Golden Triangle & Cultural Rajasthan

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for a full-day sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi. This fascinating city has been in existence since the 6th century BC and has seen ups and downs from the rule of the Pandavas right up to the British Raj. Visit Jama Masjid, which is the largest mosque in India, commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan. The courtyard of the mosque can hold about 25,000 worshippers, enjoy a rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk, the busiest market in Old Delhi…noisy, chaotic and uniquely Indian, drive past the Red Fort, which was constructed during the rule of Emperor Shah Jahan and served as the residence for the Mughal royal family. It continues to be significant till date, as every Independence Day, the Prime Minister makes a speech from its ramparts as the Indian flag is hoisted, drive past the President’s House and several other government buildings in Edwin Lutyen’s Delhi before you head toward Rajghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. This simple memorial marks the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in 1948, visit Humayun’s Tomb, commissioned by Humayun’s wife Hamida Banu Begum in 1562. It was the first garden tomb built in the Indian sub-continent where the Persian architect used red sandstone on a large scale and the Qutab Minar, which is the tallest brick minaret in the world; it was commissioned by Qutbuddin Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi. 

• Overnight: stay in Delhi.

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and proceed to Mandawa.  On arrival check-in at the hotel. Later, proceed for a half day sightseeing tour of Mandawa. The entire Shekhawati region is well known for its painted havelis (mansions with frescoes).  Mandawa in particular is central to this beautiful form of art. Some of the notable haveli’s are the Hanuman Prasad Goenka Haveli, Murmuria Haveli, Goenka Double Haveli, Jhunjhunwala Haveli and Mohan Lal Saraf Haveli. Not surprisingly, the entire town is referred to as an Open Art Gallery. 

• Overnight: stay at Mandawa.

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and proceed to Bikaner. If ever beauty has bloomed in a desert, it has been at Bikaner it comprises richly sculptured temples built of red and yellow sandstone. On arrival at Bikaner, check-in at the hotel. Later, proceed for a half day sightseeing tour of Bikaner and visit - Junagadh Fort… an unassailable fortress, it has never been conquered. Inside the fort are some magnificent palaces like Anup Mahal, Ganga Niwas and Rang Mahal or palace of pleasure, the Har Mandir is the majestic temple for the royal family, a camel breeding farm…here; professional camel breeders research how to breed the best camels.

• Overnight: stay at Bikaner.

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and proceed to Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer, which lies in the heart of the Thar Desert…a city, seeped in colour and rich tradition; it was once a major centre on the trading route between India and the west. On arrival at Jaisalmer check-in at the hotel. 

• Overnight: stay at Jaisalmer.

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for a half day sightseeing tour of Jaisalmer and visit - Jaisalmer Fort, which is the only living fort of India and houses the entire township within its ramparts. Visit Salim Singh ki Haveli, built around 300 years ago, and Patwon-ki-Haveli which is the largest and most elaborate mansion of its kind in Jaisalmer, followed by a visit to Nathmal Ji ki Haveli, a grand mansion that blends Rajput and Islamic architecture, drive past the beautiful Gadisar Lake and Badal Vilas, the present residence of erstwhile royal family, Sam Sand Dunes, around 42 kms from Jaisalmer, is the closest place from where you can lose yourself in ‘The Great Thar Desert'. The rest of the day is free for individual activities.

• Overnight: stay at Jaisalmer.

After breakfast at the hotel, check out of the hotel and proceed to Jodhpur. On arrival at Jodhpur  check-in at the hotel. The rest of the day is free for individual activities.

• Overnight: stay at Jodhpur.

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for a half-day sightseeing tour of Jodhpur, which is the second largest city in Rajasthan and also called the ‘Sun City’.  Visit the Mehrangarh Fort. This spectacular fort made from red sandstone stands on a perpendicular cliff above the skyline of Jodhpur, Jaswant Thada, a marble cenotaph built to commemorate Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, drive past the Mandore garden, which showcases cenotaphs of Jodhpur's former rulers; instead of the usual umbrella-shaped cenotaphs these are built along the lines of a Hindu temple. The rest of the day is free for individual activities. 

• Overnight: stay at Jodhpur.

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and proceed to Udaipur. En-route, visit the Ranakpur Temples, acclaimed worldwide for their intricate and superb architectural style. These temples form one of the five major pilgrimages of the Jain’s. On arrival at Udaipur, check-in at the hotel. The rest of the day is free for individual activities.

