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Forts & Palaces of Rajasthan Tour

Overview

Tour Description

Experience the mystery of a land filled with a diverse culture and history on a bespoke travel package tailored just for you. Erstwhile India was a land of Mughals and Maharajas, of opulence and grandeur, of superlative architecture, unparalleled art and an evolved culture. Stroll through the courtyards and stay in the most luxurious and beautiful palaces, former homes of kings. Start your tour of India from the cosmopolitan city of Delhi, it then takes you to mesmerizing Udaipur, also known as the 'Venice of the East.' You will be treated like royalty during your stay in the uber-luxurious boutique hotels. Get mesmerized by visiting Taj Mahal at sunrise. You will enjoy a thrilling excursion in the jungles of the Ranthambore National Park famous for the Royal Bengal Tigers. Finally, you will follow the popular Indian circuit of the Golden Triangle of connecting the national capital Delhi with pink city Jaipur and Agra, the city of the Taj.

Itinerary

Meeting and assistance on arrival by Royal India Holidays representative at the Delhi airport, the guests will be accorded traditional Indian welcome and transferred to Hotel.

After breakfast & introduction with guide proceed for city sightseeing of Old Delhi founded by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in 1639.

Explore winding streets of Chandni Chowk Bazaar by cycle rickshaw & drive past to Red fort (UNESCO World Heritage Site), a 17th-century fort complex, visit Jama Masjid Mosque built in 1656 AD, Visit to the Raj Ghat – Memorial and the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi (Father of the Nation).

Afternoon enjoy city sightseeing of New Delhi by visiting Humayun’s Tomb (A UNESCO World Heritage Site), Qutab Minar – Built from 1192 to 1368 and the tallest tower in India, Laxminarayan Temple – A Hindu temple, also known as Birla Temple. Drive past the India Gate – War memorial built in 1931, Parliament House built in 1927 and President’s Palace built in 1929.

Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast drive 04 hours to Agra.

Agra is the home of the Taj Mahal - one of the Seven Wonders of the World. A mausoleum for Empress Mumtaz Mahal, built by her beloved husband Shah Jehan, the Taj Mahal is often described as a ‘dream in marble’. The city of Agra, the quintessence of the grand Mughal era, reigns to this day in the public mind as the embodiment of royal grace, imposing architecture and power.

On arrival at Agra, check into your hotel for overnight stay.

Early in the morning meet your guide and proceed to visit the mesmerizing Taj Mahal made of white marble, inlaid with semi precious gems and stones at sunrise, the symbol of love built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memories of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal in 1653.

Taj Mahal is regarded by many as the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Islamic, Persian, Ottoman Turkish and Indian architecture styles.

NOTE: Taj Mahal closed on Friday.

After breakfast visit Agra fort (A UNESCO World Heritage Site) built in 1573, made of red sandstone on the banks of river Yamuna and a fine example of Mughal architecture and visit I’timad-ud-Daulah Tomb also known as “Jewel Box” and sometimes described as “Baby Taj” built between 1622 and 1628 based on white marble and Pietra Dura inlay, most elegantly realized in the Taj Mahal.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast drive 1.5 hrs to Bharatpur railway station to board train to Ranthambhore National Park

Golden Temple Mail departs at 1030 / Arrives Ranthambhore at 1255 hrs

Assistance on arrival and transfer to Jungle resort for overnight stay.

Ranthambhore National Park – One of the biggest and most renowned national park in Northern India. The famous and former hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur, is located in the Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan. Today the Ranthambhore National Park terrain is major wildlife tourist attraction spot that has pulled the attention of many wildlife photographers and lovers in this destination.

Afternoon proceed for game viewing by four wheel drive jeep with your private expert naturalist in the game reserve.

Overnight stay at Jungle Lodge/Resort

In the morning after a hot cup of tea / coffee game drive in to the national park with your naturalist. You need to be really patient to have a good wildlife experience. You need to be really patient to have a good wildlife experience.

In the afternoon visit Ranthambhore Fort, from which the park gets its name.

Evening game viewing into the national park by jeep with your naturalist.

