MAJESTIC FORTS AND PALACES TOUR ITINERARY

Day 01: Arrive Delhi

On arrival at the Delhi international airport, you will be welcome and assisted to your hotel with private or sharing vehicle, as per the arrival time of the flights. On arrival at the hotel you will be provided with your travel kit consisting of tour itinerary, general information of India, feedback form, etc and your room keys. Spend the overnight relaxing and recovering from your long flight.

Day 02: Delhi Sightseeing

Following breakfast at the hotel restaurant gather in the lobby where our guide will give us a short brief on Delhi tour plan for day and nights. Get to the vehicle and proceed for the sightseeing tour of Delhi. During Old and New Delhi tour you will observe a great difference in culture of both places.

We will drive past through Red Fort, built by Shah Jahan, as he wanted to build his new capital Shahjahanabad known as Delhi in present times. The Fort is huge, as the boundary wall of the fort is as long as about 2 kilometers in stretch. From here, we visit the Jama Masjid one of the largest mosque in India constructed by Shah Jahan while planning his capital Shahjahanabad.

From here, we have time at leisure to spend the time at the oldest market of Delhi- Chandni Chowk, which is a wholesale market of Delhi. The area is big and crowded, so we will hop onto the rickshaws (tricycle) which will take us through the lanes of the busy streets, you can buy here the Indian dresses or Indian spices.

From here, we will drive to the New Delhi Part, visiting the India Gate, President's Palace and Parliament House. After that, we will stop at the city restaurant to enjoy our lavish lunch with Indian dishes.

After lunch, starting with the tour of New Delhi visit Qutab Minar, the tallest minaret built by the first sultan of Delhi Qutab-ud-din Aibak in 1200 AD, next place to visit is the Humayun's Tomb, the beautiful monument and mausoleum constructed with great architectural excellence in Persian style. It was built by the widow of Humayun, Haji Begum. If time permit, also visit Bangla Sahib Gurudwara – famous Sikh temple in Delhi.

Night stay will be at your hotel.

Day 03: Delhi – Shekhawati

Today, start a day bit early, with breakfast and meeting at the lobby. We will drive to our next destination which lies in the Shekhawati untouched region of Rajasthan. Here you will get to see the heritage art of Rajputs. On arrival at Shekhawati region, we will check into our palace converted hotel in Mandawa. Mandawa is much enlightened area of the Shekhawati region.

After bath and change, we proceed for Mandawa sightseeing, the place is famous for its rich frescoes paintings and Havelies. Enjoy your visits to Gori Shankar Haveli, Goenka haveli, etc recognized for beautiful frescoes ornamenting the walls & ceiling.

Enjoy the guided leisurely walks in the lanes of the Mandawa, to explore the life of people without a feel of modernity. See the tiny hamlets at the village streets and livelihood of the people living here.

Overnight stay is there at the heritage hotel.

Day 04 : Shekhawati – Bikaner

After breakfast, we head towards Bikaner, the city founded by Prince Rao Bikaji. The city is famous for its forts and palace. On arrival at the Bikaner, check into the heritage hotel. Following rest and relaxation, we will head to explore the city of Bikaner, famous for Junagarh Fort built by Raja Rai Singh, Lallgarh Palace - built of red sandstone with the beautiful architecture of Rajput, Muslim and European elements; the palace is now converted into the hotel. Later visit the one of the famous temples of India, Karni Mata temple (Deshnok) also called Rat temple, as the rats are worshipped here, and thousands of rats can be seen in the temple every time.

From here, we, continue our drive to Ranthambhore. If you wish, you can stop at the Bharatpur which is known for the Ghana Bird sanctuary, where you can see the variety of migratory birds like Siberian crane. You see the big turtles lying around the pond there.

Continue driving to the Ranthambhore, where on arrival, we will check into the jungle resort. Evening tea / coffee and dinner will be at the hotel only.

Day 05: Bikaner – Jaisalmer

After early breakfast at hotel restaurant, we will proceed for last sight visit to Bikaner, which is a camel breeding farm and is the largest in Asia. The farm is taken care by the Govt. body ICAR (Indian Council of Agriculture Research).

