14 Days Agra and Rajasthan
November 4 – November 17, 2016
Day 01:- Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi by international flight
Assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Chcck-in time 14:00 hours.
Overnight.
Day 02 – Delhi-Agra drive, 204 km/4 hours
Drive to Agra and on arrival, check-in at the hotel.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of Agra.
Agra, the home of the immortal Taj Mahal, the inimitable poem in white marble is the first expression of love of an Emperor Shahjehan for his queen Mumtaz Mahal. This great monument was completed in 1653 AD. Agra Fort, the imposing structure on the banks of the river Yamuna is replete with priceless examples of craftsmanship in the Mughal period, including the beautiful pearl Mosque, it was designed and built by Emperor Akbar in 1565 AD.
Day 03 – Agra-Jaipur drive, 250 km/6 hours
Drive to Jaipur visiting en-route Fatehpur Sikri.
Fatehpur Sikri, the birth story of this beautiful city is interesting. There, in a grotto in Sikri, lived a Muslim Saint , Sheikh Salim Chishti by name. Akbar hearing of his renown, asked of the blessings of a son, and when a son was born, not only was the child named Salim, the site for a mighty and ambitious project – a city – was chosen near the residence of the saint erected in k1569. The shortage of water lead to the desertion of this city. Visit the mosque of Salim Chishti, Panch Mahal and other Palaces.
Lunch at mid-way restaurant.
Continue to Jaipur via Abhineri stepwell.
The Chand Baori is a stepwell built over a thousand years ago in the Abhaneri village of Rajasthan. It is one of the largest stepwells in the world and also one of the most beautiful ones. Located in the eastern part of the province of Rajasthan, it was built by King Chanda somewhere in the 9th century. The Chand Baori is not an easy landmark to find, thus it is one of the hidden secrets of India!
Stepwells, also called bawdi or baori, are unique to this nation. The wells have steps built into the sides that lead down to the water. Chand Baori one was built during the 8th and 9th centuries and has 3,500 narrow steps arranged in perfect symmetry, which descend 20m to the bottom of the well.
On arrival in Jaipur, check-in at the hotel for overnight.
Day 04 – Jaipur
Morning excursion to Amber Fort, set in a picturesque location. Amer is a fascinating blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture. Built in the 16th century by Raja Mansingh in red sandstone and white marble, the palace complex has some very interesting apartments. Jai Mandir, Sheesh Mahal, Sukh Niwas, Ganesh Pol and Temple of Kali are some of the prominent areas of interest. Elephants are provided to ascend the fort to visit the complex.
Afternoon city sightseeing tour.
Jaipur, this city was built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the notable astronomer 260 years ago. Visit the Maharaja’s City Palace, the home of the erstwhile royal family, the Observatory, Ram Niwas Gardens, Hawa Mahal or the Palace of winds built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh and drive past the old part of Jaipur city
Day 05 – Jaipur-Pushkar drive, 143 km/3 hours
Morning drive to Pushkar
On arrival, check-in at the hotel.
The lake at Pushkar is believed to have been created by Lord Brahma himself. No pilgrimage is complete without a visit to Pushkar. There are as many as 400 temples in Pushkar and lake is circled by 52 ghats built over the years by several kings and nobles. The most sacred and important temples are dedicated to Lord Brahma, Shiva, Badri Narayan, Varaha, Gayatri and Savitri. The important ghats are the Varaha, Brahma and Gau.
On Kartik Poornima, thousands of pilgrims come to bathe in the holy waters of the Pushkar Lake. An annual cattle fair is held every year for 8 days which attract thousands of tourists from all over the world. The fair is overwhelming in its magnitude and its visual impact. Colourful bazaars are set up, camels are paraded and also bought and sold. Besides colourful bazaars, shops selling sweets, snacks, handicrafts, sports for children, camel carts and other trading activities of utensils, hardware, musical programme, folk and cultural dances, acrobatic performances, camel races and other events are held during the 8 days long fair.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 06 – Pushkar
Day at Pushkar to witness festivities.
Day 07 – Pushkar-Jojawar drive, 175 km/4 hours
Morning drive to Jojawar.
On arrival, check-in at the hotel.
A stay at Kesar Bagh is a throwback to the laid back and indulgent life style of the bygone era. The reversal of time feels so complete with vintage cars taking you for spontaneous drives, mustached butlers waiting by you in their starched bush coats, their turban tails flapping away in the evening breeze, the entire estate with its fruit trees and forest set amidst rural Rajasthan – and so far, far away from any major roads or development, that one cannot help but relax and rejuvenate in its charm. The warm sun, conversation and relaxed sundowners punctuated with impromptu excursions, is the call of the day here.
Late afternoon town walk with staff/guide to explore village life of Jojawar.
