Rajasthan Forts & Palaces Tour

New Delhi, the capital and the third largest city of India is a fusion of the ancient and the modern. Standing along the West End of Gangetic Plain, the capital city, Delhi, unwinds a picture rich with culture, architecture and human diversity, deep in history, monuments, museums, galleries, gardens and exotic shows. Comprising of two contrasting yet harmonious parts, the Old Delhi and New Delhi, the city is a travel hub of Northern India. Narrating the city's Mughal past, Old Delhi, takes you through the labyrinthine streets passing through formidable mosques, monuments and forts. The imperial city of New Delhi displays the finely curved architecture of British Raj.

Day 02: Delhi - Agra
Start for Agra early in the morning after breakfast. the city of Mughals offers you an opportunity to explore the massive monuments, majestic buildings, and the popular arts and crafts. The architectural splendor of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces is a vivid remainder of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces is a vivid reminder of the capital in the capital in the 16th and early 17th centuries.

En-route you will visit the Sikandra - Mughal Emperor Akbar's Mausoleum.

Visit Taj Mahal (Taj Mahal remains closed on Friday), a poem in white marble, built by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaj Mahal. It took twenty-two years and hard toil of more than twenty thousand workers to construct Taj Mahal. The beauty of the Taj Mahal is enchanting and it reflects the marvelous beauty of architecture. Taj Mahal symbolize the richness of art and architecture of the Mughal period.

After Taj Mahal visit Agra Fort; built by Emperor Akbar on the west bank of the river Yamuna and beautified with palaces and gardens by Jehangir, Agra Fort today dominates the centre of the city. The crescent-shaped fort with its 20-metre high, 2.4-km outer walls contains a maze of buildings that form a small city within a city.

Overnight will be at hotel in Agra.

Day 3: Agra - Jaipur
Breakfast will be at the hotel. Drive to Jaipur - Jaipur was established by Maharaja Jai Singh II (1693-1743) and painted pink by Maharaja Man Singh II when Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, visited Jaipur in 1876. The Royal heritage of Jaipur lives in its architecture and culture. The city in pink is symbolic of the hospitality that reigned in the Rajput culture.

On the way visit Fatehpur Sikri. It is a beautiful and deserted medieval city built by Akbar the Great in the 16th century to serve as the capital of his vast empire. The Mughals later abandoned this city for lack of water. Fatehpur Sikri had a short life of splendor. Once Akbar left it in 1585, it never regained its lost importance and has remained the most magnificent and well-preserved ghost city of India.

Overnight will be at hotel in Jaipur.

Day 4: Jaipur
After breakfast, have excursion trip to Amber Fort with Jeep / elephant ride.

En route, make a photo stop at the Palace of Winds (Hawa Mahal). Hawa Mahal is a sample of the perfection of the architecture. Hawa Mahal was built with the pink & red sandstone, beautifully carved and outlined with white border and motif

Amber Fort is situated on the crest of a hill seven miles north of Jaipur is Amber, capital of the Kuchwaha Rajputs from 1037 to 1728. Man Singh I built it in a style to rival Mughal grandeur and opulence.

In afternoon visit City Palace, a combination of conventional Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. City Palace complex has more than a few palatial structures. City Palace is a huge complex, which houses many courtyards, gardens and buildings.

Also visit Jantar Mantar, built between 1716. It is located within the city palace. Jantar Mantar contains a collection of instruments for observing the movements of sun, moon, planets and stars. It was built to develop the interest of the people in Astronomy.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 5: Jaipur - Bikaner
Morning free at your disposal. Intime transfer to Railway Station to board Intercity Express train to Bikaner - Lying in the north of the desert state, the city is dotted with scores of sand dunes. Bikaner retains the medieval grandeur that permeates the city's lifestyle. More readily called the camel country; the city is distinguished for the best riding camels in the world and hence boasts of having one of the largest Camel Research and breeding farm in the world.

The history of Bikaner dates back to 1488 when a Rathore prince, Rao Bikaji (a descendant of the founder of Jodhpur, Rao Jodhaji), established his kingdom here. It has faced many foreign intrusions and fought a number of wars with the Mughals and the British.

