Rajasthan - North India Panorama

15 Nights / 16 Days

Delhi - Nawalgarh - Bikaner - Mirvand Desert Camp – Jaisalmer – Jodhpur – Jaipur – Agra – Orcha – Khajurao – Varanasi

Day 1 : Arrive Delhi

Arrive Delhi International Airport, after meet and greet by local tour manager, transfer to hotel. Overnight : hotel In Delhi.

Day 2 : In Delhi

After breakfast depart for full day city tour of Delhi. Begin with a visit toRaj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the nation was cremated in 1948. Thereafter proceed to the magnificent Red Fort(closed on Mondays) built of red sandstone, dating from the very peak of the Mughal power. Then, Rickshaw Ride through Chandni Chowk. After that, visit to black and white onion domes and minarets of the Jama Masjid, the most elegant mosque in India. After Lunch, drive past RashtrapatiBhavan (the Presidential Palace) and the Secretariat buildings – the centre of Government activity, down to the impressive Rajpath (the main avenue), to the World War I memorial arch, India Gate, the High Court Building and the Old Fort. Visit Humayun’s Tomb built in 1565 AD by his grieving widow Haji Begum, the QutubMinar, a 72 metres high minaret and the ruins of Quwat-ul-Eslam (Light of Islam) Mosque. Here, see Delhi’s most curious antique, the uncorroded Iron Pillar, which dates back to the 4th century AD. Overnight : hotel In Delhi

Day 3 : Delhi – Nawalgarh Drive (270km)

In the morning, after breakfast, drive to Nawalgarh, Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, famous for Havalies (fresco painted houses of rich merchants) followed by a walking tour of the town to explore the Havelis. Overnight :hotel in Nawalgarh.

Day 4 : Nawalgarh -Bikaner Drive (204km)

After breakfast, we leave for Bikaner. On arrival transfer to hotel. Afternoon spent in exploring the Junagarh fort (This fort was built in 15th century by one of the most able and trusted generals of Akbar, Raja Rai Singh.), Lalgarh Palace, Temples (Designed by a Britisher for Maharaja Ganga Singh. This is a fine example of oriental and European style). If time permits, we may drive 10 km. to visit the camel breeding farm, probably the only one of its kind in Asia and managed by the local government. Overnight : hotel in Bikaner

Day 5 : Bikaner - Mirvand Desert Camp Drive (270km)

After breakfast leave for Mirvand desert camp. On the way, visit Karni Mata Temple (Rat Temple),,at the outskirts of the Bikaner city at Deshnokh. This temple is famous for the legends of rats which are venerated here. Drive continued to Mirvand. On arrival, clients are welcomed traditionally, with a head gear Bandola (Traditional Rajasthani Turban), Aarti (ceremony of lights), Tikka (wearing a red, yellow or orange mark on the forehead) and welcome drinks. Later, cooking of Indian and Rajasthani delicaciesare demonstrated , which will be followed by candle lit dinner and folk entertainment. Overnight : hotel in Mirvand desert camp.

Day 6 : Mirvand Desert Camp

After breakfast a short orientation tour of the village followed by the traditional opium ceremony at a Bhati Family house is witnessed. During the ceremony, we must remove our shoes, sit on the floor with the village folks and observe the Host concert the making of an opium drink. This ceremony is prevalent in this part of Rajasthan. Soon we set out for a camel safari, this safari would take us around 7 hours (both ways), and we will be served hot lunch and later return to our resort for dinner and overnight stay. Overnight : hotel in Mirvand desert camp.

Day 7 : Mirvand Desert Camp -Jaisalmer Drive (55km)

In the morning, after a breakfast, drive to Jaisalmer, an arid region with shifting sand dunes and high summer temperatures, on arrival we take a walking tour of the town and explore the GadiSagar Tank, Folklore Museum. In the afternoon we continue our walking tour and visit the Jaisalmer Fort, which dominates the town. Later,we visitSalim Singh ki Haveli with its attractive peacock brackets, Nathumalki Haveli partly carved out of rock and thePatwonki Haveli.Evening at leisure. One can take a camel ride to sand dunes to witness the sunset. Overnight : hotel In Jaisalmer

Day 8 : Jaisalmer-Jodhpur Drive (300km)

