Forts & Palaces Tour of India

Duration: 19 Nights / 20 Days

Destinations Covered: Delhi – Samode – Mandawa – Bikaner – Jaisalmer – Jodhpur – Kumbhalgarh – Udaipur – Mount Abu – Pushkar – Jaipur – Ranthambhore – Agra – Delhi

Day 01 : Arrival Delhi
Arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel for the overnight stay.

Day 02 : Delhi
After breakfast, half day city tour of Old Delhi. Visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Built by Shah Jahan, the construction was started in 1844 and was not completed until 1658; Red Fort, which was also built by Shah Jehan. This massive fort was built from 1638 to 1648; Chandni Chowk and Rajghat – the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. Afternoon, city tour of New Delhi. Visit Humayuns Tomb : built in mid 16th century this is an early example of Mughal architecture; Qutab Minar, drive past India Gate, President House, Connaught Place. The city tour ends with a visit to Laxmi Narayan Temple (Birla Mandir).

Day 03 : Delhi – Samode
After breakfast drive to Samode Palace. Visit the Samode Bagh where you can enjoy the beauty of the rising sun amidst the greenery all around. Feel privileged to have your lunch in the confines of the air-conditioned tented camp where the dune coloured tents are luxuriously furnished with every comfort. In the evening stroll through the village and meet the locals to understand and have a feel of the rural India. Dinner and Overnight stay in the Hotel Samode Palace (A Deluxe Heritage hotel)

Day 04 : Samode – Mandawa
Morning drive to Mandava, on arrival check in at the hotel. In the morning see this beautiful Heritage village of Shekhawati Region that used to be an important caravanserai of the yesteryears. See the many beautiful Fresco Painted havelis of this quaint little town built by the rich and the famous merchants of the 18th and 19th centuries. These havelis have been painted with activities of daily life and of deities to break the monotony of the desert life. Reach Bikaner by Evening time. Check in to the Hotel for over night stay.

Day 05 : Mandawa – Bikaner
After taking breakfast at the hotel, drive to Bikaner. Bikaner is named after its founder Rao Bikaji in 1488. But long before this, the city was trade center on the caravan routes from Africa and West Asia. Bikaner’s dominant features are rippling sands and abundant sunshine. The city stands on an elevation, enclosed by a 7 Kms wall, which can be entered from 5 gates. Bikaner City is bolstered by imposing walls and has a 16th century fort housing old palaces, temples and mosque. Founded by Raja Rai Singh the fort is distinguished by its long range of 37 pavilions, a line of balconies and aerial windows of varying designs. The guest will visit magnificent lallgarah Palace.

Day 06 : Bikaner – Jaisalmer
After taking breakfast at the hotel, drive to Jaisalmer en route visiting the Gajner Palace. Gajner is Gajner is an incomparable Jewel in the Thar. Built by the great Maharaja Ganga Singhji of Bikaner on the embankment of a lake with a generous dose of flora and fauna. Basically a hunting and relaxing lodge, the maharaja and the family shared their passion with their exclusive guests and hosted exotic holidays for them. Upon arrival at Jaisalmer – check into hotel. Rest of the day at leisure for own activities. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 07 : Jaisalmer
After breakfast proceed to visit the Rich and beautiful palaces and “Havelis” of Jaisalmer Sonar Kila, Patwon ki haveli, Salim Singh ki Haveli and Nathmalji Ki Haveli and afternoon excursion to Sam for short camel ride in the sand dunes of thar desert. There are two option of overnight stay.The first option is to stay in the Sand Dunes in the tents where you can enjoy the special dinner with cultural programme, Rajasthani folk dance & music. and the second one is to stay at hotel.

Day 08 : Jaisalmer – Jodhpur
Early Morning drive to Jodhpur the blue city en route we visit Osian. Osian is the ancient town of Thar Desert was a great trading center between 8th to 12th centuries. Today it is desert oasis with 16 Brahamanical and Jain temples, beautifully sculpted and designed, most of which have stood ravages of time. The place is highlighted by its camel ride at the time of the sunset.
Proceed to the Jodhpur and check in to the Hotel for overnight stay.