In the morning after breakfast drive 4 to 5 hrs to Shahpurbagh.

Later drive to Shahpura Bagh and stay at an 18th century garden estate surrounded by lakes.

Shahpura Bagh prides itself on providing an authentic home stay experience in Rajasthan. Life is unhurried here. Situated midway (4hrs drive, 220 Km from both) between Jaipur and Udaipur, Shahpura Bagh was the summer residence of the rulers of Shahpura. Travellers, since time immemorial, have always stopped to rest and refresh themselves at this oasis and the Shahpura family is famous for their warmth and hospitality.

Overnight stay at Shahpura Bagh.

Explore the town’s rich multi-cultural vibrancy and its fascinating arts and crafts tradition. Sit with the Joshis and watch a traditional Phad, a painting depicting mythology and history, come to life. Get a leather mojari, or local footwear, made to your size. Understand the local people's way of life; mingle with artisans and farmers.

Today all activities on your own.

Optional: One can opt to do lots of activities like fishing, boating etc. Jeep Safari in & around Shahpura.

Overnight stay at Shahpura Bagh.

After breakfast drive 4hrs to Udaipur - ‘City of Dreams’ or ‘Venice of the East’- is perhaps the most beautiful of all Indian cities. A romantic collection of exotic gardens filled with blossoming trees and fantasy island palaces shimmering in mirror-calm lakes – that’s Udaipur.

On arrival check into your hotel for overnight stay.

After early breakfast city sightseeing of Udaipur with your guide visiting City palace and its museum, crystal gallery and the saheliyon ki Bari or gardens for companions, is a celebration of the art of landscape gardening on a princely scale.

The City Palace is the largest palace in Rajasthan, situated on Udaipur’s ridge, overlooking the waters of the tranquil lake. The Jag Niwas, now redesigned as the Lake Palace Hotel, is almost lyrical in its beauty, and a bird’s eye rendering of this pavilion forms the subject of many an old miniature painting.

Evening sunset common boat ride on Lake Pichola.

Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast drive 3 hrs to Devgarh. On arrival transfer to the hotel.

Devgarh town is nestled among the oldest mountains range in the world - the Aravalis. The surrounding rugged, rocky hills are dotted with a number of old, majestic forts and over a hundred lakes. Devgarh is also renowned for its miniature painting.

Evening folk entertainments and dances.

Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast village walk to explore the town on your own

Optional: Enjoy the local train ride in the wooded section. One can also enjoy horse rides in the country side.

Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast drive 3 Hrs to Jodhpur

JODHPUR - Epitomizing all the romance and feudal splendour of Rajasthan with the majestic Mehrangarh Fort towering over it, colourful bazaars and the sands of the Thar Desert, the city of Jodhpur exists in the most stunning shade of blue. Once flourishing as a centre of trade, it is also known as the "Sun City" for the bright, sunny weather it enjoys all year.

The city has been named after Rao Jodha, the chief of Rajput clan. Jodhpur is on the eastern fringe of the Thar Desert and serves as the gateway to the wonderland of sand dunes and shrubs, rocky terrain and thorny trees.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Morning city sightseeing of Jodhpur city visiting Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada, Mandore Gardens and Mehrangarh Fort, which in words Rudyard Kipling is "A creation of angels, fairies and giants." Overnight stay at Hotel.

Today after breakfast proceed for a “Day Drive Desert Experience” to visit the country side with Picnic rural Lunch, bottled water and soft beverages.

During this day drive through the dessert we will see and visit the Dhani, family from Bishnoi and Pittal community, See rural kitchen in action with bread making and sampling, Picnic lunch at a peaceful and tranquil setting, visit to a village with a welcome by the village chief, visit to homes to see craftsmen at work (potter & weaver) and witness an age old traditional western Rajasthani ceremony.

Evening return to hotel for overnight stay.

After breakfast you will be transfer to the Jodhpur airport to board flight for Delhi.

Jet Airways 9W 2552 – 1310 / 1445 hrs

On arrival at Delhi, board flight to your onward destination.