Rajasthan - Eternally Yours!
Rajasthan, the Land of Kings, is aptly named. It is indeed a fabulous realm of maharajas and their majestic forts and lavish palaces. The remnants of a rich and romantic past, either in evocative ruins or restored to former splendour, have earned Rajasthan a place on most travellers’ wish lists.
Yet there is much more to this iconic region of the subcontinent. It is a land of deserts and jungle, camel trains and tigers, glittering jewels, vivid art, and vibrant culture.
Day 01. Arrive at Jaipur Airport / Railway Station, our association will receive you and introduce you to the driver and hand over the travel documents, drive to the hotel, complete the check-in procedure. Post lunch today visit historic Jaipur. You will have plenty of time here to explore several of the city’s medieval palaces and monumental forts. But be warned -- travelling between each iconic building can be an adventure in itself. Expect to see camel carts and elephants, scooters, trucks, and bikes all jostling for space on the roads. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 02. After breakfast, Sightseeing in Jaipur of the Amber Fort, the honey-coloured fortress-palace in the Aravalli Hills just north of the town centre. The sombre exterior belies the richness of the royal apartments, which open to striking views of the gorge. The Hall of Victory presents a galaxy of decorative art - panels of alabaster with fine inlay work of the tenderness hues and the intriguing Chamber of Mirrors. We return to town to view Jai Singh’s Observatory built in the 17th century by the founder of Jaipur who, besides being a prince was also a soldier, astronomer, and builder. The tour concludes at the City Palace, now a museum that contains fine Rajput and Moghul paintings, rare manuscripts and an armoury, old carpets, and even amazingly embroidered clothes of the Maharajas and the Maharanis. Evening free for shopping in Jaipur
Day 03. After breakfast proceeds to “Khimsar” Khimsar, the tiny hamlet is located at the edge of the Great Thar Desert in the state of Rajasthan. The centre of the village has a water body, which appears as a picturesque oasis in the desert. Check into your hotel pre-booked. Post lunch visits the Khimsar Fort built in the 16th century. This fortress has witnessed many battles of the bygone era. You can see the evidence of the war on the walls of the fort. Though the fort was built to guard the Khimsar kingdom against enemy attacks, it became a residential place when the women's section known as the Zanana was added to it in 1940. Presently, a part of the fort serves as a heritage hotel of the region while the rest is occupied by the descendants of the royal family of Khimsar. {January and February to enjoy the Nagaur Festival.} This is a typical cattle fair which allows visitors to enjoy camel races, bullock races, and folk music and dance forms of the region.
Visit the dunes in the evening. These dunes are the best spots to sit and relax. Sitting on top of the dunes you can admire how the sun rays are scattered over the desert to give it a lustrous shine. The village is a testament to how even the barren desert can be a salve to sore eyes. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 04. Breakfast at the hotel and proceed to Jaisalmer en-route visiting Phalodi known for its Havelis. The town of Phalodi rose to prominence during the 18th century when Jain business families trading in salt built impressive Havelis (traditional, ornately decorated residences) and colourful, extravagant Jain temples, including the domed Shri Parashnath temple, which glistens with gold and Belgian glass. The most prominent haveli, Dadha
Haveli now houses the Lal Niwas hotel and the small Dadha Heritage Museum, which contains coins and Jain and Hindu manuscripts, paintings, and silver, bronze and copper sculptures from many parts of India. Continue to Jaisalmer. Evenings are kept free to explore the Golden City by walks. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 05. After breakfast, today visit the Jaisalmer fort a breathtaking sight. Locally known as Sonar Quila (Golden Fort). Standing proudly in the middle of the great The Thar Desert, this fort is regarded as 'The Pride of Jaisalmer'. Its massive yellow sandstone walls are a tawny lion colour during the day, fading to honey-gold as the sun sets, thereby hiding the fort in the yellow desert.
The Jaisalmer Fort architecture is awe-inspiring and marvellous. The seamless blend of Rajput and Islamic styles, the golden tinge due to the yellow sandstone, and the enthralling carvings & sculptures make it rank among the glorious forts in Rajasthan. It is 1,500 ft long and 750 ft wide and is built on a 250 ft high hill. The basement of the fort has a 15 ft tall wall forming a double line of defence. The fort is protected by a 30 ft tall wall surrounding it. This fort comprises 99 bastions providing crucial protection to the fort during attacks.