Day 09 : Jodhpur
After taking breakfast visit the Mehrangarh Fort which literally means “Majestic Fort”, located at the very centre of the city. There are, in all, three gates , each built to commemorate a particular victory, as well as to reinforce the fort. It has a collection of musical instruments, palanquins, furniture & cannons on the forts’ ramparts are well preserved. Jaswant Thada : Close to the fort complex lies this white marble cenotaph, built in 1899, in commemoration of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Rare portraits of Jodhpur’s rulers are, also, to be seen at Jaswant Thada. Also visit the Umaid Bhawan Palace which is a majestic Palace building that presently functions as a hotel and museum. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 10 : Jodhpur – Kumbhalgarh
After taking breakfast at the hotel, drive to Kumbhalgarh en route visit Ranakpur Temples.
Ranakpur Temples – the most magnificent 15th century Jain temples situated in the deep secluded valley of the Aravalli Hills. And go to Kumbhalgarh check in to the hotel. Kumbhalgarh, situated 65 km north of Udaipur hold a heroic past having sheltered the heir of Mewar throne in times of Danger. It was here that the baby prince of Mewar was hidden from an assassin. It is an isolated and fascinating place, built by Maharana Khumbha in the 15th century. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 11 : Kumbhalgarh – Udaipur
After taking breakfast drive to Udaipur – The city of Lakes, Udaipur is a lovely blend of water, lush green hills that set fire and passion in poet. Its palaces are straight out of a fairy-tale book, lakes, forts, palaces, temples, gardens, mountains and narrow lanes lines withdrawn with stalls, relives the reminisces of a heroic past, valor and chivalry. Their reflection in the placid waters of the Lake Pichola is excitement that defines imagination. Udaipur is one of the most romantic cities of world, also know as the Venice of East. Upon at Udaipur check-in to the hotel. Day at leisure. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 12 : Udaipur
Visit the City Palace the richest palace museum in the entire Rajasthan. See the Peacock Square and the miniature painting school inside the palace premises. Udaipur has the prestige of housing the best miniature schools in the country under the royal patronage of the king of Udaipur. Later, see the Sahelion ki Bari where Maharana Sangram Singh build this garden complex with fountains and lakes for his beautiful daughter. In the evening we take a lake cruise on the placid waters of Lake Pichhola by sunset and visit the island palace Jagmandir where according to legends the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan lived and got inspired to build the Taj mahal later. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 13 : Udaipur – Mount Abu
After taking breakfast drive to Mount Abu. It is situated at an average height of 1,219 mtr’s above sea level is the oasis in the deserted land of Rajasthan and posses the honor of being the only hill-station in Rajasthan as well as north-west India.Arrival at Mount Abu and check in to the hotel and go for the visit of beautiful seen of Sun set. Enjoy the late evening hours at Nakki Lake. Over night stay at Hotel.

Day 14 : Mount Abu
After taking breakfast we visit Delwada Jain temples and Guru Shikhar. Gurushikhar holds the honor of being not only the highest peak of Mount Abu but the whole of Aravali mountain range, Situated at a height of 1722 meters from the sea-level, Gurushikar provides a breathtaking panoramic view of Mount Abu town and green aravali range. Also visit the other observatories.
Over night stay at hotel.

Day 15 : Mount Abu – Pushkar
After taking breakfast drive to Pushkar. Pushkar happens to be the holiest place according to the Hindus as it is considered that Lord Brahma (the Creator) and his wife Saraswati (the godess of learning and music) performed a ritual in the lake. Here we visit the only Brahma temple of the world before intermingling with the local colours in the local bazaar. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 16 : Pushkar – Jaipur
After breakfast drive to Jaipur “Pink City” of India. Upon arrival in Jaipur check in to the hotel. Afternoon proceed to visit City Palace the museum, Jantar Mantar the largest and the best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country. This observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments and Hawamahal the Palace of Winds. Arrval in Jaipur and check in to the hotel and late evening enjoy at Chokhi Dhani -an ethnic Rajasthani Resort with special dinner with cultural programme, Rajasthani folk dance & music. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 17 : Jaipur
After breakfast, excursion to Amber Fort. Elephant ride from the foothills of the Aravallis to the fort entrance. Amber Fort : At a distance of 11 kms from Jaipur, Amber was the ancient capital of Jaipur state. Construction of the fort began in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput commander of Akbar’s army and is a superb example of Rajput architecture. And then go to Jaigarh Fort. Jaigarh Fort is located on the top of the hill, by the name of Cheel ka Teela (Hill of Eagles). Jaigarh Fort is also known as the ‘Victory Fort’, located at a comfortable distance of 15kms from Jaipur. The highlight of this Fort is the massive cannon by the name of Jaivan, which was made in the same production house. Jaivan, the cannon, is believed to be the largest cannon in the World and the main attraction of the Jaigarh Fort. Also visit Jalmahal. Day at Leisure. Over night stay at Jaipur.

Day 18 : Jaipur – Ranthambhore
Drive to Ranthambhore-famous for the wildlife sanctuary which is said to have the India’s friendliest Tigers and also considered to be the best place in the world to photograph the tiger in its natural habitat. In the evening hrs Jungle safari in a Canter (a vehicle which is open on the top) enjoy the game viewing in the national park and back to the hotel. Night stay in Ranthambhore.

Day 19 : Ranthambhore- Agra
After taking breakfast drive to Agra en route visiting Fathpur Sikar. Fatehpur Sikri is a perfectly preserved red sandstone “ghost town” which was the estranged capital of mughal emperor Akbar, built in 1569 and deserted when its water supply failed. It’s famous for the Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world. Proceed to Agra. Day at Leisure check in to the Hotel and overnight at the Hotel.

Day 20 : Agra- Delhi
Go on a sightseeing tour of Agra in the morning including the world-famous Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Tomb of Itimad ud Daulah and Sikandra. In the evening, you will be driven back to Delhi, where you will be dropped at the airport so that you can catch your flight in time to your onward destination.