Duration: 15 Days / 14 Nights
Destinations Covered: Delhi - Mandawa - Bikaner - Jaisalmer - Thar Desert - Mehrangarh - Osian - Jaipur - Amber - Agra
Tour Id: ICT-20

This tour follows the desert trail taken by the warriors Rajputs where pages of history were written in valor and blood down the centuries. The tour starts from Mandawa on to Bikaner the city on the edge of the desert on to Jaisalmer a sheer magic city in the desert onward to the blue city of Jodhpur which was founded in 1459 by the Rathore chief Rao Jodha to Jaipur Agra and Delhi.


Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Delhi
Arrival Delhi in the morning. "Namaste" a warm welcome to India, a sincere greeting with a bow and folded hands. Transfer to a 5-star hotel in New Delhi. After a short break we embark on our first journey to discover India. Our introduction to India will be by a " Rickshaw" ride a mode of transport used in small towns and in Old Delhi.We head for a guided city tour to the most interesting sights of the city that is the Red Fort a fort made of red sand stone which once housed the world famous PEACOCK throne and the Jama Masjid mosque. Welcome Dinner at the old Hauz Khas village complex overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 2 - Mandawa
Today we leave for our camp in the desert at Mandawa the centre of Shekhawati culture. The Shekhawati region's famous for its wall frescos the world over. Afternoon at Leisure to explore Mandawa and its Havelies ( Mansions of mercchants ). In the evening we leave for the castle for a traditional Dinner served in the manner which was done for the visiting Maharajas of past. Overnight at the camp.

Day 3 - Mandawa
After breakfast we take a camel safari into the desert. Lunch on the sand dunes in the evening return to the camp. Dinner at the camp. Overnight at the camp.

Day 4 - Bikaner
Early morning drive to Bikaner the founding city of the famous Camel Corps. Evening we take a tour of the city.

Day 5 - Jaisalmer
We follow the sun into the Thar desert to arrive at Jaisalmer this most perfect of desert walled cities. Here is a fort that seems to rise out of desert haze.

Day 6 - Jaisalmer
In the morning you walk to the hilltop fort like so many Rajput warriors of old, on to the 12th century Jain temples. In the afternoon a camel safari into the desert and surrounding villages. Evening we have a nomad dance troupe perform for you on the sand dunes a most exhilirating experience.

Day 7 - Jaisalmer
A jeep safari to the villages around Jaisalmer and a visit to the fossil park at Akal where 180 million years ago stood a forest. Evening explore the bazar of Jaisalmer which looks like something out of the Arabian nights.

Day 8 - Thar Desert
We drive south of the Thar desert to arrive at Jodhpur in the evening check in to the hotel.

Day 9 - Mehrangarh
We visit the ancient fort of Mehrangarh spread over 5km on a hill. Explore the blue city, Jaswant thada, the Sardar market and Mandore the ancient capital.

Day 10 - Osian
We take a trip to Osian an oasis in the desert and the carpet village of Salawas.

Day 11 - Jaipur
Drive to Jaipur the pink city late evening check in to the hotel.

Day 12 - Amber
A tour of the city palace, the palace of winds and then proceed to Amber fort the ancient capital of Jaipur built in the 16th century by Raja Man Singh in red sandstone and marble. It has some very intersting apartments like the Sheesh Mahal the glass canopy apartments and Jai Mandir, Sukh Niwas Baodi etc. The highlight of this trip is the elephant ride up the ramparts of the fort just like the maharajas did. After this we visit the Jaigarh fort the armoury of the erstwhile state which houses the biggest cannon on wheels in the world. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13 - Agra
We take an early morning drive to the city of Taj Agra. Enroute we visit the ancient city of Fathepur Sikri built by Emperor Akbar as thanks giving for the saint who blessed him with a son. In the afternoon check in to the hotel after a short break leave for the Agra Fort the fort where Emperor Shajahan the builder of Taj was held captive by his son Emperor Aurangzeb who usurped the throne. One can see the magnificant Taj from the quarters in which the emperor was jailed. Before sunset visit the Taj a monument of Love and romance.

Day 14 - Delhi
Drive back to Delhi evening free.

Day 15
Fly back home.