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Rajasthan - Round Tour

Description

This is a 16 day / 15 night tour

This Tour covers the most important places in Rajasthan. We visit the famous Taj Mahal, the beautiful fort in Amber, The palaces of Jaipur and Udaipur, Temples in Pushkar and Ranakpur, Forts in Bikaner, Jodhpur and the magic City of Jaisalmer. You take a ride on a elephant and have a camel safari with overnight in tents. In Udaipur You will have a boat ride at the Pichola Lake and a Dinner at the Lake Palace. The chosen hotels belongs to the best in Rajasthan.  

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Delhi

Met upon arrival and transfer to the Hotel Hans Plaza or Park. Morning after breakfast we depart for full day tour of New & Old Delhi visiting the Qutab Minar (A 70 meters high victory tower built about 800 years ago), the Nila Gumbaj and Emperor Humayun's Tomb (This tomb has served as the base model for the other Mughal Monuments to follow - including the Taj Mahal). We also drive past the India Gate (Built to pay tribute to the 30,000 Indian soldier, who lost their lives while fighting for the British during the First World War), the Houses of the Parliament and the Presidential Palace. Raj Ghat (Mahatma Gandhi's Memorial), the Jama Masjid (The Universal mosque which can accommodate 20000 people at a time for prayers). Evening enjoy Sound & Light show.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 2: Delhi - Agra  (By Road)

After breakfast at the hotel we will drive to Agra (5 hours drive) En route we will stop at Sikandra 10 kms before Agra, to see the Mausoleum of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. This building has an excellent mix of Hindu and Muslim architecture, which is very evidently visible in the subsequent Mughal buildings, including the Taj Mahal. From here we proceed to Agra, Where we will check into the Hotel The Trident. Late afternoon we visit Agra Fort, reminiscent of the glorious and sorrowful Mughal reign.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3: Agra - Jaipur (By Road)

Morning  we visit one of the Wonders of the World, the famous Taj Mahal, poetry in marble and a symbol of eternal love. Later we depart for Jaipur (5 hours drive) En route we will visit the Ghost Capital of the Mughal Emperor Akbar - Fatehpur Sikri, built entirely of red sandstone and now declared as a World Heritage Monument and Tomb of Salim Chisti.. From Fatehpur Sikri we proceed to Bharatpur to visit the Keol Deo National park to witness the vivid collection of birds and small animals in their natural habitat. Continue our drive to Jaipur, the beautiful pink city almost totally built in shimmering pink sandstone. On arrival in Jaipur, check-in to the Hotel The Trident.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Jaipur

After breakfast at the hotel, we leave for the fairy tale like Amber Fort, where you ascend the hill like a Maharaja on the back of an elephant. After Amber, we have a (optional) visit to a carpet weaving unit making hand knotted carpets, using vegetable dyes, thereby making the colours of each piece unique. Afternoon we commence our city tour of Jaipur, which includes visits to the City Palace of the Jaipur Maharaja. The honey-comb designed Hawa Mahal also known as the Palace of Wind from where the royal ladies, who lived in seclusion, observed life on the outside yet remained hidden inside. Also we visit the amazingly accurate Jantar Mantar stone Observatory.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Jaipur - Pushkar (By Road)

Morning breakfast at the hotel. Later drive to Pushkar (3 hours drive). On arrival check into the Pushkar Resorts. Of singular importance is the annual Cattle fair held at Pushkar. Thousand of pilgrims come to bath in the holy water of the Pushkar Lake. Legend has it that the lake appeared miraculously on the spot, where petals of a lotus blossom fell from the hands of Lord Brahma, the creator. The people in their colourful attires enhance the cheerful mood of the fair. Afternoon visit Lake and Brahma temple .

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: Pushkar - Udaipur (By Road)

Morning breakfast at the resort. Later drive to Udaipur (6 hours drive) enroute visit Pali village. On arrival in Udaipur check - in to the Hotel Shiv Nivas Palace or The Trident.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Udaipur

Morning Breakfast at the hotel. Later half day city tour of Udaipur

including the City Palace, Sahelion ki Bari (Garden where women of Royal household would meet) and the Jagat Temple. Late afternoon we have a boat ride on the Lake Pichola, around the famous Lake Palace. During this excursion, we also visit another island palace - the Jagmandir, where Prince Khurram (later the Emperor Shah Jahan -better known as the builder of the magnificent Taj Mahal) took refuge against the wrath of his father, the Emperor Jahangir.

Meals: Breakfast + Dinner

Day 8: Udaipur - Jodhpur (By Road)

Morning breakfast at the hotel. Later drive to Jodhpur (7 hours drive). En route we visit the Ranakpur marble temple. These temples are over 500 years old and superbly preserved in near perfect condition. The most distinctive feature are the 29 halls of the main temple, which contains 1300 pillars of which no two are exactly the same. After the sightseeing of Ranakpur drive to Jodhpur. On arrival check in to the Ajit Bhawan. Late afternoon visit Mandore - the extensive gardens with high rock terrace make it a popular attraction. The gardens also contain the cenotaphs of Jodhpur rulers, including Maharaja Jaswant Singh and, largest and finest of all, the soaring temple-shaped memorial to Maharaja Ajit Singh.