From here, we will continue our drive to Jaisalmer, the golden city of Rajasthan that is one of the beautiful cities with charming havelis, forts and sand dunes. On reaching at the hotel / haveli in Jaisalmer. Spend the evening while exploring the city at your own.

Overnight Stay is at Hotel.

Day 06: Jaisalmer & Sam Sand Dunes

Following a leisurely morning and breakfast at the hotel, we will proceed for the full day sightseeing, visiting Jaisalmer Fort also called Sonar Quila. The fort attracts you, with its architecture and being built of sand stone. From here head towards the other charming Havelis and old house, in which the most attractive are Nathmal ji ki haveli and Salim ji ki haveli, which are beautifully constructed and has an excellent architecture.

Later, visit the Bada Bagh and Gadsisar Lake located away from the city, which was built to conserve the water by the Jaisalmer Maharaja, from where the city used to get the water. Migratory birds can also be seen here in addition to enjoying the boat ride.

Late afternoon, we proceed for the excursions to sand dunes riding on the camel's back, while enjoying the sunset at the sand dunes. See the colour change effect of the dunes, with the setting sun. Once we are here, enjoy the live performance of the Rajasthani folk dancers following your delicious dinner.

Night stay in the camp.

Day 07: Jaisalmer - Jodhpur Via Osian

Following breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to Jodhpur, where the Maharajas still resides in the city at his palace. While driving to the Jodhpur, we will stop at the other deserted place called Osian village, lies 40kms of Jodhpur. Osian is famous for jain temples, and the sand dunes. Continue driving to Jodhpur and check into the hotel. After quick bath and change, we visit to the Mehrangarh Fort standing close to the hill overlooking the blue city of Jodhpur. Being one of the largest forts in India, Jodhpuri skills and architecture can be seen at its most. Just coming down from the fort, visit to the Jaswant Thada, where the rulers of Jodhpur cremated. It is built of white marbles with extensive thin work.

Evening is at leisure to spend the time at Clock tower bazaar, where one can buy the Jodhpuri clothes, and Indian spices. Night stay will be at the hotel.

Day 08: Jodhpur – Ranakpur – Udaipur

After early breakfast at the hotel, drive to the Udaipur - a romantic city of lakes and palaces, sometimes referred as the Venice of the East.

On the way to Udaipur please visit to the famous Ranakpur Jain temples, dedicated to four faced temple dedicated to Adinath. Explore the beautiful architecture of the temples and later continue your drive to Udaipur.

Upon arrival at Udaipur, check into your hotel. Rest and relax at the hotel. Evening, we get back to the lake area, where we will enjoy the boat trip which will take you from City palace to mesmerizing island palace – Jag Mandir. This beautiful palace is raised in the middle of the lake, which was a summer palace of the royal family of Udaipur. Here one can have the snacks or refreshments as there are many good restaurants on the island. The palace is also known for organizing royal weddings and big events.

Day 09: Udaipur Sightseeing

Following a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, we will proceed for the full day sightseeing of Udaipur. Starting with the City Palace museum beautifully designed by the banks of the Lake Pichola it is a great place for seeing amazing glass and mirror work as frescos on the walls and ceilings, personal belongings of the Maharajas can also be seen here.

In afternoon, visit the Jagdish Temple and Saheliyon-Ki-Bari, which was built for the royal ladies of the Mahal where they used to come and play with other ladies.

Enjoy the leisure walks at the lake and nearby area of the hotel.

Later, we return back to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 10: Udaipur – Pushkar

After breakfast at the hotel, we will ride to the Pushkar village, which is known for the largest camel fare in the month of November, where a large number of cattle owners and dancers come to this village for their livelihood. On arrival, check into the Pushkar.

Pushkar has its great importance in Hindu mythology as one and only temple of Lord Brahma, 'the creator of the universe' is located here, visit the nearby lake which is also a religious lake, see the people, dipping in the lake. Visit Brahma Temple (the only temple in the world) and other important sites. Optional – You can enjoy a camel cart ride in the village to get closer experience how the locals live there.

