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Area : Western India
Best Season : October to March
Trip Grade : Moderate to hard touring with stay at Deluxe Camps during safari.
Duration : 16 days
Highlights : This tour is for those who like to do some adventure in Rajasthan. We go deep interior of Rajasthan where we meet tribal, artisans at their work and village life. In short this programme offers Rajasthan normal way and much more!
SUGGESTED PROGRAM:
Day 1 – Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi early in the morning. Met at the Airport and transfer to the hotel. Relax rest of the morning. Later in the afternoon leave for a half day tour of Old Delhi.
Delhi is the capital of the country and is broadly divided into two parts – Old and the New Delhi. While the new houses the present day government buildings, it’s the old part where one finds the old world charm in the maze of streets and old buildings of Chandni Chowk. Visit Red Fort and Jama Masjid in Old Delhi. On the way back, visit Raj Ghat – the memorial dedicated to the father of the nation – Mahatma Gandhi. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 – DELHI / AGRA
Leave early morning for the train to Agra (Shatabdi Express) ETD 0615 hours and ETA at Agra Cantt. Railway station at 0810 hours. Met at the railway station and drive to the hotel. After breakfast leave for the visit of Sikandra and Itmad-ul-Daulah.
Sikandra houses the mausoleum of 3rd Mughal Emperor Akbar. Combining best of the fusion of Rajput and Mughal architecture. Sikandra is a well preserved monument befitting the simplicity and secular outlook of most well known of Mughal Emperors – Akbar. Also visit Itmad-ul-Daulah which is the tomb of Mirza Ghias Ali Baig and was constructed by her daughter and the first wife of 4th Mughal Emperor Jehangir. The notable aspect of this tomb is some of its elements overshadow and also inspired the later construction of Taj Mahal.
Later in the afternoon visit the Agra Fort and Taj Mahal. The Agra Fort was once the flourishing centre of the Mughal dynasty, and four successive Emperors helped to create its massive walls, within which Hindu and Muslim styles merge into a splendid fusion. The fort has an longest side is placed parallel to the river to afford all the major palace rooms a magnificent view of the river, and the gentle sunrise. The continuous fort wall is punctuated with bastions and a monumental gateway which leads to the line of palace rooms and halls set behind massive protective walls.
The Taj Mahal is a tomb and was built by the great Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal when she passed away in 1630. Work for this great tomb began in 1631 and it took the efforts of twenty thousand workers, a king’s treasury and almost 20 years of masterly craftsmanship to complete this grand monument whose dimensions are comparable to the great Pyramids of Egypt. Its probably the most beautiful monument ever built for love; and is aptly described as an “ode to love”. This “dream in marble” is also said to be a monument designed by “giants but finished by jewelers”! A walled enclosure of red sandstone protects the tomb where one enters through a mighty red gateway where we enter into an enormous garden which is cut by water channels into four segments. Down the centre is a water channel which reflects the perfect symmetry of the Taj Mahal.
The Taj Mahal is truly a colossal structure, over 73 meters high, and it is as wide as it is high, and despite its size, it looks like a white weightless cloud rising out of the earth. At sunrise or sunset the cool white marble captures the red glow of the sun, and turns from pinks and fiery orange; in the day the marble is a shimmering cold white and in the night the building appears luminous, glowing in the darkness. Apart from its harmonious plan is the detailed inlay work and the decorative yet restrained splendor of the monument.
Day 3 – AGRA / JAIPUR
(5-6 hrs Drive)
Leave after breakfast for the drive to Jaipur, the capital city of the state Rajasthan, with enroute visit of Fatehpur Sikri. About 40 km from Agra lies the magnificent deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri, the capital of the great and loved emperor Akbar. During his brief stay here, a great complex of forts, palaces and mosques sprang up, but Akbar was finally forced to abandon his dream city due to scarcity of water, and it became a ghost town. This ‘epic poem in sandstone’ lies straddled across a rocky ridge, surrounded by immense walls with nine gates. The largest of the gates is the Buland Darwaza, and it leads to the Jama Masjid which can house upto 10,000 worshippers, and to the fantastic tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti which lies under an elaborate marble canopy and is lavishly inlaid with other-of-pearl. Just inside the gates of the city are the Diwan-e-Aam and the Diwan-e-Khas, where Akbar held court proceedings and received nobles and ambassadors respectively : the Panch Mahal is a curious building, five stories high, tapering from the ground which has 85 columns to the top floor with only 41 various other palaces are also situated here, each lavishly decorated with carvings. Arrive Jaipur later in the afternoon and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 4 – JAIPUR
Visit the Amber fort in the morning. The old capital of Kachchwahas Rajputs for six centuries. Amber is nestled in between two rocky ridges of Aravallis. Approach the fort on elephant back. The fortified palace of Amber stands on a high terraced plateau overlooking the Maota lake. The location is superb – surrounded as it is by low hills, their ragged crests silhouetted against a never-ending line of fort walls and watch-towers.
