Rajasthan & Varanasi

Day 01  - Arrive Delhi
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Check-in time is 12 Noon
Overnight.
 
Day 02 - Delhi
After breakfast, proceed  to visit Old and New Delhi.
Delhi, the capital of India, conceals within its bosom the remains of civilization that flourished over the last three thousand years.  Since those legendary days, many dynasties and rulers have flourished on its regal soil.  The legacy of that past survives in the  many monuments left behind by the regents.
Old Delhi’s landmarks are Red Fort built by Emperor Shahjehaan in 1638 AD, Jama Mosque largest mosque in India also built by Shahjehan. Raj  Ghat and Shanti van -the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi and Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, Chandni Chowk - the main shopping hub of Old Delhi.
New Delhi showcases imposing buildings and monuments built during Mughal, British period and indepenentIndia. Qutab Minar, one of the earliest remains of Imperial Delhi (13th century AD ) Humayun’s Tomb-the fine monument believed to be forerunner of Taj Mahal represents the Mughal era while during British rule buildings with imposing architecture such as India Gate, the 42 metre high arch that was raised as a memorial to soldiers, Parliament House, President’s House, Secretariat and other Govt. Building as also Connaught Place, the oldest city centre shopping hub are prominent tourist spots.
 
Day 03 – Delhi-Varanasi flight : 0955-1120 hours
Transfer to airport for flight to Varanasi
On arrival, transfer to the hotel. 
Afternoon sightseeing tour.
Varanasi is considered as one of the oldest living cities in the world, believed to be founded 3000 years ago. It is one of the 7 holiest cities of Hindus situated in north eastern part of India on the banks of river Ganga. It was a flourishing trading centre 500 BC when the Buddha came to Sarnath to preach his first sermon. A city of great wealth and religious importance when the Chinese traveller, Hiuen Tsang, visited it in the 7th century. The temples of Vishwanath, the abode of great God  Shiva, Bharat MataTemple, Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir are the religious sites.  The ancient Banaras Hindu University and mosque within are the prominent places of interest in the city.
 
Day 04 – Varanasi-Agra overnight train
Early morning boat cruise on river Ganges. Thousands of pilgrims throng the water’s edge, bathing, worshipping and meditating. On stone platforms under umbrellas, the Pandas-Brahmin priests preside over rites and rituals. The boat trip will cover various ghats including the cremation sites. Because every pious Hindu believes that to die in Varanasi (ancient name Kashi) and to be cremated on the banks of the Ganges is to attain release from the cycle of birth and death. 

Check-out at 12 Noon.
 
Afternoon tour to visit Sarnath.
Located 7 km from the city, the site has a great historical importance.  Lord Buddha preached his first sermon more than 2500 years ago. The site is marked by the massive Dhamek stupa which is believed to date back to 500 AD. Nearby is a Museum where rare collection of manuscripts and other items related with Lord Buddha are preserved

Evening transfer to railway station for train to Agra,
Night on train.

Day 05 : Arrive Agra
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel.

Afternoon city sightseeing tour.
Agra Fort’s importance can be judged with the great names of Mughal dynasties Humayun, Akbar, Jehangir, Shahjehan and Aurangzeb who lived here. The imposing structure on the banks of the river Yamuna is replete with priceless examples of craftsmanship in the Mughal period. The beautiful pearl Mosque, Diwan-e-Am, Diwan-e-Khas, Jehangir palace, Moti Masjid are to name a few that form the part of this great fort. Taj Mahal is the finest example of Mughal architecture.  A UNESCO World Heritage site, this immortal monument, the inimitable poem in white marble is the true expression of love of Emperor Shahjehan for his queen Mumtaz Mahal.  The monument was completed in 1653 AD and thousands of workers and artisans were employed.  It took little over 20 years for its completion.

Day 06 : Agra-Jaipur drive, 235 km/6 hours
Morning proceed to Jaipur, stopping en-route to visit Fatehpur Sikri.
The beautiful city was planned and erected by Emperor Akbar in 1569. The story behind the city relates to birth of his Son Salim who was named after a Muslim Saint – Sheikh Salim Chishti.  Emperor Akbar hearing his renown, had visited the Saint, asked of the blessings of a child.  When a son was born, he decided to built a city near the place where the Saint lived.  The city was abandoned after 14 years due to shortage of water and growing population.  The imposing pavilions, Mosque, massive Buland Darwaza (Gate), Panch Mahal and other buildings are worth a visit.
On arrival, check-in at your hotel.

