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14 Days Best of Rajasthan Tour Plan |
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| Delhi (2n) >> Agra (2n) >> Jaipur (2n) >> Samode (1n) >> Chattrasagar (1n) >> Jodhpur (1n) >> Udaipur (2n) >> Delhi (1n). |
| Tour
Duration |
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14 Days / 12 nights. |
| Accommodation |
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Deluxe/Heritage Hotels/luxury Camps. |
| Transport |
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One Air-conditioned SUV |
| Laundry |
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Available
at all locations |
| Trip Style |
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Independent. |
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| DAY
01 |
Abroad >> New Delhi.. Arrival at the IGI Int’l airport at late into the evening. Reception at the airport by our representative & transfer to hotel.
Overnight in Hotel The Manor.
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| DAY
02 |
Delhi. Wake up at leisure & after B’fast, enjoy a 15 minute massage at the Spa, to give a healing touch to the sore muscles, infusing them with positive energies through modern massage techniques!
Leave for full day sightseeing at 10:30am; to include a visit to the India Gate, a war memorial to the one million Indian & British soldiers, who died fighting in the great war & strikingly similar to one in Paris; Drive/walk past the North & South blocks & the erstwhile viceregal lodge, on the Kingsway (now Presidential estate on Rajpath). The secretariat buildings designed by Baker.
Visit the Chandani Chowk & Old Delhi, in a rickshaw; the Spice Market; a Sikh Temple.
Lunch in Connaught Place, enroute, stop at the CIE to get a flavor of the Kashmir arts and crafts.
Post lunch, visit National Museum, perhaps the best ever in India, with excellent overview of the cultural development in South Asia. The collection was formed from the nucleus of the exhibition of Indian Art (1947 London) which brought together selected works from state museums & private collections.
Theme dinners & overnight in your hotel (B, D).
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| DAY
03 |
Delhi >> Agra (131miles / 5hrs). After B’fast this morning drive to Agra. On the way stop over at Sikandra, for an exteriors picture session, "The afternoon was devoted to what is perhaps the grandest, as Taj is certainly is the most beautiful, tomb in the world-Sikundra (Sikandra), six miles from the Camp"- WH Russell Adc to the Prince of Wales c. 1877.
Evening on the swimming pool.
Dinners & overnight at Agra in Hotel Taj Gateway (B, D).
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| DAY
04 |
Agra. At 6:00am this morning, visit the Taj Mahal – "…Looming 243 feet from
the garden level to the dome’s golden surmounting needle, the mausoleum dwarfs visitors by it’s
grandeur. Inside of that gigantic central arch, vaulted marble has been chiseled into diamond
shapes; while black-jet inscriptions from Koran weave stylised Arabic calligraphy like a giant’s
puzzle around the entry way. "Concieved by titans and finished by jewellers" the entire edifice
reveals a wealth of dadoes, panels in bass-relief, and precious stone inlay. Flower motifs
repeated endlessly in a geometric profusion of bloom are surprisingly naïve. Dominant in the
white marble bas-relief is the iris, that graveyard bulb which grows only in shadows away from the
Indian heat".
Comeback for B’fast & proceed on sight seeing tour of Agra; visit Fort Agra, a massive red sandstone structure , associated closely with Mughal & British History, in India. It is a World Heritage Monument. Standing on the river Yamuna, was seat of government, of the most powerful Empire’s the world has seen. The architectural beauty of this fort is seen to be believed. According to Tillotson, "The architecture of Agra Fort, draws on India’s 2 main traditions, (Islamic / Hindu), but here the various parts are combined in a new and resolved style. It is that resolution which gives the buildings their appearance of purity".
Visit the tomb of Itmaddudaullah, a monument well known for it’s "excellent personalized work".
Dinners & overnight in your hotel (B, D).
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| DAY
05 |
Agra >> Jaipur (155miles / 5 hrs). After B’fast this morning drive to Jaipur. On the way, visit Fatehpur Sikri & Buland Darwaza, the ghost city of the great Mughal Akbar, whose intention was it to reconcile Islam to Hinduism. Completed in 1571 by the Mughal Emperor Akbar, who was known to be a very tolerant ruler, the buildings at Fatehpur Sikri blend both Islamic and Hindu elements in their architectural style. Experts argue that Fatehpur Sikri is the greatest accomplishment of Mughal architecture, surpassed only in reputation but not in its beauty by the Taj Mahal. The cultural politics of the site remain to be written; perhaps the mammoth chess board, where human figures were used as chess pieces and moved at the emperor's will, provides a clue.
Drive on to Jaipur.
Rest of day at leisure.
Dinner & overnight in Hotel Shahpura House (B,D).
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| DAY
06 |
Jaipur. This morning at 8:00am, visit Fort Amber on a gaily caparisoned elephant. The fort was home to the Kuchwaha Rajputs from 1137 to 1727. The initial buildings were begun by Man Singh, the commander-in-chief of the Mughal armies. The work was carried on by successive rulers. The architecture shows an amalgam of Hindu & Moslem influence. You need to go through 5 defensive gates to reach the first courtyard or Rajmahal built in 1600 by Man Singh. You have several pavilions & Palaces inside the fort.
