Fort & Palaces of Mughal`s & Rajput`s

Day 1: Arrive Delhi

On arrival assistance & transfer to hotel (hotel check in/ out time 12pm). Rest time free for personal activities. Overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Delhi (B)

City tour of Delhi. In Old Delhi visit the majestic Red Fort (closed on Monday) the residence of the Mughal emperor for nearly 200 years until 1857. Jama Masjid one of the largest mosques in the world built by Shah Jahan. Cycle Rickshaw ride in Chandni chowk & Khari Baoli Spice Market a busy shopping area with markets full of spices, dried fruit, silver jewelry and vivid saris, while the narrow side streets are crowded with tiny shops selling essential oils, stationery and traditional Indian sweets. Raj Gath the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi where he was cremated after his assassination.

In New Delhi visit Humayun Tomb the first garden-tomb in Indian subcontinent and an early example of Mughal architecture commissioned by Humayun`s first wife Empress Bega Begum in 1569-70. Qutab Minar a 73-metres tall minaret that forms part of the Qutb complex a fine examples of Afghan architecture. Lotus Temple a Bahai House of Worship notable for its flower-like shape. Also drive pass President House, Parliament & India Gate etc. Overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Delhi - Mandawa (250km) (B)

Drive to Mandawa check in at hotel.

Later visit Mandawa famous for its marvelous mansions (Havelis). The wealthy businessmen of the village constructed many havelis and baolis with colored painting adorning their walls. Later on with the migration of these merchant families, their old settlements remained in total obscurity with no one to look after them. Located in the heart of Shekhawati region Mandawa is often called as an open art gallery. Famous Havelis you can visit are Hanuman Prasad Goenka Haveli, Goenka Double Haveli, Murmuria Haveli, Jhunjhunwala Haveli, Mohan Lal Saraf Haveli, Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli, The Binsidhar Newatia Haveli, Lakshminarayan Ladia Haveli and Chokhani Double Haveli. Overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Mandawa - Jaipur (170km) (B)

Drive to Jaipur check in at hotel. Rest time free and easy to explore the pink city and visit the colorful bazaars. Overnight at hotel.

Day 5: Jaipur (B)

City tour of Jaipur the first planned city of India. Established in 1727 by Jai Singh II, the king of Amber when he shifted his capital from Amber to the new city because of the rapidly-growing population and an increasing water scarcity. Noted architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharya used the established principles of Vastu Shastra to build the city. In 1876, the Prince of Wales visited Jaipur and the entire Jaipur city was painted in pink the symbolic colors of hospitality to welcome him. Jaipur rises up majestically against the backdrop of the forts Nahargarh, Jaigarh and Garh Ganesh Temple. In morning visit Amber Fort followed by Jaigarh Fort. Later visit City Palace, Observatory, Hawa Mahal, Sisodia Rani Garden & Birla temple. Explore the famous bazaars of Pink City with its rich history and heritage exudes an amazing mix of royalty and art. Overnight at hotel.

Day 6: Jaipur - Pushkar (145km) (B)

Drive to Pushkar check in at hotel.

Pushkar, one of the oldest cities in India surrounded by hillocks on three sides. Along with an interesting mythological history, a legacy of timeless architectural heritage makes Pushkar a fascinating city. According to legends, Lord Brahma, believed to be the creator of the Universe dropped a lotus to the ground leading to the immediate creation of a lake. The city of Pushkar is home to the only active temple dedicated to Lord Brahma. Hindus consider a journey to Pushkar to be the ultimate pilgrimage that must be undertaken to attain salvation. Visit of Pushkar Lake one of the holiest lake in the country having 52 bathing ghats, Brahma & Savitri Temple. And Khwaja Dargah E Sharif, Adhai Din Ka Jhonpda, Anasagar Lake in nearby town Ajmer. Overnight at hotel.

Day 7: Pushkar - Jodhpur (190km) (B)

Drive to Jodhpur check in at hotel.

