Rajasthan Desert Tour

In no other desert of the world is the void so richly coloured , the mosaic so splendidly peopled, as in Rajasthan as a state in western India that has come to symboli. Rajasthan is diagonally divided into the hilly and rugged south - eastern region and the barren north - western Thar Desert,which extends across the border into Pakistan. There are plenty of historic cities, incredible fortresses awash with legends,and rare gems of impressionistic beauty. The Name Jaisalmer evokes a vivid picture of the sheer magic and brilliance of the desert. Local colour and warmth prevail over the inhospitable and forbidding terrain,imbuing the medieval town with a special magical hue. One of the main attractions is the imposing 12th centuary Jaisalmer Fort. The beautiful havelis which were built by wealthy merchants of Jaisalmer are yet another interesting aspect of the desert city. And, of course, the romantic sand dunes, the best way to exploring them and the desert around being by way of camel safari. A staging post of ancient times for the caravans in the inhospitable Thar Desert. The colourful sunsets in the desert seen from the dunes are a favourite with most visitors. Nestling within the depths of the Thar desert, Jodhpur toDAY is known as one of the three sculpted cities of Rajasthan.The second largest city of Rajasthan not only serves as the hub and gateway to the desert triangle but also is its commercial heart.It is one of the largest centers for production and export of handicrafts.

Duration : 15 Night / 16 DAYs
Destination Covered : Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Pushkar - Udaipur - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer - Bikaner - Mandawa - Delhi

DAY - 01 : ARRIVE DELHI

Upon arrival at International Airport . Traditional welcome & Transfer To Hotel. Afternoon half DAY tour of New Delhi Visiting Qutab Minar , Humayun Tomb , India Gate, Parliament street etc . Overnight at Hotel.

DAY - 02 : DELHI

Morning Half DAY city tour of old Delhi Visting Jama Masjid , Red fort and Chandni chowk etc . Afternoon Leisure & free for shopping, etc. overnight at Hotel.

DAY - 03 : DELHI - AGRA (BY ROAD) 210 KMS 4 HOURS DRIVE

After Breakfast drive towards Agra & visit the magnificient Taj Mahal - one of the seven wonders of the world surely the most extravagant expression of love ever created. 20,000 men laboured for over 17 years to build this memorial to Shah Jahan's beloved wife. Also visit Red fort - the rusty and majestic red - sandstone fort of Agra stands on the banks of the river Yamuna and the construction was started by Emperor Akbar in 1566.Overnight at Hotel .

DAY - 04 : AGRA - JAIPUR (BY ROAD) 232 KMS 5 HOURS DRIVE

After Breakfast continue our drive towards Jaipur enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri - a perfectly preserved red sandstone "ghost town" which was the estranged capital of mughal emperor Akbar, built in 1569 and deserted when its water supply failed. Arrive Jaipur upon arrival check in at Hotel . Overnight at Hotel.

DAY - 05 : JAIPUR

After breakfast visit the majestic Amber Fort in Jaipur , one that cannot be easily described. Ride up on Elephants to the former capital of the royals set against the backdrop of the wooded hills & transfer to hotel. Later visit the Palace of Winds also known as Hawa Mahal, this elaborate building, now little more than a facade, is encrusted with delicate screen sand carved balconies from which the royal ladies, confined to their quarters, could sneak views of the outside world. Past, present and future merge at Jai Singh's observatory, where time has been accurately measured since the 17th century. Evening enjoy dinner at Chokhi Dani (an ethnic village resort) where you will have an idea of the village life of Rajasthan here you will also enjoy various traditional Rajasthani dances, puppet show and various other interesting activities.Overnight at Hotel.

DAY - 06 : JAIPUR - PUSHKAR (BY ROAD) 120 KMS 2 HOURS DRIVE

After an early breakfast we continue our drive to Pushkar - a quiet little town ,on the edge of a small and beautiful lake in eastern Rajasthan. A city of 500 temples and 52 bathing ghats. Pushkar prides itself on being the site of the only temple of the Hindu God of Creation , BRAHMA and is therefore believed to be the centre of the creation of the world. Afternoon is spent visiting the ghats and the temples. Overnight at the Hotel .

