Destinations Covered - Delhi - Bagar - Jhunjhunu - Mandawa - Mukundgarh - Dundlod - Nawalgarh - Deshnkoke - Nagaur - Khimsar - Bikaner - Deshnoke - Nagaur - Khimsar - Osian - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Luni - Pali - Ranakpur - Udaipur - Dariawad - Sitamata Sanctuary - Chottorgarh - Bijaipur - Menal - Bijolia - Bundi - Kota - Kishangarh - Jaipur - Karauli - Agra - Delhi.

Duration: 20 Nights / 21 Days .

DAY 1: Arrival at Delhi.

Morning : In the morning Tour of New Delhi. The tour starts with a drive to Raisina Hill. Visit the Viceroy's House (now the residence of President of India) and Lutyen's magnum opus. It is larger than Versailles and architecturally is a fusion of Indian and Western design. Within the courtyard is the 145 feet high Jaipur column, a symbol of victory designed by Luyten. Luyten created masterpiece - the 250 acre Mughal Gardens on the grounds of the Rashtarpati Bhavan, which at one time required the care of 418 men and the great Vice Regal Palace required a staff of 2000.

At the foot of Raisina Hill is the India Gate, a war memorial arch which Luyten built in honor of 60,000 soldiers who died in World War -I. It is also inscribed with the names of some 13,000 Indian and British soldiers missing presumed dead. Next to it is Luytens last Imperial monument he built, a stone canopy in which he placed the marble statue of King George V after his death in 1936. Proceed to Parliament House, which the Lutyen built in a circular coliseum design. It was here that the constitution of Independent India was drafted. Drive to Humayuns Tomb which is perhaps the finest Mughal building in Delhi. The tomb stands on a raised platform and is built of red sandstone. The construction of the tomb was completed in 1565. The tomb stands in a well-laid out Mughal Garden. Proceed to Qutub Minar complex, which is Delhi's Eiffel Tower, its Statue of Liberty and Nelson Column. Visit the mosque, mausoleums and ruins of forts that lie around it including the Iron Pillar which is Delhi's totem pole 24 feet high, made of 99% steel and which has stood for 1600 years with our speck of rust on it.

Afternoon : A city tour of Old Delhi. The tour of Old Delhi starts with the visit of Red Fort. This palace citadel was built Shah Jehan in 1648 and was a veritable city within a city. When Shah Jehan transferred his capital from Agra to Delhi he built the Red Fort as his residential palace as well as his military fortress. The fort is a complex of marble buildings with balconies, filigreed windows, massive red sandstone walls, ramparts and gateways. The most elegant building is the DIWAN I KHAS or the Hall of Private Audience. From the Red Fort you will take a cycle rickshaw to Chandni Chowk or the Moonlit Square. It is a medieval area in which you will recognize not just Cairo or Istanbul, but also Chester and Heidelberg. This is perhaps one of the Delhi's most populated areas and the largest marketplace - jewelers, spice merchants, food vendors, money lenders, shopping arcades, workshops as well as residences, are crammed here. Within this area is the British built Town Hall, the St. James Church built by colonel Skinner in the early 19th century, the old St. Stephens college and the office of the state department of Archeology with a colonnaded facade going back to the 19th century when it was the British Residency. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 2: Delhi - Bagar (223Kms)

Morning : Drive to Bagar.

Afternoon : Tour of Bagar. The Bagar Haveli is situated in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, which is famous for its painted havelis (mansions). Bagar is a charming little village, rich in culture and history. The painted mansions are most interesting. Bagar is a 15th century town and is a famous for its painted havelis. Overnight at Hotel Piramal Haveli .

DAY 3: Bagar / Jhunjhunu / Mandawa / Mukundgarh / Dundlod / Nawalgarh (100 KMS)

Morning: Drive to Nawalgarh via Jhunjhunu, Mukundgarh, Dundlod, which lie in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan famous for their frescoes. Some of these frescoes date back to the early 1800whilst the majority of them were painted between 1860 and 1900. Starting form purely religious themes, the frescoes moved on to ornamental designs and imitations of European lithographs and etchings. The technique of fresco paintings are very similar to the Italian fresco techniques developed in the 14th century.

Evening : Late evening, arrive Nawalgarh, which has the distinction of having the largest number of painted havelis in the Shekhawati region. Overnight at Hotel Roop Niwas Palace.

