ROYAL RAJASTHAN
Day 01. Upon arrival at Udaipur, our representative will greet and transfer you to the hotel. Freshen up and post-lunch today visit the historic city of Lakes. Today start with a visit to the Jagdish Temple, a large Hindu temple made in the Indo-Aryan style of architecture. Visit the city markets and enjoy your Dinner at Udaipur {Famous Indian Restaurant}. Return to your hotel to stay overnight.
Day 02. After breakfast visit, The City Palace also adorns your itinerary. This grand palace complex was completed nearly 400 years and narrates the history of Mewar. Later visit the Vintage Car Museum - A paradise for all motor enthusiasts, The Royal Vintage Car Museum is a must-visit for any visitor. It was inaugurated in Feb 2000 and has become a very popular tourist destination since then. The museum houses many famous vintage cars like the 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom used in the Bond film Octopus and many rare Rolls Royce models to name a few….
Your next destination is Saheliyon Ki Bari, a major garden adorned with fountains and kiosks of ancient times. Continue to visit Bagore Ki Haveli is situated near Pichola Lake. The 18th-century construction was built by Amir Chand Badwa, Chief Minister at the Royal Court of Mewar. The Haveli became the residence of Maharana Shakti Singh of Bagore in the year 1878 and hence the name Bagore Ki Haveli. This was converted into a museum retaining the royal touch to the building. The museum presents the culture of Mewar. The antique collections used by Rajputs such as jewellery boxes, hand fans, copper vessels, and so on. The massive building has over 100 rooms and looks splendid with its unique style of architecture. When you are there, make sure you present yourself for the shows conducted here in the evenings. 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 Dinner. Overnight stay in Udaipur.
Day 03. Breakfast at the hotel and leave for the holy Pushkar town {6 hr. drive}. Check into your hotel pre-booked. Later after lunch visits Pushkar Lake surrounded by more than fifty bathing ghats. Legend has it that Lord Brahma was looking for a place to conduct a religious ceremony. He dropped a lotus to guide him. The lotus fell on the site which is now Pushkar Lake.
It is a sacred water body for Hindus and is where the Pushkar Fair is held. Thousands of pilgrims visit here to take a holy dip during the fair which is said to cleanse sins. The lake is generally full through the year and has different varieties of fish. Later you will be visiting Lord Brahma’s Temple also called the Jagat Pita Brahma Mandir, located near Pushkar Lake. It is one of the few Brahma temples remaining in the country and is amongst the rare places to visit in Pushkar. The place of worship was built in the fourteenth century. Constructed of marble and stone, it has a unique architecture along with the majestic red pinnacle. The bird motif of the sacred structure gives it a distinctive identity. Inside the place of worship, images of Brahma adorn the sanctum sanctorum.
There are many fascinating architectural aspects of this temple. The pillared outdoor hall is one such structure that will leave you spellbound. The insides are built with stone slabs and moulted lead has been used to combine them on a high plinth, numerous marble steps lead to the temple. The sacred place is visited by devotees throughout the year. Many come here only after taking a holy dip in Pushkar Lake. Dedicated to Lord Brahma, the most important Pushkar Festival is held here during October and November.
Evening walk through the lanes of Pushkar with the oldest food shop of the old town Pushkar, taste variety of local dishes, Tangy Chats, Mouthwatering desserts. Return to your hotel. Overnight in Pushkar.
Day 04. Post breakfast the car and driver will be ready to drive you to the Pink City – Jaipur. Check into your hotel pre-booked. Continue to visit the Amer Fort - A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was the bastion of the Kachwahas of Amber, until the capital was moved to the plains, to what is today Jaipur. The palace, located in craggy hills, is a beautiful melange of Hindu and Mughal styles. Raja Man Singh, I began construction in 1592 and the palace, which was built as a strong, haven against attacking enemies, was completed by Mirja Raja Jai Singh. The contrast between the harsh exterior and the inviting interior couldn’t be more surprising. Made entirely of red sandstone and white marble, visitors are left spellbound by the magnificence of the palace that utilizes carvings, precious stones, and mirrors. The splendour of the palace is enhanced by the breath-taking vista of the Maota Lake in front. The palace is nearly seven centuries old and has a legendary past. Evening the driver will take you to Chokhi Dhani for dinner. This beautiful village is spread over 10 acres and offers a huge platform for all the culture enthusiasts of the world to experience the legacy of Rajasthan. Enjoy a hearty Rajasthani meal, I am sure this evening will be a memorable one. Return to your hotel. Overnight in Jaipur.
Day 05. After healthy breakfast leave the hotel for city sight visits. First, you will be visiting Hawa Mahal the Palace of Winds was built using pink sandstone in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh and is the most recognizable monument of Jaipur. This unique five-story structure with small latticed windows (called Jharokhas) is a blend of Hindu and Islamic architecture. Originally designed for the royal ladies to watch and enjoy the processions and other activities on the street below, it now houses a well laid out museum. Continue to visit Jantar Mantar - A UNESCO World Heritage Site, considered to be the largest of the five astronomical observatories built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur. It contains sixteen geometric devices, designed to measure time, track celestial bodies and observe the orbits of the planets around the sun. It also houses an Interpretation Centre that helps tourists understand the working principles and chronology of the observatory.
Afternoon free for lunch later visits the City Palace. It was conceived and built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur. A beautiful fusion of Mughal and Rajput architecture, the palace is still home to the last ruling royal family which lives in a private section of the palace. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II is credited with building most of the structures, but it was expanded upon by later rulers as well. The City Palace Complex includes the Diwan-E-Am (Hall of public audience), Diwan-E-Khas (Hall of private audience), Mubarak Mahal (the palace of reception), and the Maharani’s Palace (the palace of the queen). Mubarak Mahal now houses the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum and displays a vast and unique collection of royal costumes. The clothes of Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I are also on display. The Maharani's Palace, surprisingly, has an interesting display of very well-preserved Rajput weaponry. Other than the arms, the palace is adorned with beautiful paintings on the ceiling that are well-maintained.
The evening is kept free for shopping in Jaipur. Let it be Jewellery, Bangles, Handicrafts, or Textiles. Return to your hotel for Dinner. Overnight in Jaipur.
Day 06. After breakfast drive to Sawai Madhopur – Ranthambore National Park -The famous Tiger Reserve.
Day 07. Today you will be having 2 Safaris - Morning & Evening drives in the park in Gypsy or a Canter. {Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the resort.} Ranthambore National Park with an area of 400 sq. km encompassing rocky hill crests which descend to open valleys between the Aravalli and Vindhya ranges dotted with water pools and fruit trees, this park gets its name from the thousand-year-old fortress, which looms above the forest. Well known for the diurnal activity of tigers, Ranthambore is a very special and unusual area where a natural present meets a historical past. Sambar, cheetal, chinkara, nilgai, and languor. The elusive leopard and tigers are found in this reserve with tourists standing a very good chance of seeing tigers during the day. Dotted across the landscape are the crumbling ruins of its past glory, be it Chhatris or cupolas, like palaces or old guard posts, all of which reinforce the magical and ethereal quality of this great wilderness. Overnight in Ranthambore.
Day 08. Post breakfast drive to Sawai Madhopur Railway Station or drive to Jaipur Airport for a journey back home taking back some wonderful memories of your Royal Rajasthan Tour with Indo West Tours...