Palace Tour Rajasthan

Duration: 09 Nights & 10 Days
Places to see: Delhi – Jaipur – Sariska – Mandawa – Bikaner – Deshnok – Nagaur – Khimsar – Ossian – Mandore – Jodhpur

Day 1: Home – Delhi

On arrival in Delhi, you will be welcomed by our executive and transferred to your hotel (Rooms will be booked from 1200 hrs to facilitate immediate check in). New Delhi, the capital and the third largest city of India is a fusion of the ancient and the modern. Standing along the West End of Gangetic Plain, the capital city, Delhi, unwinds a picture rich with culture, architecture and human diversity, deep in history, monuments, museums, galleries, gardens and exotic shows. Comprising of two contrasting yet harmonious parts, the Old Delhi and New Delhi, the city is a travel hub of Northern India. Narrating the city’s Mughal past, Old Delhi, takes you through the labyrinthine streets passing through formidable mosques, monuments and forts. The imperial city of New Delhi displays the finely curved architecture of British Raj. Overnight in the Hotel.

Day 2: Delhi

Have a healthy breakfast at the hotel and embark on sightseeing tours of Old & New Delhi. In Old Delhi drive past Red fort, built in Red Sand stone this imposing fort is 3 Kms in perimeter with the height of the wall varying from 18 to 30 meters at places. Visit Jama Masjid is one of the largest mosques not only in Delhi but also in India. Completed in 1658 this Mosque has three gateways, four angle towers and two 40 m high minarets. Also visit Raj Ghat -Mahatma Gandhi’s Memorial. In New Delhi, drive past Janpath, Rashtrapati Bhawan (Hindi for presidential palace) and India Gate is perhaps one of the most impressive structures built in the capital of India. This historic monument was built as a memorial to commemorate the 70,000 Indian soldiers killed in the First World War. Visit Humayun’s Tomb: built in mid 16th century this is an early example of Mughal architecture. Also visit Qutab Minar. It is a one of the finest monuments in India and is 238 feet in height. Qutab Minar is 47 feet at the base and tapers to nine feet at the apex. The city tour ends with a visit to Laxmi Narayan Temple (Birla Mandir). Overnight in the Hotel.

Day 3: Delhi – Jaipur

Breakfast will be at the hotel. Drive to Jaipur – Jaipur was established by Maharaja Jai Singh II (1693-1743) and painted pink by Maharaja Man Singh II when Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, visited Jaipur in 1876. The Royal heritage of Jaipur lives in its architecture and culture. The city in pink is symbolic of the hospitality that reigned in the Rajput culture. Overnight will be at hotel in Jaipur.

Day 4: Jaipur – Sariska Morning

After breakfast drive to Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary is abode of large number of wildlife and diverse variety of birds. Sighting a tiger is not that difficult at the sanctuary that too if riding on an elephant. Night stay at the Sariska wildlife resort.

Day 5: Sariska – Mandawa

Drive to Mandawa – The medieval Fort of Mandawa gradually rises on the horizon like a mirage. A breathtaking view of the town can be seen from the terrace of Castle Mandawa. Precious collection of arms with jade handles, traditional ceremonial costumes can be seen at the Museum at the Castle. The havelies worth a visit are Chokhani, Saraf, Goenka and Ladia in this town. Built in 1775 by Thakur Nawal Singh, descendant of Rao Shekhaji, who also founded the city of Nawalgarh. The Castle, now a 51 rooms hotel has no two rooms alike. It also houses an interesting collection of paintings, jade, costumes and antiques. The courtyard and the terrace come to live during evenings with candle-lit dinners and fire-dances during the season. A two hundred and forty year old fortess, that has been converted by the family into a fine example of traditional hospitality. Reach and check in at hotel. Take a walking tour of the painted ‘havelis’ of some of the leading business families of the country. Though they no longer live here, the local caretakers are happy to show the visitors around. Chowkhani Haveli, Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli, Lakshminarayan Ladia Haveli, Mohahanlal Saraf Haveli and Bhagchandika Haveli are of special interest. Spend the major part of the day looking into frescoes. Relax for the evening. Overnight at Mandawa.

