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Rajasthan Tours>>Princely
Rajasthan and Himalayan Gateway
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Princely Rajasthan and Himalayan Gateway
Delhi - Varanasi - Agra - Jaipur - Pushkar - Udaipur - Jodhpur -
Jaisalmer - Delhi - Leh - Trekking - Leh - Delhi (Duration: 23 days) |
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| Day 1- ARRIVE DELHI |
| Depart for Delhi. Arrive Delhi in the late evening. Welcome with flower Garlands, Namaste! Transfer to hotel and overnight |
| Day 2- DELHI / VARANASI (Flight, 9W 723 - 1115 / 1225) |
| After breakfast transfer to airport to connect flight for Varanasi. Upon arrival – met at the airport and transferred to hotel. In the afternoon, visit Sarnath Temple - 5 miles out of Varanasi. Sarnath is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world, where Buddha preached his first Sermon in 590 BC. Sarnath has a fine Museum filled with sculptures found at the site. Return to hotel and overnight |
| Day 3- VARANASI |
| Early morning, boat ride on the river Ganges, when it is full of pilgrims, is an amazing place to witness the living traditions of one of the world's oldest and the most important religion. Return to hotel for breakfast. Thereafter, walk through the narrow lanes and colourful bazaars in the heart of the old city and also visit the temples. The visit includes the famous Kashi Vishwa Nath Temple, Banaras Hindu University and the Durga Temple. Return to Hotel and overnight |
| Day 4- VARANASI / AGRA (Train – 1725 / 0635) |
| Breakfast in hotel Rest of the day for independent activities. Later in the afternoon, transfer to railway station to connect train for Agra Night on board. |
| Day 5- AGRA |
| 0630hrs, Arrive Agra – met at the railway station and transferred to hotel. Time free to relax in the hotel. In the afternoon, discover the strong & magnificent Red Fort - built by the three generations of Mughal Emperors between 1565 and 1573, whose military power cannot be questioned. It was the residence of the Mughal Emperors. Each one left there its print, Red sandstone of Akbar and Jahangir, White marble of Shah Jahan. This fort rises on the edges of Yamuna River; surrounded by a wall from 20 to 33 meters top and 2500 m perimeter. Thereafter, visit the World famous Taj Mahal, whose eternal beauty will astonish and mesmerize the visitors. It is also known as the "Crown of Palaces” built by the Emperor Shah Jehan to immortalize the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Overnight at hotel |
| Day 6- AGRA / FATEHPUR SIKRI / JAIPUR |
| After breakfast depart for Jaipur, enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri - the extraordinary city built by Akbar the Great, deserted 14 years later, but which, during its brief span, the city had more significant than London in both grandeur and population. Thereafter continue towards Jaipur – the Capital city of Rajasthan Arrive and check in to hotel. In the afternoon, proceed for the tour of Pink City - visiting the imposing City Palace now a museum - the principal residence of the former ruling family, Jantar Mantar - the ancient Observatory, Hawa Mahal - the exotic Palace of the Winds & the picturesque bazaars of the walled city. Overnight at hotel |
| Day 7- JAIPUR |
| Morning visit the Amber Fort – built in the time of Mughals. The area used to be always ready for the war. Amber was residence of the Maharajas. By seeing the majestic ramparts of the Fort, which surround the palace, you will be able to imagine the power of the character. Rise towards the ramparts on the elephant’s back. Visit the Palace with its crimped rooms of mirrors and the old harem, true labyrinth. The magnificent public and private rooms show evidence of the splendour of the rulers of 16th & 17th century. Possibility of attending Puja at the Kali temple. Puja is the time of the prayers according to Hindu rites'. One can enter in the temple only naked feet and without leather articles on oneself. Thereafter, return to Jaipur. Afternoon at leisure for souvenir shopping. Return to hotel and overnight |
| Day 8- JAIPUR / PUSHKAR (140 Kms) |
| After breakfast depart for Pushkar Arrive and check in to hotel Later in the afternoon, visit Pushkar - famous for its picturesque sites as well as more than 400 temples. The most important of the temples is the Brahma Temple (only temple of Lord Brahma, the creator, in the world). Other important temples are Savitri Temple, Mahadeva Temple, Rangji Temple, and Varaha Temple. Pushkar Lake is the site of annual holy bath on Kartik Purnima (a Hindu Festival). Pushkar Bazaar is famous for its high range of handicrafts. Another important attraction in the city is Man Mahal built by Raja Man Singh of Amber. |
| Day 9- PUSHKAR / RANAKPUR / UDAIPUR (300 Kms) |
| Morning depart for Ranakpur - the most magnificent 15th century Jain temples of India delicately carved out of white marble, in the deep secluded valley of the Aravalis Hills. There are 1444 pillars in the temples and none of them similarly carved. Also visit the temple of Adinath. Lunch at Maharani Bagh Thereafter continue towards Udaipur – the romantic city of Udaipur also known as “The White City”. Arrive Udaipur and check in to hotel. In the evening, enjoy the boat ride on Lake Pichola and visit of Jag Mandir in the middle of the Romantic Lake Pichola. Thereafter, return to hotel and overnight. |
| Day 10- UDAIPUR |
| After breakfasts proceed for the city tour of Udaipur - set around the vast Pichola Lake and dominated by dramatic palaces, Udaipur is surely Rajasthan's most picturesque city. Morning visit the romantic and stunning white marble Palace built on an island in the Lake Pichola, the magnificent City Palace - built in 725, the ancient palaces of the Mewar Royal Family for centuries, the Jagdish temple. In the afternoon, visit the Sahelion-ki-Bari also called as the garden of demoiselles and its pond covered with lotus flowers, thereafter visit the school of paintings, which specializes in Miniatures. Thereafter, time free for souvenir shopping or relax in the hotel. Overnight at hotel |
