Rustic Rajasthan

Day 02 New

Delhi stands as the capital of Modern India. Here you can see the mingling of the Old and New India, the ancient and the modern. Very few cities in the world can express such a profusion of architectural styles.

Later visit to New Delhi - Lateens designed an "Imperial City" having palatial-sized buildings set amid broad tree-lined avenues punctuated by Mughal style gardens, complete with fountains and shallow pools. Visit two monuments from Delhi's past - Humayun’s Tomb and Qutab Minar, Drive pass through the Raisina Hill, past the imposing India Gate, President House and Parliament House. Old Delhi - Here you will view Red Fort, the most Opulent Fort and Palace of the Mughal Empire. Also visit Raj Ghat, the memorial site of the Mahatma Gandhi; Jama Masjid, the Largest mosque in India.

Day 03 Delhi – Kota

We take a train to Kota where you will experience the Journey by Indian railways You are met upon arrival & transferred to the hotel Ummaid Bhawan. Late afternoon we drive to Village Kaithoon where you will be able to see the local cottage industries where Kota doria, famous hand made sarees are manufactured.

Old Delhi

Kota - Situated at the banks of river chambal it is the industrial city of the state. Jait singh the chieftan defeated the tribal chief Koteya who was the ruler of kota laid the foundation of this city on the severed head of the defeated. The Garh or the city Palace has marvelous mirror work, ebony and ivory inlay work and houses a massive collection of miniature paintings, beautiful frescos and royal cenotaphs. The city also boasts of a crocodile sanctuary and a haven for migratory birds. The river has islands which are uninhabited and are a sight to watch.

Day 04 Kota – Bambora

We take a local sightseeing tour of Kota and later drive to Bambora. En route we visit the 11th century temples and waterfall at Menal. A short drive further brings you to the most historic Chittor Garh fort , the ex- capital of Sisodias who after loosing the fortress to Mughals, fled to Udaipur. Late afternoon we arrive at Bambora. Check in at the hotel. This is heritage property built in the 18th century as a palace and now converted into a hotel. Explore the property in the evening with absolutely no one bothering you.

Day 5 Bambora - Udaipur

Late morning a very short drive brings us to city of lakes and gardens , the city of romance , often called as the Venice of East. Check in at the Fateh Prakash.

Udaipur -is perhaps a unique pre-modern capital in Rajasthan which has no fort. Coming to life after the final sacking of Chittor , Udaipur saw an explosion of building activity - temples, palaces and Havelis. Lake Picchola with its two islands- Jagniwas (now the Lake Palace Hotel) and Jagmandir defines Udaipur. The City Palace towers over the lake. The artificial Jaisamand Lake was created in 17th century by damming the Gomti River. There are beautiful chhatries (Cenotaphs) around the embankment. In the evening we have a boat ride for you on the placid waters of Lake Picchola, from the boat you will be able to view the city of Udaipur as it raises majestically above the lake, in the middle of the desert of Rajasthan, the most romantic site to be. Late evening we host you a sumptuous dinner at the splendid Bagore-ki-Haveli. The dinner includes cocktails and a dance performance from the locals.

Day 06 Udaipur

After Breakfast we begin half day tour of Jagdish temple, Sahelion Ki Bari, garden complex and the royal city palace complex. At this palace complex, you will marvel at the rooms with mirrored walls and ivory doors, colored glass windows, inlaid marble balconies and peacock courtyard and the local folk Museum is an added attraction.

Day 7 Udaipur – Deogarh

Today soon after breakfast we leave to Deogarh .Later check in at the hotel Deogarh Mahal . The remainder of the day is free to explore the vibrant markets of Deogarh. The evening offers a great charm from Rajasthan with a traditional cuisine and folk dances.

Deogarh lies on the borders of Mewar, Marwar and Merwara, about 80 miles north-east of Udaipur. Its chieftain known as 'The Rawat' was one of sixteen umraos (feudal barons) privileged to wait upon the Maharana of Udaipur, the capital of Mewar such feudal estates, called thikanas were granted by the ruling Maharana to a nobleman either due to blood relationship or for an act of bravery. Deogarh is also renowned as a school of miniature painting. Some Deogarh miniatures adorn the personal collection of the present Rawat Sahib. Frescoes of this art form can also be seen on the fort walls.The Mahal also has some exciting rooms to browse through - Sheesh Mahal - the colourful hall of mirrors, is just one of them!

Day 8 Deogarh - Rohet

Today after breakfast a real off the beaten track drive brings you to your oasis in the middle of Thar (the desert). Late afternoon we arrive at Rohet and get geared up to take a jeep safari to witness the local people , the opium ceremony and some wildlife.

Day 9 Rohet - Pushkar

Leave for the father of Hindu pilgrimage, Pushkar. The drive takes you through the unexplored regions of Rajasthan and you witness the true colours of the locals.

