09 DAYS / 08 NIGHTS PROGRAMME VISITING
DELHI - AGRA – JAIPUR – JODHPUR – UDAIPUR
DAY & PROGRAMME
01 : Arrive Delhi
Meeting and assistance on arrival and Check-in at the hotel.
Delhi – The name brings the complexities, the contradictions, the beauty and the dynamism of a city where the past co-exist with the present. Many dynasties ruled here and have left behind a rich heritage of architectural value through their monuments. Drives cultural elements absorbed into the daily life of the city have enriched its characters. Exploring the city can be a fascinating and rewarding experience.
Overnight at the hotel.
02 : Delhi
After breakfast visit - Raj Ghat - the cremation site of Mahatma Ghandi, drive past Red Fort, built in 1648 by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan, Jama Masjid, one of the longest mosque in India and Chandini Chowk, shopping center of Delhi. New Delhi visiting Qutaub Minar built by Qutub – ud –Din Aibek in 1199. India Gate (War Memorial Arch). Lakshminarayan Temple – a modern Hindu Temple and drive past President House, Parliament House, and Government Secretariat Buildings.
Overnight at the hotel.
03 : Delhi – Agra by surface (204 Kms)
After breakfast drive to Agra and check-in at the hotel.
Agra is famous as being home to one of the "seven wonders of the world - The Taj Mahal". This city was once the capital of the Mughal empire and it has several monuments which display the splendour of Mughal architecture. Besides the monuments, Agra is worth a visit for the masterpieces of craftsmen recreating the glory of the Mughal period and for the Mughlai cuisine, the aroma of which fills the narrow lanes of AOvernight at the hotel.
Afternoon visit Taj Mahal & Agra Fort.
The world famous Taj Mahal built by the Moghul Emperor Shahjehan in 1630 for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains.
Perhaps no other historical monument has evoked as much awareness and admiration from tourists and travellers alike, as the magnificent Taj Mahal - fondly called by people as the ultimate requiem of love, from a great Mughal Emperor to his beloved.
So overwhelming is the exquisite beauty and presence of this marble mausoleum that centuries later today, even the very land where it has been located - Agra - has been immortalised as the City of the Taj. Yet, it doesn’t take much for the roving eye to discover that there's more to Agra than just the fabled Taj Mahal. The city is a virtual gateway to a world of discovery… a freeze-frame from a resplendant era that's long since gone by.
Agra Fort containing the Pearl Mosque, the Halls of Public and Private Audience. Also visit the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daullah built by Empress Noorjehan in memory of her father.
Overnight at the hotel.
04 : Agra – Jaipur by surface (238 Kms)
After breakfast drive to Jaipur enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri.
The royal city at Fatehpur Sikri, situated 40 Kms miles west of Agra, was built at the orders of the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. While Akbar himself was illiterate, he took a keen interest in literature, architecture, and the arts. He is also reputed to be a very tolerant ruler, and the buildings at Fatehpur Sikri blended both Islamic and Hindu elements in their architectural style. One of the buildings even reflects the new sycretistic faith founded by Akbar, Din-e-ilahi, which though very short-lived remains a matter of controversy.
On arrival in Jaipur check-in at the hotel.
Jaipur the capital city of Rajasthan is the first planned city of India. It has been the capital of the royalty and it still retains the glory of the past through the monuments, forts and palaces built by Rajaputs, the Royal Family. The entire city of Jaipur is painted in pink and thereby attained the name Pink City. The customs, traditions, civilization and legacy of the place is truly different. Artistic temples and gardens of Jaipur make the atmosphere serene and the cultural heritage makes it effervescent.
Overnight at the hotel.
05. Jaipur
After breakfast proceed excursion to the Amber Fort.
The Amber Fort looks stunning, all-built in white marble and red sandstone. To add to its charm, Maotha Lake makes its foreground. The crystal mirror image of the Fort, on the still waters of the lake, seems to be a beautiful illusion. The marvelous decoration of the Amer Fort is influenced by both, the Hindu and Muslim manner of ornamentation. The best part of this tourist attraction situated on a crafty hill, is the royal elephant ride. The flawless beauty of the Fort can be enjoyed royally with an elephant ride.
Within the palace are the Diwan-e-Aam or the "Hall of Public Audience", the Diwan-e-Khas or the "Hall of Private Audience" and the Sukh Niwas where a cool breeze blows across channels of water for the purpose of air-conditioning. The Jai Mandir or the "Temple of Vicotry", with its famed Sheesh Mahal, the scintillating "Hall of Mirrors".
Afternoon visit City Palace and Jantar Mantar (Observatory).
The City Palace – is now converted into a Museum. The architecture of the City Palace is a synthesis of Rajasthani and Mughal styles. The Complex comprises of many structures, courtyards, gardens and buildings. The City Palace does not only have a lot of historical significance but is also a reminder of the royal past. It stands as a symbol of the royal elegance and courtly splendor that is no longer visible.
Other important attractions are the Textile and Costume Museum, Art Gallery, Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, and Diwan-i-Khas and Diwan-i-Am.
Hawa Mahal is a major landmark and a famous tourist attraction of Jaipur. The literal meaning of Hawa Mahal is Palace of Winds. The Palace offers a beautiful sight to behold. The splendid Rajputana architecture of Hawa Mahal, still speaks the glory of the royal family.
Drive past Hawa Mahal - Strange though it may seem, this most famous landmark of Jaipur is not actually a palace but a series of sandstone screens. This pink structure was constructed so that the ladies of the palace could watch the royal processions without being seen by any outsider. This sandstone edifice was named Palace of Winds after the many brass wind vanes that adorned it until 1960s.