Day 08 – Jojawar-Rohetgarh drive, 100 km
This morning a unique experience to travel on a rural train 1022-1200 hours
Rural train – It’s an amazing one and a half hours spent on a meter gauge train which is the lifeline of locals. The train was originally started by the British to unite the regions of Mewar and Marwar, who didn’t enjoy the friendliest of terms at that time. The journey starts from Kamblighat. This is also the highest track on the Western Railways, one can hardly believe how Rajasthan at such a height. The train passes through tunnels and bridges, past quaint railway stations where the famous book and movie “The Man Who Would Be King” of Rudyard Kipling unfolds. The landscape is rugged, yet stunning, cinematic and has a “in the middle of nowhere” feeling to it.
The engine laboriously and slowly pulls the train through the most beautiful forests and hills that you get to see in the state, this one hour ride is really unique as you even get to interact with the locals who’ll readily share their seats with you and try their best to make conversation with you while trying to suppress the surprise and excitement of sitting next to a foreigner from far away lands!
Pick-up from Phulad railway station and drive to Rohetgarh
Check-in at the hotel.
Jeep safari to Bishnoi village and to visit some homes and local people.
A Bishnoi village-steeped in history : this 450 year old tribe has a distinctive way of life. They are environmentalists in the fundamental sense, preserving the wilds in scientific and local routines evolved over the centuries of living with nature by nature. In villages of other tribes, one can witness the opium ceremony – a ritual by which guests are traditionally welcomed. Gaily attired men and women carry on about their chores and one can catch a glimpse of their norms and customs. A drive through the starkly beautiful landscape could encounter the agile black buck, wild camel and flights of rare birds
Day 09 : Rohetgarh-Jaisalmer drive, 330 km
Drive to Jaisalmer, stopping en-route at Manvar for lunch.
Arrive Jaisalmer, check-in at the hotel.
Day 10 – Jaisalmer
Morning sightseeing tour of Jaisalmer.
Jaisalmer – much has been written about this city but nothing can prepare the visitor for the sheer magic and brilliance of this Desert City. Rawal Jaisal laid the foundation of the city in 1156 AD. The Jaisalmer Fort stands almost 100 meter over the city with its 99 bastions, several entrances, a group of Jain Temples from 12th to 15th century. The other places of interest include Tazia Tower with its five tiered splendour, each storey graced by a delicately carved balcony for its intricately latticed and conspicuous facades. Outside the Fort is Manek Chowk, which is centre of local activity. Walking into the lanes, most famous carved havelies are located. The best known are Patwon-ki-Haveli, Nathmalji-ki-haveli and Salim Shinghji ki Haveili built in 18th and 19th centuries.
Late afternoon visit Sam Dunes.
42 km from Jaisalmer, The Great Thar Desert Sam has a truly magnificent stretch of sweeping dunes with sparse or no vegetation. A camel ride at sunset standing on the Dunes of the Thar provides a majestic view.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 11 – Jaisalmer
Day exploring Jaiselmer on foot, the best way to get meaningful photographs of local atmosphere.
A vehicle will be available if needed.
Day 12 – Jaisalmer-Jodhpur drive, 287 km/5-1/2 hours
Morning drive to Jodhpur and on arrival, check-in at the hotel.
On arrival, check-in at the hotel.
Exploration of Jodhpur on foot. Home to numerous skilled craftsmen, the blue city market in Jodhpur are a rich source of authentic Rajasthani antiques that cannot be found anywhere in the world. You might have heard about the classic Jodhpur Breeches, well the city gives its visitors a chance to buy them from the last of the tailors of their kind. Besides buying those traditional pieces of cloth, oen can look for Bandhini, Antique, Footwear and Mathaniya’s Red Chillies in the markets of Jodhpur.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 13 – Jodhpur
Morning sightseeing tour of Jodhpur.
JODHPUR – The former capital of Marwar state was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha, Mehrangarh Fort spreading over 5 km on a perpendicular hill and looking down 125 metres, the fort appears rugged and impenetrable from the outside but houses some of the most intricately adorned palaces with exquisitely carved panels and latticed windows, Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal are some of the important areas to visit A collection of royal cenotaphs, built in while marble, lies very close to the fort. Built in 1899, the cenotaph also houses portraits of rulers of Jodhpur.
Afternoon at leisure.
Day 14 – Jodhpur/Delhi flight 1120-1300 hours
Transfer to airport for flight to Delhi
On arrival, transfer to airport hotel.
Rooms till departure.
Transfer to airport for onward flight.
Hotels:
(subject to change)
Lemon Tree hotel, Delhi (near airport) – deluxe room
Radisson Blu, Agra – deluxe bay/pool view
The Trident, Jaipur – deluxe garden view
Pushkar Resort/AC Swiss Tent, Pushkar
Kesar Bagh, Jojawar – luxury room
Rohet Garh, Rohet – deluxe room
Surya Garh, Jaisalmer – Fort room
Vivanta by Taj Hari Mahal, Jodhpur – superior garden view
Lemon Tree hotel, Delhi – superior room