INDIAN EXCURSIONS

FORTS AND PALACES LUXURIES TOUR


Destinations:- Delhi - Jodhpur - Rohet - Deogarh - Udaipur - Samode - Jaipur - Agra - Delhi

01 Day: Arrive Delhi: You are met and greeted at the International Arrival Hall by our company representative and transferred to the hotel.
Overnight at The Oberoi or Similar hotels.

02 Day: Delhi

In the morning after breakfast explore India's capital. Sightseeing of New Delhi includes a visit to India Gate, built in memory of Indian soldiers killed during the First World War. Drive past Rashtrapati Bhawan, built in the early 20th century as the Imperial residence of the Viceroy, it is today the official residence of the President of India and Parliament House, an unique circular building with huge colonnades, houses the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament. Humayun's Tomb is the first Mughal garden tomb. Visitors are immediately struck by the tomb's resemblance to its more famous cousin - the Taj Mahal - with its four grand gateways, octagonal base-plan, soaring niche-shaped arches, lofty double domes and the symmetrical garden with its central canal. One of Delhi's most striking monuments is the 70-meter high Qutab Minar, which looms majestically across the wide plains of Delhi. Lakshmi Narayan Temple was built in 1938 in a pleasantly laid out garden and is named after the goddess of wealth and the god Narayan, though other deities are also housed here. Connaught Circus the commercial hub of New Delhi.

Sightseeing of Old Delhi includes a visit to the Red Fort, built in 1648 during the reign of Shah Jehan in red sandstone, which gave the fort its name. Jama Masjid is India's largest mosque, built of red sandstone and white marble in the middle of the 17th century. Chandni Chowk (Silver Street), once the imperial avenue down which Shah Jehan rode at the head of lavish cavalcades, is today bustling with shops, stalls and silversmiths' ateliers. Also visit Raj Ghat where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated.

Overnight at The Oberoi or Similar hotels.

03 Day: Jodhpur

Check out from the hotel and drive to the domestic airport to board the flight to Jodhpur. Upon arrival, you are met and greeted at the airport and transferred to the hotel Umaid Bhawan Palace. Set at the edge of the Thar desert, the city of Jodhpur echoes with the tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert.
Once the capital of the Marwar state, it was founded in 1459 A.D. by Rao Jodha - Chief of Rathore clan of Rajputs who claim to be descendants of Lord Rama. Day free to relax.

Overnight Taj Hari Mahal.

04 Day: Jodhpur

After breakfast explore Jodhpur. This is the land of the valiant Rathore kings, whose courage was a match for the tyranny of the Thar Desert. A bleak scarp rears up 120 meters from the desert valley. Straddling the rocky crevices is the massive Jodhpur Fort, its sheer walls reflecting the strength of its warrior builders. The fort is entered through seven gates, each a formidable barrier. The museum within the fort is one of the finest in Rajasthan and displays royal apparel, ancient paintings and manuscripts, fabled treasures of the royal household and an armoury. An interesting section displays folk musical instruments from different regions of Rajasthan. Delicately latticed windows and pierced screens worked in sandstone form the dominant motif within the rugged casket of the fort and the palaces are exquisitely decorated. On the road down from the fort, the splash of blinding white marble on the left is Jaswant Thada, Maharaja Jaswant Singh II's cenotaph, built in 1899 - all previous rulers have their cenotaphs at Mandore. As with the Taj Mahal in Agra, the marble is from Makrana. The town below has many more fine buildings and temples and is interesting to walk through, particularly the market near the clock tower.
Overnight at Taj Hari Mahal.

05 Day: Jodhpur - Rohet

After breakfast drive to Rohetgarh, a warm fortified home still alive with traditions of old. This 16th century stronghold of the Champavats lies an hour away from Jodhpur. There is time to visit the family cenotaphs, wander around the village picking up bargains in leatherware, fabrics, metalware and silver jewellery. Camels will take you on an excursion into the desert, where you will enjoy a picnic lunch. After lunch visit the Bishnoi villages. The Bishnois are a fascinating community which follows the 29 (bish-noi) tenets laid down by the 15th century Guru Jambeshwar. They fervently believe in the sanctity of animal and plant life so all animals live near their villages without fear. When a Bishnoi dies, he is sometimes buried in the sitting position and often placed at the threshold of the house or adjoining cattleshed. A Bishnoi believes he will later be reincarnated as a deer, hence the herds of blackbuck often seen near their villages.

