Exclusive North India with Taj

Delhi

Day 1

Delhi is the symbol of old India and new, even the stones here whisper to our ears of the ages of long ago and the air we breathe is full of the dust and fragrances of the past, as also of the fresh and piercing winds of the present. The eternal Yamuna has witnessed the glory and the tumultuous history of the 3000 year old Delhi.

Activities

Visit the lofty Red Fort, Humayuns Tomb, Jama Masjid, Chandini Chowk, Qutab Minar, Lotus Temple, Laxminarayan Temple; ISKCON Temple, the Gandhi Memorial at Raj Ghat; Parliament Street, Parliament Museum, India Gate, Bangla Sahib; explore Delhi in a metro journey. Explore the Lodhi Gardens; the National Museum; experience cultural and ethnic diversity at the Dilli Haat.

Mandawa

Day 2

The city of Mandawa, founded in the mid 18th century, was once a town inhabited by the rich merchant families. The wealthy and dominant merchants constructed massive havelis, adorned with beautiful wall paintings, for the purpose of their residence. However, with time, the merchants moved on and migrated to other areas, leaving the beautiful havelis in the shadows of anonymity.

Activities

Take village walks; explore the frescoed havelis; experience sunset camel rides. Havelis : Hanuman Prasad Goenka Haveli, Goenka Double Haveli, Murmuria Haveli, Jhunjhunwala Haveli, Mohan Lal Saraf Haveli, Binsidhar Newatia Haveli, Lakshminarayan Ladia Haveli, Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli, Chokhani Double Haveli and local life & market of Mandawa.

Bikaner

Day 3

It is important for the tourists to know about Bikaner before traveling to the city situated in the heart of the desert. The kingdom of Bikaner was established in the 15th century when the valiant son of Rao Jodhaji, the founder of Jodhpur, enraged and provoked by his father, quit the palace to establish his own kingdom.

Activities

Visit the 15 century Bhandeswar and Sandheshwar Jain Temples; explore the Old town, havelis, Lalgarh Palace, Sadul Museum, Devikund, Ganga Government Museum; watch rodents being worshipped at the Karni Mata temple; see the Kolyat Temple, the Ratan Behari Temple; take a trip to the camel breeding farm, the Junagarh Fort and Museum; enjoy boating at the Gajner Hotel.

Jaisalmer

Day 4-5

The Golden City of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan is simply unmatched. It was the part of the famous Silk Route during the days of yore. The splendid Jaisalmer Fort stands proudly on its land and narrates the stories of the valor and chivalry of the Rajput rulers. Jaisalmer still retains its medieval charm, which is evident in its colorful narrow streets, splendid forts and palaces of Rajasthan, opulent havelis and bazaars.

Activities

Enjoy the beauty of a real oasis – Barra Bagh; visit the Lodurva Township famous for ‘Toran’ architecture, the Patwo ki Haveli and Nathmal Ki Haveli, Godi Sagar Lake and Museum; explore the Jaisalmer Fort and Jain Temple. Enjoy amazing views and rides over the sand dunes with unusual Camel rides; visit the royal cenotaphs at Bara Bagh Royal and enjoy a lovely sunset enroute your hotel that evening.

Jodhpur

Day 6

At best it is a doorway to the wonderland of sand dunes and shrubs, rocky terrain and thorny trees. The home of the Rathores - the awesome princely state of Rajasthan. They conquered Marwar or Maroodesh, land of the sand after the fall of Delhi and Kannauj. In 1459 AD, Rao Jodha, chief of Rathore clan of Rajputs, who claimed descent from Rama, the epic here of the Ramayana, laid the foundation of Jodhpur. A high stone wall protects the well-fortified city. The wall is nearly 10km in length and has eight gates facing various directions.

Activities

Enjoy a camel ride; visit the mesmerizing Mehrangarh Fort; the clock tower, the markets, the ancient town of Mandore; the white marble memorial of Jaswant Thada and the Umaid Bhawan Museum. Get a glimpse into the hidden elements of desert life in closeby Salabas.

Udaipur

Day 7-8

Udaipur City, formally known as the city of lakes and Venice of East. Udaipur, the capital of the former princely state of Mewar is a beautiful city in Rajasthan, India. Udaipur is also referred to as the "Venice of the East", the "Most Romantic City of India" and the "Kashmir of Rajasthan".

Activities

Visit the City Palace complex; be mesmerized by the stunning architecture of the Jagdish temple; go boating on Lake Picchola, Haldighati. Enjoy day excursions to Ranakpur’s famous Jain Temple and the visually stunning Kumbalgarh Fort; visit the Eklingji Temple; explore the impressive temple ruins at Nagda.

Pushkar

Day 9

According to lore, the city of Pushkar came into being After a battle between Lord Brahma and a demon named Vajra Nabh. After the demon was killed by Brahma with the help of a lotus flower, three petals floated down to Earth and landed in Pushkar leading to the creation of the three lakes of Pushkar. Recorded history shows that Pushkar was a favorite retreat of the Mughal rulers, which was later taken over by the Scindias after the eventual decline of the Mughal rule. The Scindias handed over the city to the British thus making Pushkar one of the few places in Rajasthan to be under direct British control, until Independence.

Activities

Only Brahma Temple in the world, Savitri Temple, Varah Temple, Mahadeva Temple & Pushkar Lake ; also witness culture & religious activities of Pushkar.

Jaipur

Day 10-11

Rajasthans beautiful Pink City Jaipur, was the stronghold of a clan of rulers whose three hill forts and series of palaces in the city are important attractions. Known as the Pink City because of the colour of the stone used exclusively in the walled city, Jaipur's bazaars sell embroidered leather shoes, blue pottery, tie and dye scarves and other exotic wares. Western Rajasthan itself forms a convenient circuit, in the heart of the Thar desert which has shaped its history, lifestyles and architecture.

Activities

Explore the Amber Fort; Govind Devji Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, Lakshmi Narayan and Ganesh Temples; Albert Hall; City Palace, Palace of Winds (Hawa Mahal) and the world’s largest stone observatory – Jantar Mantar. Visit the amazing Jaigarh and Nahargarh Forts; Raj Mandir Cinema.

Agra

Day 12

Agra is famous as being home to one of the Seven Wonders of the world-the Taj Mahal. The architectural splendour of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces is vivid reminder of the opulence of the legendary Mughal empire, of which Agra was the capital in the 16th and early 17th centuries. While its significance as a political center ended with the transfer of the capital to Delhi in 1634 by Shah Jahan, its architectural wealth has secured its place on the international map.

Activities

Visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise and sunset, the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah, the Agra Fort, the Akbar Mausoleum in Sikandra and Fatehpur Sikri. Enjoy a decorated tonga ride through the fabled city.

Delhi

Day 13-14

Transfer to International Airport.