Tour Plan
Rajasthan known to be a land of invincible forts, pompous palaces, valiant warrior tribes, robust men with masculine moustaches and of shy, modest women with vividly coloured attires and beautiful jewellery, a land with rich legends of bravery and romance. For first time visitors to India, the Taj Mahal in Agra, the Red Fort in Delhi, and the City Palace and the Amber Fort in Jaipur are definitely on their wish list. In your trip to these sites, you will stay in big lively cities, amid huge crowds, pushing for space with tourists, touts and beggars. However, venturing out into the villages, you can see the real India, and be amazed with astonishing and at times overwhelming experience. The kindness of the rural people, who have next to nothing, is really amazing. Despite their poverty, how rich their plain lives can be, and the hospitality that they offer to any visitor to their areas is really an experience which one will not forget for long. As you zoom through the places of interest you will be left with a sense of pandemonium. Your trip will be far more pleasing if you slow down and get to know an area and its people. In your trip to Rajasthan you will visit Delhi the capital of modern India and Mumbai, also known as the financial capital of India where you wil experience immense inconsistencies and contradicting aspects of the vibrant culture that makes India a unique place.
Duration | 12 Nights / 13 Days |
Destination Covered | Delhi – Agra – Jaipur – Bijaipur – Bundi – Udaipur – Mumbai |
Exclusions |
|
Itinerary
You will be welcomed by Vacations International representative at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Relax and unwind the rest of the day. Overnight, stay at the hotel. (Vehicle for transfer only)
After breakfast visit Delhi, cherished by its former rulers for its strategic location. A city that bridges two different worlds – Old Delhi and New Delhi. There is a great contrast between the rambling old Delhi and the well planned New Delhi. Exploring both will be immensely interesting. A walk through Old Delhi’s hustling and bustling narrow lanes of Chandini Chowk and the Red Fort (Closed on Monday) as well as the Jama Masjid (India's biggest mosque) is always a great experience. For those who want to explore more, there is a carefully planned New Delhi which was built by the British when they moved their capital from Calcutta in 1911. This part of the city is sprinkled with captivating ancient monuments such as Humayun's Tomb and the Qutub Minar.
In the morning you will be driven to Agra and check-in at the hotel. After lunch at the hotel, you will visit Agra Fort & the Taj mahal (Closed on Fridays). Agra houses one of the most famed milestones of India and the world's ultimate symbol of love - the Taj Mahal. This architectural wonder is best viewed at sunrise or sunset, when the light reflects off the white marble to give it a wonderful pink color. The unbelievable magnificence of the Taj Mahal represents the most perfect and romantic architectural monument in the world. Constructed by Emperor Shahjahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, this most famous and unique Mughal monument is the most extravagant monument ever built for love.
Agra which is known around the world for the Taj Mahal has numerous other monuments that symbolize the high point of Mughal architecture. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Agra was the capital of Mughal India where Babar, laid out the first formal Persian garden on the banks of the river Yamuna. The Red Fort was built by his grandson, Akbar while the successive kings built palaces, courts, mosques and gardens. Today, the Agra Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend the day exploring the numerous sights of Agra and visit the Itmad-ud-Daulah tomb after lunch. Overnight, stay at the hotel. (Vehicle at Disposal)
Drive to Jaipur, after breakfast visiting Fatehpur Sikri on the way. The World Heritage Site was built by Akbar as his capital and later abandoned due to scarcity of water it is located 35 km from Agra. Check-in at the hotel at Jaipur also known as the Pink City because of the pink colour of its buildings. Jaipur is one of the most attractive places in India, surrounded by great Rajasthani forts and the uneven Aravalli Hills. A carefully planned city where the width of the streets, pavements, heights of building to the division of blocks are geometrically harmonious and sound environmental and climatic considerations. The city was founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh in 1727 is full of colour and passionate Rajput history. The vital part of the city centre are the traditional markets where all kinds of fascinating stuff are available at a very reasonable price.
