Today arrive at Jaipur and transfer to your hotel. The capital of
Rajasthan Jaipur, popularly known as the “Pink City” as the Pink sandstone was
used to construct the buildings in the old walled city. Jaipur owes its name;
its foundation and it’s planning to the Great warrior Astronomer Maharaja Jai Singh II (1699–1744 AD). Jaipur (City of
Victory) was founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1727. It is the only
city in the world symbolizing the nine divisions of the Universe through nine
rectangular sectors sub-dividing it. The architect who formalized the city’s
plans on the Shilpa Shastra, the epic Hindu treatise on architecture, mixed it
with the sublimity of the Mughal and Jain influences of those times. The city
was painted pink in 1853 in honour of the visit by Prince Albert. Except for
the busy traffic of bicycles, cars, and buses, little seems to have changed.
Overnight at Hotel
After breakfast proceed for full day city tour of Jaipur –
visiting Amer Fort located at 11 kilometers from Jaipur, was the old fort of
the Kachhwaha clan of Amber. It used to be the capital, till the capital was
moved to Jaipur. The fort is built with white marble and red sandstone and
looks even more attractive because of the Maota Lake in the foreground. The
fort is a beautiful sight to behold but as one looks on the fort with its clear
reflection on the lake in the front; one cannot help but wonder if it is a
dream or a beautiful illusion. An elephant [Subject to
availability/alternatively by jeep] (On direct payment) will spare
you the trouble of climbing up to the fortress. Once on top, stroll through the
sprawling complex of courtyards and halls with a well informed and well-spoken
guide who would regale you with tales of yore.
Later visit the City of Jaipur. Among the highlights to be seen
while touring Jaipur include the City Palace, which is an overwhelming complex
of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards, decorative art and carved
doorways. The palace museum houses collections of rare manuscripts, armours,
costumes, carpets and miniature paintings. Walk to the adjacent Jantar Mantar
or Astronomical Observatory made by the Maharaja of Jaipur, built in 1726 and
is one of the five such astronomical wonders built by Sawai Jai Singh and makes
accurate predictions even to this day. Jaipur is a shopper’s paradise. Most of
the bazaars are in an old city with a wide range of things to buy, from
jewellery (precious and semi-precious stones and handcrafted silver) to
textiles to handicrafts and antiques. No doubt, for an avid shopper “Jaipur” is
the choicest of the city to shop and collect memorabilia.
Overnight at Hotel
After breakfast drive to Pushkar enroute visit Ajmer. Ajmer was
founded in the 11th century by Chauhan ruler Ajaipal and is
dominated by the Taragarh fort. It is a major centre for Muslim pilgrims during
the month of Ramzan, being home to the Dargah of Sufi saint Khwaja
Moin-ud-din Chishti. Seven pilgrimages to Ajmer are supposed to equal one to
Mecca.
Ajmer has some superb examples of early Muslim architecture and a
lively bazaar and is located conveniently close to Pushkar. Visit the Dargah
(tomb) of Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chishti and the Ana Sagar Lake.NOTE: IN AJMER –
VEHICLE WILL DROP THE GUEST PRIOR 02 KMS FROM DARGAH AND WILL PICK FROM SAME
PLACE, HENCE GUEST NEED TO TAKE AUTO ON DIRECT PAYMENT THERE
Later continue to drive to Pushkar and transfer to your hotel.
Pushkar; at its heart is one of India’s most sacred lakes. There are 52 ghats
around the lake, and numerous temples. The Brahma temple, especially, attracts
pilgrims all year around. Apart from its religious significance, Pushkar is
known for its Cattle and Camel fair held every year in the month of Kartik which
attracts visitors in thousands. You can also witness and participate in the
evening prayer meetings in the temples. Being a religious town, alcohol and
non-vegetarian food are taboo. Pushkar separated from Ajmer by Nag Pahar, the
snake mountain. This traveller-friendly town clings to the side of the small
Pushkar Lake with its many bathing ghats and temples. For Hindus, Pushkar is a
very important pilgrimage centre and you'll see plenty of Sadhus (individuals
on a spiritual search). Pushkar boasts of temples, the most famous being the
Brahma Temple, said to be one of the few temples in the world dedicated to this
deity.
