FORTS & PALACES OF RAJASTHAN
 

VISITING: DELHI - MANDAWA - KHIMSAR - ROHET GARH
- JAIPUR - AMBER - FATEHPUR SIKRI - AGRA - DELHI

Arrive New Delhi.
Assistance on arrival and transfer to your hotel. Check-in time is 12 noon.

Delhi as the capital of India Delhi is the seat of administration and the monuments which tell the saga of a bygone era stand there. These icons are testimony to the grandeur of past and also an attraction for the tourists. With an area of 1483 sq. Kms, Delhi is all set to acquire full statehood. The charm of Delhi has attracted Emperors, Conquerors and poor in equally. It is correctly said that Delhi is a land of 'Dilwalas' or for people with heart. This phrase acquires a true colour when one goes around the lanes of Delhi. Delhi-- a window to the kaleidoscope that is India. From a string of historical monuments to modern commercial centers, Delhi has evolved into an exceptional and dynamic destination offering a wealth of shopping and sightseeing activities. Tourism in Delhi has undergone a sea change in recent times as the city is in the process of a steady makeover.

Overnight at your hotel.

Morning guided city sightseeing tour of Old Delhi visiting - the Red Fort - one of the magnificent places of the East with Divan-I-Aam where once stood the jeweled Peacock Throne, and the graceful Pearl Mosque, Jama Masjid which is considered the biggest in India, Chandni Chowk - a typical Bazaar with narrow lanes and traditional traders Raj Ghat where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated.
Afternoon guided city sightseeing tour of New Delhi visiting War Memorial Arch-India Gate, Parliament House, Qutub Minar-built in 12th century and Humayun’s  Tomb.
Overnight at your hotel.
 

Morning proceed to Mandawa enroute visiting countryside and transfer to hotel.

The city of Mandawa, founded in the mid 18th century, was once a town inhabited by the rich merchant families. The wealthy and dominant merchants constructed massive havelis, adorned with beautiful wall paintings, for the purpose of their residence. However, with time, the merchants moved on and migrated to other areas, leaving the beautiful havelis in the shadows of anonymity. Still, the magnificence of these havelis did not diminish and now they have become a major tourist attraction of the city.

Afternoon half day city sightseeing tour.

Overnight at your hotel.

Morning proceed to Khimsar enroute visiting countryside and transfer to hotel.

The fort architecture of Khimsar offers great heterogeneity. Originally, the fort walls, turrets, and stables were built solely for war, and were constructed around the beginning of the 16th century. Subsequently, by mid 18th century, the royal family moved in when a new zenana or ladies' residence was constructed. Finely carved windows in stone were constructed in this section for providing purdah or veil for the ladies in waiting. Thakur Onkar Singh, the present chief and the 17th direct descendant of Rao Karamsi (the original builder of the fort) built himself a regal additional wing in the 1940's. Today it is one of the finest heritage hotel with 25 rooms, all air-conditioned with attached bath.

Afternoon jeep safari to Panchla Dunes.
Overnight at your hotel.

Morning  proceed to Rohet Garh enroute visiting Mehrangarh fort in Jodhpur.

JODHPUR - 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 metre, 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.

On arrival in Rohetgarh transfer to your hotel.

The "Jagir" or the Fiefdom of Rohetgarh was given to Thakur Dalpat Singh in 1622 AD by the Maharaja Of Jodhpur, as a mark of appreciation for his bravery in battle. Rohetgarh was the fortified mansion of the Champawat clan of the Rathores of Jodhpur. Generations of valiant noble-men have built this heritage home where, notwithstanding the inroads of modernity, aristocratic values are respected. Today, the fort is converted into a heritage hotel and the visitors today experience the famed warmth of courteous Rajput hospitality here.

Overnight at your hotel.

Morning jeep safari to visit Bishnoi tribal village.

Rohetgarh offers a variety of Safaris - jeep safaris, horse safaris and bird watching tours at the nearby lake. The safaris provide both splendid riding exercise, and the means to witness authentic places of scenic and touristic interest. One can also enjoy the wildlife, surprisingly abundant in this area. Well-bred horses that are a pleasure to ride, carry you across this magical desert land. You can also observe the Bishnoi tribal villages, which will throw an insight into the rural life of Rajasthan.

Evening free for independent activities.

Overnight at your hotel.

Morning proceed to Jaipur enroute visiting Ajmer and Pushkar.

Ajmer is venerated as a holy place for both Hindus and Muslims. It has the mausoleum of the Sufi saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, whose blessings are eagerly sought by pilgrims to his dargah. Known as the ‘Dargah Sharif’, the last resting place of the saint who died in 1235 lies at the foot of a barren hill. The saint’s marble domed mausoleum is India’s most important shrine for Muslims and receives an endless flow of visitors of all religions as the sick, the troubled and the childless come here seeking a boon, a blessing or just peace of mind. Legend has it that the Mughal emperor, Akbar came here to the saint in the 16th century in quest of a boon for an heir and the saint obliged.

