Tour Packages of Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal with Rajasthan
Duration -16 / Nights / 17 Days
Places to See - Delhi - Mandawa - Gajner
- Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Luni - Udaipur - Deogarh - Khajrela - Pushkar - Jaipur
- Agra - Delhi
Day
01: Abroad / Delhi
Arrive late night at New Delhi International airport. On arrival the guest will
be met by our representative and transferred to hotel. Upon arrival at hotel
the guests will be provided with the traditional Indian welcome. Consisting
of aarti-tikka and garlands.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Delhi
Morning sightseeing tour of Old Delhi. This morning you will be taken to visit
Old Delhi - Former centre of Moghul Power, Old Delhi offers ancient monuments,
narrow streets and bustling bazaars. Visit the vast
Red Fort,
built in 1648, the
Jama Masjid, the greatest mosque in India
and completed in 1658 by Shah Jahan who also built the Taj Mahal.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of New Delhi.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 03: Delhi - Mandawa
After breakfast drive to Mandawa ( 280 kms).
Upon arrival check in at Hotel Castle Mandawa. Late afternoon visit the Shekhawati
region. Walk through the Shekhawati region, which was the stronghold of Kayamkhani
Nawabs till 1730. Besides the cenotaphs, wells, forts and temples the majority
of frescoes are painted on the walls and gateways of Havelis. The havelis are
mansion of a unique residential architectural style that evolved around courtyards
to serve the purpose of family security, privacy for the women as also protecting
the inhabitants from the long, harsh summers. The enormous Havelis with fascinating
murals built by the wealthy Rajasthani merchants ("Marwaris") in the
19th century.
Overnight at Castle.
Day
04: Mandawa - Bikaner - Gajner
After breakfast drive to Bikaner (240 kms).
Upon arrival in Bikaner lunch at one of the hotels followed by city tour.
City sightseeing tour of Bikaner, this desert town in the north of the state
was founded in 1488 by Roa Bikaji, a descendant of the founder of Jodhpur, Jodhaji.
Visit the
Junagarh Fort constructed between 1588 and 1593 by
Raja Jai Singh, a general in the Moghul Emperor Akbar's army.
After sightseeing drive to Gajner Palace (28 kms / 40 minutes).
Upon arrival check in at Gajner Palace.
Overnight at Gajner Palace.
Day 05: Gajner - Jaisalmer
In the morning enjoy the surrounding of Ganjer Palace.
After breakfast, drive to Jaisalmer (260 km).
Upon arrival check-in at hotel.
Jaisalmer - is India's most exotic and unusual town - a medieval
looking place, straight out of the 'Tales of the Arabian Nights'. This beautiful
city is situated inside a huge mud fort and grew as a result of its strategic
position on the trading route between India and Central Asia bringing great
wealth to the city. Jaisalmer is a tiny jewel in the heart of the Thar Desert
- once the capital of the Bhatti Rajputs. Jaisalmer started as an important
caravan center and remnants of caravan sarais still exist.
Late in the evening visit the Sam dunes where you will witness sunset while
enjoying the camel ride. Overnight at hotel.
Day
06: Jaisalmer
After breakfast, visit this perfect Rajput walled desert city which is like
a golden jewel shimmering above the hard sand. Visit the palaces, the Jain temples
and magnificent Havelis or merchant's houses, each richly decorated and carved
from golden yellow sandstone -
Patwon-ki-haveli (House of the
Brocade Merchants) is the largest and most elaborate of the famous havelis of
Jaisalmer. The
Nathmalji-ki-haveli (The Mansion of Nathmalji),
the last of the great havelis was built in the late 19th century. End the morning
with a visit to
Gadisar Lake - the large natural oasis that
attracted Rawal Jaisal to this site.
sAfternoon, visit the
Royal Cenotaphs of the Rawals in Barra
bagh where the rural were cremated. This is also the best place from which to
watch the spectacular desert sunset, and photograph the fort. Overnight at hotel.
