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Classic Rajasthan Day 1 - Arrival Delhi You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2 - Delhi After breakfast, proceed for a full day sightseeing of the premier sights of Old and New Delhi.
Delhi, the capital of India, houses some of India’s most magnificent monuments, built from the 12th century onwards: The Red Fort, Qutab Minar, Humayun's Tomb, Jama Masjid, India Gate (War Memorial), Parliament House, President’s House, Bahai Temple (The Lotus Temple). Day 3 - Delhi – Agra After an early breakfast at Hotel Park, proceed to Agra, a journey of 4-5 hours. Upon arrival, check into the Hotel Trident. Trident, Agra is set amidst beautiful gardens and is only a few minutes away from the famous Taj Mahal. The hotel is built of the red stone reminiscent of the Mughal era, designed around landscaped central courtyard with swimming pool and fountains.
In the afternoon, a guide will take you to visit the Agra Fort and Taj Mahal. Agra is a city on the banks of the Yamuna River and is mentioned in the epic Mahabharata, when it was called Agrabana or Paradise. Tradition and legend ascribe the present city of Raja Badal Singh (around 1475) whose fort, Badalgarh, stood on or near the site of the present Fort. The 12th century Persian poet Salman writes of a desperate assault on the fortress of Agra, then held by one King Jaipal, by Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni. It was ruled by Sultan Sikandar Lodi in the year 1506. It achieved fame as the capital of the Mughal emperors from 1526 to 1658 and remains a major tourist destination because of its many splendid Mughal-era buildings, most notably the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, all three of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum located in Agra, India, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is considered the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Ottoman, Indian, and Islamic architectural styles. In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was cited as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage." While the white domed marble mausoleum is its most familiar component, the Taj Mahal is actually an integrated complex of structures. Building began around 1632, and employed thousands of artisans and craftsmen. It was completed in 1653. The Persian architect, Ustad Ahmad Lahauri is generally considered to be the principal designer of the Taj Mahal.
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Day 9 - Khimsar – Rohetgarh After breakfast, proceed to Rohetgarh, a journey of 3-4 hours and check into the charming heritage property of Rohet House. Rohet Garh has been an ancestral home since 1622 AD. Bestowed upon Thakur Dalpat Singh I for his exemplary courage and bravery in numerous military campaigns under the banner of the Rathores, Rohet became one of the most important Jagirs (fiefdoms) of the state of Marwar. Over time, generations of noblemen have graced and cherished this home. It has been a silent witness to the progress of the family for four centuries. Since January 1990, it has been converted into a hotel.
En-route you can stop at Salawas, a small village 24 kms short of Jodhpur, famous for durries (rugs) made by the local craftsmen. Here you will meet the charming Roop Raj, the durrie maker who will show you what the village community is doing.
Day 10 - Rohetgarh Rohetgarh is on the main highway between Jodhpur and Udaipur. It is also on the way from the famed Ranakpur temples. The Jain community has a history closely intertwined with that of the Hindus of Mewar. Rohetgarh is the very heart of Rajasthan where traditions, centuries old still permeate lifestyles. After breakfast, you have the option of doing a horse or camel safari (for experienced riders only).
After lunch, you’ll embark on a very interesting village safari, which will include the rare privilege of being welcomed into villagers’ homes.
For those interested, Rohetgarh has an optional cooking demonstration. Some guests have called a meal at Rohet Garh their best in India. This resulted in the late Thakurani Sahiba Jayendra Kumari authoring a small cookbook. Today her legacy is carried forward by her daughter in law, Rashmi Singh. Their workshops promote traditional Indian cuisine and are extremely comprehensive and popular. Cookery demonstration, followed by dinner. Day 11 - Rohetgarh – Udaipur Today, you will have to depart as early as possible as it is a long day to Udaipur via the Ranakpur temples. After an early morning breakfast, proceed by road to Udaipur, a journey of 4 hours.
The Ranakpur temples are the most complex and extensive of Jain temples in India, covering over 40,000 sq. ft. They have 29 halls containing 1,444 pillars; each carved with intricate, delicate carvings. The temples are built on a high plinth, encircled by lofty boundary walls with graceful turrets. Proceed to Udaipur in time for lunch. Day 12 - Udaipur Begin your day with a visit to the spectacular City Palace. There are numerous other palaces such as Dilkhush Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Moti Mahal and Krishna Vilas -built in memory of a princess of striking beauty who poisoned herself to avert a bloody battle for her hand by rival princes. Now the palace contains many antique articles, paintings, decorative furniture and utensils and attracts thousands of visitors every day. Evening boat ride to Jag Mandir Palace. Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, took refuge here while revolting against his father.
Day 7 - Jodhpur – Khimsar After breakfast, check out of the hotel and proceed for a guided tour of the Meherangarh Meherangarh Fort. Inside its territorial boundaries, there are several palaces, which are known for their intricate carvings and sprawling courtyards. Proceed to Khimsar Fort, a journey of 2 hours to reach in time for lunch. Khimsar was founded 2000 years ago by the Jain Saint Mahavir and marks the start of the Great Indian Desert. It is a remote 15th century Rajput fort in the desert where the Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb is believed to have stayed. Karam Singh, the fifth son of Rao Jodha, built the moated castle as a fortified home. Over the centuries, it has been expanded by each generation. This is evident in its diverse architectural style.
