RAJASTHAN ADVENTURE
DAY 01 DELHI Arrive Delhi
from your home country by midnight. Garland welcome, assistance and transfer
to hotel. O/n Hotel.
DAY
02 DELHI TO JAISALMER Morning after a late breakfast sightseeing of
Old Delhi. (Rooms retained only upto 12.00 hrs)
Perhaps there is no
other capital city in the world so steeped in history and legend as the
Indian capital, Delhi. It was the magnet that drew the Mongols, Turks,
Persians, Afghans, Mughals and Finally the British. All of whom contributed
to its glorious but turbulent history. The fascination with Delhi was such
that even though it was abandoned many times, its rulers returned to it
again and again rebuilding it at least seven times.
Afternoon
drive to Old Delhi Tour (half day) : Shah Jahan founded the city of
Shahjanabad, now referred to as Old Delhi, in 1648. The famous Red Fort in
the heart of Old Delhi was once the most opulent fort of the Mughal Empire
and it boasts the Diwan-I-Am, Hall of Private Audience. Opposite the fort is
the Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in the world, built by Shah
Jahan to dominate his city. Sightseeing to Red Fort, Jama Masjid Mosque &
Humayuns tomb. Evening transfer to railway station to board express train to
Jaisalmer at 17.25hrs. O/n Train.
DAY 03
JAISALMER Arrive Jaisalmer at 12.10hrs. Upon arrival, transfer to
hotel. Evening we drive to Khuri (about 01 hr), a small picturesque desert
village of decorated mud thatched buildings and shifting sand dunes. Ride a
camel on the dunes and gear yourself up for an unforgettable experience of
watching the sunset over the desert. Back to Jaisalmer. O/n Hotel.
DAY
04 JAISALMER Morning after breakfast sightseeing in Jaisalmer, a
medieval city of elaborately carved mansions (havelis) in yellow sandstone,
built by rich merchants at a time when the city was a key stopping place on
the caravan routes from the Middle East. Visit to Jaislamer Fort, often
referred as the golden fort because of the colour of the sandstone,
Jaisalmer's Fort seems to emerge from the desert sands. The fort is still
home to many of the town's people who live in tiny but beautifully decorated
houses or havelis. Jaisalmer has been described as an open-air museum, and
to enter its narrow cobbled lanes is to step into a bygone age. Rest of the
day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 05 JAISALMER TO
JODHPUR After an early breakfast drive to historic Jodhpur second
city of Rajasthan. Check into the hotel. Evening visit the Old City
surrounded by a huge 9 ½-km long wall which has 101 bastions and
seven gates. It comprises a labyrinthine maze of narrow streets. Some of the
houses and temples are of richly carved stone, in particular red sandstone
buildings of the Sire (Sardar) Bazar. O/n Hotel.
DAY
06 JODHPUR TO RANAKPUR Morning after breakfast drive to visit the
massive Mehrangarh Fort looms over the city and the Red sandstone Palaces
within the fort form one of the most impressive complexes in Rajasthan. Its
museum contains sections which house armoury, palanquins, howdahs and
headgear from all the communities of Rajasthan. Proceed to Ranakpur (about
180kms/04hrs), check into the hotel. If time allows, on arrival at Ranakpur
we can visit the stunning nearby Jain temples. The largest Jain temple
complex in India, building is supported by 1444 ornately carved marble
pillars through which sunlight pours, creating complex patterns of light and
shadow. O/n Hotel.
DAY 07 RANAKPUR TO AODHI
(06hrs walking) From Ranakpur our trail takes us through the
Arravalis, nature is surprisingly different in this part of Rajasthan, with
rocky hills and plentiful greenery. In the narrow fertile valleys sugarcane
and other staple-foods are cultivated. We will see Persian wheels being used
for irrigation. After a picnic lunch we climb along the slope of a hill to a
Shiva temple, hidden in the rocks. Further, reward at the hilltop is the
wonderful view over the surrounding plains. By late afternoon we aim to
reach our comfortable heritage hotel for the night. O/n Hotel.
DAY
08 AODHI TO BAGHA-KA-BAGH (04hrs walking) After breakfast we set
our firstly to visit the Kumbalgarh Fort, situated at 1100 M on a nearby
hilltop. The fort has a lot of temples, palaces and gardens, though you
can't compare it to the exquisitely decorated palaces of Jodhpur or Udaipur,
it is though impressive for its location and the splendid views it commands.
