Rajasthan Heritage Tour

Arrive Delhi
You arrive in Delhi, the capital city of India. After completing formalities with customs and immigration, you will be received by our representative with Traditional Indian Welcome (with garlands).

Delhi is the capital of India since old times. Delhi's history dates back to the first millenium BC, when it was known as Indraprastha. The Tomar Rajputs built Lal Kot, the core of the first of Delhi's seven cities. It is the epicenter of the nation's politics, economy and culture. History is alive and throbbing in Delhi, the capital of India.

Afterwards transfer to your hotel for the overnight stay.

Delhi- Mandawa (Approx 250 Kms/06 Hours)
Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast drive from Delhi to Mandawa. On arrival in Mandawa the guest’s checks in to the Hotel. In the evening the guest can take the walking tour of the town. Overnight at hotel.

The semi arid Thar desert region of Shekhawati combines together numerous small and medium sized towns and villages that were once inhabited by people who loved to paint events and scenes on walls. Today, the Shekhawati region encompasses within its boundaries some extremely valuable cultural and historical heritage that should be visited before it gets lost in the dust of time. Below are mentioned some of these places - some will sound familiar while others alien. Yet, do not make any judgement based on 'familiarity' since even the remotest of the Shekhawati destination might spring up a surprise not seen elsewhere in the region.

Mandawa – Bikaner (Approx 160 Kms/05 Hours)
Breakfast at hotel.

Mandawa : Today you explore the Mandawa Fort located in the very heart of Mandawa. & a classic example of the famed Rajput style of architecture. It houses many beautiful paintings & frescoes that dazzle the eyes & now been converted into a heritage hotel.

Gulab Rai Haveli built in the year 1870 that has some of the best murals in Shekhawati on both the exterior & interior walls with elephants & camels on its façade.

Goenka Double Haveli, built in the year 1890, with monumental frescoes of elephants & horses decorating its façade.

Bansidhar Newatia Haveli built in the year 1921 combines traditional frescoes of horses & elephants with those depicting a young boy using a phone plus opulent touring cars & the Wright Brothers' plane. If time permits we may visit more Havelis of the region & observe the colourful village life in Rajasthan.

Later we drive to the princely state of Bikaner, founded by Rao Bikaji (1465-1504 AD) in the year 1488 AD. He was a Rajput prince, descendent of the founder of neighbouring Jodhpur. It lies in the north-western part of Rajasthan & has a stark beauty of the desert landscape with wide-spread sand dunes & thorny shrubs growing around. It is a royal city surrounded by a mammoth fortification wall, more than 5 km in circumference & about 5 to 9m high. Fort, Palaces & people with colourful traditional costumes are the chief attractions of the city. The Camel Breeding Farm in Bikaner is only one of its kinds in the whole Asia & so is the illustrious Camel Festival.

On arrival in Bikaner you check in at the hotel. Rest of the evening free at leisure. Overnight at Hotel.

Bikaner- Jaislamer (Approx 340 Kms/06 Hours)
Breakfast at Hotel.
Today in Bikaner you visit.

Junagarh Fort, built in the year 1593 AD by Raja Rai Singh (1571-1612 AD), the 6th ruler of Bikaner. The Fort is a formidable structure & largely remained unconquered during its eventful history. It houses number of beautiful Palaces, Temples & Pavilions, which are richly decorated The beautifully maintained rooms of Anup Mahal now display the treasures of the Royal family. The Fort Museum has an extensive collection of illuminated manuscripts, jewellery, jars, carpets, weapons, treaties, decorations & Farmans (King's Orders).

Later we drive to Jaisalmer, founded in the year 1156 by Bhatti Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal. Often described as Golden City & rising from the heart of the Thar Desert like a golden mirage the commanding Fort etched in yellow sandstone, dominates the amber-hued city with its entire awesome splendour. Because of its strategic location it was an important ancient trading centre & camel caravans laden with precious spices & silk crossed the territory en-route India, Sindh, Arabia & Europe. The merchants of the 19th century built Havelis (Mansions) that are exquisitely carved from golden-yellow sandstone & are still in a beautiful condition. The life within the Fortified town conjures up images of medieval majesty visible in its narrow lanes strewn with magnificent palace, havelis, temples, & of course skilled artisans & ubiquitous camels.

On arrival in Jaislamer you check in to your hotel. Rest of the evening free at leisure. Overnight at Hotel.

In Jaisalmer
Breakfast at hotel.

