Rajasthan Panorama

Rajasthan is one of the most colourful and vibrant of the Indian States and that is where most time is spent on this tour. Starting with a brief visit to Delhi and Agra, this journey of discovery continues onto some fascinating small Rajput towns and villages, with mysterious name like Kuchaman, Pushkar and Jaisalmer.  This tour combines true Indian village life with visits to some of the most opulent palaces and majestic fortresses India has to offer.

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival in Delhi
Arrival in Delhi. Upon arrival meet & assistance by our representative and transfer to hotel .over night at hotel.

Day 2: Delhi to Alsisar
This morning we leave Delhi and drive into the countryside to the small heritage town of Alsisar located in the Shekhawati region. Not as well known as Mandawa, Alsisar provides the visitor a non commercialised picture of village life in rural Rajasthan. The whole area of Shekhawati has beautiful frescoes, havelis & mansions and is often referred to as an open air gallery. Our accommodation tonight is in a restored heritage haveli.

Day 3: Alsisar to Bikaner
We continue to head west and drive to Bikaner, a major desert town in northern Rajasthan which was founded in 1488. Like many others in Rajasthan, the old city is surrounded by a high crenulated wall and was once an important staging post on the great caravan routes. Upon arrival we visit the Junagarh Fort and enjoy a rickshaw ride through the mediaeval streets to the old city Bazaar.

Days 4-5: Bikaner to Jaisalmer
Drive to Jaisalmer, dubbed the Golden City because of the honey colour imparted to its yellow sandstone walls by the setting sun. Enjoy an evening visit to Sunset Point. The following day we see the fort built by Rawal Jaisal atop the 80m high Trikuta Hill. Within the fort are beautifully carved Jain temples and the Badal Vilas Palace. Later in the afternoon we visit the Sam Dunes, located 42 kms west of Jaisalmer in the midst of the Thar Desert and take a camel ride on the sand dunes to view sunset. We then return to Jaisalmer for dinner.

Day 6: Jaisalmer to Manvar
This morning we drive back into the Thar Desert to Manvar. This afternoon experience our camel and jeep safari to local Bishnoi villages to meet the locals. The Bishnois follow 29 principles of a non-violent Vaishanavas sect, founded in the 15th Century by Jambeswarji. Tonight we will have a memorable stay in a tented camp in the desert. (Manvar Resort if camp unavailable)

Day 7: Manvar to Jodhpur
Today we leave our camp and drive to Jodhpur, the second largest city in Rajasthan.

Day 8: Jodhpur
The massive Meherangarh Fort overlooks the city and the red sandstone palaces within the fort form one of the most impressive complexes in Rajasthan. . This morning we explore the local market with a walking tour before visiting the fort and the museum located in the Umaid Bhawan Palace later in the afternoon.

Day 9: Jodhpur to Udaipur via Ranakpur
After breakfast we drive to Udaipur via Ranakpur, located about 90km from Udaipur and home to the largest Jain temple complex in India, dating back to the 15th Century. This afternoon we can relax at the hotel before leaving for our sunset boat cruise on the 4km long Lake Pichola, which is fringed with hills, palaces, havelis, ghats and temples and is the location of the Lake Palace Hotel and Jagmandir Island Palace.

Day 10: Udaipur
This morning we visit Sahelion Ki Bari Gardens, the Folk Museum and a Miniature Painting Factory. After lunch we visit the massive City Palace and then walk through the local streets and shops outside the Palace before catching auto rickshaws back to our bus. This evening we enjoy a performance of ‘Rajasthan Dance’ by local artists followed by an enchanting dinner at Baghore Ki Haveli overlooking Lake Pichola and the lights of the havelis surrounding the lake.

