Real culture, beauty and colour of India lie in the rural India. The same holds true for Rajasthan. This off beat itinerary is our endeavor to give you a first hand experience of the life and Culture of Rajasthan making sure we don’t compromise on the basic luxuries as well as the must see tourist attractions because Rajasthan; a treasure of history, picturesque architecture and bewitching landscape is an unparalleled destination on the tourist map of India.
Destinations Covered: Delhi – Pushkar – Jojawar - Udaipur – Jodhpur – Osiyan - Sodakore – Sam – Bikaner – Mandawa - Jaipur - Delhi
Duration: 15 Nights / 16 Days. |
Day 1: Welcome to Delhi
Welcome to the political and Cultural Capital of India … Delhi. Traditional welcome at the airport by our representative and escorted to your hotel. Day free to relax, get over the jet lag and enjoy the night life in Delhi. Contemporary Delhi is a bustling Metropolis which successfully combines in its fold The Ancient & The Modern India.
Day 2: Delhi – Pushkar (390 km from Delhi, 5hrs drive)
After a leisurely breakfast full day sightseeing tour of Delhi where ornate buildings recall the days when India was the Jewel in the crown of the British Empire. Visit the 11th century Qutab Minar, India Gate and the grand government buildings, the President's House, Mahatama Gandhi Memorial and also visit Laxmi Narayan temple popularly known as Birla Temple. After lunch we leave for a five hours drive to Pushkar. On arrival check in to the hotel and freshen up. An interesting dinner under the stars with the Rajasthani cultural folk music and dances awaits you.
Day 3: Pushkar
After breakfast, go for a full day sightseeing and visit the Brahma temple (said to be one of the few temples in the world dedicated to this deity) Pushkar Lake, Man Mahal and Savitri temple in Pushkar. Also visit the famous Dargah Shariff at Ajmer. Relax at the resort after a full day of sightseeing and shopping. Overnight at the resort in Pushkar.
Day 4: Pushkar - Jojawar (160 km from Pushkar, 3hrs drive)
After a leisurely breakfast, check out of the hotel and enjoy a beautiful drive to Jojawar. Check in to the hotel and lunch at the hotel. After lunch we proceed for an amazing insight into the village life and its surroundings on the back of the famous Marwari Horses. Return back well in time to freshen up and enjoy the Rajasthani dinner, dance and music, a perfect end to a lovely day.
Day 5: Jojawar
A very exciting day awaits you; after breakfast we start the day with train Safari which is one of the major attractions at Jojawar. The train safari takes you through the picturesque Aravallis passing through tunnels and bridges overlooking the beautiful lake and the forest around it. This gives a good insight into the local tribal life. The train journey will be followed by the Jeep safari organized to the neighboring tribal and Rebari settlements where one could interact and peep into the rich rural culture of Rajasthan and later visit a famous tribal horse lord temple where high tea is served just around sunset. Enthusiasts could also opt for four wheel driving. A real exciting day comes to an end and we look forward to a beautiful dinner under the stars.
Day 6: Jojawar - Udaipur (150 km from Jojawar, 3hrs drive)
After breakfast we drive to Udaipur, the city of lakes. The city was built in 1559 A.D. by Maharaja Udai Singh and has been described as the most romantic spot on the continent of India by Col. James Todd. Visit the City Palace museum, the Jagdish temple, Sahelion Ki Bari (Queen’s resort for their friends) Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir (Folk art museum) and the Pratap Memorial. We will also visit the Shilpgram, a tribute to the Rajasthani rural life and the craftsmen. Over night stay at the hotel in Udaipur.
Day 7: Udaipur – Jodhpur (185 kms from Udaipur, 4-5 hrs drive)
After breakfast proceed by road to Jodhpur. Enroute visit the Ranakpur Jain Temples. Ranakpur is widely known for its marble Jain temple, and for a much older Sun Temple which lies opposite the former. In general, the Jain temples of Ranakpur present a distinct style of their own. The ceilings of the temples are adorned with foliate scrollwork and geometric patterns. The top and bottom part of the domes are joined by Brackets with figures of deities on them. Arrival in Jodhpur and visit the Umaid Bhavan Palace Museum. Evening at leisure and over night stay in Jodhpur.
