Rajasthan with Camel Fair

After completing immigration and custom formalities, meet our representative at the arrival gate! After introductions, our representative will transfer you to the hotel for check-in. The balance of the day is for rest.

Following breakfast, meet your guide at the hotel lobby and proceed for sightseeing. We begin from the Old Delhi- a labyrinth of narrow lanes, which winds and bends between the tall and leaning buildings.We will first visit the famous Red Fort, the residence of Mughal emperors of India for nearly 200 years until mid-19th century. Spread over an area of 254.67 hectares, the fort has several buildings, open courtyards and halls with rich synthesis of Persian, European and Indian artworks.

From here, we head to the Jama Mosque- the largest mosque of India that claims to have capability of holding more than 20,000 devotees at a time! The mosque has beautiful tapering minaret and marble domes! Now, we take rickshaw ride through the Chandni Chowk with vibrant and colorful shops and bazaars. It's the oldest and the busiest market of Delhi. Be prepared to experience the commotion, honking cars, yelling vendors, smell of food and perhaps the fumes!

In the afternoon, we visit the Akshardham Temple Complex- the latest addition to the temples of Delhi. 141-foot-high, 316-foot-wide and extending over 356 foot long, the temple is one of the largest Hindu Temple. Constructed by the 7000 artisans with the help of 3000 volunteers, the temple has rich carvings of flora, fauna, dancers, musicians and deities!

Next, we visit the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, situated near Connaught Place, the head of New Delhi. This is one of the most important Sikh House of worship. The complex includes a large sacred pond, a school for Sikh studies and an art gallery.

If time allows, we will take leisurely stroll through the Connaught Place which is the largest financial and business center of India.

After breakfast, we drive to Agra (approx. 131miles/ 4 ½ hrs.). Upon arrival, check in the hotel and later proceed for sightseeing.

We first visit Agra Fort- the 16th-century Mughal citadel known as the Red Fort of Agra. It was built by the Emperor Shah Jahan who also built the Taj Mahal and Delhi's Red Fort. Recognized by UNESCO as the world heritage site, Agra Fort is a citadel of the Mughal era that has witnessed centuries slip by but still stands gloriously on the bank of River Yamuna.

Towards the dusk, we visit the Mehtab Bagh (also called Moonlight Garden) which is a little known place for viewing Taj Mahal during the sunset time. The garden lies opposite of Taj Mahal on the northern shores of Yamuna River whereas Taj Mahal stands in the southern bank. Enjoy the views of Taj Mahal in tranquil surroundings with no rush.

One hundred fifty-three miles / 5 ½ hrs. drive

We get up before dawn for a sunrise tour of Taj Mahal from the southern side of the monument. It's a fantastic experience to see the iconic monument bathed in the morning sunshine! Taj Mahal, built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal is a spectacular monument ever built for love.

We return to our hotel for breakfast, and soon we head out to Jaipur. About 25 miles from Agra, we stop to visit the Fatehpur Sikri- a UNESCO recognized world heritage site. Fatehpur Sikri, the abandoned capital of Emperor Akbar, has the culmination of Hindu and Muslim architectures.

About 56 miles before Jaipur, we take 12 miles detour of Chand Baori, which is an ancient step well, built in between 800 and 900 A.D. It's a fantastic architecture designed and structured as a water reservoir to supply water to the thirsty citizens of dry and arid Rajasthan.

On arrival, check in hotel and take rest for the day.

After breakfast, we set out to explore the attractions of Jaipur- the capital of Rajasthan State. Jaipur is also called the Pink City. Do you know why? The king of Rajasthan, in a short notice, ordered a fresh coat of paint in Jaipur to welcome the Prince of Wales visiting India in 1905-6, but the contractor did not have any other color in stock enough but pink. So, the entire city got its pink shade that has been Jaipur's tradition till today!

We first drive 7 miles on Jaipur- Delhi highway outside the city to visit Amer Fort that lies atop Amaravali Hills. From the parking, we take an elephant ride up the hill (subject to availability and alternatively by Jeep). On the return, we will take the local shared jeep. Amer fort, also called Amber Fort was built in the 16th century and is one of the most excellent examples of culmination of Hindu Rajput and Mughal Muslim architectures. The fort, made up of red sandstone, and white marble tells the glory of the fierce Kachawaha Dynasty that ruled over the region from 12th to the 18th century. The interior wall of the palace exhibits the emotional scenes with paintings, carvings, precious stones, and mirror settings. The fort has heavily structured high walls to protect the residents from the warring enemies.

