Tours Package for first time in India

Forts & Palaces of Rajasthan

Tour Route Delhi (1) – Agra (1) – Samode (2) – Deogarh (1) – Udaipur (2) – Jodhpur (2) – Delhi / Departure  
Tour Duration:  09 Nights / 10Days
Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Delhi

Tonight, arrive Delhi the capital city of India. After a traditional Indian welcome, you will be escorted to your hotel.

Overnight stay in Delhi.

Day 2: Discover Delhi; Drive Delhi to Agra (204 Kms / 4 Hrs)

Today, enjoy the day discovering Delhi, pacing through the city which is as historic as modern, like 2 sides of the same coin!

Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Old Delhi, which includes a visit to Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India; drive past Red Fort, the place that marked the announcement of India’s freedom from the British Raj.

This afternoon, discover the modern city of New Delhi. Visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, the largest Sikh temple of Delhi, with a gold dome, still in active worship; take a Photo stop at India Gate, originally known as the ‘All India War Memorial’, a prominent landmark in Delhi and commemorates the 90,000 soldiers of the British Indian Army who lost their lives in World War I and the Third Anglo-Afghan War; drive past President's House, Parliament House and other Government Secretariat Buildings, the most imposing features of Lutyen’s Delhi. Later visit to Qutab Minar, a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture and the worlds tallest brick minaret.

Later this afternoon, embark on your drive to Agra, city of the world famous Taj Mahal. Upon arrival in Agra, check in at your hotel for overnight stay.

Day 3: Drive Agra to Samode (285 Kms / 6.5 Hrs)

Today experience the awe-inspiring beauty of the eternal symbol of love, the Taj Mahal. Often referred to as a poem in white marble, Taj Mahal displays the saga of love between Emperor Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.

Later, visit the Agra Fort, lying across the River Yamuna, built in red sandstone with magnificent palaces, halls of public and private audience and beautiful gardens.

This afternoon drive to Samode (near Jaipur), where you will stay for 2 nights. From Samode, you will visit Jaipur, one of the most well planned cities of India. This capital city of Rajasthan, popularly known as the ‘Pink City’, was founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, in 1727 A.D.

Day 4: Day in Jaipur

This morning, visit Amber fort, a fine amalgamation of Hindu and Muslim architecture and ornamentation, built in the 16th century. To ascend up the fort, you may choose to walk, drive or take an elephant ride.

Later, visit Jagat Shiromani Temple, built by Queen Shringar Devi Kanakawat, wife of King Man Singh, in memory of her son Jagat Singh. Built between 1599 A.D. to 1608 A.D the attractively carved Jagat Shiromani Temple worships Lord Krishna and Vishnu and is popularly linked with the famous poet-saint Mira Bai.

This afternoon, visit the City Palace complex with its various museums where you can see a beautiful collection of Mughal costumes, weapons and miniature paintings. Then visit the fascinating Jantar Mantar, the ancient astronomical observatory built by the Maharaja of Jaipur, which is the largest stone observatory in the world. Also drive past Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), a remarkable five storied building along the main street of the old city with semi-octagonal and delicate honey-combed sandstone windows.

Option to meet an astrologer in Samode / Jaipur: Today you get the unique opportunity to meet an astrologer. Hear what your stars have planned for your future and delight yourself with the ancient Indian wisdom of astrology. (subject to availability of astrologer, at extra charge)

Day 5: Drive Samode – Deogarh (325 Kms / 6 Hrs)

After breakfast drive to Deogarh Palace, part of which has now been converted into a heritage hotel. Upon arrival in Deogarh, check in at your palace hotel and freshen up.

At Deogarh, enrich your experience with the following activities that can be organized by your palace hotel (at extra charge, payable direct) * Rural Ramble - a Jeep Safari, a drive into the countryside with an escort * Trekking (in the hills) * Bird watching (near the lake) * Relaxing massage * Picnics can also be arranged * Cycling single or tandem * Special Romantic Dinners

Day 6: Drive Deogarh - Udaipur (135 Kms / 3 Hrs)

This morning, take a guided walk around Deogarh Mahal. You get an opportunity to understand the history of this palace and its people. You also have the option to take a walk outside and see the surrounding Deogarh village, where you get an opportunity to see the local people and local lifestyle that surrounds Deogarh Mahal.

