Day 1 Delhi

Flight to Delhi. Arrival in Delhi and transfer to the hotel. Check in time is 1200 hrs.

Day 2 Delhi

In Delhi’s 3000 years of existence, seven cities stood 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 besides a modern metropolis. Delhi is a city waiting to be explored.

After breakfast sightseeing of Old and New Delhi.

Visit the 7^th city of Delhi, Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi) which was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (1639-48 AD) after he shifted his capital from Agra to Delhi. Red Fort – the 17^th century imposing fortress built in red sandstone is surrounded by a huge boundary wall 33m high. 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. It is India’s largest mosque where more than 20.000 people can kneel in prayer. Visit Raj Ghat on the banks of the river Yamuna, 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.

Afternoon visit 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 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. Proceed to the Rashtrapati Bhawan once the Viceroy’s residence is now the official residence of the President of India. Designed by Lutyens, it combines western and eastern styles – the dome reflects the Buddhist stupa, the chattris Hindu and the graceful colonnades very British. It has 340 rooms. The Government Buildings designed by Baker, are topped by baroque domes and decorated with lotus motifs and elephants, while the north and south gateways are Mughal in design. The northern building has an inscription with “Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty. It is a blessing which must be earned before it can be enjoyed”. The Parliament House, designed by Baker is 173m in diameter. Inside is the library and chambers for the council of state, chamber of princes and legislative assembly. The India Gate (42m), commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who died in the 1^st world war. 13516 names of British and Indian soldiers killed in the Afghan War of 1919 are engraved on the arch and foundations. Under the arch, the Amar Jawan Jyoti commemorating Indian armed forces’ losses in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Delhi.

Day 3 Delhi/Mandawa (215 km)

Today drive to Mandawa in the Shekhavati Region, the homeland of many Marwari merchants. It became rich because of its strategic positioning on the East-West silk route. Camel caravans of rich Marwari merchants laden with spices, precious stones and silks and made huge profits passed this region. The region is known for its Puhka Havelis, lavishly painted with frescos of religious stories, folk and historical themes. The whole area is an `open art gallery’. Due to the bandits in the 19^th century, the rich merchants moved to other areas, and Shekhavati was neglected. Many of the haveli’s now stand as mute examples of a rich art, long forgotten.

Evening arrive Mandawa where you stay at the Maharaja’s Castle Mandawa an old rugged handsome fortress towering above the city, features war-scarred turrets, lofty domes and ancient cannons. Step into the verandah and relax over exotic refreshments, or admire the high ceilings and walls adorned with ancient portraits of the Mandawa family, recalling a bygone era, of the royalty, rich and resplendent. The architechture and atmosphere in the fort transports you to the 18^th century.

Overnight.

Day 4 Mandawa/Bikaner (190 km)

Early morning leave for Bikaner. Drive through typical desert country to Bikaner in the middle of the Rajasthan’s Thar Desert. After arrival check-in to the hotel at Bikaner.

Bikaner founded by Rao Bika in 1488. An oasis town among scrub and sand dunes. The walled city retains a medieval air and sandstone architecture.

Overnight at the hotel in Bikaner.

Day 5 Bikaner

After breakfast sightseeing of Bikaner. You visit the Junagarh Fort which is unusual, because other major forts of Rajasthan were built on hilltops, but this fort is built on the desert plain, surrounded by a moat. Proceed to the Camel Breeding Farm 9 km southeast of Bikaner. It claims to be the only one in Asia. A great sight in the afternoon, to see hundreds of camels as they return from grazing. The British army had a camel corps drawn from Bikaner during WWI

After noon excursion to a temple of Deshnoke (a local manifestation of Goddess Durga) dedicated to Karni Mata. Durga has been the house goddess of the rulers of Bikaner. The belief says that after a fight between Yama (the god of deads) and Karni Mata all her followers don’t come to the kingdom of Yama after death. They take re-birth as a Rat in the temple of Karni Mata. That’s why this temple is also called the Rat temple. This temple has a beautiful marbled façade with silver doors and windows.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6 Bikaner/Jaisalmer (340 km)

A full day’s drive to Jaisalmer, in the midst of the Thar desert. The drive passes by dry vegetation, with villages of colorfully dressed people. Plenty of camels, camel-carts, sheep and goats pass you by.

Before you arrive Jaisalmer, which would be late evening, on the way from a distance, you can experience the unique view of the fort and the beautiful city Jaisalmer. Upon arrival check-in to the hotel.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Jaisalmer.

Day 7 Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer across the hot barren desert is 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 trundge leisurely, has an extraordinarily medieval feel and an incredible atmosphere. The fort inside perched on its hilltop contains some gems of Jain temple building, while beautifully decorated merchants’ havelis are scattered through the town.

The Havelis (mansions of the rich merchants) have beautifully carved facades, jali screens and oriel windows overhanging the streets below. Visit Salim Singh Haveli (17 century) which is especially attractive with peacock brackets. Nathumal Haveli (1885) was built for the prime minister. Patwon Haveli (1805) is a group of five, built for five brothers. Possibly the finest in town. They have fine murals and carved pillars. A profusion of balconies cover the front wall.

Afternoon excursion to Lodhurva (17 km), with Jain-Temples that are the only remains of a once flourishing Marwar capital. Rising honey coloured out of the desert, they are beautifully carved with jali outside.

Overnight in hotel.

Day 8 Jaisalmer/Jodhpur (240 km)

After early breakfast set out for on the drive to Jodhpur. Jodhpur the second largest city of Rajasthan, once the capital of Marwar, sprawls around the massively impressive cliff top Meherangarh Fort. Upon arrival check-in to the hotel.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Jodhpur.

