Hightlights: 1 night Delhi - 2 nights Jaipur - 1 night Bikaner - 2 nights Jamba -1 night Jaisalmer - 1 night Jodhpur - 1 night Delhi
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Delhi
Arrive at Indira Gandhi International airport, New Delhi from London. After clearing Customs and Immigration, you will be met by our representative outside the International Arrivals Hall and transferred to the Hotel Parkland.
Overnight at Parkland
Day 2 : Delhi - Jaipur (258 Kms. / Approx 5.5 hrs.)
After some rest enjoy breakfast at hotel. Check-out from hotel and proceed for city orientation tour of Delhi. Drive past the Red Fort, the red sandstone walled fort made in Mughal era and later drive India Gate, a 42-metre archway built in memory of Indian soldiers killed during the First World War. Rashtrapati Bhawan, built in the early 20th century as the Imperial residence of the Viceroy is today the official residence of the President of India and Parliament House, a unique circular building with huge colonnades, houses the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament. After lunch on your own, drive to Jaipur.
Overnight at Trident (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 3: Jaipur
Brekfast at hotel. Today, we enjoy morning excursion to Amber Fort and afternoon sightseeing tour of Jaipur city. Amber, the capital of Rajasthan for 6 centuries before Jaipur was built, lies 11 km north of Jaipur. Rising majestically on the slopes of a hill, this 11th century fort and palace complex is a blend of Hindu and Muslim styles. Elephants carry us up the ramparts of the fort. (Subject to availability). Lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon, explore Jaipur city. The City Palace stands in the centre of the city. Part of it is still the Maharaja's residence, while most of the complex has been developed into a museum containing rare manuscripts, fine specimens of Rajput and Mughal paintings, royal apparel and an armory. Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) is the landmark of Jaipur. It stands on one of the main streets, a curious building, elaborate and fanciful, built of pink sandstone with a delicate honeycomb design. Jantar Mantar observatory, built by the founder of Jaipur, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. The huge stone instruments were devised to study the movements of the sun, moon and planets and are incredibly accurate. Enjoy a home-hosted Lunch with a Nobel family, Sankotra House.
Overnight at Trident (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Days 4: Jaipur – Bikaner (354 kms. / Approx 7.5 hrs.)
After breakfast, check-out from hotel drive to Bikaner. On arrival,check-in at the hotel.
Explore Junagarh Fort. This fort lies to the northeast of the walled old city of Bikaner. Raja Rai Singh, a general in Akbar’s army built the fort in 1593 for the Mughal Army, and its most unusual feature is that this fort was built at ground level and not on high ground. Interestingly, it is one of the few forts in India that was never conquered - maybe its inconspicuousness proved to be its best defense! Suraj Pol or Sun Gate is the main entrance to the Junagarh Fort. The fort is encircled by a moat that protects the splendid complex of thirty-seven palaces, pavilions and temples added by different rulers, the last one, as recently as 1943. Their lavishly adorned interiors are much better preserved than those in any other palace in the region.
Overnight at Laxmi Niwas Palace (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 5: Bikaner - Jamba (150 kms. / Approx 4 hrs.)
Breakfast at hotel and check-out. Today morning, we start our drive to Far Horizon’s Dera Sand Dune Resort at Jamba. First of its kind in India, this is an air-conditioned permanent camp, built on top of a sand dune, in the heart of Rajasthan. On arrival at the resort, check-in and proceed for Lunch. Here the standard of elegance and luxury are virtually unsurpassed. Guests are treated to the ultimate in Indian hospitality, with air-conditioned, spacious and sumptuously furnished accommodation, each with private facilities and a range of activities that include desert adventures such as wildlife watching, camel trekking, and four wheeled dune & tribal safari. Dinner at the Resort.
Overnight at Dera Sand Dune Resort (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6: Jamba
After breakfast, enjoy a Jeep safari into the surrounding villages.
