Welcome at "THE HOLY CITY VARANASI".
Varanasi, or Banaras, (also known as Kashi) is one of the oldest living
cities in the world. Varanasi`s Prominence in Hindu mythology is virtually
unrivalled. Mark Twain, the English author and literateur, who was enthralled
by the legend and sanctity of Banaras, once wrote : "Banaras is older
than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice
as old as all of them put together".
Duration: 16 Nights / 17 Days Places Covered: Delhi - Mandawa - Shekhawati - Bikaner - Jaisalmer -
Jodhpur - Ranakpur - Udaipur - Kota - Chittaurgarh - Pushkar - Bundi - Jaipur
- Agra - Delhi Day 01:
Departure from home country.
Day 02: Delhi
Arrive Delhi. Transfer to hotel. 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. Overnight Delhi.
Day 03: Mandawa
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. 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). Afternoon free. Overnight Udaipur.
Day 12: Kota - Chittaurgarh
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: Pushkar - Bundi
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.
Day 14: Jaipur
Book this tour :: Customize this tour Morning drive to Jaipur. Afternoon tour
of Jaipur. Jaipur Rajasthanwas 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.
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.
Day 17: Delhi
Drive to Delhi. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight Delhi.
Best
of India Holidays