Day 11: Pushkar – Jaipur

Today, following a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, we will head towards the major pilgrimage destination Ajmer, which has its significance among Hindu as well as Muslim devotees. Visit the famous Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and Adhai Din ka Jhonpra.

From here we continue our drive to pink city - Jaipur, the cultural city and capital of Rajasthan, while enjoying the countryside. On the way, you will see the small hamlets at the villages, men taking their cattles on the roadside. On reaching at the Jaipur, check into your rooms, and spend the afternoon for rest and relaxation.

in evening get ready to gel-up with the local artisans and explore the art and craft of the Jaipur, a town of artisans where the floral and block printing is done on clothe materials and papers. You can buy a plain piece of cloth and get the floral design of your wish on it.

Later in the evening, we will enjoy our lavish dinner along with the cultural performance of Rajasthani dancers.

Overnight stay will be at the hotel.

Day 12: Amer Fort And Jaigarh Fort Trip

After quick breakfast at the hotel, we will gather in the lobby and proceed for the full days sightseeing of Jaipur. Start a drive with the Amber Fort, located on the outskirts of Jaipur. The Fort built by Maharaja Man Singh, beautifully assembled with red sand stones and marble work. Inside the fort, impressive glass work can be seen in the courtyards and Mahals belongs to the Maharajas and Maharanis.

Here we will experience a ride on the elephants back with other members of the group that will provide you a feel of king/queen.

From here, we proceed to the Jaigarh Fort, overlooking the Amer fort. The fort was built during 18th century, where the rulers used to store the metals and other weapons useful for wars. The main attraction to visitor here is world's largest cannon on wheels. Around afternoon, we will drive to the pink city, where we will enjoy the lunch at local restaurant.

After lunch, visit the rest of the monuments in pink city, which are Hawa Mahal also called palace of winds, due to lot of windows, Jantar Mantar the largest observatory, built to see the astronomical moment's replica of the same is built in Delhi. End up with visiting to the City Palace Museum, which is a home of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II, where still the royal family lives and some portion of it has been transformed into museum which yet remains open for the tourists.

Rest of the evening can be spent at the local bazaars of Jaipur, where one can purchase the semi precious stones or souvenirs for friends and family. Have a leisure night stay at the hotel.

Day 13: Jaipur – Fatehpur Sikri – Agra

Today, after spending a leisurely morning at the hotel, head towards the Agra, the most awaited city of the tour. Enroute, we will visit to the ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri which is just 40kms from the Agra city. Though the city lies in ruins, however, it is known for the striking fort of Fatehpur Sikri, built by the great Mughal emperor Akbar.

Continue our drive to Agra, where we will reach by afternoon and relax at the hotel.

Continue our drive to Agra, where we will reach by afternoon and relax at the hotel. Later proceed to see the most spectacular monument of Love – The Taj Mahal. Here, we will enjoy the Tonga ride (horse, which is fun and frolic ride till the entry gate of Taj Mahal.) Meet the guide, which will take you to explore the Taj Mahal walk you around the different parts of the Mahal from inside.

Optional - Evening you can visit the Kalakriti cultural center, where we will witness the live stage performance, representing the love story of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz. After this entertaining show, we will drive back to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 14: Agra – Delhi

After having breakfast, check out from the hotel and gather at the lobby from where, we will take you to visit the Agra fort - the rusty and majestic red-sandstone fort of Agra standing on the banks of the river Yamuna. It was built by the great Mughal emperor Akbar in 15th century.

Later explore the local markets of Agra, famous for marble items, carpets, leather etc. Later afternoon, continue our drive to Delhi along one of the India's finest freeways. On arrival at Delhi, transfer to Delhi airport to board flight back to home or onward destination. Remarks : If you wish to have hotel in Delhi for your stay then you can ask us to provide room in the hotel at Delhi for the night at additional charges.