the country smiles & metaphors appear to have come together to create a visual extravaganza. Majestic palaces and rugged forts, spectacular deserts,
wooded hills and tranquil lakes, bustling towns and quaint villages, amazing flora and of course, the colorful and vibrant people of Rajasthan form an intricate tapestry of mysticism, grandeur and rusticity.
LUXURIOUS RAJASTHAN ( 12 nights / 13 days) |
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Day 01 - ARRIVE DELHI
On arrival at Delhi 's International airport, you will be met by our representative and taken to your hotel for overnight stay.
Living testament to the glory of the Mughal days, patron of palaces and tombs and the capital of India , New Delhi is all of this and more. Situated about 160 kms south of the Himalayas and on the west bank of the Yamuna River, a tributary of the Ganges , Delhi has the distinction of being the historic hub of politics. Delhi is as modern or ancient as you want it to be. Today's Delhi is cosmopolitan, modern and fun-loving. With feasts for art and theatre lovers, concerts for the musically inclined and food that can make a gourmet cry with delight, Delhi is a place with something for everyone. People from all parts of the country inhabit Delhi . There are different cultural pockets with Punjabi's being the most dominant section here. The most common languages spoken here besides English are Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu.
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Day 02 - IN DELHI
Full day guided city tour of New Delhi and Old Delhi. Delhi - the capital of India , is a fascinating city with complexities and contradictions, beauty and dynamism, where the past co-exists with the present. Many dynasties ruled from here and the city is rich in the architecture of its monuments. Delhi is not only the present metropolis of India but also a Necropolis. Because of its location, being on the banks of the river Yamuna, many cities have risen and fallen over the last five millenniums.
In New Delhi visit the Qutab Minar , a Tower of Victory that was built in the 12th century by Qutbuddin Aibak. Within its spacious courtyard stands the Iron Pillar, which dates back to the 4th century AD and bears a Sanskrit inscription in the Gupta style. The Humayun's Tomb - the magnificent structure in red sandstone and white marble is one of the finest examples of the garden tomb, and a precursor to the Taj Mahal. Its proportionate spaces, double dome and refined elegance are characteristic of Mughal architecture. Also visit India Gate , the memorial of the First World War and the road that leads from there to President House , which is flanked by the houses of Parliament and the Government Secretariat buildings. In Old Delhi visit the historic Red Fort - Shah Jehan's elegant citadel in red sandstone, which was built as an octagon measuring 900m by 550m and surrounded by a 9-meter deep moat which was at its inception fed by the waters of the Yamuna river. Very near the Fort is the Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque), India 's largest mosque, also built by Shah Jahan. Take an interesting rickshaw ride through the famous bazaars of Chandni Chowk , which is adjacent to both the Fort and the Mosque. Also visit Raj Ghat - the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. |
Day 03 - DELHI / AGRA
Drive to Agra (204 km/ 3.5 hrs) late in the morning and arrive there in roughly three hours. Stop at SIKANDRA , Akbar's memorial at the entrance of the city. The monument built of red sandstone is quite a sight to behold. Sikandra was built in 1492 by Sikander Lodhi, a ruler of one of the last dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate. Akbar, in his time, ordered the construction of Sikandra again, this time as a site for his mausoleum, but he died before it could be completed. The work was completed by his son Jehangir in 1613. The tomb is a combination of Muslim and Hindu architectural styles. The building of red sandstone is four-storeys tall, approximately 31 metres in height. The first three storeys are of red sandstone, while the fourth is entirely of marble.
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Day 04 – IN AGRA
Today visit the Taj Mahal - the inimitable poem in white marble. Built over a period of 22 years, by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1630, for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains, it is one of the seven modern wonders of the World. Also visit the Agra Fort , built by three Mughal Emperors starting from Akbar the Great in 1565 AD, which is a masterpiece of design and construction. Within the fort are a number of exquisite buildings including the Moti Masjid, Jahangir's Palace, Khaas Mahal and the Sheesh Mahal, Diwane-i-Am, Diwane-i-Khas and Musamman Burj, where Emperor Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal Emperor, died a prisoner.
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Day 05 – AGRA / SIKRI / BHARATPUR BIRD SANCTUARY / JAIPUR
After early breakfast, drive 38kms.- 35 minutes to the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri .
This exquisite city built by Akbar the Great in 1569, in red sandstone; with its forts, palaces and mosques was abandoned 14 years after its creation due to political reasons. The Diwan-i-am - a vast courtyard in which the emperor gave daily public audience; Diwan-i-khas - a large quadrangle which contained all the major functions of the Palace, Pachisi court, the Emperors private living quarter, Jodha Bhai's Palace, Mariam's Palace, Birbal's Palace, Hawa Mahal and Panch Mahal are some of the important buildings of this residential complex.
