Rajasthan Group Tour

Welcome to Delhi, India. At your arrival at the city, you will be welcomed by our representative who would transfer you to the hotel. Once the formalities of check-in are done and you have settled down, get ready for the rest of the day.

Raj Ghat is the first place to be visited to which is the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi, followed by the nearby Shanti Vana which is the memorial of India’s first Prime Minister Pt Jawaharlal Nehru. Next visit is to Jama Masjid, one of the iconic, historic and largest mosques in India built by Shah Jahan. It was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between 1644 and 1656. The mosque was completed in 1656 AD with three great gates, four towers and two 40 metres high minarets constructed with strips of red sandstone and white marble.

You will be driven past the Red Fort which used to be the residence of the Mughal emperors till 1856. The fort is declared as the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Drive past to the busiest street of Delhi – Chandni Chowk which is a shopper’s paradise, you can pick some souvenirs or go for some random shopping of mouth-watering food, clothes, jewels, household, etc.

Overnight in Delhi.

You will be transferred to Mandawa or Alsisar from Delhi on this day. This is a small town but lots of story to tell. The Shekhavati villages are a tourist’s delight for the beautiful havelis, frescoes and mansions. There is nothing special or things to do for havelis, but there are stories and there is art to appreciate, you just need to have the eyes for it.

It is not a specific location but the entire city of Mandawa can be called as one open air art gallery. Mandawa in the ancient days became a popular stoppage for merchants, crossing over through the silk route. It is a paradise for those who love art and shopping as a combination. Do check out the government emporium as well as the street for picking random stuffs for shopping.

Stay overnight at Mandawa.

Get driven to Bikaner in the morning, for a tour of the desert city in the afternoon. Formerly the capital of the princely state of Bikaner, the city was founded by Rao Bika in 1488. Bikaner is bolstered by imposing walls and has a 16th century fort housing old palaces, temples and a mosque. The fort stands out for 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. There is a royal chapel named Har Mandir which was once the celebration place for royal weddings and births.

Do make sure to try the local food here – most popularly the savoury snack Bhujia (salty and spicey snack) which is sold all over the world.

Overnight stay at Bikaner.

Start your morning with a day-long drive to Jaisalmer which would take 8 hours to reach. Once there, spend rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight stay at Jaisalmer.

Jaisalmer, also known as “The Golden city” is a World Heritage Site. The place gets its name from the ridge of yellowish sandstone where the place stands, and is crowned by the ancient Jaisalmer Fort made of the same yellowish sandstone. The town sits right at the heart of the Thar Desert (The Great Indian Desert). Many of the houses and temples of both the fort, and of the town below, are built of finely sculptured sandstone.

Jaisalmer Fort includes a royal palace and several ornate Jain temples. Built in 1156 by the Bhati Rajput ruler Jaisal, Jaisalmer Fort, situated on Meru Hill and named as Trikoot Garh has been the scene of many battles. Its massive sandstone walls are a tawny lion color during the day, turning to a magical honey-gold as the sun sets.

After visiting the fort, explore the bazaars (local streets) and the old mansions known as “havelis” in local language. You would be amazed to see that people still live in these ancient havelis that date back to between 12th and 15th century. Every house has exquisite carvings and filigreed work.

Overnight stay in Jaisalmer.

Time to bid goodbye to Jaisalmer as you would be driven to Jodhpur on this day. It would take around 7 hours of driving, and hence it is advisable for the rest of the day at leisure once arriving the hotel.

Overnight at Jaisalmer.

Jodhpur is the second largest city of Rajasthan and was formerly the seat of a princely state of the same name. Jodhpur is a popular tourist destination, featuring many palaces, forts and temples, set in the stark landscape of the Thar Desert. The old city circles the fort and is bounded by a wall with several gates.

Start your city sightseeing with the visit to Mehrangarh Fort which is one of the largest forts in India. Built in around 1460 by Rao Jodha, the fort is situated 410 feet (125 m) above the city and is enclosed by imposing thick walls. Inside its boundaries there are several palaces known for their intricate carvings and expansive courtyards. Explore the Fort including Moti-Mahal and Phool Mahal.

A winding road leads to and from the city below. You will also be taken to visit Jaswant Thada, an imposing Marble Memoriam built in 1899 and the museum located in the Umaid Public Gardens.

Overnight stay at Jodhpur.