Day 6: Mandawa – Bikaner

Early morning view the sunrise at the Desert Resort at Mandawa and then proceed for Bikaner – Lying in the north of the desert state, the city is dotted with scores of sand dunes. Bikaner retains the medieval grandeur that permeates the city’s lifestyle. More readily called the camel country; the city is distinguished for the best riding camels in the world and hence boasts of having one of the largest Camel Research and breeding farm in the world. The history of Bikaner dates back to 1488 when a Rathore prince, Rao Bikaji (a descendant of the founder of Jodhpur, Rao Jodhaji), established his kingdom here. It has faced many foreign intrusions and fought a number of wars with the Mughals and the British. On arrival in Bikaner, check in at the hotel. Overnight in at the hotel.

Day 7: Bikaner

Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for sightseeing tour of Bikaner. Visit Junagarh fort was built by a Mughal army general, Raja Rai Singh, in 1593. The courtyard of the fort along with the balcony, kiosks and windows are perfect examples of the artisanship of that time. The beautiful cutworks and dots on the red stones and the marbles are fascinating. The various part of the palace-the Dewan-i-khas, the Phool Mahal, Hawa Mahal, Badal Mahal and Anup Mahal-reflect the glorious architecture of Bikaner Overnight at Bikaner.

Day 8: Bikaner – Deshnok – Nagaur – Khimsar

Morning drive for Khimsar en-route covering the sightseeing of Deshnok the Rat Temple. Karni Mata Temple, Deshnoke lying at the distance of 30km from Bikaner. Visit the 600 years ancient shrine of Goddess Karni. You will be astonished to see that besides the Goddess the other deity of the temple are rats. The people have a strong notion that these rodents will be reincarnated as divine human. Later visit the unique town of Nagaur, one of the most picturesque of Rajput townships resounds with life during the Nagaur Fair. This cattle fair is the second largest in Rajasthan and is held every year during the Hindu month of Magh (Jan-Feb). By afternoon you will be reaching to Khimsar, visiting Khimsar Fort. This fort architecture offers great discrepancy. Initially, the fort walls, minarets and stables were built solely for war but later on when the royal family shifted to the fort in 18th century the fort was restructured. Today, this fort ranks amongst the premier classified Heritage Hotels of India. Over night at Khimsar Heritage Hotel.

Day 9: Khimsar – Ossian – Mandore – Jodhpur

Morning start your trip to Jodhpur en-route covering Ossian and Mandore. Ossian (58km) is also referred as an oasis in the desert. Pay a visit to beautifully carved Jain temples of 11th century dedicated to Lord Mahavira followed by a visit to Sun Temple, Kali temple and the Sachiya Mata Temple. Mandore (8 km) see the cenotaphs of Jodhpur rulers amidst the beautiful gardens. The walls of the cenotaphs are festooned with 15 sculptures of Hindu deities tunneled out of the hard rocks, a worth visiting sight. By evening reach to Jodhpur – the second largest city of the state of Rajasthan, Jodhpur. The Rajput chief Rao Jodha founded the city of Jodhpur in 1459. Earlier, it was the capital of the Marwar state of Rajasthan. A 10-km-long wall made of stone surrounds the city. Visit Mehrangarh Fort situated on a 125m-sandstone hill built by Rao Jodha in 1459. Situated at an altitude of about 125 meters, the Mehrangarh Fort of Jodhpur is spread over an area of 5 sq. km in the heart of the city of Jodhpur. Have a walk in the Fort Complex and in old city. The Jaswant Thada is a white marble memorial built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant II in 1899. Relax in the evening or proceed for shopping. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 10: Jodhpur – Delhi

Flight back to Delhi, transfer to the airport to board flight for your next destination.