Delhi -
Manuar-Jaisalmer-Jodhopur,Ranakpur-Kumbhalgarh-Udaipur-Jaipur-Ranthambore- Bharatpur -Agra-
Varanasi - Delhi
Duration of the tour
: 17 days
Highlights of the tour : Indian Desert, Forts & palaces, Temples, Indian
Culture,Villages, Indian Wildlife,River Ganga, Taj Mahal , Birds
Best time to Visit : Round the
year.
Days 1 :: Arr. Delhi
Arrive Delhi - we will be waiting for you alongwith your name card and
will transfer to your hotel, where you may relax after your
international flights.
Day 02 :: Delhi -
Morning just relax and in the afternoon Half day city tour of the Old
City ie; to visiting Jama Mosque, Chandani Chowk, the Red Fort,
Raj Ghat, Gandhi Memorial Museum, and Ashok Pillar. Evening you will
have the time to go for Sound & Light show at Red Fort - great sound and
light effects and is worth watching the program- dinner in a specialty
restaurant - overnight in the Hotel.
Day 03 :: Delhi
Full day tour of Delhi - today in the Morning your guide will take
you to Laxmi Narayan Temple (hindu temple), Qutab Minar - the tallest
minaret in asia existing from the last 900 years, Lotus Temple (Bhai's
Temple) shapes like as lotus flower, Himayun's Tomb - a mughal monument
and drive pass though President House, Parliament house, India Gate and
Diplomatic Enclave. Later afternoon visit Craft bazaar - where you see
small time craftsmen from different states of India have the opportunity
of selling there products directly to the customer at a very low
rates. Later return back to the hotel - dinner and o/n stay in the
Hotel.
Day 4 Manuar
Late morning flight to Jodhpur and transfer to Manuar, a desert village
in the middle of the Thar Desert. After lunch, you will embark on a jeep
safari to visit a desert tribe known as the Vishnois. The Vishnois
follow 29 (bish-noi) principles of a non-violent Vaishnava sect, founded
in the 15th century. They are known for their reverence for wildlife and
their careful environmental management. The Vishnois are a gentle
community of potters, weavers, leather embroiderers, and camel herders.
You'll enjoy a first-hand view of village life in India. Manuar Desert
Resort.
Day 5 Jaisalmer
Morning drive deeper into the Thar Desert. Suddenly, the enchanting
mountaintop city of Jaisalmer will emerge out of nowhere, its Rajput
fortress visible from miles away. Founded in the 12th century, Jaisalmer
became a major staging post on the trade route from India to the West.
The merchants prospered and invested part of their wealth in building
beautiful houses and temples with the local yellow sandstone. Today,
Jaisalmer is perhaps the most magical city in all of Rajastan: its
golden sandstone walls and narrow streets lined with exquisitely carved
buildings lend an extraordinarily medieval feel to the city.
Afternoon tour of the Thar Desert Museum, Golden Fort, the Palace, and
several havelis that rival their Venetian counterparts. These havelis,
formerly the homes of wealthy Jain merchants, are notable for their
intricate 18th and 19th century workmanship and sandstone carvings. O/n
in Hotel.
Day 6 Jaisalmer
This morning, you'll embark on a mini-camel safari over large sand dunes
to visit the beautiful desert villages of Ratarasar and Dhoba.
(Travelers who do not want to mount a camel may follow the same route by
jeep.) This afternoon you are free to rest or to stroll through
Jaisalmer's fascinating bazaar. The city is renowned for embroidery,
mirrorwork, rugs, blankets, stonework, and antiques. You may also visit
a Jain Temple. This evening, dine at a local restaurant. O/n in the
Hotel.
Day 7 Jodhpur
Morning drive to Jodhpur, known as the "Blue City" for the predominance
of blue houses within the city's historical district. Jodhpur lies on
the once strategic Delhi-Gujarat trade route and the Marwaris managed
and benefited from the traffic of opium, copper, silk, sandalwood,
dates, and coffee. Your afternoon sightseeing tour will include visits
to the Meherangarh Fort Palace Museum, Jaswant Thanda, and the Sardar
Market. O/n in the Hotel.
Day 8 Ranakpur/Kumbalgarh
Morning drive to Ranakpur, one of five holy Jain sites and perhaps the
finest Jain Temple complex in India. Ranakpur's main temple, built early
in the 15th century, is notable for the remarkable beauty of both its
architecture and intricate white marble carvings. Watch as Jain priests
clad in white robes assist followers with their offering ceremonies.
Other priests will cheerfully answer any questions you may have about
their fascinating religion. Note that Jain beliefs are greatly respected
and admired, even among non-Jains. Short afternoon drive to Kumbalgarh.
O/n in the Hotel.
Day 9 Kumbalgarh/Udaipur
This morning's easy hike will take you to the impressive and highly
photogenic fortress of Kumbalgarh, set atop a 3,000 foot high mountain
and surrounded by 365 Hindu and Jain temples. Kumbalgarh was the second
most important fortress of the Mewar Kingdom and commanded a great
strategic position between the Rajput kingdoms of Udaipur and Jodhpur .
