Forts and Palaces

Duration: 17 Nights / 18 Days
Destinations: Delhi - Samode - Mandawa - Gajner - Bikaner - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Udaipur - Deogarh - Jaipur - Bharatpur - Agra - Delhi

Day 1 : Delhi
Upon arrival you will be met at the airport with garlands. Our executive would escort you to your hotel Imperial / Similar 5 Star Category Hotel . We would have done a pre check in for you at the hotel which saves you time in the middle of the night.
New Delhi

New Delhi begins with the drive past Safdarjang’s Tomb (1753 AD) on the way to Qutab Minar (1193 AD) this striking medieval tower of victory of Persian World is 73 m high. Within the Qutab complex, amidst the ruins of Quwat-ul-Islam mosque, stands the Iron pillar which has stood the vagaries of weather and has not rusted over 1500 years. Then drive through New Delhi includes the Embassy area (Diplomatic enclave), Government buildings, India Gate, Sikh Temple (Bangla Sahib Gurudwara), Birla Temple and Connaught Place, New Delhi’s main shopping area. Visit Humayun’s Tomb - considered to be the fore runner of Taj Mahal.

Day 2 : Delhi
After a good rest and a leisurely breakfast , we'll take an orientation tour of the city, that s quite a remarkable mixture of the old and new. The very modern metro , which once was the seat of most of the ruling clans of Hindustan. The visit includes the 12th century qutub minar and the vibrant old Delhi. A Welcome dinner at the Village Bistro with cocktails.

Day 3 : Samode
After a restful night and a leisurely breakfast, we head out for the village of Samode for two nights at the beautiful Samode Palace.

Day 4 : Samode
We spend the day exploring the rural life and the comforts of the pristine Samode palace. Tonight we host you a dinner at a special venue to add to the charm of the palace.

The story of Samode Place goes back more than four and a half centuries. Prithviraj Singhji of Amber, the seventeenth prince of the house of Kachhawaha Rajputs, had awarded Samode to one of his twelve sons-Gopal Singhji along with the hereditary title of Rawal Saheb. Nestled picturesquely amid rugged hills, Samode Palace with its stately grandeur and frescoed walls is a pleasant journey into the glorious past. The palace is full of architectural delights -the birds, animals and flowers painted on the walls of Sultan Mahal, the dining-room with its stained glass windows and its collection of old family portraits, the Durbar Hall with its painted ceilings and intricately carved walls and beautiful chandeliers, give this palace its old world charm. Each room is done up in traditional Rajasthani style and the antique furniture blends well with the atmosphere making it comfortable and luxurious at the same time. Special Features: A traditional welcome with camel carts, buggies, elephants and local musicians is organized if desired. Camel safaris available.

Day 5 : Mandawa
This morning, we depart for the very special region of Rajasthan, also known as the open air art gallery. Upon arrival around lunch , check in at the Mandawa castle / desert resort. The afternoon offers us a chance to walk through the narrow lanes and witness the wall frescos from the 15th-16th centaury.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
MANDAWA - SHEKHAWATI

Think of the most famous of the Marwari business families in India, and it s a fair bet that a painted haveli by that name exists in Shekhawati. Singhania, Goenka, Birla, Bharatiya, Jalan, Saraf, and Poddar the list is impressive. The successful Marwari ventured out to the ports of Bombay and Calcutta, prospered and spent lavishly on beautifully painted havelis in the 18th and 19th centuries .The painters are as much at ease with Krishna and the gopis as with the Wright brothers trying to fly their machines. Shekhawati is not a town or a village, but a region comprising Sikar and Jhunjhunu districts with a network of towns Nawalgarh, Dhundlodh, Mandawa, Lachhmangarh, Fatehpur and Sikar.Day

Day 6 : Gajner
A morning drive brings us to Gajner Palace, a former hunting lodge besides a lake, built by Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner, where we spend the next two nights. The afternoon is free to explore the surroundings of the palace and view birds and animal life along the lake.

Day 7 : Bikaner
Today we enjoy an excursion to Bikaner to see the imposing Junagarh Fort, the Royal Complex and the Camel breeding Farm. Evening we return to the Gajner palace for a cocktail session with folk dance and music. Get prepared to be pampered to dance the local belly dance.Day 8 : Jaisalmer:

A long but interesting drive through the desert thar brings us to Jaisalmer, the golden city once an important staging point on the trade routes to Persia. Our two night stop here has been arranged at the Fort Rajwada, a comfortable modern hotel built in local style.

Day 9 : Jaisalmer
Today's sightseeing of Jaisalmer town takes us to the Gadisar Lake with its gateway temple and carved havelis of local merchants and an evening camel ride into dunes of the Thar Desert at sunset rounds off our visit to this medieval city. B

Day10 : Rohet (Jodhpur)
The village Rohet at its doorstep is out next stop, where we are guests of the royal family. En route we visit the grand Mehrangarh Fort, perched on a hilltop, the Umaid Bhavan Palace and the Jaswant Thada in Jodhpur. Located in the heart of a village, Rohet Garh offers a chance to get close to the locals of the region or simply relax by the pool and unwind to prepare for the further caravan.
This evening we host you a bar-be-que dinner by the pool.

