12 Days Rajasthan Tour

Rajasthan is famous for its glorious past, colourful customs and culture, art and architecture, royal trend of medieval living, forts palaces and citadel and above all for its camel safaris. A Trip to Rajasthan is essential to unwind the hidden treasure of this colourful land.Rajasthan complete experience of royal life.The Rajput and Mughal rulers built cities, forts, palaces and temples that are amongst the largest and most sumptuous in the world. On hilltops, deep in the forests, in the middle of the lakes, everywhere are fairy-tale palaces, each with its history and legends of valour and self-sacrifice, of pomp and gaiety, of love and romance. Some of these palaces are today splendid museums with rich collections; others are lavish hotels preserving the ambience and luxury of princely times. The royal hunting reserves are now national parks and sanctuaries.

Season:

Though it is possible to visit Rajasthan throughout the year – the best time is said to be the coolest month starting from September to April.

Day 01: Delhi – Jaipur (Driving time: 05 hours approx.)

Half days drive to Jaipur. Visit a monument in the afternoon OR, rest of the evening at leisure.

Day 02: Jaipur

The picturesque capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is colour washed pink – the colour of hospitality in Rajput tradition. Built in 1772 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, Jaipur displays a remarkable harmony in architectural splendour. The ancient heart of the city still beats in its fairy tales palaces; rugged fortresses perched on barren hills and broad avenues that dot the entire city. The only planned city of its time; a formidable wall encircles Jaipur.

There is a timeless appeal to Jaipur’s colourful bazaars where one can shop for Rajasthani handlooms and trinkets. Beautifully laid out gardens and parks, attractive monuments and marvellous heritage hotels, once the residence of Maharajah’s are worth admiration. Not to mention the ambling camels and cheerful people in multi-hued costumes that makes your trip to the pink city a memorable one!

Sightseeing of Jaipur includes:

• Amber Fort: This is a beautiful complex of palaces, halls, pavilions, gardens and temples built by Raja Man Singh, Mirza Raja jai Singh and Sawai jai Singh over a period of two centuries. It takes an hour to drive to this place from the main Jaipur City.
• Hawa Mahal: (Palace of the Wind): Built in 1799 AD, the Hawa Mahal is a major Rajput landmark. It is a five-storey building with semi-octagonal and delicately honeycombed sandstone windows – all in pink splendour! The monument was originally conceived with the aim of enabling ladies of the royal household to watch the everyday life and royal procession of the city.
• City Palace: Lying in the heart of the city, is the former royal residence built in a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal styles. A portion of the building is still occupied by the present descendent of the King. Notice the two silver jars.
• Jaigarh Fort: The fort is located on top of a hill. It has the biggest wheel mounted gun which has its name in the Guinness Book of Record.
• Jantar Mantar/ Observatory: It is located next to City Palace. This is a must for anyone curious about the Indian Astronomy. It’s complex instruments, whose settings and shapes are scientifically designed – all in stones, it represents the high points of medieval Indian astronomy.

Day 03: Jaipur – Mandawa (drive: 02 -03 hours)

Today we drive to the Shekhavati region of Rajasthan. Shekhavati is also known as the open art gallery due to the numerous frescoe painting all over the palaces, houses and havellis (houses of rich noblemen). Colourful frescoes on every subject under the sun, that is, ranging from the religious to the erotic; from copies of popular English prints to witty social satire, rendered in the inimitable style of the local artist – mark this region.

The Medieval fort of Mandawa gradually risese on the horizon like a mirage. A painted archway gateway adorned with Lord Krishna and his cows leads to the bazaar. A breathtaking view of the town can be seen from the terrace of Castle Mandawa. The Mandawa family has a collection of traditional ceremonial costumes and precious arms with jade handles. Natoable amongst the havellis are Chokhani, Saraf, Goenka and Ladia havelli. Please do note that the village is very small with dirty roads. Sewage is a major problem that is resulting in fading of the paintings.

Day 04: Mandawa - Bikaner (Driving time 04 hours approx.)

