Rajasthan Khajuraho Tour |
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The overwhelming beauty of India is a non-stop inspiration of many
tourists.One of the fantastic and historical state of the country India
is "Rajasthan" proudly known as the "Land of kings".Rajasthan, the
largest state of India was formed on 30 March 1949 with Jaipur as the
state capital. Once known as the 'Land of the Kings', the state still
retains the glory and richness of those times with its marvelous
monuments, colorful traditions and customs. The next destination is the
magnificent Taj Mahal built by the great emperor Shahjahan in the
loving memory of his wife is truly a unique piece of architechtural
excellence. The moon lit Taj is even more breathtakingly beautiful.
Other places to visit and shop at are the Agra Fort. Finally visit
source of Ganges is the holiest river in India. It originates from a
Glacier named Gangotri in Uttranchal (Uttarakhand). The ancient Name of
the river was Bhagirathi. It is believed that Bhagirath brought Ganges
to earth and thus was named after him.
Day 1: Arrival - Delhi: Upon arrival meet to our representative and transfer to hotel for rest of the night. Day 02: Delhi: After leisure breakfast half day Old Delhi sightseeing visit Red Fort, One of the most spectacular pieces of Mughal Architecture is the Lal Quila or the Red Fort. Built by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan between 1638 and 1648, the Red Fort has walls extending up to 2 kms. in length with the height varying from 18 mts. on the river side to 33 mts. on the city side. Chadani Chowk, is the major street in the walled city of Old Delhi, which was originally called Shah Jahanabad. The walled city which includes the Lal Qilla Red Fort of Delhi was established in 1650 AD, by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan and designed by his daughter Jahanara Begum Sahib, who also made significant contributions in the landscaping of her father's new capital of Shahjahanabad. Jama Masjid The great mosque of Delhi's muslim rulers was built between 1644 and 1658. The courtyard in which the faithful gather for prayer has a marble pool and can hold 25,000 at prayer. It has an elevated position with fine views over Old Delhi and the Red Fort. and Raj Ghat (Gandhi Memorial) On January 30, 1948, on his way to a prayer meeting, Gandhi was shot dead in Birla House, New Delhi, by Nathuram Godse. Godse was a Hindu radical with links to the extremist Hindu Mahasabha, who held Gandhi responsible for weakening India by insisting upon a payment to Pakistan. Godse and his co-conspirator Narayan Apte The Raj Ghat is the last resting place of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Rest of the time leisure for individual activities. Overnight at hotel. Day 3: Delhi - Mandawa(By road 270 Km / 5 hrs drive) : Departure for Mandawa. A true outdoor museum, located on the caravan route between India and Central Asia on arrival check in hotel. Afternoon, visit Mandawa, Nawalgarh and their homes, these wall paintings bear witness to the skill and imagination of local artists. The painters have generally drawn their inspiration from epics, legends, historical events or daily life. From the fort, you get a panoramic view over the city. Overnight at hotel. Day 4: Mandawa - Bikaner(By road 200 Km-4 hrs) After an early breakfast drive to Bikaner, en route stopping to visit Fathpur and HAVELIS (mansions bourgeois) decorated, this small city was the capital of Muslims. Then resumed the road to Bikaner with lunch en route, desert town located north of Rajasthan,This Royal walled city is a part of the desert tourist triangle and lies on the northern tip of the triangle. The city was founded in 1486 AD by the Rathore prince, Rao Bikaji, hence the name Bikaner. Bikaji was son of Rao Jodhaji who had asked his son to establish a kingdom of his own. The challenge was accepted and Bikaji choose the wild country 'Jangaldesh' as his territory and thus the city of Bikaner came into existence.In the afternoon city tour of Junagarh Fort,One of the most imposing forts of northern India- has remained unconquered till date. This fort was built in 15th century by one of the most able and trusted generals of Akbar, Raja Rai Singh. morewith a wall 986 meters long, consisting of 37 bastions and two gateways. Overnight at hotel. Day 5: Bikaner - Jaisalmer(By road330 Km/ 8 hrs drive) Morning after breakfast en route Jaisalmer, with a stop en route to visit the Karni Mata Temple (popularly called "Temple of Rats"), imposing sanctuary located in the village and dedicated to Deshnok Karni Mata. Then on to Jaisalmer, known as "Golden City" because of the color assumed its ramparts in the light of sunset. Jaisalmer is named after its founder Rawal Jaisal who moved from his former capital at Lodhruva (which is situated about 15 km to the south-east