Rajasthan Desert Tour

Distant India Journeys representatives will receive you on arrival at the international airport in Delhi. 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. It is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land.  A window to the kaleidoscope - that is India.

Overnight will be at Delhi.

Start a half day sightseeing of Delhi.

A sightseeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting the Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India and the drive past to Red Fort - once the most opulent fort and palace of the Mughal Empire.

A sightseeing tour of New Delhi would include a visit to the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House, the President’s Residence, and a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.

Later drive to Jaipur. On arrival in Jaipur, check into your hotel and relax.

Overnight will be in Jaipur.

Proceed for a morning excursion to Amber Fort after breakfast. Elephant ride ascent to the fort.

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.

Continue sightseeing.

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. In the evening visit a textile block printing factory and the gems cutting and polishing centre.

Overnight will be at Jaipur.

After breakfast drive to Jodhpur. On arrival in Jodhpur, check into your hotel and relax Jodhpur has a history of romance and velour. With its imposing Mehrangarh Fort, visible from all parts of the city, to its broad streets, its signature blue and white houses, Jodhpur encompasses a by-gone era. Built between 1929 and 1942 at the behest of Maharaja Umaid Singh during a long famine, this palace is partly museum, partly royal residence, and in parts a Heritage Hotel.

Overnight will be in Jodhpur.

After breakfast, proceed for a guided sightseeing tour of Jodhpur.

Jodhpur, Settled in 1459 by Rao Jodha, has a history of war, romance and valour. Mehrangarh Fort that can be seen from all parts of the city, to its broad streets, its signature blue white houses, Jodhpur still encompasses a bye-gone era.

Visit the impressive Mehrangarh Fort set, regally set on a sandstone hill built by Rao Jodha in 1459.

From the top of the fort you have a bird’s eye view of the old city to the Jaswant Thada, an imposing marble cenotaph built in 1899 for Maharajah Jaswant Singh II, and smaller memorials to other Maharajahs of Jodhpur.

At the end of the tour enjoy a short walk through the local and vibrant bazaar of Jodhpur.

Continue drive to Jaisalmer. On arrival in Jaisalmer, check into your hotel and relax.

Overnight will be in Jaisalmer.

After breakfast, get ready to explore Jaisalmer.

Proceed for a visit to Jaisalmer Fort known as SONAR QUILA- rising from the sand, the mega structure that merges with the golden hues of the desert ambience and the setting suns in its most colourful shades gives it a wonderful look. It’s simply a magic, the bastions envelops a whole townships that consist of palace complex, various security sources, and the havelis of rich merchants carved with an incredibly light touch.

Several temples and the residential complexes of the armies and traders are placed strategically on the trade route, from where the ancient caravans passed en-route passing all the riches for the prosperity.

Later visit the Patwaon ki haveli with intricately designed latticed windows used by the ladies to view the external world.

Also see the Gadisar Lake. Later afternoon, we go to Sam or Khuri village. Here we have loads of excitement in store for you.

Upon arrival in the village you will be taken to the nearby sunset point on the dunes to see the sunset by camel carts. After sunset return to your hotel and relax.

Overnight will be at Hotel / Tents in Desert sand dunes.

After breakfast we set towards our journey across the Thar Desert to reach Pokaran for lunch. Visit the 15^th century fortress where the 3^rd Mughal emperor, Akbar the Great, was born in 1543. The bazaar in the middle of this village is very colorful and full of local flavors.

After lunch continue towards Bikaner. On arrival in Bikaner & visit the camel breeding farm, a unique experience. Return to your hotel and relax.

Overnight will be in Bikaner.

After breakfast, see the Junagadh Fort, a royal museum that encompasses history of Bikaner from its days of construction that dates back to the 16^th century.

Continue journeys to Mandawa and see this beautiful village of Shekhawati that used to be an important caravanserai of the yesteryears. See the many havelis of this quaint little town built by the rich and the famous merchants of the 18^th and 19^th centuries. These havelis have been painted with activities of daily life and of deities to break the monotony of the desert life.

Overnight will be in Mandawa.

After breakfast drive back to Delhi and visit Neemrana enroute. (150km from Delhi)

Tour the Neemrana Fort and Palace that is a magnificent representation of Rajasthani folk art and architectural splendor.

Continue drive to Delhi airport to board your flight back home...