info@holidays-india.co.uk


CLASSIC  RAJASTHAN

Duration  :  11 Days             Departures  :  Daily
Delhi - Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur - Pushkar - Jodhpur - Udaipur - Delhi

 


 

DAY 01 : ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi in the evening. Upon arrival, you shall met & assisted with your baggages at the airport by our executive and transferred to your prebooked Hotel.

DAY 02 : DELHI
After breakfast, full day city tour of Delhi : India’s capital & a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis which successfully combines in its fold the ancient & the modern. Its strategic location was one of the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. New Delhi also reflects the legacy the British left behind . The division between New & Old Delhi is the distinction between the capitals of the British & the Moghuls respectively. So, wherever the visitor goes, he will invariably confront the citys’ past.

Visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Built by Shah Jahan, the construction was started in 1844 and was not completed until 1658; drive past Red Fort, which was also built by Shah Jehan. This massive fort was built from 1638 to 1648; Chandni Chowk and Rajghat - the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. Visit Humayuns Tomb : built in mid 16th century this is an early example of Mughal architecture; Qutab Minar, drive past India Gate, President House, Connaught Place. The tour ends with a visit to Laxmi Narayan Temple.

DAY 03 : DELHI - AGRA (210 Kms., approx. 05 hrs. drive)
Morning, leave for Agra enroute visit Sikandra - Four kilometers before Agra is the mausoleum of Mughal Emperor Akbar. This structure is a perfect blend of Hindu, Christian, Islamic, Buddhist, Jain motifs. The tomb has three-storey-minarets on its four corners. These minarets are built in red sandstone with stunning inlay work of marble.

Afternoon, visit the highlight of the tour - The Taj Mahal - Epitome of Love, One of the Seven Wonders of the World - was built by Shah Jahan (King of the World) for his beloved Begum Mumtaz Mahal (the exalted of the Palace). Work on the mausoleum began in 1633 and 20,000 workers laboured for 17 years to build it. The most skilled architects, inlay craftsmen, calligraphers, stone-carvers and masons came from all across Indian and lands as distant as Persia and Turkey. The master mason was from Baghdab, an expert in building the double dome from Persia, and an inlay specialist from Delhi. The marble, India's finest was quarried at Makrana near Jodhpur, Jasper from Punjab, the garnets from Bundelkhand, 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. Mumtaz Mahal’s final resting-place was ornamented like a queen’s jewel-box.

NOTE : TAJ MAHAL CLOSED ON FRIDAYS

Visit Red fort, Built principally as a military establishment by Akbar in 1565, the red sandstone Agra fort was partially converted into a palace during Shah Jahan's time. Though the principal structure was built by Akbar, many more additions were made by his grandsons. This massive fort is 2.5 kms long and is considered as the predecessor of the Delhi Red fort. The maze of courtyards, mosques, palaces, gardens, halls of private & public audience of the fort echo the story of the Mughal Empire.

Itmad-ud-daulah, which was constructed by Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628 and is very similar to the tomb she constructed for her husband, Jehangir, near Lahore in Pakistan.

DAY 04 : AGRA - FATEHPUR SIKRI - JAIPUR (240 Kms., approx. 06 hrs. drive)
After breakfast, leave for Jaipur, enroute visit the abandoned Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri : 37 kms before Agra, built predominantly in Red Sandstone by Emperor Akbar in 1569, was the old capital of the Mughals, which was abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. Witness the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal & other Palaces which are still preserved in its original glory.
Continue drive to Jaipur - The Pink City : Jaipur needed a fresh coat of paint to welcome its distinguished guest the Prince of Wales in 1905-6. The contractor inability to supply any other color in the required quantity compelled the choice of pink shade for its walls. A contractor’s compulsion famed Jaipur to Pink city. Since then the PINK color is associated with hospitality in Rajput culture. The capital city of the state of Rajasthan owes its name, its foundation and planning to the great warrior astronomer Maharaja Jai Singh II. The city of Jaipur has broad avenues & sits on a dry lake bed in a wild and somewhat arid landscape, surrounded by barren hills surmounted by fortresses and crenellated walls. Upon arrival, check-in at prebooked Hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

DAY 05 : JAIPUR
After breakfast, excursion to Amber Fort enroute witness the façade of Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds which was built in 1799.
Amber Fort - The ancient capital of the state until 1727 when Jai Singh decided to move from his hillside fortress at Amber to new site on the plains. The construction of this fort began in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput commander of Akbar’s army. The fort is a superb example of Rajput architecture, stunningly situated on a hillside and overlooking a lake which reflects its terraces and ramparts. Visit the Jagmandir or the hall of victory glittering with mirrors, Jal Mahal & temple of Kali. Ascend on elephant back, the hill, on which the fort is situated.

Afternoon, city tour of Jaipur. Visit the Jantar Mantar – the observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh II in 1728 ; the City Palace which is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. It also has a museum with an extensive collection of art, carpets, paintings, enamel ware and weapons dating back to the 15th century.

DAY 06 : JAIPUR - PUSHKAR (135 kms., approx. 03 hrs. drive)
After breakfast, leave for Pushkar. the holy lake of Pushkar is believed to have been created by Lord Brahma himself. It is as important as Banaras or Puri. Devout Hindus believe that it is essential to visit Pushkar at least once in their lifetime. No pilgrimage is considered complete without a dip in the holy Pushkar lake. Pushkar has as many as 400 temples and 52 ghats and the only temple in the country that is dedicated to Brahma is to be found here. While Pushkar is a heaven for the religiously inclined, it is also the venue of one of the country's most colorful cattle fairs - the Pushkar Fair.