After breakfast, drive to Jodhpur, the 2nd largest city of Rajasthan founded by RaoJodha in 1459. Arrive and check in at hotel. Later in the afternoon we visit UmaidBhawan Palace. This opulent edifice in sandstone is still the residence of the former rulers with a part of it running as a luxury hotel and remaining part as a museum. After that we visit the ‘Meherangarh’ (Majestic) Fort, 393 feet above the flat surrounding plain. Inside the fort, are several courtyards and palaces.On the rampart, stand cannons of Gaj Singh. On the road down from the Fort visit JaswantThada, the blinding white marble cenotaph (chhatri) of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II and Clock Towers which stands in the city centre. Overnight :hotel in Jodhpur

Day 9 : Jodhpur – Jaipur Drive (340 Km)

After breakfast drive to Jaipur, also called the Pink City. Jaipur was first painted terracotta pink by Maharajah Sawai Ram Singh to celebrate the visit of Prince Albert in 1853. Jaipur is named after its founder, the warrior and astronomer sovereign, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh (ruled 1688 to 1744). Arrive and check in at hotel. Overnight :hotel In Jaipur.

Day 10 : In Jaipur

In the morning visit former capital of Jaipur, the Amber Fort, just 11 km north of the city, with its honey-colored fortress-palace in the Aravalli Hills. Enjoy an elephant ride along (if Operational) the fortress ramparts. Walk into the Sheesh Mahal and admire the amazing interior décor thought of over 200 years ago. Inside, The Hall of Victory presents a galaxy of decorative art panels of alabaster with fine inlay work. After lunch we will explore Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds),JantarMantar (Jai Singh’s Observatory) built in the 17th century by the founder of Jaipur who was a prince, soldier, astronomer and builder, City Palace now a museum exhibiting fine Rajput and Moghul paintings, rare manuscripts and an armory. Overnight : hotel In Jaipur.

Day 11 : Jaipur – Agra Drive (231km)

After breakfast depart and drive to Agra. En route visit Fateh-Pur-Sikri, an epic poem in red sandstone. It was built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and deserted 14 years later due to lack of water. The main attraction are The Diwan-e- Khas and The Diwan-e-Am (a courtyard arranged like a gigantic game board, where the Emperor played chess using slave girls as pawns). Drive continued toAgra. On arrival visit Agra Fort (lalQila) where Shah Jehan spent the last years of his life, imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb. The Peacock throne (now in Iran) was in this fort, before being moved to Delhi by Emperor Aurangzeb. Overnight : hotel In Agra.

Day 12 : Agra – Orchha Drive (240 Km)

Early in the morning we make a sunrise visit of Taj Mahal(closed to visitors on Fridays), the most extravagant monument ever built for love. On the death of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, Moghul Emperor Shah Jehan built her this memorial over which 20,000 men labored for 22 years to create a masterpiece in white marble inlaid with semi-precious stones. After breakfast, drive to Orcha, a medieval township located on Betwa river. En-route visit Gwalior fort, high above the city, described by the Emperor Akbar as “the pearl of the fortresses of Sind”, and also the opulent Jai Vilas Palace, part of which is now a museum. Arrive Orcha and check-in at a Hotel. Overnight : In Orchha.

Day 13 : Orchha – Khajuraho Drive (190 Km)

In the morning, after breakfast, explore Orchha. Visit fort and local village. Visit Jahangir Palace, built by Raja Bir Singh JuDeo in the 17th century to commemorate the visit of Emperor Jehangir to Orchha.Then visit DinmanaHardaul Palace and Lakshmi Narayan Temple, where the style is an interesting synthesis of fort and temple moulds. The interiors contain the most exquisite of Orchha’s wall paintings.After lunch, drive to Khajuraho. Arrive and check in at hotel. Overnight : hotel in Khajuraho

Day 14 : Khajuraho - Varanasi Fly

In the morning,visit the Western group of Temples which includes Chausath Yogini, KandariyaMahadeo, Devi Jagdamba Temple, etc.In the afternoon, fly to Varanasi. On arrival, transfer to hotel. In evening, we witness the Aarti ceremony (ceremony of lights) of river Ganges. Overnight :hotel in Varanasi

Day 15 : Varanasi - Delhi (By Overnight Train)

Early morning boat ride on the Ganges to witness the timeless scenes along the banks of the river Ganges that reflect Varanasi’s importance as India’s holiest city – pilgrims ritually bathing, priests invoking the dawn, then visit Kashi Vishwanath temple, Bharat Mata temple, 18th Century Durga temple and Kali temple. After breakfast, check out from Hotel and drive a short distance to Sarnath, the cradle of Buddhism, where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. Return to Varanasi in time to board overnight train to Delhi. Overnight : In Train.

Day 16 : Arrive Delhi and Departure

Arrive Delhi. On arrival, transfer to International Airport for onward journey.