Rajasthan India Holidays

Day 01 : Arrive Delhi.
Arrive Delhi International airport by any convenient flight in evening/night. Meet & Greet on arrival and transfer to hotel.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 02 : Delhi.
After relaxed breakfast at the hotel proceed for the sightseeing tour of historic city visiting Old Delhi visiting the majestic Red Fort, a marvel in red sandstone, built by emperor Shah Jahan of  Taj Mahal fame, Rajghat - memorial of Mahatma Gandhi & a Rickshaw ride past through the silver street in Chandani Chowk, Later New Delhi to include Rashtrapati Bhawan, one-time imperial residence of the British viceroys; the India Gate, a memorial raised in honour of the Indian soldiers martyred during the Afghan war; the Laxmi Narayan Temple, built by the Birlas, one of India’s leading industrial families; Humayun’s Tomb, lotus shaped Bhai’s Temple , Qutub Minar, built by Qutub-ud-din Aibek of the Slave Dynasty. Evening return back to hotel. 

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03 : Delhi-Jaipur.                       250 Kms & 05-06 Hrs.
After breakfast in the morning, drive to Jaipur. Enroute visit Samode. It is a place of great interest for people who appreciate culture and arts. The village or town is famous for its magnificent havelis, mansions and handicrafts.  

Upon your arrival at Samode, visit Samode Palace, which belongs to the Rawals of Samode, who do not belong to a royal family but are affluent noblemen. This family was bestowed the title of "Maha Rawal" by the royal family as a reward for their loyalty and courage. The Samode Palace is about four hundred years old and has gone through a lot of restoration work. Many new additions have been made to this old palace, which is now a beautiful heritage hotel.

Upon arrival at Samode Palace, we will provide you tea, coffee and snacks, visit the Sheesh Mahal and then drive for about a kilo meter up to the point from where you will be provided Camel Ride for 2 KM and reach Samode Bagh (This is a best way to take a tour of the Samode village and check out the local traditions and colors of the town) Upon arrival at Samode Bagh, take your lunch and later continue drive to Jaipur.
Upon arrival in Jaipur, transfer to hotel.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 04 : Jaipur.
Morning visit the Amber Fort in the Aravali Hills, which is a great example of Rajput (Medieval Hindu) style architecture. A slow elephant ride takes you to the top of the Fort, which houses several graceful buildings. Afterwards go for sightseeing of Jaipur city visiting City Palace, Jantar Mantar {Observatory}, Hawa Mahal {Palace on wind} etc. Evening drive to Choki Dhani Village resort for special Rajasthani Dinner.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 05 : Jaipur-Ranthambore.                 200 Kms & 04-05 Hrs.
Morning after breakfast at the hotel. Check-out and drive to Ranthambore. On arrival in Ranthambore, check in at the hotel. Afternoon free for independent activities.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Note : Tiger sighting can never be guranteed. But chances are good in Ranthambore.

Day 06 : Ranthambore.
Morning & afternoon game drives in Ranthambore national park by cantar bus.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 07 : Ranthambore-Agra.                   300 Kms & 06-07 Hrs.
Morning after breakfast at the hotel, check out and drive to Agra. Enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri, (Built during the second half of the 16th century by the Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri (the City of Victory) was the capital of the Mughal Empire for only some 10 years. Continue drive to Agra. On arrival in Agra, check in at the hotel.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 08 : Agra-Umaria-Bandhavgarh.             Overnight Train
Morning visit the Taj Mahal, at the time of sunrise {recommendable} : The Taj Mahal, built by an emperor in memory of his beloved queen. Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1631, and is believed to have taken 18 years to complete, with over 20,000 craftsmen working around the clock. The design and construction is said to be that of the legendary architect, Ustad Ahamad Lahori. Legend has it that once construction was completed, Shah Jehan had Lahori's hands cut off, and blinded, so he would never be able to duplicate the structure. What makes the Taj Mahal unique is its perfect proportions, distinct femininity, medium of construction and ornamentation. Its marble exterior reflects rose and golden tints at sunrise and sunset, while it is dazzling white during the day. It is impossible to visualize the Taj Mahal in any surrounding others than its paradoxical garden. Paradise, in Islam, is visualized as a lush garden where running streams flow. When the Mughals brought this concept to India they elevated it to heights of incomparable artistry. 

