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ITINERARY: |
Day-01: Arrive Delhi.
Assistance on arrival and transfer
to hotel. DELHI : the
capital of India has a fascinating history and a stimulating present. Delhi has
been the seat of power of a number of dynasties - the Rajput's, the Muslim invaders
from the north, the Afghans dynasties followed by Tughlaqs, Sayyaids, the Lodies
and the Mughals, who continued the imperial line, untill British days. The Old
city, built by Shah Jahan in the 17th century, stands today as an epitome of the
whole history of Indo - Islamic architecture. New Delhi, designed and constructed
by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker is a mixture of east and west. Delhi
is today the political, economic and cultural capital of the world's largest democracy
and has also become one of the greatest tourist centres of the world. Overnight
in train. |
Day-02: Delhi - Bikaner
Morning combined city tour of
Old & New Delhi. Evening transfer to station to board overnight train for
Bikaner departing at 2125 hrs. Overnight in train |
Day-03:
Bikaner
Arrive
Bikaner in the morning at 0815 hrs. Meet at station and transfer to hotel. Bikaner,
city lies on the northern point on the triangle of desert cities. Bikaner is another
royal walled city dating back 1486 A . D. It was established by a Rathore prince,
Bika and came to be called Bikaner after him. Bika was the eldest son of the founder
of Jodhpur state - Rao Jodha. Bikaner was well protected from its enemies by the
harsh desert which surrounded this city. It was, however a major trade centre
as it stood on the ancient carvan route which linked central Asia and north India
with the Gujarat seaports. Other outside influences were minimal and this city
was able to keep its medieval flavour alike - in fact, this is true of the cityeven
today. Sightseeing of Bikaner visit, Junagarh fort & Deshnok (Rat temple). |
Day-04:
Bikaner - Nokhra - Khariya
We
will be doing 04 days trek through Thar desert. Depart for Nokhra - 70 kms. Camel
ride up to Khariya - 15 kms. Overnight in tents. |
Day-05:
Khariya - Rajputon Ki Dhani
Breakfast at camp. Camel ride up to Rajputon Ki Dhani -
18 kms. Overnight in tents. |
Day-06: Rajputon
Ki Dhani - Bamnuo Ka School
Breakfast at
camp. Camel ride up to Bamnuo ka School - 17 kms. Overnight in camp. |
Day-07: Bamnuo Ka School -
Jamba
Breakfast in camp. Camel ride up to
Jamba via Meghwalon Ki Dhani - 18 kms. Overnight in camp. |
Day
08 : Jamba - Jaisalmer
After
breakfast depart for Jaisalmer - 190 kms. Jaisalmer, Rawal Jasal laid the foundation
of this city in 1156 A . D after consulting a local hermit by the name of Eesul.
Tricuta was the hill chosen and Jaisal abandoned his old fort at Lodurva and established
this new capital. The bhatti Rajput's of Jaisalmer were feared bandit chiefs who
lived off the forced levis of the great carvans that crossed their area enroute
Delhi. These carvans, laden with precious cargoes of spices and silk brought great
wealth to this town. Over the years the remote location of Jaisalmer kept it ulmost
untouched by outside influences and even during the days of British Raj, Jaisalmer
was last to sign the Instrument of agreement with the British. The remort desert
citadel is today famous for its carved havelies, its cobbled streets and its ancient
Jain temples. Overnight hotel. |
Day
09 : Jaisalmer
Morning sightseeing of Jaisalmer visit, Fort, Jain temples and havelies. Overnight
hotel. |
Day
10 : Jaisalmer - Jodhpur
Depart for Jodhpur -
286 kms. Jodhpur, the former capital of Marwar state, was founded in 1459 A .
D by Rao Jodha who claimed descent from Lord Rama ( the hero of epic Ramayana
). The massive fort - Mehrangarh came first and around it grew the city of Jodhpur
protected by a high stone wall with seven gates and countless bastions. Today
the city has grown to become the second largest city of Rajasthan while still
maintaining its medieval character. A flourishing trading centre in the 16th century,
Jodhpur is still one of the leading centres for wood, cattle, camels and agricultural
corps. Late afternoon tonga ride ( Horse cart ) to clock tower. Walk through the
Spice & vegetable market. Overnight hotel. |
Day
11 : In Jodhpur
Morning
sightseeing of Jodhpur visit Mehrangarh fort and Jaswant Thada. Afternoon visit
Mandore gardens. Overnight hotel. |
Day
12 : Jodhpur - Pushkar
Depart
for Pushkar - 280 kms enroute visit Dargah at Ajmer, popular pilgrimage centre
for the Hindu's as well as Muslims. Pushkar, the abode of Lord Brahma. Pushkar
lake is a sacred spot for Hindus. During the month of Oct/Nov devotees throng
in large number here to take a dip in the sacred lake. According to myth Lord
Brahma was on his way to search for a suitable place to perform a 'Yegna' ( a
fire sacrifice ). While contemplating a Lotus fell from his hand on the earth
and water sprouted from three places. One of them was Pushkar where lord Brahma
performed his Yegna. Overnight hotel. |
Day
13 : In Pushkar
In
Pushkar for sightseeing and to explore its surroundings or during Pushkar festival
watch fair activities. Overnight hotel. |
Day
14 : Pushkar - Jaipur
Morning
visit Brahma's temple and the ghats of sacred lake. Depart for Jaipur - 140 kms.
Jaipur, the rose - pink capital of Rajasthan, is surrounded on all sides by rugged
hills, crowned with forts and enclosed by embattled walls. Jaipur is aptly called
"The Pink City" of India. It takes its name from the famous Maharana Sawai Jai
Singh, who founded this city in 1728. A keen astronomer, he built an observotary
which still exists and is equipped with quaint masonry instruments of remarkable
size. Jaipur is noted for its craftmen skilled in the art of cutting precious
stones and framed for its garnets and rubies. Overnight hotel. |
Day-15:
Jaipur
Fullday sightseeing
of Jaipur visit, Hawa mahal, City palace, observatory and Amber fort. Overnight
hotel. |
Day-16:
Jaipur - Agra
Depart
for Agra enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri. Agra, became the capital of Sikandar Lodi
in 1501 A . D but was soon passed on to the Mughal's and both Babar and Humayun's
made some early Mughal constructions here. It was under Akbar that Agra first
aspired to its heights of magnificence. From 1570 to 1585 A . D he ruled from
nearby Fatehpur Sikri. When he abandoned that city he romoved to Lahore, but returned
to Agra in 1599 A . D and remained there untill his death. In 1761 A . D Agra
fell to the Jats who did much damage to the city and its monuments. In turn, it
was taken by the Marathas in 1770 A . D and went through several more changes
before the British took control in 1803 A . D. Overnight hotel. |
Day-17:
Agra - Delhi
Morning
sightseeing of Agra visit, Taj mahal, Agra fort and Itimud-ud-ullah tomb. Afternoon
depart for Delhi - 204 kms enroute visit Sikandra's tomb. Farewell Dinner and
transfer to airport to connect flight for onward destination. |