Inside the fort complex, tourists can find several architectural buildings which include palaces, houses, and temples. Jaisalmer fort has narrow winding pathways that interlock several parts of the fort. The complex of Jaisalmer Fort is so expansive that almost one-quarter of the town's population is located inside the fort itself. There are numerous wells inside the fort that is a regular source of water for residents.
Later you will be visiting Patwaon Ki Haveli {Now a Protected Govt Site}. Truly an outstanding piece of architecture. It is renowned for its ornate wall paintings, intricate yellow sandstone-carved jharokhas or balconies, gateways, and doorways. The haveli is built using yellow sandstone and the main gateway is brown. The haveli is five stories high divided into six apartments. The walls also feature beautiful mirror work and several paintings. There is a stunning apartment that is flawlessly painted with beautiful murals. There are about 60 balconies in the haveli.
Post lunch visits the Later visit Lodurva Jain Temples - known for its architectural ruins and Jai temples. The temples at Lodurva exhibit some more fine examples of intricate craftsmanship on yellow stone. The Parshvnath Temple is the oldest and the most beautiful of the Jain temples. The temple is dedicated to 23rd Tirthankara, Parshvnath. The walls of the sanctum are carved with animal and human figures. There is a small dome that is crowned by an amalaka and a water pot containing a lotus flower. The temple was destroyed in 1152 but was reconstructed in 1615 by Seth Tharu Shah and further additions were commissioned in 1675 and 1687. Visit the Kalpavriksha, a mythical tree, situated inside the complex.
Rishabhnath Temple is the second Jain temple at Lodurva, located near the ruins of the palace of Moomal. The temple was commissioned by Seth Sachcha and constructed in 1479. Shambhavnath Temple is the third important Jain temple in Lodurva and is dedicated to the Jain Tirthankara Shambhavnath. The whole temple complex is surmounted by an octagonal pyramidal roof, and a fortification wall. Other places are the Hinglaj Mata temple, Chamunda Mata temple, and the old temple of Shiva. Lodurva has a great number of peacocks that hover around the temple walls lending spectacular colour to the dry and stony landscape. Evenings are kept free for Camel Rides, Jeep Safaris before sunset in the Thar Desert, Enjoy a cultural evening, campfire and dinner at a Desert Resort. Return to your hotel. Overnight in Jaisalmer.
Day 06. After a nice breakfast drive to Jodhpur. Early in the evening visit the Jaswant Thada which is a cenotaph located in Jodhpur, in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was built by Maharaja Sardar Singh of Jodhpur State in 1899 in memory of his father, Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, and serves as the cremation ground for the royal family of Marwar. Late evenings are free today for shopping. Good things to buy in Jodhpur are Bandhej Fabrics, Do visit Mochi Bazar for lovely handcrafted Jodhpuri Juttis. Return to your hotel for Dinner. Overnight in Jodhpur.
Day 07. Today after breakfast visit The Mehrangarh Fort. Crowns a rocky hill that rises 400 feet above the surrounding plain, and appears both to command and to meld with the landscape. One of the largest forts in Rajasthan, it contains some of the finest palaces and preserves in its museum many priceless relics of Indian courtly life. The Fort and its palaces were built over 500 years following the foundation in the mid-15th century. As a result, the varied building styles of many different periods are represented, including the 20th century. The abrupt transition from one era to another, as you progress through the buildings, is one feature that makes a visit so remarkable.
Mehrangarh Museum has a unique importance as a repository of the artistic and cultural history of the large areas of Central Rajasthan and Marwar-Jodhpur. The museum boasts exemplary examples of 17th, 18th, and 19th-century collections for the fields of Miniature Paintings, Arms and Armours, Textiles, Decorative Arts, and Furniture.
Day 08. Today after early breakfast you will be driving to Udaipur {This will be a drive of 5 hours through some rural parts of Rajasthani villages}. Arrive at Udaipur – Check into your hotel pre-booked. The day is kept free for leisure. Dinner, and overnight at the hotel.
Day 09. Breakfast at the hotel and your day today starts with a visit to the Jagdish Temple, a large Hindu temple made in the Indo-Aryan style of architecture. Later you will be visiting The City Palace also adorns your itinerary. This grand palace complex was completed over nearly 400 years and narrates the history of Mewar.
Your next destination is Saheliyon Ki Bari, a major garden adorned with fountains and kiosks of ancient times. After some moments of relaxation, take a beautiful boat ride on enchanting Lake Pichola to enjoy bliss views sprawling around. Return to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 10. After early breakfast, you will leave for Udaipur airport to catch a flight for your journey back home taking sweet memories of your Royal Rajasthan Tour.