Late afternoon you arrive Pushkar and check in at the Jagat Singh palace hotel. Overnight at hotel Later we take you to the holy lake and the chief temple of lord Brahma, the creator according to the Hindu manifests. Pushkar is the most revered place for the Hindus. Lord Brahma the creator of this universe wanted to hold Vedic Yagna, while contemplating on the venue to hold this Yagna a lotus flower fell on earth and water spurted at three places. He decided Pushkar to be the venue. The biggest attraction is the temple of Lord Brahma the only one in the world. It is believed that who so ever has tried in building another one could not complete it and died

Day 10 Pushkar – Mandawa

MANDAWA – SHEKHAWATI Think of the most famous of the Marwari business families in India, and it s a fair bet that a painted haveli by that name exists in Shekhawati.Singhania, Goenka, Birla, Bharatiya, Jalan, Saraf, Poddar the list is impressive The successful marwaris ventured out to the ports of Bombay and Calcutta , prospered and spent lavishly on beautifully painted havelis in the 18th and 19th centuries .The painters are as much at ease with Krishna and the gopis as with the Wright brothers trying to fly their machines. Shekhawati is not a town or a village, but a region comprising Sikar and Jhunjhunu districts with a network of towns Nawalgarh, Dhundlodh, Mandawa, Lachhmangarh , Fatehpur and Sikar .

Singhania, Goenka, Birla, Bharatiya, Jalan, Saraf, Poddar the list is impressive The successful marwaris ventured out to the ports of Bombay and Calcutta , prospered and spent lavishly on beautifully painted havelis in the 18th and 19th centuries .The painters are as much at ease with Krishna and the gopis as with the Wright brothers trying to fly their machines. Shekhawati is not a town or a village, but a region comprising Sikar and Jhunjhunu districts with a network of towns Nawalgarh, Dhundlodh, Mandawa, Lachhmangarh , Fatehpur and Sikar . Drive to all the places of this region to look at the painted mansions. After lunch we offer you to visit the painted havelis of the Dhundlod town and surrounding areas of Mandawa and Nawalgarh. The painted havelis of the region are called The Open Air Art Galleries.

Day 11 Mandawa - Jaipur

After breakfast we drive to Jaipur. In the afternoon we check in at the hotel Jai Mahal. Jaipur The Capital of Rajasthan, this picturesque city is a symphony in Pink, a colour which symbolizes hospitality in Rajput culture.

Jaipur Built by Raja Jai Singh in the 18th century it is surrounded by hills topped with rugged fortresses and dotted with fairy tale palaces. Ambling camels and brightly dressed peasants, treasure trove of handloom and craft. Come visit city of Love, Legends and lore. THE splendid fort / palace of AMBER was wrested by the Kachhwaha Rajputs in the mid-12th century who dominated the surrounding area for the next six centuries. Amber was also the prime site of the alliance between the Mughals and the Rajputs. The astronomer-king Sawai Jai Singh II, famous for his Jantar Mantar ascended the throne in 1699. He soon decided to build a new city in the plains: JAIPUR was designed according to the principals of the Shilpa-Shastra (Architecture) and the capital shifted here in 1727, the city attracted merchants and crafts-people, that over time shaped its irresistible bazaars. The evening you have an option to take a heritage walk into the illuminated bazaars of the pink city and enjoy a rickshaw ride and the treasure hunt organized especially for you. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12 Jaipur

This morning you take a ride on an elephant back as your personal guide takes you to the majestic Amer fort. You ascend the fort, the royal way. The sightseeing of Jaipur includes the visit to the most distinguished astronomical observatory and the royal city palace complex. We would like to offer you a traditional silver platter lunch at a restaurant known for its cooking demonstration and exclusively for us, a turban tying demonstration. There is also a turban museum there.

Day 13 Jaipur- Agra

After breakfast we drive to Agra. En route after lunch at midway we visit Fatehpur Sikri a 16th century deserted capital of the Mughals. Late afternoon arrive Agra and check in at Mughal Sheraton / Taj View. Later in the afternoon your personal guide takes you to visit the legendary Taj Mahal by the sun set. Over night at the hotel.

Day 14 Agra

One of the Seven Wonders of the World, built by Emperor Shah Jehan in the memory of his beloved consort Mumtaz Mahal. This beautiful mausoleum took 22 years to complete with a work force of 20,000 craftsmen and master builders, who came from all over Asia to join in this great work from Baghdad, Shiraz, Delhi, Samarkand and Turkey. The marble, India's finest; was quarried at Makrana near Jodhpur. Precious and semi precious stones were imported from distant lands : Jasper from Punjab, Jade & Crystal from China, Turquoise from Tibet, Lapis from Afghanistan and Ceylon, Chrysolite from Egypt, Amethyst from Persia, Agate from Yemen, Malachite from Russia, Diamonds from Golconda and Mother of Pearl from the Indian Ocean.

The day starts early as we offer you to visit the great monument once again by the sun raise. After the visit you return to the hotel for breakfast. In the afternoon the guide takes you to the other breath taking sites from the Mughal era, including the Agra fort and Itmad-ud-Daulah, commonly known as baby Taj. Evening you return to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 15 Agra- Delhi 200 kms /4 hrs

After breakfast we drive to Delhi and later in the evening we transfer you at the international airport for the flight back home. In between we hold the day rooms for you at the hotel near the airport till your onward departure.

Highlights

Rustic sites of Rajasthan

Day 01 Arrive Delhi