Land of the Royals -
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Transcript of Land of the Royals -
DAY 1: ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi by flight. Meeting and assistance on
arrival and transfer to Hotel. Overnight stay.
DAY 2: DELHI
Morning combined sightseeing of New & Old
Delhi. Visit the 12th century Qutab Minar,
gracefully hand-carved for its entire height of
234ft, and the iron pillar, which has withstood the ravages of time and not rusted even after 1500
years.
Visit the mausoleum of emperor Humayun – a forerunner of the Mughal style of
architecture and the imposing modern Lakshminarayan temple. Drive past the
India Gate (war memorial dedicated to the lives of laid down by the Indian
soldiers), the president’s residence – formerly the Viceroy’s Palace, parliament House and the Secretariat buildings, – an interesting blend of the Victorian and
20th century architecture.
DAY 3: DELHI –MANDAWA
Today morning drive to Mandawa. (7 hours drive). On arrival checkin at hotel.Afternoon visit the havelis in Shekhawati. These havlis were made by traders
in earlier centuries with rich frescoes on the walls & ceilings depicting the
contemporary religious and social life. Overnight stay.
DAY 4: MANDAWA – BIKANER
Morning drive to Bikaner. (4:30 hours drive). On arrival checkin at hotel. Overnight
stay.
DAY 5: BIKANER
Morning: City sightseeing of Bikaner. The city is bolstered by imposing walls and
has a 16th century fort housing old palaces, temples and a mosque. Founded by Raja Rai Singh, the fort is distinguished by its long range of 37 pavilions, a line of
balconies and aerial windows of varying designs. An enormous arched doorway
leads to the Joramal temple.
The royal chapel is Har Mandir where royal weddings and births were once
celebrated. Afternoon: Visit Camel breeding camp. Overnight stay at the hotel
DAY 6: BIKANER-JAISALMER
Morning leave Bikaner by surface for Jaisalmer. (7 hours drive). On arrival, check in at
hotel. Overnight stay.
DAY 7: JAISALMER
Morning sightseeing of Jaisalmer, built in burnished sandstone is an intricately
molded wonderland. The tour takes you through this city of gilded magic. See the
Citadel, the fort built by Rawal Jaisal where a fourth of the population lives. Also visit
Jain temples of the 12th to 15th centuries Patwon ki Haveli, a five-story mansion with
carved pillars and murals; Salim Singh and Nathmalji ki Haveli.
Late afternoon excursion to the Sam sand dunes, 40 Kms from Jaisalmer. It is known
for its camel rides, shifting sand dunes and beautiful sunsets. Enjoy Camel Ride at
Sand Dunes. Overnight stay.
DAY 8: JAISALMER-KHIMSAR
Morning drive to Khimsar Fort. (6:30 hours drive). Relax in the Khimsar Fort for rest of
the day. Overnight stay.
DAY 9: KHIMSAR – JODHPUR
Morning drive to Jodhpur. (2:30 hours drive).On arrival check in at hotel.
Later sightseeing of Jodhpur visiting the 5-km long Mehrangarh Fort situated on a
125-mt high hill. This is one of the most impressive and formidable structures in
Rajasthan.
Within the fort are some magnificent palaces with meticulously carved panels,
latticed windows or “Jarokhas” with evocative names The chambers of Moti Mahal,
Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, the Sileh Khana and the Daulat Khana are noteworthy for the splendour and glamour of a bygone era.
Later visit the Jaswant Thada – a cluster of royal cenotaphs in the white marble
built in 1899 AD in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh-II. Overnight stay at the
hotel.
DAY 10: JODHPUR-RANAKPUR-UDAIPUR
Morning leave by surface for Udaipur visiting Ranakpur en route. (6 hours drive).
The Jain temples of Ranakpur built in the 15th century are situated in the lovely Aravali valley. The town is named after Rana Khumba the legendary warrior king of
Udaipur. Its surroundings are peaceful and picturesque .
The Ranakpur Jain temples have grand structure and beautiful sculptures. There
are 1444 pillars in the main temple and no two of them are similar. Visit Surya Temple and other Jain temples a little distance away
Later, drive to Udaipur. On arrival, check in at hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 11: UDAIPUR
Morning city tour visiting City Palace, built in 1725, which houses the Dilkhush
Mahal, Sheesh Mahal – studded with glittering Belgian mirrors, Moti Mahal and the
Palace of Lord Krishna all of which are ornately decorated. Later visit the Jagdish
Temple. This temple built in 1651 is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the
Hindu Trinity of Gods. Also visit the Sahelion Ki Barigardens and fountains. Later drive around the Fatehsagar Lake. Overnight stay.
