Rajasthan Desert Safari

The ship of the desert, the camel, was domesticated thousands of years ago primarily for the purpose of making tedious journeys through the unrelenting Thar Desert. So, how would you like a camel safari - to explore the eccentricities of Rajasthan on the back of the most native guide? You may go for a short safari through a typical Rajasthani village or a long-distance expedition lasting a few days. The best times for travelling are the cooler parts of the day, the mornings and evenings. T

he sights en route will captivate you and become a part of your most treasured memories. There may be barren land for as far as the eyes can see. The sea of yellow shimmering sand looks extraordinary. Closer to the village you can see herds of cattle and sheep roaming around purposelessly. Watch the children trotting off to school, while their mothers prepare their afternoon meal on a dung-fire. Stop over for a taste of the authentic Rajasthani food


Places to See: Delhi - Mandawa - Shekhawati - Bikaner - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Ranakpur - Udaipur - Kota - Chittaurgarh - Pushkar - Bundi - Jaipur - Agra - Delhi
Duration: 16 Nights/17 Days

Day 01: Arrival in Delhi.Meet and Transfer to hotel.Overnight at Hotel in Delhi.

Day 02: Delhi
Morning tour of Delhi visiting Raj Ghat and Shanti Vana - the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, Jama Masjid and drive past Red Fort and Chandni Chowk. Afternoon visit Qutub Minar built by Qutub-ud-Din Aibek in 1199, Humayun's Tomb, India Gate (War Memorial Arch), Lakshminarayan Temple - a modern Hindu Temple. Also drive past President's House, Parliament House, Government Secretariat Buildings and Connaught Place shopping centre. Overnight Delhi.

Day 03: Mandawa
After breakfast , leave for Mandawa, transfer to hotel.Rest of the day visit the Shekhavati villages of Dundlod, Mandawa, etc. Mandawa was founded in 1755 by Thakur Nawal Singh and is still the home of his descendants. Mandawa houses a collection of armories, costumes of ancestors, canons from 1820, ancient coins, numismatic collection and many other interesting items preserved in a museum. The whole area of Shekhavati has beautiful frescoes, havelis & mansions and is called the open air gallery. Overnight Mandawa.

Day 04: Shekhawati
Continue with the visits of Shekhavati. Overnight Mandawa.

Day 05: Bikaner
Drive to Bikaner. Afternoon tour of this desert city. Bikaner is bolstered by imposing walls and has a 16th century fort housing old palaces, temples and a 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. An enormous arched doorway leads to the Joramal Temple. The royal chapel is Har Mandir where royal weddings and births were once celebrated. Overnight Bikaner.

Day 06: Jaisalmer
Drive to Jaisalmer. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight Jaisalmer.

Day 07: Jaisalmer
Morning visit Jaisalmer. Visit the Fort, bazzars and the old mansions known as "havelis". People still live in these ancient buildings dating from 12th to 15th century. Every house has exquisite carvings and filigreed work. Overnight Jaisalmer.

Day 08: Jodhpur
Morning drive to Jodhpur. Afternoon visit the Meharangarh Fort, situated on a low sandstone Hill, including Moti- Mahal and Phool Mahal. Also visit Jaswant Thada, an imposing Marble Memorium built in 1899 and the museum located in the Umaid Public Gardens. Overnight Jodhpur.

Day 09: Ranakpur
Morning drive to Ranakpur Temples. Ranakpur - 98 kms from Udaipur, the Jain Temples built in the 15th century are situated in the lovely valley of the Aravali. Its surrounding is quiet & picturesque. Ranakpur has grand structures & beautiful sculpture. There are 1444 pillars in the temple and none of them are similar. The magic of light & shade is really awe inspiring. Surya Temple and other Jain Temples are side attractions. Overnight Ranakpur.

Day 10: Udaipur
Drive to Udaipur. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight Udaipur.

Day 11: Udaipur
Morning tour of Udaipur. Morning visit to Eklingji Temple and Nagda. Afternoon Visit the City Palace, Jagdish Temple, drive around Fatehsagar Lake, Sahelion ki bari (Queen's resort for her friends) and Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir (Folk art museum).Overnight Udaipur.

Day 12: Chittaurgarh - Kota
Morning drive to Kota visiting Chittaurgarh enroute. 113 kms. from Udaipur, the Fort of Chittor was originally built by mighty Bhim, one of the Pandava heroes of Mahabharata. Also visit the Vijay Stambh with nine storeys and 37 mts high built by Maharana Kumbha to commemorate his victory over the muslim rulers of Malwa and Gujarat in 1440. Kirti Stambh, the Tower of fame 22 meters high is covered with figures from Jain Pantheon. Overnight Kota.

Day 13: Bundi - Pushkar
Morning drive to Pushkar visiting Bundi enroute. Bundi rises from a narrow gorge in rows of terraced gardens & arched Rajput houses like a two dimensional miniature painting imposed on the landscape. Visit the palace with its intricate spy-holes, secret trap doors and under ground passages. Also see the spectacularly ingenious water supply system.
Afternoon visit the Tomb of the Sufi Saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, the Dargah Sharif. The city was founded by the Chauhan ruler, Aiaipal, during the 11th century & is dominated by the Taragarh Fort built by Prithviraj Chauhan. In Pushkar, visit the holy Lake and also the famous Brahma Temple. Pushkar is one of the holiest places for Hindus. Overnight Pushkar.

Day 14: Jaipur
Morning drive to Jaipur. Afternoon tour of Jaipur. Jaipur Rajasthan was given a colour coat of pink a century ago in honour of a visiting Prince. Built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the notable astronomer, this city is 260 years old. Visit Maharaja's City Palace, the Observatory & Ram Niwas Gardens. Drive past Hawa Mahal & through the pink rose residential & business areas. Overnight Jaipur

Day 15: Jaipur
Morning visit the Amber Fort - the ancient capital of the State. Visit the Sheesh Mahal or the Hall of Victory glittering with mirrors. Evenig visit Chokhi Dhani an ethnic resort .Overnight Stay at hotel.

Day 16: Agra
Drive to Agra visiting Fatehpur Sikri enroute. Fatehpur Sikri is 40 kms from Agra and built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. See the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal and other Palaces.
Afternoon visit the world famous Taj Mahal built by the Moghul Emperor Shahjehan in 1630 for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. Later visit the Agra Fort containing the Pearl Mosque, the Halls of Public and Private Audience. Also visit the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daullah built by Empress Noorjehan in memory of her father. Overnight Agra.

Day 17: Delhi
After Breakfast leave for Delhi. Transfer to hotel.Morning free at leisure.In time transfer to intl airport to connect flight for onward destination


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