Start your journey onwards to Mount Abu by road. Mount Abu is a popular hill station in the Aravalli Range of Rajasthan. The mountain forms a distinct rocky plateau 22 km long by 9 km wide. The highest peak on the mountain is Guru Shikhar at 1,722 m (5,650 ft) above sea level. It is referred to as 'an oasis in the desert' as its heights are home to rivers, lakes, waterfalls and evergreen forests.

Next spot is the Dilwara Temple that includes five Jain Temples built 11th century onwards. It is a complex of temples carved of white marble built between the 11th and 13th centuries CE. The oldest of these is the Vimal Vasahi temple, built in 1021 CE by Vimal Shah and dedicated to the first of the Jain Tirthankaras. They include the Achaleswar Mahadev Temple and the Kantinath Temple. Treat your eyes with the intricate ornamental carvings that represent the climax in the art of decoration in the stone.

Up next is the Achalgarh Fort famous for its Shiva temple, the Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple. The fort was built in the 14th century by Kumbha of Mewar, is nearby and at its center is the popular visitor attraction of the Nakki Lake. Do take a boat-ride on the placid water of Nakki Lake studded with little islets to enjoy the mesmerizing sunset of Mount Abu.

Come back to hotel for overnight stay.

Start your journey to Udaipur in the morning, visiting the Ranakpur Temples on the way. Ranakpur is 98 km from Udaipur located in a valley on the western side of the Aravalli Range. The Ranakpur Temples are dedicated to Tirthankara Adinatha. The temple honors Adinath, the first Tirthankar of the present half-cycle (avasarpiṇī) according to Jain cosmology. The town of Ranakpur and the temple are named after the provincial ruler monarch, Rana Kumbha who supported the construction of the temple.

The surrounding of the temple is quiet and picturesque. Ranakpur has grand structures and 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 other few places which you would be taken to.

Overnight at Udaipur.

This day is dedicated for Udaipur city sightseeing. In the royal city, places to explore are the City Palace, Jagdish Temple, Fatehsagar Lake, Saheliyon ki Bari (Queen’s resort for her friends) and Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandir.

The City Palace was built over a period of nearly 400 years, with contributions from several rulers of the Mewar dynasty. Its construction began in 1553, started by Maharana Udai Singh II of the Sisodia Rajput family. It was built in a flamboyant style and is considered the largest of its type in the state of Rajasthan. It was built atop a hill, in a fusion of the Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles, providing a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings. Overlooking Lake Pichola, several historic monuments like the Lake Palace, Jag Mandir, Jagdish Temple, Monsoon Palace, and Neemach Mata temple, are all in the vicinity of the palace complex.

Jagdish Temple is a large Hindu temple just outside the royal palace and is a big tourist attraction. Fatehsagar Lake is an artificial lake named after Maharana Fateh Singh of Udaipur and Mewar. Saheliyon-ki-Bari is a major garden and a popular tourist space in Udaipur. The complex has fountains and kiosks, a lotus pool and marble elephants. It was built by Maharana Sangram Singh as a relaxing spot of the royal ladies.

The last spot for the day is Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandir which was set up in 1952 by Devilal Samar as a cultural institution to popularise and propagate folk arts, folk dances and folk literature.

Relax with a boat ride in the afternoon before coming back to your hotel room. Overnight at Udaipur.

Get transferred to Chittorgarh from Udaipur by road. Chittorgarh is famous for marbles and granites and is home to the Chittor Fort, the largest fort in India and Asia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built by Chitranga, a king of the local Maurya dynasty.

It sprawls over a hill 180 m (590.6 ft) in height spread over an area of 280 ha (691.9 acres) above the plains of the valley drained by the Berach River. The fort precinct has several historical palaces, gates, temples and two prominent commemorative towers.

Other places of interest include the Vijay Stamph with nine storeys reaching a height of 37 mts. It was 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 in Chittor.

Have your breakfast early at the hotel and head towards Pushkar by road, covering Ajmer on the way. Ajmer is surrounded by the Aravalli Mountains and is the base for visiting Pushkar. The city was founded by the Chauhan ruler, Aiaipal, during the 11th century & is dominated by the Taragarh Fort built by Prithviraj Chauhan. Visit places like the Tomb of the Sufi Saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, and the Dargah Sharif before reaching Pushkar.

Arrive at Pushkar and check-in at the hotel before visiting the holy lake and the famous Brahma Temple. Pushkar is a pilgrimage site for Hindus and Sikhs. Most of the temples and ghats in Pushkar are from the 18th century and later, because many temples were destroyed during Muslim conquests in the area. Pushkar is also significant for its Gurdwaras for Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh.

