DAY 01: Depart
US
We depart this afternoon for an overnight flight to Delhi.
Various meals and service will be served while in flight.
DAY 02: ARRIVE DELHI
Meeting and assistance on arrival then transfer to hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
DAY 03: IN DELHI
Full day sightseeing of New and Old Delhi. In New Delhi visit the
12th century Qutab Minar, gracefully hand-carved for its entire
height of 234ft, and the iron pillar, which has withstood the
ravages of time and not rusted even after 1500 years, the mausoleum
of emperor Humayun, the imposing modern Lakshmi Narayan temple.
Drive past India Gate (memorial to the Indian army soldiers who died
in the World War I) the Rashtrapati Bhavan (formerly the viceroy's
residence) and the Parliament House. Continue to Old Delhi. See the
Red Fort - a marvel in red sandstone, the Raj Ghat, - memorial to
Mahatma Gandhi, the Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India. Spend
some time in Chandi Chowk to savor the ambience of an oriental,
crowded bazaar. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 04: IN DELHI
Half day sightseeing of National Museum (closed on Mondays and
Holidays), Zoological Park, National Handicrafts Museum and Rail
Museum. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 05: DELHI – UDAIPUR
In time transfer to airport to board flight for Udaipur. Meeting and
assistance on arrival then transfer to hotel. Overnight at
hotel.
DAY 06: IN UDAIPUR
Morning city tour of Udaipur, a splash of color in Rajasthan that is
brighter when tinged with the tones of local lore and legends.
Visit the City Palace, built in 1725, which houses the Dilkhush
Mahal, Sheesh Mahal - studded with glittering Belgium Mirrors, Moti
Mahal and the Palace of Lord Krishna all of which are ornately
decorated. Later visit the Jagdish Temple. This temple built in
1651 is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu Trinity
of Gods. Also visit the Sahelion Ki Barigardens and fountains.
Later drive around the Fatehsagar Lake. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 07: UDAIPUR – JODHPUR
Morning drive to Jodhpur (259 Kms / 6 Hrs) en route visiting Jain
Temples of Ranakpur built in the 15th century are situated in the
lovely Aravali valley. The town is named after Rana Kumbha, the
legendary warrior king of Udaipur. Its surroundings are peaceful and
picturesque. The Ranakpur Jain temples have grand structures and
beautiful sculptures. There are 1444 pillars in the main temple and
no two of them are similar. Visit Surya Temple and other Jain
Temples a little distance away. On arrival check-in at the hotel.
Afternoon city tour visiting the 5-km long Mehrangarh Fort situated
on a 125-mt high hill. This is one of the most impressive and
formidable structures in Rajasthan. Within the fort are some
magnificent palaces with meticulously carved panels, latticed
windows or "Jarokhas" with evocative names. The chambers of Moti
Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, the Sileh Khana and the Daulat
Khana are noteworthy for the splendor and glamour of a bygone era.
Later visit the Jaswant Thada - a cluster of royal cenotaphs in the
white marble built in 1899 AD in memory of Maharaja Jaswant
Singh-II. The tour culminates with a visit to the Museum housed in
the majestic Umaid Bhawan Palace. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 08: JODHPUR – JAIPUR
Morning drive to Jaipur (332 Kms / 8 Hrs). On arrival check-in at
the hotel. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 09: IN JAIPUR
Morning city tour begins with a visit to the Maharaja's City Palace,
the former Royal residence, part of it converted into a museum. A
small portion is still used by the Royal family of Jaipur. Built in
the style of a fortified campus, the palace covers almost
one-seventh in area of the city. One of the major attractions in the
museum is the portion known as Armory Museum housing an impressive
array of weaponry-pistols, blunderbusses, flintlocks, swords, rifles
and daggers. The royal families of Jaipur once used most of these
weapons. Later visit the Jantar Mantar, which is the largest stone
and marble crafted observatory in the world. Situated near the gate
of the city palace, the observatory has 17 large instruments, many
of them still in working condition. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 10: JAIPUR – AGRA
Morning drive to Agra (237 Kms / 6- 7 Hrs) en route visiting
Fatehpur Sikri. Located 40 Km from Agra, the deserted city of
Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, in honor of the
great Saint Sheikh Salim Chisti who blessed Akbar and prophesized
the birth of three sons to the heirless Emperor. Akbar used Fatehpur
Sikri as his capital and the city was fully occupied for 14 years
but slowly became deserted and ruined after Akbar left the city.
Scarcity of water was the prime factor for the abandonment of this
beautiful city. Visit the remarkably well-preserved, graceful
buildings within the 'Ghost City' including the Jama Masjid, tomb of
Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal Palace and other palaces that speak of the
grandeur and splendor of the Mughal empire at the height of its
power. On arrival check-in at the hotel. Late night
visit to Taj Mahal in moonlight, built by Shah Jahan in 1560 in
memory of his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains.
This architectural marvel is a perfectly proportioned masterpiece
fashioned from white marble that stands testimony to the skill of
20,000 craftsmen brought together from Persia, Turkey, France and
Italy and who took 17 year to complete this ' Love Poem in Marble'.
(Friday closed). Later visit the Agra fort containing the halls
private and public audiences and other palaces
(Optional and
depending upon full moon date). Overnight at
hotel.
DAY 11: IN AGRA
Full day sightseeing of Agra city. Second visit to Taj Mahal. Also
visit the Agra fort containing the halls of private and public
audience and other palaces. Later visit tomb of Itmad-Ud-Daula. The
tomb is known as the 'Baby Taj'. It was the first Mughal structure
totally built from marble with extensive use of pietra dura. Also
visit Sikandra, the tomb of Akbar and Dayalbagh for its various
crafts and monuments. Later walk around the Bazaar (local
market). Overnight at hotel.
DAY 12: AGRA – NEEMRANA
Morning drive to Neemrana (320 Kms / 8 Hrs). On arrival check-in at
the hotel.
DAY 13: NEEMRANA – DELHI AIRPORT
This afternoon drive to Delhi airport to board your flight back home
departing early morning next day.
DAY 14: DELHI -
US
We arrive home later today.