Savitri
Temple: A temple dedicated to the first wife of Lord Brahma the Savitri temple
is located on the hill behind the Brahma Temple which can be reached by a
flight of steps. The temple offers a panoramic view of the lake and the
surrounding desertscape. Man Mahal: On the banks if pushkar is the magnificent
palace built by Raja Man Singh 1 of Amer now converted into the RTDC Hotel
sarovar it offers a comfortable accommodation to the visitors.
The Brahma
Temple: It is the only temple in India dedicated to Lord braham. The temple is
marked by a red spire and over the entrance gateway us a beautiful statue
carrier of Lord Brahma.
Shopping:
An array of stalls all along the main bazar are renowed for embroidered fabrics
and shoes colourful beads and bangles, brass utensils, belts studded with
brass, cloth covers for cammels with mirror work colourful saddles and leather
goods beautiful wall hanging and shoulder bags.
Overnight at Hotel
After breakfast drive to Jaisalmer; Arrive Jaisalmer and transfer
to your hotel. Jaisalmer - a fairy-tale town in the Thar Desert founded about
800 years ago by Rawal Jaisal. Unlike any other city, this desert fortress is
one of Rajasthan's most exotic and unusual towns. Jaisalmer, an important
ancient trading centre because of its strategic location on the camel trade
routes, is often described as the 'golden city'. The havelis, built by
merchants of the 19th century, are exquisitely carved from golden-yellow
sandstone and are still in a beautiful condition. The fort built by Rawal
Jaisal in the 12th century, stands on the 80-meter-high Trikuta hill, with
beautifully carved Jain temples. The annual desert festival takes place in
January and February each year and is a riot of colour and activity. Jaisalmer
is also famous for its embroidery, Rajasthani mirror work, rugs, and blankets,
antiques, silver jewellery, and stonework. Do not miss a camel safari (on
direct payment) here.
Overnight at Hotel
After breakfast leave for the city tour of Jaisalmer. Visit the
Gadsisar Lake a water conservation tank made around 1400 A.D. by the then
maharaja of Jaisalmer, Maharawal Gadsi Singh. This structure just outside the
city walls once acted as a reservoir that controlled the entire supply of water
to the arid city. There are lot of temples and shrines surrounding the lake.
Visit the famous Havelis (mansions) known for their frescoes.
Jaisalmer's strategic position on the camel terrain route brought it great
wealth. The merchants grew prosperous and commissioned great havelis, or
mansions, to flaunt their ever-growing status in society. Made of local
golden-yellow sandstone and wood, some of the havelis are still in excellent
condition. The most elaborate and magnificent of all the Jaisalmer havelis is
the Patwaon Ki Haveli. Five Jain brothers built the Haveli between 1800 and
1860. Salim Singh Ki Haveli and Nathmal Ki Haveli are the other two havelis
that are open to visitors.
Built in 1156 by the Bhatti ruler, Jaisal, THE FORT here stands
atop the 80 m high Trikuta hill. Three walls and 99 bastions surround the fort.
Over the centuries, the golden sandstone fortress witnessed many battles
between the Bhatti Rajput’s, the Mughals and the Rathore’s of Jodhpur. Within
the fort complex lie the beautifully carved Jain Temples built between the 12th
and 15th centuries. The Maharawals (rulers) of Jaisalmer were devout Hindus but
were tolerant of Jainism and encouraged art and religion. There are 7 temples
in the complex - Chandraprabhu, Parasnath, Shitalnath, Sambhavnath, Shantinath,
Kunthunath and Rikhabdev Temple. The temples are all connected by a series of
corridors and walkways. Close by is the Gyan Bhandar, a library founded in 1500
A.D. This houses priceless ancient manuscripts and other exhibits like
astrological charts, besides the Jain equivalent of the Christian Shroud of
Turin.
In the evening, proceed Sam Sand dunes. Located at 42 kilometers
from Jaisalmer, Sam Sand Dunes is the closest point to witness the total sandy
desert. You can also see the patterns and motifs created by the shifting sands
and air. Moreover, Sam Sand Dunes also provide you with an unforgettable
experience of camel rides (on direct payment) and a beautiful mesmerizing
sunset.
