Rajasthan Culture with Varanasi

14 Nights/15 Days

Private car round trip: Delhi - Mandawa - Bikaner - Oscian - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Ranakpur - Udaipur - Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra - Orchha - Khajuraho- Varanasi - Delhi

Day 1 - Arrival Delhi

Arrival from your country to Delhi International airport. Reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Delhi is the capital of the giant country India with more than 16 millions inhabitants. Delhi can measure itself based on its cultural, architectural and above all historical wealth thoroughly with cities like Athens, Rome and Istanbul.

Day 2 - Delhi

After the breakfast city tour of old and New Delhi. In old Delhi, you will discover Red Fort made in 17 th century by Mughal emperor Shahjahan after he resided previously in Agra. This imposing fort has a 33m high red stone boundary wall with beautiful gardens and exquisite palaces. Opposite lies Jama Masjid, build in 1656 out of red sandstone and white marble. It is the largest Mosque of India and 20000 persons can pray here together. Also, experience a Rickshaw ride in the old streets of Delhi. Further, it goes to the Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhi's (Father of Nation) Memorial, which lies at the bank of the Yamuna River.

Afterwards visit Humayun Tomb, the grave of the second Mughal emperor, which was completed by his wife in 16 th century. Shahjahan got the idea of structure of Taj mahal from this tomb. The Qutub Minar, a 72m high tower, built between 1199 and 1368 by one of the first Muslim rulers of India. Further, it goes to Rashtrapati Bhawan, the residence of the Indian President. After that you see the Government Buildings and the Parliament House and India Gate (42m high), which was built in the memory of the soldiers, who were died in the First World War. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 3 - Delhi - Mandawa

After breakfast, drive to Mandawa through the villages of Rajasthan. After arrival, transfer to hotel. After lunch go for a visit to 150 to 200 year old havelies (former mansions), which were painted by the natural colors. These havelies belongs to the rich community, who were businesspersons during those days. Also, watch the daily life of villagers in the streets of the village. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 4 - Mandawa - Bikaner

After breakfast, drive to Bikaner. Bikaner was established in 1488 by Rao Bikaji and forms an oasis in the middle of the desert with its Sand dunes. The city preserves a countenance of medieval with the sandstones houses and the city rampart. Visit the Junagarh fort, which of unusual manner stands in the plain, (all other in Rajasthan are on a hill) and is surrounded by a water ditch. Afterwards visit Asia 's largest Camel Breeding Research Farm and local busy markets. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 5 - Bikaner - Oscian - Jaisalmer

After breakfast, drive to Jaisalmer. Enroute visit 7 th century Mahavira Jain Temple and 2000 years old Jija Mata Temple at Oscian village. Continue your drive to Jaisalmer. Entire day trip to the incredible beautiful city Jaisalmer. Trip through the fascinating deserts landscape, on the way you can watch sheep meadows and women in their colorful Saris with water pitchers balancing on the head. Before you arrive in Jaisalmer, you can see the fort and the beautiful city from far away. Arrival in Jaisalmer and transfer to hotel. To the moment of the sunset, you are then in Bada Bagh, the royal Cenotaph in the city Jaisalmer and look succumbed at the unique sunset with the reddish-gold glittering fort at this time.

Day 6 - Jaisalmer

After breakfast, proceed for entire day tour of this golden city that, with its gigantic fort throning over the city, forms an oasis in the desert Thar. You see Patwaon-Ki-Haveli, Nathmalji-Ki-Haveli and Salim Singh-Ki Haveli, golden fort as well as some Jain-temples. Afternoon drive to Sam Sand dunes to watch sensational Sun Set by camel ride. Return to Hotel for overnight.

Day 7 - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur

After breakfast, drive to Jodhpur. Jodhpur is the second largest city in Rajasthan and was once the capital of the Marwar. Today the city lies around the imposing Mehrangarh fort. The Mehrangarh fort was built in 1459 on a 37m high sandstone hill. From here above you can see the old town and the painted blue houses of priesters by what means Jodhpur is named also the blue city. After that, it goes to the Jaswant Thada, a large Cenotaph, which was built in 1899 for Maharajah Jaswant Singh II. After lunch, you can stroll through the old markets, where you can also buy various spices for yourself. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 8 - Jodhpur - Ranakpur - Udaipur

