GUARANTEED DEPARTURE

- || From Desert to Ganges Tour || -

Fixed Departure On Every Monday / Wednesday / Friday

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Duration: 15 Nights / 16 Days
Places to Visit: Delhi - Mandawa - Bikaner - Pokaran - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Udaipur - Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra - Gwalior - Orchha - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi

Day 01 14/12/2006 Arrive Delhi :
Upon arrival at 1325hs you will be transferred to your hotel to freshen up. Free time to unwind and relax. Overnight in the hotel The Connaught or similar.


Day 02 15/12/2006 Delhi :
Morning after breakfast a full day city tour of this imperial British capital of the 20 th century awaits you. Visit the Qutub Minar - the tallest free standing minaret in stone in the world; then onto Humayun's tomb - the first Mughal construction in India from 1565 AD. Also see the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the India gate built in the earlier half of the 20 th century. Drive through the old city past the Red Fort and visit the Jama Masjid - the biggest of its kind in India. Here take a rickshaw through the winding streets of the old city to see the life of the people in this part of the world. A perfect introduction of your tour. The rickshaw puller pulls you through, the imperial avenue of the yesteryears, the Chandni Chowk. Finally, reach Rajghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, where your car and chauffeur is waiting for you to take you to your next stop the Birla Mandir, a Hindu temple in activity.


Day 03 16/12/2006 Delhi - Mandawa - Bikaner :
In the morning leave for Bikaner and on the way stop at Mandawa to see this beautiful village of Shekhawati that used to be an important caravanserai of the yesteryears. See the many 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. Then proceed towards Bikaner en route stop at Fatehpur to see the splendid havelis of the local merchants of Shekhawati. Reach Bikaner by early evening.


Day 04 17/12/2006 Bikaner - Pokaran - Jaisalmer (330km) :
After breakfast see the Junagarh Fort, a royal museum that encompasses history of Bikaner from its days of construction that dates back to the 16th century. Then we take our road across the Thar Desert to reach Pokaran. Visit the 15 th century fortress where the 3rd Mughal emperor, Akbar the Great, was born in 1543. The bazaar in the middle of this village is very colourful and full of local flavours. Continue towards Jaisalmer and arrive by evening in to your hotel.


Day 05 18/12/2006 Jaisalmer :
Morning an exclusive visit of the Jain temples inside the Sonar Kila.The Jains are a community that respects life and are pure vegetarians by religion. Visit the citadel's palace that houses a museum with a huge collection of robes and artifacts from the royal family of Jaisalmer. Visit the Patwaon ki haveli with intricately designed latticed windows used by the ladies to view the external world. Also see the Gadisar lake.

Later, we go to Sam or Khuri village. Here we have loads of excitement in store for you. Upon arrival in the village you will be taken to the nearby sunset point on the dunes to see the sunset by camel carts. After the sunset return to the village where your stay is arranged in mud huts. Evening listen to the haunted tunes of the desert by the local artists and musicians. Dinner in the desert mud huts.


Day 06 19/12/2006 Jaisalmer - Jodhpur (280km) :
Today we reach Jodhpur the blue city by early afternoon and drive up to the majestic Mehrangarh fort museum. The Mehrangarh fort has been the stronghold of the Rathore princes from 1453AD. We see the superb collection of paintings and arms and ammunitions. The view of the city from the rampart walls is breath taking.

Post lunch session introduces you to the fabulous spice market of Jodhpur the 2nd largest city in Rajasthan. Walk along the market to feel the odours of the spices filling the air around you. Then go to Mandore gardens the then capital of Marwar to view some of the fabulous cenotaphs and the hall of local heroes of the wars. Drive back to Jodhpur and see the Umaid Bhawan Palace , the present residence of the king of Jodhpur. Retire to your hotel and relax


Day 07 20/12/2006 Jodhpur - Udaipur :
Leave Jodhpur and reach Ranakpur a very big pilgrimage centre for the Jains. Just four hours drive from the sun city is the eternal Jain pilgrimage centre of Ranakpur. Admire the workmanship from the 16th century. The temples are built out of marble and the main shrine of Adinath with 1444 columns is awe inspiring and none of these are similar. Also see the sun temple and the other temples in the campus. Proceed towards Udaipur and on the way stop by the fields to see the local way of farming and irrigation. Walk into the villages to mingle with the locals around to know more about their lifestyle.

