Overview
The Nagaur Festival of Rajasthan is held every year in the period between
January-February in the quaint Rajput town of Nagaur. The Nagaur festival is
essentially a cattle fair and every year close to 75,000 camels, bullocks and
horses are traded. In fact the sheer volume of trading is astonishing to the
first time visitors.
Rajasthan has one of the most colorful and vibrant deserts in the
world. The great Thar Desert has much to offer through a plethora of
celebrations. Festivals and fairs, music and dance, are a part of life in the
State as well as in the desert. The year long festive famous for camel and
cattle marts turn into delightful fairs. Festivals hold an unusual lure for
the Rajasthani's and they have any number of reasons to celebrate.
Desert Festival of Jaisalmer is a colorful festival held in February
every year. You will get to see Cultural events, camel races, turban tying
competitions etc. Not exciting enough! Attend the contests to judge the man
with the best moustache. Everything is exotic in the Desert festival, amidst
the golden sands of the Thar Desert.
The desert festival in Jaisalmer was started to attract foreign tourists, who
always wanted to explore as many facets of Rajasthan as they could in the
possible crunch of time. The three-day event stresses more on local elements
and heritage.
Cost includes:
• Double room on twin sharing basis on bed & breakfast basis, except full
board at Nagaur Tents.
• All transfers and sight seeing by air-conditioned Vehicle.
• Services of German / English Speaking local guides in each city for
sightseeing as per the itinerary.
• Elephant / Jeep ride at Jaipur (One way)
• Public boat ride in Udaipur (subject to availability of water)
• Service Tax.
Cost does not include:
• Any airport taxes.
• Any airfares.
• Any new tax imposed by the Government.
• Any entrances
• Any meals other than specified
• Any expenditure of personal nature such as tips, drinks, telephone charges,
laundry etc.
05th, Feb 2011 Arrive Delhi
Fly to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi, you will be Greeted and Escorted by
Indo Asia Tour Executive to your Hotel. On arrival at hotel check in. (Room
will be available from 1200 Noon). In its 3000 years of existence; seven
cities have risen where the present capital of India stands.
Here you'll encounter a fascinating blend of the ancient and the contemporary.
Where
government buildings, medieval palaces and bazaars exist beside a modern
metropolis. Delhi is a city waiting to be explored. Overnight at the Hotel.
06th, Feb 2011 Delhi
After breakfast enjoy a full day city tour of Old & New Delhi. Visit the Red
Fort ‑ the 17th century imposing fortress built in red sandstone is
surrounded by a huge 33m high boundary wall. Inside are exquisite palaces and
beautiful gardens.
Opposite the Red Fort lies Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque) made of red
sandstone and white marble, completed in 1656 at a cost of one million Rupees
has perfect proportions. India's largest mosque where more than 20.000 people
can kneel in prayer. The interior of the prayer hall is divided into aisles by
arches. The walls and floors are of marble inlay panels.
Also visit the Raj Ghat on the banks of the river Yamuna is Mahatma
Gandhi's Memorial, where he was cremated following his assassination in January
1948. The memorial lies in the midst of landscaped gardens and made of a simple
square platform of black marble inscribed with his last words "Hey Ram". An
eternal flame burns 24 hours.
Drive through Lutyens Delhi and see India Gate ‑ Built of
Bharatpur‑stone, commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who died in the 1st
world war. 13516 names of British and Indian soldiers killed in the Afghan War
of 1919 are engraved on the arch and foundations. Photo stop at
Rashtrapati Bhawan once the Viceroy's residence is now the official
residence of the President of India.
Later in the afternoon explore New Delhi. Visit the Humayun's Tomb,
built by his wife Haji Begum in the 16th. Century. An early example of Mughal
architecture considered the predecessor of the Taj Mahal. The elements in its
design ‑ a squat building, lighted by high arched entrances, topped by bulbous
dome and surrounded by the char bagh (garden divided into quadrants), water
channels and fountains.
Later visit the Qutub Minar ‑ the landmark of Delhi, a huge tower of
victory started in 1199 and completed in 1368. The Minar is 72.5m high with a
diameter at the base 14.4m and 2.7m at the top. The tower has 379 steps to the
top. Overnight at the Hotel.
