DAY 1: ARRIVE DELHI

Arrive Delhi by flight. Meeting and assistance on

arrival and transfer to Hotel. Overnight stay.

DAY 2: DELHI

Morning combined sightseeing of New & Old

Delhi. Visit the 12th century Qutab Minar,

gracefully hand-carved for its entire height of

234ft, and the iron pillar, which has withstood the ravages of time and not rusted even after 1500

years.

Visit the mausoleum of emperor Humayun – a forerunner of the Mughal style of

architecture and the imposing modern Lakshminarayan temple. Drive past the

India Gate (war memorial dedicated to the lives of laid down by the Indian

soldiers), the president’s residence – formerly the Viceroy’s Palace, parliament House and the Secretariat buildings, – an interesting blend of the Victorian and

20th century architecture.

DAY 3: DELHI –MANDAWA

Today morning drive to Mandawa. (7 hours drive). On arrival checkin at hotel.Afternoon visit the havelis in Shekhawati. These havlis were made by traders

in earlier centuries with rich frescoes on the walls & ceilings depicting the

contemporary religious and social life. Overnight stay.

DAY 4: MANDAWA – BIKANER

Morning drive to Bikaner. (4:30 hours drive). On arrival checkin at hotel. Overnight

stay.

DAY 5: BIKANER

Morning: City sightseeing of Bikaner. The city is bolstered by imposing walls and

has a 16th century fort housing old palaces, temples and a mosque. Founded by Raja Rai Singh, the fort is distinguished by its long range of 37 pavilions, a line of

balconies and aerial windows of varying designs. An enormous arched doorway

leads to the Joramal temple.

The royal chapel is Har Mandir where royal weddings and births were once

celebrated. Afternoon: Visit Camel breeding camp. Overnight stay at the hotel

DAY 6: BIKANER-JAISALMER

Morning leave Bikaner by surface for Jaisalmer. (7 hours drive). On arrival, check in at

hotel. Overnight stay.

DAY 7: JAISALMER

Morning sightseeing of Jaisalmer, built in burnished sandstone is an intricately

molded wonderland. The tour takes you through this city of gilded magic. See the

Citadel, the fort built by Rawal Jaisal where a fourth of the population lives. Also visit

Jain temples of the 12th to 15th centuries Patwon ki Haveli, a five-story mansion with

carved pillars and murals; Salim Singh and Nathmalji ki Haveli.

Late afternoon excursion to the Sam sand dunes, 40 Kms from Jaisalmer. It is known

for its camel rides, shifting sand dunes and beautiful sunsets. Enjoy Camel Ride at

Sand Dunes. Overnight stay.

DAY 8: JAISALMER-KHIMSAR

Morning drive to Khimsar Fort. (6:30 hours drive). Relax in the Khimsar Fort for rest of

the day. Overnight stay.

DAY 9: KHIMSAR – JODHPUR

Morning drive to Jodhpur. (2:30 hours drive).On arrival check in at hotel.

Later sightseeing of Jodhpur visiting the 5-km long Mehrangarh Fort situated on a

125-mt high hill. This is one of the most impressive and formidable structures in

Rajasthan.

Within the fort are some magnificent palaces with meticulously carved panels,

latticed windows or “Jarokhas” with evocative names The chambers of Moti Mahal,

Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, the Sileh Khana and the Daulat Khana are noteworthy for the splendour and glamour of a bygone era.

Later visit the Jaswant Thada – a cluster of royal cenotaphs in the white marble

built in 1899 AD in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh-II. Overnight stay at the

hotel.

DAY 10: JODHPUR-RANAKPUR-UDAIPUR

Morning leave by surface for Udaipur visiting Ranakpur en route. (6 hours drive).

The Jain temples of Ranakpur built in the 15th century are situated in the lovely Aravali valley. The town is named after Rana Khumba the legendary warrior king of

Udaipur. Its surroundings are peaceful and picturesque .

The Ranakpur Jain temples have grand structure and beautiful sculptures. There

are 1444 pillars in the main temple and no two of them are similar. Visit Surya Temple and other Jain temples a little distance away

Later, drive to Udaipur. On arrival, check in at hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 11: UDAIPUR

Morning city tour visiting City Palace, built in 1725, which houses the Dilkhush

Mahal, Sheesh Mahal – studded with glittering Belgian mirrors, Moti Mahal and the

Palace of Lord Krishna all of which are ornately decorated. Later visit the Jagdish

Temple. This temple built in 1651 is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the

Hindu Trinity of Gods. Also visit the Sahelion Ki Barigardens and fountains. Later drive around the Fatehsagar Lake. Overnight stay.

