Royal Rustic Rajasthan with Wildlife
Duration: 21 Nights / 22 Days
Places Covered: Delhi : Mandawa : Bikaner : Jaisalmer : Jodhpur : Udaipur : Jaipur : Ranthambhore : Agra : Umaria : Bandhavgarh : Kanha : Jabalpur : Delhi
For More India Travel Packages : Taj Mahal & India Vacations
Day 1 : Delhi: Arrival at Delhi
You will be met on arrival at the International 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 2 : Delhi
Proceed for a full day tour of Old & New Delhi after breakfast.
OLD DELHI : A sightseeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting the Raj Ghat : the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid : the largest mosque in India and the Red Fort : once the most opulent fort and palace of the Moghul Empire.
Enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to Chandni Chowk. (OPTIONAL)
NEW DELHI : An extensive sightseeing tour of New Delhi would include a visit to the Humayun’s Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue : Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House, the President’s Residence and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.
In the evening relax at the hotel. Overnight will be at Delhi.
Day 3 : Delhi : Mandawa
By Road : 260 km/6 hr
Proceed for Mandawa after breakfast.
MANDAWA is part of the SHEKAWATI AREA in Rajasthan and is also known as the OPEN AIR ART GALLERY. There are beautiful and rustic villages with painted frescoes all around. There are royal districts in this area with castles and forts and they include NAWALGARH, DUNDLOD, MUKUNDGARH, MANDAWA, MAHENSAR, etc to name a few.
The best known is the MANDAWA CASTLE.
Reach and check in at hotel.
Overnight will be at Mandawa.
Day 4 : Mandawa : Bikaner
By Road :180 km/4 hr
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Take a walking tour of the painted
‘havelis’ of some of the leading business families of the country. Though they no longer live here, the local caretakers are happy to show the visitors around. Chowkhani Haveli, Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli, Lakshminarayan Ladia Haveli, Mohahanlal Saraf Haveli and Bhagchandika Haveli are of special interest. Spend the major part of the day looking into frescoes.
Proceed to Bikaner. Reach and check in at hotel.
BIKANER : The royal fortified city with a timeless appeal. Lying in the north of the Desert State, the city is dotted with many sand dunes. Bikaner retains the medieval splendor that pervades the city’s lifestyle.
Relax in the evening or visit city.
Overnight will be at Bikaner.
Day 5 : Bikaner : Jaisalmer
By Road : 330 km/5 hr
Proceed for sightseeing tour of Bikaner after breakfast.
Rao Bikaji, a descendant of Jodhaji : the founder of Jodhpur, founded this desert town in the North of the state in 1488. Visit the Junagarh Fort, constructed between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Jai Singh, a general in the Moghul Emperor Akbar’s army. The city is also called the “Camel Country”. Visit the camel:breeding farm : the only one in Asia. Visit the KARNI MATA TEMPLE.
Proceed for Jaisalmer.
Reach and check in at hotel. Overnight will be at Jaisalmer.
Day 6 : 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.
In the afternoon, proceed to the SAM SAND DUNES for visiting the typical Rajasthani Desert Village. View the sunset from the dunes, as the sky is set on fire. Return to the village for dinner amidst Rajasthani musicians playing haunting tunes.
Stay overnight at Jaisalmer.
Day 7 : Jaisalmer to Jodhpur
By Road : 300 km/6 hr
Proceed for Jodhpur after breakfast.
Reach Jodhpur by late afternoon as you will take a short excursion to visit the OSIYAN TEMPLES.
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 theRamayana. 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.
Overnight will be at Jodhpur.
Day 8 : Jodhpur
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed for morning 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.
Relax in the evening or proceed for shopping.
Overnight will be in Jodhpur.
Day 9 : Jodhpur : Udaipur
By Road : 260 km/6 hr
Proceed to Udaipur after breakfast.
Stop at the beautiful Jain temples of Ranakpur.
RANAKPUR TEMPLES, 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. Includes visits to two more Jain temples and the Temple of the Sun God with its erotic sculptures.
Reach Udaipur and check into hotel.
Udaipur is the jewel of MEWAR :a kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1200 Years. Relax in the afternoon.
Overnight will be at Udaipur.
Day 10 : 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.
Proceed for Evening Motor launch cruise on the placid waters of Lake Pichola. 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.
Overnight will be at Udaipur.
Day 11 : Udaipur : Jaipur
By Road :300 km/6 hr
After breakfast drive to Jaipur.
Stop at the KISHANGARH PHOOL MAHAL PALACE for lunch. Continue drive to Jaipur. Reach and check in at hotel.
JAIPUR : The origins of the beautiful city of Jaipur can be traced back to the eighteenth century, during the reign of Jai Singh II who ascended the Amber throne in 1699. Jaipur today, epitomizes the spirit of Rajputana. In:spite of growing into a bustling metropolis, it still retains its character and history : A beautiful fusion of the yesteryears and modernity. It is popularly known as the Pink City because of the extensive use of the locally abundant pink plastered stone, painted so in honor of the visit of the royal consort of Queen Victoria. Jaipur thrills the soul with its massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and lush gardens.
