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Desert to Ganges Tour
Duration: 24 Nights / 25 Days
Places to Visit: DELHI - JAIPUR - MANDAWA - BIKANER -
POKARAN - JAISALMER - JODHPUR - MANDORE - LUNI -
MOUNT ABU - RANAKPUR - UDAIPUR - PUSHKAR - AJMER -
SAMODE - FATEHPUR SIKRI - AGRA - DELHI
Day
01 Arrive Delhi
Meet and assist by our representative upon your arrival at the airport. Then
drive to your hotel with your driver and car.
Day 02 Delhi
After breakfast in your hotel a city tour introduces you to this imperial
British capital of the 20th century. Visit the Qutub Minar - the tallest
freestanding 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 20th 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 the Chandni Chowk where you will find each and every small
business under the sky. Finally, reach Rajghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi,
where your chauffeur is waiting for you to take you to your next stop the
Birla Mandir, a Hindu temple in activity.
Day 03 Delhi - Mandawa
Leave Delhi and reach Mandawa by early afternoon. After lunch visit the painted
township of Mandawa and admire the colour combinations on the walls -
mural paintings. Also see the 17th century castle of the erstwhile Thakur
king of Mandawa.
Day
04 Mandawa - Bikaner (180km)
In the morning 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 lunch time.
See the Junagarh Fort, a royal museum that encompasses history of Bikaner
from its days of construction that dates back to the 16th century. Later visit
the camel breeding farm, a unique experience.
Day 05 Bikaner - Pokaran - Jaisalmer (330km)
After breakfast we set towards our journey across the Thar Desert to reach
Pokaran for lunch. Visit the 15th 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. After lunch continue towards
Jaisalmer and arrive by evening to witness the sunset over the desert with
the most imposing edifice of the town behind you.
Day
06 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 sunset return
to the village where your dinner has been arranged in desert mud huts. An
experience of a lifetime.
Day 07 Jaisalmer - Jodhpur (270km)
Today we reach Jodhpur the blue city by early afternoon and drive up to the
majestic Mehrangarh fort, 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.
Day
08 Jodhpur - Rohet (40km)
After breakfast leave for Rohet. Upon arrival check into your hotel. In the
afternoon we take you on a safari to discover the hidden beauty of the jungle
life. Here you would be visiting the Bishnoi villages. Bishnois are a tribe
that respects life in every form - animals trees and even dead branches.
They are vegetarians and even in the villages they protect the animal life and
don’t let anybody practice hunting in the vicinity of their villages. They
live in a joint family system where the oldest member is generally the head
of the family.
Then we would like you to witness the opium ceremony with the Patels -
a rich tribe. It is a ceremony prevelant in this part of Rajasthan where the
youth offers opium to drink mixed with water to the elders of the family when
they come back from work in the fields.
In the evening dinner and dances in the hotel during dinner.
Day 09 Rohet - Mount Abu (250km)
After breakfast at the hotel we drive through the arid Rajasthan to reach the
the lone hill station in Rajasthan at a height of 1200mt where we take you for
a tour of the temples for a few hours..
Mount Abu is a true pilgrimage centre for the Jains as here we see the Delwara
Jain temple complexe with temples dating back to the 11th century. Later see
the Nakki lake and then view the Sun going down the horizon from the sunset
point.
Day
10 Mount Abu - Ranakpur - Udaipur (260km)
Leave Abu and reach Ranakpur another big pilgrimage centre for the Jains. Just
four hours drive from Mount Abu 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 late evening and check into your hotel.
Day 11 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. Two temples of Shiva and of Vishnu both from the 7th century.
Day
12 Udaipur - Chittorgarh - Bijaipur (142km)
After a leisurely start this morning head towards Chittorgarh the former capital
of the Maharanas of Mewar. See the Kumbha Palace and the Meera temple dedicated
to Lord Krishna. Also see the tower of Victory built by Rana Kumbha in the
15th century after winning a series of battles. Later visit Maharani Padmini’s
palace. Proceed towards your hotel in Bijaipur about 30km from the site.