After breakfast drive to Bikaner. Lying in the North of the Desert State, Bikaner is dotted with many sand dunes. Bikaner retains the medieval splendour that pervades the city’s lifestyle. More popularly called the ‘Camel country’, the city is renowned for the best riding camels in the world. The ship of the desert is an inseparable part of life here. Be it pulling heavy carts, transporting grains or working on wells – camel is a prime help! Bikaner stands on a slightly raised ground and is circumscribed by a seven-Kilometre long embattled wall with five gates. The magnificent forts and palaces, created with delicacy in reddish pink sandstone, bear testimony to its rich historical and architectural legacy. Undulating lanes, colourful bazaars and bright and cheerful folks make Bikaner an interesting experience.

Sightseeing of Bikaner includes:

• Camel breeding farm.
• Excursion to Deshnoke to see the Karni Mata Temple: This is a famous 600-year-old temple dedicated to Karni Mata. Interesting things about this temple are the rats that scamper freely within the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. They are regarded as sacred and are fed by priests and devotees owing to the belief that they will be reincarnated as holy men! Rats in Hindu mythology are the mighty Lord Ganesh’s (elephant head god) carrier/ vehicle.

Day 05: Bikaner– Jaisalmer (Driving time: 06 - 07 hours approx.)

Early in the morning visit to the Junagadh Fort, and thereafter another day of long drive to reach Jaisalmer. Drive to the desert and enjoy the camel ride in the Sam sand dunes. See the sun slowly disappearing in the sand during sunset. This is followed by some local dance performances and desert camp or drive back to your hotel and overnight stay in the city.

Day 06: Jaisalmer

Rising from the heart of the Thar Desert like a golden mirage is the city of Jaisalmer. A commanding fort etched in yellow sandstone stands with its entire awesome splendour, dominating the amber – hued city. The life within the citadel conjures up images of medieval majesty visible in its narrow lanes strewn with magnificent palaces, Havelis, temples and of course skilled artisans and ubiquitous camels.

A visit to Jaisalmer is incomplete without a ride on a camel and of course, the view of the city during sunset.

Sightseeing includes a visit to the Fort. The gold hued fort is a sentinel to the bleak landscape from its 80-m high perch on the hill, housing the entire township within its ramparts. It has an enchanting cobweb of narrow lanes dotted with lovely havelli’s, three beautifully sculptured Jain temples and five interconnected Palaces. The most important haveli is the 300-year-old Salim Singh - ki - havelli. It has a beautiful blue cupola roof with superbly carved brackets in the form of peacocks. This extraordinary mansion in yellow stone is covered with intricate carvings and has an elaborate projecting balcony on the top storey. This havelli suffered some damages in the Gujarat cyclone.

Day 07: Jaisalmer – Jodhpur (Driving time: 06 hours approx.)

Half days drive to Jodhpur. Rest of the day at leisure.

Set at the edge of the Thar Desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes with tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. Once the capital of the Marwar state, it was founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha – chief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs who claimed to be descendants of Rama – the epic hero of the Ramayana.

The massive 15th century Mehrangarh Fort looms on the tops of a rocky hill, soaring 125 Mts. above the plains. A high wall – 10-Km long with 8 gates and innumerable bastions encompasses the city. A major trade centre of the 16th century AD, the fortress – city of Jodhpur is now the second largest city of Rajasthan. While the graceful palaces, forts and temples strewn throughout the city bring alive the historic grandeur, exquisite handicrafts, folk dances, music and the brightly-attired people lend a romantic aura to the city. The jumble of wide winding streets is flanked with pavement stalls. The lifestyle in Jodhpur is usually fascinating with folks wearing lovely multi-hued costumes, artistically designed. It was here that the popularly worn baggy – tight, horse-riding trousers – ‘Jodhpurs’ took their name.