DAY - 07 : PUSHKAR - UDAIPUR (BY ROAD) 280 KMS 7 HOURS DRIVE

Morning drive to Udaipur - an oasis in the desert state of Rajasthan . Upon arrival check in at Hotel . Overnight at Hotel.

DAY - 08 : UDAIPUR

Built along three lakes and ringed by green hills, Udaipur (pop, 366.000) is known as the ' Venice of the East' The City's palaces, gardens, ghats, temples and painted houses match the beauty of the setting. This morning we'll visit the towering City Palace , the largest in Rajasthan, and the Saheliyon ki Bari ( Garden of the Maidens.) Once for bidden to all but he queen and her ladies.From here we visit the e superb Jagdish Temple noted for its elephant - motif carvings. The afternoon is at leisure. Overnight at the Hotel.

DAY - 09 : UDAIPUR - JODHPUR (BY ROAD) 260 KMS 5 HOURS DRIVE

Drive for Jodhpur after breakfast. On arrival check in at hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY - 10 : JODHPUR

Morning city sight seeing tour. Jodhpur , stronghold of the fierce Rathore clan, was founded in 1459 by Prince Jodha. Visit the Mehrangarh Fort, situated on a low sandstone hill. Within the fort, visit Moti Mahal and Phool Mahal. Also visit Jaswant Thada, an imposing marble cenotaph, built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant singh II around 1899 and Umaid Public gardens. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY - 11 : JODHPUR - JAISALMER (BY ROAD) 330 KMS 8 HOURS DRIVE

Morning drive to Jaisalmer, on arrival check in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY - 12 : JAISALMER

Morning city sight seeing tour. Throbbing in the heart of the Thar, the burnished sandstone, is an intricately molded wonderland in place of a barren land, toDAY stands a city of gilded magic. The origins of Jaisalmer go back to the 12th century, when Rawal Jaisal abandoned his old fort at Ludarwa and laid the foundation of a new city . Visit the magnificient fort the Patwon Ki Haveli ( Mansion) and Salim singh Ki Haveli, whit their carved balconies and brackets which are supreme examples of the art. Evening camel ride to visit Sam Dunes

DAY - 13 : JAISALMER - BIKANER (BY ROAD) 300 KMS 7 HOURS DRIVE

Morning drive to Bikaner. On arrival check in at the hotel. Afternoon city sight seeing tour. Bikaner is named after its founder Rao Bikaji in 1488. But long before this, the city was trade center on the caravan routes from Africa and West Asia. Bikaner’s dominant features are rippling sands and abundant sunshine. The city stands on an elevation, enclosed by a 7 Kms wall, which can be entered from 5 gate. Bikaner City is bolstered by imposing walls and has a 16th century fort housing old palaces, temples and mosque. Founded by Raja Rai Singh the fort is distinguished by its long range of 37 pavilions, a line of balconies and aerial windows of varying designs. Also visit Lallgarh Palace, the museum, Bhanda Sagar Jain and Deshnoke Rat temple. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY - 14 : BIKANER - MANDAWA (BY ROAD) 200 KMS 4 HOURS DRIVE

Morning drive to Mukandgarh/Mandava, on arrival check in at the hotel. Afternoon visit Mukandgarh/Mandava, foundin 1755 by Thakur Nawal Singh and still the home of his descendants, has beautiful frescoes, havelis and mansions. Mandawa castle one of the finest castles of Rajasthan, is now a hotel and house of collection of armories, costumes of ancestors, canons from 1820 ancient coins, numismatic collection and many other interesting items, preserved in a museum.

DAY - 15 : MANDAWA - DELHI (BY ROAD) 260 KMS 6 HOURS DRIVE

After breakfast we Drive back to Delhi . Overnight at Hotel.

DAY - 16 : LEAVE DELHI - Trf

To airport in time to catch the flight to Onward destination.