Visit the Palace of wind, is simply a pink sandstone façade. Built for the ladies of the harem, it is a five storey frontage on a high pedestal, containing 953 small casements for the ladies to view the scene in the market below.
We shall now take you to the colourful oriental market, where you can hunt for handicrafts & souvenirs for yourself & for dear ones back home!
Visit the City Palace & Museum. It is at the heart of the old city. The Hall of Private Audience, has an attractive white marble frontage. There are several museums inside viz. the Textile & Costume Museum, Arms & Armour, the Art Gallery. Some manuscripts of great significance & antiquity are housed inside the city palace.
Dinner & overnight in your Hotel. (B, D).
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| DAY
07 |
Jaipur > Samode (28 miles / 1 hrs). After a leisurely B’fast this morning, drive to Samode. The 500 year old Samode Palace, nestled in the Aravalli Hills, is one of the finest heritage hotels in the state of Rajasthan. The ‘Durbar Hall’ boasts of original frescoes & mirror work done 250 years ago. The court yards, pavilions & the fortress high above the hill provides an excellent exit to your Rajasthan tour, "one of the special features of the palaces of Rajasthan that further distinguish them from Mughal courts are mural paintings inspired by the Hindu religious tradition which also celebrates court life".
Rest of the day at leisure on the swimming pool.
Dinners & overnight at Hotel Samode Palace (B, D).
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| DAY
08 |
Samode >> Chhatra Sagar (147miles / 4.3 hrs. approx). After B’fast this morning drive to Chattra Sagar, arriving there for a late lunch. "By early twentieth century Chhatra Sagar had developed into a lush green oasis. With its wide open spaces and enchanting views, it became the entertainment venue of choice. To capture the outdoor "big sky" feel of the place, permanent construction was deliberately kept to a minimum. A fresh luxury tented camp was created for each party. For many dignitaries visiting Nimaj, "Camp Chhatra Sagar" was the highlight. Legendary sporting parties with high tea and exotic dinners became a regular feature…".
Elaborately decorated with hand-painted henna floors, each open-sided tent has a private porch that looks out over a bird-filled lake. With peaceful farmland as a backdrop, the only disturbance you're likely to experience is the dawn chorus. The camp's restaurant is said to be one of the best in Rajasthan.
This evening take a tour of the village settlements around the Camp.
Bonfires
Dinners & overnight at Chhatra Sagar / luxury camp (B, L, D).
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| DAY
09 |
Chhatra Sagar >> Jodhpur (69 miles / 2hr). After B’fast this morning drive to Jodhpur. On arrival visit Mehrangarh Fort. The fort was built on the advice of a pious hermit & overlooks the blue city. It houses several palaces, cannons, temples & museum. The Mehrangarh Fort is the most photogenic of all the forts in Rajasthan!
Check into your hotel & after refreshing yourself, visit the Maharani Art Emporium for some delectable artifacts!
Dinners & overnight in Hotel Taj Hari Mahal (B, D).
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| DAY
10 |
Jodhpur >> Ranakpur >> Udaipur (147miles / 5hrs). After B’fast this morning, drive to Udaipur. Enroute, visit the ancient Jain Temples. The temples date back to 15th century has 29 halls supported by 1444 pillars, none of which impedes the view of the deity. It abounds with intricate friezes & sculptures. Ranakpur locates in the heavily wooded valley of Aravalli hills.
Continue your interrupted journey to Udaipur.
Dinners & overnight in Hotel The Trident (B, D).
(Note: Ranakpur Jain temples do not permit leather goods like belts, wallets or purses to be taken inside. You are also requested to wear clothes that do not expose the body.)
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| DAY
11 |
Udaipur. B’fast partaken of, Visit the City Palace one of the best in India, Crystal Gallery, Maharanas vintage car garage which houses some of the rarest Rolls Royse. The ambience, history & locale of your stay, make Udaipur a tourist heaven. At 3:45 pm undertake a boat ride around the lake Palace & partake of a welcome cup of coffee at Jagmandir Island. Udaipur is an oasis of green mountains & blue lakes in the midst of a stark & arid region. Udaipur is a traditionally planned walled city, it’s bastioned rampart walls pierced by 5 massive gates, each studded with iron spikes as protection against enemy war elephants. High on the hill above lake Pichola stands the magnificent city palace.
City Palace
The city palace is one of the best in north & western India. Half of it is occupied by the maharana & his family; while the rest is a museum & some beautiful palace hotels with in.
The Crystal Gallery housed in the museum, overlooking lake Pichola is one of the best & one can also see the throne of the Maharanas of Mewar.
Lake Pichola Boat ride at 3:30pm.
Fringed with hills, gardens, havelis, ghats & temples, the lake is the scenic focus of Udaipur. Set in it is the Jag Mandir Palace. The Lake palace hotel is situated here & the views are great.
Overnight in your Hotel. (B, D).
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| DAY
12 |
Udaipur >> Delhi (By Air). After B’fast, transfer to the domestic airport for your afternoon flight to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi transfer to Hotel Metropolitan (B, D).
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| DAY
13 |
Delhi >> Abroad. Day at leisure. Car at disposal for last minute purchases. Your hotel room shall be retained for ‘Day Use’ till about 09:00pm. Transfer to international airport, after dinners. (B).
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| DAY
14 |
Catch the midnight flight to next destination
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