RAJASTHAN & VARANASI

Duration : 15 Days

Delhi - Varanasi - Agra - Jaipur - Pushkar - Udaipur - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer - Bikaner - Mandawa - Delhi

Day 01 : Delhi
Arrive Delhi in the evening. Transfer to Hotel by private vehicle. The capital of modern India, Delhi is a bustling metropolis which successfully combines in its fold the ancient & the modern. Its strategic location was one of the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. New Delhi also reflects the legacy the British left behind. The division between New & Old Delhi is the distinction between the capitals of the British & the Moghuls respectively. So, wherever the visitor goes, he will invariably confront the city's past.

Day 02 : Delhi
After breakfast, full day city tour of Delhi. Visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India ; the massive 17th century Red Fort ; walk through the colourful bazaars of Chandni Chowk. Rajghat, memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. Drive past India Gate - a war memorial, President's House & the Parliament. Visit the UNESCO Word Heritage Sites : Humayuns Tomb : built in mid 16th century this is an early example of Mughal architecture ; Qutub Minar, at 120 meters, is the tallest brick minaret in the world. The tour ends with a visit to Laxmi Narayan Temple.

Day 03 : Delhi - Varanasi (Flight : 6E-308 : 0900 - 1020 hrs.)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board flight for Varanasi, formerly known as Kashi - the city that illuminates. The religious capital of Hinduism, Varanasi is the oldest living city of India & one of the world's most ancient. Arrive Varanasi and transfer to prebooked hotel.

Afternoon, excursion to Sarnath, the buried Buddhist city where Buddha preached his first sermon. After attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya the Buddha went to Sarnath and it was here that he preached his first discourse in the deer park to set in motion the 'Wheel of the Dharma'. It is one of the most holy sites as in this place the stream of the Buddha's teaching first flowed. Sarnath was a renowned school of learning from 16th century BC to 12th century AD. Visit the ruins, the stupa, the Buddhist temple & the museum (closed on Fridays). At the museum is the Ashok Pillar with its four guardian lions, used as independent India's national emblem.

Day 04 : Varanasi - Agra (Flight : AI-406 : 1220 - 1350 hrs. : Monday, Wednesday, Saturday)
Early morning, leave for boat ride on the Ganges to see the bathing Ghats (river bank) & cremation site. Sunrise on the riverfront, as seen from a boat, can be a spiritually uplifting sight. The life on the Ghats bound in an endless string of rituals, ever-changing aspects of the river & the wide landscape across have fascinated visitors from all over the world. Return to hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast, sightseeing of Varanasi, visit the Bharat Mata temple with a big relief map of India in Marble, Durga temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir, Benaras Hindu University which has an art gallery & the mosque of Moghul Emperor Aurangzeb.

Transfer to the airport to board flight for Agra. Arrive Agra and transfer to prebooked hotel.

Later, sightseeing of Agra. Visit the highlight of the day, The Taj Mahal, which was constructed by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Construction of the Taj began in 1631 and was not completed until 1653.

Visit the impressive Agra Fort, which was built by Emperor Akbar in 1565, and additions were made up until the time of his grandson, Shah Jahan. It contains the hall of public and private audiences amongst many other beautiful structures.

Day 05 : Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur (240 kms, 05 hrs.)
Morning, drive to Jaipur enroute visit the abandoned Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri : built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, was the old capital of the Mughals, which was abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. See the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal & other Palaces which are still preserved in its original glory.
Continue drive to Jaipur, the capital city of the state of Rajasthan also know as "Pink City" owes its name, its foundation and planning to the great warrior astronomer Maharaja Jai Singh II. The city of Jaipur has broad avenues. The city sits on a dry lake bed in a wild and somewhat arid landscape, surrounded by barren hills surmounted by fortresses and crenellated walls. Upon arrival, check-in at prebooked Hotel.

Day 06 : Jaipur
After breakfast, excursion to Amber Fort enroute witness the façade of Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds which was built in 1799. Amber Fort, the ancient capital of the state until 1727 when Jai Singh decided to move from his hillside fortress at Amber to new site on the plains. The construction of this fort began in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput commander of Akbar's army. The fort is a superb example of Rajput architecture, stunningly situated on a hillside and overlooking a lake which reflects its terraces and ramparts. Visit the Jagmandir or the hall of victory glittering with mirrors, Jal Mahal & temple of Kali. Ascend on elephant back, the hill, on which the fort is situated.

Afternoon, city tour of Jaipur. Visit the Jantar Mantar, the observatory built by Jai Singh in 1728; the City Palace which is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. It also has a museum with an extensive collection of art, carpets, paintings, enamel ware and weapons dating back to the 15th century.