Your hike will take you through wooded areas, alongside several Temples,
and up to the fortress itself, where you will dismount and take a
walking tour of Kumbalgarh. Enjoy the superb panoramic views.
After lunch, drive to Udaipur, where you will check into the
incomparably beautiful Lake Palace Hotel for two nights. Evening puppet
show/folk dancing. O/n in the Hotel.
Day 10 Udaipur
Udaipur is a beautiful city, regarded by many as one of the most
romantic in India. Its white marble palaces, placid blue lakes, and
green hills make it an oasis of color in a stark and arid region.
Morning tour of Sahelion ki Bari, Fateh Sagar Lake, City Palace, Jagdish
Temple, and Gulab Niwas Garden. Then visit the workshops of Udaipur's
magnificent artisans, who are famous for their paintings on marble,
camel bone, rice paper and silk; for producing marble inlaid with
semi-precious gemstones; and for their intricate wood carvings. O/n in
the Hotel.
Day 11 Jaipur
Morning flight to Jaipur. Founded in 1728 by warrior-astronomer Maharaja
Jai Singh, Jaipur is known as the 'Pink City" for the rose-colored
buildings of its historical district. The city is surrounded by rugged
hills crowned with forts. This morning, enjoy an easy elephant ride up
to the Amber Fort, followed by a tour of the City Palace, Palace of the
Winds, Jantar Mantar Royal Observatory, and Central Museum. You may also
have time to observe Jaipur's craftsmen, who are renowned for their
skill in cutting precious stones, as well as for their brass inlay and
lacquer work. O/n in the Hotel.
Days 12 :: Ranthambore
Morning drive to Ranthambore National Park. Ranthambore
offers beautiful hilly scenery with varied vegetation, lakes, and rivers
as well as maybe the best opportunity in India for encountering the
Royal Bengal Tiger. Once the Maharaja of Jaipur's private tiger reserve,
Ranthambore came under the Project Tiger conservation scheme in 1972.
Approximately 40 tigers currently roam Ranthambore. Although the best
season for tiger viewing is November through April, a tiger sighting
cannot be guaranteed. Twice-daily game drives may also expose you to
leopards, spotted deer, wild boar, sambar, sloth bear, caracal, jackal,
crocodile, hyena, and diverse birdlife. You'll also visit the
well-preserved Ranthambore Fort, built in the 10th century.
O/n in the Hotel.
Day 13 : Ranthambore
Morning & afternoon jeep safari's inside the park - view the tigers
and other Indian wildlife. Dinner and o/n in the Hotel.
Day 14 Ranthambore -Fatehpur Sikri - Agra
On your way to Agra, you will stop at Fatehpur Sikri, a special
destination. Once the capital of the Mughal Empire, Fatehpur Sikri
remains in perfect condition to this day. The city was constructed
during the rein of Akbar, the greatest of the Mughal emperors, and it
was at Fatehpur Sikri where the Emperor spent the richest and most
productive years of his 49 year rein. You will take a short tour of this
Sikri, where Islamic, Hindu, and Jain influences are all evident in the
architecture. Then take a short drive to Agra where, time-permitting,
you will be able to visit the Taj before sunset for outstanding
photographic opportunities. Dinner and o/n in the Hotel.
Note: Birding enthusiasts may elect to visit Bharatpur instead of
Fatehpur Sikri. Bharatpur is the finest bird sanctuary in India and one
of the best in Asia.
Day 15 Agra
Agra replaced Lahore as the capital of the Mughal Empire in 1599, and
the city contains some of India's most superb monuments, including the
Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort. You will tour both of these magnificent
structures. One of the world's most beautiful monuments, the Taj took 18
years to construct and was an expression of Emperor Shah Jehan's love
for his wife. You'll have the opportunity to visit the Taj at sunrise to
fully appreciate its beauty under varying lighting conditions.
Dinner and o/n in the Hotel.
Day 16 Agra - Varanasi (fly)
Fly to Varanasi. The holiest of India's seven Sacred Cities of Hinduism,
Varanasi attracts over one million pilgrims each year. Some devout
Hindus who are nearing death move to Varanasi to have their ashes
scattered in the holy Ganga River. Your tour will take you to the ghats
of the river front, where pilgrims come to pray and bathe in the sacred
Ganga. You will also visit Bharat Mata Temple, Durga Temple (Monkey
Temple), Emperor Aurangzeb's Mosque, the Sacred Bull, the Vishwanath
Temple, Benaras Hindu University, and take a drive through bazaars.
Dinner and o/n in the Hotel.
Day 17 - Varanasi/Delhi
This morning, enjoy a yoga class at the hotel. Free time to take another
Ganga boat ride or to explore Varanasi before flying to Delhi. You will
be taking late afternoon flight to Delhi - so that you can see more of
Varanasi and in the evening - we will drop you at the airport to catch
yr. international connection..
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