Day 07: Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Luni
After early breakfast, drive to Luni (310 km) enroute visiting Jodhpur city.
City tour of Jodhpur - the largest city in Rajasthan after Jaipur, Jodhpur stands
at the edge of the Thar Desert. It was founded by Rao Jodha. Chief of the Rajput
clan known as Rathores and the Rathore kingdom was once known as Marwar - the
Land of Death. The tour includes Meherangarh Fort - one of the most impressive
& formidable in the whole of fort-studded Rajasthan is situated on a high
natural rock bluff and from which you can look down on the wonderful panorama
of the bustling city below, Jaswant Thada - the Royal Cenotaphs. Continue drive
to Luni.
Day 08: Luni - Udaipur
Early morning visit the surrounding villages and witness their daily lifestyle
of living and enjoy cup of tea / coffee with them.
Breakfast at hotel.
Later drive to Udaipur (240 kms).
Upon arrival in Udaipur, check-in at hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 09: Udaipur
Morning, city tour of Udaipur - the romantic Lake City in Southern Rajasthan,
famous for the stunning white marble Palace built on an island in the Lake Pichola.
It was
the
former Palace of the Maharana and now converted to one of the most glamorous
hotels in India. The tour will cover the magnificent
City Palace,
the
Jagdish temple, the pleasure gardens and a drive around
the other nearby lakes.
The magnificent
City Palace, which is simply enormous - an
assemblance of not one but four separate palaces covering some four acres of
area and exceeding all other palaces for colossal grandeur. Here you will marvel
at rooms with mirrored walls and ivory doors, colored glass windows and inlaid
marble balconies; and the Peacock Courtyard.
Late afternoon,
enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Pichola at sunset visiting
the Jagmandir Island - in the middle of the Romantic Lake Pichola. It commands
a magnificent view of the City Palace, Lake Palace and Sajjangarh Fort, on its
own island, and it is where Prince Khurram was given refuge in the 17th century.
Overnight at hotel
Day 10: Udaipur - Deogarh
After breakfast drive to Deoagrh enroute visiting Ranakpur Temples.
Ranakpur temples: A visit to the famous Jain Temple, dating
back to the 15th century. 200 pillars, none of which are alike, support its
29 halls. The Temple abounds with intricate friezes and sculptures. The tour
also includes visits to two more Jain temples and the Temple of the Sun God
with its erotic sculptures.
Lunch at Maharani Bagh.
Upon arrival in Deogarh, check-in at hotel.
Deogarh Mahal - built in 1670 A.D., the Mahal stands at a height
of 2100 ft. above sea level with its bold battlements, domed turrets and balconies
offering a commanding view of the surrounding Aravalli mountains and its rugged
rock-strewn countryside dotted by a number of lakes. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11: Deogarh - Khajrela
After breakfast drive to Khajrela (184 kms).
Upon arrival check in at hotel.
Khajrela seems to rise out of the Narwar plains like a sentinel.
A sturdy fort, it is quite simple and uses very little ornamentation to break
the almost forbidding exterior. The interiors too are simple and neat where
the guests can look forward to genuine Rajput hospitality. In the surrounding
area has several interesting temples, cenotaphs and stepwells and for the more
adventurous - camels are available to explore the countryside and visit Raika
and Bisnoi villages.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 12: Khajrela - Pushkar
After breakfast drive to Pushkar (180 kms) enroute visiting the Dargah at Ajmer
Ajmer,
is the most sacred of all Muslim places of pilgrimage in India. Ajmer is a green
oasis on the shore of Ana Sagar Lake, hemmed in by barren hills. Historically,
Ajmer has always had great strategic importance. It was founded in 7th century
by Ajaipal Chauhan. He named it Ajaimeru the 'invincible hill'. The city's Muslim
history began when Prithviraj Chau-han lost Ajmer to Sultan Muhammad Ghori in
1193 A.D. The Persian saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti who came with Muhammad
Ghori from Persia in 1192 settled here. Thus the place where he was buried is
today known as the Dargah Sharif. Construction of the shrine was completed by
Humayun and the gates were added by the Nizam of Hyderabad. Later Shah Jahan
constructed a mosque of white marble, it has 11 arches and a Persian inscription
running the full length of the building.
