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.
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
After breakfast drive to Jodhpur; 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 Jodhpur; Arrive 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 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.
After breakfast proceed drive to Jaipur; enroute
visiting Ajmer & Pushkar. 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 drive to 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.
Later continue to drive to Jaipur; 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, it” s 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 symbolising the nine divisions of the Universe through nine
rectangular sectors sub-dividing it. The architect who formalised 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 and was the old fort of
the Kachhwaha clan of Amber. It used to be the capital, till it 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 Agra enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri.
Fatehpur Sikri - the deserted red sandstone city was built by the Great Mughal
Emperor, Akbar, as his capital and palace in the late 16th century. It
was abandoned soon after it was built when the local wells went dry and it
remains today in much the same condition that it was over 300 years ago.
It is complete with palaces and mosques and used to be a town larger than
London when it was originally constructed. Now it is an extraordinary place to
wander around with its buildings in near perfect condition.
Later continue drive to Agra.
Arrive Agra and transfer to your hotel. Agra came into limelight during
the rule of Afghan King Sikandar Lodhi - who had made it the capital
of his empire. Later in 1526 A.D., the Mughal Emperor Babar took upon
himself the task for rendering Agra, a unique character and beauty of
its own. Agra - in terms of ambiance is still associated with its Mughal
period. The Mughals besides being great rulers were also great builders and
they preserved their best architectural wonders for Agra & its
neighbourhood. It has many wonderful monuments and the Taj Mahal, the greatest
of them all, is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture at its best.
Overnight at Hotel
After breakfast proceed for half day city tour of Agra. The Taj
Mahal (closed on Friday) - The Taj Mahal is everything that has been said
about it and more. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of
his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, in mid-17th century, the Taj Mahal is truly
one of the wonders of the world. Though the Taj appears to be amazingly perfect
from almost any angle, it is the close-up marble inlay work, which is really
astounding.
Later visit The Agra Fort, an outstanding example of Mughal
architecture. Agra Fort - the seat and the stronghold of the Mughal Empire
under successive generations. This was the seat of Mughal rule. Shahjahan added
the impressive quarters and the mosque while Aurangzeb added the outer
ramparts. Visit its Hall of Public Audience and its Royal Pavilions. Besides
the historical monuments, one can also explore Agra’s rich heritage of
handicrafts in its markets.
Later drive to Delhi; arrive Delhi and transfer to your hotel. India’s capital and a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi
is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds - the
ancient with the modern. Amidst the fast spiraling skyscrapers, the remnants of
a bygone time in the form of its many monuments stand as silent reminders to
the region’s ancient legacy. The first impressions for any visitor traveling in
from the airport are of a spacious, garden city, tree-lined with several
beautiful parks.
Overnight at Hotel
After breakfast proceed for tour of Old and New Delhi. Old
Delhi, the Mughal Capital of Shahjahanabad. Visit the Jama Masjid which
is the principal mosque of Old Delhi in India. Commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, builder of the Taj Mahal, and completed in the year 1656 AD, it is the largest and
best-known mosque in India. It lies at the origin of a very busy central street
of Old Delhi, the Chawri Bazar Road. The mosque of Friday was built from 1644 to
1658 during the reign of Shahjahan. The mosque is 80 m long and 27 m wide. The courtyard can accommodate 25,000
worshippers and occupies 408 square feet.
Later we proceed to visit Raj Ghat where Mahatma Gandhi – The Father of Nation, was cremated and
drive past the Red Fort [ from outside] - the palace for Shahjahan’s new capital,
Shahjahanabad, the seventh Muslim city in the Delhi site. Wander in the busy
streets of the mile long Chandni Chowk, popularly called “The Silver Street”. Enjoy
the ‘Cycle Rickshaw’ ride in Old Delhi (On direct payment).
In the afternoon proceed for tour of 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 lifestyles. The walled city is all tradition where one will be
able to glean a past lifestyle 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.
The tour to Imperial Delhi will start by visit
to the Qutab Minar, the tallest stone tower in India. The Qutab Minar was started in 1199 AD by
Qutab-ud-Din Aibak and completed by the sultan's successor and son-in-law,
Iltutmish. The building is 72.5 m high and has 379 steps from the bottom to the
top. The Minar is tapering with the diameter of the base is 14.3 m while at the
top floor it is 2.7 m. The Qutab Minar
is still the highest stone tower as well as one of the finest Islamic
structures ever raised in India.
Later visit Humayun’s Tomb, built by the widow of the second Mughal
Emperor, Humayun, it is an outstanding monument in the Indo-Persian style, a
precursor of the Taj Mahal.
Drive past the imposing India Gate, the Parliament building and the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the
President’s residence.
In time transfer to Delhi Airport / Railway
Station to board your flight / train for onward journey to your next
destination.
