Rajasthan Rural Tours

---

Duration: 14 days/ 13 nights
Destination: Delhi - Mandawa - Bikaner - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Udaipur -Pushkar - Jaipur - Agra - Delhi

---

Day 01 : Arrival at Delhi
Company representatives will receive you on arrival at the international airport in Delhi late in the evening. Transfer to your hotel. Relax. Overnight Stay will be at Delhi.

Day 02 : Delhi
Breakfast will be at Delhi. Proceed for a full day tour of Old & New Delhi. Enjoy the DANCES OF INDIA in the evening. Overnight Stay will be at Delhi.

Day 03 : Delhi - Mandawa
Morning: Drive to Mandawa and on arrival, check in at hotel. Rest of the day visit Havelis in and around Mandawa. Overnight Stay will be at Mandawa
Shekhawati is a colourful fantasy having a fascination uniquely of its own. The open-air art galley, as it is popularly called, is famous for its plethora of painted havelis, all commendable pieces of the rich artistic tradition of this region. It is famous for its Havelis (mansion) built by rich merchants of the region, display a unique architectural style that evolved around the courtyards to ensure safety and privacy of the women folk and protection from the heat of the long and harsh summers. The Havelis, painted predominantly in blue, maroon, yellow, green and indigo have beautiful wall paintings that adorn their walls.

Day 04 : Mandawa - Bikaner
In morning, after break-fast we drive to Bikaner and on arrival, check-in at the hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Bikaner. Later visit Camel Breeding Farm. Over Night will be at Hotel.
Bikaner, the royal fortified city, with a timeless appeal in the North State of Rajasthan, 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. This city stands on a slightly raised ground and is circumscribed by a seven-km long embattled wall with five gates. The magnificent forts and palaces, in reddish-pink sandstone created with delicacy, bear testimony to its rich historical and architectural legacy. Undulating lanes, colourful bazaars and bright and cheerful folks make the visit Bikaner an interesting experience. Visit the Junagarh Fort, built in 1593 AD by Raj Rai Singh, one of the best in Rajasthan. It comprises of 37 palaces with pavilions, mosaic courtyards, carved balconies, kiosks and windows dotted all over the structure. The Shish Mahal, the Grand Durbar Hall, the 17th century Karan Mahal, Anup Mahal and the Phool Mahal bring to life the grandeur of a bygone era. The Fort museum has a rare collection of Sanskrit and Persian manuscripts and miniature painting.

Day 05 : Bikaner - Jaisalmer
In morning, after break-fast we drive to Jaisalmer and on arrival, check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day will be free for independent activities. Over Night will be at Hotel.
Rising from the Thar Desert like a golden mirage is the city of Jaisalmer. The Jaiselmer fort etched in yellow sandstone stands with all its awesome splendour. The life within the citadel conjures up images of medieval majesty visible in its narrow lanes strewn with magnificent palaces, havelies, temples and typical desert life of men women cattle and camels. The 80 meter high fort, perch on the hill, houses the entire township within its ramparts. It has enchanting narrow lanes dotted with exquisite havelis, beautifully sculptured Jain temples of the 12th-15th century and palaces. The fort is approached through four gateways -Akhaiya Pol, Ganesh Pol, Suraj Pol and Hava Pol. Some of the most exotic mansions or havelis, all intricately latticed, are strewn all over Jaisalmer each with a different facade. The Havelis of Nathmalji, Patwon and Salim Singh all in Yellow Marble of Jaisalmer are exquisite works of art. A camel safari through the interesting and remote desert villages of Roopsi, Doojasar, Kanoi, Kuldara and the Cenotaphs of Barabagh can be interesting. The villages are very special, as different communities inhabit them.

Day 06 : Jaisalmer
After a relaxed breakfast proceed for full day sightseeing tour of The Golden City - Jaisalmer. It is in the heart of the Great Indian Desert. Its temple, fort and palaces are all built of yellow stone. The city is a mass of intricately carved buildings, facades and elaborate balconies. Visit the JAISALMER FORT - The oldest living Fort in the world. Stay Overnight Stay at the Hotel.

Day 07 : Jaisalmer - Jodhpur
Drive to Jodhpur and on arrival, check-in at the hotel Afternoon sightseeing tour.

At the edge of the Thar Desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes with tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. The massive 15th century AD Mehrangarh Fort looms on the top of a rocky hill, soaring 125 mts. above the plains. A high wall encompasses the city -10 km long with 8 gates and innumerable bastions. The lifestyle in Jodhpur is unusually fascinating with people wearing lovely multi hued costumes, artistically designed. Shopping in Jodhpur bazaars is a heady experience with a colourful display of the rich collection of exquisite handicrafts. The tie-and-dye fabric, embroidered "jutis" or slippers in suede, camel skin, velvet and leather, beautiful silks, durries, marble souvenirs from Makrana, an extensive range of useful and decorative items etc., are of interest.
The Mehrangarh fort is one of the most impressive and formidable structures. Invincible from the outside, the fort has four gates approached by a winding road. Within the fort are some magnificent palaces with marvelously carved panels with latticed windows These palaces house a fabulous collection of trappings of Indian royalty including a superb collection of palanquins, elephant howdahs, miniature paintings of various schools, musical instruments, costumes and furniture.