DAY 12: UDAIPUR-SARDARGARH

Morning drive to Sardargarh. (2:30 hours drive). On arrival checkin at Sardargarh.

Later take a Jeep safari in the village. Overnight stay.

DAY 13: SARDARGARH – PUSHKAR

Today morning drive to Pushkar. (4:30 hours

drive). On arrival checkin at hotel.

Pushkar is a bewitching unique little town clinging

to the side of the Pushkar lake surrounded by

innumerable Ghats and temples. Most important

of these temples is of Lord Bramha – the creator.

A religious place (meat / alcohol are taboo), it is

always abuzz with activity especially during the

Camel Fair when it breaks with riot of colourful

events.

Overnight stay.

DAY 14: PUSHKAR – JAIPUR

Today morning drive to Jaipur. (3:30 hours drive). On arrival. checkin at hotel.

Overnight stay.

DAY15: JAIPUR

Morning excursion to Amber fort. Amber is a classic, romantic Rajasthani Fort Palace. The rugged, time-ravaged walls of the Fort may not look beautiful from the

outside, but the interior is a virtual paradise. Miniatures painted on the walls depict

hunting and war scenes, apart from festivals. Precious stones and mirrors are

embedded into the plaster. A major attraction at Amber is the Elephant Ride all the

way up to the Fort entrance.

This journey on caparisoned elephants is bound to

enrich your memories with the Royal lifestyle of the

Maharajas and leave you with a truly unforgettable

experience. Inside the Fort visit the Jag Mandir or

the Hall of Victory. Inside the Jag Mandir is the famed Sheesh Mahal – a room with all the four

walls and ceiling completely embedded with

glittering mirror pieces, which were specially

imported from Belgium during that period.

Afternoon sightseeing tour of city visiting Maharaja’s City Palace, the former Royal residence, part of it converted into a museum. A small portion is still used

by the Royal family of Jaipur. Built in the style of a

fortified campus, the palace covers almost one-

seventh in area of the city.

One of the major attractions in the museum is the

portion known as Armoury Museum housing an

impressive array of weaponry-pistols, blunderbusses,

flintlocks, swords, rifles and daggers.

The royal families of Jaipur once used most of these weapons. Later visit the

Jantar Mantar, which is the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the

world. Situated near the gate of the city palace, the observatory has 17 large

instruments, many of them still in working condition.

En route to Amber Fort, you will have a brief photography stop at Hawa Mahal – the Palace of

Winds.

DAY 16: JAIPUR–FATEHPUR SIKRI-AGRA

Morning leave by surface for Agra visiting Fatehpur Sikri en route. (6 hours

drive).

Located 40 Km before Agra, the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri was built by

Emperor Akbar in 1569, in honour of the great Saint Sheikh Salim Chisti who

blessed Akbar and prophesized the birth of three sons to the heirless Emperor.

Akbar used Fatehpur Sikri as his capital and the city was fully occupied for 14

years but slowly became deserted and ruined after Akbar left the city. Scarcity of

water was the prime factor for the abandonment of this beautiful city. Visit the

remarkably well-preserved, graceful buildings within the ‘Ghost City’ including

the Jama Masjid, tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal Palace and other palaces

that speak of the grandeur and splendour of the Mughal empire at the height of

its power.

Later continue the drive to Agra. On arrival, check in at hotel. Overnight stay.

DAY 17: AGRA

Morning sightseeing tour of city visiting the world famous Taj Mahal built by Shah

Jahan in 1560 in memory of his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains.

This architectural marvel is a perfectly proportioned masterpiece fashioned from white

marble that stands testimony to the skill of 20,000 craftsmen brought together from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy and who took 17 year to complete this ‘ Love Poem

in Marble’. (Friday closed). Later visit the Agra Fort. In Fort visit Diwan-E-Am (House

of commons), mosques within Fort and royal pavilions like Macchi Bhavan, Shah

Jahani Mahal & others. Several of the buildings are made of pure marble with

beautiful carvings. To cool off the rooms, the walls were hollow and filled with running water. The balconies of these pavilions give clear view of Tajmahal & Yamuna river

flowing next to it. Overnight stay.

DAY 18: AGRA – DELHI & LEAVE DELHI

Today transfer straight to Delhi airport (4-5 hours drive) to board the return flight.