Taj & Beyond

Today in the morning we leave for the visit to the National Rail Museum and National Handicrafts & Handlooms Museum.

First, we visit the National Rail Museum that’s hidden in Delhi’s diplomatic hub. On exhibit are several railway engine and carriage replicas. Additionally, it keeps a replica of the steam engine that traveled from Mumbai to Thane on India’s first railway in 1853. The museum is stretched out across 10 acres of land and has a wealth of knowledge on the 150-year history of Indian railways. The National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum is our next stop. It is one of India’s biggest craft museums. Its holds a collection of nearly 35,000 rare and unique items showcasing the ongoing legacy of Indian artisans in painting, embroidery, textiles, and a variety of clay, stone, and wood crafts.

We finish the day by visiting Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, a Sikh place of worship where every day thousands of people from every walk of life are fed. Here you have an option to assist the kitchen volunteers.

Overnight stay is at the hotel.

After an early breakfast at the hotel, you will drive to Churu “Sekhawati Region”. Check-in at the hotel upon arrival.  Churu is a 450-year-old town and is the homeland of Marwaris –India’s most successful business community since the time of the Mughals. The town boasts of beautiful mansions (havelis) made by the Marwari families with impressive fresco paintings and numerous buildings of public use.

In the afternoon, our guided tour takes you under the skin of what is visible and gives you a complete insight into the lives and culture of the Marwari community who have practically built the whole region. Explore their fabulous mansions, hear the stories behind painted frescoes and get to know the people behind all this legacy.

Overnight stay is at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we leave for Bikaner. Check-in at the hotel upon arrival.

In the afternoon, we visit Junagarh Fort. Its construction started in the 16^th century by Raja Rai Singh, but palaces were added to it over the next three centuries. The outer wall, built of light red sandstone is surrounded by a moat, and within are beautifully designed palaces with balconies, kiosks, and fine lattice work screens with richly decorated interiors. Next, we visit a Camel Breeding Farm. Eight Kms from Bikaner, the Government managed Camel Research and Breeding Farm is the only of its kind in Asia. Camels are bred and trained here.

Overnight stay is at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we leave for Jaisalmer. Check-in at the hotel upon arrival.

In the afternoon enjoy a mesmerizing sunset at Vyas Ki Chhatri. These cenotaphs were made as a symbol of respect to the clans of the royal family after their death.

Overnight stay is at the hotel.

In the morning enjoy a city tour of Jaisalmer. Founded by Prince Jaisal in 1156, it was a major staging post on the trade route across the Thar Desert. Jaisalmer Fort was made from the golden-hued Jurassic sandstone of the region, and the effect is enchanting. It appears to be a golden sandcastle rising from the western Rajasthani desert from a distance. With 3,000 people residing inside the complex, it is also a living fort.

Next, we visit Havelis of Venetian merchants. The houses are decorated with beautifully carved facades, screens, and windows. See the Nathmalji-ki-Haveli with its beautiful arched roof with carved brackets in the form of peacocks; Patwon-ki-Haveli, the most elaborate and magnificent haveli and best known for its latticed façade.

In the afternoon we experience a Camel Ride on Kanoi Dunes at sunset. As the sun transforms itself from a bright harsh ball of fire to a soothing golden, the redness starts filling up the sky. It’s a visual treat to see the surroundings turning golden due to the soft rays of the setting sun. If you like photography you will get ample opportunities to click the evening sky. Desert silence is broken by the noise of traditional ballads.

Overnight stay is at the hotel.

Today we drive to Jodhpur. Check-in at the hotel upon arrival.

We begin our afternoon sightseeing by visiting Jaswant Thada, a cluster of royal cenotaphs in the white marble built in 1899 AD in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Next, we visit the Mehrangarh Fort, one of India’s biggest and best-preserved forts, which rises 400 feet above Jodhpur. The Rathore clan chieftain Rao Jodha established it in 1459, and the Jodhpur royal family still owns and runs it today. Almost location in the city offers a view of the opulent hill fort, whose recognisable walls peak above the rocky plateau from which they were cut. The name Mehrangarh, which means “fort of the sun,” alludes to the legend that the royal family of Jodhpur are descendants of Surya, the sun god.

From the fort, we walk down through the bylanes and Blue houses of the Old town to reach the Clock Tower and the nearby Sardar Market, a historical local trading market for spices. We walk through the local spice market and you could take home some Indian spices.