City tour of Jodhpur popularly known as the Blue City. The name is clearly befitting as most of the architectures, forts, palaces, temples, havelis and even houses are built in vivid shades of blue. The mammoth, imposing fortress of Mehrangarh has a landscape dominating a rocky ridge with eight gates leading out of the fortress. Jodhpur marks its origin back to the year of 1459 AD, Rao Jodha the chief of Rathore Clan is credited with the origin of Jodhpur. Mandore, the ancient capital of Marwar is a major historical sites lying just 10kms out from Jodhpur where you will find the cenotaphs of Jodhpur`s former rulers built along the lines of Hindu temples. Visit Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, Umaid Bhawan Palace & Museum, Mandore Temples, Gardens & Cenotaphs. Overnight at hotel.

Day 8: Jodhpur - Udaipur (260km) (B)

Safari to Guda a Bishnoi village, home to a vivid range of exotic wildlife and nature. Bishnoi community the staunch worshippers of nature in all its forms inhabits the village. They even pray to the green trees and animals that inhabit their land and make every effort to conserve the environment. It is the perfect place to experience the traditions and customs of tribal life. Drive to Udaipur enroute visit Ranakpur Jain Temple. The temple complex comprises of 1444 intricately carved pillars, 24 pillared halls accompanied by 80 domes which are borne by 400 columns. The apogee of this entire temple architecture is the fact that no two pillars in here are the same! The entire ceiling of this temple complex is bedecked with geometric designs and scrollwork.

Continue drive to Udaipur check in at hotel. Enjoy boat ride on Lake Pichola. Overnight at hotel.

Day 9: Udaipur (B)

City tour of Udaipur located around azure water lakes and is hemmed in by lush green hills of Aravallis. The famous Lake Palace, located in the middle of Lake Pichola is one of the most beautiful sights of Udaipur. It is also home to Jaisamand Lake, claimed to be the second largest Man-made sweet water lake in Asia. The beautiful City Palace and Monsoon Palace add to the architectural beauty and grandeur of the city. Solar observatory in Lake Fateh Sagar is the only observatory in India located on an island and has been made on the pattern of Big Bear Lake in Southern California. Visit City Palace & Museum, Jagdish Temple, Saheliyon Ki Bari, Bada Mahal, Eklingji & Nagda Temple. Explore Hathi Pol Bazar, Bada Bazar & Shilpgram a craftsmens village. Evening watch folk dance show Dharohar at Bagore ki Haveli. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10: Udaipur - Bundi (275km) (B)

Drive to Bundi via visiting Chittorgarh named after its most imposing structure, the Chittorgarh Fort which stands atop a 180 meter high hill and is spread across 700 acres. Chittorgarh Fort has had a tumultuous past, this bastion of the Rajputs has faced violent attacks thrice in its entire history. The first was in 1303 when the Sultan of Delhi, Ala-ud-din Khilji, who was enamoured by Queen Padmini, launched an attack to abduct her. More than two centuries later, in 1533, it was Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat, who caused immense destruction. Four decades later, in 1568, Mughal Emperor Akbar attacked and seized the fort. It was finally in 1616, under the rule of Mughal Emperor Jahangir that the fort was returned to the Rajputs. Chittorgarh resonates stories of Rajputana bravery, pride and passion. The bards of Rajasthan sing tales of courage and sacrifice recounting stories that are known to every child and adult in the city. Visit to Chittorgarh Fort, Rani Padmini`s Palace, Rana Kumbha Palace, Vijay Stambh (the Tower of Victory), Kirti Stambh & Jain temples, etc.

Arrive Bundi check in at hotel. Later city tour of Bundi, a magnificent town dotted with fairy tale quality palaces & forts. Bundi was once the capital of the great Hadoti Kingdom, renowned for its art and sculpture. Bundi still retains its charismatic medieval grandeur. And just like Jodhpur and Rajput, the architecture of Bundi also possesses a noticeable bluish hue, designed to keep houses cool during hot summer, in the intricately carved brackets and pillars. Visit Garadia Mahadev Temple, Sukh Mahal, Rani Ji Ki Baori, Phool Sagar, Taragarh Fort, Nawal Sagar Lake, few Cenotaphs & Step Wells and the royal site of the frescoes & paintings in Braj Bhushan Ji Ki Haveli. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11: Bundi - Ranthambore (150km) (B,L,D)

