Rajasthan Fort and Palaces Tour

Duration : 16 Nights / 17 Days

Destinations Covered : Delhi - The Capital of India - Nawalgarh - Khimsar - Bikaner - Jaislamer - Jodhpur - Rohet Garh - Deogarh - Ranakpur - Udaipur - Chittorgarh - Bundi - Jaipur - Samod - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra - Delhi


Highlights of Tour :

Red Fort, Qutab Minar, Humayun's Tomb , Raj Ghat, India Gate, President's House- Mandawa - Castle Mandawa-NagaurThe Ahhichatragarh Fort- Khimsar Fort - Osian Jain Temples -Jaisalmer Fort, Patwon Ki Haveli, Camel ride on Sam Dunes - Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada - Rohetgarh Fort, - Kumbhalgarh Fort - Deogarh Mahal - Udaipur City Palace, Lake Pichola, Saheliyon ki Bari, Jagdish Temple - Chittorgarh Fort, Padmini Palace - Bundi Palace, Raga Palace - Jaipur Amer Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar - Samode Palace, Havelis - Fatehpur Sikri, Taj Mahal, Agra Fort.

Book Now

Itinerary Details

Day 01 Arrive Delhi

You will get assisted at New Delhi international airport and get transferred to your pre booked hotel in Delhi.

Day 02 In Delhi

After Breakfast start the city tour of Old and New Delhi. The tour of the 17th-century old city includes the great mosque of Jama Masjid, The main street of Old Delhi is the colourful shopping bazaar known as Chandni Chowk, Red Fort most spectacular pieces of Mughal architecture, built by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan between 1638 and 1648. Drive past Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi.

The tour of New Delhi includes Qutab Minar, one of the most popular landmarks in Delhi built in 1199. The Humayun's Tomb, the precursor of the Taj Mahal. Drive down the spectacular Rajpath (The Kingsway) passing the India Gate (the memorial built to commemorate the unknown soldiers,) the President's House, and the House of Parliament. Enjoy a brief respite from the otherwise bustling city at Birla Mandir, a modern and colourful Hindu temple. Overnight at your Hotel in Delhi.

Day 03 Delhi - Mandawa

After breakfast start drive to Mandawa in Shekawati region, located South West of Delhi. Approx 6 hours will take to reach at this beautiful destination. Check in at your hotel and later proceed to witness the town of Shekhawati region are known for their amazing painted havelis. Most of the buildings are dated from 18th century to early 20th century. evening back to the hotel and overnight stay.

Day 04 Mandawa – Nagaur - Khimsar (5 Hrs)

Proceed for Khimsar, en-route visit Nagaur. The Ahhichatragarh Fort, built by Mughal Emperors Akbar and Shah Jahan. A five domed mosque built by Emperor Akbar dominates the landscape. The city is best visited during the Ramdeoji Ka mela and Tejaji ka mela (fair) in February and August respectively. Continue drive to Khimsar and check-in at your hotel.

Khimsar lies some 40 km from Nagaur. History recalls that Rao Jodha's fifth son, Karam Singh, was the local ruler. He named his fortified home Fateh Mahal after a Sufi saint who was buried here. Today, Karam Singh's descendants live in an 18th century addition to the fort, part of which is converted into an hotel. Overnight at your hotel in Khimsar.

Day 05 Khimsar – Osian - Jaisalmer (7 Hrs)

We drive down to Jaisalmer en-route visit Osian, one of the ancient towns in the Thar desert, which lies 40 miles (65 km) from Jodhpur. Osian is the site of 16 ruined Brahmanical and Jain temples which date back from the 8th to the 12th centuries. The earlier temples are remarkable for their originality of composition and sculptural elegance. The vase and flower motif carved on the pillars are best seen here. The most important temples are the Surya temple, dedicated to the Sun God and the Sachiya Mata temple. The temple niches contain images of Lord Vishnu, Varaha, Narsingha and Durga. The surrounding landscape is beautiful, with small hillocks punctuated by sand dunes. We continue drive to Jaisalmer - set deep in the heart of Thar desert, one of the last princely bastions of the region. Founded on the crossroads of lucrative trade routes, where the rich merchants hired craftsmen who worked with great diligence on the sandstone mansions they built, filing up facades with sculpture filigree, screen windows, delicate pavilions and balconies. Evening at leisure. Overnight at your hotel in Jaisalmer.

