Rajasthan Desert Safari

Duration : 17 Nights / 18 Days
Destinations covered : New Delhi - Neemrana - Jaipur - Samode - Mandawa  Bikaner - Jaisalmer - Khimsar - Jodhpur - Luni - Udaipur

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Day 01 : Arrive New Delhi
Arrive New Delhi airport & transfer to hotel. Delhi - An international metropolis with excellent tourist spots, recreational facilities, and a history that goes back to antiquity. It offers a multitude of interesting places and attractions to the visitor. Later proceed on sightseeing tour of Delhi. Visit Red Fort - The Red Fort with red sandstone walls, popularly known as the Lal Qila extends for two kms and varies in height from 18 metres on the river side to 33 metres on the city side. India Gate - At the center of New Delhi stands the 42m high India Gate. Qutab Minar - Among all the monuments in Delhi, perhaps this is the most famous. 15 kms south of Delhi, stands the soaring tower of victory, the Qutab Minar. Jama Masjid - Jama Masjid or the Jami Masjid was built by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, between 1644 and 1658 and is the final architectural piece built by him. Situated in the ancient town of Old Delhi. Overnight stay in Delhi.

Day 02 : Delhi - Neemrana (170 kms)
After breakfast drive to Neemrana - A small beautiful village in Alwar, is located about 122Km from Delhi. Located almost midway between Delhi and Jaipur, Neemrana belongs to 1464 A.D., when it was built as a fortified palace. Since this town is situated in the vicinity of both Alwar and Delhi, it is the perfect getaway for the people residing in these cities. The Neemrana Fort and Palace is one of the most important tourist destinations in Neemrana, Alwar, and Rajasthan. Arrive & check in. Rest of the day is free to explore the palace. Overnight stay at Neemrana.

Day 03 : Neemrana - Jaipur
Today drive to Jaipur - The city of Jaipur is capital to the northern Indian state of Rajasthan, famous for its colorful culture, forts, palaces, and lakes. The city is mirror to every thing that Rajasthan signifies, be its culture, tradition, society, and, most important, the people. Arrive & check in. Evening is free to explore the local bazaars. Overnight stay in Jaipur.

Day 04 : City Tour
Today proceed for half day excursion to Amber Fort : 11 kms north of Jaipur is the ancient capital. The fort is superb example of Rajput architecture, stunningly situated on a hall side overlooking a lake. Later proceed on city tour. Jaipur offers a plethora of touristic attractions to the traveller visiting Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) - Constructed in 1799 is one of the major landmarks in Jaipur. This 5 storey building overlooking the main street is a stunning example of Rajput artistry, with pink delicately honeycombed sandstone windows. City Palace : In the heart of the old city, it occupies divided into series of courtyards, gardens & buildings. The Palace is a blend of Rajasthani & Mughal architecture. Jantar Mantar : Next to the entrance to the City Palace. An observatory begun by Jai Singh in 1728. Evening is free to relax / shopping. Overnight stay at Jaipur.
 

Day 05 : Jaipur - Samode (46 kms)
After a relaxed breakfast drive to Samode - A small village near Jaipur. Located close to the beautiful green Aravali Hills Samode is a best place for picnic on weekends. Samode is at 46 km distance from Jaipur. It is famous for its beautiful Samode Palace and Garden. The highlight of the building is the exquisite Diwan-I-Khas, which is covered with original paintings and mirror work. Arrive & check in. Rest of the day is free to explore the Samode Palaces & Samode Bagh. Overnight stay in Samode.

Day 06 : Samode - Mandawa
Early today drive to Mandawa - In the heart of the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan lies the beautiful small town Mandawa, known throughout the state for its forts and havelis. The structures of this place reminds one of the cultural and social hot spot this place used to be in the bygone era.

Day 07 : City Tour
After breakfast proceed on full day sightseeing tour of the Shekhawati Region (Fatehpur & Nawalgarh) - known as 'the open- air art gallery'. This region is famous for the exterior decoration of the Havelis depicting an endless range of topics. Overnight stay in Mandawa.

Day 08 : Mandawa - Gajner (250 kms)
Early today drive to Gajner. Enroute visit the town of Bikaner - A dust swirling desert town, Bikaner's finest sight is its fort, with dazzlingly rich interiors. Visit the Junagarh Fort, Lalgarh Palace, Camel breeding farm & the famous Karni Mata Temple. Later continue your drive to Gajner. Arrive & check in. Overnight in Gajner.

Day 09 : Drive Gajner - Jaisalmer (280 kms)
After breakfast drive to Jaisalmer - The name evokes a vivid picture of sheer magic and brilliance of the desert. The exotic, remote, and beautiful, Jaisalmer is one of Rajasthan's best-loved tourist destinations. Local colour and warmth prevail over the inhospitable and forbidding terrain, imbuing the medieval town with a special magic. Arrive & check in. Evening is free for leisure / shopping. Overnight stay in Jaisalmer.

