Tour Duration: 16 nights/17 days
Places Covered: Delhi, Mandawa, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Khuri, Sam, Osian, Jodhpur, Rohet, Ranakpur,Udaipur, Bundi, Ranthambore, Agra & Delhi.

ONE OF INDIA’S MOST TRADITIONAL STATES, RAJASTHAN - ‘The Land of Kings’ - fiercely resisted conquest by various waves of invaders who swept over the sub-continent from earliest times. As a result it has preserved a unique cultural integrity. A wild and beautiful desert land, it rejoices in a romantic history of often warring princely states whose deeds are embellished by tales of chivalry and romance. Yet Rajasthan is also celebrated for its ancient and vibrant spiritual tradition, a living heritage passed down through saints and shrines of the Hindu, Jain and Islamic faiths, and its vibrant artistic creativity. Thus a visit here makes an ideal introduction to the magic that is India, and gives a glimpse of the fascinating variety of a country that is like nowhere else on earth.

The special feature of this holiday will be Dessert Camel Safari and short Trekking in the Arravali Hills and Jungle safari in search of the ‘Royal Bengal Tiger’. Concluding with a Romantic visit of the Taj Mahal.

Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Arrival at Delhi International Airport with assistance you will be transferred to you pre-booked hotel. Morning at leisure.  Perhaps there  is no other capital city in the world so steeped in history and legend as the Indian capital, Delhi. It was the magnet that drew the Mongols, Turks, Persians, Afghans, Mughals and Finally the British. All of whom contributed to its glorious but turbulent history. The fascination with Delhi was such that even though it was abandoned many times, its rulers returned to it again and again rebuilding it at least seven times.

Old Delhi Tour (half day) : Shah Jahan founded the city of Shahjanabad, now referred to as Old Delhi, in 1648. The famous Red Fort in the heart of Old Delhi was once the most opulent fort of the Mughal Empire and it boasts the Diwan-I-Am, Hall of Private Audience. Opposite the fort is the Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in the world, built by Shah Jahan to dominate his city.  Afternoon sightseeing to Red Fort, Jama Masjid Mosque & Humayuns tomb. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 02: Delhi – Mandawa  (250 kms)
After breakfast drive to Mandawa in the Shekhavati region, visit the fort and museum.  Overnight in hotel.

Day 03: Mandawa – Bikaner (190 kms)
After breakfast drive about 5hrs to Bikaner in the Shekhavati region, known for the beautiful frescoes which adorn many of the buildings.  Afternoon sightseeing of imposing 16th century pink - sandstone Junagarh fort (1588-93) is one of the finest examples in Rajasthan, of the paradox between medieval military architecture and beautiful interior decoration.
Overnight in Hotel.

Day 04: Bikaner – Jaisalmer (330 kms)
Today leave early, for a longish drive about 8hrs. The approach to Jaisalmer across the barren Thar Desert is magical, as the city shimmers like a mirage. With the crenulated golden sandstone town walls and narrow streets lined with exquisitely carved buildings, it has an extraordinary medieval feel. Jaisalmer, a medieval city of elaborately carved mansions (havelis) in yellow sandstone, built by rich merchants at a time when the city was a key stopping place on the caravan routes from the Middle East. 
Visit to Jaislamer Fort, often referred as the golden fort because of the colour of the sandstone, Jaisalmer’s Fort seems to emerge from the desert sands. The fort is still home to many of the town’s people who live in tiny but beautifully decorated houses or havelis. Inside the fortified town is the Palace and the Juna Mahal, part of one of the oldest palaces in Rajasthan. The city also boasts some fascinating Jain temples and exquisite havelis such as the Badal Mahal, a five storeyed tower with fine carvings.  Jaisalmer has been described as an open air museum, and to enter its narrow cobbled lanes is to step into a bygone age. Overnight in hotel.

Day 05: Jaisalmer (Camel Safari) :

After breakfast we drive about 35 kms to Barna to the starting point of our Camel safari, we camel only for two hours to the beautiful desert village of Kundra. Arrive and camp for overnight. Late evening visit to the village, meet local people.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Overnight in tents.

Day 06: Thar Desert ( Camel Safari ) :
After breakfast  camel/ walk through the desert  to Khuri about 5hrs., a  small picturesque desert village of decorated mud thatched buildings and shifting sand dunes. Evening drive back to Jaisalmer.  Overnight at hotel.

Day 07: Jaisalmer – Osian - Jodhpur (265 kms)
After breakfast drive about 6hrs to Osian, surrounded by sand dunes, this ancient town in the Thar Desert contains the largest group of eighth to 10th century Hindu and Jain temples in Rajasthan. The typical Pratihara Dynasty temple complex is set on a terrace whose walls are finely decorated with mouldings and miniatures. The sanctuary walls have central projections with carved panels and above these rise curved towers. The doorways are usually decorated with river goddesses, serpants and scrollwork. The 23 temples are grouped in several sites north, west and south of the town.
Later continue drive about 2hrs.(50kms) to historic Jodhpur, second city of Rajasthan. At  the entrance of the Thar Desert in the region called Marwas stands the blue city of Jodhpur. Overnight at hotel.