Day 07 : Jaipur - Pushkar (150 kms., 3 hrs. drive)
Morning, drive to Pushkar. Upon arrival, check-in at prebooked Hotel.
Afternoon, visit Pushkar, the holy lake of Pushkar is believed to have been created by Lord Brahma himself. It is as important as Banaras or Puri. Devout Hindus believe that it is essential to visit Pushkar at least once in their lifetime. No pilgrimage is considered complete without a dip in the holy Pushkar lake. Pushkar has as many as 400 temples and 52 ghats and the only temple in the country that is dedicated to Brahma is to be found here. While Pushkar is a heaven for the religiously inclined, it is also the venue of one of the country's most colorful cattle fairs - the Pushkar Fair.

Day 08 : Pushkar - Chittorgarh - Udaipur (310 kms., 6 hrs. drive)
After breakfast, leave for Udaipur, enroute visit Chittorgarh, the hilltop fortress of Chittorgarh epitomises the whole romantic ideal of Rajput chivalry. The fort was sacked 3 times from 1303 to 1568 by a stronger enemy and on each occasion, the end was "Jauhar". The men donned the saffron robes of martyrdom and rode out from the fort to certain death and the women and children immolated themselves on a huge funeral pyre.
Continue drive to Udaipur. Upon arrival, check-in at prebooked Hotel.

Day 09 : Udaipur
After breakfast, visit the romantic city of Udaipur. Visit the City Palace which is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan; Jagdish temple, a fine Indo Aryan temple built in 1651; Sahelion ki Bari or Garden of the Maids of Honour, which is a small garden with its fountains, kiosks, marble elephants & lotus pool.
In the evening, boat ride on Lake Pichola.

Day 10 : Udaipur - Ranakpur - Jodhpur (275 kms., 6 hrs. drive)
Morning, leave for Jodhpur, enroute visit the Jain temples at Ranakpur : The cluster of temples, made of intricately sculpted white marble, come across as a marvellousfeat of architecture. It would take anyone by surprise to learn that they were built in 1460, so well preserved & sparkling is the marble. The main temple is supported on 1,444 pillars none of which is similarly carved.
After the visit, continue drive to Jodhpur. Arrive Jodhpur and check-in at prebooked Hotel.

Day 11 : Jodhpur - Jaisalmer (300 kms., 6 hrs. drive)
Morning, sightseeing of Jodhpur : Visit the Mehrangarh Fort which literally means "Majestic Fort", located at the very centre of the city. There are, in all, three gates, each built to commemorate a particular victory, as well as to reinforce the fort. It has a collection of musical instruments, palanquins, furniture & cannons on the forts ramparts are well preserved. Jaswant Thada : Close to the fort complex lies this white marble cenotaph, built in 1899, in commemoration of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Rare portraits of Jodhpur's rulers are, also, to be seen at Jaswant Thada.

Afternoon, drive to Jaisalmer. Upon arrival, check-in at prebooked Hotel.

Day 12 : Jaisalmer
After breakfast, sightseeing of Jaisalmer. Visit the the citadel ? the Fort built by Rawal Jaisal where a fourth of the population lives. The fort also houses Jain temples of the 12th to 15th centuries, Patwon Ki Haveli - a five storey mansion with carved pillars & murals of Salim Singh. Also visit Gadsisar, which had once supplied water to the city ; the temples & archways around it have been built by a courtesan.

Afternoon, excursion to Sam - 45 km away, is known for its sand dunes & is the venue for the Desert festival. Get the actual feel of the desert by enjoying a camel ride on the sand dunes and witness a magnificent sunset on the sand dunes.

Day 13 : Jaisalmer - Bikaner (333 kms., 6 hrs. drive)
Morning, drive to Bikaner. Arrive Bikaner and check-in at prebooked Hotel.
Afternoon, sightseeing of Bikaner, a desert town founded in 1488 by Rao Bikaji, a descendant of the founder of Jodhpur, Jodhaji. Visit the Junagarh Fort which was contructed between 1588 and 1593 by a general in the army of the Mughal Emperor, Akbar. The fort has a 986m long wall with 37 bastions and two entrances; Camel Breeding Farm, managed by goverment this camel breeding station is probably unique in Asia and has thousands of camels.

Day 14 : Bikaner - Mandawa (190 kms., 4 hrs. drive)
After breakfast, excursion to Karni Mata Temple, Deshnoke.
After breakfast, leave for Mandawa. Arrive Mandawa and check in at prebooked hotel.

Day 15 : Mandawa - Delhi (300 kms., 6 hrs. drive)
Afternoon, visit Mandawa (Shekhawati region). This region came into prominence in the 14th century when a number of Muslim clans moved into the area and the towns of this region developed into important trading posts on the caravan routes emanating from the ports of Gujarat. This region is famous for painted havelis (houses) most of which date back from the 18th century. The major towns of interest are Mandawa, Fatehpur, Nawalgarh. Visit the havelis in Mandawa and other villages of Shekhawati region.
Afternoon, leave for Delhi. Arrive Delhi and transfer to the airport to board onward/return flight.