Rajasthan plus North India Tour
Duration: 19 Days / 18 Nights
Destinations Covered: Delhi-Shekhawati-Bikaner-Osian-Jaisalmer-Jodhpur-Ranakpur-Udaipur-Pushkar-Jaipur-Fatehpur
Sikri-Agra-Khajuraho-Varanasi-Delhi.
Best tour package if you wish to combine Rajasthan with some wonderful destinations
in the north India. The Rajasthan and North India Tour' besides taking you
to various destinations in Rajasthan also takes you to Agra, Fatehpur Sikri,
Khajuraho, Varanasi .
Day 01 : Arrive Delhi
You will arrive in Delhi by international flight. After a traditional welcome,
our representatives would assist you at the airport and to our hotel for
check-in and overnight stay.
Day 02 : Delhi
Today morning, after breakfast rest of the morning will be at leisure. You
will be taken on a guided tour of Delhi, beginning with a morning sightseeing
trip to Old Delhi and followed by visits to the 1648 Red Fort, India's largest
mosque - Jama Masjid and Gandhi Memorial at Raj Ghat. Afternoon tour includes
visit to India Gate, President's House, Humayun's Tomb, and Lotus Temple.
Overnight stay will be at hotel.
Day 03 : Delhi - Shekhawati.
In the morning you will visit "Qutub Minar" which is 71 meter
high and consists of five stories. In 1199 AD work began on this tower,
which was intended to be the most glorious tower of victory in the world.
This tower was damaged twice and repaired in 1326 and 1368. After the sightseeing
of Delhi you will be driven to Shekhawati region. On arrival at Shekhawati,
check-in in to hotel.
Day 04 : Shekhawati - Bikaner
Today in the morning, after breakfast you will visit the grand havellis
of the Shekhawati area. Shekhawati is a region of North East of Rajasthan
and is the homeland of marwaris. The marwaris form one of the most important
merchant and business groups in India; they developed their business acumen
on the trade routes between Delhi and the coast between India and Central
Asia. Marwaris enjoyed protections by Maharajas and many of them built grand
havellis. The hovels are mansions, elaborately and attractively decorated
with a strong main entrance. The walls are often covered with murals, local
legends and religious scenes from Hindu Mythology. After the visit of Shekhawati
area we proceed to Bikaner. After a short break in Bikaner we visit the
Junagarh Fort (1571-1611 AD) constructed of red sandstone and marble with
kiosks and balconies embellishing the structure at intervals. This imposing
Fort and its palaces are an unforgettable experience for us.
Day 05 : Bikaner - Osian - Jaisalmer
Today, after break fast you will be driven through the desert and proceed
for Jaisalmer via Osian. Osian is a great centre of Hindu and Jain religions.
The oldest Temple here was constructed in 1178 AD. Very often one can see
along the road to Jaisalmer some of the antelopes of this region. Blackbuck
and fast running chinkara are the most common among them. We have a stop
en-route at a village to observe the traditional life of the villages in
Rajasthan. We will arrive in Jaisalmer in the late evening.
Day 06 : Jaisalmer
Today morning, after breakfast take sightseeing of the medieval city of
Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer's crenellated golden sandstone walls and its narrow
streets lined with exquisitely carved buildings make this city unique. Jaisalmer
is famous for its carved havellis (grand mensions). In medieval times, its
prosperity was due to its location on the main trade route linking India
to Egypt, Arabia, Africa and the West. Jaisalmer is a marvel of beautiful
culture and this city remains one of the most exotic cities not only in
Rajasthan but in the whole of India. Some of the visitors called this city
"a living museum". We have a walk through the old city and visit
the Fort and the Jain temple. In the afternoon we drive around 40 km. away
from Jaisalmer to sam dunes where we enjoy the sunset before we drive back
to Jaisalmer.
Day 07 : Jaisalmer - Jodhpur.
Today in early morning, you will be driven to Jodhpur. The city was once
the capital of the princely state of Marwar. Jodhpur is the second largest
city in Rajasthan. Jodhpur is also known as the blue city as most of the
houses of the old city are painted blue. The old city is surrounded by a
huge 10 km long wall which has 101 bastions and seven Gates. You will visit
the Mehrangarh Fort (majestic fort). Mehrangarh Fort was built on a steep
hill and is among the best in India with exquisitely latticed windows in
residential apartments within. You will also visit the Jaswant Thada, a
royal cenotaph built in white marble. After the sightseeing you have a walk
through the Bazaars of Jodhpur.
Day 08 : Jodhpur - Ranakpur - Udaipur.
Today morning, after breakfast you will be driven to Udaipur. En-route we
will visit Ranakpur. Ranakpur is known for its superbly carved marble Jain
Temples. An enormous basement of this temple covers 48,000 sq. feet. There
are four subsidiary shrines, twenty four pillared halls. The total number
of columns is 1,444, all of which are intricately carved, no two being alike.
The Ranakpur Jain Temples were built during the 15th century. We have a
break in Ranakpur before proceeding further for Udaipur. Udaipur is called
the romantic city of Rajasthan. A city built around shimmering, clear, blue
water lakes which reflect the green hills of the Aravali ranges.
Day 09 : Udaipur
Today morning, after breakfast you will visit Udaipur, also known as the
city of sunrise. You start our sightseeing with the visit of Sahelion-Ki-Bari.