DAY 12: UDAIPUR-SARDARGARH
Morning drive to Sardargarh. (2:30 hours drive). On arrival checkin at Sardargarh.
Later take a Jeep safari in the village. Overnight stay.
DAY 13: SARDARGARH – PUSHKAR
Today morning drive to Pushkar. (4:30 hours
drive). On arrival checkin at hotel.
Pushkar is a bewitching unique little town clinging
to the side of the Pushkar lake surrounded by
innumerable Ghats and temples. Most important
of these temples is of Lord Bramha – the creator.
A religious place (meat / alcohol are taboo), it is
always abuzz with activity especially during the
Camel Fair when it breaks with riot of colourful
events.
Overnight stay.
DAY 14: PUSHKAR – JAIPUR
Today morning drive to Jaipur. (3:30 hours drive). On arrival. checkin at hotel.
Overnight stay.
DAY15: JAIPUR
Morning excursion to Amber fort. Amber is a classic, romantic Rajasthani Fort Palace. The rugged, time-ravaged walls of the Fort may not look beautiful from the
outside, but the interior is a virtual paradise. Miniatures painted on the walls depict
hunting and war scenes, apart from festivals. Precious stones and mirrors are
embedded into the plaster. A major attraction at Amber is the Elephant Ride all the
way up to the Fort entrance.
This journey on caparisoned elephants is bound to
enrich your memories with the Royal lifestyle of the
Maharajas and leave you with a truly unforgettable
experience. Inside the Fort visit the Jag Mandir or
the Hall of Victory. Inside the Jag Mandir is the famed Sheesh Mahal – a room with all the four
walls and ceiling completely embedded with
glittering mirror pieces, which were specially
imported from Belgium during that period.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of city visiting Maharaja’s City Palace, the former Royal residence, part of it converted into a museum. A small portion is still used
by the Royal family of Jaipur. Built in the style of a
fortified campus, the palace covers almost one-
seventh in area of the city.
One of the major attractions in the museum is the
portion known as Armoury Museum housing an
impressive array of weaponry-pistols, blunderbusses,
flintlocks, swords, rifles and daggers.
The royal families of Jaipur once used most of these weapons. Later visit the
Jantar Mantar, which is the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the
world. Situated near the gate of the city palace, the observatory has 17 large
instruments, many of them still in working condition.
En route to Amber Fort, you will have a brief photography stop at Hawa Mahal – the Palace of
Winds.
DAY 16: JAIPUR–FATEHPUR SIKRI-AGRA
Morning leave by surface for Agra visiting Fatehpur Sikri en route. (6 hours
drive).
Located 40 Km before Agra, the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri was built by
Emperor Akbar in 1569, in honour of the great Saint Sheikh Salim Chisti who
blessed Akbar and prophesized the birth of three sons to the heirless Emperor.
Akbar used Fatehpur Sikri as his capital and the city was fully occupied for 14
years but slowly became deserted and ruined after Akbar left the city. Scarcity of
water was the prime factor for the abandonment of this beautiful city. Visit the
remarkably well-preserved, graceful buildings within the ‘Ghost City’ including
the Jama Masjid, tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal Palace and other palaces
that speak of the grandeur and splendour of the Mughal empire at the height of
its power.
Later continue the drive to Agra. On arrival, check in at hotel. Overnight stay.
DAY 17: AGRA
Morning sightseeing tour of city visiting the world famous Taj Mahal built by Shah
Jahan in 1560 in memory of his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains.
This architectural marvel is a perfectly proportioned masterpiece fashioned from white
marble that stands testimony to the skill of 20,000 craftsmen brought together from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy and who took 17 year to complete this ‘ Love Poem
in Marble’. (Friday closed). Later visit the Agra Fort. In Fort visit Diwan-E-Am (House
of commons), mosques within Fort and royal pavilions like Macchi Bhavan, Shah
Jahani Mahal & others. Several of the buildings are made of pure marble with
beautiful carvings. To cool off the rooms, the walls were hollow and filled with running water. The balconies of these pavilions give clear view of Tajmahal & Yamuna river
flowing next to it. Overnight stay.
DAY 18: AGRA – DELHI & LEAVE DELHI
Today transfer straight to Delhi airport (4-5 hours drive) to board the return flight.