Day 10 : City Tour
After breakfast proceed on sightseeing tour, visit the Jaisalmer Fort, Old city & Havelis - exquisitely carved in sandstone. This desert town is on a former trade route between Persia and China. Late afternoon depart to the Sand Dunes of Thar Desert and enjoy a spectacular sunset. Experience a camel / jeep ride on the sand dunes. Evening return to hotel. Overnight stay in Jaisalmer.
 

Day 11 : Jaisalmer - Khimsar
Today drive to Khimsar, a fine tourist destination in Rajasthan, is located on the route between Jodhpur and Bikaner at a distance of 92 kilometres from Jodhpur. Exuding with rustic charm of Rajasthan, Khimsar is renowned for its fort. The Khimsar Fort nestles on the edge of the great Thar Desert in the heart of rural Rajasthan. The battle-scarred walls and turrets take one to the glorious past of this place. The fort was originally built as protection of the Royal family but later was used by the royal family as their residence in the 18th century. Today, this fort ranks amongst the premier classified Heritage Hotels of India. Arrive & check in. Evening is free to explore Khimsar. Overnight in Khimsar

Day 12 : City Tour
After breakfast proceed on sightseeing tour visiting the historic fort at Nagaur, which encompasses the palace, the harbour & mosques. Evening return to your hotel. Overnight stay in Khimsar.

Day 13 : Drive Khimsar - Jodhpur
After breakfast drive to Jodhpur - This land of royalty is a glittering jewel set in the golden sands of barren desert landscape. The light that reflects of the golden sands engulf a land renowned for its vibrant colours, people in the bright clothes and beautiful jewellery, living in city dotted and dominated by towering fort and palaces that rise from sand like a mirage. Late afternoon arrive & check in. Evening is free for leisure. Overnight stay in Jodhpur.

Day 14 : City Tour
After breakfast proceed for sightseeing tour, visit the Mehrangarh Fort - Situated at an altitude of about 125 metres, the Mehrangarh Fort is spread over an area of 5 sq. km in the heart of the city. Jaswant Thada - a white marble memorial built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant II in 1899 A story goes that Maharaja Jaswant succumbed to injuries in this place while fighting the Mughal king Jahangir. Umaid Bhawan Palace - Made of marble and pink sandstone, the construction of the Umaid Bhawan started in 1929 and it took 16 years to complete it. It is believed that the palace was constructed to give employment to the famine-struck population of Jodhpur. This majestic building is presently the residence of the former rulers with a part of it running as hotel and remaining part as a museum. Mandore Gardens, the Government Museum and Zoo, Old Fort Museum and Balsamand Lake and Gardens are other attractions. Evening is free to explore the bazaars. Overnight stay in Jodhpur.
 

Day 15 : Drive Jodhpur - Luni
Today drive to Luni - Is a small village located 35 kms from Jodhpur. It is called an artisan village & the people are still pursuing their ancestral profession of fashioning metal. Since the city is located on the bank of river Luni, it offers a good opportunity to you to avail the beauty of nature amidst it. Arrive & check in. Later visit the Luni fort, an exceptional example of Indian architecture. The fort has been converted into a heritage hotel is an exceptional 'example of elegance and symmetry in Indian architecture of the last century. The entire fortress is carved out of the famous red sandstone of Jodhpur and with its ornately carved lattice work friezes and intricate Jharokas it exquisitely captures the romance and grace of a bygone age. The Fort is composed of a lyrical complex of courtyards, towers, water wheels, stables, passages and unexpected stairways to secret pavillions and panoramic roof tops spanning the village below and the Thar horizon beyond. Overnight stay in Luni.

Day 16 : Drive to Udaipur
Early today drive Udaipur. Enroute visit the temple town of Ranakpur - The exceptionally beautiful complex, is one of the largest & most important Jain temples in India. It is located in remote valley of Aravali Ranges & is certainly worth seeing. The Chaumukha Temple (Four Faced) was built in 1439 with 29 halls & 1444 pillars - no two crafted pillars are alike. Later continue your drive to Udaipur. Arrive late afternoon & check in. Evening is free for leisure. Overnight stay in Udaipur.

Day 17 : City Tour
Today after breakfast proceed for city tour of Udaipur - If Jaipur is a city in pink, Udaipur is a study in white. The city is famous for its palaces, lake, museums, temples, and gardens. The City Palace and Museum is considered as the largest palace complex in Rajasthan and its museum has stunning collection of objects collected by different Maharanas of Udaipur over the centuries. The Picholia Lake, Udai Sagar, and Pratap Sagar are some of the most beautiful lakes in the state. Some other attractions in the city are the Jagdish Temple, Saheliyon Ki Bari, Jag Mandir, Pratap Memorial. Evening is free for leisure / shopping. Overnight stay in Udaipur.

Day 18 : Depart Udaipur
Today transfer to Udaipur airport for your flight to onward destination.

End of a memorable tour !!!

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