Reach Udaipur by early evening and check into your hotel.


Day 08 21/12/2006 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 temples of Nagda and Eklingji.

The temple at Eklingji is a temple that belongs to the Maharana of Mewar (royal family) and he is often there to pray. The temple complexe of Nagda is a group of temples of which only two remain intact and those are that of Saas and Bahu; temples of Shiva and of Vishnu both from the 15th century.


Day 09 22/12/2006 Udaipur - Jaipur :
By flight

In the morning after breakfast check out of your hotel and leave for the airport for your flight to Jaipur. After lunch set off to see the Pink city visiting the observatory Jantar Mantar built in 1727 by Sawai Maharaja Jai Singh II who was a mathematician, an astronomer an astrologer and a great musician of his era. Then visit the City Palace of the Maharaja of Jaipur with a fabulous collection of robes and saris in cotton and silk with gold latticed work. The city palace houses a collection of paintings also in the painting gallery and of course a collection of arms and ammunitions in the ammunition gallery. This evening after the visit discover the art of cutting and polishing of gems for which Jaipur is world renouned. Visit the gems cutting and polishing atelier in the city of Jaipur.


Day 10 23/12/2006 Jaipur :
Visit the Amber forts and palaces in the morning; included is an elephant ride at the Amber fort. See the marvelous Sheesh mahal built in the 17 th century in a fusion style of Hindu and Islamic art. Also see the hall of public audiences and Maharaja Man Singh's Palace who had twelve queens. Also visit the carpet manufacturing factory in the city of Amber .

Jaipur is a shopper's paradise and you will find many textile shops in the city where you can pick up fine bargains. Afternoon is free to unwind.


Day 11 24/12/2006 Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra (230km) :
Leave Ranthambhor Sanctuary after breakfast and reach Fatehpur Sikri by early afternoon. Visit this abandoned city built by the Mughal emperor Akbar in the second half of the 16 th century. Fatehpur Sikri was built by Akbar after his Hindu wife bore him the long awaited son who was born after the renowned sufi saint Salim Chisti blessed Jodhabai Akbar's hindu wifewith a son. Also visit Jodhabai's palace the biggest palace in Fatehpur Sikri even bigger than the emperor's palace himself as this was the queen who bore him his heir to the throne. Continue towards Agra and reach Agra by early evening. Relax at your hotel or go to the local bazaar to see the lifestyle of the people.


Day 12 25/12/2006 Agra :
Taj Mahal is awaiting your arrival today morning. A must see with the rising sun as the Taj Mahal is bathed in the golden rays of the morning sun. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial that houses the tomb of his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design, balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen anywhere in the world.

Then see the Agra Fort built by Akbar where Shahjahan was imprisoned by his own son Aurangzeb.

Post lunch visit Itmad ud Daulah - it is the first mughal building built out completely of marble. In many contexts it is referred to being the predecessor of the Taj Mahal. Then visit Sikandara the tomb of the great emperor Akbar. Day 13 26/12/2006 Agra - Gwalior - Orchha (219km)
Today at 0800 hrs we go to Gwalior the erstwhile stronghold of the Scindia rulers. Reach Gwalior at 1020hrs and check into your hotel. Later after lunch start your visit. A trip to Gwalior is incomplete without a visit to the fort, Scindia Palace and the tombs of Ghaus Mohammed and Tansen. Also visit the Gurjari Mahal the palace of the Gurjar queen Mrignayani today housing an archaeological museum. Also see the teli ka mandir and the Saas bahu ka mandir inside the fort. Included is a horse carriage ride in the old city. Continue after the visit towards Orchha.


Day 14 27/12/2006 Orchcha - Khajuraho (182 km) :
Orchcha a medieval village where time has stopped. You feel the timelessness of this spot. Orchha is a medieval city founded by Bundela rulers with palaces and temples of the 16 th and 17th century - which have remarkably withstood the onslaught of time. The river Betwa picturesquely flanks the city.