* Red Fort is closed
on Mondays
07th, Feb 2011 Delhi - Agra
After breakfast drive to Agra.
En-route visiting Sikandra. The mausoleum of the great Mughal King Akbar
(1556‑1605). Akbar began building it during his lifetime and his son, the Mughal
Emperor Jahangir, completed it. It has a large arched entrance and green lawns,
on which deer can be seen grazing, surround the tomb. The entrance is decorated
with marble inlay work around the arch, and the inner surface of the dome of the
tomb is decorated with images of flowers, geometric designs and Islamic
calligraphy.
Later continue your drive to Agra.
Agra stands on the right bank of the river Yamuna, was once the seat of the
Mughal rulers, the zenith of art and an enshrined romance. Agra is a town famous
for its beautiful medieval monuments. The passion of the Mughals for building
endowed it with some of the loveliest buildings in the world.
On arrival in Agra, check in at hotel. Overnight at the Hotel.
08th, Feb 2011 Agra
After breakfast visit the Taj Mahal- a poem in white marble, built by the
Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in the memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaj Mahal. Today
India's most fascinating and beautiful masterpiece, this perfectly symmetrical
edifice is set amidst landscaped gardens on the banks of the Yamuna River. Its
marble exterior reflects rose and golden tints at sunrise and sunset, while it
is dazzling white during the day and glows pearl-like in the moonlight and
during the monsoon.
Later visit Agra Fort. Designed and built by Akbar in 1565 A.D., the fort
is surrounded by a 70 feet high wall. It houses the beautiful Pearl Mosque and
numerous palaces. The Agra fort happens to be on the same bank of the river
Yamuna as the Taj Mahal, which is visible in all its beauty from one side of the
fort. Emperor Shahjahan, a prisoner of his son Aurangzeb in his old age was put
in a cell from where he could gaze at the Taj Mahal at a distance from his cell
in the Agra Fort. It is an imposing structure with walls of red sandstone almost
three kilometers long.
Later visit the stunning tomb of Itimad‑ud‑Daulah or the `Baby Taj'‑ a
marble memorial with exquisite inlay work built in 1628 by Nur Jahan, queen of
Jehangir, for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg.
Overnight at the Hotel.
IMP: Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.
09th, Feb 2011 Agra - Jaipur
After breakfast drive to Jaipur.
On the way visit Fatehpur Sikri. It is a beautiful and deserted medieval
city built by Akbar the Great in the 16th century to serve as the capital of his
vast empire. The Mughals later abandoned this city for lack of water.
Later continue your drive Jaipur.
Maharaja Jai Singh II built Jaipur in the 18th century. It is a planned city
built with ancient Hindu rules as the colonial capital of a richly colorful
state. The whole city was painted pink to welcome the visit of Prince Albert in
1853. On arrival check in the hotel. On arrival in Jaipur, check in at hotel.
Overnight at the Hotel.
10th, Feb 2011 Jaipur
After breakfast, half-day excursion trip takes you to Amber Fort with
Elephant or Jeep ride. This city Fort is situated 130m high with the Aravali
hills around 11 km north of Jaipur. It was the ancient capital of the Kachhawaha
Rajputs till 1037. En route, make a photo stop at the palace of winds the
Hawa Mahal. A 5 storied building with 25cm thick facade from the 18 century
having 953 windows and niches so that ladies of royal family could see the
procession and events in the city without being visible to the people.
In the afternoon, visit City Palace occupies the center of Jaipur. It now
houses the Royal residence and museums with collections of textiles and
costumes, armoury, manuscripts, paintings etc.
Later visit Jantar Mantar (1728-34) by king astrologer Jai Singh II. The
instruments are built of stone with marble facing on the important plains for
measuring the harmony of the heavens. Each instrument serves a particular
function and each gives an accurate reading.
Overnight at the hotel.
11th, Feb 2011 Jaipur - Nagaur
Drive to Naguar. On arrival, transfer to the Tent.
Nagaur Festival is also called as the Cattle Fair, is the 2nd largest animal
fair of India. Thousands of animals are gathered at the cattle fair for trading.
Traders come to buy and sell cows, bullocks, oxen and camels. Overnight in the
Tent.
