Magical Rajasthan – Mumbai

Breakfast at hotel. Later proceed for sightseeing tour of Elephanta Cave.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Elephanta Caves is a specimen of rock-cut art and architecture from the times of medieval India. The caves are located on the Elephanta or Gharapuriisland which is situated at a distance of 11 km from the city of Mumbai. (Elephanta Closed on Monday and rainy days

After visiting Elephanta Caves return back to Mumbai. Afternoon proceed for half day sightseeing tour of Mumbai. Visit Gateway of India. ChhatrapatiShivaji Terminus ((Victoria Terminus), a UNESCO World Heritage monument. Built between 1878 and 1888, the Terminus is delicately carved and richly sculpted, with stained-glass windows. Mahatma JyotibaPhuleMandai (Crawford Market),Mani Bhavan, the place where Gandhi used to stay when he used to visit the city.

If time permitted also visit Dhobi Ghat, a sight unique to Mumbai. ‘Dhobi Ghat’ (‘washer folks’ place’), is the world’s largest outdoor laundry, where Mumbai’s traditional dhobis provide a wonderful service – collecting dirty laundry, washing it, and returning it neatly ironed, all for a very small fee.

Overnight at hotel

Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast proceed for Mumbai airport to board flight for Udaipur.
Udaipur often referred to as the ‘Venice of the East’, the city of lakes Udaipur is located around azure water lakes and is hemmed in by lush green hills of Aravallis. Udaipur was founded in 1553 by MaharanaUdai Singh II as the new capital of Mewar Kingdom. It is located in the fertile, circular Girwa Valley to the southwest of Nagda, which was the first capital of Mewar.
Upon arrival Check In at hotel. Rest of the day at leisure for independent activities. Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. Later proceed for sightseeing tour of Udaipur.

City Palace one of the architectural wonders of Rajasthan, City Palace in Udaipur is the largest palace complex of the state. The most popular sightseeing place in Udaipur, City Palace stands magnificently on the eastern banks of Lake Pichola. Flanked by the Aravali mountain range, City Palace is worth admiring for its natural settings that offer a breathtaking view of the surroundings.

Jagdish Temple an example of the Indo-Aryan style of architecture, Jagdish Temple was built in 1651 and continues to be one of the most famous temples in and around Udaipur. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the structure is an architectural marvel with carved pillars, graceful ceilings and painted walls. This three-storied temple was built by MaharanaJagat Singh I.

Saheliyon Ki Bari built by MaharanaSangram Singh II as a garden for women, Saheliyon-ki-Bari or the Garden of the Maidens is a popular tourist destination. Along with a small museum, it has several attractions such as marble elephants, fountains, kiosks and a lotus pool.

Later in the afternoon enjoy boat ride at Lake Pichola. A boat ride in the lake around sunset offers a breathtaking view of the Lake and City Palace.

Overnight at hotel

Breakfast at hotel. Later proceed for Jodhpur. En-route visiting Ranakpur
Ranakpur is a small quaint town nestled amid the secluded valley of Aravali Ranges in Rajasthan. Situated around 96 km North of Udaipur in Pali district, it is an important destination for Jain pilgrims.Immersed in the vibrant culture with a myriad of enrapturing beauty in store, Ranakpur has made its way on the list of must-visit destinations in Rajasthan.
After visiting Ranakpur, continue drive to Jodhpur.
Jodhpur, the second largest city in Rajasthan is popularly known as the Blue City. The name is clearly befitting as most of the architecture – forts, palaces, temples, havelis and even houses are built in vivid shades of blue. The strapping forts that tower this magnificent city sum up to a spectacle you would not want to miss. The mammoth, imposing fortress of Mehrangarh has a landscape dominating a rocky ridge with the eight gates leading out of the fortress. The new city is located outside the structure. Jodhpur is also known for the rare breed of horses known as Marwari or Malani, which are only found here.
Upon arrival Check In at hotel. Rest of the day at leisure for independent activities. Overnight at hotel

Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast Check Out from the hotel and proceed for sightseeing tour of Jodhpur.