of Jaisalmer) and built the new capital at Jaisalmer . "Jaisalmer" means "the Hill Fort of Jaisal". The golden hued fort stands about 80 meters over the city and houses an entire township within its huge ramparts. The famous Indian film director Satyajit Ray immortalised the fort in his detective novel and which he later turned into a film – Sonar Kella (The Golden Fortress). Located at the edge of the Thar Desert is one of the last princely bastions in the region. Overnight at hotel. Day 6: Jaisalmer. Visit the citadel, the only one still inhabited. Built in 1156 by Rawal Jaisal, it is situated on the hill Trichuta, nearly 80 meters high. You also visit some havelis like the Patwon ki Haveli, Salim Singh ki Haveli and Nathmal ki Haveli. In the afternoon, visit the Khuri village and in the evening, you'll experience the sunset in Jaisalmer camel: a real firework display. Overnight at Khuri local house or hotel. Day 7: Jaisalmer-Jodhpur-Luni(By road 340 Km-8 hrs drive) : After breafast drive to Jodhpur, a city that combines the amazing ancient and modern. It kept the imposing ruins of its princely past, with its palaces, temples and other monuments testifying to its rich history. Jodhpur is also called "Blue City" because of the houses of Brahmins who were traditionally painted in indigo blue. You have a splendid view from the ramparts of Fort Meherangarh. The afternoon visit Mehrangarh Fort and its fine museum. This is very sensational one of the finest in India with its delicately pierced windows in the royal apartments. The screen walls and doors, finely carved in the Pearl Palace, the Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Sileh Khana and Daulat Khana restore the medieval splendor of yesteryear. Later drive to Luni for overnight. Day 8: Luni - Udaipur. (By road 280 Km-6 hrs drive) Morning excursion to Bishnoi Village, a community that lives in total harmony with nature, it respects all life, then drive to Udaipur, visiting the Jain temple of Ranakpur . The greatest shrine, which dates from the fifteenth century, is built in white marble. With its delicately carved sculptures, it is unique. Route to Udaipur, known as the Venice of the East. It offers lakes surrounded by forested hills where wildlife abounds, and reserve pleasant surprises. At the edge of lakes, palaces, each more beautiful than each other. Founded in the 16th century by Maharaja Udai Singh, the House of Mewar or Udaipur is surrounded by the Aravalli mountains. Overnight at Hotel. Day 9 : Udaipur: After leisure breakfast commence city sightseeing visit City Palace, The jewel of Mewar, Udaipur was ruled by the Sisodia dynasty. The foundation of the city, was laid by Maharana Udai Singh in 1559 AD. The legendary Ranas of Mewar, who traced their ancestry back to the Sun, first ruled the region from their 7th century stronghold - Chittaurgarh. In contrast to the house of Jaipur, the rulers of Udaipur prided themselves on being independent. Yet, Udaipur for all its individuality, remained one of the poorer princely states in Rajasthan, a consequence of being almost constantly at war. Ultimately in 1818, Mewar came under British political control, but still managed to avoid almost all British cultural influence. A majestic architectural marvel, towering over the lake on a hill, surrounded by crenellated walls, it is a conglomeration of courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors, rooms, and hanging gardens. The Mor Chowk, known for its exquisite peacock mosaics in glass and the chini chitrashala, noted for its blue and white ceramics, are other attractions in the palace. Later visit Saheliyon Ki Bari & Art School. overnight at hotel. Day 10: Udaipur-Pushkar. (By road 285 km-6 hrs) : After breakfast drive to Pushkar en route visit Nagdha and Ekling Ji Temple. Continue drive towards to Pushkar, the holy city dedicated to the Hindu god Brahma. Pushkar is a little unique and enchanting city nestled around a sacred lake surrounded by many temples and Ghats. Visit the old town, the only temple dedicated to Brahma (the only one in India) with its wonderful location on the lake sacred. Installation at the hotel. Afternoon free. Pushkar is also famous for its camel fairs which are held on the 8th lunar month of Hindu calendar. Overnight at hotel. Day 11: Pushkar-Jaipur.(By road 145 km - 3 hrs) : After breakfast drive to Jaipur, the "pink city" capital of Rajasthan, founded in the eighteenth century, one of the most colorful and picturesque cities in India. Installation at the hotel. The afternoon tour of Jaipur, City Palace Palace of Maharaja of which is still inhabited by descendants of the local rajah, the astronomical observatory designed by Jai Singh in 1 728 then pass through the beautiful Wind Palace & Observatory. Overnight at hotel. Day 12: Jaipur-Fatehpur Sikri-Agra.