After visiting the fort we descend into the deep valley behind the fort,
this is where the former hunting area of the Maharaja of Ghanerao starts, a
small exkingdom north of Kumbalgarh. Now it has been converted into a wild
park under the control of the forest department of India. After 4 hours of
walking we reach the Maharaja's hunting lodge, which is our home for the
night. Here there is no electricity and only a minimum of comfort but the
sounds of the jungle, and the campfire make it an unforgettable experience.
O/n Hotel.
DAY 09 BAGHA-KA-BAGH TO GHANERAO
(03hrs walking) Our 3 hours walk through the dry dhok forest,
bushes and isolated villages follows mostly a well worn trail with gradual
ascents and descents. There is a variety of birdlife here, and we may see a
Nilgay, or even Indian Gazal. We reach Ghanerao, a small charming town, away
from the touristic paths. Here there are cenothaps and an old stepwell, and
wondering around in the narrow streets will give us the feeling that time
has stopped. We spend the night in the Royal Castle, private property of the
Maharaja himself, an authentic Maharaja's family-home. O/n Hotel.
DAY
10 GHANERAO TO UDAIPUR We start our day with a short drive (about
80kms/02hrs) through the beautiful Aravali hills to the romantic lake city
of Udaipur. 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.
From the late 16th century, peace brought about an era of renaissance in the
arts and encouraged the building of beautiful palaces around the lake,
culminating, in the City Palace, one of the largest palace complexes in the
world. The lake itself is a romantic setting surrounding the gleaming white
Lake Palace and the Jag Mandir, a refugee of the rebel Mughal prince, Shah
Jahan, soon to be the creator of the imcomparable Taj Mahal. We arrive at
our delightful heritage hotel, and have plenty of time to relax in the
garden. Our afternoon is free to visit the local bazaar or go boating on
Lake Pichola. O/n Hotel.
DAY 11 UDAIPUR
After breakfast visit to City Palace - the largest palace complex in
Rajasthan, comprising many buildings added at different time by various
maharajas. Perhaps the most beautiful are the Moti Mahal with its mirror
inlay and the Chini ka Chitra Mahal's iridescent tile work. At the nearby,
Jagdish Temple, there is an impressively carved image of Lord Vishnu, to
whom the temple is dedicated. Continue your visit to the ornamental gardens
of the Maids of Honour or Sahelion ki Bari. Rest of the day free to relax.
O/n Hotel.
DAY 12 UDAIPUR TO KISHANGARH
After an early breakfast we drive to Kishangarh (340kms/09hrs), enroute
visit Chittaurgarh Fort stands on a 152-m high rocky hill, rising abruptly
above the surrounding plain. As you explore the fort and its various palaces
and temples do look out for Rana Kumbha's Palace, Mira Bai Temple, Rana
Ratan Singh's Palace, Fateh Parakash Palace, Vijay Stambha, Samadhishvara
Temple, Padmini's Palace, Adbhutanatha Temple and the Kirti Stambaha.
Proceed to Kishangarh, check into the hotel. Rest of the day free to relax.
O/n Hotel.
DAY 13 KISHANGARH TO JAIPUR
Morning after breakfast free to relax or stroll around the village, a centre
of craft industries - leather embroidery, block printing, pottery and
handloom weaving can be seen. Proceed to Jaipur (about 125kms/03hrs), check
into the hotel. Afternoon free to relax or stroll around the colourful
bazaars in the Pink City. O/n Hotel.
DAY 14
JAIPUR TO DELHI Jaipur is known as the pink city, because many
buildings are still washed pink, the traditional colour of welcome, which
was originally introduced to honor the visit of the Prince Albert in 1856.
Morning after breakfast we visit Amber, ascending by elephant to
see the 16th century hilltop fortress - Palace and its richly decorated
apartments. Ascend to the ancient Rajput capital of Amber, this fort palace
was begun by Raja Man Singh and used by the Rajputs as their stronghold
until Sawai Jai Singh II moved to the newly created Jaipur. You will visit
the palace and its many intricate chambers and hallways, which has
breathtaking views of the Jal Mahal (Water palace) below. Afternoon visit
City Palace, still inhabited by Jai Singh's descendants is a superb fusion
of Rajput and Mughal architecture. A city within a city, it includes the
Govind Deo Temple, the Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory and the
Maharaja's museum with his personal collection of weaponry, miniature
paintings, royal attire and jewellery. On the periphery of the Palace stands
the Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, an elaborate pink sandstone façade
behind which the ladies of the court used to watch the daily goings on in
the street below. Afternoon drive to Delhi (about 260kms/05hrs), int'l
airport to board flight to your home country.
DAY
15 DELHI Early morning board your flight.
India