Visiting Mehrangarh Fort Rising perpendicular and impregnable from a hill which is 125 metres above Jodhpur’s skyline is the Mehrangarh Fort. This historic fort is one of the most famous in India and is packed with history and legends. Mehrangarh Fort still bears the imprints of cannonball attacks courtesy the armies of Jaipur on its second gate. Chiselled and sturdy, the fort is known for its exquisite latticed windows, carved panels, intricately decorated windows and walls of Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal and Sheesh Mahal.

Jaswant Thada this milky white memorial built towards the end of the 19th century as a tribute to the leader Jaswant Singh is a huge tourist attraction. Jaswant Singh, who ruled Jodhpur, invested well in his state. He made attempts to bring down the level of crime, subdue dacoits, built railways and broadly worked on raising the economy of Marwar. Jaswant Thada is managed and looked after by the Mehrangarh Museum Trust (MMT) and is open to public. The Trust is operating a Museum in Jaswant Thada displaying portraits of Marwar rulers along with informative didactics – the information serves as orientation space to understand the history of Marwar through the Portraits. Its grounds serve as a serene venue for morning concerts during music festivals such as the Rajasthan International Folk Festival and the World Sacred Spirit Festival.

After sightseeing tour of Jodhpur, continue drive to Jaisalmer.

Jaisalmer The city of Jaisalmer also acts as the guard to western Rajasthan (and India’s) frontier. This ‘Golden City’ is located close to the Pakistan border and in close proximity to the Thar Desert. The city’s most prominent landmark is the Jaisalmer Fort, also called Sonar Qila (Golden Fort). Unlike most other forts in India, Jaisalmer Fort is not just a tourist attraction. Jaisalmer traces its inception to the 12th century. History tells us of Rawal Jaisal, the eldest heir of the Rawal of Deoraj, was passed over for the throne of Lodurva and a younger half-brother was crowned king. Rawal Jaisal went looking for a new location to set up his capital when he came across sage Eesul. The sage told him about Krishna’s prophecy which said that a descendant of his Yaduvanshi clan would found a new kingdom at this same spot. It was in 1156 that Rawal Jaisal constructed a mud fort, named it Jaisalmer after himself and declared it his capital.

Reach hotel late in the evening, upon arrival Check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel

Breakfast at hotel. Later proceed for sightseeing tour of Jaisalmer.

Visiting Jaisalmer Fort also goes by the name Sonar Quila (Golden Fort) as it rises from the desert itself and seems to become one with the golden hues of the sand. The setting sun adds its own magic and shrouds the fort with mystique. The fort is constructed in the classic style of the royals by local craftsmen. This fort is a world heritage site and forms an important plot point in one of Satyajit Ray’s famous Feluda stories and corresponding movie, Sonar Kela (The Golden Fortress).

Nathmal Ki Haveli two architect brothers built Nathmal Ji Ki Haveli in the 19th century. They worked on the haveli from two sides and the outcome is a beautiful blend of the symmetrical construction. Miniature style paintings and mighty tuskers carved out of yellow sandstone are used for decoration.

Salim Singh Ki Havei This haveli was built in the first half of the 18th century and a part of it is still occupied by descendants of the original residents. The high arched roof is supported by carved brackets designed in the shape of peacocks. Legend has it that there were two additional wooden storeys that made it match the Maharaja’s palace in height, but he ordered for the upper level to be demolished.

Patwon Ki Haveli Among the largest and the most elaborately carved havelis in Jaisalmer, this five-storey structure sits proudly in a narrow street. While the haveli has lost some of its early glory, a few paintings and mirror work art can still be seen on the inside walls.

