Description

(Destination Covered: Delhi -Mandawa - Bikaner - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur – Jaipur - Agra )
Day 01: Arrive Delhi

Welcome on arrival by S.G.Holidays representative at New Delhi Airport. After meet and assist transfer to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel in Delhi.
Day 02: At Delhi

Morning after breakfast enjoy the guided visit of Old Delhi covering Jama Mosque – the largest mosque in India built in red sandstone. Between the mosque and Chandni Chowk is a narrow shop-lined street along which you will be transported by cycle rickshaws on your most photogenic journey of the tour. Drive pass the Red Fort. While driving back to New Delhi visit Raj Ghat – a memorial that is dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. The ghat is located in the banks of River Yamuna. It is a black marble platform that is built at the spot of cremation of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation. Afternoon visit of New Delhi which will include photo opportunities at some of the following attractions - the exterior of the Parliament, the War Memorial Arch (India Gate) and residence of the President House of India in New Delhi. Conclude your day with visit to 72 meter high Qutub Minar; being one of the most important landmarks of Delhi, with calligraphically decorated interiors and also inscriptions of verses of the Holy Quran. Stay overnight at hotel in Delhi.
Day 03: Delhi – Mandawa (265kms / 06hrs drive)

Morning after breakfast travel to Mandawa, a small but delightful town in Shekhawati region of Rajasthan. Founded in the mid-18th century, the town offers a sense of new discovery and is known for its forts, castles, stunning havelis, beautiful paintings, rich culture and tradition. On arrival check-in at hotel. After a brief rest proceed for sightseeing of this splendid town with beautiful paintings, murals and frescoes which are seen in the stunning havelis, temples, cenotaphs, wells, castles, forts and palaces. Then visit the majestic Mandawa Fort; its archway has beautiful painting which shows Lord Krishna among his cowherds and the rooms are architecturally adorned with mirror work. The city is quite rightly named as “The Open Air Art Gallery of Rajasthan”. Stay overnight at hotel in Mandawa.
Day 04: Mandawa – Bikaner (200kms / 04hrs drive)

Morning after breakfast travel to Bikaner, lying the north-west part of Rajasthan and is the centre of art and culture of medieval India. This desert city has a stark beauty which is totally unique, with wide-spread dunes, the moonlit glittering beauty and desert agility, marvellous palaces and temples, archaeological treasures, all combining to making it a city of lasting charm. On arrival check-in at hotel. Later half day city tour of Bikaner covering Junagarh Fort – made of red and pink sandstone, and has 37 domes inside and is surrounded by high walls with a 30 feet trench around the fort. Visit the Lalgarh Palace – This vivid palace was designed by Sir Swinton Jacob and built by Maharaja Ganga Singh. This grand architecture was built using red sandstones. The Lalgarh Palace is a classic example of Indian, European and Mughal architecture, and is famous all over for its lattice sandstones. The palace also houses a museum and the fourth largest private library in the world. Evening wade through the narrow alleys of Old Bikaner City, passingthrough the bangle, spice and vegetable market, and ‘Tea Street’, seeing some of the traditional red sandstone ‘RampuriaHavelis’, built by well to do merchants, the intricately carved structures are representative of the trending architectural styles of the 1900s as well as the personal tastes of their owners. Stay overnight at hotel in Bikaner.
Day 05: Bikaner – Jaisalmer (330 Kms / 07 hrs drive)

Morning after breakfast travel to Jaisalmer. En-route visit Karni Mata temple or the “temple of rats” is a very famous temple situated at Deshnoke. The temple is famous all over India for having 20,000 black rats that lives in the temple and are revered. These rats are considered holy and are called as “kabbas”. Next stop is Gajner Palace – built on the bank of Gajner Lake, this quaint palace was constructed by Maharaja Ganga Singh. Located amidst thick forest, it is an ideal place to indulge in bird watching. This palace is a perfect example of architectural splendour and is spread over 6000 acres. After visit continue travel to Golden City of Jaisalmer; located deep in the heart of the desert and popular for its century’s forts, palaces, havelis and amber-hued houses. On arrival check-in at hotel. Stay overnight at hotel in Jaisalmer.
Day 06: At Jaisalmer

Morning after breakfast Start exploring the city with visit to with the only living fort in the world, Jaisalmer. Take a stroll in the narrow streets of the Golden city and get a glimpse of the life style of the locals. Every house is exquisitely carved having filigreed work all over. Followedbyvisit to the beautifully carved Nathmalji Ki Haveli, Patwaon Ki Haveli & Salim Singh Haveli. Afternoon visit to Gadsisar Lake was a water conversation tank built in 1400 AD. On the bank of Gadsisar Lake one can see a gateway made of yellow sandstones known by the name of Tilon Ki Pol. A Krishna Temple is located by the side of the archway. Early evening proceed to enjoy camel ride on its exotic sand dunes, offering an unforgettable experience of rich cultural heritage. En-route stop at Kuldhara – the abandoned village now believed to be haunted, it is said that it is impossible for anyone to spend even one night there. It was the largest of 84 villages belonging to Paliwal Brahmins, all of which were abandoned on a single night in 1825. Continue to the desert, where you will enjoy the camel ride amongst the breath-taking sight of Sun descending with a peculiar glow and as ascending night bringing stupendous views of sunset and the fort. Stay overnight at hotel in Jaisalmer.
Day 07: Jaisalmer – Jodhpur (290kms / 06 hrs drive)

