Colours of Rajasthan

Day 0 : Departure from U.K

Day 01 : Arrive Delhi

On arrival at Delhi ITP.co.uk representative meets you at the airport and assists you till your check in process at the hotel. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 02 : Delhi

Today we take you on a guided sightseeing tour of Old Delhi.

This is the 17th century walled city earlier known as Shah Jahanabad. See the great Jama Masjid considered the principal mosque of Old Delhi. Jama Masjid was built in the year 1656 AD by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. It is the largest and most popular mosque of India. Next take a walk or rickshaw ride down the famous Chandi Chowk market. This was the marketplace of Shah Jahanabad. Presently it is a picturesque bazaar located very near the Red Fort. The Red Fort was built in the year 1648 by Shah Jahan.

In New Delhi, visit the Raj Ghat, memorial of India's Father of the Nation, the great Mahatma Gandhi. It is a simple black marble platform that marks the spot of Gandhi's cremation, where he last stood before being shot on 31 January 1948. Next, drive past India Gate which is a memorial built in the year 1931 to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in the World War I & the Afghan Wars. The names of the soldiers who died in these wars are inscribed on the walls of this gate. Your next destination will be the President's House, the official residence of the President of India built in the year 1931. Until 1950 the President's Building was known as Viceroy's House and served as the residence of the Governor-General of British India..

Also visit the Humayun's Tomb, a memorial of Mughal Emperor Humayun, built in the year 1562. This complex is a World Heritage Site and is the first example of this type of Mughal architecture in India. Next, visit Qutub Minar which was built in the year 1206 by Qutub-ud-din Aibek. It is the tallest (72m) brick minaret in the world and an important example of Indo-Islamic Architecture. Qutub Minar is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Optional - You can opt to see the Light & Sound Show at the Red Fort. Have dinner at Chor Bizarre. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 03 : Delhi - Mandawa

After breakfast drive to Mandawa. En route Mandawa visit Jhunjhunu. Upon reaching Mandawa ITP.co.uk representative assist you in your check in process at the hotel. Stay overnight at the hotel.

In the heart of the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan lies the beautiful small town of Mandawa, popular throughout the state for its forts and havelis. This town is situated in the north Indian state of Rajasthan around 190 km away from Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan.

The fort town of Mandawa is well connected with the other places of the region through a good network of roads. Like most of the other places in north India, Mandawa too has extreme climatic conditions. The summers can be very hot with the mercury touching 40.5�C, whereas winters can be chilly and the temperature can fall below 10�C. The best season to visit this place is winter i.e. October to March. The compact and busy little market town of Mandawa was settled and fortified in 18th century by the dominant merchant families of the region. Though with time these architectural extravaganzas faced ignorance, their attraction did not fade away and today also these are some of the major attractions for the tourists visiting Rajasthan.

Day 04 : Mandawa - Bikaner

After breakfast take a walking sightseeing tour of Mandawa Village. Then drive to Bikaner where ITP.co.uk representative assists you in your check in process at the hotel. The evening is with you for leisure activities. Stay overnight at the hotel.

This royal walled medieval city dates back to 1486 AD and lies on the northern point of the triangle of desert cities. It was founded by Prince Bika Rathore and therefore came to be known as Bikaner. Bika was the eldest son of the founder of the Jodhpur - Rao Jodha. Bikaner was well protected from its enemies by the harsh deserts. It was also a major trade centre as it was located on the ancient caravan route which linked Central Asia and North India with Gujarat seaports.

Bikaner stands on a slightly raised ground and is circumscribed by a seven Km long embattled wall with five gates. The magnificent forts and palaces, created with delicacy in reddish-pink sandstone, bear testimony to its rich historical and architectural legacy. Undulating lanes, colourful bazaars and bright and cheerful folks make Bikaner and interesting tourist place.

Day 05 : Bikaner - Jaisalmer

After breakfast take a tour of Bikaner visiting the Bikaner Fort, the Lalgarh Palace and the Deshnoke Temple. In the afternoon drive to Jaisalmer. En-route Jaisalmer visit the Pokhran Fort. On reaching Jaisalmer ITP.co.uk representative will assist you in your check in process at the hotel. You have the evening for leisure activities. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 06 : Jaisalmer

After having breakfast you get the full day for sightseeing tour of Jaisalmer. Visit the Fort, Manak Chowk, Havelies, Gadisar Lake and the colourful markets. In the afternoon go for an excursion to Sam Sand Dunes. In the evening take a camel safari and enjoy the sun set at sand dunes. Then drive back to Jaisalmer and transfer to the hotel. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Jaisalmer was founded by Prince Jaisal Bhatti. It is located deep inside the Thar Desert. Centuries ago Jaisalmer's strategic position on the camel train routes brought its locals enormous wealth which they spent in building intricately carved palaces and temples in golden-yellow sandstone. These fortresses of Jaisalmer also known as Havelis of Jaisalmer are like a mirage in the barren Thar Desert. On either side of the narrow lanes of Jaisalmer are the sandstone havelis, made up with stone carvings, screen windows, delicate pavilions and balconies. These beautiful Havelis were built by Jaisalmer's wealthy merchants.