Now, we retrace our drive to the Jaipur city and visit Hawa Mahal- one of the most photographed architectures of Jaipur. The peculiarity of the palace is the high screen wall facing to the street from where the women of the royal family could observe the street activities without being seen from the outsiders!

Next, we move on to the City Palace, which is another blend of Mughal and Rajasthani architecture. The royal family still occupies part of the palace, and we have access only to a section that now has a museum. The museum has an extensive collection of costumes, woodwork, brassware, jewelry, and pottery. Nearby is the Jantar Mantar observatory, a group of nineteen architectural astronomical instruments, built in the 18th century.

The afternoon is free for your interests. Jaipur is shopper's paradise and has the world famous traditional jewelry designed stylishly.

Approx. 90 miles/ 3 hrs. 

After breakfast, we bid farewell to the Pink City of Jaipur and head out to Pushkar set on Pushkar Lake. On the way, we stop to visit Ajmer Dargah Sharif - a shrine in honor of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti - a Sufi saint who came to India from Persia in 1192. It's an essential holy shrine for the Muslims of the world!

Upon arrival, check into your accommodations. After wash up and change, visit Pushkar Lake and Bramha Temple, the major attractions of Pushkar.

Pushkar Lake - This is a holy Lake for Hindu people and associated with Lord Bramha, the creator of the universe. More than 400 temples and palaces surround the lake. People come to the lake to take the dip in the water and cleanse the sins or purify themselves.

Bramha Temple - Pushkar is the town of Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe according to Indian mythology. The legend goes that Lord Bramha performed penance here for 60,000 years! The temple-built of marble and stone slabs, and with a red spire-a typical Indian shikhara style, is among the very few existing temples of Lord Bramha.

After breakfast, proceed to the Pushkar Fair Ground to join the area's largest cattle fair. 

The Pushkar Fair is the annual five-day camel and livestock fair, held in the town of Pushkar in the state of Rajasthan, India. It is held each November at the time of the Kartik Purnima full moon and is one of India’s most highly rated travel experiences, a spectacle on an epic scale, attracting more than 11,000 camels, horses and cattle and visited by over 400,000 people. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the color, spectacle, and carnival of one of the last great traditional fairs, which brings livestock, farmers, traders and villagers from all over Rajasthan.!!

205 miles 6 ½ hrs

Following an early morning breakfast, we leave for Udaipur and travel via Chittorgarh Fort (132 miles, 4-5 hours). The fort is among the most massive forts of India and recognized by UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fort was sacked three times between the 15th and 16th centuries by the rulers of Delhi and Gujrat. The fort stands on a hillock and expands in an area of 1.1 square miles. The fort also retains 22 of 84 water bodies in the form of ponds, wells and step wells. We visit the palaces, victory columns and some of the lakes.

After spending good 2-3 hours, we will proceed for Udaipur which is less than 2-hours' drive. Upon arrival, we check in hotel and take rest for the day.

The city of Udaipur lies in the Aravalli ranges of Rajasthan, and since it was the capital of Mewar rulers, it's called the jewel of Mewar. Udaipur, set on the shores of three lakes and surrounded by scenic mountains is also called the City of Dawn. It is a beautiful old city with narrow lanes flanked by bright stalls, gardens, lakes, palaces, and temples meandering through it.

After breakfast, we set out to explore the attractions of Udaipur. We begin from Udaipur City Palace, which is one of the architectural marvels of Rajasthan. Rested peacefully on the banks of Lake Pichola, the palace is the most-visited tourist attraction in Udaipur. The castle claims to be the largest palace complex in Rajasthan.

We take a boat ride from the jetty of the palace and explore the lake. We can see the other side of the palace and some life in the lakeshore, including the laundrymen, called dhobis washing clothes and some people bathing. We stop at the Palace of Jagmandir Island- surrounded by an array of enormous stone elephants and it has a chhatri carved from grey-blue stone.

We return to the dock and probably, it's time for the lunch break (pay on your own). After lunch, there are more to see. We visit the Jagdish temple of the mid-17th century. An Indo-Aryan style of architecture, this temple claims to be the largest in Udaipur. We can see a black stone image of Lord Vishnu and a brass image of Garuda here.

If time allows, we visit Saheliyon-ki-Bari, also known as the Princess Garden, or the Garden of the Maids of Honor. It is a small, disheveled garden which was laid out for 48 women attendants who came as part of a princess’s dowry. It has fountains, kiosks, marble elephants and a lotus pool.

After leisurely morning breakfast, check out your hotel and you are transferred to the airport in time for the flight back to Delhi. You can connect your international flight back home tonight.