After visiting the Taj Mahal return back to hotel for late breakfast. After relax at the hotel proceed for the sightseeing of Agra city, visit Agra Fort, Itmad-Ud-Dola and the city. At  the impressive Agra Fort you are taken through the chambers of this royal residence. As you drive through the city, witness the local life and bazaars (markets) and the hustle bustle of everyday India.

Evening transfer to Agra Cantt railway station to take Kalinga Utkal express train to Umaria.

Overnight on board the train.

Note : Travel in 2nd A/C Sleeper Class.

Day 09 : Umaria-Bandhavgarh.
Arrive Umaria railway station at about 6 AM. Meet on arrival and drive to Bandhavgarh, which is approx. 90 Kms away from Umaria. On arrival in Bandhavgarh, check in to the hotel. Rest of the day is free for relax. Afternoon game drive in Bandhavgarh by jeep.

Overnight stay in hotel.

Day 10 : Bandhavgarh.
Morning and afternoon game drives in Bandhavgarh by Jeep.

Overnight stay in hotel.

Day 11 : Bandhavgarh-Khajuraho.                245 Kms & 05-06 Hrs.
Morning after breakfast, check-out from hotel and drive to Khajuraho. On arrival in Khajuraho, chcek in to the hotel.
{Note : If time permits, go to witness the light & sound show in the temple(Optional)}.

Overnight stay in hotel.

Day 12 : Khajuraho-Varanasi.                  Flight
Morning visit the Eastern & Western group of temples.
Afternoon transfer to Khajuraho airport to take flight to Varanasi.
On arrival in Varanasi, check in to the hotel.

Overnight stay in hotel. Day 13 : Varanasi.
Varanasi is the religious centre of Hindu religion. Situated on the banks of the holy river Ganges, Varanasi is considered to be among the oldest living cities of the world and has been a centre of learning and civilization for centuries. Varanasi holds special significance in the lives of the Indian people. Every year hundreds of thousands of pilgrims make a long journey to this vibrant city where you can find the richest of the rich living side by side with the poorest of the poor.

Travel to Varanasi with an open mind and see what faith can do to people and what their devotion to god leads them to achieve. Look beyond the poverty into the eyes of the people and you will see a sense of enlightenment and peace that their belief in a god has given them. The old city of Varanasi is a maze of small streets and alleyways hiding in disorderly array no less than 2000 temples and shrines. Domes, minarets, pinnacles and towers, and derelict eighteenth century palaces dominate the sacred left bank of the river. All in the jumble of  this fascinating and spiritual city, you will see marriage processions and funeral processions and cows grabbing big flower necklaces destined for the gods. Varanasi is an unique city that vibrates with cosmic forces beyond comprehension.

Afternoon proceed for half day excursion to Sarnath, which is around 19 kms from the city centre. Sarnath symbolizes the birth of Buddhism. It was here that Buddha revealed his doctrine and founded his monastic community. The museum at Sarnath is amongst the most important in India and contains carvings representing a whole range of styles - archaic, the Mathura School, Gupta, past Gupta and Medieval - covering work of sculptors from the 3rd century B.C. to the 12th century A.D. Also seen here is the original lions heads from the Asoka Pillar, which form the symbol of the Indian republic. Evening visit the Dashaswamedh ghat and witnes the evening Aarti.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 14 : Varanasi-Delhi.
Early this morning leave your hotel around 5:30 am for an early morning sunrise boat excursion on the holy River Ganges. See Varanasi come alive along the banks of the river. See people bathing in the holy water and worshipping the rising sun. Witness the conclusion of life at the river bank holy cremation grounds. It is believed if you die in Varanasi you go straight to heaven. Varanasi will be one of the most extraordinary experiences of your visit to India.

After the boat ride return to the hotel for breakfast. Proceed on a Varanasi City Tour driving through the Banaras Hindu University with a visit to the Bharat Mata (Mother India) Temple. Visit some of the holy temples of the city which encapsulates the ambience and the spirit of the city. Highlights include the Durga Temple, better known as the 'monkey temple' on account of the large number of monkeys residing there and the Temple of Vishwanath (or Visheshwar, Lord of the Universe). If time permits before returning to the hotel, visit some of the silk brocade and weaving centers - a specialty of Varanasi. Later in the afternoon transfer to Varanasi airport to take flight to Delhi. Meet on arrival in Delhi airport and transfer to hotel.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 15 : Delhi-Departure.
Morning on time transfer to Delhi International airport to take your return flight back home.

End of the services with happy memories.