Gadisar Lake On the outskirts of Jaisalmer in the arid state of Rajasthan lies the beautiful Gadisar Lake, which sits like an oasis in the heart of a desert. Back in the middle ages, there were no canals or irrigation system or other scientific methods to bring water to the arid regions of Rajasthan. This reservoir was built by Raja Rawal Jaisal keeping in mind the need of his people. Located close to the fort of Jaisalmer, the lake is an easy respite from the hot and dry desert climate. Gadisar Lake offers scenic and picturesque views of the lake and the adjacent fort, especially when the eastern sky is blood red and the sun rises, striking its rays on the top floors of Jaisalmer Fort.

Evening excursion to visit Sam Dune village, enjoy camel safari. Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast proceed for Bikaner.

Bikaner before the 15th Century, was known by the name of Jangladesh and was under the rule of Rajputs. In 1486, Rao Bika, a Rajput ruler, built this place. The place where Rao Bika wanted to build it belonged to a Nehra Jat who got ready to give the land to the king, only if the name of the place would be linked to his name, to which the king agreed.  Hence, the name of the place was kept Bikaner.

Rao Bika, being the first son of Rao Jodha, wanted to build his own kingdom and hence, built the present day Bikaner. Since Bikaner was in the middle of the Thar desert, it served as an oasis and was on the trade route between Gujarat coast and Central Asia.

Bika also built a fort in this region in 1478 AD. The fort is famous by the name of Junagarh Fort.

Upon arrival Check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel

Breakfast at hotel. Later proceed for sightseeing tour of Bikaner. 

Junagarh Fort is an impregnable bastion that holds the distinction of having never been captured. It was constructed in 1588 AD by Raja Rai Singh, one of Emperor Akbar’s most distinguished generals. The fort complex houses some magnificent palaces constructed in red sandstone and marble and visitors can feast their eyes on an attractive assortment of courtyards, balconies, kiosks and windows.

After sightseeing tour of Bikaner, continue drive to Mandawa.

 Mandawa in the heart of the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan lies the beautiful small town Mandawa, known throughout the state for its forts and havelis. The structures of this place reminds one of the cultural and social hotspot this place used to be in the bygone era.

 Upon arrival Check In at hotel. Rest of the day at leisure for independent activities. Overnight at hotel

Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast Check Out from hotel and proceed for sightseeing tour of Mandawa.

Visit the Shekhawati, famous for the painted Havelis, or houses, featuring the largest number of frescos in the world.

After sightseeing tour of Mandawa, continue drive to Delhi. Upon arrival Check In at hotel. Overnight at hotel 

Breakfast at hotel. Later proceed for sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi.

In Old Delhi visit to Jama Masjidthis great mosque of Old Delhi is the largest in India, with a courtyard capable of holding 25,000 devotees. It was begun in 1644 and ended up being the final architectural extravagance of Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor who built the TajMahal and the Red Fort.Drive past Red Fort and visit Raj Ghatis a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

Continue drive to New Delhi visit Qutab Minar a soaring, 73 m-high tower of victory, built in 1193 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak immediately after the defeat of Delhi’s last Hindu kingdom.The tower has five distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony and tapers from a 15 m diameter at the base to just 2.5 m at the top.

Humayun’s Tomb was the result of a wife’s love for her deceased husband. Incorporating Persian and Mughal architectural elements, this one-of-a-kind garden tomb was built mid-16th century in the memory of Mughal Emperor Humayun by his Persian-born first wife, Haji Begum. The interspersing of red sandstone and white marble in its arched facades is the striking feature of this mausoleum that from a distance seems to hover mid air. Little wonder, the grand scale of the structure, the Islamic geometry, restrained decoration, and the symmetrical gardens are believed to be an inspiration for the TajMahal in Agra.

Drive past India Gate (War Memorial Arch),also drive past President’s House, Parliament House, Government Secretariat Buildings and Connaught Place shopping center.

Overnight at hotel

Breakfast at hotel.

In time transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.