On arrival in Bikaner, check in at the hotel.

Day 6: Bikaner
Morning sightseeing tour of Bikaner including Junagarh fort - was built by a Mughal army general, Raja Rai Singh, in 1593. The courtyard of the fort along with the balcony, kiosks and windows are perfect examples of the artisanship of that time. The beautiful cutworks and dots on the red stones and the marbles are fascinating. The various part of the palace-the Dewan-i-khas, the Phool Mahal, Hawa Mahal, Badal Mahal and Anup Mahal-reflect the glorious architecture of Bikaner

Also visit the government-managed Camel Research and Breeding Farm is only one of its kinds in Asia.

Overnight in at the hotel.

Day 7: Bikaner - Jodhpur
Morning drive to Jodhpur - - the second largest city of the state of Rajasthan, Jodhpur. The Rajput chief Rao Jodha founded the city of Jodhpur in 1459. Earlier, it was the capital of the Marwar state of Rajasthan. A 10-km-long wall made of stone surrounds the city.

Visit Mehrangarh Fort situated on a 125m-sandstone hill built by Rao Jodha in 1459. Situated at an altitude of about 125 meters, the Mehrangarh Fort of Jodhpur is spread over an area of 5 sq. km in the heart of the city of Jodhpur. Have a walk in the Fort Complex and in old city.

The Jaswant Thada is a white marble memorial built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant II in 1899.

Overnight in at the hotel.

Day 8: Jodhpur - Narlai
Morning drive to Narlai. Arrive Narlai and check - in at hotel. Afternoon free to explore the typical Rajasthani village surrounding the fortress or climb the 350 ft high granite rock which is dotted with caves and temples and which offers spectacular views.

Overnight in at the hotel.

Day 9: Narlai - Udaipur
Morning drive to Udaipur - the lake city is an enthralling tourist destination in Rajasthan. It is an important city in Rajasthan today, attracting a large number of tourists. The medieval attractions of the city are its chief draw, but the scenic beauty of Udaipur and its surroundings is also a major attraction for the tourists. There are some beautiful lakes, man made as well as natural that give the city the sobriquet of 'the lake city'.

On arrival, check in at hotel. Rest the day is free at leisure.

Day 10: Udaipur
After breakfast visit the City Palace towering over the Pichola Lake. Maharana Uday Singh initiated in the construction of the palace but succeeding Maharanas added several palaces and structures to the complex retained a surprising uniformity to the design.

The entry to the Palace is from the Hati Pol, the Elephant gate. It was once a custom that the Maharana would weigh under this gate in gold and silver, which was distributed to the populace. It is also now the main ticket office. Balconies, cupolas and towers surmount the palace to give a wonderful view of the lake.

Visit the Jagdish Temple; built by Maharana Jagat Singh I in 1651, the temple enshrines a black stone image of Lard Vishnu. There is a brass image of Garuda the Lord Bird carrier. The exterior and the plinth are covered with base relief of alligators; elephants, horsemen and celestial musicians rise in tiers. Chanting, bells and music can be heard throughout the day. It is the largest and most splendid temple of Udaipur.

In the evening enjoy boat ride on the Lake Pichola. This picturesque lake encloses the Jag Niwas Island and the Jag Mandir. And, the City Palace extends along its eastern banks.

Return back to hotel for overnight.

Day 11: Udaipur - Mumbai
Transfer to airport to board flight for Mumbai. Arrive Mumbai and transfer to hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Mumbai including The Gateway of India, this massive historical monument makes a must visit during your Mumbai sightseeing. The Mani Bhawan or the Gandhi memorial was once used to be the residence of Mahatma Gandhi in Mumbai. Also known as Queen's Neckless, Marine Drive. Juhu is a 5-km-long beach. Also visit Hanging Garden and the Kamla Nehru Garden and the Chowpatty gives you the view of one of the most happening beaches of Mumbai.

Overnight in at the hotel.