Day 8: Jodhpur – Dabdi (70 kms from Jodhpur, 1 – 1.5 hr drive)
Check out of the hotel after an early morning breakfast and start the day with the morning sight seeing of Jodhpur which includes the massive Mehrangarh fort (This massive Mehrangarh fort came first and around it grew the city of Jodhpur protected by a high stone wall with seven gates and countless bastions) enroute Osiyan. On arrival at the resort we begin our adventure of the camel safari. Packed lunch will be served in the afternoon arrival at village Bikamkor with a packed lunch. On arrival you will be met by our Safari staff and Camel riders. Then start your Camel Safari for village Dabdi, a two hour ride. Just before sunset, arrive at your exclusive mobile safari camp. Enjoy an evening under the stars followed by a candlelit dinner. Over night at the Dabdi dunes. Distance covered-9 kms.
Day 9: Dabdi - Osiyan
After breakfast we will start our safari through the Thar Desert. After a four hour ride we approach the oasis village 'Khetasar' where we visit the local weavers and the potters. Here lunch will be served by the oasis or at a village hut. After lunch resume the safari for the resort covering a total distance of 25 Km. Alternatively for those not wanting to proceed to the resort by camel, Jeeps will be waiting to take you to the resort and there the afternoon can be spent enjoying the swimming pool located on the highest sand-dune. Evening folk entertainment followed by dinner. Overnight at the resort in Osian.
Day 10 : Osiyan - Sodakore (200 kms from Osian, 4 hrs drive)
After breakfast take a short tour of the famous Osian Temples and then proceed to Sodakore. Osiyan temple is a cluster of ruined Brahmanical and Jain temples dating from the 8th to 11th centuries. The city was a major religious centre of the kingdom of Marwar during the Pratihara dynasty. Of the 18 shrines in the group, the Surya or Sun Temple and the later Kali temple, Sachiya Mata Temple and the main Jain temple dedicated to Lord Mahavira stands out in their grace and architecture. Arrival at the nature resort in Sodakore which offers Organic food, farm fresh dairy and poultry products. In the evening enjoy the village safaris interacting with the vibrant village community and a walk around the Amla Orchard. Overnight at the resort with cultural dinner.
Day 11 : Sodakore - Sam (110 kms from Sodakore, 2 hrs drive)
Check out of the resort after breakfast and proceed for sightseeing of Jaisalmer which includes the golden-hued Jaisalmer fort , Nathmaji ki Haveli, Patwon ki Haveli, Salim singh ki Haveli. After sightseeing of Jaisalmer proceed for the Sam Sand Dunes, the perfect place to enjoy & experience a desert life. Enjoy the sun set on the back of Camel in the dunes followed by dance, music, cocktails and dinner in the dunes under the stars. Overnight at the camp in Sam.
Day 12 : Sam – Bikaner (380 kms from Jaisalmer, 6-7 hrs drive)
After breakfast proceed by road to Bikaner enjoying the small villages and rural sights of Rajasthan with its sand dunes. Over night stay in Bikaner.
Day 13 : Bikaner – Mandawa (190 km from Bikaner, 3hrs drive)
After breakfast visit the Junagarh Fort, constructed between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Jai Singh, a general in the Mughal Emperor Akbar's army followed by the Karnimata Temple at Deshnok; famous as the rat temple. Also visit the prestigious camel breeding farm in the evening around 1530hrs and proceed to Mandawa, a small and bustling town in the Shekhawati region lying north of Jaipur. Its importance lies in the splendidly frescoed havelis or mansions- mostly constructed by the prosperous merchants, between the 18th and 20th centuries. Overnight at the hotel in Mandawa.
Day 14 : Mandawa – Jaipur (160 km from Mandawa, 3-4hrs drive)
After brunch check out of the hotel and visit the beautiful Havelis of the Shekhawati region on the way to Delhi. Arrival in Jaipur by the evening and check in to the hotel.
Day 15 : Jaipur
Full day sightseeing of Jaipur which includes places of interest like the City Palace, Jaigarh Fort, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar and Amber Fort. The steep approach to the Amber Palace gives you an opportunity to enjoy an elephant ride up the hill like a King and a Queen with a scintillating view of the lake below surrounded by hills. Late evening free for shopping. On at the hotel in Jaipur.
Day 16 : Jaipur – Delhi (260 km from Jaipur, 4-5 hrs drive)
After breakfast check out of the hotel and proceed to Delhi Airport as per your further flight.
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