After the visit return to the hotel. Later in the afternoon visit the city Palace and the Jantar Mantar or the 18th century open – air observatory for astronomical studies. One of the best preserved, the observatory has huge astronomical instruments than the other four at Delhi., Indore Varanasi and Ujjain. All the three observatories were made by Raja Jai Singh, a town planner and astrologer in his own right. Only one of other four observatories, apart from the one at Jaipur is functional and is in Delhi. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 5 – JAIPUR / NAWALGARH
(4 hrs Drive)
Leave in the morning for Nawalgarh. The road to goes past the towns of Chomu, and Sikar. Arrive in the afternoon and check I at Hotel Roopniwas. Afternoon excursion to visit the nearby small town of Parasrampuria to see earliest of the frescoes of Shekhawati. There are nearabout 20 towns in Shekhawati which are notable in having frescoes, depicting scenes from all spheres of life, in forts and Havelis (mansions) especially. Return to the hotel and later in the evening visit the saat Haveli complex in Nawalgarh itself. Overnight I the hotel.
Day 6 – NAWALGARH / BIKANER
(5-6 hrs Drive)
Leave after breakfast for the drive to Bikaner through the towns of Mandawa, fatehpur and Ratangarh. Arrive Bikaner and check in the hotel. Later in the afternoon visit the Junagadh fort.
Standing on high ground, surrounded by fine embattled walls, it has an imposing appearance. Founded in the 15th century, the city has a fort made predominantly of red and yellow sandstone, the entrance to which is flanked by two life-sized effigies of elephants. Within lie ancient palaces, temples and a mosque. The Durbar Hall is decorated with paintings, floral mouldings set in red and gold borders, and glided leaf work. Gilt motifs, glass mosaics and lace-like mirrors adorn the intimate and graceful “Zenana” (ladies apartments), which are separated from the main palace by a broad court with paneled niches. Outside the city, which is also the home of the Camel Corps, are still more temples and palaces, made in red sandstone and abounding in intricate carvings.
Return to the hotel. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 7 – BIKANER / DESHNOKE / NAGAUR
(2 hrs of drive on Tarred road and 3 hrs Jeep Safari)
Leave after an early breakfast for Deshnoke, a 90 minutes drive from here. The Karni Mata temple here is unique as it gives refuge to few thousand of rodents who are thought to be sacred. The entrance of the temple is a silver door while the doorway has intricate carving on marble. The main idol is lower than the ground.
Leaving Deshnoke, drive south and take the eastwardly turn to Mukam – one of the most revered sites for the Bishnoi community. Bishnois follow the 29 rule path which stresses on saving living creatures from indiscrimate killing. The eco-sensitivity of the people belonging to this faith has few equals in the world.
Coming out to the village of Chilla, we leave the gravel road to the sandy wastes, east of the Jodhpur – Bikaner highway. This is our start of the two day Jeep Safari through the harsh terrain of Thar desert. Enroute we visit the Bishnoi dominated villages and a few typical, thick walled mud houses make appearance.
Lookout for Chinkara – the Indian Gazelle. The dunes get bigger and the terrain gets more arid and dry here. The mud track again links with the latter half of the safari is longer than initial one and there are more dunes and vegetation makes appearance relatively less than before.
Arrive in Nagaur in the evening. Transfer to FH deluxe camp for Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8 – NAGAUR / KHIMSAR
(4-5 hrs drive)
After breakfast visit the fort which is reportedly more than 800 years old. The control of this bastion changed hands from Rathore Rajputs, of the Kingdom of Jodhpur to Muslim rulers. The other notable places to visit include a five dome mosque dedicated to disciple of Khwaja Muinnudin Chisti (made by Akbar, the 3rd Mughal Emperor) and Cenotaphs. Leave after Lunch on the Jeep Safari to Khimsar. The start of the safari is in the west direction. Arrive at Khimsar later I the evening. Transfer to hotel Khimsar Royal castle.
First built in 15th century, the Royal Castle at Khimsar is fortified township. The most encircled ramparts and the heavy studded gates of the Castle still echo the fiery and chivalrous past that these lifeless structure have seen. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 9 – KHIMSAR / JAISALMER
(6-7 hrs drive)
Leave after breakfast for this interesting drive across the Thar Desert with enroute visit of ancient town of Osian. Amidst golden sand dunes, there are 16 Hindu and Jain temples, well known for their beautiful and intricate design. First of these temples were built in 8th century and most of the temples have withstood the ravages of time.
After the brief visit of these temples, leave for the 5 hrs drive to Jaisalmer. Approaching our destination, we sight the massive battlements of the living fort of Jaisalmer, rising ethereally out of the vastness of the desert. Transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 10 – JAISALMER
Leave after breakfast to explore the fascinating living fort, built in 1156 in the heart of the That Desert. Within the towered battlements of this citadel, there is a mass of curiously carved buildings, with fantastic facades and elaborate balconies. Most of the palaces are crowned by a metal umbrella mounted on a stone shaft. The Jain temples within the fort are decorated with deities and elaborately dancing figures in mythological settings. Attached to this place of worship is a library containing some of the most ancient manuscripts in India. One of these is written on palm-leaf, I black ink, with colored wooden covers. Visit the Havelis and Gadsisar in the afternoon.