Day 06 Jaisalmer

Have breakfast explore the town Jaiselmer lies in the western extremity of Rajasthan, in the heart of the Thar Desert. The ancient city, which stands on a low range of hills, surrounded by a stone wall three miles round, was founded in 1156 AD. Within its walls lie temples, forts and palaces, all built of yellow sandstone. The Jain Temples in the fort are decked with deities and dancing figures in mythological settings. The library attached to these places of worship contains some of the most ancient manuscripts in India, some dating back to the 12th century, written on palm-leaf in black ink with hand painted wooden covers. Down in the city are the renowned havelis or mansions of Salim Singh, Nathmalji and the Patwas, every house boasting superb lattice work in innumerable and intricate designs. Back to the hotel and overnight stay in Jaisalmer

Day 07 Jaisalmer – Jodhpur - Rohetgarh (7 Hrs)

After breakfast. Depart to Jodhpur. Approx 6 hours drive will take to this Blue city. later visit the Mehrangarh Fort, positioned at the heart of the city. It is indeed a majestic fort. Also visit Jaswant Thada, which is the tombstone of Ruler Jaswant Singh II. Also visit Clock tower market and mandore Gardens. Continue your drive to Rohetgarh and check-in at Fort upon arrival and overnight stay.

Day 08 Rohetgarh

After breakfast drive to Rohetgarh, a warm fortified home still alive with traditions of old. This 16th century stronghold of the Champavats lies an hour (40 km) away from Jodhpur. There is time to visit the family cenotaphs, wander around the village picking up bargains in leatherware, fabrics, metalware and silver jewellery.

After lunch visit the Bishnoi villages. The Bishnois are a fascinating community which follows the 29 (bish-noi) tenets laid down by the 15th century Guru Jambeshwar. They fervently believe in the sanctity of animal and plant life so all animals live near their villages without fear. When a Bishnoi dies, he is sometimes buried in the sitting position and often placed at the threshold of the house or adjoining cattleshed. A Bishnoi believes he will later be reincarnated as a deer, hence the herds of blackbuck often seen near their villages. Overnight stay at Rohetgarh

Day 9 Rohetgarh – Kumbhalgarh –Deogarh (03 Hrs)

Today we drive to Deogarh en-route visiting Kumbhalgarh, a massive 15th century fort, perched at 1100 meters up on the Aravali Range.

The fort of Kumbhalgarh, accessible only by jeep, lies off a difficult rutted road. Its very inaccessibility ensured its security as a refuge for Mewar's rulers in times of strife. Built by the scholarly Rana Kumbha in the mid fifteenth century, the fort stands on the site of a more ancient fortress said to have been built by Samprati, a Jain prince, in the 2nd century AD. Within its crenellated ramparts spreading over eight miles are palaces, temples, humble dwellings, fields, water sources, farms and kitchen gardens - everything needed to withstand a long siege. Kumbhalgarh fell only once in its history, when the armies of Emperor Akbar, combined with those of the Rajas of Amber and Marwar, contaminated the water supply of the fort.

Continue our drive to Deogarh. This is a wonderful escapade, where you can stay in a magnificent palace fortress and enjoy royal hospitality. Overnight stay at Deogarh.

Day 10 Deogarh – Ranakpur – Udaipur (4 Hrs)

Drive to Lake City 'Udaipur'. En route we will visit Ranakpur,

Have breakfast. Depart for the city of Udaipur. On the way you shall be visiting the famous shrines of Jains at Ranakpur. the famous Jain temples of Ranakpur which lie buried in a shady glen and cover a vast area. The central temple is called Chaumukha (four-faced) and is the most complex and extensive of Jain temples in India, covering an area of over 40,000 sq. feet (3,600 sq. meters). Its 29 halls are supported by 1,444 pillars, none of which are alike. Subsidiary shrines in the shape of side alters throng around in all directions, including a temple dedicated to the Sun God which displays erotic carvings.

Later reach Udaipur. Check in at your hotel and overnight stay.

Day 11 Udaipur

After breakfast leave for the city tour. You will be visiting the City Palace, Saheliyon Ki Bari, and shrine of Lord Jagdish etc. By evening enjoy riding a boat at the Lake Pichola. If time permits visit of shilpgram village for Rajasthani handicrafts. overnight stay in Udaipur

Day 12 Udaipur – Chittorgarh – Bundi (270 Km / 6 Hrs)

We drive to Bundi en-route visiting Chittorgarh.

Chittorgarh the ancient capital of Mewar State, which represents the origin or Rajput courage. Its ruins today speak eloquently of the deeds of the past. The foundations of the fort are ascribed traditionally to the 7th century and it remained the capital till 1567. The glory of Chittorgarh is the Tower of Victory, set up in the middle of the 15th century by Rana Khumba to commemorate his triumph over the Moslem kings of Gujarat and Malwa. Chittorgarh was sacked three times - in the beginning of the 14th century, in 1534 and finally by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar. Each time, the people, led by the ladies of the royal household, chose to immolest themselves, rather than surrender.