Later this morning, embark on your drive to Udaipur - a serene city set in the scenic valley of Aravalli hills, surrounded by three lakes – Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar and Udai Sagar.

Before arriving Udaipur, we visit the famous temples of Eklingji & Nagda, positioned at a distance of 22 km north of Udaipur. The marble and granite walled temple complex of Ekilingji is beautifully sculpted with 108 temples within its high walls. The main temple, which dates to the 15th century, was rebuilt from the ruins of an earlier destroyed temple. The double-storied temple has an elaborately pillared hall under a vast pyramidal roof, with a four-faced image of Lord Shiva in black marble.

About 1 km from Eklingji, Nagda town is famous for its Sas-bahu and Adbudji temples. The Sas-Bahu Temple is widely known for its exquisite stone carvings, which are related to incidents in the great Indian epic the ‘Ramayana’.

Continue drive to Udaipur and upon arrival, check in at your hotel for 2 nights stay.

Option for boat cruise at Lake Pichola, Udaipur: Enjoy an evening boat cruise at the serene Lake Pichola (subject to water level, at extra charge)

Day 7: Discover Udaipur

After breakfast, visit the 16th century City Palace, one of the largest palace complexes in Rajasthan comprising residence of the current Maharaja, heritage hotels, museums and galleries, courtyards and reception halls where royal events take place even today; Jagdish Temple, the 17th century Indo Aryan temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Laxmi Narayan), the preserver of the Universe; Saheliyon-Ki-Bari, garden of the maids of honour, with beautiful green lawns, flower beds, water pools, marble elephants and bird fountains

Day 8: Drive Udaipur – Ranakpur Temple - Jodhpur (280 Kms / 6 Hrs)

This morning, embark on your leisurely drive to Jodhpur, a city ringed by high stone walls with seven gates and several bastions. This second largest city of Rajasthan was founded by Rao Jodha in 1459 A.D.

En route to Jodhpur, visit the famous Jain Temples at Ranakpur. Built in the 15th century, Ranakpur temples are one of the largest Jain temples in India. The temples are known for their architecture, grand structures and exquisite sculptures.

Continue drive to Jodhpur and upon arrival check in to your hotel for 02 nights stay.

Day 9: Discover Jodhpur

Today, visit the rock-solid Mehrangarh Fort, and the grand palaces within the fort - Moti Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sileh Khana and Daulat Khana, which are impressive examples of architectural excellence. Near the fort complex stands the Jaswant Thada, and a group of royal cenotaphs made of white marble. While in Jodhpur shop for the exquisite handcrafted articles such as embroidered shoes, metal curios, silverware, paintings and tie and dye fabrics.

Also, visit Umaid Bhavan Palace Museum - built by Maharaja Umaid Singh (1929 – 1942) and named after him, this exquisite Palace is also known as Chittar Palace because of the local chittar sandstone used in its construction. This palace is a splendid example of Indo-colonial and art deco architecture of the 1930s

Option for a Village Jeep Safari: This afternoon, you have the option to experience a jeep safari to the nearby Bishnoi villages, to get a feel for the local lifestyle of Rajasthani villagers. Bishnoi’s are a village community of Rajasthan who are famous for their cultural lifestyle and their love for nature and animals. You get an opportunity to observe the village lifestyle and interact with villagers, shepherds, farmers and weavers of the region (at extra charge of USD 35 pp)

Day 10: Fly Jodhpur – Delhi

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch your return flight to New Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi, transfer to your Delhi hotel OR domestic OR international airport to catch your flight for onward destination. Travelite (India) services terminate upon arrival at Delhi.

Depending on international departure flight time, clients may require additional services such as:

* Car with Driver for half day / full day in Delhi

* Additional Sightseeing tour of Delhi (Akshardham temple, Chattarpur temples, Lotus temple & Humayuns Tomb, Shopping tour, Kingdom of Dreams Tour)

* Overnight stay in Delhi