Day 08: Jodhpur – Rohet  
Morning visit the massive Mehrangarh Fort looms over the city and the Red sandstone Palaces within the fort form one of the most impressive complexes in Rajasthan. Its museum contains sections which house armoury, palanquins, howdahs and headgear from all the communities of Rajasthan. Life in the city revolves around the Clock Tower area, a haven for shoppers, selling everything from the leather mojris (shoes) to ornamental swords fashioned after designs seen in the fort museum.

Later continue drive of  one hour to Rohet, a picturesque hamlet settled by the Bishnoi tribals-followers of an ancient ecological religion. Overnight at hotel.

Day 9: Rohet
After breakfast  jeep safari to visit Bishnoi tribal village. We will see village life of tribals, ecology system & some wildlife. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10: Rohet – Ranakpur –Udaipur (194 kms)
Morning after breakfast drive to Ranakpur, visit one of the biggest and most important Jain temples (Chaumukha Temple) in India. Continue drive to Udaipur. Upon arrival hotel check in. Rest of the time at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11: Udaipur
Morning after breakfast visit to City Palace – the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, comprising many buildings added at different time by various maharajas. Perhaps the most beautiful are the Moti Mahal with its mirror inlay and the Chini ka Chitra Mahal’s iridescent tile work. At the nearby, Jagdish Temple, there is an impressively carved image of Lord Vishnu, to whom the temple is dedicated.  
A  boat  ride around Lake Pichola offers spectacular views of the city.  The City Palace towers over the lake and you will also see the merchant’s havelis, temples, the royal hunting lodge and the exquisite Gul Mahal Pavilion on Jag Mandir Island.  Having disembarked, you continue to the ornamental gardens of the Maids of Honour or Sahelion ki Bari. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12: Udaipur – Bundi (265 kms)
After breakfast drive about 7hrs to Bundi, is a dream remembered – named after Bunda, a Meena chieftain.  Visit Chhatra Mahal or Palace of Towers, built in 1660, by Rao Raja Chattar Sal also visit Taragarh Fort (The Star Fort) the majestic white fort crowning the wooded hill, is one of the most impressive forts of Rajasthan. The huge water reservoirs inside the fort are noteworthy. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13: Bundi – Ranthambore (120 kms)
After breakfast drive about 5hrs to Ranthambor National park. Afternoon Jungle safari to the National Park. Overnight at hotel.

Day 14: Ranthambore  
Morning  and  afternoon  game  viewing  in  Ranthambore  to  see  more  wildlife,  including  Deer, Wild  Boar,  Langur  and  Tiger. Located  in  south-west  Rajasthan, where  the  Vindhayas  and  the  Aravalli  Hills  meet,  the  Ranthambore  National  Park  is  bound  by  the  rivers  Chambal, in  the  south, and  Banas, in  the  north.  Characterised  by  rocky  plains, flat  hill  tops, gentle  slopes  and  precipitous  cliffs, covered  by  dry  deciduous  forests.  Ranthambore  is  virtually  an  island  rich  in  flora  and  fauna  in  an  ocean  of  villages, farmland  and  over  grazed  arid  land.
A  heaven   for  a  multitude  of  wild  animals, the  park  boasts  of  playing  host  to  tigers,  leopards,  the  elusive  carcals,  hyenas, sloth  bears,  wild  boars, crocodiles  and  so  on.  Besides, there  are  around  300  species  of  birds,  from  the  majestic  Crested  Serpent  Eagle  to  the  exotic  Golden  Oriole. Overnight at hotel.

Day 15:  Ranthambore – Agra (265 kms)
Early morning jungle safari to the park. Later after breakfast drive about 8hrs. (265 kms) to Agra, enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri.  Overnight at hotel.

Day 16: Agra - Delhi (203 kms)
Morning after breakfast, visit India's most celebrated monument the Taj Mahal,  built as a monument of  eternal love by Shah Jahan to the bride Mumtaz, the Taj Mahal looks  amazingly graveful from almost any angle. It was built over a period of 20 years by 20,000 laborers and craftsmen and displays superb craftsmanship. The close up details of the Taj Mahal is as exquisite as the overall architectural design, with semi-precious stones and beautiful patterns covering the marble surface.  RED Fort, Akbar began Agra Fort in 1565, with additions of the citadel being made through to the time of Akbar’s grandson, Shah Jahan (Kind of the World). The forts have fine views of the Taj across the River Yamuna, and consists of Deewani – Aam(hall of public ordiances) and Deewan- Khass (the hall of Private ordnances), it also has a nice grape garden, beautiful fountain ways.

Afternoon drive about 4hrs/ 204kms to Delhi. Late evening transfer to the international airport.

Day 17: Delhi  (Departure)
Just past midnight fly back to your home country.