06/05/2013
Maharajas and Mughals
16 days / 15 nights
Day 01
Arrive Delhi
Meet and assist by our representative upon your arrival at the airport. Then drive to your hotel with your driver and car.
Day 02
Delhi
In the morning after a leisurely breakfast visit New Delhi covering the Qutub Minar, Humayun’s tomb, Rashtrapati Bhawan and finally the India Gate built in the earlier half of the 20 th century.
Drive through the old city past the Red Fort and visit the Jama Masjid – the biggest mosque in India. Here take a rickshaw through the winding streets of the old city to see the life of the people in this part of the world. A perfect introduction of your tour. The rickshaw puller pulls you through the imperial avenue the Chandni Chowk where you will find each and every small business under the sky. Finally, reach Rajghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, where your chauffeur is waiting for you to take you to your next stop the Birla Mandir, a Hindu temple in activity.
Day 03
Delhi - Mandawa
After breakfast leave Delhi for Mandawa enroute visiting Mahensar. Upon arrival in Mandawa check into your hotel.
Day 04
Mandawa – Bikaner 180km
Visit the many havelis in this little and quaint township of Mandawa. Then proceed towards Bikaner en route stop at Fatehpur to marvel at yet another merchant town of the Shekhavati region. See the Junagarh Fort, a royal museum that encompasses history of Bikaner from its days of construction that dates back to the 16th century. Later visit the camel breeding farm, a unique experience. Evening time free to stroll in the busy market area of Bikaner city centre.
Day 05
Bikaner – Pokaran – Jaisalmer 330km
After breakfast we set towards our journey across the Thar Desert to reach Pokaran for lunch. Visit the 15th century fortress where the 3rd Mughal emperor, Akbar the Great, was born in 1543. The bazaar in the middle of this village is very colourful and full of local flavours. After lunch continue towards Jaisalmer and arrive by evening to witness the sunset over the desert with the most imposing edifice of the town behind you.
Day 06
Jaisalmer
Morning an exclusive visit of the Jain temples inside the Sonar Kila.. The Jains are a community that respects life and are pure vegetarians by religion. Visit the citadel’s palace that houses a museum with a huge collection of robes and artifacts from the royal family of Jaisalmer. Visit the Patwaon ki haveli with intricately designed latticed windows used by the ladies to view the external world. Also see the Gadisar Lake. Later, we go to Sam or Khuri village. Here we have loads of excitement in store for you. Upon arrival in the village you will be taken to the nearby sunset point on the dunes to see the sunset by camel carts. After the sunsets return to the village where your stay is arranged in mud huts. In the evening listen to the haunted tunes of the desert by the local artists and musicians. An experience of a lifetime. Dinner in the desert mud huts.
Day 07
Jaisalmer – Jodhpur 280km
Today we reach Jodhpur the blue city by early afternoon. Post lunch session introduces you to the fabulous spice market of Jodhpur the 2nd largest city in Rajasthan. Walk along the market to feel the odours of the spices filling the air around you. Then go to Mandore gardens the then capital of Marwar to view some of the fabulous cenotaphs and the hall of local heroes of the wars. Drive back to Jodhpur and see the Umaid Bhawan Palace, the present residence of the king of Jodhpur. Retire to your hotel and relax.
Day 08
Jodhpur – Luni 40km
After breakfast drive up to the majestic Mehrangarh fort, the stronghold of the Rathore princes from 1453AD. We see the superb collection of paintings and arms and ammunitions. The view of the city from the rampart walls is breath taking. Later an hours drive brings us to the world of animals – Luni, the palace amidst the more rustic life of Rajasthan. After lunch we take you on a safari, specially planned out for you by Voyageurs’ India, to discover the hidden beauty of the jungle life. Here you would be visiting the Bishnoi villages. Bishnois are a tribe that respects life in every form – animals trees and even dead branches. They are vegetarians and even in the villages they protect the animal life and don’t let anybody practice hunting in the vicinity of their villages. They live in a joint family system where the oldest member is generally the head of the family. Today Voyageurs’ India would like you to witness the o***m ceremony with the Patels – a rich tribe. It is a ceremony prevelant in this part of Rajasthan where the youth offers o***m to drink mixed with water to the elders of the family when they come back from work in the fields.
Day 09
Luni – Pushkar – Ajmer – Jaipur 320km
Today cross the entire stretch of desert to reach the most holy cities of Pushkar and Ajmer. Pushkar happens to be the holiest places according to the Hindus as it is considered that Lord Brahma (the Creator) and his wife Saraswati (the godess of learning and music) performed a ritual in the lake. Here we visit the lone Brahma temple of the world before intermingling with the local colours in the local bazaar. Pushkar is the world famous for its cattle fair held each year in the month of October/November. Proceed towards Ajmer. Ajmer is the pious city for the Muslims. Surprisingly both the cities are at distance of 11km from each other. Visit the Durgah built in fond remembrance of Khwaja Muin ud Din Chisti where the Muslim pilgrims from all over India throng during the festival times. Later visit Mughal emperor Akbar’s Palace where his son Jehangir received Sir Thomas Roe to grant him the permission of trade to East India Company with India, that changed the history of India completely and slowly and steadily India became colony of the British Empire. Continue towards Jaipur and reach by late evening and check into the hotel.