Overnight stay is at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we leave for Udaipur en route visit Ranakpur Jain Temples. Situated in the lovely Aravali valley, these Jain Temples were built in the 15th century and they are one of the major pilgrimage centers for the Jain community of India. The temples are renowned for their elaborate and intricate construction style. There are 1444 pillars in the temples and no two of them are similar. After the visit, we continue with our drive to Udaipur. Check-in at the hotel upon arrival.

The remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight stay is at the hotel.

Today we start the tour of Udaipur. The beautiful city of lakes, Udaipur, is surrounded by lakes with blue water and is encircled by the verdant Aravalis hills. Udaipur is a captivating combination of views, sounds, and sensations that is a source of inspiration for poets, artists, and authors. It is a vision in white that is bathed in romance and beauty. Begin with a private guided tour of the City Palace – the focal point of the city and has several areas of interest like the Suraj Gokhada, Badi Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Mor Chowk (the peacock courtyard), and the Zenana Mahal. Next, we visit the Jagdish Temple, located close to the Palace with its imposing sculpted figures and heavily ornamented interiors.

Late afternoon, we enjoy a shared boat ride at Lake Pichola which is famous for its picturesque beauty and scenic surrounding. Enjoy wonderful views of the City Palace stretching along the east bank and of the gardens that run down to the south bank waterside. The boat ride will be for approx 40min.

Overnight stay is at the hotel.

This morning, we will be leaving for Jaipur with an en route stop to visit Eklingji & Nagda Temples. Eklingji is a stunning marble complex consisting of 108 temples, with the earliest one constructed in A.D. 734. The complex is dedicated to God Shiva, who protects the fortunes of the rulers of Mewar.

After that, we will visit an ancient collection of temples in Nagda, located next to a lake, which dates back to the 7th century. Unfortunately, most of the structures were destroyed by the Mughals or eventually submerged by the lake. However, the surviving pair of 10th century temples known as the “mother-in-law” and “daughter-in-law” temples provide an incredible insight into the city’s fascinating past. Later, we will continue driving to Jaipur and check into the hotel upon arrival.

Overnight stay is at the hotel.

Today’s sightseeing includes visiting many gems of Jaipur. We begin with exploring the resplendent Amber Fort, which is sprawled across the summit of a natural hill outside of Jaipur. Amber Fort, which is pronounced “AH-meer” is a well-preserved structure from the heyday of the Rajput monarchy in Rajasthan. It is historically significant and artistically spectacular. The elaborate Maharaja’s palace from the sixteenth century is a distinctive fusion of Islamic and Hindu architecture. While coming back from the fort we will make a brief photography stop at Hawa Mahal – The Palace of Winds.

Next, we visit City Palace, the present-day home of the Maharaja and the erstwhile royal family of Jaipur. Lastly, we visit Jantar Mantar, a monumental astronomical observatory constructed entirely out of stone and based on the astronomical tables of the French mathematician Phillipe de la Hire. It also has the world’s second-largest sundial, made entirely out of stone.

Overnight stay is at the hotel.

Today we explore the nooks and corners of Jaipur. As the streets are quiet early in the morning, we’ll hop on an E-rickshaw to visit the busy doodh-mandi (milk market), where milk is typically delivered in cans on the back of motorcycles, rickshaws, or camel carts. Doodh-wallas (milkmen) and confectionery stores in the area buy it and transport it for further distribution. Then we drive to the flower market to see the riot of colors and fragrances. We finish the sightseeing by attending a prayer ceremony at a local Krishna Temple.

Later, we drive to Agra en route visit Fatehpur Sikri. This spectacular walled historic city is located west of Agra and served as the Mughal empire’s transient capital from 1572 to 1585 under Emperor Akbar. The city is an Islamic architectural wonder, was built in an allegedly water-scarce location, and was thus abandoned soon after Akbar’s demise. Continue with your drive to Agra. Check-in at the hotel upon arrival.

Overnight stay is at the hotel.

At sunrise, we visit the white wonder marble standing majestically on the banks of River Yamuna. Taj Mahal – a UNESCO World Heritage Site was built in 1632 by Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal’s exterior embellishments serve as the ideal illustration of exquisite Mughal art. The Taj Mahal’s marble inlay art is a marvel and will be a striking ornamental element.

Later, leave for Delhi and in the afternoon have free time for shopping. In time you will be transferred to the International Terminal to board your flight back home.