Later visit the Havelis of “Salim Singh”, “Nathmalji” and the “Patwon” in the yellow-gold Jaisalmer stone. “Patwon-ki-Haveli” (House of the Brocade merchants) is the largest and the most elaborate of the famous havelis of Jaisalmer. It stands in a cul-de-sac with an imposing gate spanning the entrance to the lane, protecting this prestigious private residence from prying eyes. “Nathmalji-ki-haveli” (The mansion of Nathmalji) the last of the great havelis was built in the 19th century. Nathmalji was then the prime minister of the state and his family still lives in the haveli. Its façade was carved out by two brothers, master craftsmen of such consummate talent that their names are still remembered. “Salim Singh Mohta” was a tyrannical Prime Minister of Jaisalmer in the 18th century. His mansion is distinguished by two features; the upper story, in cantilever style, supported by carved brackets, and the unique cupolas that adorn its roof. Gadsisar is an artificial lake that was an important source of water and was the mainstay of Jaisalmer during drought.
Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 11 – JAISALMER / JODHPUR
(6-7 hrs drive)
After an early breakfast leave for the drive to Jodhpur. This long drive, through the heart of desert country is at times scenic and interesting. Arrive in Jodhpur for a late lunch. Transfer to the hotel for overnight stay. Later in the afternoon visit Mehrangarh fort.
This ancient capital of the state of Marwar is surrounded by a stone wall almost 6 miles in circumference, which separates it from the sands that stretch out on all sides. Upon a rocky eminence stands a massive impregnable fortress, within which lie a number of palaces, barracks, temples and other buildings. Delicately latticed windows and pierced monuments worked in sandstone are a prominent motif within the rugged fort. On the walls of one of the gates of entry are the palm marks of widows who, ages ago, immolated themselves upon the pyres of their departed husbands. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 12 – JODHPUR / UDAIPUR
(7 hrs drive)
Leave after breakfast for the drive to Udaipur with enroute visit of Ranakpur Jain temples.
Built amidst the Arravallis, these 500 hundred year old temples are best known for the excellent carvings and are preserved in superb condition. The central temple – Chaumukha is dedicated to the 1st tirthankar Adinath, is a three storey structure with 29 halls, 80 domes and 1444 pillars with each pillar carved exuberantly. Arrive Udaipur in the evening and transfer to the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 13 – UDAIPUR
The royal house of Mewar, now known as Udaipur, has a brave and proud history. The city of Udaipur has a profusion of palaces, lake palaces, temples, and cenotaphs, which bear testimony to the glory of Mewar.
Udaipur is regarded as perhaps the most romantic city in India. The island palace sparkles in posts and pinnacles of coloured glass and pale jade. A bastioned wall surrounds the city, and the Maharana’s palace stands on the crest of a ridge overlooking the steel blue waters of Lake Pichola.
In the morning visit the City Palace Complex and Sahelion ki Bari. City Palace: The city of Udaipur is situated between two major lakes. Overlooking the lake, on the eastern bank, was a natural hillock which was incorporated into protective fortification of the City Palace.
The royal palace walls stretch over a mile on the eastern side of the lake and within the palace are a maze of inner courtyards, apartments, and decorated halls. There are rooms covered with frescoes, stone and glass mosaics, and ornamental doors and painted windows.
The Sahelion ki Bari or the ‘Garen of the Maidens’ was designed by the Maharana for the special use of these damsels who arrived from Delhi as a peace of offering from the reigning Mughal Emperor. It has many ornamental pools with finely sculptured cenotaphs of soft black stone surrounded by a profusion of fountains. Later in the afternoon take a boat ride in the azure blue waters of Lake Pichola. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 14 – UDAIPUR / DELHI
Half day excursion of Eklingji and Nagda Temples:
Eklingji : About 30 Kms. north of Udaipur is an ancient temple called Eklingji dedicated to Shiva. The temple was originally built by the founder of the Mewar family who came upon this site one day when he was herding cattle and met a holy sage who advised him to build a Shiva Temple. Even today the Maharana worships here and he is considered the representative of Eklingji. The temple was rebuilt in the fourteenth century in granite and marble, and is still celebrated pilgrimage site in Rajasthan.
Nagda Temples : About four klometres to the west of Eklingjiare some interesting ruined eleventh century temples called Sas-Bahu (the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law temples) with exquisite stone carvings.
Return to Udaipur I the afternoon. Later in the evening transfer to the airport for flight to Delhi.
Transfer to the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 15 – DELHI
Leave after breakfast on a half day city tour of New Delhi. Visit the National Museum best known for artifacts of various ages. Notable amongst all are the stone sculpture, the jewellery and fine work done on wood and ivory. Also visit the Humayun’s Tomb and Qutab Minar. At 72.5 meters, Qutab Minar is the highest free standing stone minaret in the world. Later in the evening transfer to the airport for the International Airport.
Day 16 – LEAVE DELHI
Leave after breakfast and transfer to the airport for the International Flight.
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(This web page last reviewed on 01st. Dec. 2009)
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