Day 08: Jodhpur

Sightseeing in Jodhpur includes:

• Umaid Bhawan Palace: The only 20th century Palace built under the famine relief project that gave employment to famine struck population. The palace was completed in 16 years. This opulent edifice in sandstone is still the residence of the former rulers with a part of it running as a hotel.
• Jaswant Thada: A cluster of royal cenotaphs in white marble built in 1899 AD in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II.
• Mehrangarh Fort: This is one of the most impressive and formidable forts ever built! Within the fort are magnificent palaces with marvellously carved panels and latticed windows. The palaces house a fabulous collection of trappings of Indian royalty including a superb collection of palanquins, elephant howdahs (seats), miniature paintings, musical instruments and costumes etc.
• Excursion to Mandore Garden: The ancient capital of Marwar has cenotaphs of the Jodhpur rulers. The hall of heroes has fifteen figures carved out of the rock on the wall that represents Hindu deities. This is a beautiful garden with high rock terraces.

Day 09: Jodhpur – Rohetgarh (Drive: 01 hours)

After breakfast, drive to Rohetgarh, check in at the beautiful Rohetgarh Palace hotel. After lunch, go on a half day jeep safari to the Bishnoi villages.

Bishnoi’s are said to be the first ecologists. The principles of the ecology were already thought of centuries ago by a survivor of a great famine in 1485. His name: Jambeshwar or Jambhoji. He observed that the famine was the result of the deforestation in the region (already at that time!). He formulated a list of 29 rules, which included rules like don't kill any animals, don't cut down green trees, take from the fields only what you need, etc. These 29 rules (Bish-noi means '29' in the Hindi language) forms the base of the Bishnoi-philosophy. Thus, they are vegetarians and therefore they have great respect for all living things. They keep buffaloes, sheep and goats but only for the milk, the wool and the manure. The last one they use as fuel and as construction material for they houses. The Bishnoi people accordingly expect that the tourist respect their way of life, the nature.

There are a few village groups that practice this philosophy – you can recognize a Bishnoi village as they are always surrounded by green farming land and orchards (don't forget you are in the Thar Desert!). Some of the prominent villages are Guda Bishnoi, Zhalamand, Salawas and Kakani etc

Day 10: Rohetgarh – Pushkar (Driving time: 06 hours approx.)

Drive to Jaipur. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

On the edge of the desert lies the tiny tranquil town of Pushkar along the bank of the picturesque Pushkar Lake – an important spot for the Hindus. Surrounded by hills on three sides, Pushkar abounds in temples. The most famous of these is the Brahma temple – the only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma in the country (in Hindu mythology, Lord Brahma is one of the Trinity and is the creator of the Universe). Every year thousands of devotees throng the Lake around full moon day of ‘Kartik – Purnima’ (an auspicious date between October and November) to take a holy dip in the lake. The Pushkar fair, a huge colourful cattle fair, is also held during this time.

Day 11: Pushkar – Agra (Driving time: 05 hours approx.)

After breakfast drive to Agra, enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri.

Fatehpur Sikri: Once the capital of the mighty Mughals, this is now a bustling small market catering to the tourists. It houses a school and a mosque, where people tie a thread and seek blessing from the saint.

Agra is often described the city of monuments. Historic Agrabana, legendary city of the ancients, is today remembered as the capital of the Mughals and famed all over the world as the City of Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Not far away is Fatehpur Sikri, a ghost city today but for a one brief moment Akbar the Great’s Camelot. In and around both the cities, men who came to the city as conquerors stayed behind to leave the world relics of an unbelievable golden age, a glorious century of culture, art and architecture. For those who seek the grandeur, beauty and artistry of a world that is no more, Agra is a city without end.

Day 12: Agra – Delhi (Drive: 05 hours)

Early morning visit the Taj Mahal for a sunrise view.

The Taj Mahal: Described as the most extravagant monument ever built of love, this poignant mausoleum has become the de facto tourist emblem of India. Emperor Shah Jahan constructed it in memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Although the Taj is amazingly graceful from almost any angles, it is the close up detail that is really astounding. Semiprecious stones are inlaid into marble in beautiful patterns using a process called pietra-dura. The precision and care that went into the Taj Mahal’s design and construction is just as impressive whether you view it from across the river or at arm’s length.

After breakfast, visit The Agra Fort , Itmad-ud-daulah’s tomb , Chisti’s tomb & Sikandra in Agra. After Lunch, proceed for the drive to Delhi. Transfer to the hotel, if pre booked or proceed to next destination.

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