The town of Nagaur has been the bastion of the Rajputs. Here you can hear the
jingle of bells as camels or sheep wend their paths from village to village. And
with them go the hardy people of these parts. The men with their proud
moustaches and brightly colored turbans. And the women, in their gaily-printed
skirts and heavy silver Jewellery. And centuries of tradition follow in their
steps.
12th, Feb 2011 Nagaur
The Nagaur Festival is organized by the Department of Animal Husbandry in
co-operation with the Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan. As per the
latest statistical records, approximately 80,000 cattle owners participate in
this festival with more than 2,10,000 cattle’s being traded. Enjoy the Nagaur
festival.
Overnight in the Tent
13th, Feb 2011 Nagaur - Bikaner
Drive to Bikaner. Bikaner in the middle of Rajasthan's Thar desert, founded and
named after Rao Bhika in 1488. Earlier it was the main centre on the caravan
route to Central Asia & North India before Rathore Prince Bika conquered it. An
oasis town among scrub and sand dunes. The walled city retains a medieval air
and sandstone architecture. On arrival, transfer to the hotel and check in.
Overnight at the hotel.
14th, Feb 2011 Bikaner - Jaisalmer
Morning, visit the Junagarh Fort unusual, because other major forts of Rajasthan
were built on hilltops, but this fort is built on the desert plain, surrounded
by a moat. The palace complex's sumptuously decorated interiors are perhaps best
preserved in India. The palaces have balconies, kiosks and fine jali screens
with rich interiors and lacquered doors.
Later drive to the Jaisalmer.
Jaisalmer stretches across the hot barren desert are magical as the city
shimmers like a mirage. The golden sandstone town walls and narrow streets lined
with exquisitely carved buildings, through which camel carts trudge leisurely,
has an extraordinarily medieval feel and an incredible atmosphere. Located on
the way of caravan route to Sind, Jaisalmer was the important stopover during
the 12th century. A Muslim king Ala ud din Khilji to gain control over the
business route attacked it.
On arrival, transfer to the hotel and check in.
Overnight at the hotel.
15th, Feb 2011 Jaisalmer
After breakfast visit the fort perched on its hilltop,
contains some beautiful Jain temples, while beautifully decorated merchants' havelis are scattered through the town. The Fort stands on a roughly triangular
shaped Trikuta Hill 76 m above the town, enclosed by a 9 m wall with 99 bastions
(mostly 1633‑1647). Take a walk through the narrow streets within the Fort,
often blocked by the odd goat or cow and see how even today about a 1000 of the
town's people live in tiny houses inside the fort often with beautiful carvings
on doors and balconies.
Also visit the Salim Singh Haveli (17 century) which has the appearance
of a great ocean liner, with a narrow base which widens at the top. It has a
beautifully arched roof, topped with blue cupolas, and brackets in the form of
peacocks.
Nathumal Haveli (1885) was built for the prime minister. It is partly
carved out of rock by two craftsmen, each undertaking one half of the house.
Highly decorative façade with attractive front door guarded by two elephants.
Patwon Haveli (1805) is a group of five, built for five brothers. Possibly the
finest in town and have fine murals and carved pillars.
Overnight at the hotel.
16th, Feb 2011 Jaisalmer
Today enjoy the Desert Festival .
The Desert Festival is a 3-day extravaganza of colour, music and festivity, held
at the golden city of Jaisalmer. Gair and Fire dancers swaying to traditional
tunes, a turban tying competition and a Mr. Desert Contest are a part of the fun
and frolic. The grand finale is a trip to the Sam Dunes where one can enjoy the
pleasure of a camel ride and even watch the folk dancers and musicians perform.
The high points of the festival are - snake charmers, puppeteers, acrobats, folk
performers do rapid trade. Camels, the lifeline of the desert, play a foremost
role. Proud mustached villagers, dressed in their ethnic best come astride their
picturesquely caparisoned camels to join in the camel dances and competitions of
camel acrobatics, camel races and decor, camel polo, tug of war and the like.
Overnight at the Hotel.
17th, Feb 2011 Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Luni
Drive to Luni. On the way visit the Jodhpur.
