15 Days Forts and Mansions tour of Rajasthan

Morning after breakfast combined tour of Old and New Delhi. Old Delhi visiting Red Fort (no inside visit today as Fort will remain closed)- The red sand stone walls of Lal Quila, the Red Fort extend for 2 km and vary in height from 18m on the river side to 33m on the city side. Shah Jahan started construction of the massive fort in 1638 and it was completed in 1648. The Red Fort dates from the peak of Mughal power. The Mughal reign from Delhi was a short one. Aurangzeb was the first and the last emperor to rule from here. Jama Masjid- the Great Mosque of Old Delhi was both the largest and the final architectural extravagance of Shah Jahan. Begun in 1644, the mosque was not completed until 1658. It has three gateways, four angle towers and two minarets standing 40m (133ft) high constructed of alternating vertical strips of red sandstone and white marble. The courtyard of the mosque can hold 25,000 people. Take a rickshaw ride to Chandni Chowk - the main street of Old Delhi - the colourful shopping bazaar just opposite the Red Fort and visit Raj Ghat - the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi after his assassination in 1948. New Delhi visiting Qutab Minar – 234 feet high tower. The Qutab Minar itself is a soaring tower of victory that was started in 1193, immediately after the defeat of the last Hindu kingdom in Delhi. It is nearly 73m(243ft) high and tapers from a 15m(50ft) diameter base to just 2.5m(9ft) at the top. The tower has five distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony. The first three storeys are made of red sandstone, the fourth and the fifth of marble & sandstone. Also visit the Tomb of Mughal Emperor Humayun. Built in the mid-16th century by Haji Begum, the Persian-born senior wife of Humayun, the second Mughal emperor, this is a wonderful early example of Mughal architecture. The elements in its design – a squat building, high arched entrances that let in light, topped by a bulbous dome and surrounded by formal gardens – were to be refined over the years to the magnificence of the Taj Mahal in Agra. Drive past India Gate (War Memorial), President’s House, which was once the Viceroy’s Palace, Parliament House and Secretariat buildings. Overnight at the hotel.

Morning after buffet breakfast at the hotel checkout and proceed to Mukundgarh by car Enroute visiting Mandawa and Dundlod,. Afternoon visit compact little town of Shekhavati region comprising of Forts and Havelis of beautiful frescoes. While touring this town a painted arched gateway adorned with Lord Krishna and his cows leads to the bustling bazaar. Overnight at the Fort hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel drive to Bikaner and check in at Hotel on arrival. Afternoon first visit Camel Breeding Farm – a unique experience where you can ride on a camel & have perhaps the first taste of camel’s milk. Later leave for an excursion trip to Deshnok Temple (Rat Temple) situated in semi desert village at a distance of 30 kms, this place is famous for Karnimata Temple where you will see thousands of rats roaming freely in the temple complex and are held sacred. Later tour of Bikaner covering Junagarh Fort – constructed between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Rai Singh, Bandh Sagar Temple – The 16th century Jain temple and the town. Overnight at the hotel..

Morning after breakfast at the visit Bikaner - one of best sand dunes and is also ideal place for overnight camel safari where you can spend a night under the stars. If you will be interested for an overnight stay in the Sand Dunes than we shall ask our local contact to help you with the same. Late morning drive to reach drive to Jaisalmer by car in around 6 hours and check in at the otel. Rest of the evening is free to relax at the hotel. Overnight at Hotel.

Morning sight seeing tour of Jaisalmer city visiting The Golden Fort of 99 Bastions, Manek Chowk, Patwon Ki Haveli and Salim Singh Haveli (the old Mansions with lattice work done on the walls).
Afternoon proceed to Sam Sand Dunes (1 hour drive). Check in at Swiss Cottage tented camp on arrival. Buffet lunch at the camp. Later commence Camel ride through the deserts and see beautiful Sunset view. Buffet dinner at the camp. Your evening will be entertained with folk dances, puppet show and music by the camp fire. Overnight at the camp.

Breakfast at the camp. Drive from Sam to Jodhpur (7 hours). On arrival check-in at hotel. . Afternoon commence sightseeing tour of Jodhpur which will include a visit to the Mehrangarh Fort set on the top of the hill, Jaswanth Thada and a visit to the local market.Overnight at the hotel.

Morning after breakfast drive to Udaipur, enroute visit Jain Temple Complex at Ranakpur. Sprawling over 48,000 sq.feet, the temple is an astounding creation with 29 halls and 1,444 pillars - all distinctly carved. Continue on to Udaipur. Check in at Hotel on arrival.

