Rajasthan Holidays Tour
Duration: 9 Nights / 10 Days
Places to See: Delhi - Jaipur - Bikaner - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Ranakpur
- Udaipur
Day 01 : Delhi - Jaipur
By
Road 260 Kms/5 hr
After breakfast drive to beautiful Pink City - Jaipur.
Reach and check in at hotel.
Jaipur is the capital of the state of Rajasthan a romantic realm of resplendent
palaces, mighty fortresses and regal Maharajahs that lies in the western deserts
and is an utterly unique part of India. Proudly belonging to the KSHATRIYA warrior
caste and fiercely independent, the Rajput princes made fearsome foes. However,
many of them realized that to maintain their wealth and authority locally, it
was expedient to proclaim allegiance to the central power. Thus, many enjoyed
a privileged position under the Mughal emperors and also the British Raj that
followed.
The bustling Rajasthan capital of Jaipur takes its name from its venerated founder
Jai Singh II, who was given the title Sawai Maharaja by the Mughal. Literally
translated this would mean 'one and a quarter', suggesting that the Mughal thought
this emperor to be more valuable than just 'one'. Jaipur is known as the 'Pink
City' on account of the distinctive colour of its buildings. This did not, however,
form part of the original plan, but dates back to 1856, when the city was given
a wash of pink in honor of a State Visit from Prince Albert.
In the afternoon you can enjoy shopping or take an optional visit to SANGANER.
Sanganer is a little village just 16 kilometres from Jaipur. Here you will find
the centre of the region's block printing industry. Traditionally, only coarse
cotton was printed for the ankle-length, flared skirts of Rajasthani women and
today, you can see cotton cloth being printed by hand. It is said that the water
of Sanganer makes the colors fast. Sanganer is the busiest crafts centre in
the region and you should have time to visit artisans in their workshops and
browse for gifts. You can also visit the Blue Pottery Factory, to see pottery
created in Jaipur's distinctive style; graceful floral designs in white or deep
sea-green painted over a traditional inky-blue glaze.
This
evening, visit the Birla Temple to learn more about the fascinating religious
life of Jaipur. The marble structure, built as recently as 1985, houses ornate
statues including one of Lakshmi (goddess of Wealth and Beauty) and Narayan
dressed in gaudy robes, representing a Hindu vision of heavenly luxury. Carvings
in the temple and on pillars supporting the covered walkways include images
of the Hindu pantheon, as well as Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Francis
of Assisi. Your visit will coincide with the AARTI Ceremony, which involves
oil lamps being lit and waved, in order to awake and invoke the deity. Enjoy
the experience and spend night at Jaipur.
Overnight will be in Jaipur.
Day 02 : Jaipur
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed for excursion to Amber Fort in the outskirts of Jaipur. 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.
Proceed for sightseeing of the city.
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 enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride through the bustling bazaars. Jaipur
is renowned for textile block printing, blue pottery, carpet weaving, semi-precious
stones and local crafts which still thrive from the day of Maharaja Jai Singh's
patronage when he designed special areas in the city for the 'bandhanas', the
'cheepas' and the 'meenakari' workers.
Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day 03 : Jaipur - Bikaner
By Road 280 km/5 hr
Drive to Bikaner after a leisurely breakfast.
Reach Bikaner and check in at hotel.
The royal fortified city with a timeless appeal. Lying in the north of the Desert
State, the city is dotted with many sand dunes. Bikaner retains the medieval
splendor that pervades the city's lifestyle. More popularly called the camel
country, the city is renowned for the best riding camels in the world. The ship
of the desert is an inseparable part of life here. Be it pulling heavy carts,
transporting grains or working on wells, camels are the prime helpers.
Proceed for sightseeing tour of Bikaner.
Rao Bikaji, a descendant of Jodhaji - the founder of Jodhpur, founded this desert
town in the North of the state in 1488. Visit the Junagarh Fort, constructed
between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Jai Singh, a general in the Moghul Emperor Akbar's
army. Visit the Old City and the Karni Mata Temple. Also visit the one of the
wells of Bikaner - an important source of water are other attractions of the
city. These are built on high plinths with slender minareted towers on each
of the Four Corners and can be noticed even from a distance.
Overnight will be at Bikaner.
Day 04 : Bikaner - Jaisalmer
By
Road 330 km/5 hr
Enjoy breakfast at the palace and drive to Jaisalmer.
Rising from the heart of the Thar Desert like a golden mirage is the city of
Jaisalmer. A commanding fort etched in yellow sandstone stands, with its awesome
splendor, dominating the amber-hued city.
The city has an interesting legend associated with it, according to which, Lord
Krishna-the head of the Yadav Clan, foretold Arjuna that a remote descendent
of the Yadav Clan would build his kingdom atop the Trikuta Hill. His prophecy
was fulfilled in 1156 AD when Rawal Jaisal, a descendent of the Yadav Clan and
a Bhatti Rajput, abandoned his fort at Lodurva and founded a new capital -Jaisalmer,
perched on the Trikuta Hill.
Reach and check in at hotel.
In the afternoon, proceed to the SAND DUNES for visiting the typical Rajasthani
Desert Village. View the sunset from the dunes, as the sky is set on fire. Return
to the village for dinner amidst Rajasthani musicians playing haunting tunes.
Stay overnight at Jaisalmer.
Day 05 : Jaisalmer
After a relaxed breakfast proceed for full day sightseeing tour of The Golden
City - Jaisalmer.