Reach Orchha by 1130 hrs and see the beautiful Palace Complex - Jahangiri Mahal and the Raja Mahal. Closely study the intricacies of the mural paintings in the Raja Mahal and visit the Laxminarayana Temple .

Post lunch continue towards Khajuraho about 182 km away by road.


Day 15 28/12/2006 Khajuraho - Varanasi :
By flight.

Morning sight seeing shows us the temples built during the 9th to the 11th centuries by the powerful dynasty of Chandela rajputs. The temples with their erotic sculptures are a feast to the eyes. The Chandelas built 85 temples in all but today only 20 temples stand intact. Visit the eastern and western group of temples before being transferred to the airport to catch your flight to Varanasi. (1525hrs)

Upon your arrival (1605hrs) in Varanasi retire to your hotel. Rest of the day is free.


Day 16 29/12/2006 Varanasi - Delhi :
By flight.

Early in the morning (0500hrs) we take you to banks of the river Ganges where we board a boat to see the morning ablutions of the Hindus from the security of our boat. The boat ride starts from Dasashwamedh Ghat and ends at Manikarnika Ghat along the sacred Ganges. See the Kashi Vishwanath temple and the Gyanvyapi kund and the mosque attached to it. Also visit the Benares Hindu University the largest residential university in India with more than 3000 residential students

Return to your hotel for breakfast. Later visit Sarnath the sacred city for the Buddhist all over the world. It was here that Lord Buddha preached his first sermon to his first five disciples. Also worth visiting is the museum with artifacts dating back to 3 rd century BC. Visit the nearby ruins of the ancient seat of learning in Sarnath.

In time transfer to the airport for your flight to Delhi.

Upon arrival in Delhi you shall be escorted to a local restaurant for your farewell dinner and a tour debrief with your tour manager. In time

you would be transferred to the international airport for your connecting flight back home.

Tour price starting from USD 1999 per person on twin sharing.

Tour price includes:
1. Daily breakfasts and daily dinners

2. All sight seeing and tours mentioned in the itinerary

3. English speaking local guide for all sight seeing tours

4. Elephant ride at Amber Fort in Jaipur

5. Rickshaw ride in Old Delhi

6. Overnight stay in the hotels mentioned

7. One night dinner in mud huts in the dunes in Jaisalmer

8. Air conditioned car with chauffeur

9. All applicable taxes

10. Early morning boat rides on river Ganges in Varanasi

11. All applicable domestic airfares

12. Camel rides on the dunes in the desert.

13. Baterry bus ride in Agra to visit the Taj Mahal by sunset.

14. Local music and dance by local village artists on the dunes in Jaisalmer

15. Farewell dinner on the last day in Delhi before departure to international airport.

Tour price does not include
» Any expenses of a personal nature viz camera fees, mineral water, etc.

» Any tips to guides and drivers on the tour

» Any portage to porters at hotels or airports

» Any entrance fees to monuments

» Any meals other than those already mentioned

» Any other services not mentioned.

City	Hotel
	Hotels	Category	Dates
Delhi	The Connaught	5 star	14 – 16 Dec.
Bikaner	Laxmi Vilas	Heritage deluxe	16 – 17 Dec.
Jaisalmer	Rang Mahal	Heritage deluxe	17 – 19 Dec.
Jodhpur	The Ummed	5 star deluxe	19 – 20 Dec.
Udaipur	Hotel India	4 star	20 – 22 Dec.
Jaipur	Park Plaza	5 star	22 – 24 Dec.
Agra	Clarks Shiraz	5 star deluxe	24 – 26 Dec.
Orchha	Orchha Resort	Resort property	26 – 27 Dec.
Khajuraho	Usha Bundela	4 star deluxe	27 – 28 Dec.
Varanasi	Radisson	5 star	28 – 29 Dec.

"Note : Above mentioned tour programme is indicative and this programme can be cutomised / extended / shortened as per your requirement and related to places and hotels. Please allow us to fulfill your desire according to your requirements."

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