Day 11 : Udaipur
We head south through scenic countryside towards Udaipur, visiting the stunning Jain Temple at Ranakpur, with its 1444 marble pillars, on the way. En route we host you a lunch at the very special Ranakpur hill resort. Upon arrival check in at the lake palace for a stay of two nights.

Day 12 : Udaipur
The morning sightseeing tour of Udaipur includes the City Palace, Jagdish Temple and Sahelion-ki-Bari, a pleasure garden built for the royal maids-of-honour. This evening we offer you a sun set bat ride on the placid waters of lake pichola.
Dinner and over night at the hotel.
UDAIPUR

UDAIPUR is perhaps a unique pre-modern capital with no fort . Coming to life after the final sacking of Chittaur , Udaipur saw an explosive of building activity- temples, palaces and Havelis. Lake Pichola with its two islands-Jagniwas(now the Lake Palace Hotel) and Jagmandir defines Udaipur . The City Palace towers over the lake. The artificial Jaisamand Lake was created in 17th century by damming the Gomti River. There are beautiful chhatries (Cenotaphs) around the embankment

Day13 : Deogarh
A short drive takes us to Deogarh Village where the royal family are our hosts at the Deogarh Mahal. The afternoon here is spent exploring the village and its colourful markets. Take a walking tour through the narrow lanes of the market area , truly a photographers delight. The mahal invites the local musicians to perform for the royal audience.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 14 : Jaipur
Today we drive to the city of it's own charms , the pink city jaipur. Upon arrival check in at the jai Mahal Palace for a stay of 2 nights. This evening we explore the walled city , the vibrant colours of jaipur and particiate in the special treasure hunt and rickshaw ride .We spend a good time in the illuminated bazaars where time stands still.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
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Day 15 : Jaipur
A busy day of sightseeing takes us to the hilltop Fort of Amber, ascended on caparisoned elephants; the City Palace, current home of the Royal Family; the Palace of Winds & Jantar Mantar observatory. We host you a lunch at the restaurant renowned not just for its tongue teasing meals but also the clay oven demonstrations and the very special event for us .....the turban tying.
Jaipur

THE splendid Fort / Palace of AMBER was wrested by the Kachhwaha Rajputs in the mid-12th century who dominated the surrounding area for the next six centuries. Amber was also the prime site of the alliance between the Mughals and the Rajputs. The astronomer-King Sawai Jai Singh II, famous for his Jantar Mantar ascended the throne in 1699. He soon decided to build a new city in the plains: JAIPUR was designed according to the principals of the Shilpa-Shastra and the capital shifted here in 1727, the city attracted merchants and crafts-people that over time shaped its irresistible bazaar. The Hawa Mahal, City Palace and Jantar Mantar characterizes the old city, while the forts of Nahargarh and Jaigarh, add to the spectacle of the city.Day

16 : Bharatpur
We depart early for Bharatpur where we stay at the Laxmi Vilas Palace. An evening visit to the famous bird sanctuary on cycle rickshaws, to view some of the 400-odd bird species found here. The ghana national park attracts over 250 migratory species , the highlight being the siberian creane.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel..

Day 17 : Agra
Keen bird-watchers may want to return to the sanctuary early this morning. Later, we drive just half an hour before we stop at the wonderful but deserted city of the MUGHALS, fatehpur sikri is a must visit monument, then continue to drive to the city of charming monuments.. AGRA . Upon arrival check in at the Taj View. Afternoon visit the magnificent sites of the mughal era including the majestic Agra fort and the very serene Itmad-ud-daulah or the baby taj.
Overnight at the hotel.
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Taj mahal
one of the Seven Wonders of the world built by Emperor Shah Jehan in the memory oh his beloved consort Mumtaz Mahal. This beautiful mausoleum took 22 years to complete with a work force of 20,000. Craftsmen and master builders came from all over Asia to join in the great work – from Baghdad, Shiraz, Delhi, Samarkand and Turkey. The marble, India’s finest; was quarried at Makrana near Jodhpur. Precious and semi precious stones were imported from distant lands : Jasper from Punjab, Jade & Crystal from China, Turquoise from Tibet, Lapis from Afghanistan and Ceylon, Chrosolite from Egypt, Amethyst from Persia, Agate from Yemen, Malachite from Russia, Diamonds from Golconda and Mother of Pearl from the Indian Ocean.

Day 18 : Delhi
Today we visit the most awaited TAJ MAHAL , the first touch of light presents the TAJ in most enchanting fashion. Return to the hotel for breakfast . We then checkout and continue to drive 5 hrs to Delhi where we have arrangements of a day room near the airport till your departure.