• Overnight: stay at Udaipur.

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for a full-day tour of Udaipur and  visit - the City Palace, standing on the east bank of Lake Pichola. The complex is a massive series of palaces built at different times from 1559. The balconies of the palace provide panoramic views of the Lake Palace Hotel and Jag Mandir on one side, and the city of Udaipur on the other. The paintings, mosaics, intricately carved 'chhatris' and the architecturally brilliant facade all contribute to making your visit to the City Palace a truly memorable experience, a picturesque garden, Sahelion ki Bari, the Jagdish Temple, which is raised on a tall terrace and was completed in 1651. It attaches a double-storey Mandapa (hall) to a double-storey saandhara (with a covered ambulatory) sanctum. In the evening, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Pichola (subject to the water level on the lake), which is an artificial fresh water lake, created in the year 1362 AD.

• Overnight: stay at Udaipur.

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and proceed to Ajmer.  On arrival at Ajmer, check-in at the  hotel. The rest of the day is free for individual activities. 

• Overnight: stay at Ajmer.

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for a half day sightseeing tour of Ajmer. The city of Ajmer houses the Dargah or tomb of the popular 13th-century Sufi Saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti. The Dargah is one of the holiest places of worship in India not only for Muslims but also for people of other faiths who hold the saint in high esteem. Its main attraction is the mausoleum containing the tomb of the saint, which is the sanctum of the Dargah. Among its other prominent attractions are the two mighty Buland Darwazas. The Dargah includes many other attractive buildings, tombs, courtyards and Daalaans, some of which are exquisite specimens of the Moghul architecture. After visiting the Dargah, proceed to Jaipur, also known as the ‘Pink City’. The city of Jaipur is capital of the state of Rajasthan, famous for its colorful culture, forts, palaces, and lakes. Jaipur owes its name to the founder of the city, warrior king Sawai Jai Singh II.  On arrival at Jaipur, check-in at the hotel.

• Overnight: stay at Jaipur.

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for a full-day sightseeing tour of Jaipur, also known as the ‘Pink City’. The city of Jaipur is capital of the state of Rajasthan, famous for its colorful culture, forts, palaces, and lakes. Jaipur owes its name to the founder of the city, warrior king Sawai Jai Singh II. Visit the Amber Fort. The best way to explore the fort is to ride up to it on Elephant back. Prominent structures inside the fort are the Diwan-i-Aam, adorned with latticed galleries, the Ganesh Pol, with a beautiful painted image of Lord Ganesh, the stunning Sheesh Mahal, a hall decorated with thousands of tiny mirrors. Later, stop to photograph the beautiful Hawa Mahal, also known as the “Palace of the Winds.” This beautiful façade with its ornately carved latticework windows was designed so the ladies of the palace could look out onto the streets unobserved,  the City Palace… again, a synthesis of Rajasthani and Mughal styles. The museums here showcase rare and ancient manuscripts, arms dating back to the 15th century, and costumes of erstwhile royalty, the Jantar Mantar Observatory, comprising geometric devices for measuring time, and tracking stars in their orbits. 

• Overnight: stay at Jaipur.

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and proceed to Agra.  En-route visit Fatehpur Sikri, which was built by Emperor Akbar and is home to many historical buildings. Akbar wanted to make Fatehpur Sikri his headquarters; however, he had to abandon it due to shortage of water. The Tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti enshrines the burial place of the Sufi saint who lived a religious life here.   Today, Fatehpur Sikri is a UNESCO World heritage site. On arrival at Agra, check-in at the hotel.  The rest of the day is free for individual activities. 

• Overnight: stay at Agra.

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for a half day tour of Agra and visit the Red Fort, which was commissioned in 1565 by The Mughal Emperor, Akbar. The beautiful yet forbidding structure is a handsome example of Mughal architecture, visit the Taj Mahal … a mausoleum built as a symbol of Emperor Shah Jehan’s devotion to his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal. Considered an architectural marvel, its construction took thousands of workers over 21 years to complete. Check out of the hotel by Noon and depart for Delhi.  On arrival at Delhi, check-in at the hotel.

• Overnight: stay in Delhi.

After breakfast at the hotel, the day is free for individual activities.  Check out of the hotel by Noon.  You will be picked up from the hotel lobby and transferred to the airport in time to board your flight back home.