Reach Jaipur and check in at hotel. Shopping and relax in the evening.
Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day 12 : Jaipur
Breakfast will be at hotel. Morning excursion will be taken to the Amber Fort. Enjoy the fort ascent on elephant back in a royal manner.
AMBER FORT PALACE : Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh I. Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate expression.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of Jaipur visiting…
CITY PALACE : A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one:seventh of the area in the walled city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum.
JANTAR MANTAR : This is the largest and the best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country. This observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still in use.
HAWA MAHAL : The ornamental facade of this “Palace of Winds” is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. It is a five:storey structure of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the palace women.
Free in the evening or you can visit the CHOKI DANI VILLAGE for a SIT DOWN dinner of authentic Rajasthani Cuisine. This will be a totally vegetarian meal though if you plan to go there.
Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day 13 : Jaipur : Ranthambhore
By Road : 180 km/3 hr
Drive to Ranthambhore after breakfast.
Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, at the junction of the Aravalis and the Vindhyas, is a unique example of natural and historical richness, standing out conspicuously in the vast, arid and denuded tract of eastern Rajasthan, barely 14 kilometers from Sawai Madhopur.
Proceed for the afternoon game drive into the forest.
Overnight will be at Ranthambhore.
Day 14 : Ranthambhore
Breakfast will be at hotel. Enjoy two private jungle safaris at Ranthambhore.
Overnight will be at Ranthambhore.
Day 15 : Ranthambhore : Agra
By Road : 221 km/5 hr
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Drive to Agra visiting Fatehpur Sikri en:route.
The deserted, red Sandstone City, Emperor Akbar built that as his capital and palace in the late 16th century is an exhilarating experience. It a veritable fairytale city and its “ruins” are in pristine condition … it’s not hard to imagine what the court life must have been like in the days of its grandeur. Also visit the Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world.
Continue your drive to Agra and on arrival check:in at Hotel.
AGRA: Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire : giving it the name Dar:ul:Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}. Today a visitor to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices, of red sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains. It is not surprising, that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously.
Overnight will be in Agra.
Day 16 : Agra : Umaria (Bandavgarh)
By Train at 2100 hr
Visit TAJ MAHAL at sunrise.
TAJ MAHAL: The fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, built it in 1631 in the memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, a Muslim Persian princess. She died while accompanying her husband in Behrampur in a campaign to crush a rebellion, after giving birth to their 14th child. Her death so crushed the emperor that all his hair and beard were said to have grown snow white in a few months.
Proceed to Agra and visit Agra Fort: which was built by Akbar In 1525 AD.
Proceed to station for train (overnight) to UMARIA. Overnight will be on the train.
Day 17 : Arrive at Bandavgarh
Reach UMARIA and transfer to Bandavgarh.
Reach and check in at the resort.
Bandavgarh is a new National Park with a very long history. Set among the Vindhya hills of Madhya Pradesh with an area of 168sq miles (437sq km) it contains a wide variety of habitats and a high density of game, including a large number of Tigers. This is also the White tiger country. These have been found in the old state of Rewa for Many years.
Day 18 : Bandavgarh
Enjoy birding inside the jungle and on the periphery. (Two safaris)
Trip to the Bandavgarh Fort: The oldest fort in India : considered to be more than 2500 years. One:hour trek up the fort is worth the effort. The charm of this trek lies in discovering these monuments in the jungle, unspoiled and unexplored. Some of the statues lie off the main path and so it is best to take a guide.
Overnight will be at the resort.
Day 19 : Bandavgarh : Kanha
By Road : 255 km in 6 hr
After breakfast drive to Kanha.
This is the place that has been described by RUDYARD KIPLING in his great book “The Jungle Book”. Located in the Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh, Kanha National Park is a tiger reserve that extends over an area of over 940 square km. A horseshoe shaped valley bounded by the spurs of the Mekal presents an interesting topography. Steep rocky escarpments along the edges offer breathtaking views of the valley. Realizing the danger on the Tiger population in the country, the Government started the “Project Tiger” at Kanha and in 1974 the area was declared a Tiger reserve. The park is also the habitat of the high ground Barasingha.
Reach in the afternoon and relax at the resort.
Overnight will be at the resort.
Day 20 : Kanha
Enjoy a full day game viewing inside the jungle. (Two safaris) There would be a lot of birding today as we would take roads around the forest to places not frequented by people and in the bushes.
Overnight will be at the resort.
Day 21 : Kanha : Jabalpur : Delhi
By Road : 180 km in 4 hr
By Overnight Train
Proceed for the morning safari and birding into forest.
Proceed to JABALPUR after lunch. Reach and board overnight train to Delhi.
Day 22 : Delhi
Reach and check into hotel for the day. The day will be spent at leisure or for last minute shopping.
Compass will host the FAREWELL DINNER in the evening and then transfer in time to the airport for flight home with sweet memories of India.