Desert Tour India is the
perfect way to explore the Rajasthan-the magnificent state of India, known
for its culture, heritage, art and architecture, Fort, Palaces, Citadel.
Desert dunes has its own charm and beauty. Come and explore the colourful
and glorious Rajasthan through Desert Safari.
Duration: 12 Nights / 13 Days
Day
1, Delhi. Arrive Delhi at 1200hrs. and transfer with assistance to
your hotel. Perhaps there is no other capital city in the world so steeped
in history and legend as the Indian capital, Delhi. It was the magnet that
drew the Mongols, Turks, Persians, Afghans, Mughals and Finally the British.
All of whom contributed to its glorious but turbulent history. The
fascination with Delhi was such that even though it was abandoned many
times, its rulers returned to it again and again rebuilding it at least
seven times. Old Delhi Tour (half day) : Shah Jahan founded the city of
Shahjanabad, now referred to as Old Delhi, in 1648. The famous Red Fort in
the heart of Old Delhi was once the most opulent fort of the Mughal Empire
and it boasts the Diwan-I-Am, Hall of Private Audience. Opposite the fort is
the Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in the world, built by Shah
Jahan to dominate his city. Afternoon sightseeing to Red Fort, Jama Masjid
Mosque & Humayuns tomb. Overnight in Hotel.
Morning transfer to the airport for flight
to Udaipur.
Arrive romantic lake city of Udaipur. Set on the shores of
Lake Pichola and surrounded by hills, Udaipur grew in complete contrast to
the harsh deserts of the rest of Rajasthan. As capital of the old Mewar
state it was the only Rajput stronghold to uphold its Hindu allegiance in
the face of Muslim invasion. From the late 16th century, peace brought about
an era of renaissance in the arts and encouraged the building of beautiful
palaces around the lake, culminating, in the City Palace, one of the largest
palace complexes in the world. The lake itself is a romantic setting
surrounding the gleaming white Lake Palace and the Jag Mandir, a refugee of
the rebel Mughal prince, Shah Jahan, soon to be the creator of the
imcomparable Taj Mahal.
Full day visit to City Palace - the
largest palace complex in Rajasthan, comprising many buildings added at
different time by various maharajas. Perhaps the most beautiful are the Moti
Mahal with its mirror inlay and the Chini ka Chitra Mahal's iridescent tile
work. At the nearby, Jagdish Temple, there is an impressively carved image
of Lord Vishnu, to whom the temple is dedicated. A boat ride around Lake
Pichola offers spectacular views of the city. The City Palace towers over
the lake and you will also see the merchant's havelis, temples, the royal
hunting lodge and the exquisite Gul Mahal Pavilion on Jag Mandir Island.
Having disembarked, you continue to the ornamental gardens of the Maids of
Honour or Sahelion ki Bari. Overnight in hotel.
Day
3, Udaipur - Jodhpur drive (280 kms / 7hrs.) After breakfast drive
to Jodhpur. Afternoon visit the massive Mehrangarh Fort looms over the city
and the Red sandstone Palaces within the fort form one of the most
impressive complexes in Rajasthan. Its museum contains sections which house
armoury, palanquins, howdahs and headgear from all the communities of
Rajasthan. Life in the city revolves around the Clock Tower area, a haven
for shoppers, selling everything from the leather mojris (shoes) to
ornamental swords fashioned after designs seen in the fort museum. Overnight
in hotel.
Day 4, Jodhpur - Jaisalmer drive (310
kms / 8hrs.) Morning after breakfast a long drive to Jaislamer, the
desert city of Rajasthan. Overnight in hotel.
Day
5, Jaislamer Morning after breakfast sightseeing in Jasilmer, a
medieval city of elaborately carved mansions (havelis) in yellow sandstone,
built by rich merchants at a time when the city was a key stopping place on
the caravan routes from the Middle East. Visit to Jaislamer Fort, often
referred as the golden fort because of the colour of the sandstone,
Jaisalmer's Fort seems to emerge from the desert sands. The fort is still
home to many of the town's people who live in tiny but beautifully decorated
houses or havelis. Inside the fortified town is the Palace and the Juna
Mahal, part of one of the oldest palaces in Rajasthan. The city also boasts
some fascinating Jain temples and exquisite havelis such as the Badal Mahal,
a five storeyed tower with fine carvings. Jaisalmer has been described as an
open air museum, and to enter its narrow cobbled lanes is to step into a
bygone age.