Day 08 : Jodhpur - Udaipur
In morning, after break-fast we drive to Udaipur visiting en-route Ranakpur temples and on arrival, check-in at the hotel. Over Night will be at Hotel.
Ranakpur : The hidden wonders in jungles. Driving through scenic landscape of forested Aravallis, we reach the serene, quiet and relaxing Ranakpur. We see here the very outstanding & immense Chaumukha Jain Temple with 1444 carved pillars.

Day 09 : Udaipur
The Lake City as it is popularly known. For the whole day we explore this picturesque town, its amazing palaces, gardens and fountains.

Udaipur : The city of Lakes, Located in the Aravalli ranges of Rajasthan, the city of Udaipur is situated at a distance of about 405 km from the state capital Jaipur. The City of Dawn, surrounded by the ancient Aravali Mountains and set on the edge of three lakes, is a brilliant kaleidoscope of narrow lanes flanked by bright stalls, gardens, lakes, palaces and temples. The city is famous for its palaces, lake, museums, temples, and gardens and much more.

Day 10 : Udaipur - Pushkar
Proceed for Pushkar after breakfast. Reach Pushkar by noon and relax. Check in at the SWISS Tents / Hotel. Overnight Stay will be at hotel.
Surrounded by hills on three sides, Pushkar, 11 kms from Ajmer, abounds in temples. of these the most famous is the Brahma temple - the only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma in the country. Once a year, during the Kartik Purnima, the entire region comes alive with a pulsating Camel and Cattle Fair. There is a week long celebration with an explosion of fun, frolic, games and laughter with threads of religious fervour. Bedecked and festooned cattle wait in the clouds of sand and the pious gather at the break of dawn to take a dip in the holy Pushkar Lake to absolve themselves of all their sins.

Day 11: Pushkar - Jaipur
Morning drive to Jaipur. Upon arrival in Jaipur - check into the hotel. Afternoon will be at leisure. Overnight Stay will be at hotel.

Day 12 : Jaipur
Breakfast will be at hotel. Proceed for excursion to Amber Fort in the outskirts of Jaipur. Elephant ride ascent to the fort. Overnight Stay will be at Jaipur.
Jaipur, the vibrant capital of Rajasthan, is popularly known as the ' Pink City ' because of the pink-coloured buildings in its old city. It sits on a dry lake bed in a somewhat arid landscape, surrounded by barren hills surmounted by forts and crenellated walls. This buzzing metropolis is certainly a place of wild contrasts and a feast for the eyes. All through, Jaipur has retained its strong Rajputana flavour tempered by several influences - the mughal being the most prominent. The region's strong cultural heritage is distinctly evident even today. The city is a visitor's delight. From the intricate, delicate looking Hawa Mahal to the graphic forms of the Jantar Mantar - an open air observatory of outsized astronomical instruments, the Badi Chaupar lined with shops and business establishments on both sides to the majestic fort-palace at Amber; from the colorful fountains of life to the sublime Birla Temple; from the architectural delight of the City Palace to the serene Jal Mahal.

Day 13 : Jaipur - Agra
Morning drive to Agra (221 kms). Upon arrival in Agra - check into the hotel. Afternoon will be at leisure. Overnight Stay will be at hotel.
Agra is famous as the home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World -the Taj Mahal. The architectural splendor of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces in Agra is a vivid reminder of the opulence of the legendary Mughal Empire. Agra was their capital for nearly a hundred years from 1564. A pleasant town, with a comparatively easy pace, Agra is known for its superb inlay work on marble and soapstone by artisans who are hereditary craft persons. The city is also famous for its carpets, gold thread embroidery and leather shoes.

Day 14 : Agra - Delhi
In early morning after breakfast we visit the famous Taj Mahal. Afternoon we drive to Delhi for onward flight.

Taj Mahal
One of the Seven Wonders of the World, built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved consort Mumtaz Mahal. This beautiful mausoleum took 22 years to complete with a work force of 20,000 craftsmen and master builders, who came from all over Asia to join in this great work from Baghdad, Shiraz, Delhi, Samarkand and Turkey. The marble, India s finest; was quarried at Makrana near Jodhpur. Precious and semi precious stones were imported from distant lands : Jasper from Punjab, Jade & Crystal from China, Turquoise from Tibet, Lapis from Afghanistan and Ceylon, Chrysolite from Egypt, Amethyst from Persia, Agate from Yemen, Malachite from Russia, Diamonds from Golconda and Mother of Pearl from the Indian Ocean