Rajasthan Luxury Tour
Duration : 7 Days / 6 Nights
Destination Covered : Jaipur - Jodhpur - Udaipur
Day 1 : Arrive Jaipur
Welcome to your 'Folklands and Forts of Rajasthan' tour! Arrive at the airport / railway station in Jaipur and transfer to your hotel. On arrival, check into your hotel.
Jaipur's past is never too far from hand. The city of victory, Jaipur presides over the fascinating desert state and its people: surrounded by rugged hills, each crowned by a formidable fort; and beautiful palaces, mansions and gardens dotted throughout its precincts. The palaces and forts of yesteryear that were witness to royal processions and splendour are now living monuments, accepted quite naturally into the lifestyles of the people of the 'pink city'.
Later, proceed for a city tour. Among the highlights to be seen while touring Jaipur includes the City Palace, which is an overwhelming complex of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards, decorative art and carved doorways. The palace museum houses collections of rare manuscripts, armoury, costumes, carpets and miniature paintings. Walk to the adjacent Jantar Mantar or Astronomical Observatory made by the Maharaja of Jaipur, built in 1726 and is one of the five such astronomical wonders built by Sawai Jai Singh and makes accurate predictions even to this day. You will also have the opportunity to wander about the local markets.
Return to the hotel after sightseeing.
Overnight in Jaipur - None (Meals on your own)
Day 2 : Jaipur
After buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven just outside Jaipur to the ancient capital of Amer to see the fabulous Amer Fort. En route to Amer you will stop and see the 'Palace of Winds', otherwise known as Hawa Mahal. It is really an elaborate facade behind which the ladies of the court used to watch the daily goings on in the street below.
Also visit the Nahargarh Fort and Jaigarh Fort. Nahargarh Fort stands on the edge of the Aravalli Hills, overlooking the pink city of Jaipur. The view of the city from the fort is breath-taking.
The rest of the day is at leisure for independent activities.
Overnight in Jaipur
Day 3 : On to Jodhpur (340 kms / approx 8 hours)
This morning, after breakfast, you will continue your journey to Jodhpur.
En route you will stop at the holy city of Pushkar to visit the famous Brahma Temple. Pushkar is one of the oldest existing cities of India. It lies on the shore of Pushkar Lake. The date of its actual origin is not known, but legend associates Lord Brahma with its creation.
Arrive at Jodhpur and check into the hotel.
Jodhpur is the second largest city in Rajasthan. It was formerly the seat of a princely state of the same name, the capital of the kingdom known as Marwar. The city is a popular tourist destination, featuring many palaces, forts and temples, set in the stark landscape of the Thar desert. Jodhpur is known as the 'Sun City' for the bright, sunny weather it enjoys all year. It is also referred to as the 'Blue City' due to the blue-painted houses around the Mehrangarh Fort. The old city circles the fort and is bound by a wall with several gates.
The rest of the evening is at leisure to explore the fortress city on your own.
Overnight in Jodhpur
Day 4 : In Jodhpur - Visit Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada
In the morning, after breakfast, proceed to visit the Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada.
The Mehrangarh Fort is sprawled across a 125-meter high hill and is the most impressive and formidable fort in the fort-studded Rajasthan. On the wall, adjacent to the Lahapol or 'Iron Gate' are 15 handprints, the sati marks of the widows of Maharaja Man Singh who threw themselves upon his funeral pyre in 1843. Inside the fort, which is still run by the Maharaja of Jodhpur, visit its various palaces with their delicate friezes and respective museums, displaying treasures of the royal family.
To the left of the Mehrangarh Fort complex is the Jaswant Thada. It is a 19th century royal cenotaph built in commemoration of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, the 33rd Rathore ruler of Jodhpur. The cenotaph has two more tombs within it. Near to this are the royal crematorium and three other cenotaphs.
Jaswant Thada is an example of architectural brilliance. It is a white marble memorial, built out of intricately carved sheets of marble. There is also beautiful marble jali work on the cenotaph and it is the definitive tomb with a view. After the sightseeing, return to the hotel.
The rest of the day is at leisure. You can visit the clock tower and markets on your own. The clock tower is a landmark in the old city, surrounded by the vibrant Sardar Market. The alleys lead to bazaars selling vegetables, spices, sweets, textiles, silver and handicrafts.
Overnight in Jodhpur
Day 5 : Onto Udaipur via Ranakpur (255 kms / approx 6 hours)
After buffet breakfast, you will be driven from Jodhpur to Udaipur en route visiting Ranakpur Jain Temples, an exceptionally beautiful excursion through the rugged, wooded hills of Rajasthan to the Jain Temples of Ranakpur in the Aravalli Valley, to see one of the best complexes of Jain religion which is particularly noted for the grandiose scale of its architecture and the highly decorated ceilings, walls and 1444 different pillars. The priests of the temples did all the temple designing and their generations are still continuing the work.
Arrive in Udaipur and check into the hotel.
Set on the shores of Lake Pichola and surrounded by hills, Udaipur grew in complete contrast to the harsh deserts of the rest of Rajasthan. As capital of the old Mewar State it was the only Rajput stronghold to uphold its Hindu allegiance in the face of Muslim invasion. From the late 16th century, peace brought about an era of renaissance in the arts and encouraged the building of beautiful palaces around the lake, culminating in the City Palace, one of the largest palace complexes in the world. The lake itself is a romantic setting surrounding the gleaming white Lake Palace and the Jag Mandir, a refuge of the rebel Mughal prince, Shah Jahan, soon to be the creator of the incomparable Taj Mahal.
The rest of the day is at leisure for independent activities.
Overnight in Udaipur
Day 6 : In Udaipur
After buffet breakfast, you will proceed for a tour of the City Palace, which overlooks the Lake Pichola. The City Palace was built in 1725 of granite and marble with filigreed balconies, ornate windows and craftsmanship in glass. The royal palace walls stretch over a mile on the eastern side of the lake. Also visit the Saheliyon ki Bari or Garden of the Maids. Saheliyon Ki Bari was laid for a group of forty-eight young women attendants who accompanied a princess to Udaipur as part of her dowry. The gardens set below the embankment of the Fateh Sagar Lake have beautiful lotus pools, marble pavilions and elephant- shaped fountains. These fountains are fed by the water of the lake gushing through ducts made for the purpose. Each water channel has its distinct sound and the mingling of these sounds complement the ambience of the place.
The rest of the day is at leisure for independent activities. You can explore the enchanting city bewitching in all its details - narrow streets lined by vivid coloured stalls, gardens, temples and palaces - every feature, mirrored in the placid blue waters of Lake Pichola.
You can take a boat ride on Lake Pichola (On Direct payment).
Overnight in Udaipur
Day 7 : Depart Udaipur * Return home with happy memories
Today, bid farewell to your 'Folklands and Forts of Rajasthan' tour, as you are transferred to the airport / railway station in Udaipur for your onward journey.