Duration: 09 Nights/ 10Days
Places
Covered: Delhi - Mandawa - Bikaner- Jaisalmer - Khuri - Jaisalmer
- Jodhpur -Pushkar - Jaipur - Agra - Varanasi - Delhi
Day 1:Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi by any convenient flight. Meet upon arrival at the airport and
check in to hotel.
Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 2: Delhi
After breakfast in the hotel, proceed for the full day
tour of Old and New Delhi in the afternoon. Old Delhi was an ancient walled
city. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1650 switched the Mughal capital from
Agra to Delhi. Shah Jehan possessing an exquisite talent, especially in architecture,
created the seventh city and in the process brought about Delhi's glorious
renaissance. Here you will see Red Fort, the most opulent Fort and Palace
of the Mughal Empire. The fort is Shah Jahan's symbol of power and elegance,
built by behind sandstone walls. Its main gate (Lahore Gate) fac es Chandni
Chowk, the perpetually congested avenue heading west from the Red Fort, is
filled with twisting lanes, small streets and crowded bazaars. Also visit
Raj Ghat, the memorial site of the Mahatma Gandhi; Jama Masjid, the largest
mosque in India; and Chandni Chowk, the bustling and colorful market of the
old city. Chandni Chowk was the commercial centre of Delhi in the old time
and you will see it come alive in the morning as the trading day starts.
New Delhi was designed and built by the British in the 1920's - it's a city
of wide boulevards impressive Government buildings, green parks and gardens.
In 1911 King George V announced the transfer of the capital from Calcutta
to Delhi. The King's architects, Lutyens and Baker, set in motion the Design
and construction of Delhi's eighth city - New Delhi. Lutyens designed an "Imperial
City" having palatial-sized buildings set amid broad tree-lined avenues punctuated
by Mughal style gardens, complete with fountains and shallow pools. It took
20 years to complete this immense undertaking only to have the British pack
up and relinquish the subcontinent in 1947.
You will visit two monuments from Delhi's past - Humayun's Tomb and Qutub
Minar. Your drive takes you along the ceremonial avenue, Rajpath, past the
imposing India Gate and Parliament House. Also visit the local Bahai Temple
{Lotus Temple}.
Overnight stay at hotel.
.
Day 3: Delhi / Agra / Jaipur Train260 Kms & 05-06
Hrs.
In the morning after early breakfast pick up from the hotel and
drive to
Mandawa. Upon arrival in
Mandawa,
check in at the hotel. Enjoy the evening with a leisurely walk to get the
glimpse of beautiful painted havelies and ancient houses.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4:Mandawa / Bikaner250 Kms & 05-06 Hrs
Morning after early breakfasts leave Mandawa and drive to the famous city
of Bikaner. Upon arrival in Bikaner, check in at the hotel. Afternoon sightseeing
of Junagarh Fort, Lal Ghar Palace, the Sun Gate. Also visit the famous camel
breading center; this is the larget camel-breading center in Asia.
Overnight
stay at hotel.
The main attraction of the Manadawa-Bikaner tour is the sites
of Junagarh Fort, Lal Ghar Palace, and charming Sun Gate.
Day 5: Bikaner / Jaisalmer300 Kms & 05-06 Hrs
Morning after breakfast leave Bikaner, and drive to Jaisalmer, a fascinating
city rising from the heart of the Thar Desert like a golden mirage. On
arrival at Jaisalmer, check in to the hotel. Evening free for independent
activities.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
The highlight of the Jaisalmer
tour has to be Camel
Safari.
Day 6: Jaisalmer / Khuri / Jaisalmer.45
Kms & 01
Hour {Oneway}
Morning after breakfast at the hotel, proceed for sightseeing of Jaisalmer
city visit Nathmalji-Ki-Haveli and Patwaon ki Haveli, three beautifully sculptured
Jain temples built between the 12th and 13th Centuries; and five interconnected
palaces. The fort is approached through four gateways - Akhaiya Pol, Ganesh
Pol, Suraj Pol and Hawa Pol. About noon checkout from the hotel and drive to
Khuri.It is a small village in remote area of Rajasthan, quiet and beautiful
sand dunes, sunset point and fine place for Camel riding. How could we miss
the camel ride here? We will enjoy the camel ride at the sunset.
Overnight stay the hotel
.
Day 7:Jaisalmer / Jodhpur330 Kms & 06-07
Hrs
Morning after breakfast leave Khuri & drive to Jodhpur. Jodhpur is called
the "Blue City" for the characteristic plea indigo color of its traditional
homes. Upon arrival in Jodhpur, check in at the hotel. Overnight stay at
the hotel.
Overnight stay the hotel.
Day 8: Jodhpur
Morning visit the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, built atop
a 400 ft. promontory. Below the fort, visit the Jaswant Thada, a graceful
marble cenotaph built 1899 for Mahrajaha Jaswant Singh II, and monuments
to other Maharajahs of Jodhpur. After lunch visit Bishnoi Village. Evening
free for independent activities.
Overnight stay the hotel.
Day 9: Jodhpur / Pushkar
Morning visit the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, built atop a 400 ft. promontory.
Below the fort, visit the Jaswant Thada, a graceful marble cenotaph built
1899 for Mahrajaha Jaswant Singh II, and monuments to other Maharajahs of
Jodhpur. After lunch visit Bishnoi Village. Evening free for independent
activities.
Overnight stay the hotel.
Day 10:Pushkar / Jaipur
Morning visit the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, built atop a 400 ft. promontory.
Below the fort, visit the Jaswant Thada, a graceful marble cenotaph built
1899 for Mahrajaha Jaswant Singh II, and monuments to other Maharajahs of
Jodhpur. After lunch visit Bishnoi Village. Evening free for independent
activities.