After breakfast, drive to Udaipur. Enroute visit Ranakpur where 3 beautiful Jain temples stand out of 14th and 15th centuries. The head temple Adinatha (1439) was built in 65 years out of marble with 80 domes supported by 1444 different carved pillars (no two are alike). It is one of the five holiest places for Jain Pilgrimage. After visit, you can have good lunch at the nearby restaurant and proceed to Udaipur. After arrival, transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 9 - Udaipur

Udaipur lies in the Girwa valley in the middle of the Aravali hill and is described as a romantic city with its lakes, gardens, temple and palaces. In morning, visit the city palace at the bank of the Pichola Lake. It was built in 1570 by Maharana Udai Singh. The impressing complex of different palaces is a mixture of Rajput and Mughal influences. After that you see the Jagdish temple (1651), is a beautiful example for Nagara style temple architecture. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat trip on the Pichola Lake. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 10 - Udaipur - Jaipur

After breakfast, drive to Jaipur. Entire day spend in drive. Arrival and transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 11 - Jaipur

After early breakfast morning excursion to fort Amber (11km), the former capital of Kachhawaha Rajputs. On the way, you make a stop in the landmark of the city, the Hawa Mahal (palace of the winds). A five-storey building of 18 th century, with 953 windows and niches from where the royal women observe the procession in the street without being seen. Further, it goes to the Amber fort, which lies on 130m high hill and is surrounded by the chain of mountains known as Aravalli. Afterwards visit to the Pink city Jaipur. The city palace (1734) lies in the center of Jaipur and is now the residence of the royal family of Jaipur and a beautiful museum. After that, you see the Jantar Mantar, an observatory. It was built in the 18 th century by the city founder Jai Singh II. The instruments are out of stone and marble and served to the sky observation. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 12 - Jaipur - FatehpurSikri - Agra

After breakfast, drive to Agra. Enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri (40km from Agra ), former metropolitan of Akbar, built in 1569. Akbar shifted his capital to Fatehpur Sikri, but after 13 years due to the scarcity of water, capital was shifted to Lahore in Pakistan and later again to Agra. Continue your drive to Agra. Agra is situated on the banks of the Yamuna River and was seat of the Mughal rulers in 16 th and 17 th centuries. After arrival, visit the world-famous Taj Mahal (1631-1653), a poem in white marble, built by Mughal ruler Shah Jahan for his deceased wife Mumtaz Mahal. Its extravagant architecture reveals its secret of being one of the Seven Wonders of the World. 20,000 workers with experts from Italy, France, Iran and Asia were busied for 21 years with the monument. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 13 - Agra - Khajuraho (By Train)

Morning after breakfast at 7.15 a.m. transfer to Agra railway station to board train Shatabadi Express for Jhansi. After arrival in Jhansi, assistance by our representative and proceed to Khajuraho by car. Enroute visit Orchha, which is famous for its 17 th century forts and palaces. Continue your drive to Khajuraho. After arrival, transfer to Hotel for overnight stay.

Day 14 - Khajuraho - Varanasi (By Flight)

In morning after breakfast, visit the Eastern and Western group of temples. The figures and sculptures in these temples show only two things- women and sex. These temples are around 1000 years old and one of its kind in the whole world. Afternoon transfer to airport for flight to Varanasi. Varanasi is situated on the banks of holy river Ganges. The oldest name is Kashi and means "city of Light". The city is devoted to Lord Shiva and is one of the holiest cities of the Hindus, also for the Jain. It is also one of the oldest centers of learning of the world.

After arrival in Varanasi, transfer to hotel and after a short break you make an excursion to Sarnath (9 km), one of the head centers of the Buddhism. Buddha preached here his first sermon after he got enlightenment. Of the entire complex, the Dhamekh Stupa is (5 th - 6 th century) or also Dharma Chakra the most imposing building and was built in order to pay tribute to the place where Buddha preached his first 5 disciples. Visit also Dharmarajika Stupa (273-326 BC) where alleged bones of Buddha are. Here Buddha meditated. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 15 - Varanasi

Early morning enjoy a boat ride on river Ganges. Watch sunrise and you can see hundreds of people are worshiping and taking bath in the holy river. Come back to hotel for breakfast. Check out from the hotel and proceed for the city tour of the old city visiting the temples including Kashi Hindu University where more than fifty thousand students from all over the world are learning. Afterwards transfer to airport for flight to Delhi.

After arrival in Delhi you will transferred to hotel for refreshment and dinner and later transfer to international airport for the flight back to your country.