Further we continue our drive to Bundi and check-in at hotel upon arrival. Overnight Hotel - Bundi

Day 13 Bundi – Jaipur (205 Km / 5 Hrs)

Bundi, which takes its name from the bindo nal - the narrow passage between the rugged hills. It lies at the centre of the south eastern region of Rajasthan, known as 'Hadaoti', the land of the Hadas. The town of Bundi is settled in the cleft and has a special medieval flavour, quite untouched by time. The Taragarh (Star fort) crowning the top of the 500-foot hill was completed in 1354. There are huge water reservoirs inside the fort hewn out of solid rock, strong battlements and bastions, the biggest one called Bhim Burj on which the famous cannon Garbh Ganjam is mounted. The fort commands a marvelous view of the plains of Hadaoti towards the east, with the towers and chimneys of Kota vaguely visible in the haze, the lovely waters of Jait Sagar below on one side, the quaintly medieval town of Bundi on the other, and the encircling forests and hills all around. Below the fort, hugging the hill, is the big pile of the Bundi Palace. It is one of the purest examples of Rajput architecture. The main entrance is the Hazari Pol, where a guard of a thousand troops used to be quartered and the Naubat Khana where ceremonial music was played. The inner courtyard is entered through the Hathia Pol, a tall portal surmounted by stone elephants so typical of this area. The living apartments were built in 1660 and have beautiful wall paintings of the famous Bundi school.

Later we drive down to Jaipur. The city was founded in 1728 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber. popularly known as Pink City, Overnight Hotel in Jaipur

Day 14 Jaipur - Samode (40 Km / 1 Hr)

Have breakfast. Leave for Amber Fort with an elephant ride. It was built by Ruler Man Singh. the capital for 6 centuries before Jaipur was built, which lies 11 km north of Jaipur. Rising majestically on the slopes of a hill, this 11th century fort and palace complex is a blend of Hindu and Muslim styles - the earlier constructions in the inner apartments designed by the Hindu founder are austere, while later constructions abound in the rich flourishes characteristic of Muslim influence. The Diwani-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience) affords a view of the strategic location of Amber. The Jai Mandir (Hall of Victory) is the finest example of the artistic exuberance of the day - panels of alabaster, fine inlay work, a shimmering Hall of Mirrors, renowned for its fine mirrorwork. The Sukh Nivas (Hall of Pleasure) has 17th century air conditioning. Elephants carry you up the ramparts of the fort.

Back to the city and explore Jantar Mantar, City Palace, Birla Mandir and Nahargarh fort. back to the hotel and overnight stay in Jaipur

Samode, a delightful palace built by Jai Singh II's finance minister. The grand staircase leads to rooms elaborately decorated with murals set between panels of fine mirror work. The magnificent Durbar hall has delicate paintings and quantities of gilding. For its dramatic setting, Samode Palace was chosen as the major location for the filming of 'The Far Pavilions'. Overnight at Samode Palace

Day 15 Samode – Abhaneri - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra (250 Km / 6 Hrs)

Today we drive down to Agra, en route visiting Abhaneri step wells. The small village of Abhaneri has one of India's deepest and largest step wells (also known as tank gardens).

Have breakfast. Depart for Agra. On the way to the city of Agra, you will be visit Fatehpur Sikri. It was constructed by Ruler Akbar. Here you shall visit Panch Mahal and Jama Masjid. Later you are driven to Agra. By evening arrive at Agra and check in at your hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 16 Agra – Delhi Airport (4 Hrs)

After breakfast. Leave for the sightseeing trip of the city. Depart for a tour of Agra city. Visit the red sandstone Agra Fort, which stands like a crescent on the banks of the Jamuna river, enclosed by forbidding 20-meter high walls, with a 12- meter moat between them. Three successive Mughal emperors - Akbar, Jehangir and Shah Jehan - helped create this massive structure which contains Hindu and Muslim architecture. The Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah is a mausoleum on the left bank of the Jamuna, built by empress Nur Jehan in memory of her father. Though small, it is perfectly proportioned and regarded as the forerunner to the Taj Mahal, being the first Mughal building all in white marble. The highlight of your trip will probably be a visit to the Taj Mahal, surely the greatest monument to love and one of the wonders of the modern world. Completed in 1652, skilled craftsmen from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy and some 20,000 labourers worked for 17 years to build this edifice, constructed by emperor Shah Jehan as a mausoleum for his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal.

Drive back to Delhi and overnight stay.

Day 17 Departure Delhi

Today you will get transferred to the international airport in time to board flight for onward destination