It
is in the heart of the Great Indian Desert. Its temple, fort and palaces are
all built of yellow stone. The city is a mass of intricately carved buildings,
facades and elaborate balconies. Visit the JAISALMER FORT - The oldest living
Fort in the world. (This is the highlight of the tour)
See the Patwon-Ki-Havelies, Salim-Singh-Ki-Haveli and Gandhi Sagar Tank. Also
visit Barabagh Hill.
Also visit the ROYAL CENOTAPHS and relax in the evening. The sunset is beautiful
from the small hillock or from the terrace of NARAYAN NIWAS PALACE. You could
also spend some time at the fort in the evening.
Overnight will be at Jaisalmer.
Day 06 : Jaisalmer - Jodhpur
By Road 320 km/5 hr
Drive to Jodhpur after a relaxing breakfast.
Reach later in the afternoon and in the evening relax at the hotel.
Set at the edge of the THAR Desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes with
tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. Once the capital of the Marwar
state, it was founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha - chief of the RATHORE clan of
Rajputs who claimed to be descendants of Rama - the epic hero of the RAMAYANA.
The massive 15th century AD Mehrangarh Fort looms on the top of a rocky hill,
soaring 125 Mts. Above the plains. The city is encompassed by a high wall -10
km long with 8 gates and innumerable bastions.
Enjoy the blue city walk in the evening and have dinner at the roof top restaurant
in PAL HAVELI. Overnight will be at Jodhpur.
Day 07 : Jodhpur
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
Morning
sightseeing tour of Jodhpur - gateway to the desert beyond, home of the Rathors
of Marwar, visit the Mehrangarh Fort, rising up a hilly scarp, built on the
advice of a hermit, overlooking the city in the image of a long sentinel. Inside
the Fort are a number of palaces added by successive rulers. In this palace
you would see different miniature paintings & cradle room. After this you
would visit Jaswant Thada Memorial.
In the afternoon visit the BISHNOI VILLAGES and the country side of the desert
city.
Overnight will be at Jodhpur.
Day 08 : Jodhpur - Udaipur
By Road 260 km/6 hr
Start for Udaipur after breakfast.
En-route, visit the RANAKPUR TEMPLES, dating back to the 15th century. 200 pillars,
none of which are alike, support its 29 halls. The Temple abounds with intricate
friezes and sculptures. Includes visits to two more Jain temples and the Temple
of the Sun God with its erotic sculptures.
Reach and check in at hotel.
The city of Dawn, Udaipur is a lovely land around the azure lake, hemmed in
by the lush hills of the ARAVALLIS. A vision in white drenched in romance and
beauty, Udaipur is a fascinating blend of sights, sound and experiences and
inspiration for the imagination of poets, painters and writers. Its kaleidoscope
of fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples, gardens and narrow lanes strewn with
stalls, carry the flavor of a heroic past, epitomizing valor and chivalry. Their
reflection in the placid waters of the LAKE PICHOLA is an enticing sight. Udaipur
is the jewel of MEWAR -a kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1200 Years.
Relax in the evening. Overnight will be at Udaipur.
Day 09 : Udaipur
Enjoy breakfast at the palace.
Proceed
for sightseeing tour of Udaipur, stopping first at City Palace. Here you will
marvel at rooms with mirrored walls and ivory doors, colored glass windows and
inlaid marble balconies and the Peacock Courtyard.
Also visit the lovely Sahelion-ki-Bari Gardens, the Jagdish Temple and the local
folk Museum.
Proceed for Evening Motor launch cruise on the placid waters of Lake Pichola.
From the boat you will be able to view the city of Udaipur as it rises majestically
above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan desert. Also visit the Jag Mandir
Palace - the other island palace in the middle of the lake. Spend some time
at the Jag Mandir Palace.
Overnight will be at Udaipur.
Day 10 : Udaipur - Delhi
By Flight Number : 9W 3318 (Jet Airways)
Aircraft : Boeing 737
Departure : 1335 hr
Arrival : 1505 hr
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Proceed to the airport for flight to Delhi. Reach and enjoy shopping and stay
at a hotel for freshening up close to the airport.
Later in the evening take flight home with sweet memories of India after a FAREWELL
DINNER.
TOUR ENDS
THE TOUR WILL INCLUDE:
a) DOUBLE SHARING ACCOMMODATION,
b) SIGHTSEEING TOURS AS MENTIONED IN THE ITINERARY,
c) PRIVATE AC CAR AT DISPOSAL FROM AIRPORT TO AIRPORT,
d) DRIVER FOR THE FULL TOUR,
e) ENGLISH SPEAKING LOCAL GUIDES FOR ALL MENTIONED TOURS,
f) MEET AND ASSIST AT THE AIRPORT ON ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE,
g) DAILY BREAKFASTS,
h) DINNER WITH CAMEL RIDE IN THE DUNES OF JAISALMER,
i) BOAT RIDE AT LAKE PICHOLA, UDAIPUR,
j) TOLL TAXES, DRIVER ALLOWANCE, PARKING,
k) ECONOMY CLASS AIRFARE FOR THE MENTIONED SECTOR,
l) ELEPHANT BACK ASCENT AT AMER FORT, JAIPUR AND
m) ALL APPLICABLE TAXES AND SERVICE CHARGES.
Suggested Hotels :
| CITY |
LUXURY & HERITAGE |
NIGHTS |
| Jaipur |
TAJ RAMBAGH PALACE |
02 |
| Bikaner |
LAXMI NIWAS PALACE (SUITE) |
01 |
| Jaisalmer |
FORT RAJWADA (SUITE) |
02 |
| Jodhpur |
TAJ UMAID BHAWAN PALACE |
02 |
| Udaipur |
TAJ LAKE PALACE |
02 |
Rajasthan Holidays Tour Reservation Form