Overnight at Rohet Garh Palace.

06 Day: Rohet - Deogarh

Drive to Deogarh check into the hotel Deogarh Mahal is an imposing structure built in the 17th century. It stands atop a hill and offers a commanding view of the Aravalli mountain range and the numerous lakes, strewn across the countryside. With its greying battlements, domes, turrets, jharokhas and huge gateways, it is a picturesque sight from the town below. At a height of about 2100 ft above sea level, it is cooler than surrounding Rajasthan. Built in 1670 A.D. by Rawat Dwarka Dasji as a family residence, it soon became the hub of village activity. The family interacted with the villagers and invited a host of feasts and festivities to be performed within the Mahal precincts. Some of these traditions are still practiced. The gates, that always remained closed, to ward off enemies, are now open to the guests.

Overnight Deogarh Mahal.

07 Day: Deogarh - Udaipur

Drive to Udaipur. Check into the hotel. In the evening take a boat ride on Lake Pichola(subject to water availability). The steel blue waters of the lake, artificially created in the 14th century, reflect the white phantom Jag Nivas Palace, now the Lake Palace hotel which was built in 1746 as the summer residence of the rulers, and Jag Mandir said to be built by Maharana Karan Singh for his friend Prince Khurram, who was later to become emperor Shah Jehan. Huge seamless stone slabs of translucent thinness where used. The rooms were embellished with inlaid stones - onyx, jade, carnelian, jasper and agate.

Overnight at the The Oberoi or Similar hotels.

08 Day: Udaipur

Sightseeing of Udaipur city includes a visit to the City Palace that stands on the crest of a ridge overlooking Lake Pichola. The largest palace in Rajasthan, it was built at various periods but still preserves the harmony of design, enhanced by massive octagonal towers surmounted by cupolas. Now a museum, it is a labyrinth of courtyards richly decorated with inlaid mirror-work, galleries covered with frescos, temples and roof gardens, which afford a wide panorama below. Sahelion-ki-Bari (Garden of the Handmaidens) is a good example of the Hindu art of landscape gardening on a princely scale. Ornamental pools with finely sculptured cenotaphs of soft black stone are surrounded by a profusion of fountains. The Jagdish Temple in the old town was built in the mid-17th century and has a remarkable bronze statue of Garuda, the mythical bird, facing his revered master Lord Vishnu. The shops and craftsmen's ateliers in the narrow streets of the bazaar justify endless walks.
Overnight at The Oberoi or Similar hotels.

09 Day: Udaipur - Samode

Drive to Samode, a delightful palace built by Jai Singh II's finance minister. The grand staircase leads to rooms elaborately decorated with murals set between panels of fine mirror work. The magnificent Durbar hall has delicate paintings and quantities of gilding. For its dramatic setting, Samode Palace was chosen as the major location for the filming of 'The Far Pavilions'.

Overnight at Samode Bagh.

10 Day: Samode - Jaipur

Morning after breakfast check out from the tented camp drive to Amber Fort. Visit Amber, the capital for 6 centuries before Jaipur was built, 11 km north of Jaipur. Rising majestically on the slopes of a hill, this 11th century fort and palace complex is a blend of Hindu and Muslim styles - the earlier constructions in the inner apartments designed by the Hindu founder are austere, while later constructions abound in the rich flourishes characteristic of Muslim influence. The Diwani-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience) affords a view of the strategic location of Amber. The Jai Mandir (Hall of Victory) is the finest example of the artistic exuberance of the day - panels of alabaster, fine inlay work, a shimmering Hall of Mirrors, renowned for its fine mirrorwork. The Sukh Nivas (Hall of Pleasure) has 17th century air conditioning. Elephants carry you up the ramparts of the fort. Today lunch is served within a beautiful setting of hills, greenery orchard and bunglow's alongwith sloping lawns and gardens.

Continue on the drive to Jaipur. On arrival in Jaipur check in at hotel for overnight stay. Afternoon at leisure.

Overnight at The Oberoi Rajvilas or Similar hotels.