Today you visit the old town of Jaisalmer & visit

Jaisalmer Fort, built in the year 1156 by Rawal Jaisal. Perched on 80m high hill, housing the entire township within its ramparts, the golden hued Fort is standing like a sentinel in the bleak desert landscape. It is the only "Living Fort" in India & within its ramparts has an enchanting cow-web of narrow lanes dotted with some lovely Havelis (Mansions), Palaces & beautifully sculptured Jain Temples of the 12th-15th century AD.
You also visit magnificent Patwon Ki Haveli in the heart of the town. It was built by the rich merchant Guman Chand Patwa & his sons, whose business stretched between Afghanistan & China. It is the most elaborate & magnificent of all the Jaisalmer Havelis & is virtually the showpiece of Jaisalmer's legendary architectural wealth. The carving on stone far surpasses in beauty the work on brocade & gold. Later we drive down 40 km away from Jaisalmer to Sam to take the Camel ride on the Sand Dunes of Sam while the sun is setting down. After completing the sightseeing you return back to the hotel for your overnight stay.

Jaislamer- Jodhpur (Approx 300 Kms/07 Hrs)
Breakfast at hotel. After the breakfast today you drive to Jodhpur

Jodhpur, bustling desert city is the second largest city in Rajasthan & has landscape dominated by the massive Mehrangarh Fort topping a sheer rocky ridge. Rao Jodha, a chief of the Rathore clan, founded the city in the year 1459 & it is named after him. It was formerly the seat of a Princely state, also known as Marwar.
On arrival in Jodhpur you check in to the hotel. Rest of the evening free at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

In Jodhpur
Breakfast at hotel. After the breakfast you start the half day tour of the city

Jodhpur, visiting the Mehrangarh Fort (Majestic Fort), one of the most impressive & formidable structures anywhere in India. Built by Rao Jodha, this 5km long Fort is on a 125m high hill & has some magnificent palaces with marvellously carved panels latticed window. The Fort Museum houses an exquisite collection of palanquins, howdahs
(Elephant Saddles), royal cradles, miniatures paintings, musical instruments, costumes and furnitures.

You also visit Jaswant Thada, a cluster of royal cenotaphs in white marble built in the year 1899 AD in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Within the main cenotaph are the portraits of various Jodhpur rulers. It is an architectural landmark of Jodhpur.

After completing the sightseeing of the city, you return back to the hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Jodhpur - Udaipur Via Ranakpur (Approx 340 Kms/07 Hrs)
Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast you drive to Udaipur and enroute visit the Ranakpur

Ranakpur: Renowned for some marvellously carved Jain temples in amber stone ranakpur is one of the five holy places of the jain community, 96km from Udaipur, these temples were created in the 15th century A.D. during the regin of Rana Kumbha and are enclosed within a wall. The central chaumukha or four faced temple is dedicated to the venerated trithankara Rishabhji. Open on all four sides it enshrines the four faced image of Adinath. Sprawling over 48,000 sq.feet the temple is an astounding creation with 29 halls and 1,444 pillars-all distinctly carved.

After completing the sightseeing of Ranakpur continue the drive to Udaipur.

Udaipur : was founded in the year 1568 by Maharana Udai Singh after his final unsuccessful attempt to defend the Mewar capital, Chittorgarh from the invading Mughals under Emperor Akbar. The Kingdom of Mewar was considered the most respectable among all Princely states in Rajasthan & still remembered for the courage to protect the Kingdom. The site for Udaipur was chosen for its natural beauty, abundant water & natural protection afforded by the surrounding forests & Aravali mountains. It is set on the edge of three lakes & also known as the "City of Lakes & Palaces". Undoubtedly one of the most romantic cities in India, its beautiful Palaces are mirrored in the calm waters of Lake Pichola & the city is a brilliant kaleidoscope of narrow lanes flanked by bright stalls, gardens, lakes, palaces & temples.

On arrival in Udaipur you check in to the hotel. Rest of the evening free at leisure.

Overnight at hotel.

In Udaipur
Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast you start the full day sightseeing of Udaipur City

Today you visit the

City Palace, an intriguing collection of buildings contributed by various Maharanas (Kings) after Udai Singh & built in the year 1725. The magnificence of the Palace starts right from its entrance at the northern Tripolia Gate that brings us to the central courtyard, the best place to view the facade of filigreed balconies & ornate cupola-topped towers.
Sahelion ki Bari (Garden of Maids of Honour) is an ornamental garden built by Maharana Sangram Singh for his daughter & the Ladies of the Queen's court. He built the garden with several fountains, pools & is decorated with chiselled pavilions & elephants. The fountains worked on the unique hydraulic technique devised in the year
1700 AD.

Later you visit

Jagdish Temple, the Indo-Aryan temple, built in the year 1651 AD by Maharana Jagat Singh, is the largest & the most beautiful temple of Udaipur with noteworthy sculpted images. You also enjoy boat ride on Lake Pichola, the beauty of the lake is enhanced by the surrounding hills, palaces, temples, bathing ghats & embankments. The Jag Niwas (Lake Palace) & Jag Mandir, the two island palaces on the lake look like pearls in the lake.
After completing the sightseeing of the city, you return back to the hotel. Overnight at Hotel.