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 A.D. by Rao Jodha‑chief of the Rathore clan
of Rajputs who claimed to be descendants of Rama ‑ the epic hero of the
Ramayana.
On arrival visit the impressive Mehrangarh Fort on a 37 m low sandstone
hill built by Rao Jodha in 1459 of red sandstone. From the top of the fort one
can get a bird's eye view of the old city. You will notice the predominance of
blue houses referred to as Brahmin houses ‑ the colour being associated with the
high caste.
Later proceed to the Jaswant Thada, an imposing marble cenotaph built in
1899 for Maharajah Jaswant Singh II, and smaller memorials to other Maharajahs
of Jodhpur. After the sight seeing, drive to Luni for an overnight stay
in a beautiful Fort now a hotel.
Overnight at the Hotel.
18th, Feb 2011 Luni - Ranakpur - Udaipur
After breakfast drive Udaipur. En-route visiting Ranakpur.
On arrival visit Ranakpur, the wonderful three temples of the Jain sect
dating back to the 14th /15th century. The unforgettable main Temple dedicated
to Adinatha the first Tirthankar (1439) built in marble took 65 years to
complete. It is one of the five holy Jain pilgrimage centres, and has one of the
best temple complexes.
Later continue your drive to Udaipur.
Udaipur lies in the Girwa valley amidst the Aravali hills of south Rajasthan.
Considered a romantic city ‑ with its lakes, gardens, temples and palaces ‑ an
Oasis in the Thar Desert. The old city is a traditionally planned fortified
walled city, a maze of narrow winding lanes flanked by houses with doorways
decorated with Mewar folk art, windows with stained glass or jali screens,
massive Havelis with large inner courtyards and shops. The legendary Ranas who
ruled, traced their ancestry to the Sun Dynasty.
On arrival, transfer to the hotel and check in. Overnight at the Hotel.
19th, Feb 2011 Udaipur
After breakfast visit the City Palace built on the bank of the Pichola Lake, by
Maharana Udai Singh in 1570. The impressive complex of several palaces is a
blend of Rajput and Mughul influences. Half of it is still occupied by the Royal
family, and part converted into a museum.
The Folklore Museum charged with the preservation of Rajasthani folk arts, has
an interesting collection including dresses, dolls, masks, turbans, tribal
jewellery, musical instruments, paintings and puppets.
Also visit the Sahelion‑ki Bari an ornamental pleasure garden specially
made for the ladies of the palace in the 18th century. It has beautiful
fountains, trees and flowers. The welcome fountain from the gate leads to the
rain fountain, which has a center fountain with beautiful black marble kiosks
with fountains on the corners of the pool and stunning bougainvilleas covering
the walls of the enclosure.
Afternoon enjoy the public boat ride on Lake Picholla.
Overnight at the Hotel.
20th, Feb 2011 Udaipur - Mumbai
After breakfast transfer to the airport to board the flight for Mumbai.
On arrival at Mumbai, transfer to the hotel check in. Mumbai, formerly known as
Bombay. India's most cosmopolitan city, an ancient port and trading center. This
palm‑-fringed shore of the Arabian Sea was the British Empire's entrance to its
`Crown Jewel'. Mumbai is also center for Hindi films made in India called "Bollywood",
with a credit of almost 900 films a year.
Later drive for the sightseeing of Mumbai.
Visit the 26 meter high British‑built Arch "Gateway of India", Mumbai's
landmark built to honour the visit of George V and Queen Mary in 1911. Also
visit the Kamla Nehru Park from where you have a picturesque view of the
city, Hanging Gardens are so named since they are located on top of a series of
tanks that supply water to Mumbai.
Pass by the `towers of silence' the crematorium of the Parsis and visit
Mani Bhawan a private house where Mahatma Gandhi uses to stay when he
visited Mumbai. It is now a museum and research library with 20,000 volumes. The
display on the first floor there is a diorama depicting important scenes from
Gandhi's life. The display of photos and letters written and received by
Gandhiji.
Later enjoy the visit to Marine Drive dubbed, as the Queen's Necklace is
Mumbai's most popular promenades. Overnight at the Hotel.
21st, Feb 2011 Mumbai Departure
On time transfer to the International Airport to board the flight for onwards
journey.
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