Forts & Palaces of Rajasthan

Meet and assist by our representative upon your arrival at the airport. Then drive to your hotel with your driver and car.

After breakfast proceed for a guided city tour of this imperial British capital of the 20th century. Visit the Qutub Minar - the tallest free standing minaret in stone in the world; then onto Humayun's tomb - the first Mughal construction in India from 1565 AD. Also see the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the India Gate built in the earlier half of the 20th century. Drive through the old city past the Red Fort and visit the Jama Masjid - the biggest of its kind in India.

Finally, reach Rajghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, where your chauffeur is waiting for you to take you to your next stop the Birla Mandir, a Hindu temple in activity.

After breakfast leave Delhi for Mandawa en-route visiting Mahensar. Upon arrival in Mandawa check into your hotel and relax. Later 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 towards Bikaner en route stop at Fatehpur to see the splendid havelis of the local merchants of Shekhawati. Reach Bikaner by lunch time.

See the Junagarh Fort, a royal museum that encompasses history of Bikaner from its days of construction that dates back to the 16^th century. Later visit the camel breeding farm, a unique experience. In the evening walk along the busy market area of Bikaner city centre before proceeding towards Gajner – the erstwhile hunting grounds and leisure palace of the kings of Bikaner.

Overnight will be in Bikaner / Gajner.

After breakfast leave Gajner and reach Osyan and see the temple complex of Shakti (the Mother Goddess) and the Jain temples in the vicinity. Also see the temple of Harihar (Shiva and Vishnu together). Proceed towards the desert kingdom of Pokaran where the 3^rd Mughal emperor, Akbar the Great, was born in 1543 inside the fort. The bazaar in the middle of this village is very colorful and full of local flavors. After lunch continue towards Jaisalmer and arrive by early evening to witness the sunset over the desert with the most imposing edifice of the town behind you.

Overnight will be in Jaisalmer.

Morning an exclusive visit of the Jain temples inside the Sonar Kila.. The Jains are a community that respects life and are pure vegetarians by religion. Visit the citadel’s palace that houses a museum with a huge collection of robes and artifacts from the royal family of Jaisalmer. 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, 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 the sunset return to the hotel and relax.

Overnight will be in Jaisalmer.

Today we reach Jodhpur the blue city by early afternoon and go to Mandore gardens the then capital of Marwar to view some of the fabulous cenotaphs and the hall of local heroes of the wars.

Later drive up to the majestic Mehrangarh fort, the stronghold of the Rathore princes from 1453AD. We see the superb collection of paintings and arms and ammunitions. The view of the city from the rampart walls is breath taking.

Later an hour’s drive brings us to the world of animals – Luni, the palace amidst the more rustic life of Rajasthan.
Here you would be visiting the Bishnoi villages. Bishnois are a tribe that respects life in every form – animal’s trees and even dead branches. They are vegetarians and even in the villages they protect the animal life and don’t let anybody practice hunting in the vicinity of their villages. They live in a joint family system where the oldest member is generally the head of the family.
Then we would like you to witness the opium ceremony with the Patels – a rich tribe. It is a ceremony prevalent in this part of Rajasthan where the youth offers opium to drink mixed with water to the elders of the family when they come back from work in the fields.

Overnight will be in Rohet / Jodhpur.

After breakfast we drive through the arid Rajasthan to reach Ranakpur another big pilgrimage centre for the Jains. Admire the workmanship from the 16^th century. The temples are built out of marble and the main shrine of Adinath with 1444 columns is awe inspiring and none of these are similar. Also see the sun temple and the other temples in the campus. Proceed towards Kumbhalgarh and visit the Badal Mahal and the other palaces with ornate architecture.

Later take your road to Udaipur and on the way stop by the fields to see the local way of farming and irrigation. Walk into the villages to mingle with the locals around to know more about their lifestyle. Reach Udaipur by late evening and check into your hotel.

Overnight will be in Udaipur.

Visit the City Palace the richest palace museum in the entire Rajasthan. See the peacock square. Later see the temples of Nagda and Eklingji.

The temple at Eklingji is a temple that belongs to the Maharana of Mewar (royal family) and he is often there to pray. The temple complexe of Nagda is a group of temples of which only two remain intact and those are that of Saas and Bahu. Two temples of Shiva and of Vishnu both are from the 7^th century.

After breakfast drive towards Chittaurgarh. On arrival explore Chittaurgarh Palace and Fort. Continue drive to Bassi Village and check into the hotel Bassi Fort. In the evening walk around Bassi Village and meet local villagers.

Overnight will be in Bassi.

After breakfast drive towards Nimaj for camping at Lake Chhatrasagar. Lake Chhatrasagar is regarded as one of the best places to enjoy camping in the world. Have a great time during midnight bonfires and soak in the rustic charm of the place.

Overnight will be in Nimaj.

After breakfast drive towards Pushkar and explore the holy city of Pushkar. Visit the famous Brahma temple situated on the bank of sacred Pushkar Lake that is only one of its kinds in India. After paying your obeisance at the temple, head out to the Nag Pahar, also known as the Snake Mountain. Continue drive to Jaipur. On arrival in Jaipur, check into your hotel and relax.

Overnight will be in Jaipur.

Visit the Amber Fort - the ancient capital of the State. Visit the Sheesh Mahal or the Hall of Victory glittering with mirrors. Ascend the Fort on Elephant back. Visit Maharaja's City Palace and the Observatory while sightseeing.

Continue drive to Samode. On arrival in Samode check into your hotel and relax. Later explore the village and meet the local villagers.

Overnight will be in Samode.

Full day is to explore the local village and admire the beautiful Samode Palace.

Drive to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri is 40 kms from Agra and built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. See the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal and other Palaces. Evening time is free to explore the local market for shopping.

Overnight will be in Agra.

Taj Mahal is awaiting your arrival today morning. A must see with the rising sun as the Taj Mahal is bathed in the golden rays of the morning sun. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial that houses the tomb of his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design, balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen anywhere in the world. Then see the Agra Fort built by Akbar where Shahjahan was imprisoned by his own son Aurangzeb.

Post lunch visit Itmad ud Daulah - it is the first Mughal building built out completely of marble. In many contexts it is referred to being the predecessor of the Taj Mahal. Then visit Sikandara the tomb of the great emperor Akbar.

Later return to your hotel and relax.

Overnight will be in Agra.

Leave for Delhi in the morning. Upon arrival, you would be transferred to the hotel. Spend the rest of the day in some last minute shopping.

Overnight will be in Delhi.

Transfer to International airport to board your flight back home with sweet memories of India and its Royal Castles.....