Day 13 Bijaipur - Ajmer - Pushkar (200km)
Today cross the entire stretch of Mewar to reach the most holy cities of Pushkar
and Ajmer.
Pushkar happens to be the holiest places 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.
Pushkar is the world famous for its cattle fair held each year in the month
of October/November. Proceed towards Ajmer.
Ajmer is the pious city for the Muslims. Surprisingly both the cities are
at distance of 11km from each other. Visit the Durgah built in fond remembrance
of Khwaja Muin ud Din Chisti where the Muslim pilgrims from all over India
throng during the festival times. Later visit Mughal emperor Akbar’s
Palace where his son Jehangir received Sir Thomas Roe to grant him the permission
of trade to East India Company with India, that changed the history of India
completely and slowly and steadily India became colony of the British Empire.
Day
14 Pushkar - Jaipur (115 km)
Leave Pushkar in the morning and reach Jaipur in 2 hrs time. Upon arrival
check into your hotel in 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. He built five observatories throughout
India - Jaipur, Ujjain, Varanasi, Mathura and Delhi but only the one at
Jaipur is functional.
Then visit the City Palace of the Maharaja of Jaipur with a fabulous collection
of robes and saris in cotton and silk with gold lattice 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.
Day 15 Jaipur
In the morning visit the Amber fort in the morning; included is an elephant
ride at the Amber fort. See the marvelous Shish mahal built in the 17th 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. Afternoon is free
for independent activities.
Day
16 Jaipur - Sawai Madhopur (240km)
Leave Jaipur after breakfast and reach Ranthambhor and check into your hotel
The Ranthambhor Regency or similar. Today we take you out on a jeep safari
to spot the tigers in this region. This fabulous wild cat is seen mainly in
the low grasslands and visits the lake occasionally to quench its thirst which
being generally early evening time and that is the time we are there to view
this animal in its natural surroundings. Apart from tigers you also do come
across monkeys, langurs and alligators and a wide variety of birds.
Day 17 Sawai Madhopur
Full day for Game viewing.
Day 18 Sawai Madhopur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra (250km)
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 16th 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
19 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 20 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
21 Orchcha - Khajuraho 282 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 16th 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 22 Khajuraho
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
Day 23 Khajuraho - Varanasi
Transfer to the airport to catch your flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival transfer
to the hotel. En route to your hotel visit Sarnath - the sacred Buddhist
city where Gautama Buddha preached his first sermon to his 5 disciples under
the bodhi tree. Visit the site and the temple attached to it. See the frescoes
related to the life of Buddha inside the temple. Also visit the archaeological
museum that houses artifacts from the 3rd century BC. Most interesting is
the lion capital of Ashoka Maurya from 272 BC. Adjacent to the museum is the
ancient seat of learning from the 2nd century BC now completely in ruins.
Also see the Dhamek stupa and the Dharmarajika Stupa where hundreds of Buddhist
pilgrims offer there prayers. Continue to Varanasi just 11 km away and check
in to your hotel.
Day
24 Varanasi
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. Don’t forget to see the sun rise along the
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. Also worth a visit
is the Bharat Mata Mandir (Mother
India temple) where you see the undivided
India - Mahatma Gandhi’s Dream.
Return to your hotel for breakfast. Rest of the time is free for individual
activities
Day 25 Varanasi - Delhi - Next Destination
In time transfer to the airport for your flight back to Delhi and finally
to your home.
TOUR ENDS
THE PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- Daily breakfasts
- All sight seeing and tours mentioned in the itinerary
- English speaking local guide for every city
- Elephant ride at Amber Fort in Jaipur
- Overnight stay in the hotels mentioned
- Air conditioned car with chauffeur
- All applicable taxes
- AM + PM safaris in Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambhor Wildlife Sanctuary)
- Rickshaw ride in the old city of Delhi
- Desert and village safari in Rohet
- Opium ceremony in Rohet
- Visit to Bishnoi villages in Rohet
- Sunset cruise on Lake Pichhola in Udaipur
- Early morning boat rides on river Ganges in Varanasi
- Airfare for sectors: Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi
- Camel rides on the dunes in the desert.
- Local music and dance by local village artists on the dunes in Jaisalmer
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