(By road 250 km- 5 hrs drive) : Morning visit Amer Fort Amer Fort - Jaipur Raja Man Singh erected Amer Fort in 16th century. It is a mesmerizing amalgamation of Hindu and Mughal architecture. Rajputs made use of this Amber Fort from the 16th century up to the foundation of Jaipur in 1727 both for defense reasons as well as the residential reasons. Thus within its powerful walls, one finds charismatic gardens and magnificent palaces made from marble and precious stones, richly festooned with intricate stonemason works and paintings, which corresponded to royal splendor and luxury. Situated at Jaipur, the mirror image of Amber Fort in the lake below looks almost divine. It is not at all surprising to know that this grandiose and stately fort was once the Capital of Rajputs. Amer Fort accommodates Jai Mandir, a famous temple which has Sheesh Mahal, a delightful hall of mirrors that are so artistically set that even a tiny ray of light gets replicated in the mirrors and illumines the hall flamboyantly. Sheesh Mahal is famed all over the world as one of the most sought-after tourist attraction. Other places of interest in this fort are Sukh Niwas and Ganesh Pole. After lunch drive to Agra, en route visit Fatehpur Sikri, the ancient capital of the Mughal Empire and witness the magnificence of imperial Mughal. It is the ancient capital of Emperor Akbar built in 1 571 and one of the most remarkable architectural point of view. visit inside the citadel. continue drive to Agra on arrival check in hotel for overnight. Day 13 Agra: Very early morning visit the Famous Taj Mahal at sunrise, one of the Seven Wonders of the World was built by Shah Jahan in 1631 AD and was completed in 1651AD. Taj Mahal - The symbol of Love was built in the memory of Mumtaz Mahal (Shah Jahan's second Wife). This is a breathtaking view. The Building’s stupendous scale, flawless symmetry, translucent white marble and shimmering reflection in the water channel are truly breathtaking. (Every Friday Taj Mahal is Closed). After viewing Taj Mahal we return to hotel for breakfast. After breakfast proceed for the city tour of Agra visiting the Agra Fort, Built by the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort is predominantly of red sandstone. Ensconced within is the picture perfect Pearl Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction. and Itmad- Ud-Daulah, rest of the time leisure for individual activities. Overnight at the Hotel. Day 14 : Agra-Jhansi (train)-Orchha: Morning transfer to station for train to Jhansi. Upon arrival at Jhansi meet to driver the drive to Orchha. Afternoon visit Orchha, located on an island in the bend of the river Betwa. This city was the capital of the kingdom of Orchha is a set of three palaces The Raja Mahal, Jehangir Mahal and Rai Praveen Mahal - built by successive Maharajahs in a similar style with a set as large as that of Udaipur. See also Ram Raja Temple and Chaturbhuj Temple. Overnight at hotel. Day 15: Orchha-Khajuraho(By road 3-4 hrs dirve): After breakfast depart to Khajuraho. on arrival check in hotel, later commence sightseeing, founded in the ninth and tenth centuries, influenced by Tantrism where eroticism was the subject of philosophical interest. Visit the temples of Khajuraho World Heritage of Unesco, groups East and West. They are splendid examples of Indo-Aryan architecture, all around the temples, gods, goddesses, warriors, musicians and animals, real or mythological, succeed magnificently in friezes carved in stone. Overnight at hotel. Day 16: Khajuraho-Varanasi(Benares) Flight : In time dep. transfer to aiport take fligh to Varanasi, one of the oldest holy cities of the world. On arrival, meet our staff, at the airport and transfer to hotel. Discovery of Sarnath, the city's first sermon of Buddha where the historical Buddha taught for the first time in his teaching the Deer Park. The remains of the stupa built by Ashoka side with those of a vast temple of the Gupta period. Overnight at hotel. Day 17: Varanasi (Benares). Very early, at sunrise boat ride on the Ganges, along the Ghats. The Ghats are terraces leading to stairs built along the Ganges. Then visit the city, the Bharat Mata Mandir, a museum where a huge map of India in relief. Then you discover outside the Benares Hindu University, one of the oldest universities, it is still a major center of teaching art, culture, Indian music, also devoted to the study of Sanskrit. In the evening, visit the Bazaar (famous for its silks). Part of this visit will be a rickshaw. And then attend the religious ceremony of the articles which takes place every evening at dusk the ghats Varanasi. Overnight at hotel. Day 18 : Varanasi-Delhi: Morning take flight to Delhi, on arrival meet to guide continue half day New Delhi sightseeing, visit Qutab Minar, Humayun's Tomb and Government buildings After farewell dinner departure transfer to international destination. |