Later check in at hotel in Pushkar.
Pushkar is a mellow, serene and bewitching little town which attracts those
in search of some respite from the tumult of India. Pushkar is right on the
edge of the desert and is only 11 kms from Ajmer but separated from it by Nag
Pahar, the snake mountain
This traveler-friendly town clings to the side of the small Pushkar Lake with
its many bathing ghats and temples. For Hindus, Puhskar is a very important
pilgrimage centre and you'll see plenty of Sadhus (individuals on a spiritual
search).
Pushkar boasts temples, though few are as ancient as you might expect at such
an important pilgrimage site, since many were deserted by Aurangzeb and subsequently
rebuilt. The most famous is the
Brahma Temple, said to be one
of the few temples in the world dedicated to this deity. It's marked by red
spire, and over the entrance gateway is the hans, or goose symbol, of Brahma,
who is said to have personally chosen Pushkar as its site.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 13: Pushkar - Jaipur
After breakfast drive to Jaipur (120 kms / 3 hours).
Afternoon tour of "Pink City" - Surrounded on three sides by the rugged
Aravali hills, Jaipur is the picturesque capital of Rajasthan. It takes its
name from the prince, soldier and astronomer Jai Singh II who moved his capital
here in 1727. Jaipur is notable for its distinctive pink-orange coloring. The
whole of the old city, including many fine palaces and buildings, was constructed
from solid blocks of Sandstone or faced with the same stone. But it was only
in 1853 that it gained its famous title, the "Pink City"- it was painted
pink for the first time in honour of a visit from Prince Albert. You will visit
the Hawa Mahal and the open air Jantar Mantar Observatory enjoy a through the
colorful bazaar before returning to your hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 14: Jaipur
After breakfast tour of Amber Fort.
Tour
of the impressive
Amber Fort, situated on a ridge just outside
Jaipur City. At the foot of the hill you will mount your caparisoned elephant
for the slow but steady climb up to the main gate, making your entrance in the
time honoured fashion. The Fort, completed in the early 18th century, took over
100 years to build and now, although deserted, offers a fascinating insight
into the lifestyle of the Moghul ruling families.
Afternoon, enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride through the bustling bazaars. Jaipur
is renowned for textile block printing, blue pottery, carpet weaving, semi-precious
stones and local crafts which still thrive from the day of Maharaja Jai Singh's
patronage when he designed special areas in the city for the 'bandhanas', the
'cheepas' and the 'meenakari' workers.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 15: Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra
After breakfast drive to Agra (221 kms) enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri
Fatehpur Sikri - the impressive sandstone fortress was built
in the 16th century and only occupied for a few years before being abandoned,
leaving the buildings in virtually perfect conditions.
Continue drive to Agra
Upon arrival in Agra - check-in at the hotel.
Thereafter,
visit the
Taj Mahal, the guests will board the 'decorated tongas'
(horse carriage) which will take them to Taj Mahal…… Little needs
to be said about this architectural wonder which is always the soul raison-de-etre
for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble
memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal.
This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed and planned by
Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from it's stunning design balance and perfect
symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately
carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen.
The guests will remain till late afternoon to witness the pristine Taj Mahal
at sunset, to see this true Wonder of the world in gentle late afternoon light.
Overnight at hotel
Day 16: Agra - Delhi
Breakfast at hotel. Thereafter, visit the Red Fort.
Red Fort- lies on the bend of the river Yamuna, almost in the
heart of the town. Akbar built it as his citadel over the years 1563-73 in the
finest architectural style. It has imposing gates and walls of red sandstone
and a moat.
Afternoon, drive to Delhi (203 kms/5 hrs).
Upon arrival the guests will be assisted and transferred to airport for flight
back home
Day 17: Delhi - Abroad
Depart Delhi.
Station
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