Cultural & Heritage
18 days – 17 nights
Day 1
DELHI ARRIVAL
Pick up from airport by company representative and transfer to hotel. Remaining time is free for own exploration. Overnight Delhi.
DAY 2
DELHI SIGHTSEEN
After breakfast enjoy sightseeing around several main sights of Delhi chosen by guest e.g. Jama Masjid, Humayun ‘s Tomb, Qutub Minar, (built by Qutubud- Deen Aibek in 1199 ) India Gate, (War Memorial Arch) President ‘s House, Raj Ghat (cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi) and return to overnight hotel.
DAY 3
DELHI TO MANDAWA
Breakfast and check out of hotel, drive to Mandawa a small 18th – century settlement. After a rest explore Mandawa ‘s beautiful havelis richly decorated, both inside and out, with painted murals. Observe traditional village culture. Overnight Mandawa.
Day 4
Mandawa to Bikaner
Drive to Bikaner, a desert town with a fabulous fort and a busy camel breeding centre. Check into hotel and after a rest visit Junagarh Fort, Museum, Lalgarh Palace and Deshnoke Temple. Optional visit to the camel breeding center. Overnight Bikaner.
DAY 5
Bikaner to Jaisalmer
After breakfast drive to the desert citadel of Jaisalmer. Rest in the afternoon then visit Banda Bagh( Cenotaphs). Overnight Jaisalmer.
DAY 6
Jaisalmer Sightseeing
Visit Gadisar Lake, Havelis, Sonar Fort, then return to the hotel. Enjoy the evening out in the desert with a camel safari, bonfire, folk dancing and dinner in the traditional Rajasthan way. Overnight Jaisalmer.
Day 7
Jaisalmer to Jodhpur
Drive to Jodhpur after breakfast. After resting in your hotel visit Mehrangarh Fort, ( most visited place in Jodhpur) Jaswant Thada,( tomb of Jaswant Singh ) Ummaid Bhawan Palace, ( one of the largest private residences) Clock Tower ( built by Maharaja Sardar Singh ). Overnight Jodhpur.
DAY 8
Jodhpur to Udaipur
Drive to Udaipur via Ranakpur Jain Temple, built in the 15th century in milk white marble. The temple is a complicated series of 29 halls, 80 domes and 1444 individually engraved pillars. Udaipur has fantastic palaces, temples and countless narrow old streets. Overnight Udaipur.
DAY 9
Udaipur Sightseeing
Visit the City Palace, ( one of the best architectural marvels in the state of Rajasthan ) Saheliyon Ki Bari ( Courtyyard of Maidens ) Lake Pichola and enjoy a boat ride before heading back to the hotel. Overnight Udaipur.
Day 10
Udaipur to Pushkar
After breakfast drive to Pushkar, the holy town. Visit the Sacred Lake and the temple dedicated to Lord Brahma. (only single level temple in all the world) Lord Brahma is the God of Creationi in Hindu Mythology.
Overnight Pushkar.
DAY 11
Pushkar to Jaipur
After breakfast drive to Jaipur. Remainder of day is free for own exploration. Overnight Jaipur.
DAY 12
Jaipur Sightseeing
After breakfast drive to the Pink City. Visit Hawa Mahal, ( Palace of the Winds ) Amber Fort, ( foundation stone by Raja Man Singh and was completed by King Jai Singh ) Water Palace, City Palace and Observatory. Overnight Jaipur.
Day 13
Jaipur to Agra
After breakfast drive to Agra, home of the most beautiful building in the world. Along the way visit Abhaneri ( step well ) and Fatehpur Sikri ( capital of the Mughal Empire in 1571 built by Emperor Akbar ) . Also visit the Red Fort in Agra. Overnight Agra.
DAY 14
Agra drive to Orchha
Early morning at 5:30 visit Taj Mahal ( closed on Friday) and back to hotel for breakfast. Check out and drive to Orchha, along the way visit Gwalior Fort. Orchha, a small town was once the capital of Rajput Kings. After a rest visit the Orchha Palace. Overnight Orchha.
DAY 15
Orchha to Khajuraho
After breakfast drive to the Pink City. Visit Hawa Mahal, ( Palace of the Winds ) Amber Fort, ( foundation stone by Raja Man Singh and was completed by King Jai Singh ) Water Palace, City Palace and Observatory. Overnight Jaipur.
Day 16
Khajuraho to Varanasi
After breakfast catch the flight to Varanasi. Early evening witness Aarti, one of the city’s most wonderful scenes—an evening prayer ceremony on the banks of the sacred Ganges, with flaming torches, plumes of burning incense, and the sound of chanting prayer. Overnight Varanasi.
DAY 17
Varanasi Sightseeing
After breakfast enjoy a boat ride on a section of the Holy Ganges river to observe the morning bathing ritual and the giving of offerings to Brahmin. Later walk through the local bazar and past people praying in the temples. Overnight Varanasi.
DAY 18
Varanasi to Delhi
Early morning drive to Varanasi airport for flight to Delhi. Tour is completed upon arrival at Delhi airport.
End of service but sweet memories of Royal India Vacation Tours remain with you. Clients may request variations to this tour to suit own interests.