Rajasthan in True Colors with The Taj Mahal Tour
Travel Package
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Duration: 9 Nights / 10 Days
Places Covered: Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Jodhpur
- Udaipur - Pushkar - Kishangarh - Delhi
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Day 01: Arrival at Delhi
Company representatives will receive you on arrival at the DELHI
AIRPORT and transfer to your hotel.
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 will be at Delhi.
Day 02: Delhi
After breakfast proceed for a half 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.
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.
Day 03: Delhi - Agra (By Road 221 km/05 hrs)
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed by surface to Agra. Reach and check into the hotel.
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.
Proceed for sightseeing of the city.
Enjoy battery van ride to the Taj Mahal.
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).
Relax in the evening. Overnight will be at Agra.
Day 04: Agra - Jaipur (By Road 221 km/05 hrs)
After breakfast drive to beautiful Pink City - Jaipur.
Drive to 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 will be at Jaipur.
Day 05: Jaipur
After breakfast drive to Amber Palace. Enjoy Elephant Back 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.
Continue city sightseeing.
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 trelliswork 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.
Shopping in the evening or relax. Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day 06: Jaipur - Jodhpur (By Road 280 km/06 hrs)
Breakfast will be at hotel. Proceed to Jodhpur. Reach Jodhpur and
check into hotel.
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.
In the afternoon visit Mehrangarh Fort (1459 AD) by Rao Jodha who
considered themselves the descendents of Lord Rama. In this palace
you would see different miniature paintings & cradle room. After
this you would visit Jaswant Thada Memorial.
Overnight will be at Jodhpur.
Day 07: Jodhpur - Udaipur (By Road 250km/05hrs)
Breakfast will be at hotel. Proceed to Udaipur.
Visit Ranakpur en route. A visit to the famous Jain Temple, dating
back to the 15th century is part of the itinerary. 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 Udaipur 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 Pichhola is an enticing
sight.
Overnight will be at Udaipur.
Day 08: Udaipur
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed for sightseeing tour of Udaipur in the morning, 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.
Proceed for Evening Motor launch cruise on the placid waters of
Lake Pichola. From the 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.
Visit the 300-year-old Jagdish Temple and the Royal Cenotaphs of
the Rajput kings.
Relax in the evening. Overnight will be at Udaipur.
Day 09: Udaipur - Pushkar (By Road 250km/05hrs)
Proceed for Pushkar after breakfast.
Reach Ajmer. Ajmer situated in the green oasis wrapped in the barren
hills has been a witness to an interesting past. The city was founded
by Raja Ajay Pal Chauhan in the 7th Century AD and continued to
be a major center of the Chauhan power till 1193 AD when Prithviraj
Chauhan lost it to Mohammed Ghauri. Since then, Ajmer became home
to many dynasties, which came and left leaving behind indelible
marks of their culture and traditions on the city's history, converting
it to an amalgam of various cultures and blend of Hinduism and Islam.
Today, Ajmer is a popular pilgrimage center for the Hindus as well
as Muslims. Especially famous is the Dargah Sharif Tomb of the Sufi
saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, which is equally revered by the Hindus
and Muslims.
Visit the DARGAH. Reach Pushkar by noon and relax. Check in at
PUSHKAR PALACE.
PUSHKAR - Amongst the grandeur of Rajasthan, discover a unique
gem - Pushkar. Lord Brahma - The creator of the world in a search
for his abode on earth, performed the supremely spiritual VEDIC
YAGNA at Pushkar. It is thus the site of the only Brahma Temple
in the world. Blessed with cultural blends, it is the venue for
the famous Pushkar Fair, with people coming from all over Asia to
buy and sell cattle of breeds from across the world. The consecrated
mausoleum of Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti at Ajmer attracts pilgrims
from all over the world. A city of Pilgrimage from time immemorial
with over 500 temples and Ghats Pushkar begets a legacy of timeless
architectural heritage. Pushkar radiates an ambience of peace and
spirituality that casts a lure to visit again and again. The Pushkar
fair is amongst the largest cattle fairs in the world and amongst
the oldest cities in India, with references in mythology and the
Mahabharat. There are 52 bathing Ghats, which are linked to the
lunar calendar, enclose the lake. Each Ghat has its own miraculous
qualities and powers of healing and this city of temples has over
500 temples built over different eras with varied architectural
styles. The rose garden of Rajasthan - the essence of the famous
Pushkar rose is exported the world over.
Overnight at PUSHKAR.
Day 10: Pushkar - Kishangrah - Delhi (By Road 352km/07
hrs)
Drive to Kishangarh after breakfast.
KISHANGARH is situated on the National Highway 8 in the Center
of Rajasthan, 100 Km South West of Jaipur. It is primarily known
for its world famous Miniature Paintings and Handicrafts and for
the largest marble and granite cutting industry in the Country.
Around the fort of Kishangarh is the moat and garden - on which
"Phool Mahal" was built in AD 1870 and was the Palace
of the flowers for the Maharaja's of Kishangarh A private residence
of the Royal Family of Kishangarh opens for the discerning traveler.
The Palace has lovely views of centuries old "Gundalao Lake"
- where herons fly and peacocks strut in fanned delight. The lake
water beneath the graceful Palace is a paradise to flamingoes, pelicans,
wild duck and the SARUS CRANE.
Lunch will be at PHOOL MAHAL PALACE.
Start for Delhi and reach by evening. Transfer for connecting flight
home from the international airport.
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