After breakfast, go on a day-long excursion of Jaipur and Amber. After visiting the City Palace and the Hawa Mahal explore the ancient Amber Fort on an elephant back, (subject to availability) an unbelievable way to experience the overwhelming panorama of this delightful setting.. In the fort there lies Jai "Mandir" (Temple) with the world famous Sheesh Mahal, a hall full of mirrors. The walls and the ceiling of the Mahal are covered with a beautiful array of mirrors, which reflect any streak of light, so as to illuminate the entire hall. Post-lunch visit will include the City Palace where there is former Royal residence built with a perfect blend of Rajasthani and Mughal style.In the palace there is a Museum with a fabulous collection of Rajasthani attires and Mughal and Rajput armoury.
Drive to Bijaipur after breakfast and arrival check-in at the hotel. Visit the castle of Bijaipur, built by Rao Vijay Singh, descendent of the great Rajput warrior Shakti Singh in early 16th century AD. Due to its strategic location in the former kingdom of Mewar, Bijaipur protected the borders against the invading Mughals and Marathas. To experience the warmth and hospitality of the Rajputs of Mewar, the castle has been converted into one of the first heritage hotels in the region by the present Rao Sahib Narendra Singh. The spectacular view of the valley, the lake and village around it from the captivating structure positioned high on the plateau amidst the great Vindhyachal range is awesome. Overnight, stay at the hotel. (Vehicle at Disposal)
Though the day is at your leisure, there is also the option to go for horse-riding or exploring the local villages and countryside by jeep or bicycle. Overnight, stay at the hotel. (Vehicle at Disposal)
Drive to Bundi after breakfast and check-in at the hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Bundi, which has remained unchanged since centuries is Rajasthan's best-kept secret. The palace described by Kipling as appearing to be "the work of goblins rather than of men". Bundi is an undiscovered location which is yet to be fully explored. With a fairy tale feature about them, the palaces and the fort make up a charming location. Cut off from the outside world for long, the warmth of hospitality presented by Bundi is found nowhere. The scarce vehicular traffic on its streets makes wandering around a pleasurable experience. Bundi is famed for its 'Baoris', (Step-wells) once used to store rainwater for the long dry season. Ranijiki Baori one of the largest and the most remarkable Baori of Bundi which has a superb carving on its pillars and a high arched gate.
You will be driven to Udaipur after breakfast and check-in at the hotel. Spend the remaining day at leisure. Located amidst undulating hills dotted with sparkling lakes, Udaipur is believed to be the most charming and romantic city in Rajasthan by many. Founded by Maharana Udai Singh in 1567, this city is astonishingly silent and free of traffic. Udaipur has the ambiance of a small town, with meandering lanes and tree-lined streets leading to the striking City Palace, overlooking the renowned "floating" Lake Palace. Overnight, stay at the hotel. (Vehicle at Disposal)
Spend the day exploring Udaipur, beginning with the City Palace complex entering through the Hathi Pol (elephant gate) along the main street of the old city passing by the Jagdish Temple. The architectural brilliance, the paintings, mosaics and complexly carved 'chhatries' contribute to making your visit to the City Palace a truly memorable experience. Visit the beautiful Sahelion-ki-Bari; the Garden of the Maids of Honour constructed for forty-eight young ladies in waiting who were sent to the royal house as a part of the lavish dowry. You will enjoy a motor launch cruise on the calm waters of Lake Pichola (subject to water levels) and experience the view of the city from the wonderfully decorated boat as it rises grandly above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan desert.
Fly to Mumbai after breakfast. From the Mumbai airport, our representative will transfer you to your hotel. Mumbai, previously known as Bombay is the capital of Maharashtra. One of the greatest ports of India, also known as the financial capital of India it is separated from the rest of India by a winding creek on the Arabian Sea on. A world in itself, with more than 15 million people, the restaurants, bars, museums and shops blend with the skyscrapers, crammed streets, bright neon lights, poverty-stricken slums, and the glamorous film industry of Bollywood. Its culture is modern and vibrant with a mixture of both the prosperity and the poverty. After lunch travel to the Gateway of India, a major landmark of Mumbai and the VT or Victoria Terminus, which was designed in Victorian Gothic style of architecture in India and was built in 1878.
You will be transferred to the airport for your return flight. (Vehicle for Transfer)