This Garden of the Maids of Honour is well laid out with extensive lawns
and shady walks. After the visit of Garden of Maids we visit a Folk art
museum. This museum has a rich collection of Folk dresses, ornaments, puppets,
masks, dolls, folk musical instruments and paintings. After a break we proceed
to City Palace, the biggest Palace in India, where four generations of Maharajas
added their contribution. The museum of the palace includes the beautiful
peacock mosaic and miniature wall paintings of Indian mythology. Today we
have an opportunity to visit a traditional painting school and see the famous
miniature paintings done.
Day 10 : Udaipur - Pushkar.
Today morning, after breakfast you will leave Udaipur and drive to Pushkar.
Pushkar being one of the most religious places for Hindus has the atmosphere
of an ancient religious town. The only temple of God Brahma is in Pushkar
thus making Pushkar an important pilgrimage city for Hindus. Pushkar has
become famous in the world due to its Pushkar Festival which takes place
in the month of November when the whole of Pushkar is transformed into a
spectacular fair ground where thousands of pilgrims come to bath in the
holy water of Pushkar lake and the biggest cattle and camel markets take
place here where Farmers, breeders and camel traders buy and sell.
Day 11 : Pushkar - Jaipur.
Today morning, after breakfast you will leave the holy city of Pushkar and
drive to the Pink City Jaipur. This city owes its name, foundations and
careful planning to the great warrior and astronomer, Maharaja Sawai Jai
Singh II. Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and famous for its handicrafts
and precious and semiprecious stones. In the afternoon you will visit the
City Palace which is still the formal residence of the royal family, built
in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. In the museum of the
city palace you will visit the private collection of the Jaipur Maharajas.
We continue to Jantar Mantar, a stone observatory, the largest of Jai Singh's
five remarkable observatories.
Day 12 : Jaipur
Today morning, after breakfast you will be driven to the ancient capital
of Amber, laying 11 km away from Jaipur. Amber was the ancient capital of
Kachhawaha dynasty for 6 centuries before it was moved to newly created
Jaipur. We will ascend to the Palace Fortress on the back of an Elephant.
Enroute to Amber we will visit the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), built
in 1799 AD, it contains 953 small casements with each having its own balcony.
The windows enabled cool air to circulate and the ladies to watch processions
below without being seen. In the afternoon we take a walk through the colourful
Bazaar of Jaipur and visit a factory to see the famous block printing work
being done since centuries in Jaipur. In the evening we drive through the
new city of Jaipur and visit "Laxmi Narayan Mandir", a Hindu temple
made out of white marble. You might have an opportunity here to observe
a prayer ceremony. Today we have dinner with a presentation of Indian music
and dance.
Day 13 : Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra.
Today morning, after breakfast you will leave Rajasthan, one of the biggest
states in India and drive through a series of fields, small towns and villages
in direction of Agra. En-route you make a stop and visit Fatehpur Sikri,
which was once an imperial capital frozen in time, constructed by Akbar
the Great in the 16th century. This wonderful city constructed by red sand
stones was abandoned as abruptly as it had been built. It has been generally
stated that it was due to failing in the water supply. In late evening,
arrive at Agra. Rest of the day will be at leisure.
Day 14 : Agra
Today morning, after breakfast you will start our sightseeing by a visit
to the Agra Fort, built by three of the greatest Mughal emperors. The construction
of this massive structure began in 1565 under Akbar's reign and continued
till the time of his grandson's reign, Shah Jahan who built the impressive
imperial quarters and mosque. After the visit of Agra Fort you will proceed
to visit the most beautiful monument of India, the Taj Mahal, an enduring
monument to love, with a continually fulfilling beauty. It was built by
the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between 1631-52, as a tomb and memorial to
his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal (Jewel of the Palace), who died at the age
of 39 giving birth to her 14th child. We spend enough time at Taj Mahal
to take this impressive memory home. After the visit of Taj Mahal we have
a look at the famous fine marble inlay work which is still being done in
Agra by the descendants of the families of builders and artists of the Taj
Mahal.
Day 15 : Agra - Khajuraho
In the noon you will fly from Agra to Khajuraho. Khajuraho was the capital
of the Chandela dynasty. The Chandela Kings claimed descent from the moon.
The temples of Khajuraho are among the finest examples of temple craftsmanship
in the whole of India. The rest of the day will be at leisure.
Day 16 : Khajuraho - Varanasi
Today morning, after breakfast you will visit the temple complex of east
and west block to see the most beautiful temples in India. Most famous among
them is the Laxmana Temple which is dedicated to god Vishnu. The presence
of erotic sculptures in the Temples at Khajuraho is one of the expressions
among others of the celebration of all human activities displaying different
aspects of Hinduism. In the evening flight to Varanasi. The rest of the
day will be at leisure. Varanasi is without doubt India's most sacred city
and thus visited by over one million people. Varanasi is also called the
city of light. Buddha visited this city in 500 BC.
Day 17 : Varanasi
Today in the early morning you will take a boat ride on the holy river Ganges
and enjoy sunrise on the boat. Ghats of Varanasi and the activities of pilgrims
on that are the principal attraction for visitors to Varanasi. Thousands
of pilgrims and devotees visit this city to make holy prayers, to meditate
and to purify themselves through taking a bath in the holy river Ganges.
In the noon we visit the city of Varanasi. Afternoon will be at leisure.
Day 18 : Varanasi - Delhi
Today you will fly from Varanasi to Delhi. In Delhi we have rest of the
day at leisure. Optional: Further excursion in Delhi can be organised as
per the individual wishes. Rooms are available to get fresh and change before
we depart for the Airport with Caper Travels representative.
Day 19 : Depart Delhi
In time you will be transferred to the airport for your onward travel destinations.