Pushkar is a town in the state of Rajasthan in India. Pushkar means born due to a flower. In Hindu mythology it is said that the gods released a swan with a lotus in its beak and let it fall on earth where Brahma would perform a grand yagna. The place where the lotus fell was called Pushkar. It is situated at 14 Km North West from Ajmer and is one of the five sacred dhams (pilgrimage sites for devout Hindus.) It is often called "Tirth Raj" - the king of pilgrimage sites - and has in recent years become a popular destination for foreign tourists.

On arrival at Jaipur transfer to your hotel.

JAIPUR: despite the romantic nickname the "Pink City," Jaipur is not one of Rajasthan's most attractive cities, which is why, after taking in the centrally located City Palace it’s probably wise to concentrate on sites farther a field: Amber Fort, first royal residence of the maharajas of Kachchwaha. A central repository for the region's wonderful crafts, Jaipur is famous for its gems and jewelry, enamel- and brassware, blue pottery, embroidered leather footwear, rugs, tie-and-dye cotton fabrics, fine Kota doria saris, and ready-made linen and homewear.

Overnight at your hotel.

Morning guided excursion to the fabled Amber Palace situated atop a hill overlooking the  city. Amber (pronounced Amber) is situated about 11 kilometres from Jaipur and was the ancient citadel of the ruling Kachhawa clan of Amber, before the capital was shifted in the plains to present day Jaipur.

The Amber Fort set in picturesque and rugged hills is a fascinating blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. Constructed by Raja Man Singh I in 1592 and completed by Sawai Jai Singh I the fort is made in red sand stone and white marble. The rugged forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise with a beautiful fusion of art and architecture. Amber is the classic and romantic fort- palace with a magnificent aura. The interior wall of the palace depicts expressive painting scenes with carvings, precious stones and mirror settings. In the foreground is the Maota Lake providing a breathtaking look. Built mainly for the warring enemies as a safe place, the heavily structured walls could defend the residents within the ramparts of the fort.
Afternoon guided city sightseeing tour of Jaipur visiting the Maharaja’s City Palace, the Observatory, the Museum,   and the impressive Palace of Winds with the intricate facade carved out of pink sandstone.
Overnight at your hotel.

Morning proceed to Agra enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri.
Fatehpur Sikri- Twenty-seven miles from Agra, is Akbar’s Capital where Phantoms of ancient pomp and splendor fill a deserted city, silent witnesses to a vanished dream.  The capital had to be abandoned by the Emperor for lack of adequate water supply.  The marble tomb of the Saint “Salim Chisti” and the Bulland Durwaza, the highest gateway in the world, are some of the highlights of the place.
On arrival transfer to your hotel.
Agra is globally renowned as the city of the Taj Mahal. But this royal Mughal city has, in addition to the legendary Taj, many monuments that epitomize the high point of Mughal architecture. In the Mughal period, in the 16th and 17th centuries, Agra was the capital of India.
Overnight at your hotel.

Morning guided city sightseeing tour of Agra visiting Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.
The crowning glory of the city is obviously the Taj, a monument of love and imagination that represents India to the world.
The Taj Mahal (Close on Friday) stands serene and awesome, on a raised marble platform, by the banks of the Yamuna, testifying to the timelessness of art and love. Its pure white marble shimmers silver in the soft moonlight, exudes a shell - pink glow at dawn, and at the close of the day, takes on the tawny, fiery hue of the majestic sun.
Shahjahan built the monument in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the 'lady of the Taj'. It has been called the most extravagant monument ever built for the sake of love. The construction of the Taj commenced in 1631, and was completed in 1653. Workers were gathered from all over the country and from Central Asia, and about 20,000 people were recruited to translate this wild dream into a reality.
Among the other monuments that Agra takes pride in is the Agra Fort, built by three of the greatest Mughal emperors. The construction of this massive structure began in 1565, under Akbar, and continued till the time of his grandson, Shahjahan. Armed with massive double walls, punctuated by four gateways, the fort houses palaces, courts, mosques, baths, gardens and gracious pavilions within its premises. Among the fascinating structures that are to be found within the fort is the red sandstone Jehangiri Mahal built by Akbar for his Hindu queen, Jodhabai, was one of the earliest constructions illustrating the fort's change from a military structure to a palace.
Later proceed to Delhi and transfer to airport in time to board flight for onward destination.

Red Fort                    = INR 250.00
Humayun’s Tomb    = INR 250.00
Qutub Minar             = INR 250.00
Taj Mahal                  = INR 750.00
Agra Fort                   = INR 250.00
Fatehpur Sikri          = INR 260.00
Amber Fort               = INR 200.00
City Palace                 = INR 350.00
Observatory              = INR 110.00
Hawa Mahal              = INR 110.00

Bon Voyage

Note: all the above arrangements are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.