Overnight in hotel
After breakfast drive to Jodhpur; Arrive Jodhpur
– Arrive to the Blue City – Jodhpur and transfer to your hotel.
An oasis in the arid Thar Desert, Jodhpur is the
second largest city in the state of Rajasthan. Representing this colourful city
with shades of blue, Jodhpur has a history that is rich and a present that
beckons strongly to the discerning tourist. Forts and palaces, temples and
havelis, culture and tradition, spices and fabrics, colour and texture, Jodhpur
has them all and in plenty. Situated in Western Rajasthan, Jodhpur has long
attracted both the domestic and outside tourist. It not only offers tangibles,
in terms of what you can see and buy but also fills one with a sense of history
and the splendours of an era gone by. The hospitality of the locals, the demure
women, and the colourful turbans -all set against the beloved desert (Marwar)
is something to feel, not just see. Every pore of Jodhpur tells its own tales
of heroic deeds that made legends out of kings and soldiers, romances that
continue to warm the heart and a time when epics were lived out on the streets
by everyday man.
Later proceed for half day city tour of Jodhpur.
Visit the Meherangarh Fort, situated on a low sandstone hill. The palace
apartments like Sukh Mahal, Phool Mahal, and Sheesh Mahal etc are beautifully
decorated and house Jewellery, costumes, armoury, palanquins, howdahs and other
remnants of the past. See the Jaswant Thada, an imposing marble memorial to
Maharaja Jaswant Singh II built in 1899. Later the royal crematorium and three
other cenotaphs were also built here. Also visit Sardar Bazaar and Clock Tower
markets where you can see the vegetable, spice, Indian sweets, and textile and
silver markets. These colourful markets with tiny shops dot the narrow lanes
replete with woodcarvings, wrought iron, lacquer work, silver and ivory
ornamentation and leather handicrafts.
Overnight at Hotel
After breakfast drive to Udaipur enroute
visiting Ranakpur – It is the largest Jain temple complex in India and dates to
the 15th century. The main temple is dedicated to Adinath, the first
Tirthankar. Intricate carvings detail mythological figures, patterns and motifs
on the walls, pillars and domes. There are 1444 ornately carved marble pillars
in the complex and none of them are similar. The beautiful lace-like interiors
of the domes are a superb example of western Indian temple style. Surya temple and other Jain temples are side
attractions. (Temples open only at 1200 Hrs. Leather belts, footwear, bare legs
and black clothing not allowed).
Later drive to Udaipur; Arrive Udaipur and
transfer to your hotel. Set on the shores of Lake Pichola and surrounded by
hills, Udaipur grew in complete contrast to the harsh deserts of the rest of
Rajasthan. As capital of the old Mewar State it was the only Rajput stronghold
to uphold its Hindu allegiance in the face of Muslim invasion. This fairy –
tale city, with its marble palaces and lakes surrounded by a ring of hills, was
founded by Maharana Udai Singh in 1559. The city is dominated by massive City
Palace, which overlooks Lake Pichola with its romantic island palaces.
Picturesque havelis, ghats and temples line the lake front, with the lively
bazaars of the old walled city stretching behind them.
Overnight at Hotel
After breakfast proceed for half day city tour of Udaipur –
visiting the City Palace and Museum. The largest palace complex in India, it is
a blend of Mughal and Rajput influences. Also, see the 17th century Jagdish
temple, drive around the Fatehsagar Lake, and visit the Sahelion ki Bari (the
Garden for the Maids of Honour), an ornamental pleasure garden with fountains
and marble kiosks. Later visit the Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandir or the Folk-Art
Museum.
Later in the evening take a boat ride (On direct payment)
on the 4 km long and 3 km wide Lake Pichola, which is fringed with hills,
palaces, havelis, ghats, embankments and temples and offers spectacular views
of the city. Visit the Jag Mandir Island with its exquisite Gul Mahal Pavilion.
Overnight at Hotel
In time transfer to Udaipur Airport / Railway Station to board
your flight / train for onward journey to your next destination.
