Day 01 Delhi: Arrival at Delhi You will be met on arrival at the read more airport. Transfer to your hotel. Relax. DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and the present. Delhi is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land and a window to the kaleidoscope – that is India. Overnight will be at Delhi. Day 02 Delhi: After breakfast proceed for a day sightseeing tour of the city. Start with the sightseeing of Old Delhi. The tour will begin with a visit to Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi; drive past the Red Fort continuing to the Jama Masjid by bicycle rickshaws, one of Asia’s largest mosques. The magnificent Red Fort, overlooking the river Jamuna was built during the years 1638 – 48 when the Moghul Empire was at its peak. The tour continues to Jama Masjid, one of Asia’s largest mosques and which is viewed from the outside. People stream in and out of the mosque continuously and the presence of a nearby bazaar means that the area is rarely quiet. Enjoy the rickshaw ride at Old Delhi. After visiting Old Delhi, you will be driven to New Delhi, which reflects the legacy the British left behind. The division between New and Old Delhi is the division between the capitals of the British and the Mughals respectively. The division in the walled city and New Delhi also marks the division in the life-styles. The walled city is all tradition where one will be able to glean a past life-style in all its facets, colours and spells. New Delhi in contrast, is a city trying to live up to the best of 21st century standards. Imperial Delhi will include the Qutub Minar, the tallest stone tower in India. The tour also includes a drive past the imposing India Gate, the Parliament building and the Rastrapathi Bhawan, the President’s residence. If time permits then visit the Lotus temple located in south of Delhi. It is lotus shaped and has rightly been given the name. It is made of marble, cement, dolomite and sand. It is open to all faiths and is an ideal place for meditation and obtaining peace and tranquility. Its founder, Bahaullah (1817-1892), is regarded by Bahai as the most recent in the line of Messengers of God that stretches back beyond recorded time and that includes Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Zoroaster, Christ and Muhammad. Enjoy the DANCES OF INDIA SHOW in the evening. Overnight will be in Delhi. Day 03 Delhi – Jodhpur: By AirFlight : 9W 3311 Airline : Jet AirwaysDeparture : 1205 hrArrival : 1325 hrBreakfast will be at Hotel. Relax for the first half of the day. Proceed to the airport for the flight to Jodhpur. Arrive at Jodhpur and check in at the hotel. Set at the edge of the Thar Desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes with tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. Once the capital of the Marwar state, it was founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha-chief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs who claimed to be descendants of Rama – the epic hero of the Ramayana. The massive 15th century AD Mehrangarh Fort looms on the top of a rocky hill, soaring 125 Mts. Above the plains. The city is encompassed by a high wall -10 km long with 8 gates and innumerable bastions. Proceed to visit the museum at UMAID BHAWAN PALACE. In the evening enjoy the THALI DINNER – this is where in one flat round shaped utensil you will be served the full course. It is visually appealing and very wholesome. If you like any particular dish, the cook (note that he is not a chef but an expert from a family of cooks so his recipes will be old and authentic). Overnight will be at Jodhpur. Day 04 Jodhpur – Jaisalmer: By Road 330 km/6 hr Breakfast will be at the hotel. Proceed for a sightseeing tour of Jodhpur – gateway to the desert beyond, home of the Rathors of Marwar, visit the Mehrangarh Fort, rising up a hilly scarp, built on the advice of a hermit, overlooking the city in the image of a long sentinel. Inside the Fort are a number of palaces added by successive rulers. In this palace you would see different miniature paintings & cradle room. After this you would visit Jaswant Thada Memorial. Drive to Jaisalmer and reach by evening. Proceed to the hotel. Rising from the heart of the Thar Desert like a golden mirage is the city of Jaisalmer. A commanding fort etched in yellow sandstone stands, with its awesome