Day 07 : 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 sections. Jai Mandir, Sheesh Mahal, Sukh Niwas, Ganesh Pol andTemple of Kali  are some of the prominent areas of interest.  Elephants are provided to ascend the fort.
 
Afternoon city sightseeing tour.
The city was planned and built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the notable astronomer 260 years ago. The City Palace, the home of the erstwhile royal family, the Observatory,  RamNiwas  Gardens, Hawa Mahal or the Palace of winds built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh and Birla Temple are the most important tourist sites.
 
Day 08 : Jaipur-Nimaj drive, 248km
After breakfast, leave for Pushkar.
Visit Pushkar.
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.

Arrive Nimaj, check-in at NIMAJ PALACE.
Afternoon village trip, visit of stepwells, cenotaphs and 9th century Hindu Temple.

Day 09 : Nimaj-Udaipur drive, 222 km
After breakfast, drive to Udaipur.
On arrival, check-in at the hotel.
Rest of the day free.

Day 10 : Udaipur
Morning sightseeing tour.
Udaipur, city of lakes, is regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in all of Rajasthan. Founded by Maharana Udai Singh ji,  the city’s epicenter of tourist activities is Lake Pichola.  Lake Palace hotel built on the lake in white marble is a luxury hotel.  The City Palace on the banks of the lake Pichola has several carved balconies, arches and decorated pillars, Zenana Mahal, Crystal Gallery in Fateh Prakash, Durbar Hall and Shambhu Niwas.  Other sites worth visiting are Jagdish temple, Sahelion-ki-Bari (queen's resort for the friends) and Fateh Sagar Lake.

Afternoon at leisure.

Day 11 : Udaipur-Kumbhalgarh drive, 90
After breakfast, drive to Kumbhalgarh, check-in at the hotel.
Later visit Kumbahlgarh Fort.
Kumbhalgarh, built by Rana Kumbha in mid 15th century, it is the second most important bastion of Mear after Chittaurgarh.  Covering an area of 12 sq km this fort fell only once to the army of Akbar and too because the water supply of the fort was contaminated.  It served as a refuge for the rulers of Mewar in time of strife due to its inaccessibility when it was built.  The fort lies 1100 metres above sea level and enclosed within its fortified ramparts are palaces, temples, fields, water sources and farms.  The fort provides an excellent view of the countryside and has its significance of being the birth place of Maharana Pratap.

Later visit Jain temples at Ranakpur.
In 15th century, Rana Kumbha of  Mewar gave a large stretch of land in a quite and picturesque valley, deep in the Aravallis, to the Jains.  This area came to be known as Ranakpur, this is one of the five main holy places of the Jains.  Although over 500 years old, these temples are well preserved almost in perfect condition.  The central dome houses Chaumukha (four face) temple, dedicated to Adinath, the first Jain Tirthankar (saint). This temple is the most complex and extensive in design.  It  has  29 halls ,  80 domes and 1444 pillars and no two pillars are alike.

Day 12 : Kumbhalgarh-Rohet drive, 160 km
After breakfast, drive to Rohet, check-in at ROHET GARH.
Late afternoon,  jeep safari to a Bishnoi village.
This 450 year old tribe has a distinctive way of life.  They are environmentalists and worship the nature.  They do everything possible in saving  and preserving the trees and animals and follow the local routines evolved over the centuries of living with nature by nature.  In villages of other tribes, you may get a chance to witness the opium ceremony – a ritual by which guests are traditionally welcomed.    A drive through the  beautiful landscape could encounter the black buck and  wild camel.

Day 13 : Rohet-Jodhpur drive, 40 km
After breakfast, drive to Jodhpur.
Check-in at the hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour.
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.

Day 14 : Jodhpur-Delhi flight
Morning at leisure.
Transfer to airport in time for flight to Delhi.
Assistance on arrival and transfer to international airport for onward flight.