The Jamba excursion introduces us to traditional Rajasthani hospitality, as well as, giving us a chance to see close up life in rural desert. The houses called “dhanis” are built with painted adobe walls, and scattered around the desert according to the caste. We will visit the villages of camel herders, shoe makers, potters, durrie weavers and most interestingly of Bishnois and see how they cope with all the might that the desert throws at them. The Safari will take you into the living cultures of Rajasthan’s desert where we will visit the Village headman’s house and he will take us around the village.
Lunch at resort. The Bishnoi tribes that inhabit this region are a fascinating community. All Bishnois follow the 21 (bis noi) tenets laid down by the 15-century guru Jambeshwar. They fervently believe in the sanctity of animal and plant life so wildlife finds a natural sanctuary around their villages. A visit to the temple of the founder of this tribe known as the ‘Jambaji’ is a must. Return to the resort in time to watch the setting sun light up the desert. Enjoy an evening dance program at the resort.
Overnight at Dera Sand Dune Resort (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7: Jamba – Jaisalmer (185 kms. / Approx 6 hrs.)
After leisurely breakfast at the resort check-out and dive to Jaisalmer.
Located on the edge of the Thar desert, Jaisalmer was founded by the Rajput Prince Rawal Jaisal, to manifest the legend that Lord Krishna had predicted that descendants of the Lunar clan would rule from here. We will explore the architectural dream that is the city of Jaisalmer. Later, Check-in at the hotel. Visit Jaisalmer Fort, and explore the fascinating fort overlooking the city, built in 1156, and the Jain Temple complex within it. This fort is the second oldest fort in Rajasthan and commands the desert landscape from its 250ft high perch on the hill above the city. Three strong walls protect the citadel. The first was constructed by the local Jain panchayat in the 15th century. Subsequent additions and fortifications were built by the Rawals.
Overnight at Fort Rajwada (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 8 : Jaisalmer – Jodhpur (250 Kms./ Approx 5 hrs.)
Early Breakfast at hotel and check-out. Visit the stunning havelis of Jaisalmer.
Patwa Haveli, is the most elaborate and magnificent of all the havelies in Jaisalmer. The other havelies worth visiting are the Salim Haveli & Nathmal haveli. In the evening, we drive out to the Royal cenotaphs with beautifully carved ceilings and equestrian statues of the former rulers. Drive to Jodhpur. Jodhpur, the Second largest city in Rajasthan after Jaipur. Standing at the edge of the Thar Desert, this city houses a number of palaces, temples and other architectural monuments which add to its glory.
Check-in at the hotel.
Overnight at The Ummeid (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 9: Jodhpur – Delhi by flight
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and visit Mehrangarh Fort Begun in 1459, This fort is an impressive and unique synthesis of massive walls and lacelike palaces. Today, the Fort houses the finest museum, with the most modern museum methods of study and conservation in Rajasthan. The museum also has an amazing collection of never-before-published paintings. On the way down from the fort, on left is Jaswant Thada, the graceful marble cenotaph of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. His son Maharaja Sardar Singhji built the Taj Mahal of Marwar in the memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singhji II of Jodhpur. After lunch on your own in time transfer to Jodhpur domestic airport to board the flight to Delhi. On arrival at Delhi domestic airport, meet our representative and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at Parkland (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 10: Depart Delhi
Check out from the hotel and transfer to the Indira Gandhi International airport to board departure flight for London.
(Check–in at Airport is 3 Hrs prior to departure time)
Offer Includes:
- Flights from London Heathrow to Delhi on Virgin Atlantic
- 7 nights accommodation on bed & Breakfast basis
- 2 nights accommodation on full board basis
- All transfers and sightseeing tours will be by air-conditioned transportation
- Entrances fees at all monument
- Services of local english speaking guide for sightseeing only
- 1 jeep safari in Jamba
- Representative for assistance on all arrival and departure transfers
