Introduction
One of the most remarkable sights on this tour is the golden fortress city of Jaisalmer as it rises out of the sands of the surrounding Thar desert. The quintessential India is embodied in its splendid palaces and imposing forts amidst the stark beauty of the Indian landscape. Stay in princely palaces, explore its many forts and realize visions of old camel caravans, elephant rides and lovely women swirling in mirrored skirts.
ITINERARY:
Day 01 - Delhi Arrive Delhi. Transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 02 - Delhi AM Spend morning at leisure.PM Spend afternoon sightseeing New Delhi. Visit Humayun's tomb built in 1565 AD, the Qutab Minar amidst the collosal ruins of Quila Rai Pithora, the imposing Parliament House & Secretariat buildings, and the Bahai Temple.
Day 03 - Delhi Spend morning in Old Delhi. Visit Rajghat, a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, the famous Jama Masjid and Red Fort with its high walls of red sandstone. Later board evening sleeper train for Jodhpur Dep. 2030
Day 04 - Jodhpur Arrive Jodhpur 0730. Spend morning at leisure. PM Visit The Fort six kms south of Mandore with its commanding views of the entire countryside Overnight in Jodhpur.
Day 05 - Jaisalmer AM Depart by car/coach across the Thar desert to the walled city of Jaisalmer. Afternoon free. In the evening visit Sunset Point and enjoy a camel ride. Spend overnight at hotel.
Day 06 - Jaisalmer AM Tour Jaisalmer, probably the most fascinating place in Rajasthan. Spend afternoon at leisure.
Day 07 - Daspan AM Depart Jaisalmer for Daspan, a typical rural Indian village. Overnight at the Castle.
Day 08 - Udaipur Drive to Udaipur with brief stops at Kumbalgarh Fort and Ranakpur, one of five main holy places of the Jain sect. Overnight at hotel.
Day 09 - Udaipur AM Take an excursion to Pichola Lake by motor launch and the island palace of Jagmandir built in yellow sandstone. PM Sightsee Udaipur with a visit to the Maharana's palace regarded as the largest of its kind in Rajasthan.
Day 10 - Jaipur Transfer to airport for flight to Jaipur, popularly known as the "Pink City". On arrival transfer to hotel. PM Tour the city with visits to the "Palace of Winds" - a major landmark built in pink sandstone, City Palace and the Astronomical Observatory.
Day 11 - Jaipur AM Take an excursion to the splendid Amber fortress perched on a hill. PM Experience an exciting elephant ride. Spend afternoon at leisure.
Day 12 - Rantambhor AM Depart Jaipur by road for Rantambhor. Once a hunting reserve of the Maharajah's, it is now a National Park and home to a variety of Wild Life. PM Take a jeep safari to view wildlife
Day 13 - Rantambhor Spend second day viewing game by jeep and visit the Fort in the middle of the park.
Day 14 Bharatpur Depart Rantambhor by road for Bharatpur Bird Santuary, one of the most spectacular waterbird habitat's. PM Tour the sanctuary by bicycle. Overnight at hotel.
Day 15 - Agra AM Take an early morning boat ride to view birdlife from the water. Later in the morning depart by road for Agra. Enroute visit the ancient Mughal capital at Fatehpur Sikri, Jama Masjid built in 1575, and the Diwani-i-Am - Hall of Public Audience. Check into hotel on arrival. Spend afternoon at leisure.
Day 16 - Agra AM view the magnificent Taj Mahal at sunrise. Return to hotel before continuing your tour of Agra with a stop at the Fort of Akbar built in 1564, a fine example of Mughal architecture. Spend afternoon at leisure.
Day 17 - Agra-Delhi Spend a free day in Agra. Depart by train for Delhi in the evening. Transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 18 - Departure Transfer to airport for flight home
Rates
Deserts, Forts & Palaces
2 Persons
3 or more
Air Fare
Deluxe
$2710
$2570
$1495
Tourist / Economy
$2170
$2030
$1495
Hotels In order to make the travel experience more convenient and confortable, we have selected the following hotels in the various stops.
Cities
Deluxe
Economy
Agra
Taj View
Hotel Trident
Aurangabad
Taj Residency
same
Bombay
Taj Mahal
Ambassador
Bandhavgarh
Nature Camp
Tiger Trails
Cochin
Malabar
Taj Residency
Delhi
Taj Mahal
Ambassador/Hans Plaza
Daspan
Castle
same
Jaipur
Ram-Bagh Palace
Trident Hotel
Jaisalmer
Gorbandh
same
Jodhpur
Umaid Bhawan
Bal Samand
Khajuraho
Jass Oberoi
Holiday Inn
Kumarakom
Coconut Lagoon
Taj Retreat
Kumarakom
Coconut Lagoon
Taj Retreat
Madras
Taj Coromandal
Hotel Savera
Madurai
Taj Garden
same
Mysore
Lalitha Mahal Palace
same
Nagarhole
Jungle Lodge
same
Periyar
Spice Village
Taj Gardens
Rantambhor
Sawai Madho Lodge
same
Rohet
Castle Rohert
same
Udaipur
Lake Palace
Laxmi Vilas
Varanasi
Taj Ganges
Clarks
Cost includes Accommodation on twin sharing basis with breakfast. All transfers between airport-hotel-airport. Sightseeing & English speaking guides.
Cost does not include Expenses of a private nature ie, laundry, drinks, telephone calls, meals (unless specified), insurance, airport taxes, excess baggage charges and all manner of gratuities.
Optional Tours Based on minimum of two persons- Costs are per person
Bhutan
4 nights/5 days
$1360
Glimpses of the Himalayas ( Darjeeling/Sikkim )
4 nights/5 days
$995
Chitwan Jungle Safari
3 nights/4 days
$385
Mountain Flight ( closeup views of the Himalayas )
$135
Tibet
4 nights/5 days
$675
NOTE: Airfares quoted are estimates only and are based on West Coast departures (Los Angeles or San Francisco). A High season surcharge of $200 will be charched for departure during the following months:
June-July-August & December 1- January 15.