DAY 4: Nawalgarh / Deshnkoke / Nagaur / Khismsar (153 Kms)

Morning : Tour of Nawalgarh, Nawalgarh was founded by Nawal Singh in 1737. It has a college with a very British clock tower and hundreds of painted havelis, old and new. Walking through the streets of Nawalgarh there is much to discover. Also visit the Shiva temple and the frescoed telephone exchange. Later drive to Sikar and Fatehpur. At Sikar visit the Fort and the Clock Tower around which are a number of interesting painted havelis. Time permitting walk around the interesting market place

Fatehpur was founded in the 15h century. Magnificent frescoes adorn the homes.

Afternoon: Proceed to Bikaner. Here the visitor is in the heart of the desert. This medieval town was founded by Rao Bika, a Rathore prince.Overnight at Hotel Bhanvar Niwas.

DAY 5: Bikaner / Deshnkoke / Nagaur / Khismsar (153 Kms)

Morning : A city tour visiting the Junagarh Fort built between 1558 and 1593 by Raja Rai Singh who was a general in the army of the Mughal Emperor, Akbar. The fort has a 989-meter long wall with 37 bastions. The Sun Gate is the main entrance to the fort. Within the fort are several palaces, pavilions and temples with superb stone carvings. This fort in one of the forts in India, which has never been conquered although it was attacked many a times. The Lalgarh Palace, part of which is now a hotel still houses the Bikaner royal family. Visit the Fort museum that has a valuable collection of ancient manuscripts, miniature paintings, jewelry, costumes, carpets, armory etc.,. A tour of Rampuria Havelis is a must. These Havelis are intricately carved with red sand stone. About 10 Kms from Bikaner is perhaps the only camel breeding Farm in India, where you will find hundreds of camels. The British army had a camel corps drawn from Bikaner during World War - I.

We will visit the Junagarh Fort. Junagarh Fort was built during 1571 to 1611 AD. This fort was constructed of red sandstone and marble with kiosks and balconies embellishing the structure at intervals. This imposing Fort and its palaces will be an unforgettable experience for us. We also visit the Karni Mata Temple in Deshnoke, Devi Kund, Shivbari

Temple and Havelis of Bikaner. Tour the Camel Breeding Farm, Lallgarh Palace, Junagarh Fort and the Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum. Come back to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Afternoon: Drive to Khimsar via Deshnokhe and Naguar. Just 30 Kms from Bikaner is a unique temple called KARNI MATA TEMPLE. Here rats are considered holy and are worshipped. Hundred of rates run all over the place. The inside of the temple is best observed from its entrance.

The Fort at Nagaur is worth a visit since it is enroute to Khimsar

DAY 6: Khimsar - Osian - Jaisalmer (295 Kms)

Morning: Early morning safari to the sand dunes 13 kms from Khimsar to watch the sunrise whilst breakfast is served.

Afternoon : Drive to Jaisalmer via Osian. Osian has an interesting collection of Jain temples ranging from the 8th to the 12th century. Overnight at Hotel Himmatgarh.

DAY 7: Jaiselmer.

Morning : Tour of Jaisalmer - the desert citadel. This magical and incomparably romantic desert city fortress is straight out of the tales of the Arabian Nights. Because of its strategic location on the route between India and Central Asia, Jaislamer was once a very wealthy place. The merchants and townspeople built magnificent houses and mansions all exquisitely carved from wood and red sandstone. Visit the Fort built in 1156, which has 99 bastions around its circumference. Houses, temples and palaces are packed within the fort complex between narrow and winding lanes. The views from the fort's walls provide superb views. Within the fort are a group of beautifully carved Jain temples between 12th and 15th centuries. Enjoy a camel ride from the fort to the Patwa haveli, which is the most elaborate and magnificent of all havelis in Jaislamer. The other havelis worth visiting are the Salim and Nathamal.

Afternoon: At leisure. Overnight at Hotel Himmatgarh.

DAY 8: Jaiselmer - Jodhpur (308 Kms )

Morning: Drive to Jodhpur. Beginning in 1549, when the city was called Jodhagarh, the Rathore clan of Rajputs fought and ruled from virtually impregnable fort until their territory covered 35000 sq. Miles making it the largest Rajput State. ToDay the former capital of the state of Marwar retains much of its medieval character

Afternoon : City tour of the Jodhpur. Visit the Meherangarh Fort or the "Majestic Fort" which is still managed by the former Maharaja of Jodhpur, Inside the fort there is a whole series of courtyards and palaces which house a fantastic collection of Indian Royalty including an amazing collection of elephant howdahs, miniature paintings, folk music instruments, the Rajput armory, palanquins, furniture and costumes. There's also an Enormous and luxurious tent originally made for the emperors. The palace apartments are beautifully decorated and painted and have delicately carved latticework windows of red sand stone. From the ramparts of the fort ancient cannons look out at the city below. The views from the rampart are almost magical. Visit the royal cenotaph closeby built in 1899. Drive out to the local market area where the clock tower is a popular landmark in the old city near which narrow alleys that lead to bazaars selling textiles silver and handicrafts.O vernight Hotel Ummaid Bhavan Palace

