Rajasthan - A living Museum….

Day 15: Rohet / Jodhpur (40 Kms)

Following breakfast, we drive to Jodhpur.

Upon arrival, check into the legendary Ajit Bhawan Palace Hotel, which is beautifully set amidst well appointed gardens

Afternoon, proceed on a guided tour of Jodhpur. Our tour includes the massive fort. In olden days this must have been impregnable since its rocky base is scraped straight down making it nearly impossible to ascend. Once inside, royal palaces abound with fascinating history and priceless jewels, on to the armoury and Jaswant Thada - the Royal Crematorium.

Tonight you have the option of participating in the New Years eve festivities hosted by your hotel.

Overnight: Ajit Bhawan Palace (B).

Day 16 : Jodhpur

Morning at leisure to recover from the new years eve festivities of last night.

Afternoon, we would ride horse carriages to the Clock Tower Bazaar. This is one of India's largest and most colourful whole sale market especially with respect to clothes, fabrics, spices, vegetables etc.

Overnight: Ajit Bhawan Palace (B).

Day 17 : Jodhpur/Jaisalmer.

This morning drive to Jaisalmer . The drive is through desert country with scantly vegetation and life stock in view.

Upon arrival, check in to Gorbandh Palace. Afternoon at leisure.

Overnight Gorbandh Palace.

Day 18 : Jaisalmer

This morning , we visit the residential portions of the fort where one third of the population of the old city lives. The design of houses remain as they were a couple of centuries back and so are the lifestyle of people occupying them. This is because most of the families continue to work for for generations for the rurel (though only titular now) hence there is a sense of continuitey. The houses are arranged in narrow lanes and have small windows from where the shy child or the girl peeps. This is the city believed to be the home of the most handsome men and women in Rajasthan.

Afternoon for inependent walks through the narrow cobbled paths of the old city.

Overnight at Gorbandh Palace. (B)

Day 19 Jaisalmer / Sam / Jaisalmer

Afternoon , we drive to Sam, a dessert outpost. Enroute we visit a few typical dessert villages, which have a sprinkling of huts. The rough terrain here does not support cultivation, hence the entire village work as causal labourers in road works or community projects. Inspite of their poverty and hard life the people are very friendly and seem to be aware that they are proud owners of very expressive and beautiful faces. We move on to Sam where we explore the dessert. Against the backdrop of the setting sun and the huge expanse of the dessert the camels with their long shadows would be excellent pictures.

Evening drive back to our Hotel in Jaisalmer.

Overnight Gorbandh Palace (B)

Day 20 : Jaisalmer / Bikaner (300 kms)

Morning drive to Bikaner . We would have opportunities to stop on the way for pictures as well as to interact with local tribes.

Upon arrival check in to Karni Bhawan .

Afternoon is at leisure. We suggest that you walk to the city center which is bustling with colour and activity.

Overnight - Hotel Karni Bhawan (B)

Day 21 : Bikaner

Today , we explore the city of Bikaner amongst vociferous hawkers and vegetable and fruit vendors. The nearby main bus stand is also a good venue for pictures. People sitting inside buses, on the roofs, on the foontboards or at the stand in their colorful traditional dresses could be interesting objects for our cameras. We also visit some of the residential squares where people sit in front of their houses on string cots gossiping away and kids playing noisily and posing in mockery before your cameras.

Overnight Karni Bhawan (B)

Day 22 : Bikaner/Mandawa (245 Kms)

Following breakfast, we check out of our hotel and ride into the heart of the Thar Desert at Mandawa, which used to be a medieval Indian trade city and still has beautifully preserved houses of medieval Indian traders in typical Rajput (Rajasthani) style.

Upon arrival, check into the Mandawa Dessert Resort which is beautifully built in traditional Rajput style - wooden doors, bamboo thatched roofs, mud plastered walls and floors, ethnic décor etc. However, all these traditional charms encapsulate all the modern luxuries sought by discerning tourists.