Arrive Pushkar and check-in at prebooked Hotel.
Afternoon, explore Pushkar on your own.

DAY 07 : PUSHKAR - JODHPUR (220 kms., approx 05 hrs. drive)
After breakfast, leave for Jodhpur - A flourishing trading center of the 16th century, the fortress city of Jodhpur is now the second largest city of Rajasthan. Jodhpur was founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha who claimed to be descendent of Lord Rama. The massive fort Mehrangarh-came first and around it grew the city of Jodhpur protected by a high stone wall with seven gates and countless bastions.

Arrive Jodhpur and check in at prebooked Hotel.

Afternoon, visit the Mehrangarh Fort which literally means “Majestic Fort”, located at the very centre of the city. There are ,in all , three gates , each built to commemorate a particular victory, as well as to reinforce the fort. It has a collection of musical instruments, palanquins, furniture & cannons on the forts’ ramparts are well preserved. Jaswant Thada : Close to the fort complex lies this white marble cenotaph, built in 1899, in commemoration of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Rare portraits of Jodhpur's rulers are, also, to be seen at Jaswant Thada. Also visit the Clock Tower – the city centre.

DAY 08 : JODHPUR - RANAKPUR - UDAIPUR (275 kms., 07 hrs. drive)
After breakfast, leave for Udaipur. Enroute visiting the Jain temples at Ranakpur : The cluster of temples, made of intricately sculpted white marble, come across as a marvellousfeat of architecture. It would take anyone by surprise to learn that they were built in 1460, so well preserved & sparkling is the marble. The main temple is supported on 1,444 pillars – none of which is similarly carved.

After the visit, continue drive to Udaipur - The city of Lakes, Udaipur is a lovely blend of water, lush green hills that set fire and passion in poet. Its palaces are straight out of a fairy-tale book, lakes, forts, palaces, temples, gardens, mountains and narrow lanes lines withdrawn with stalls, relives the reminisces of a heroic past, valor and chivalry. Their reflection in the placid waters of the Lake Pichola is excitement that defines imagination. Udaipur is one of the most romantic cities of world, also know as the Venice of East. Arrive Udaipur in the evening and check-in at prebooked Hotel.

DAY 09 : UDAIPUR
After breakfast, visit the romantic city of Udaipur. Visit the City Palace which is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan ; Jagdish temple, a fine Indo Aryan temple built in 1651; Sahelion ki Bari or Garden of the Maids of Honour, which is a small garden with its fountains, kiosks, marble elephants & lotus pool.

Afternoon, free. In the evening, boat ride on Lake Pichola.

DAY 10 : UDAIPUR - DELHI (FLIGHT)
After breakfast, free for individual activities.
Optional : Excursion to Chittorgarh : The hilltop fortress of Chittorgarh epitomises the whole romantic, doomed ideal of Rajput chivalry. Three times in its long history, Chittor was sacked by a stronger enemy and, on each occasion, the end came in a textbook Rajput fashion as jauhar was declared in the face of impossible odds. The men donned the saffron robes of martyrdom and rode out from the fort to certain death, while the women and children immolated themselves on a huge funeral pyre as honour was always more important than death. The first defeat occurred in 1303, the second in 1535 and this time the carnage was immense. It is said that 13,000 Rajput women and 33,000 Rajput warriors died following the declaration of Jauhar. The final sack came in 1568, when Mughal emperor Akbar, took the town. In 1616, Jehangir return Chittor to the Rajputs but there was no attempt at resettlement.

Later, transfer to the airport to board flight for Delhi scheduled to depart at 1335 hrs. Arrive Delhi at 1505 hrs., transfer to prebooked Hotel.
Alternate  :  You can fly to Mumbai & take a extension to South India  OR  to Goa for a beach holiday

DAY 11 : DEPART DELHI
Transfer to the airport to board your flight for onward destination.

The above tour programme can be modified as per your requirements.  For any modification, please fill in the form below or mail us

 


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Essential Information

 
:: TAJ  EXPRESS :: MUGHALS  &  MAHARAJAS :: GOLDEN TRIANGLE  &  AMRITSAR :: TAJ  &  TIGER :: INDIA - NEPAL ::
:: JEWELS  OF  NORTH INDIA :: CLASSIC  RAJASTHAN :: LEGACY OF THE RAJ :: GODS  OWN  COUNTRY :: TAJ  &  GOA :: TIGERS,  FORTS
&  PALACES
:: TIGER  TIGER !! :: SOUTHERN  SPICE :: ELEPHANTS  &  SPICES :: ESSENTIAL  RAJASTHAN :: ESCAPE  TO  KERALA ::
:: PALACES  OF  RAJASTHAN :: CALL  OF  THE  TIGER :: JUNGLE  ODYSSEY :: CLASSICAL  SOUTH :: SOUTHERN  SPLENDOUR :: SPLENDOURS
OF  NORTH  INDIA
:: INDIAN  PANORAMA :: MAHARAJAS  &  MAJESTIC  TIGERS :: FASCINATING  NORTH ::
 
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