DAY 9: Jodhpur - Luni (42 Kms)

Morning: Drive to Luni, a very peaceful and charming little place. Proceed on a jeep safari of the Bishnoi Village. The elegantly dressed Bishnois welcome you into their homes whilst the head of the village performs the opium ceremony which is very traditional gesture when a guest visits the village. The fort at Luni is now a delightful hotel resort. The owner is the uncle of the current Maharaja of Jodhpur who is personally on hand to welcome his guests. Luni will be an unforgettable stay.

Afternoon : Visit the nearby pottery and carpet weaving villages.Overnight at Hotel Fort Chanwa.

DAY 10: Luni - Pali - Ranakpur - Udaipur (195 Kms)

Morning : Drive to Pali, one of the biggest textile manufacturing cities in Rajasthan. Drive on to Ranakpur.

Afternoon: Visit Ranakpur, one of the biggest and most important Jain Temples complexes in India. The main temple in this complex called Chamaukha (four faced ) built in 1439 and is the most complex and extensive of Jain temples in India covering over 40,000 sq. Feet. It has 29 halls containing 1444 pillars each carved with intricate, delicate carvings. No two pillars are alike. Later proceed to Udaipur via Eklingji and Nagda. A tour of the temple complex at Eklingji and Nagda is known for its 108 temples. The present structure dates from the 16th century. The walled complex includes an elaborately pillared hall and features the four-faced image of Lord Shiva in black marble. Close by is Nagda which has fine intricate architecture and carvings including some erotic figures. Overnight at Hotel Lake Palace.

DAY 11: Udaipur.

Morning :City tour of Udaipur. Udaipur is often called the "Venice of the East" and the most romantic city in the state of Rajasthan. Udaipur nestles like a gem in a valley surrounded by green hills, reflected smooth and white in the clear blue waters of Lake Pichola. Visit the city Palace which once was the home of the Mewar rulers. Most of the Palace is converted into a museum and a luxurious hotel. Wander through the markets and bazaars to get a feel of the city situated close by behind the City Palace. Visit the Jagdish Temple built in 1651 ornamented with excellent carvings and a bronze figure of the Garuda. Proceed to the Garden of the Maidens of Honor constructed in the early 18th Century which was used as venue for royal parties. Drive on to the abandoned Mansoon Palace which is situated on the highest point in Udaipur from where the views are spectacular

Afternoon : Boat cruise on Lake Pichola. Overnight at Hotel Lake Palace.

DAY 12: Udaipur - Dariawad (126 Kms)

Morning: Drive to Dariawad. Dariawad - an area where one can see and experience the best of the tribal life in Rajasthan which is yet unspoiled by modern civilization. The Bheel tribal in this area are quite a rare sight. Close by is SITA MATA SANCTUARY with dense forests famous for its "flying squirrel" and other wildlife.

Afternoon : Excursion to surrounding Bheel tribal villages. Overnight at Hotel Dariawad Castle..

DAY 13: Dariawad - Sitamata Sanctuary - Chottorgarh - Bijaipur (145 Kms).

Morning : Visit the Sitamata Sanctuary. Later proceed to Chittorgarh. Afternoon : Tour of the Chittorgarh Fort, a palace which witnessed one of the most fiercely contested seats of power in India. Three times in its long history, Chittor was sacked by a stronger enemy and on each occasion the end came when men donned the saffron robes of martyrdom and rode out to certain death whilst their women and children immolated themselves on a huge funeral pyre. Honour was always more important than death. The fort is a deserted ruin now, but the impressive reminder of its grandeur still stands. Chittor was sacked 3 times, the last one took place in 1568 when Akbar took the town. During the struggle 8000 men rode out to their death whilst their women committed sati. Visit the fort, which involves a climb of 1 km. Enroute you will see some memorials that mark the spots where some of the war heroes fell during the battle. Within the fort complex there are several palaces, museums and temples. Visit the Tower of Victory built between 1458 and 1468 commemorating the victory. Hindu sculptures adorn the outside of the tower. There are many sati stones here. The other interesting tower is the Tower of fame built by the Jain merchant decorated with erotic figures and dedicated to the first of the 24 Jain preachers. Drive to Bijaipur. Overnight at Hotel Bijaipur Castle.