Overnight at Mandawa Desert Resort (B)

Day 23 : Mandawa

Today, we walk through the main (and the only) street of the town. We would visit some of the ancient and beautifully preserved 'havelis' (mansions). They would give us an idea of how families lived in those days. The havelis have beautiful paintings depicting mythological themes on the walls. Made from vegetable dyes these paintings have lasted centuries and still are quite sharp.

Overnight at Mandawa Desert Resort.(B)

Day 24 : Mandawa/ Jaipur (165kms)

Following Breakfast, we ride to Jaipur. In a land steeped with heritage , picturesque with exquisite architecture , in a state vibrant with heroic memories and romance ,lies the dream city of Jaipur . The people are dynamic ,martial and ,need we say it ,colourful . Here every walk through the by lanes is a walk through history . Indeed , Jaipur could be compared to a vast open air museum . Pink turbans jostle with saffron 'odhinis' ( ladies scarves ) . Camels buggies and elephants are as commonly found as motor cars and buses

Upon arrival, check into Hotel Vissau Palace.

Afternoon is designed for escorted walks with our guide in Jaipur's shady animated streets - or for independent discovery. The city is best explored on foot and only the inquisitive visitor willing to go into the rastaas (streets) and galis (lanes) will feel the spirit of the city. Jaipur's colorful bazaars tantalize the eye with enameled blue pottery, exquisite gem-studded jewelry, engraved brass work, traditional block-printed fabrics and brightly patterned dhurrie rugs together with traditional crafts and miniature painting.

Overnight: Hotel Vissau Palace (B)

Day 25 : Jaipur

This morning we visit Amber Fort, the former capital of the royals of Jaipur. Few fail to be moved by the dramatic Rajput grandeur of this hilltop fortress-palace 11 km north of Jaipur. We will ride up to this hilltop palace on a caparisoned, painted elephant, passing through the ancient main gate where Maharajas of Jaipur have entered for four hundred years.

For more on the tourist attractions of Jaipur, click here.  Jaipur Tour

Overnight: Vissau Palace (B)

Day 26: Jaipur / Fatehpur Sikri / Agra (245 kms)

Following breakfast we drive to Fatehpur Sikri for a guided tour. This abandoned capital of the Mughals is a perfectly preserved city at the height of the empire's splendour. The city divided into religious and secular parts has interesting well sculpted buildings. From here we continue riding to Agra. Upon arrival , check in to the hotel Howard Park Plaza.

Agra is the city of the Taj Mahal, perhaps the most photographed monument in the world. However, their is a degree of enigma about the Taj. Once you hear about a building so much and once you see so many pictures of a building your expectations are real high; and this is the enigma about the Taj Mahal. No matter how many pictures you have seen or no matter how high your expectations are, the Taj never lets you down - the unparalleled glory and beauty of the building surpasses beyond all human imaginations. At sun set we visit the Taj Mahal to witness this spectacular monument built for love. Besides perfect symmetry in every aspect of its construction, the inlay work of semi precious stones into marble in pietra dura style is absolutely remarkable.

We would also have an opportunity to visit a marble showroom where we would be able to witness the inlay work done on marble just as at the Taj Mahal.

Overnight: Howard Park Plaza. (B)

Day 27 : Agra / Delhi

Following breakfast, we ride to the massive Agra Fort;. The elegant buildings inside reflect an interesting synthesis of Hindu and Central Asian architectural styles. Built by Emperor Akbar, the maze of the courtyards, mosques & private chambers of the fort echo the story of the Mughal Empire. The Moti Masjid & other magnificent buildings reflect the skill of the ancient Indian architects.

Afternoon Drive to delhi, stopping on the way at well appointed midway restaurants for washroom facilities and refreshments.

Upon arrival, check into Hotel Connaught.

Overnight: Hotel Connaught (B)

Day 28 : Delhi

Day at leisure. You would have a car and driver at disposal for local journies and visit. Why not experience the shopping options of this shoppers delight of a city. Also, try out some ethnic restaurants etc.

Overnight - Hotel Connaught.

Day 29 : Delhi/Departure

Early morning transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

END OF TOUR

We also offer customized tours to destinations in Rajasthan. We will be happy to customize this tour for you to suit your interests and convenience.