splendor, dominating the amber-hued city. The city has an interesting legend associated with it, according to which, Lord Krishna-the head of the Yadav Clan, foretold Arjuna that a remote descendent of the Yadav Clan would build his kingdom atop the Trikuta Hill. His prophecy was fulfilled in 1156 AD when Rawal Jaisal, a descendent of the Yadav Clan and a Bhatti Rajput, abandoned his fort at Lodurva and founded a new capital – Jaisalmer, perched on the Trikuta Hill. Enjoy the dinner at the NARAIN NIWAS PALACE ROOF TOP RESTAURANT with the living fort as the backdrop. Overnight will be at Jaisalmer. Day 05 Jaisalmer: After a relaxed breakfast proceed for full day sightseeing tour of The Golden City – Jaisalmer. It is in the heart of the Great Indian Desert. Its temple, fort and palaces are all built of yellow stone. The city is a mass of intricately carved buildings, facades and elaborate balconies. Visit the JAISALMER FORT – The oldest living Fort in the world. (This is the highlight of the tour) See the Patwon-Ki-Havelies, Salim-Singh-Ki-Haveli and Gandhi Sagar Tank. Also visit Barabagh Hill. Proceed to the dunes in the late afternoon and ride your camels to the desert at sunset. This is a totally new experience and you would be only among your fellow group members and the desert. Return for a bonfire and dinner at the dunes. Stay the night in the Swiss Tents. Overnight will be at Jaisalmer. Day 06 Jaisalmer – Udaipur: By AirFlight : IT 2332 Airline : Kingfisher AirlinesDeparture : 1200 hrArrival : 1400 hr Breakfast will be at the camp. Reach Udaipur and check in at hotel. The city of Dawn, Udaipur is a lovely land around the azure lake, hemmed in by the lush hills of the ARAVALLIS. A vision in white drenched in romance and beauty, Udaipur is a fascinating blend of sights, sound and experiences and inspiration for the imagination of poets, painters and writers. Its kaleidoscope of fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples, gardens and narrow lanes strewn with stalls, carry the flavor of a heroic past, epitomizing valor and chivalry. Their reflection in the placid waters of the LAKE PICHOLA is an enticing sight. Udaipur is the jewel of MEWAR -a kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1200 Years. Proceed for Evening Motor launch cruise on the placid waters of Lake Pichola. (Hopefully we will have a good monsoon this year and there will be water in the lake) From the boat you will be able to view the city of Udaipur as it rises majestically above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan desert. Also visit the Jag Mandir Palace – the other island palace in the middle of the lake. Spend some time at the Jag Mandir Palace. Relax in the evening. Overnight will be at Udaipur. Day 07 Udaipur: Breakfast will be at hotel. Proceed for sightseeing tour of Udaipur, stopping first at City Palace. Here you will marvel at rooms with mirrored walls and ivory doors, colored glass windows and inlaid marble balconies and the Peacock Courtyard. Also visit the lovely Sahelion-ki-Bari Gardens, the Jagdish Temple and the local folk Museum or the VINTAGE CAR COLLECTION. Have a lavish dinner at LAKE PALACE UDAIPUR. Overnight will be at Udaipur. Day 08 Udaipur – Chattrasagar: By Road 200 km/5 hr Enjoy breakfast at the palace. Proceed to NIMAJ. (Chattrasagar) The fort of Nimaj was built in 1733 by the valiant ruler- Thakur Jagram Singh. Situated in the heart of the town, it is a massive structure built in traditional Rajput style with courtyards and separate wings for men & women. The little township is surrounded by places of historical interest, like the 9th century temple Magar Mandi, 3 kms away. Visit nearby villages to see local craftsmen at work & a little further see blackbucks, blue bulls etc. Lakes in the desert region are a rarity having their own charm. Chhatra Sagar, 4 kms from the fort is a beautiful water body nestled between two hillocks. Built as a summer retreat, the lush green lawn, flowering trees and clear waters are like an oasis in the otherwise dry region. Boating and angling is possible. It is surrounded by lush green fields and vast grazing pastures. Chhatra Sagar, a hundred-year old reservoir with a periphery of about 10 kilometers, is an ideal destination for nature lovers and a perfect getaway from the chaotic city life.
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