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The Desert Beckons

Durations: 07 Nights / 08 Days
Destination Covered: Jaipur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur

Day 01: JAIPUR
Arrive at Jaipur. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Jaipur, also popularly known as the 'Pink City', is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Founded on 18 November 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber, the city today has a population of 3.1 million. Jaipur is one of the finest planned cities of India, located in the semi-desert lands of Rajasthan. The city which once had been the capital of the royalty now is the capital city of Rajasthan. The very structure of Jaipur resembles the taste of the Rajputs and the Royal families. Afternoon at leisure. In the evening visit Chokhi Dhani Village Resort to enjoy Rajasthani Folk dance & dinner. Chokhi Dhani has been touted as a must see location in Jaipur and I agree after the visit there this Monday. It is best enjoyed with family and friends. It is a typical village setting with everything except farming thrown in. It is very colourful as Rajasthan is.The variety starts from the check in counter. All the employees are in traditional gear. So are the various performers in the premises. There are low buildings with thatched roof, tiled roof and mud roof. There are several stages for performers spread across the campus. Return to Jaipur. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 02: JAIPUR:
This morning we visit Amber Fort, the former capital of the royal Jaipurs. Few fail to be moved by the dramatic Rajput grandeur of this hilltop fortress-palace 11 km north of Jaipur. Set on the dry wrinkled Aravali Hills, and surrounded by fortified battlements, the palace straddles two sepia-hued tundra hills overlooking Maota Lake, and its sprawling crenellated walls lattice the surrounding hills.
We will ride up to this hilltop palace on a caparisoned, painted elephant, passing through the ancient main gate where Maharajas of Jaipur have entered for four hundred years. Our guide will elaborate on the history of this architectural masterpiece with its mirror-studded alcoves, dazzling mosaics and water-cooled swings that delight today’s visitors as they did their former royal residents.
We shall visit the Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds, a 5 storied structure of pink sandstone with semi-octagonal and delicately honeycombed windows overlooking the main street of the old city. It was built in 1799 so that veiled royal women could peer down unseen by the world through its 593 stone screens.
Later in the afternoon, we proceed on a tour Of the City Palace & Observatory. The City Palace in the heart of the old city is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The centre of the palace is a seven-storied building called Chandra Palace, with fine vies over the gardens and the city. The palace lies in the heart of the city and occupies the whole central grid. The fortified wall has seven gates and was built for protection from invading armies and animals that lived in jungles, which surrounded the wall that time. Next, we visit the Solar Observatory - an astronomical treasure house, with solar device that give accurate predictions till date. Overnight at the hotel
Day 3: JAIPUR – BIKANER (321 Kms / 8 Hrs)
After an early breakfast, check out of the hotel and proceed to Bikaner. Arrive Bikaner. Check in to the hotel. Bikaner - Lying in the north of the desert State, the city is dotted with scores of sand dunes. Bikaner retains the medieval grandeur that permeates the city's lifestyle. More readily called the camel country, the city is distinguished for the best riding camels in the world and hence boasts of having one of the largest Camel Research and Breeding farms in the world. The ship of the desert is an inseparable part of life here. Later in the evening visit the Karni Mata Temple – “Rat Temple” - at Deshnoke, 30 km from Bikaner….The floors are a living tangle of undulating fur. Small, brown blurs scurry across marble floors. Thousands of rats dine with people and scamper over their feet. It may sound like a nightmare from the New York City subway to some, but in India's small northwestern city of Deshnoke, this is a place of worship: Rajastan's famous Karni Mata Temple. This ornate, isolated Hindu temple was constructed by Maharaja Ganga Singh in the early 1900s as a tribute to the rat goddess, Karni Mata. But by far the most intriguing aspect of the interior is the 20,000-odd rats that call this temple home. These holy animals are called kabbas, and many people travel great distances to pay their respects. Return to Bikaner. Overnight at the hotel
Day 4: BIKANER – JAISALMER (333 kms / 8 hrs)
After an early breakfast, check out of your hotel and proceed to Jaislamer . The name Jaisalmer evokes utter magic and vibrancy of the desert. It’s straight out of an Arabian Nights fable. The hostile terrain notwithstanding the warmth and colour of people is simply overwhelming. Arrive Jaisalmer. Check into the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5: JAISALMER
After breakfast, proceed for a short tour of the city - visit Lodrava Jain Temple, Bada Baug - Situated six kms north of Jaisalmer on way to Ramgarh. Royal cenotaphs with carved images of late Maharawals and their families are seen. Each chhatri preserves an inscribed tablet recording the death of Maharawals on which the memorials are raised, and Amar Sagar - Just 6 kms. on the way to Luderwa is a natural spot developed by Maharawal Amar Singh in the form of a water reservoir in 1688 AD. The dams were constructed to hold rainwater. Several terraces are formed where summer palaces, temples and gardens were developed. Return to the hotel. Later in the afternoon After lunch enjoy Camel Safari at dessert - there is no point coming to the Thar Desert if you don't go for the Desert Safari. That is why Sam sand dunes are becoming the major attraction in Jaisalmer. This is the closest place from where you can loose yourself in 'the Great Thar Desert'. Sam has a truly magnificent stretch of sweeping dunes, with sparse or no vegetation. The best way to get here, of course, is on camelback.followed by Rajasthani Folk Dance, Camp Fire and Dinner. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6: JAISALMER – JODHPUR (285 Kms / 6 hrs)
After breakfast Visit the Fort, Bazars and the old mansions known as "Havelis". People still live in these ancient buildings dating from 12th to 15th century. Every house has exquisite carvings and filigreed work Lake and Museum. Early afternoon lunch Proceed for Jodhpur. Arrive Jodhpur - this bustling desert city is the second largest in Rajasthan after Jaipur. It was founded by Rao Jodha, the leader of the Rathore clan, in 1459 AD. The mammoth, imposing fortress (Meherangarh) has a landscape dominating a rocky ridge with the eight gates leading out of fortress. The new city is outside the structure. Check into the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 7: JODHPUR
Today after breakfast, enjoy visiting the attractions tour of Jodhpur visit Mehrangarh Fort - located at the height of 150 meter is the biggest fort in India founded by Rao Jodha in the 14 century , Jaswant Thada - the burial ground of the ruler of Jodhpur Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, Umaid Bhawan Palace - It was build with the intension to provide to employment to skicken farmers. Afternoon enjoys expedition tour of Bishnoi Villages - The main appeal of the place is its natural beauty and the people's effort to make the place ever green
Day 8: JODHPUR – MUMBAI / DELHI
Breakfast at the hotel. Free time till your time to be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Mumbai / Delhi
Prices starting from: INR 25000.00 Per person on twin sharing basis
Notes
Kindly note the above package is flexible and can be customized as per your requirement.
You can have a choice of 5 star hotels, 4 star hotels, 3 star hotels.
The above tour will be organized with a "chauffeur driven" car / private coach.
The trip can be organized for singles, families, couples, groups.
The package will commence on a date convenient to travelers.
Kindly contact us for further information & Costs.
Mr Neeraj Desai
Holidays@leisure
49, Bhulabhai Desai Road
Mumbai 400026
Telephone:-
Board: +91-22-2351-2147
Fax: +91-22-2351-2148
Cell: +91-96190-47448
Email: ndesai@holidaysatleisurec.com
Please provide us with exact number of persons, age of participants, Dates of travel, type of hotels required, and if any changes required in the above tour program.