Day 07 : Jaisalmer - Jodhpur

After having breakfast, drive to Jodhpur. En-route Jodhpur visit Mandore. Reaching Jodhpur, check into a hotel. ITP.co.uk representative will assist you till your check in process at the hotel. Have the evening for leisure activities. Stay overnight at the hotel. Jodhpur was once the capital of the strong and powerful kingdom of Marwar, Rajasthan's largest princely state. In medieval era, Jodhpur lay on the trade route between Central Asia and the ports of Gujarat. Due to this it became a major trade centre during the 16th century. Presently the city has a population of over six hundred thousand and is the second largest city in the state of Rajasthan. Jodhpur still thrives on textile and craft business.

Day 08 : Jodhpur - Udaipur

After breakfast take a sightseeing tour of Jodhpur city. Visit the Mehrangarh Fort, the Jaswant Thada and the Umaid Bhawan Palace. In the afternoon drive to Udaipur. On reaching Udaipur check into a hotel. ITP.co.uk representative will assist you till your check in process at the hotel. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 09 : Udaipur

In the morning take a boat ride at Lake Pichola. Next visit City Palace, Jagdish Temple, Museum, Saheliyon ki Bari (Gardens of the maids of Honor). In the evening transfer to the hotel. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Udaipur is situated 1900 feet above the sea level in the Aravali Hills. This beautiful city was founded by Maharaja Udai Singh in 1559 AD and is named after him. One of the most romantic cities in Rajasthan, Udaipur is also known as the city of lakes. The marble palaces, beautifully laid out gardens and the lakes make Udaipur seem almost like a mirage in the desert.

Day 10 : Udaipur - Pushkar

After having breakfast, drive to Pushkar. En-route Pushkar, visit the Elkingi temple and the Nagda temple. These are a group of Jain Temples. Reaching Pushkar, check into a hotel. ITP.co.uk representative will assist you till your check in process at the hotel. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Pushkar is a town in Rajasthan which is very famous for Hindu religious centres. It houses various sacred temples. Pushkar is located on the shores of Pushkar Lake and has five main temples along with other small temples. It has almost 52 ghats. Pushkar is approximately at an elevation of 1673 feet. Reaching Pushkar is easy as the town has good road connectivity. The Sanganer Airport of Jaipur is nearest to Pushkar. The closest railway station is at Ajmer. October to March is the best time to visit Pushkar as during this time of the year the weather remains comparatively cooler.

Day 11 : Pushkar - Jaipur

The morning is free for you to explore the temples and Ghats of Pushkar. In the afternoon visit Ajmer (Tomb of a Sufi saint). Next, drive to Jaipur. Reaching Jaipur, check into the hotel. ITP.co.uk representative will assist you till your check in process at the hotel. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 12 : Jaipur

After breakfast go for an excursion to Amer Fort. Ascend the fort on Elephants back. In the afternoon take tour of the city visiting the City palace, the Jantar Mantar (observatory), the Palace of Winds and the Birla temple. In the evening check into a hotel. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur, was founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh in 1728 A.D. It is also called Pink City because most houses in this city are pink coloured. The city is surrounded by thick walls 20 feet high and 9 feet wide having eight gates. Ajmeri gate and the Sanganeri gate in the south, Chand Pole gate in the west and the Ghat Darwaja in the east are some of the main gates of Jaipur. The city is surrounded by hills on all sides except the southwest. Forts and temples can be seen on the hills.

Day 13 : Jaipur - Agra

After breakfast drive to Agra en-route stoppage at Fatehpur Sikri. On arriving Agra check into a Hotel. ITP.co.uk representative will assist you till your check in process at the hotel. In the evening visit Taj Mahal and enjoy the sunset. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Agra is famous for being the home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Taj Mahal. The architectural splendour of the Moslems, the forts and the palaces is a vivid reminder of the opulence of Mughal Empire of which Agra was the capital between the 16th and early 17th centuries.

Agra was founded by Raja Badal Singh around 1475 A.D. However the mention of Agraban in the Mahabharata suggests that it has been the sister of Matura, an ancient city in the vicinity, from a very early period. Sikandar Lodi made this place his capital when the Lodis ruled North India. But according to an ancient legend, the name of Agra is derived from Agra vans. An Agra van is one of the twelve groves of Brijmandala where teenager Lord Krishna is said to have sported with his companions. Situated on the banks of Yamuna, this town was chosen by the emperor Babar as a base for the Mughals.

Day 14 : Agra - Delhi

In the morning visit the Red Fort, the Itmad-Ud-Daulah Tomb and the Sikandra. Later in the evening drive to Delhi. Then check into a hotel and stay overnight at the hotel. ITP.co.uk representative will assist you till your check in process at the hotel.

Day 15 : Delhi - Departure

Reach the International airport to board the flight for onward destination.

Tour and services end.