Afternoon camel ride to Sam Sand dunes. Overnight in hotel.
Day 6, Jaisalmer - Bikaner drive (340 kms /
7hrs.)After early breakfast a long drive to Bikaner, in the
Shekhavati region, known for the beautiful frescoes which adorn many of the
buildings. Visit imposing 16th century pink - sandstone Junagarh fort.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 7, Bikaner - Jaipur drive
(380 kms / 8hrs.) After breakfast drive to Jaipur (pink city),
built in 1727, was the dream of the brillian ruler Jai Singh. It has
retained its reputation as one of the formost cities in India planned and
executed in a manner that draws accolades from modern town planners. Jaipur
is known as the pink city, because many buildings are still washed pink, the
traditional colour of welcome, which was originally introduced to honor the
visit of the Prince Albert in 1856. Overnight in hotel.
Day
8, Jaipur : Morning after breakfast, visit Amber, ascending by
elephant to see the 16th century hilltop fortress - Palace and its richly
decorated apartments. Ascend to the ancient Rajput capital of Amber, this
fort palace was begun by Raja Man Singh and used by the Rajputs as their
stronghold until Sawai Jai Singh II moved to the newly created Jaipur. You
will visit the palace and its many intricate chambers and hallways, which
has breathtaking views of the Jal Mahal (Water palace) below. In the
afternoon we visit City Palace, still inhabited by Jai Singh's descendants
is a superb fusion of Rajput and Mughal architecture. A city within a city,
it includes the Govind Deo Temple, the Jantar Mantar astronomical
observatory and the Maharaja's museum with his personal collection of
weaponry, miniature paintings, royal attire and jewellery. On the periphery
of the Palace stands the Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, an elaborate pink
sandstone façade behind which the ladies of the court used to watch
the daily goings on in the street below. Overnight in hotel.
Day
9, Jaipur - Agra drive (245 kms / 6hrs.) Today after breakfast
drive to Agra - the Taj City. Enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri - the ghost city
of emperor Akbar.
Evening visit India's most celebrated monument the
Taj Mahal, built as a monument of eternal love by Shah Jahan to the bride
Mumtaz, the Taj Mahal looks amazingly graveful from almost any angle. It was
built over a period of 20 years by 20,000 laborers and craftsmen and
displays superb craftsmanship. The close up details of the Taj Mahal is as
exquisite as the overall architectural design, with semi-precious stones and
beautiful patterns covering the marble surface. Overnight in hotel.
Day
10, Agra - Varanasi train (overnight train) Morning after breakfast
visit RED Fort, Akbar began Agra Fort in 1565, with additions of the citadel
being made through to the time of Akbar's grandson, Shah Jahan (Kind of the
World). The forts have fine views of the Taj across the River Yamuna, and
consists of Deewani - Aam(hall of public ordnances) and Deewan- Khass (the
hall of Private ordnances), it also has a nice grape garden, beautiful
fountain ways. Also visit Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah, also known as Baby Taj.
Evenin transfer to the railway station for overnight train to Varanasi (ETD
2100hrs.) O/n train.
Day 11, Arrive Varanasi (ETA
0930hrs.) Morning arrive holy city of Varanasi, known to devout
Hindus as Kashi, is one of the oldest living cities in the world. Its name
derived from its situation on the banks of the Ganges., at the confluence of
two legendry rivers, Varuna and Assi. It is said that the city rests on the
trident of Lord Shiva thus imparting an incomparable energy to it. It is the
aspiration of every devout Hindu to die at Kashi, thus ensuring a direct
passage to heaven.
Later visit Sarnath, where it is said Buddha
preached his first sermon, setting in motion the Wheel of Law. Pilgrims
travel from around the world to Sarnath and there are monasteries
constructed by Buddhists from several countries including China, Burma,
Tibet and Japan..
Overnight in hotel.
Day 12,
Varanasi - Delhi. Early morning boat ride along the River Ganges
and see the famous bathing 'ghats', the stone steps which lead down to the
river where you can watch the gathered faithful, ritually cleansing
themselves.
We will return to hotel for wash and breakfast,
after.breakfast visit Tulsi Manas Temple and Benaras Hindu University.
Later transfer to the airport for flight to Delhi (ETD 1440hrs. ETA
1600hrs.)
Arrive Delhi and transfer to the hotel near airport for wash
and change.
Late evening transfer to the International airport for
flight back to home country.
Day 13, Delhi -
Europe fly. 