Set in the midst of sand dunes, this amazing fort stands as securely as it did over many centuries of battle and strife. The construction of the fort was begun in 1523 by Rao Karamsji, 8th son of the founder of Jodhpur Rao Jodha, who chose the spot of Khimsar, 90 km from Jodhpur where one brother resided and 150 km away from Bikaner, fiefdom of another brother. Twenty-one generations later, a part of this fort is still residence to the Karamsot Rathore direct lineage while the rest has been opened out to royal Rajput hospitality, personally overseen by the family, on a grand and elegant scale. Dinner will be arranged on the ramparts of the fort.
After breakfast, you will drive a distance of one hour to visit the historic Nagaur Fort.
The fourth century mud fort Ahhichatragarh, built by the Nagavanshis, was re-built in stone by Mohammed Bahlim, Governor of the Ghaznivites, in the early twelfth century, over the mound of the ancient mud fort. In the middle ages Ahhichatragarh was at different times held by the early Chauhans, Chalukayas, the great Prithviraj Chauhan, Ghazni, Ghori, Iltutmish, Balban, Allauddin Khilji, Hamir Chauhan of Ranthambhore, the Khanjada and Lodi Dynasties, Sher Shah Suri and finally, the Mughals. From the great Emperor Akbar's time up to the end of Mughal rule in India, Nagaur alternated between the Rathores of Jodhpur and Bikaner and the Mughals. Return to Khimsar for lunch. By 4 pm, you will proceed on a jeep safari through black buck country and Bishnoi tribal villages. The Bishnoi tribe of the western Indian state of Rajasthan have, over centuries, made a unique blend of ecological sense and religious sensibility their faith's cornerstone. Bishnois worship nature in all its manifestations. You will end this safari by the Khimsar sand dunes where tea will be served. Return to the fort for dinner.
Day 13 - Udaipur After breakfast, proceed to Deogarh Palace, a journey of 1 – 1 ½ hour
Standing high on a plateau of the Aravalli hills, the Mahal offers commanding views of the village around, lakes and hills in the distance. The countryside can be explored on horseback with horses from the hotel stable, on the mountain bicycle, or taking the Rural Ramble ride – a drive through the country, organized by the hotel, in one of their vintage vehicles. Deogarh Mahal has a selection of luxurious suites and fine double roomspainstakingly restored to blend with the period and architectural style. The decoration of the Sheesh Mahal is opulent and the blaze of multi- coloured lights from the stained glass windows bounces from the mirrored walls with great exuberance. After lunch, visit an interesting local market. Day 14 - Deogarh After breakfast, embark on an amazing train ride for an hour and half Dinner on the terrace ramparts. Day 15 - Deogarh – Ajmer by road. By train to Delhi. After breakfast, relax at the hotel. In the afternoon, proceed to Ajmer to board the fast train to Delhi in Executive class chair car. You’ll be met on arrival at New Delhi railway station and transferred to Hotel Park.
Classic Rajasthan Day 4 - Agra – Fatehpur Sikri – Jaipur After breakfast, depart for Jaipur, a journey of 5-6 hours. En-route stop at Fatehpur Sikri, the lost city. Proceed to Jaipur and check into your hotel. You may enjoy walking on the walkway facing the hotel which has the beautiful Jal Mahal, a lake palace built by Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799. Situated en route to Jaipur’s renowned Amer Fort, Trident, Jaipur, looks out on to the scenic Mansagar Lake and the picturesque Aravalli ranges. The hotel has 137 rooms that overlook the Mansagar Lake or the Aravalli range.
37 kms from Agra, this city predominantly built in Red Sandstone is called Fatehpur Sikri. The town was built by the Mughal Emperor, Akbar. He had planned this city as his capital but shortage of water compelled him to abandon the area. Within 20 years, the capital of Mughals was shifted to Lahore. Fatehpur Sikri was built during 1571 and 1585. Today this deserted city has a population of about 30,000 and has retained many of its old structures. Day 5 - Jaipur After breakfast, proceed for full day of sightseeing. After viewing Amber fort, you’ll be taken for a lunch at Dera Amer where you will be received by Udaijit, a young Rajput gentleman who owns 300 acres of this forest land.
Dera Amer, situated behind the hills of the famous Amer Fort, is the ideal location for outdoor recreational and adventure activities in very close proximity to the city of Jaipur. The Camp is located at the foothills of the Aravalli Range and surrounded by the wilderness of a reserved forest with no urban civilization in the vicinity--just a few hamlets housing local villagers occupied by farming on the their fields bordering a pretty lake. After lunch at Dera Amer, proceed to see the City Palace, Palace of Winds, the observatory and the colourful bazaar.
Day 6 - Jaipur – Jodhpur After breakfast, depart for Jodhpur, a journey of 6-7 hours. Check into the Hotel Ajit Bhawan Palace. India's first Heritage Palace Resort, "The Ajit Bhawan", is a home to the members of the Jodhpur Royal family. Set in the serene desert of Rajasthan, Ajit Bhawan stands as an oasis of hospitality and warm Rajput charm. The Ajit Bhawan offers you old world elegance with the modern comforts of a classic heritage resort and the essence of being a guest of the Maharaja's family.
Jodhpur stands at the edge of the Thar Desert and is the largest city of Rajasthan after Jaipur. It is dominated by the massive Meherangarh fort, which tops a sheer rocky ridge, rising right in the middle of the town. From the windows of the palace, one can see the blue-wash Brahmin houses. For Rajput princes, Brahmins represented a vital avenue to authentic power.
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