Drive to Ranthambore National Park & check in at resort. Later visit Ranthambore Fort built by the Chauhan rulers in the 10th century. The fort encompass temples, tanks, massive gates and huge walls, numerous cenotaphs, ruins and abandoned settlements overcome by nature testament to battles and romances of an era long gone. The fort is also related to the historical legend of the royal women performing jauhar (self-immolation) when the Muslim invader Alauddin Khilji laid siege on this fort in 1303. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12: Ranthambore (B,L,D)

Head into Ranthambhore Park twice to enjoy game drives through the rugged terrain which is home to lots of wildlife, including the elusive Bengal tiger. Your game drives are early in the morning and then early evening, when animals at their most active.

Ranthambore National Park and Tiger Reserve is one of the world`s best known wilderness areas at the junction of some of the geologically oldest mountain ranges, the Aravallis and Vindyas. Once a private game reserve of the royal house of Jaipur Ranthambore offers some of the finest opportunities for sighting the magnificent tiger in the wild. A mix of rolling hills and crags, and meadows, lakes and rivulets, this dry-deciduous forest system is home to an incredible variety of flora and fauna. Apart from the tiger, you can also spot sloth bear, leopard, caracal, jackal, fox, hyena, Indian wolf and mongoose. The dainty chital, sambhar deer, the blue bull antelope, rhesus macaque, langur and an incredible variety of birds amidst a setting of dhok, fig and banyan trees makes a visit to this park a delight for tourists and naturalists alike. Basking crocodiles, king vulture on a snag, the scream of the serpent eagle, the alarm call of spotted deer are some sights and sounds that make this safari experience like none other. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13: Ranthambore - Orchha (300km) (B)

Drive to Orchha via Shivpuri. Visit Madhav Palace a quaint palace that has the colonial touch. George castle built for a short stay of King George V. Collectorate of Shivpuri and memorial of Tatya Tope. The Chhatris of royals Scindia king and queen. Flanked by the Mughal gardens with path adorned with picturesque fencing. The chhatris are a great blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. In order to give a similar effect like Taj Mahal, the cenotaph of Madho Rao Scindia is ornamented with precious & semi-precious stone and gemstone.

Arrive Orchha check in at hotel. Evening boat ride on River Betwa. Overnight at hotel.

Day 14: Orchha - Gwalior (125km) (B)

City tour of Orchha a historical town known for its grand palaces, intricately carved temples adorned with classic mural paintings, frescos and cenotaphs that were constructed to commemorate the Bundela rulers. Visit the Orchha Fort complex, which houses a large number of ancient monuments. These are Raja Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Jahangir Mahal, a temple, gardens and pavilions. Chaturbhuj Temple a multi-storied structure noted for having one of the tallest Vimana among Hindu temples. Chattris (Cenotaphs) situated on the banks of Betwa river, are magnificent royal tombs of the Maharajas, placed on a platform and supported by the pillars.

Drive to Gwalior check in at hotel. Later visit Gwalior Fort, situated on top of a hill is one of the best fortresses of India, known for its great architecture and rich past. The fort complex includes several temples, palaces and water tanks. Siddhachal Caves and Gopachal rock-cut Jain monuments are the two areas, complete with thousands of Jain Tirthankar idols defaced during the Mughal invasion. Teli Ka Mandir and Sas-Bahu Ka Mandir are the two architecturally rich Hindu temples here. Gurudwara Data Bandi Chhor is another holy place built inside the fort complex. Man Mandir Palace, Gujari Mahal, Assi Khamba Ki Baoli, and Suraj Kund are other important monuments found in the complex. Jai Vilas Palace has the largest carpet in the world and two most massive chandeliers in the world that weight close to 3.5 tonnes. Overnight at hotel.

Day 15: Gwalior - Agra (120km) (B)

Drive to Agra check in at hotel.

Later visit Taj Mahal an ivory-white marble mausoleum commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal, it also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself. Agra Fort the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638. And Itmad-ud-Daula Tomb commissioned by Nur Jahan for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg. Overnight at hotel.

Day 16: Agra - Delhi (210km) (B)

Drive to Delhi airport for departure flight.