Day 10
Jaipur
Visit the Amber fort in the morning; included is an elephant ride at the Amber fort. These are caparison elephants reserved for you by Voyageurs’ India. See the marvelous Shish mahal built in the 17th century in a fusion style of Hindu and Islamic art. Also see the hall of public audiences and Maharaja Man Singh’s Palace who had twelve queens. After lunch set off to see the Pink city visiting the observatory Jantar Mantar built in 1727 by Sawai Maharaja Jai Singh II who was a mathematician , an astronomer an astrologer and a great musician of his era. He built five observatories throughout India – Jaipur, Ujjain, Varanasi, Mathura and Delhi but only the one at Jaipur is functional. Then visit the City Palace of the Maharaja of Jaipur with a fabulous collection of robes and saris in cotton and silk with gold lattice work. The City Palace houses a collection of paintings also in the painting gallery and of course a collection of arms and ammunitions in the ammunition gallery.
Day 11
Jaipur – Fatehpur Sikri – Agra 250km
Leave the Pink city after breakfast and reach Fatehpur Sikri by early afternoon. Visit this abandoned city built by the Mughal emperor Akbar in the second half of the 16 th century. Fatehpur Sikri was built by Akbar after his Hindu wife bore him the long awaited son who was born after the renowned sufi saint Salim Chisti blessed Jodhabai Akbar’s hindu wifewith a son. Also visit Jodhabai’s palace the biggest palace in Fatehpur Sikri even bigger than the emperor’s palace himself as this was the queen who bore him his heir to the throne. Continue towards Agra and reach Agra by early evening. Upon arrival at the hotel you will be met and greeted by Voyageurs’ India representative in Agra. Relax at your hotel or go to the local bazaar to see the lifestyle of the people.
Day 12
Agra
Taj Mahal is awaiting your arrival today morning. A must see with the rising sun / setting sun as the Taj Mahal is bathed in the golden rays of the sun. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial that houses the tomb of his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design, balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen anywhere in the world. For your comfort Voyageurs’ India has pre booked the ferry coaches to and from Taj Mahal. Then see the Agra Fort built by Akbar where Shahjahan was imprisoned by his own son Aurangzeb. Post lunch visit Itmad ud Daulah – it is the first mughal building built out completely of marble. In many contexts it is referred to being the predecessor of the Taj Mahal. Then visit Sikandara the tomb of the great emperor Akbar.
Day 13
Agra – Gwalior – Orchha 219km
Today we drive to go to Gwalior the erstwhile stronghold of the Scindia rulers. The car chauffeur provided to you by Voyageurs’ India will guide you throught he quaint and little villages on route to Gwalior. Reach Gwalior by early afternoon and after lunch start your visit. A trip to Gwalior is incomplete without a visit to the fort, Scindia Palace and the tombs of Ghaus Mohammed and Tansen. Also visit the Gurjari Mahal the palace of the Gurjar queen Mrignayani today housing an archaeological museum. Also see the teli ka mandir and the Saas bahu ka mandir inside the fort. Later continue towards Orchha.
Day 14
Orchcha – Khajuraho 282 km
Orchha is a medieval city founded by Bundela rulers with palaces and temples of the 16th and 17th century – which have remarkably withstood the onslaught of time. The river Betwa picturesquely flanks the city. See the beautiful Palace Complex – Jahangiri Mahal and the Raja Mahal with your most knowledgeable guide reserved by voyageurs’ India. Closely study the intricacies of the mural paintings in the Raja Mahal and visit the Laxminarayana Temple. Post lunch continue towards Khajuraho about 182 km away by road and check in to your hotel. After a brief refreshing time you will be taken to the near by auditorium to witness the cultural heritage of India through the medium of dances.
Day 15
Khajuraho – Varanasi
By flight, In the morning Voyageurs’ India guide takes you on a sight seeing that shows us the temples built during the 9th to the 11th centuries by the powerful dynasty of Chandela rajputs. The temples with their erotic sculptures are a feast to the eyes. The Chandelas built 85 temples in all but today only 20 temples stand intact. Visit the eastern and western group of temples before being transferred to the airport to catch your flight to Varanasi (1525hrs). Upon arrival (1605hrs) in Varanasi transfer to the hotel.
Day 16
Varanasi – Delhi
By flight, Early in the morning (0500hrs) we take you to banks of the river Ganges where we board a special boat to see the morning ablutions of the Hindus from the security of our boat. For your comfort Voyageurs’ India has reserved the boat ride from Dasashwamedh Ghat and the boat ride ends at Manikarnika Ghat along the sacred Ganges. See the Kashi Vishwanath temple and the Gyanvyapi kund and the mosque attached to it. Also visit the Benares Hindu University the largest residential university in India with more than 3000 residential students. Return to your hotel for breakfast. Later visit Sarnath the sacred city for the Buddhist all over the world. It was here that Lord Buddha preached his first sermon to his first five disciples. Also worth visiting is the museum with artifacts dating back to 3rd century BC. Visit the nearby ruins of the ancient seat of learning in Sarnath. In time transfer to the airport to return back to Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi you will be taken out for a farewell dinner and then transferred to the international terminal for your flight back home.
