Forts and Palaces Tour

Day 02 : Delhi
This morning after a leisurely breakfast proceed for the sightseeing of Delhi.
Combined city tour of New Delhi & Old Delhi
Visit Qutab Minar, Humayun's tomb, Lakshminarayan Temple, a modern Hindu Temple, Parliament House, Government Secretarial Building and Connaught place, the shopping centre of New Delhi.
Visit Red Fort, built in 1648 by Mughal Emperor Shahjehan, Jama Masjid, one of the largest Mosque of India, Raj Ghat and Shanti Vana, the cremation sites of Mahatama Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. Also drive past Chandni Chowk, shopping centre of Old Delhi.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 03 : Delhi - Mandawa
After breakfast drive down to Mandawa and check in at the hotel.
Visit Mandawa
Afternoon visit Mukandgarh/Mandwa, founded in 1755 by Thakur Nawal Singh and still the home of his descendants. See beautiful frescoes, havelis and mansions. Mandawa castle, one of the finest castles of Rajasthan, is now a hotel and house of collections of armories, costumes of ancestors, canons from 1820, ancient coins, numismatic collection and many other interesting items, preserved in a museum.
A walking tour of the painted 'havelis' of some of the leading business families of the country.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 04: Mandawa - Bikaner
This morning drive down to Bikaner and transfer to hotel.
Visit Bikaner
Bikaner is named after its founder Rao Bikaji in 1488. Long before this, the city was a trade center on the caravan routes from Africa and West Asia. Bikaner’s dominant features are rippling sands and abundant sunshine. The city stands on an elevation, enclosed by a 7 kms. wall, which can be entered from 5 gates. Bikaner City is bolstered by imposing walls and has a 16th century fort housing old palaces, temples and mosque. Founded by Raja Rai Singh, the fort is distinguished by its long range of 37 pavilions, a line of balconies and aerial windows of varying designs. Also visit Lallgarh Palace, the museum, Bhanda Sagar Jain and Deshnoke Rat temple.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 05: Bikaner - Khimsar
Morning drive to Khimsar enroute visit Deshnoke , The city's Karni Mata , the temple dedicated to her provides sanctuary to mice in the belief that those who serve the Goddess are reborn as mice .
Afternoon at leisure to visit the fort or optional camel ride .
Overnight: Hotel

Day 06: Khimsar - Jaisalmer
Morning after breakfast drive to drive to Jaisalmer, enroute visit desert village. Om arrival check into your hotel. relax for the rest of day.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 07: Jaisalmer
City tour of Jaisalmer
The Rich and beautiful palaces and Havelis of Jaisalmer shimmer against the relentless monotony of the Thar desert. Its Rulers were known for their valour , their beautiful havelis and glorious temples. For close to ten centuries Jaisalmer has assumed the air of a virtual art museum .
Sightseeing in Jaisalmer include, Sonar Kila , Patwon ki haveli , Salim Singh ki Haveli and Nathmalji Ki Haveli and afternoon excursion to Sam for short camel ride in the sand dunes of thar desert .
Overnight: Hotel

Day 08: Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Luni
On the day 8 of your to the Gateway to the Thar desert-Jodhpur. The city is known for its striking Forts, stately palaces and gracious buildings . Some of these are now India's finest hotels. The city was built in 1459 by Rao Jodha of The Rajput clar.
Visit Mehranghar Fort built by the city's founder five centuries ago, Jaswant Thada, museum and bazaar, later continue to Luni . On arrival at Luni check into your hotel. Later proceed on a city tour of Jodpur.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 09: Luni - Ranakpur - Rawla Narlai
Morning visit the Bishnoi villages, later drive to Narlai enroute visit Ranakpur temple complex ( open at 1200 hours ). Ranakpur the 15th century Chaumukh Jain temple, one of the most beautiful crafted sculpted temples in India. On arrival at Rawla Narlai check into your hotel.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 10: Rawla Narlai­-Udaipur
Wake up to the sounds of this 17th century village, and take in the spiritual energy from the fresh air descending down from the Shiva temple, stroll through the small bazaar, bustling with activity and bursting with colour, perhaps pausing to see rich handicraft or even design your own silver Tabiz, an ancient lucky charm, for women and man worn around the neck.
Later drive to Udaipur. On arrival check into your hotel.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 11: Udaipur
On the day 11 of your tour proceed on a city tour of the most romantic city in Rajasthan, Udaipur with its hilltop fortresses, fairy tale palaces and exotic legends and its urban and industrial centers, the city is proud of its heritage as a centre for performing arts, painting and crafts. Most of the marble palaces and fortification have now been transformed into palace hotels.
Visit City palace museum, Bharatiya Lok Mandir, Sahelyon Ki bari , Partap memorial and afternoon boat ride on the lake pichola to visit Jagmandir.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 12: Udaipur - Deogarh
Morning drive to Deogarh Mahal a fortified palace in the heart of Deogarh village enroute visit Eklingji and Nagda. Rest of the day free to explore the colourful village and bazaar.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 13: Deogarh - Pushkar
Morning after breakfast drive to Pushkar, a quite little town on the edge of a small and beautiful lake in eastern Rajasthan. A city of 500 temple and 52 bathing ghats, Pushkar prides itself of being the site of the only temple of Brahma, the Hindu God of Creation and is therefore believed to be the centre of the creation on the World.
Afternoon enjy the sightseeing of Pushkar .
Overnight: Hotel

Day 14: Pushkar - Jaipur
Morning drive to Jaipur. On arrival check into your pre-booked hotel.
Afternoon enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride through the bustling bazaars. Jaipur is renowned for textile block printing, blue pottery, carpet weaving, semi-precious stones.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 15: Jaipur
City tour of Jaipur
This morning you will experience the wonders of this magicial pink city, as you proceed on a tour of Amber fort - which is set on the dry wrinkled Aravali Hills, and surrounded by fortified battlements. We will ride up to this hilltop palace on a caparisoned, painted elephant. Later visit the Jagmandir or the Hall of victory glitterning with mirrors, Maharaja's City Palace and the Observatory - The Solar Observatory - an astronomical treasure house, with solar device that give accurate predictions till date. The City Palace reflects a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Drive past Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds, a five-storied structure of pink sandstone with semi-octagonal and delicately honeycombed windows overlooking the main street of the old city and through the rose pink residential and business areas of Jaipur.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 16: Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra
Morning drive to the Romantic City of Taj Mahal, Agra visiting enroute Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri, the birth story of this beautiful city is interesting. There, in a grotto in Sikri, lived a Muslim Saint , Sheikh Salim Chishti by name. Akbar hearing of his renown, asked of the blessings of a son, and when a son was born, not only was the child named Salim, the site for a mighty and ambitious project - a city - was chosen near the residence of the saint erected in k1569.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 17: Agra - Delhi
City tour of Agra
Visit Taj Mahal (Closed on Friday) during Sunrise return back to the hotel,take breakfast and then proceed on sightseeing of Agra visiting Red fort & Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula. Later you will visit a marble gallery - the flagship store in Agra which offers an excellant range of white marble, fashionable wear & exotic wooden articles, truly a one stop shop!
Afternoon drive to Delhi and transfer to hotel.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 18: Delhi
In time to transfer to International airport to board the flight for your onward journey to back home with sweet and unforgettable memories of "Forts and Palaces Tour" escorted by Vardhman Vacations.