Morning after breakfast travel to Jodhpur. Today you will experience the feeling of travelling back in time with a journey to Jodhpur, while you catch a glimpse of the splendour and magnificence of this ancient desert city built on the edge of the Thar Desert. At its best, it is a doorway to the wonderland of sand dunes and shrubs, rocky terrain and thorny trees. Afternoon visit Mehrangarh Fort; one of the largest forts in India, the beauty and grandeur of numerous palaces inside narrates a saga of hard sandstones yielding to the chisels of skilled Jodhpuri sculptures and to enter, seven gates have to be crossed. A collection of musical instruments, palanquins, furniture and cannons on the forts ramparts are well preserved. After that visit the royal cenotaph JaswantThada – This white marbled architecture is a memorial site of a Rajput clan. This cenotaph was built in the 19th century by Maharaja Sardar Singh in the memory of his father, Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, the 33rd Rathore ruler of Jodhpur. Evening explore the Old city &Clock tower market. Surrounded by a 10km long wall, has 8 gates serving as entrances, the winding streets offer colourful street markets with blue houses alternated with white houses. Stay overnight at hotel in Jodhpur.
Day 08: Jodhpur – Jaipur (300kms / 06 hrs drive)

Morning after breakfast drive pass the blue houses in the old Jodhpur. Later travel to Jaipur, the first planned city of India, is a treasure-trove of culture, art and history, famous for its colour, life style and Rajasthani cuisine. It is a city exuding royal heritage and extravagant richness. The historic city also has many temples and shrines. On arrival check-in at hotel. Evening enjoy visiting local bazaar at walled city. Explore world famous jewelry bazaar which offers a variety that ranges from chunky tribal Jewellery to enameled gold to modern diamond jewelry. Stay overnight at hotel in Jaipur.
Day 09: At Jaipur

Morning after breakfast excursion to Amber Fort, is the chance to ride an elephant up the hill to the main entrance. The ancient capital of Jaipur state and the majestic palace complex to witness a unique system of air-conditioning of 17th century. The fort presents a fascinating blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture. It is built using red sandstone and white marble. While driving back to city photo stop at Jal Mahal. Afternoon city tour of Jaipur pink city covering City Palace Museum; boasts to have some of the priceless handwritten Hindu scriptures of the ancient past, miniature delicate paintings, preserved painted ceilings and the elephant saddles (haudas), and is registered in the Guinness Book of Records to contain the biggest silver objects in the world. Drive pass Hawa Mahal or the 'Palace Of The Winds' – a remarkable gem of Rajput style of architecture. This beautiful Mahal decorated with fine lattice windows and screened balconies was to facilitate the royal women, in getting a glimpse of the daily events, royal processions and festivals taking place on the streets. Conclude your day with visit to Jantar Mantar; one of the famed observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh is a complex of astronomical instruments, chiseled out of stone which provides fairly accurate information to this day. Stay overnight at hotel in Jaipur
Day 10:Jaipur – Agra (235 kms / 05 hrs drive)

Morning after breakfast travel to Agra. En-route visit of Fatehpur Sikri an outstanding example of Mughal architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The perfectly preserved red sandstone buildings consist of palaces, courtyards, a life-size chess board, tombs and mosques. Visit the Diwan-e-Khas with its remarkable central pillar. Also unmissable is Panch Mahal, the five storied structure used as the viewing station for the harem. After visit continue travel to Agra, home to India's most famous landmark, the Taj Mahal. A poem of white marble, the Taj is described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love.On arrival check into the hotel.Stay overnight at hotel in Agra.
Day 11: Agra – Delhi(210 kms / 4~5 hrs drive)

Early morning visit of Taj Mahal (Closed on every Fridays), a UNESCO Heritage Site, undisputedly one of the world’s most beautiful buildings. The epitome of love, stands on the banks of the river Yamuna built in the 17th century by the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan. The white marble building changes its hue with the variations in the daylight. Made entirely of white marble and decorated with exquisite pietradura (stone inlay) work, different types of precious and semi-precious stones were used in the intricate inlay work done on the interiors. This magnificent monument is built around a Charbagh or ’four garden’ plan, split by watercourses— reflects the influence of Persian architectural style… an exquisite image that you’ll remember forever. After visit return back to hotel for breakfast. Later visit of the Agra Fort, built in the year 1573 by Emperor Akbar, which is a mixture of the Islamic and Hindu styles of architecture. The fort remained as the main residence of the emperors belonging to the Mughal dynasty until the year 1638. The fort houses numerous impressive structures like the Jahangir Mahal, Khas Mahal, Diwan-i-Khass, Diwan-i-Am, Machchhi Bhawan and Moti Masjid. After lunch drive towards Delhi.On arrival in Delhi; dinner at a local restaurant and then transfer to airport to catch flight for onwards destination along with Sweet Memories.