11 Day: Jaipur

Visit Jaipur, one of the best planned cities in India, built of rose- pink sandstone by the great astronomer-king Jai Singh II in 1727. The City Palace stands in the centre of the city. Part of it is still the Maharaja's residence, while most of the complex has been developed into a museum containing rare manuscripts, fine specimens of Rajput and Mughal paintings, royal apparel and an armoury. Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) is the landmark of Jaipur. It stands on one of the main streets, a curious building, elaborate and fanciful, built of pink sandstone with a delicate honeycomb design. Rising five storeys high, it is composed of semi-octagonal overhanging windows, each with its perforated screen, which allowed the ladies of the court to look onto the main street without being seen. Also visit Jantar Mantar observatory, built by the founder of Jaipur, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. The huge stone instruments were devised to study the movements of the sun, moon and planets and are incredibly accurate The afternoon is at leisure. There is time to wander through the colourful bazaars, a veritable collector's paradise where you can watch ancient craft forms. Meenakari or enameling delicate patterns of birds and flowers fired in glowing red, deep green, peacock blue and white; the gold jewel is then given further sparkle with emeralds, rubies, white sapphires and dangling pearls. In tiny ateliers you can see the age-old tie-dye methods of cloth printing, with yard upon yard of vivid turquoise, ochre and crimson cloth unfolding. Enjoy a Royal Dinner at the City.
Overnight at The Oberoi Rajvilas or Similar hotels.

12 Day: Jaipur - Agra

After breakfast, depart on the 6-hour drive to Agra. En route stop by for lunch at Laxmi Vilas Palace and continue to Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted sandstone city, which was the glorious but short-lived imperial capital of Akbar, the greatest of Mughal emperors. Lying on a rocky ridge, it is today a haunting complex of empty palaces, forts and mosques. A variety of architectural styles are found, since craftsmen representing many schools were employed.
Upon arrival at Agra, check into the hotel.
Overnight at The Oberoi Amarvilas or Similar hotels.

13 Day: Agra - Delhi

After breakfast visit the Taj Mahal, surely one of the greatest monument to love and one of the wonders of the modern world. Completed in 1652, skilled craftsmen from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy and some 20,000 labourers worked for 22 years to build this edifice, constructed by emperor Shah Jehan as a mausoleum for his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal. Visit the red sandstone Agra Fort, which stands like a crescent on the banks of the Jamuna river, enclosed by forbidding 20-meter high walls, with a 12-meter moat between them. Three successive Mughal emperors - Akbar, Jehangir and Shah Jehan - helped create this massive structure which contains Hindu and Muslim architecture . Continue the 4-hour drive to Delhi. En route photo stop at Sikandra, the locality named after Sikandar Lodhi, which lies 7 miles (12 km) to the northwest of Agra city. Here stands the mighty tomb of Emperor Akbar, within a spacious garden enclosed by high walls. There is, on the southern side, a high gate with four towering minars rising above its roof and false gates placed, for the sake of symmetry, at each of the other three sides of the walled enclosure. The mausoleum,which is centrally located, was begun by Akbar himself but was completed in 1613, in the reign of Jahangir. Continue drive to Delhi. Upon arrival check into the hotel.

Overnight Hotel at The Oberoi or Similar hotels.

14 Day:

Transfer International Airport to your onward destination.


Package Cost
USD$ 2787 per person

COST INCLUDES
- Accommodation on twin sharing basis as per itinerary
- AC vehicle for sight seeing and long run as per itinerary
- Toll/Parking/ Driver Allowance included
- Assistance and Porterage at airport
- Local English Speaking Guide
- Elephant Ride / Boat Ride
- Government Tax

COST DOES NOT INCLUDES
- Any Tips, Laundry, Mineral water, Telephone charges, Camera fee and all items of personal nature and meals and drinks not specified in the inclusions.
- Any services not specifically mentioned in the inclusions.
- Entrances to the monuments.
- Any increase in taxes or fuel, leading to increase in surface transportation and land arrangements, which may come into effect prior to departure.
- Any other meals than breakfast
- Any travel insurance

TOUR CONDITIONS
- The Above Rates are net per person
- The package valid from 01st April to 30th September 2006.
- Tour confirmation only on receipt of Advance payment
- Tour operates on minimum 2 paying persons


For Booking or more detail contact us