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Day 06 IN JAIPUR
This morning you will drive 11kms in the outskirts of the city to visit AMBER FORT , the ancient capital of the State until 1728. Visit the Temple of Kali , the Hall of Victory or Jai Mahal and Jagmandir. You can have the unique experience of travelling on elephant back to and from the top of the hill on which the fort is situated. The Amber Fort, the capital of the erstwhile State of Jaipur until 1728 is perched on a hill. It has halls of Public and Private audience, a Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors) various marble palaces which are marvellous examples of ancient Rajput architecture. The Temple of Amba (Mother Goddess), the patron deity of the Royal family is at the entrance to the palace. Ride an elephant to ascend the hill on which the Fort is situated. During your tour of the pink city, visit the CITY PALACE - the former royal residence built in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal styles which houses a museum with a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes and armoury of the Mughals and Rajputs, including swords of different shapes and sizes with ornate handles. It has an art gallery with an excellent collection of miniature paintings, carpets, royal paraphernalia and rare astronomical works in Arabic, Persian, Latin and Sanskrit. Also visit the JANTAR MANTAR - an astrological and astronomical Observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh in the 18th century, which is remarkable for its accuracy even at the present times. Lastly stop at PALACE-OF-WINDS for taking pictures and spend time in crowded lanes & by lanes of the pink city, haggling and souvenir- hunting. Return to your hotel for overnight stay. |
Day 07 TO JODHPUR
Today fly to Jodhpur . The forts and palaces in the city are the major source of attraction in the city. Exploring the forts gives you a feel of the times when the Rajput might was at its peak. The gates and the walls of the forts speak of the battles they have witnessed. One needs to spend enough time with these historical monuments to fully grasp the grandeur of the Rajput era. Situated at an altitude of about 125 metres, THE MEHRANGARH FORT is spread over an area of 5 sq. km in the heart of the city. The fort has seven gates of which the noted ones are the Jayapol, built by Maharaja Man Singh in 1806; Fatehpol or the Victory Gate built by Maharaja Ajit Singh; and the Lohapol or the Iron Gate .. |
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DAY 08 TO UDAIPUR and to DELWARA
Fly this morning to another beautiful city in RAJASTHAN called UDAIPUR . It is the city of lakes, also known as "the Venice of the East" and the second most visited city in Rajasthan, after Jaipur. A royal past makes itself evident in every nook and corner in Udaipur . Whether it is the ornate doors that are entrances to people's homes or the palaces, gardens and monuments, Udaipur gives one a glimpse of what the place would have looked like in its time of glory. Founded by Maharana Udai Singh in 1568, and considered the jewel of Mewar, Udaipur 's air is filled with a strong sense of romance, adventure and the best of Rajputana. On arrival you will be transferred to DEVIGARH PALACE in DELWARA for a 4- night stay. |
DAY 09 IN DELWARA
Full day is at leisure to relax by the poolside or to enjoy the spa in the resort. |
Day 10 IN DELWARA
After breakfast visit the famous temples of EKLINGJI & NAGDA on the way to Udaipur city.
Eklingji is a small town famous for its temples. The Eklingji Temple is dedicated to Shiva, who is regarded to be the guardian deity of the Mewar. The deity was regarded as the virtual ruler by the Maharajas of Mewar who considered themselves to be the regents (dewans) under Eklingji. Nagda has three ruined Jain temples— Adbhutji Temple and the Vaishnavite Sas-Bahu Temples —all dating back to the 11th century. Nagda is situated in the vicinity of Eklingi and can be reached by bicycles.
Continue your drive to Udaipur . |
DAY 11 IN DELWARA
This morning we'll drive through valleys in the remote and peaceful Aravalli Range to RANAKPUR to visit one of the most important Jain temples in India . This marble complex is noted for the 29 halls supported by 1,444 pillars, each adorned with hundreds of carved figures, no two alike. Though little known, Kumbhalgarh has one of the finest examples of defensive fortifications in entire Rajasthan. There is a palace and several temples that are worth visiting. In addition, a stroll along the walls of the fort gives great panoramic views. KUMBHALGARH is a must visit for anyone looking forward to experience the best of Rajasthani fort architecture. |
Day 12 TO MUMBAI
Drive 22 kms to Udaipur airport today to take a short flight to Mumbai. Mumbai is the fast paced commercial, financial, industrial and celluloid capital of India . Lured by its glamour and the prospects of 'streets paved with gold', a large number of people from different parts of the country come to settle in this city every year. And Mumbai continues to grow, to absorb and most importantly to prosper. Just when you begin to wonder how you're ever going to cope with Mumbai, you arrive at Worli and see Haji Ali Mosque standing proudly on a raised walkway in the middle of the sea giving you the feeling that the Gods are there if everything else fails. If you arrive at night, there will be a backdrop of twinkling lights from the skyscrapers that are so much a feature of Mumbai's skyline.
Day 13 DEPARTURE
You will be transferred today to the International airport for your onward flight. End of our services. |
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