Day 11: Udaipur to Deogarh via Kumbhalgarh
We drive to Deogarh via Kumbhalgarh to visit the 15th Century fort, one of the best preserved forts of the Mewar region. After lunch here we continue to Deogarh, situated on the right bank of the River Betwa at the western end of the Lalitpur range of hills. The chief of Deogarh, known as 'The Rawat' was one of sixteen Umraos (feudal barons) entitled to wait upon the Maharana of Udaipur. On arrival we check into our hotel, the Deogarh Mahal, an imposing 17th century Palace. In the evening enjoy a walk through the colourful and bustling streets of the village to take in the sights and sounds of rural India.

Day 12: Deogarh to Pushkar
In the morning transfer to the local railway station and board a rural 1930’s train, enjoying a short 23km ride through the wooded hills from Deogarh to Phulad. Here we disembark and continue our drive north to Pushkar. The village of Pushkar lies 11kms from Ajmer on the edge of the desert. At its heart is one of India’s most sacred lakes, Pushkar Lake. There are 52 ghats around the lake and numerous temples. Apart from its religious significance, Pushkar is known for its Cattle and Camel fair held every year in the festival month of Kartik (October - November). Being a religious town, alcohol and non-vegetarian food are taboo. Enjoy a walking tour of the market and stop at one of the temples by the lake.

Day 13: Pushkar to Jaipur
Leaving Pushkar we continue on to Jaipur, known as the “Pink City”, arriving later in the afternoon.

Day 14: Jaipur
Today is spent touring the sights of Jaipur. Starting with a stop at the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) and the local shops nearby, we then drive to the palace and fortress at Amer. After trying our hand in some block printing and carpet weaving we stop for lunch before visiting the Jaipur City Palace and the Jantar Mantar Observatory. We visit the local shops inside the walled city before returning to our hotel.

Day 15: Jaipur to Ranthambore National Park
Leaving Jaipur we head south to Ranthambore National Park, one of the prime examples of Project Tiger’s conservation efforts in Rajasthan. The forests around the Ranthambore Fort were once the private hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur. The desire to preserve the game in these forests for sport was ultimately responsible for their conservation and subsequent rescue by Project Tiger. Whilst at the park we visit the Ranthambore Fort, built in the 10th Century. The fort commands a panoramic view of the Tiger Reserve and houses some splendid monuments within its precincts. More than in any other park or sanctuary in India, tigers have been spotted here in daylight.

Day 16: Ranthambore National Park
Today enjoy morning and afternoon game viewing by ‘canter’ around an estimated area of 400 sq kms of game reserve.

Day 17: Ranthambore National Park to Agra
Today we take a train to Bharatpur and then drive to Agra. En route we stop at Fatehpur Sikri, a magnificent fortified ghost city built in 1569 by Emperor Akbar as his capital. Agra rose to fame in the mediaeval period as the capital of the Moghul Empire and was embellished with gardens, waterfalls, bathhouses and canals. In modern times, the city of Agra still supports a thriving carpet industry, leather workers as well as sandstone and marble sculptors.

Day 18: Agra
This morning we rise early and travel by horse drawn carriage ‘tongas’ to view the Taj Mahal in all its glory at sunrise. After breakfast, visit a marble factory to see traditional stone inlay work unique to Agra. After lunch we visit Agra Fort. Later this afternoon enjoy a rickshaw ride through the old streets of Agra before enjoying our sunset drink over looking the Taj Mahal.

Day 19: Agra to Delhi
This morning we leave Agra and drive to Delhi stopping at Sikandra and the sandstone and marble tomb of Akbar en-route. After lunch upon arrival in Delhi, we visit Qutab Minar and the mausoleum of Emperor Humayun before stopping at Connaught Place markets for some local shopping. Over night at hotel.

Day 20: Depart Delhi
In the morning we visit Old Delhi starting with a drive past the Red Fort before enjoying a ride by cycle rickshaw through Chandni Chowk to India’s largest mosque, Jama Masjid. We also stop at the India Gate before driving past the President’s House and the Parliament Building before lunch. This afternoon is free until our late check out and dinner before transferring to the airport.