Forts & Castles of Rajasthan

Forts & Castles of Rajasthan Duration : 13 Nights / 14 Days Destinations : Delhi – Mandawa – Bikaner – Jaisalmer – Jodhpur – Udaipur – Pushkar – Samode – Jaipur – Agra – Delhi

Day 01 : Arrive in Delhi
Upon arrival in Delhi, our staff will meet you at the Airport followed by transfer to hotel. Morning sightseeing of New Delhi where you visit the mighty Qutub Minar, the unique lotus shaped Bahai Temple, Humayuns Tomb, India Gate and Sikh Temple at Bangla Sahib. Afternoon visit Old Delhi with visit to Raj Ghat: the mausoleum of Mahatma Gandhi followed by visit to Mughal monuments of Jama Masjid. Overnight at hotel in Delhi.

Day 02 : Delhi - Mandawa (6.5 Hours) Morning drive to Mandawa (Mukandgarh). On arrival transfer to hotel. Half-day village tour of Shekhavati region - Painted Havelies. You can wander through the streets where mansions of rich merchants are adorned with elaborate frescoes. Overnight at hotel in Mukandgarh.

Day 03 : Mandawa - Bikaner (5 Hours)
After breakfast drive to Bikaner arriving by lunch. Check into the hotel. 500 years ago, a desert chieftain established his kingdom here, and over the centuries it has grown into an impressive town. Its central fort offered the occupants safety from invaders, while inside, the rulers designed some beautiful apartments that carried echoes of opulence and in rain starved Bikaner, the images of monsoon clouds. Nearby is Deshnoke, where in a marble fronted temple, Rats are offered sanctuary for they are considered sacred. Post lunch tour of Junagarh fort, which has several exquisite Palaces and is carved out of red sandstone. Overnight at hotel in Bikaner.

Day 04 : Bikaner - Jaisalmer (8 Hours)
Morning drive to Jaisalmer. On arrival transfer to hotel. Afternoon free to relax and unwind. Overnight at hotel in Jaisalmer.

Day 05 : Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer, once the bustling town with traders traveling to Middle East and beyond and was the Frontier Township of then India. Rich merchants from the city showed off their wealth by constructing magnificent Haveli's of yellow sand stone having intricate carvings on its walls, balcony and pillars. Visit some of the haveli's by walk in these medieval town and visit still inhabitant fort 32 Km from Jaisalmer is the Dune Safari Camp- midst the Golden sand dunes. At Dune Safari Camp, we have deluxe tented accommodation where every tent has a living room/ bedroom and attached toilet facilities. A perfect setting for desert experience. Dune safari camp is an ideal location to unwind in unspoiled desert area. At our camp you can spot the rare bird species such as the Sand Grouse, the famous "bird of the desert"-The Great Indian Bastard. The Serene sunset and a short camel ride to the top of dunes. You also get a lifetime experience to enjoy the starry nights and the Gala dinner with torches lanterns and campfire with the local Mangier singers in attendance

Day 06 : Jaisalmer - Jodhpur 6 Hrs
Morning drive to Jodhpur. On arrival transfer to Hotel. Jodhpur stands on a range of sandstone hills surrounded by a strong wall nearly 10 kms (6miles) in length, with seven gates. Dominating the city is an eminence surmounted by a massive fortress. In olden days, the fortress must have been well high impregnable, for the rocky base on which it is built is scraped on every side. Within the walls are royal palaces of old, with priceless jewels and a striking collection of arms. Sightseeing of Jodhpur includes visit to Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada Museum (Umaid Bhawan Palace), Armory and Jaswant Tada. Overnight at hotel in Jodhpur.

Day 07 : Jodhpur - Udaipur (via Ranakpur) 6 hrs
Morning drive to Udaipur, enroute sightseeing of Ranakpur 160 kms from Udaipur, in a quiet isolated glen, is a remarkable complex of Jain Temple of Ranakpur (1440 A.D.). Built during the reign of the liberal and gifted monarch Rana Kumbha, these temples, though belonging to a late period (15th Century), when the peak of the classical age was already past, are a unique example of Jain ecclesiastical architecture. The entire enclosure is encircled by a wall. One temple consists of 29 halls and 426 pillars full of sculptural decoration. No two pillars are alike here. Lunch at nearby Maharani Bagh Resort, royal gardens still owned by the Maharaja of Jodhpur. On arrival in Udaipur transfer to hotel. Afternoon free at leisure. Overnight at Hotel in Udaipur.

Day 08 : Udaipur
In Udaipur the visitor finds his dream of India come true, for the city combines real beauty with picturesque associations of a great and glorious past. It stands in a valley, amid green hills on the banks of wider, steel blue Lake Pichola. On little islands in the lake, from the water edge, rise marble palaces of pure white that glisten like fairy castles. Crowning the ridge, in which the city clusters, along the shores of the lake is the palace of the Maharaja. Within the palace is all the magnificence of the East - peacocks in mosaic on the walls, floors inlaid with tiles of rare beauty, and roof gardens affording thrilling views of the panorama below. Sightseeing of Udaipur includes visits to Sahelion Ki Bari, drive around Fateh Sagar Lake, City Palace, Jagdish Temple and Gulab Niwas Garden. BOAT RIDE ON LAKE PICHOLA: Visit the Jag Niwas Palace by motor launch. The palace, built of granite and marble, covers four acres and is built almost in the middle of the lake. Visit the Barra Mahal, Khas Mahal and Courts, gardens and Fountains. Also visit Jag Mandir Palace. Over night in hotel.

Day 10 : Pushkar - Samode
After breakfast, drive to Samode. On arrival check-in to Palce hotel. Rest of the day free to explore the town on your own. Overnight in Samode.

Day 12 : Jaipur
Morning tour of Amer fort on elephants back. You ride up on elephants to the former capital of the royals set to the backdrop of wooded hills. Overnight Jaipur.

Day 13 : Jaipur - Agra 5 hrs
Drive to Agra after breakfast enroute stopping to see the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri. Arrive by lunch. Check into your hotel. Agra, in terms of ambience is still associated with the Mughal period. With it's laid back lifestyle & it's immense wealth of architecture, handicrafts & jewellery, is amongst the most remarkable cities of the world. In the evening visit the mausoleum built by Shah Jehan for his beloved Wife-Empress Mumtaj - The Taj Mahal. Also visit the fort on the sands of the river Yamuna, which has been the seat of Mughal rulers for several years followed by Itmad-ud-daulah's Tomb, Jama Masjid etc. Various styles of architecture are evident within the fort. Overnight at hotel in Agra.