Royal and Rustic Rajasthan Tours covers two
most important aspects highlighted by Rajasthan tourism. It
takes you to major forts and palaces throughout the state
and offers you an opportunity to experience the life of royal
guests at some of the heritage hotels of Rajasthan. The Lake
Palace at
Udaipur
is the best regal venue you will ever find to share a romantic
dinner. The
Royal and Rustic Rajasthan Tours
also takes you to witness the jubilant spirit of Rajasthani
villagers who do not forget to rejoice and celebrate the very
essence of life with music, dance and interesting traditions.
Daywise Itinerary for Royal Rustic Rajasthan
Tour:
Day 1 : Arrive Delhi
A Company representative from
TNS will receive
you on arrival at the international airport in Delhi late in the evening.
Transfer to your hotel. Relax.
DELHI- the capital of
kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend
of the past and the present. It is a perfect introduction to the composite
culture of an ancient land. A window to the kaleidoscope - that is India.
Overnight at Delhi.
Day 2 : Delhi - Agra (By Road 250
Kms/6 hr)
Proceed for Agra after breakfast. Reach Agra in the
afternoon.
AGRA: Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and
Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second
capital of the Mughal Empire - giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of
the Emperor}. Today a visitor to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting
edifices, of red sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys and quaint
buggies, and that irresistible
charm that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains. It is not
surprising, that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most
conspicuously. A walk down the narrow bustling streets of the city will
introduce the visitor to the wafting aroma of Mughlai cuisine. Check in at
hotel and proceed for sightseeing. Enjoy battery van ride to the Taj.
TAJ MAHAL: Little needs to be said about this architectural
wonder which is always the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to
Agra. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his
beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and
was designed, and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from it's
stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted
particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of
the best inlay work ever seen. Proceed for sightseeing to the
AGRA FORT
- Built by the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort is
predominantly of red sandstone. Ensconced within is the picture perfect
Pearl Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction.
Visit
Itmadullah's Tomb built by Empress NOOR JEHAN in memory of her father (The
interiors of which are considered better than the Taj).
Overnight
at Agra.
Day 03: Agra - Jaipur (By Road 221 Kms/6 hr)
After breakfast drive to beautiful Pink City -
Jaipur.
Stop at Fatehpur Sikri.
The deserted, red Sandstone City, Emperor Akbar built that as his capital
and palace in the late 16th century is an exhilarating experience. It a
veritable fairytale city and its "ruins" are in pristine condition
... it's not hard to imagine what the court life must have been like in the
days of it's grandeur. Also visit the Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway in
the world.
Reach and check in at hotel.
JAIPUR - The origins of the beautiful city
of
Jaipur
can be traced back to the eighteenth century, during the reign
of Jai Singh II who ascended the Amber throne in 1699. Jaipur
today, epitomizes the spirit of Rajputana. In-spite of growing
into a bustling metropolis, it still retains it's character
and history - A beautiful fusion of the yesteryears and modernity.
Popularly known as the Pink City because of the extensive
use of the locally abundant pink plastered stone, painted
so in honor of the visit of the royal consort of Queen Victoria.
Jaipur thrills the soul with its massive forts, magnificent
palaces, exquisite temples and lush gardens.
Overnight at Jaipur.
Day 04: Jaipur Breakfast 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. It's forbidding
exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion
of Mughal and Hindu styles finds it's 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.
Its five-storey structure of sandstone plastered pink encrusted
with fine trellis work 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.
Visit a rug factory
and see the ladies at the intricate work or a gem factory and see the gem
cutting and polishing process.
Overnight at Jaipur.
Day 05: Jaipur - Udaipur (By Road 300 km/7 hr) Start for
Udaipur after breakfast.
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 at Udaipur.
Day 06: Udaipur
Breakfast at hotel.
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 he 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 at Udaipur.
Day 07: Udaipur -
Jodhpur (By Road 260 km/6 hr)
After breakfast drive to
Jodhpur.
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 Jodhpur.
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.
Relax in the hotel and visit the museum of
UMAID
BHAWAN PALACE. Overnight at
Jodhpur.
Day 08: Jodhpur Morning go for a village safari in the jeep
and have a rare glimpse into the rich culture and true essence of India.
Abundant wildlife (game) and memorable moments of the great desert landscape
fascinates one while driving along the countryside.
Afternoon 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.
Overnight at Jodhpur.
Day 09: Jodhpur - Jaisalmer (By Road
300 km/5 hr)
Proceed for
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 Lodurvaand founded
a new capital -
Jaisalmer,
perched on the Trikuta Hill.
Reach and
check in at hotel. Overnight at Jaisalmer.
Day 10: 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.
In the afternoon, proceed to the SAM 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 the SWISS TENT CAMP.
Day 11: Jaisalmer to
Bikaner (By Road 330 km/5 hr)
Breakfast at the camp. Continue with
the safari and reach Bikaner via NAGAUR.
Check in at hotel.
BIKANER -
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. 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.
Relax in
the evening. Overnight at Bikaner.
Day 12: Bikaner - Mandawa (By Road 140 km/3 hr)
Breakfast at hotel. 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. The city is also called the
Camel Country.
Visit the camel-breeding farm - the only one in Asia. Visit
the KARNI MATA TEMPLE.
Proceed for
Mandawa.
The medieval Fort of Mandawa gradually rises on the horizon
like a mirage. A breathtaking view of the town can be seen
from the terrace of Castle Mandawa. Precious collection of
arms with jade handles, traditional ceremonial costumes can
be seen at the Museum at the Castle. The havelies worth a
visit are Chokhani, Saraf, Goenka and Ladia in this town.
Built in 1775 by Thakur Nawal Singh, descendant of Rao Shekhaji,
who also founded the city of Nawalgarh. The Castle, now a
51 rooms hotel has no two rooms alike. It also houses an interesting
collection of paintings, jade, costumes and antiques. The
courtyard and the terrace come to live during evenings with
candle-lit dinners and fire-dances during the season. A two
hundred and forty year old fortess, that has been converted
by the family into a fine example of traditional hospitality.
Reach and check in at hotel. Overnight at
Mandawa.
Day 13: Mandawa - Delhi
(By Road 260 km/5 hr)
Breakfast at hotel.
Take a walking
tour of the painted 'havelis' of some of the leading business families of
the country. Though they no longer live here, the local caretakers are happy
to show the visitors around. Chowkhani Haveli, Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli,
Lakshminarayan Ladia Haveli, Mohahanlal Saraf Haveli and Bhagchandika Haveli
are of special interest. Spend the major part of the day looking into
frescoes.
Also visit Mahensar and Dundlod meeting the local
village chief. Leave for Delhi. Reach by evening. Overnight at Delhi.
Day 14: Delhi - Home Breakfast at Delhi. Proceed for a
full day tour of Old & New Delhi.
OLD DELHI - A sightseeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting
the Raj Ghat - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama
Masjid - the largest mosque in India and the Red Fort - once the most
opulent fort and palace of the Moghul Empire.
Cycle rickshaw ride
from Jama Masjid to Chandni Chowk.
NEW DELHI - An
extensive sightseeing tour of New Delhi would include a visit to the
Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue -
Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House, the President's
Residence and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.
Proceed for the
DANCES OF INDIA SHOW in the evening at 1800 hr
after checking out of the hotel. After the show you will have FAREWELL
DINNER arranged by TNS Travel before reaching the airport for flight home with sweet memories of
India.