Udaipur - Jodhpur
Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast you are transferred to the airport to connect the flight for Jaipur. On arrival In Jaipur, you are received at the airport and are transferred to the Hotel.

Jaipur : popularly known as Pink City, the flamboyant & colourful capital of Rajasthan. With its rich & colourful past, resplendent with tales of valour & bravery, it is now one of the most important heritage cities in India. The city was founded in 1728 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber. It remains the only city in the world symbolizing the nine divisions of the universe, through nine rectangular sectors.

Afternoon you start the sightseeing of Jaipur City, visit:

City Palace Museum : An imposing blend of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal Art. The museum is resplendent with its collection of robes of royal princess, carpets an armoury of old weapons , miniature paintings portraying court scenes , battle scenes and processions.

Jantar Mantar : (Observartory): Jantar Mantar, built between 1728 and 1734, literally means the ‘instruments for measuring the harmony of the heavens’. Jai Singh, the brain behind the grand project, chose stone with marble facing. This was the biggest of all his observatories and the only one built of stone. He used it daily, often with his astronomy gurus Pandit Jagannath and Kewal Ram. In all there are 17 instruments in the Jantar Mantar complex. The function of each instrument is rather complex but serves a particular function where time plays the main theme.

Hawa Mahal : (Palace of Winds) : A five storeyed wonder with a spectacular pyra midal façade and overhanging windows with latticed screens, domes and spires.
After completing the sightseeing return back to the hotel for overnight.

After completing the sightseeing of the city, you return back to the hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

In Jaipur
Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast you start the sightseeing of Amer Fort

Amer Fort : 11 Kms from Jaipur- A marvelous example of Rajput architecture with its terraces and reflected in Matao lake below. The magnificent old Citadel, a labyrinth of massive walls and towers, shrouds an exquisite marble palace, pillared and carved glimmering with a million tiny mirrors, which creates tanatalising reflection effect. The ascent to the fort is on a gaily caparisoned elephants.
After completing the sightseeing of Amer Fort, you return back to the hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Jaipur - Agra (Approx 255 Kms/05½ Hrs)
Breakfast at Hotel. After breakfast you drive to Agra enroute sightseeing of Fatehpur Sikri.

Fatehpur Sikri: A fascinating ghost town lies little beyond Agra the deserted Red sandstone city that was built by Emperor Akbar as his capital. It was a veritable fairy tale city and its ruins are still in a pristine condition. It is not hard to imagine what the court life would have been like in the days of its grandeur. Set like a jewel in a court yard of pink sandstone is the marble tomb of Saint Salim Chisti, enclosed by delicately carved marble screens.
After completing the sightseeing of Fathepur Sikri continue the drive to Agra. On arrival in Agra the guest checks in to the hotel.

Agra is the one of the prominent destinations of the World Tourism map with three heritage monuments - The Taj Mahal, Red Fort & Fatehpur Sikri. It is more just a dacadent city of graveyards and stones, but it is a vibrant centre of Culture, Art and Religious philosphies that have enriched mankind and shaped humen thought over centuries.

Rest of the evening free at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

In Agra
Breakfast at hotel. Later you start the sightseeing of Taj Mahal and Agra Fort

Taj Mahal : The 17th Century master piece named Taj Mahal ,which of course is the most splendid of all the buildings – perhaps the most perfect architectural monument of the world. It was built in the memory of the beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal by one of greatest king of Mughal Empire Shah Jehan.

Agra Fort: Built primarily as a military establishment by Emperor Akbar in 1565,the redstone Agra Fort, was partially converted in to a palace during the tenure of Emperor Shah Jehan. Though the principal structure was built by Akbar, many more additions were made by his grandsons. This massive fort is 2.5 Kms long and is considered the predecessor of the Red Fort of New Delhi.

After completing the sightseeing of the monuments, you return back to the hotel. Rest of the evening free at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Agra- Delhi (Approx 265 Kms 04 Hours)
Breakfast at Hotel. After breakfast free till departure. Afternoon drive to Delhi. On arrival in New Delhi, you check in to the hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.

In Delhi
Breakfast at Hotel. Morning start the sightseeing of Old and New Delhi

New Delhi : The city designed and built by the British in the 1920’s- a city of wide boulevards impressive Government Buildings, green parks and gardens. First you will visit the two monuments from the Delhi’s past Humayun’s Tomb and Qutab Minar. Then your drive takes you along the ceremonial avenue, Rajpath, past the Imposing India Gate and Parliament House.

Old Delhi : An ancient walled city. Here you would see the Red Fort, the most opulent Fort and Palace of the Mughal Empire, Rajghat the Samadhi of our Father of Nation, Jama Masjid the largest mosque in India and Chandni Chowk the bustling and colourful market of the old city. After completing the sightseeing you are transferred to the International airport to connect flight back home.