A ten day trip to the "Land of
the Kings" steeped in romantic history & valour takes you to the
era gone by. From the Castles of Shekavati to the city of "Palace of
Winds" Jaipur, to the Chambers of Mirrors at Amber Fort with a
traditional ascent to the fort on elephant back, visit the wildlife preserve
of the Maharajas at Sariska Sanctury, deserted city of Fatehpuri to Agra of
Taj Mahal & Red Fort to Gwalior the capital of Maratha rulers and back
by the imperial route to Delhi.
Detailed ItineraryDay 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 Samode Today we embark on the
journey to experience the splendour of the era gone bye. From now on for the
next few days you will be living the life of a King / Queen. Our royal
journey starts from Samode an old princely state. We leave for Samode after
a leisurely breakfast at Delhi traveling down the national highway towards
Jaipur and turning of to Samode to reach Samode in late afternoon. Rest of
day at Leisure to explore the village.
Day 5 Jaipur We leave
for the pink city of Jaipur arriving for lunch. After lunch day at leisure
to explore the streets and bazars of Jaipur. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6 Amer
Next day we visit the city palace, the palace of winds and then proceed to
Amer 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 7
Sariska We leave for our next padaw ( halt ) Sariska wildlife
sanctuary. Check in to the hotel afternoon visit Alwar believed to be the
oldest kingdom dating back to the times of the Indian Epic Mahabharat.
Though it is not as well known as Jaipur as it is off the main highway it
has as much to offer. Like the Bala quila located on a 300 meter steep
cliff, Alwar mueseum, Moosi Maharani Chhatri, Vinay Vilas Palace, Rajgarh.
Day 8 Bharatpur We take an early morning drive to
the sanctuary. After late breakfast we leave for Bharatpur the capital city
of another racial community of India The Jats. We take a drive through the
possibly the biggest bird sanctuary in the world Keoladeo Ghana National
park overnight at the hotel .Early morning we take another visit to the
national park after which we visit the famous Bharatpur fort which is
different from other Rajasthan forts as it has thick mud walls which the
British army could not break despite laying a seige for 4 months.
Day 9 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 10 Gwalior
Drive to Gwalior the city of another racial tribe called Marhathas visit the
fort and one of the most famous mueseum drive back to Agra overnight hotel.
Day 11 Delhi Drive back to Delhi enroute stopping at Sikandra
the mouseleam of the Great Emperor Akbar. Reach Delhi in the evening.
Farewell dinner at the village overnight at the hotel.
Day 12
Delhi Entire day at leisure for those interested a visit to Qutab
Minar the village of Mehrauli will be organized. In the evening depart for
the airport to catch the flight back home.