Rest of the time at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Morning after breakfast at the hotel tour of Udaipur City Palace: The City Palace amidst the Lake Pichola is a collection of rooms, corridors, terraces, pavilions, hanging gardens and courtyards. The City Palace of Udaipur built in 1559 is a must-visit for the tourists arriving in Udaipur. The tourists can have a panoramic view of the "Jag Niwas" (Now the Lake palace hotel) and "Jag Mandir". The Mor-Chowk (Peacock courtyard) and the Chini Chitrashala are the most noteworthy features of City Palace with a series of wall paintings of Krishna, Jag Mandir : Built by Maharaja Karan Singh in 1615 A.D, Jag Mandir is situated on Lake Pichola that adorns a giant stone sculpture of elephants and an impressive "Chattri" on top of the temple, Saheliyon-Ki- Bari : Built in early 18th century AD, Saheliyon- Ki- Bari was a perfect place for the royal ladies to spend their free time. It is a famous garden that comprises of lotus pool, fountains (in the shape of birds), lush green lawns, flowerbeds, and marble pavilions, offering a breathtaking view to visitors and Jagdish Temple : Created in 1651 AD by Maharana Jagat Singh, Jagdish Temple is the largest and the most beautiful temple in Udaipur. The temple is dedicated to lord Vishnu and decorated with beautiful sculpted images and towering Shikara. City tour of Udaipur the romantic Lake City in Southern Rajasthan, famous for the stunning white marble Palace built on an island in the Lake Pichola. It was the former Palace of the Maharana and now converted to one of the most glamorous hotels in India.

Late afternoon boat ride at Lake Pichola.
Overnight at the hotel.

Morning after breakfast at the hotel drive to Pushkar and check into the hotel.
Afternoon visit this holy town of Pushkar is believed to have been created by Lord Brahma himself. It is as important as Benaras or Puri. Devout Hindus believe that it is essential to visit Pushkar at least once in their lifetime. No pilgrimage is considered complete without a dip in the holy Pushkar lake. Pushkar has as many as 400 temples and 52 ghats and the only temple in the country that is dedicated to Brahama is to be found here. While Pushkar is a heaven for the religiously inclined, it is also the venue of one of the country's most colorful cattle fairs which takes place in October or November every year.

Overnight at the hotel.

Morning after relaxed breakfast at the hotel leave for Jaipur from Pushkar by car.

Arrive Jaipur and check into the hotel. Afternoon free for self exploration. Overnight at the hotel.

Morning after breakfast at the hotel visit Amber Fort - the ancient capital of the state until 1728. The fort is a superb example of Rajput architecture, stunningly situated on a hillside and overlooking a lake, which reflects its terraces and ramparts. Visit the Jagmandir the Hall of Victory glittering with mirrors, Jal Mahal and the Temple of Kali. You ride up to the ramp of this 11th Century Bastion atop a gaily decorated elephant (Subject to operation).

City sightseeing tour includes Maharaja’s City Palace - which occupies a large area divided into a series of courtyards, gardens and buildings. The outer wall was built by Jai Singh, but other additions are much more recent, some dating from the start of this century. Today, the palace is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The palace now houses a museum containing rare manuscripts, fine specimens of Rajput and Mughal paintings and weapons. Also visit Jantar Mantar- an observatory, next to the entrance of the City Palace, begun by Jai Singh in 1728. Jai Singh’s passion for astronomy was even more notable than his prowess as warrior and before commencing construction, he sent scholars abroad to study foreign observatories. Jantar Mantar appears to be just a curious collection of sculptures but in fact each construction has a specific purpose, such as measuring the positions of stars, altitudes and azimuths and calculating eclipses.
Overnight at the hotel.

Morning after breakfast at the hotel drive to Agra enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri 40 kms (25 miles) from Agra - a cultural and imperial capital conceived and built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and later abandoned due to scarcity of water. See the graceful buildings within the city including Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti and Panch Mahal.

Arrive and check into the hotel.

Afternoon visit the world famous Taj Mahal built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, whose death in childbirth in 1631 left the Emperor so heartbroken that his hair is said to have turned gray overnight. Construction of the Taj, begun in the same year, was not completed until 1653. In total 20,000 people from India and Central Asia worked on the building. The Taj Mahal is like a silent rhapsody that you will carry in your heart. Also visit Agra Fort, constructed by Emperor Akbar in 1695 on the banks of the Yamuna River. Initially the fort was a military structure, but during Shah Jahan’s reign it had partially become a palace.
Overnight at the hotel.

Early morning optional visit to the Taj Mahal for Sunrise view.

Breakfast at the hotel. Later at your comfortable time drive back to Delhi and check into the hotel.
Rest of the time free to relax or last minute shopping in Delhi.
Overnight at the hotel.

Transfer to the airport intime to board flight for next destination,

End of your memorable trip of Rajasthan !