Overnight stay the hotel.
Day 11: Jaipur
Morning visit the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, built atop
a 400 ft. promontory. Below the fort, visit the Jaswant Thada, a graceful
marble cenotaph built 1899 for Mahrajaha Jaswant Singh II, and monuments
to other Maharajahs of Jodhpur. After lunch visit Bishnoi Village. Evening
free for independent activities
Overnight stay the hotel
.
Day 12: Jaipur / Agra
Morning visit the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, built atop a 400 ft.
promontory. Below the fort, visit the Jaswant Thada, a graceful marble
cenotaph built 1899 for Mahrajaha Jaswant Singh II, and monuments to other
Maharajahs of Jodhpur. After lunch visit Bishnoi Village. Evening free
for independent activities.
Overnight at the hotel.
Note: Taj Mahal is closed on every Friday
Day 13: Agra / Varanasi
Morning visit the Taj Mahal, at the time of sunrise {recommendable} : The
Taj Mahal, built by an emperor in memory of his beloved queen. Construction
of the Taj Mahal began in 1631, and is believed to have taken 18 years to
complete, with over 20,000 craftsmen working around the clock. The design
and construction is said to be that of the legendary architect, Ustad Ahamad
Lahori. Legend has it that once construction was completed, Shah Jehan had
Lahori's hands cut off, and blinded, so he would never be able to duplicate
the structure. What makes the Taj Mahal unique is its perfect proportions,
distinct femininity, medium of construction and ornamentation. Its marble
exterior reflects rose and golden tints at sunrise and sunset, while it is
dazzling white during the day. It is impossible to visualize the Taj Mahal
in any surrounding others than its paradoxical garden. Paradise, in Islam,
is visualized as a lush garden where running streams flow. When the Mughals
brought this concept to India they elevated it to heights of incomparable
artistry. After visiting the Taj Mahal return back to hotel for late breakfast.
After relax at the hotel proceed for the sightseeing of Agra city, visit
Agra Fort, Itmad-Ud-Dola and the city. At the impressive Agra Fort you are
taken through the chambers of this royal residence. As you drive through
the city, witness the local life and bazaars (markets) and the hustle bustle
of everyday India. Evening free for relax or optional visit the famous monument
of love the Taj Mahal during sunset. After early dinner transfer to Agra
Fort railway station to take train to Varanasi.
Overnight on board the train.
Day 14: Arrive Varanasi
Arrive Varanasi railway station in the early morning.
Meet on arrival and transfer to hotel. Varanasi is the religious centre of
Hindu religion. Situated on the banks of the holy river Ganges, Varanasi
is considered to be among the oldest living cities of the world and has been
a centre of learning and civilization for centuries. Varanasi holds special
significance in the lives of the Indian people. Every year hundreds of thousands
of pilgrims make a long journey to this vibrant city where you can find the
richest of the rich living side by side with the poorest of the poor. Travel
to Varanasi with an open mind and see what faith can do to people and what
their devotion to god leads them to achieve. Look beyond the poverty into
the eyes of the people and you will see a sense of enlightenment and peace
that their belief in a god has given them. The old city of Varanasi is a
maze of small streets and alleyways hiding in disorderly array no less than
2800 temples and shrines. Domes, minarets, pinnacles and towers, and derelict
eighteenth century palaces dominate the sacred left bank of the river. All
in the jumble of this fascinating and spiritual city, you will see marriage
processions and funeral processions and cows grabbing big flower necklaces
destined for the gods. Varanasi is an unique city that vibrates with cosmic
forces beyond comprehension. Afternoon proceed for half day excursion to
Sarnath, which is around 10 kms from the city centre. Sarnath symbolizes
the birth of Buddhism. It was here that Buddha revealed his doctrine and
founded his monastic community. The museum at Sarnath is amongst the most
important in India and contains carvings representing a whole range of styles
- archaic, the Mathura School, Gupta, past Gupta and Medieval - covering
work of sculptors from the 3rd century B.C. to the 12th century A.D. Also
seen here is the original lions heads from the Asoka Pillar, which form the
symbol of the Indian republic.
Overnight at stay at hotel.
The
Varanasi and Sarnath tour will certainly give
you the pleasure and delight and depicts some of the most famous religious
sites of the country.
Day 15: Varanasi / Delhi.
Early this morning leave your hotel
around 5:30 am for an early morning sunrise boat excursion on the holy River
Ganges. See Varanasi come alive along the banks of the river. See people bathing
in the holy water and worshipping the rising sun. Witness the conclusion of
life at the river bank holy cremation grounds. It is believed if you die in
Varanasi you go straight to heaven. Varanasi will be one of the most extraordinary
experiences of your visit to India. After the boat ride return to the hotel
for breakfast. Proceed on a Varanasi City Tour driving through the Banaras
Hindu University with a visit to the Bharat Mata (Mother India) Temple. Visit
some of the holy temples of the city, which encapsulates the ambience, and
the spirit of the city. Highlights include the Durga Temple, better known as
the 'monkey temple' on account of the large number of monkeys residing there
and the Temple of Vishwanath (or Visheshwar, Lord of the Universe). If time
permits before returning to the hotel, visit some of the silk brocade and weaving
centers - a specialty of Varanasi. Afternoon check out from the hotel and transfer
to Varanasi airport to take Air Sahara flight to Delhi at 1720 Hrs. Arrival
Delhi at 2800 Hrs. On arrival in Delhi transfer to hotel.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 16:Delhi / Departure
Morning after breakfast, check
out from the hotel and transfer to Delhi airport to take your return flight
back home.
End of services with happy memories.
