Duration : 15 Days
Places Covered : Delhi - Mandawa - Bikaner -
Jaisalmer - Thar Desert - Mehrangarh - Osian -
Jaipur - Amber – Agra.
Day 01 : Delhi
Arrival Delhi in the morning. "Namaste" a
warm welcome to India,
a sincere greeting with a bow and folded hands.
Transfer to a 5-star hotel in New Delhi. After a
short break we embark on our first journey to
discover India. Our introduction to India will
be by a " Rickshaw" ride a mode of transport
used in small towns and in Old Delhi.
We
head for a guided city tour to the most
interesting sights of the city that is the Red
Fort a fort made of red sand stone which once
housed the world famous PEACOCK throne and the
Jama Masjid mosque. Welcome Dinner at the old
Hauz Khas village complex overnight stay at the
hotel.
Day 02 : Mandawa
Today we leave for our camp in the desert at
Mandawa the centre of Shekhawati culture. The
Shekhawati region's famous for its wall frescos
the world over. Afternoon at Leisure to explore
Mandawa and its Havelies ( Mansions of
mercchants ). In the evening we leave for the
castle for a traditional Dinner served in the
manner which was done for the visiting Maharajas
of past. Overnight at the camp.
Day 03 : Mandawa
After breakfast we take a camel safari into
the desert. Lunch on the sand dunes in the
evening return to the camp. Dinner at the camp.
Overnight at the camp.
Day 04 : Bikaner
Early morning drive to Bikaner the founding
city of the famous Camel Corps. Evening we take
a tour of the city.
Day 05 : Jaisalmer
We follow the sun into the Thar desert to
arrive at Jaisalmer this most perfect of desert
walled cities. Here is a fort that seems to rise
out of desert haze.
Day 06 : Jaisalmer
In the morning you walk to the hilltop fort
like so many Rajput warriors of old, on to the
12th century Jain temples. In the afternoon a
camel safari into the desert and surrounding
villages. Evening we have a nomad dance troupe
perform for you on the sand dunes a most
exhilirating experience.
Day
07 : Jaisalmer
A jeep safari to the villages around Jaisalmer
and a visit to the fossil park at Akal where 180
million years ago stood a forest. Evening
explore the bazar of Jaisalmer which looks like
something out of the Arabian nights.
Day 8 : Thar Desert
We drive south of the Thar desert to arrive at
Jodhpur in the evening check in to the hotel.
Day 9 : Mehrangarh
We visit the ancient fort of Mehrangarh spread
over 5km on a hill. Explore the blue city,
Jaswant thada, the Sardar market and Mandore the
ancient capital.
Day 10 : Osian
We take a trip to Osian an oasis in the desert
and the carpet village of Salawas.
Day 11 : Jaipur
Drive to Jaipur the pink city late evening check
in to the hotel.
Day 12 : Amber
A tour of the city palace, the palace of winds
and then proceed to Amber fort the ancient
capital of Jaipur built in the 16th century by
Raja Man Singh in red sandstone and marble. It
has some very intersting apartments like the
Sheesh Mahal the glass canopy apartments and Jai
Mandir, Sukh Niwas Baodi etc. The highlight of
this trip is the elephant ride up the ramparts
of the fort just like the maharajas did. After
this we visit the Jaigarh fort the armoury of
the erstwhile state which houses the biggest
cannon on wheels in the world. Overnight at
hotel.
Day 13 : Agra
We take an early morning drive to the city of
Taj Agra. Enroute we visit the ancient city of
Fathepur Sikri built by Emperor Akbar as thanks
giving for the saint who blessed him with a son.
In the afternoon check in to the hotel after a
short break leave for the Agra Fort the fort
where Emperor Shajahan the builder of Taj was
held captive by his son Emperor Aurangzeb who
usurped the throne. One can see the magnificant
Taj from the quarters in which the emperor was
jailed. Before sunset visit the Taj a monument
of Love and romance.
Day 14 : Delhi
Drive back to Delhi evening free.
Day 15 : Fly back home.