Day 9 Jodhpur/Mt. Abu (270 km)

After breakfast visit the impressive Mehrangarh Fort on a 37 m low sandstone hill built by Rao Jodha in 1459. 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. 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. At the end of the tour enjoy a short walk through the local and vibrant bazaar of Jodhpur.

After sightseeing drive to Mt Abu.

Mt. Abu is Rajasthan's only hill resort. Many of the rulers from surrounding princely states had summer houses built here. There are several legends. One legend has it that Mt. Abu was the home of the legendary sage Vasishtha. One day Nandini his precious wish-fulfilling cow fell into a great lake. Vasishtha requested the gods in the Himalayas to save her. The cobra god Arbuda was sent and he dropped a rock into the lake displacing the water to save the cow. The sage also created the four powerful five born Rajput tribes at a ritual fire ceremony on the mount. Nakki Talao sacred to Hindus was in legend, scooped out by fingernails of the gods to remove the problem of scarcity of water.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Mt. Abu.

Day 10 Mt. Abu

After breakfast visit Achalgarh Temple (1380), believed to have Shiva’s toe print, a brass Nandi and a dee hole claimed to reach into the netherworld. A path leads up to a group ofcarved Jain temples (10 minutes climb).

Afternoon visit the Dilwara-Temples (11th /13th Cent.). Set in beautiful surroundings of mango trees and wooded hills, the temples have superb marble carvings. The complex of five main temples is surrounded by a high wall, dazzling white in the sunlight. Visit Chaumukha temple, the grey sandstone three storey building combining 13^th and 15^th century styles. The Vimala Vashi Temple: the oldest and most famous of the Dilwara group. The plain exterior conceals a wonderfully and ornately carved interior. The Risah Deo Temple is unfinished. It encloses a huge brass Trithankara image weighing 4.3 tonnes and made of five metals – gold, silver, coper, brass and zinc. The Luna Vasihi Temple, was erected by two wealthy merchants and dedicated to the 22 Trithankar. The decorative carvings and jali work are excellent. The small domes infront of the shrine containing the bejewelled Neminatha figure, exquisitely carved lotus on the ceiling and the sculptures on the colonnades are especially noteworthy. There is a fifth temple for the Digambar Jains that is more austere.

Overnight in hotel.

Day 11 Mt. Abu/Udaipur (240 km)

Early morning drive to Udaipur. En-route visit Ranakpur, the wonderful 3 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. One can enjoy a good lunch (on direct payment) amid the 19^th century walled orchard the Maharani Bagh Orchard belonging to the Royal family. The orchard is full of bougainvillea and fruit trees predominantly mangoes.

A beautiful two hours drive will bring you to Udaipur. Upon arrival check-in to the hotel. Rest of the day free.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Udaipur.

Day 12 Udaipur

The city of Udaipur lies in the Girwa valley amidst the Aravali hills of south Rajasthan. It is 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.

This morning 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 Jagdish Temple – (1651) was built by Maharana Jagat Singh. A fine example of the Nagara style of temple architecture. A brass Garuda stands outside and stone elephants flank the entrance steps. Inside is a black stone image of Vishnu as Jagannath, the Lord of the Universe. Sahelion-ki Bari an ornamental pleasure garden specially made for the ladies of the palace in the 18^th century. It has beautiful fountains, trees and flowers.

Afternoon boat ride on the Pichola Lake

Overnight stay at the hotel in Udaipur.

Day 13 Udaipur/Kota (285 kms)

An early breakfast. Ready yourself for an 8 hours drive to Kota through the numerous villages of Rajasthan. En-route visit Chittorgarh.

One of the oldest cities in Rajasthan, Chittorgarh was founded formally in 728 by Bappu Rawal, who according to legend was reared b the Bhil Tribe. Here visit Chittorgarh Fort which stands on a 152 m high rocky hill, rising abruptly above the surrounding plain.

Proceed to Kota. On arrival in Kota check in at the hotel.

Kota, below a deep gorge of the Chambal River, was once on a major trade route from Delhi to Gujarat. Known for its stone quarries, it is now a rapidly expanding into an industrial area for processing chemicals, with hydro-electric and nuclear power plants nearby but still retains some parks and gardesn and wide tree line streets and princely architecture.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 14 Kota

After early breakfast, an excursion to Bundi (35 km), a beautiful small town, with a Taragarh Fort as well as a Garden with the cenotaph of the royal family. Bundi was a small state founded in 1342. The fort stands in somber contrast to the beauty of the town and the lakes below.

Overnight stay in hotel.

Day 15 Kota/Jaipur (244 kms)

After an early morning breakfast, set out for a 7 hours drive to Jaipur. On arrival in Jaipur check in at the hotel.

Jaipur was built in the 18^th century by Maharaja Jai Singh II. It is a planned city built with ancient Hindu rules as the colonial capital of a richly colorful state. It was made attractive with the pink wash - a traditional colour of welcome in 1853 in honour of the visit of Prince Albert.

On arrival in Jaipur check in at the hotel. Overnight.

Day 16 Jaipur

After breakfast, half-day excursion trip takes you to Amber Fort. En route, make a photo stop at the palace of winds the Hawa Mahal. A 5 stored 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. Proceed to the Amber City Fort situated 130m high with the Aravalli hills around and 11 km north of Jaipur. It was the ancient capital of the Kachhawaha Rajputs till 1037. Enjoy an Elephant ride to the top of the Palace fort.

Return to Jaipur.

Afternoon visit the “Pink City” of Jaipur. The 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.

Also 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 stay at the hotel in Jaipur.

Day 17 Jaipur/Delhi/Fly Home

After a leisurely breakfast checkout of the hotel to drive to Delhi. Drive staright to the international airport to connect flight back home.