Meals: Breakfast

Day  9: Jodhpur - Jaisalmer (By Road)

Morning after breakfast, we start a half day Jodhpur city tour with the visit of  Mehrangarh Fort, which Kipling called one of the grandest sights in India. We also see the beautifully decorated dancing hall, the royal bedroom, jewels studded robes, ornate baby cradles, solid silver elephant's seats and palanquins. Later visit the royal cenotaphs at Jaswant Thada, the pillared marble memorial to the popular ruler Jaswant Singh II. Afternoon leave for Jaisalmer (5 hours drive). On the way visit the ancient Tar Desert town of Osian, 55 kms from Jodhpur, was a great trading centre between 8th and 12th centuries when it was dominated by the Jains. Today it's a desert oasis with numerous peacocks. The wealth of Ossian’s medieval inhabitants allowed them to build lavish and beautifully sculpted temples, most of which have with stood the ravages of time. On arrival check in to the Welcome Rawal-Kot.

Meals: Breakfast

Day  10: Jaisalmer

After breakfast in the hotel, we start the city tour of this magical town. This old city was once completely surrounded by an extensive wall, much of which has sadly been torn down for building material in recent years. We start our visit with havelies, the beautiful mansions built by the wealthy merchants of Jaisalmer are known as Havelies, and several of these fine sandstone buildings are still in beautiful condition. Patwon ki haveli, the most elaborate and magnificent of all the Jaisalmer havelies stand in a narrow lane. Afternoon excursion to Sam sand dunes and enjoy Sun set.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 11: Jaisalmer - Camel Safari. Overnight in Tent.

Meals: Full board.

Day  12: Jaisalmer - Bikaner (By Road)

After breakfast camel ride to the road head and drive to Bikaner (8 ½ hrs. drive) Bikaner founded at the close of the 15th century and former capital of the state of that name. It is a city of the desert standing on high ground it has an imposing appearance, surrounded by its fine embattled walls. the city has a 16th century fort containing ancient palaces, temples, and mosque, arrive in Bikaner late afternoon and on arrival check-in to the Hotel Bhanwar Nivas.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 13: Bikaner

After breakfast, we start the city tour of Bikaner including the magnificent Junagarh Fort constructed between and 1593 by Raja Rai Singh, a general in the army of the Mughal emperor, Akbar; the fort has a 986-meter long wall with 37 bastions and two entrances.  Later we drive to the famous Deshnoke Temple, famous for the ruling deity of Bikaner, Goddess Karni, and the millions of rats, which inhabit this place. If you see a white rat, it is said to be auspicious and all your wishes are granted. After Deshnoke, visit Camel breeding farm.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 14: Bikaner - Mandawa (By Road)

After breakfast, we start for 5-hour drive for to Mandawa. Upon arrival, we will check-in to the heritage Castle Mandawa. We will have an evening walk around the small village nicely blended with its ancient houses and the traditionally painted walls. Due to its unique style of painting, this region is also called the open-air art-gallery of India.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 15: Mandawa - Delhi (By Road)

After breakfast, we start for Ramgarh to see the Chattri and later drive to Delhi ( 6 hrs ). On arrival transfer to the Hans Plaza. Rest of the day a leisure.

Day  16: Departure Delhi 

Departure to airport to board flight for international destination.

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Dates

We are pleased to offer all out tours according to your requirements. For example we can offer cheaper hotels or more luxury hotels. We are also able to change the tour itenary.

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Hotels

 Hotel accommodation in twin sharing room in the hotels mentioned,  including American breakfast.

Prices

Our prices, in US$, are based for one person sharing a double room, with American breakfast. (We can also offer the same tour, but using accommodation in 3/4 star hotels or any Super Deluxe hotel of your choice. Please contact us for further details)

• surcharge of 40 % during the main season from December 15 to January 15
• Single room supplement US$ 459
• Air-conditioned vehicle US$ 69 / person

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Conditions

Our prices include:

• All transfers from and to airport and land transportation, as per the program by non air-conditioned Ambassador Car / Tata Sumo (jeep) or Tempo Traveler (minibus), depending upon the group size, throughout the tour.
• Non air-conditioned  room.
• Continental breakfast.
• Entrance fee at the monuments.
• Services of local english - speaking guide for sightseeing tours at all places.
• Services of an english-speaking tour escort above 6 persons throughout the tour.
• All currently prevailing taxes on hotel and transport.

• Elephant ride at Amber in Jaipur

• Camel ride in Jaisalmer

• Boat ride on Lake Pichola in Udaipur

• Dinner Lake Palace Udaipur

Our prices do not include:

• Airport tax on departure from India (500 rupees/person)
• Any personal expenses like telephone call, laundry shopping, table drinks, camera fees at the monuments.
• Any additional expenses caused by disturbances in the trip due to circumstances beyond our control such as airline and railway delays, road blocks, natural disaster, wars, etc.
• Liability for or insurance against injury, loss of life, accidents, damage or loss of property

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