Overnight at Pushkar.

Get driven to Jaipur from Pushkar in the morning. Check-in at the hotel. The day will be at leisure. In the evening, you will be taken to watch the Sound and Light Show, if operational that day.

Start exploring Jaipur with the visit to the hillside Amber Fort – the ancient capital of the state. With its large ramparts and series of gates and cobbled paths, the fort overlooks Maota Lake, which is the main source of water for the Amer Palace.

The Fort is entirely constructed of red sandstone and marble and is laid out on four levels, each with a courtyard. Visit the royal halls, including Sheesh Mahal or the Hall of Victory glittering with mirrors.

Jaipur is also called the “pink city” as it was painted in pink in the 18th century to welcome the Prince of Wales as a symbol of hospitality. Built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the notable astronomer, this city is 260 years old.

The City Palace Museum is the next destination, which is famous for its collection of Rajasthani costumes and armory. The next spot to visit for the day is the Jantar Mantar – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is an equinoctial sundial, consisting of a gigantic triangular gnomon with the hypotenuse parallel to the Earth's axis. The instrument is intended to measure the time of day, correct to half a second and declination of the Sun and the other heavenly bodies. You will also be taken to Ram Niwas Gardens, which covers an area of 33 acres (130,000 m2), and was built by Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh in 1868.

The last destination of the day is the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds). The palace is made of red and pink sandstone. The structure was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh after being inspired by the unique structure of Khetri Mahal in Jhunjhunu.
Enjoy the local dances during dinner time. Overnight stay at Jaipur.

Get transferred to Bharatpur from Jaipur. Bharatpur is famous for the Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary with one of the most spectacular water birds sanctuary features nesting indigenous water-birds as well as migratory water birds and water side birds. It is inhabited by sambar, chital, nilgai and boar. Other places of interest are Bankebihari Temple, AB Original Tours and the Government Museum.

Overnight stay at Bharatpur.

Have breakfast in the hotel and start your journey for Agra visiting Fatehpur Sikri on the way.
The city was founded as the capital of Mughal Empire in 1571 by Emperor Akbar, serving this role from 1571 to 1585, when Akbar abandoned it due to a campaign in Punjab and was later completely abandoned in 1610. The dynastic architecture of Fatehpur Sikri was modeled on Timurid forms and styles. The city was built massively and preferably with red sandstone. The city's architecture reflects both the Hindu and Muslim form of domestic architecture popular in India at the time.

Explore the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal and other Palaces.
Reach Agra and stay overnight.

After breakfast in hotel, you will be taken to Agra by private car.
Agra was the ancient capital of Hindustan which stands on the banks of the river Yamuna. Agra was known as Akbarabad during the reign of the Mughals when it was through its peak and was the capital of under the Mughal rulers Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan.

As the first spot, you will be taken to see the Taj Mahal – one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Built in the memory of his beloved wife Queen Mumtaz Mahal, Shah Jahan made this marvelous piece of art crafted in white marble between the years 1631 and 1648. It stands majestically on the banks of the river Yamuna and is a mark of love and romance.

Later, you will be driven to Agra Fort - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and known for its architectural structure exhibiting a glimpse of the royal Mughal lifestyle. Built during the Mughal Empire in 16th century, Agra Fort has several fairy-tale palaces like Khas Mahal and Jahangir Palace. You will be taken to see Diwan-e-Aam (public audience hall) and Diwan-e-Khas (Diwan-e-Khas). Also visit the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daullah built by Empress Noorjehan in memory of her father. Overnight at Agra.

Get driven to Delhi in the morning and check-in at hotel. In the afternoon, visit the largest minaret of India – Qutub Minar built by Turk ruler Qutb-Ud-Din Aibak in 1192. The 800-years old minaret is declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site and is surrounded by ancient Hindu and Muslim complexes.

The other places of visit are Humayun's Tomb, India Gate (War Memorial Arch), Lakshminarayan Temple - a modern Hindu Temple. Also drive past President's House, Parliament-House, Government Secretariat Buildings and Connaught Place shopping centre.
Overnight at Delhi.

The 19-days tour to Rajasthan comes to an end. You will be transferred to Delhi international airport for a flight for onward journey.

Note - In case group does not operate with strength, we will provide private chauffeur driven car.