Jantar Mantar (Observatory) - at Jaipur is the largest stone observatory in the World and this feature makes it, a special destination for a traveler. Jantar Mantar has a remarkable collection of architectural astronomical instruments. It portrays noteworthy attempt of the ancestors, who were interested in astronomy and knowledge of celestial bodies. Amongst all the instruments, the Sundial usually attracts the maximum attention of people, which tells the time to an accuracy of about two seconds in local time of Jaipur.
Overnight at the hotel.
06. Jaipur – Jodhpur by surface (380 Kms).
After breakfast drive to Jodhpur. On arrival check-in at the hotel.
Jodhpur, Nestling within the depths of the Thar Desert, is the stronghold of the Rathore clan - Jodhpur, once the capital of the former princely state of Marwar, the second largest city of Rajasthan, after Jaipur. The town was once known as Marwar, which means 'Land of Death', probably, referring to the harsh desert climate. It is an island of marble palaces, cordoned off from the desert by an immense wall, with eight gates facing different directions
Overnight at the hotel.
07. Jodhpur – Udaipur by surface (300 Kms)
After breakfast proceed for half day sightseeing tour visiting the Mehrangarh Fort, situated on a low sandstone Hill, including Moti-Mahal and Phool Mahal. This fort is one of the largest fort in India. the fort is situated at an altitude of about 125 metres and is spread over an area of 5 sq km, with seven gates. It has been a witness to the splendor of bygone era. The beauty and the grandeur of numerous places in the fort narrate a saga of hard sandstones yielding to the chisels of skilled Jodhpur sculptures. Mehrangarh literally means "Majestic Fort".
Visit Jaswant Thada which is a white marble memorial built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant II in 1899 A story goes that Maharaja Jaswant succumbed to injuries in this place while fighting the Mughal king Jahangir.
Umaid Bhawan Palace - This immense palace known as Chittar Palace because of the local chittar sandstone used. the only palace built in 20th century under the famine .It was built in a time of peace and is quite western in its design. It was built as a famine relief project which employment to people for 16 years. It has its own theatre, eight dining rooms, and a banquet hall which seats three hundred people. A Ball Room had been built, catering to the Westernized royal lifestyle. Much of the interior of the palace is in the art deco style. In fact, it is said to be one of the finest surviving examples of art deco in the world. Deep within the palace is an indoor swimming pool, with a mosaic of zodiac symbols. The palace now runs as a hotel, though, a part of it has been retained as a museum and part as royal residence.
Government Musuem - This museum has a rich collection of weapons, textiles, miniature portraits, sculptures, antique weapons, local crafts and images of Jain Tirthankars. It is situated in the middle of the Umaid public gardens.
Afternoon drive to Udaipur enroute visiting the Ranakpur Jain Temple.
Ranakpur Jain Temple which was built during the reign of the liberal and gifted Rajput monarch Rana Kumbha in the 15th century. The total number of columns is 1,444 all of which are intricately carved with no two being alike.The main temple is a Chaumukh or a four-faced temple dedicated to Adinath. The three other Jain temples in the same complex, including a temple of the Sun God, are all well worth a visit. One kilometer away from the temple complex is the temple of Amba Mata.
On arrival in Udaipur check-in at the hotel.
Udaipur, There is no place in India which appeals more to the imagination of poets and painters, travellers and writers, than Udaipur, the lovely lake side capital of Mewar. The city's inherent romance and beauty, and its remarkable past, bristling with episodes of heroism and splendour, continue to enthrall the visitor. Udaipur, the City of Dawn, looms up like a vision in white.Surrounded by hills and mountains, and set on the edge of three lakes, which give on to a fertile plain, it is bewitching in all its details - narrow streets lined by vivid coloured stalls, gardens, temples and palaces - every feature mirrored in the placid blue waters of lake Pichhola.
Overnight at the hotel.
08. Udaipur
After breakfast proceed for half day sightseeing of Udaipur visiting the City Palace, Completely white and majestic, the City Palace stands on a hill surrounded by crenellated walls. Its main entrance is through the triple arched gate, the Tripolia, built in 1725. The Suraj Gokhada, the Balcony of the Sun, where the Suryavanshi Maharanas of Mewar, presented themselves in times of trouble to the people to restore their confidence, is another fascinating monument Jagdish Temple, Built in 1651 A.D., by Maharaja Jagat Singh I, it is the largest and most splendid temple in Udaipur.
Drive around Fateh Sagar is a beautiful lake, overlooked by a number of hills on the three sides and the Pratap Memorial on the north was built by Maharana Fateh Singh. In the middle of the lake is Nehru Park-a lovely garden island with a boat shaped café accessible by an enjoyable boat ride. Saheliyon-ki-Bari (Queen resort for her friends) is a small ornamental garden was a popular relaxing spot where royal ladies came for a stroll and hence the name. The garden has many fountains in its four delightful pools, chiseled kiosks and marble elephants. Bharatiya Lok Kala Musuem has interesting collection exhibited by this Indian folk arts museum includes folk dresses, ornaments, puppets, masks, dolls, folk musical instruments, folk deities and paintings and the high point of the exhibits puppets.
Late afternoon boat ride on Lake Pichola.
Overnight at the hotel.
09. Depart Udaipur
In time transfer to Airport to connect flight for onward destination.
End of the Programme. Check-in is at 1400 Hrs & Check-out time is 1200 Hrs.