| Day 11- UDAIPUR / JODHPUR (270 Kms) |
| After breakfast leave for Jodhpur - the blue city of the desert. Arrive and check in to hotel. In the afternoon, visit the grand and imposing Mehrangarh Fort, which was to be practically in expugnable in times of the wars. Spread over many kilometers, it dominates the landscape. It shelters exquisite Palace decorated with mural frescos and stone laces. A collection of musical instruments, palanquins, furniture and cannons on the fort's ramparts are well - preserved. Return to hotel and overnight |
| Day 12- JODHPUR / JAISALMER |
| In the morning, depart for Jaisalmer - the yellow city lying in the heart of the desert, surrounded by sand dunes with a posing and impregnable sand coloured fort. Today it is an inhabited city whose chief attraction is lacy filigree of pierced stonework facades of merchant Havelis and private houses, and a series of ornately carved Jain temples. Arrive Jaisalmer and check in to hotel. In the afternoon visit the Gadi Sagar Lake, adorned with an arched gateway and the royal Cenotaphs at the Chhota Bagh and view the setting Sun over this city which, has a peculiar glow. Rests of the day at leisure to relax near the swimming pool. Overnight at hotel |
| Day 13- JAISALMER |
| After breakfast, visit the city of Jaisalmer, splendid caravan city founded into 1155 by Rao Jaisal. The city is a jewel, the exquisitely carved balconies of the " Havelis " with rich filigree work all over, the fort perched atop the hill with beautiful palaces and ‘jharokhas’ (windows), Jaisalmer is also called ’the Museum city’. In the afternoon, proceed for an excursion towards Khuri village (40 Kms) to see the picturesque wind-caressed dunes of the Thar Desert creating enchanting mirages, indeed a breathtaking sight. Proceed for a short Camel ride in the sand dunes near Khuri Village. Overnight at the hotel. |
| Day 14- JAISALMER / JODHPUR / DELHI (Flight, CD 7472 1920 / 2110) |
| After leisurely breakfast leave for Jodhpur. Arrive and transferred to airport to connect flight for Delhi. Arrive Delhi – meet & transfer to hotel Overnight at hotel |
| Day 15- DELHI / LEH (Flight, CD 7431 - 0600 / 0930) |
| Early morning transfer to airport to connect flight for Leh Upon arrival in Leh, met at the airport and transferred to hotel. Rest of the day at leisure for acclimatization Overnight at hotel |
| Day 16- LEH / SHEY / THIKSEY / HEMIS |
| After breakfast depart for a full-day sightseeing excursion. Shey, once the summer palace of the kings of Ladakh dating from the 17th century, gives the appearance of being built around a huge golden figure of Buddha 40 feet high. The upper chapel is a balcony around the head of Buddha, while the lower chapel has an extensive library and some tankhas. Thiksey's gompa looks like a miniature of the Potala Palace in Lhasa. Hemis is the most famous of all monasteries in Ladakh and contains some of the region's finest art treasures. Return to Leh and overnight at hotel. |
| Day 17- Leh |
| Visit Stok Palace, the residence of the Rani of Stok, the Queen of Ladakh, built in the early 19th century. The palace is now a museum, where the exquisite collections of the royal family are displayed. Also see Spituk, a 1000-year-old monastery. Continue to Shankar, a small gompa with only 20 monks. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at hotel. |
| Day 18- LEH / LIKIR / YANGTANG |
| After an early breakfast proceed to likir by Jeep (2 hrs approx). Visit Likir gompa. Proceed to likir village from the monastery and after leaving behind the last houses enter in an arid terrain, start ascending towards a small pass Pobela, arrive at sumdo village, cross the river and leaving Sumdo on the right side, continue in the valley for about an hour and finally reach at the summit of the Charatse-la. It is only half an hour to Yangtang from Charastse-la summit OPTIONAL: If time permits and interested to see monastery then visit Rizong monastery two and half hours trekking each way. Overnight at Tented camp |
| Day 19- YANGTANG - RESONG - YANGTANG (Trek, 5 hrs approx) |
| After breakfast trek to visit the Resong monastery with packed lunch, about two and half hours trekking (each way). Return to Yangtang for dinner and overnight in tented camp. |
| Day 20- YANGTANG / ANG (4 -5 hours trek) |
| After breakfast proceed to Wulle valley, very close 15 minutes only, then ascent for about 1 hour to Sermanchan-la and then descent towards Himis Shukpachan, a big village. Here (shukpa) cedar is found in plenty, hence the name of the village. There is beautiful gompa. After crossing the village, there is flat land, then steep descent, follow right side, climb a steep slope to the summit of the Meptek-la. It is 2 hours hike from Himis-Shukpachan. Descent for about half an hour and you are in Ang Village. Camp near the river. A path leads to north towards shyok valley. Overnight in Tented camp. |
| Day 21- ANG / KHALSE (5 - 6 hours trek) / LEH (Drive) |
| After breakfast walf for about half an hour will take you upto themisgang village. It is richest valley in Ladakh. Apricots, apples, nuts are in plenty, houses are beautiful. A motorable road links Themisgang with Nurla. Now you are in Tea village, with beautiful gompa, path through fields and houses. Above Tea is a monastery called Katza, (A path leads to shyok via Largiab-la from Tea). Climb Bongbong-la (about one hour from Themisgang) From here descending a long gentle slope; arrive at barren landscape then to the national highway, where you will be met by jeeps. Proceed to Khalsi and onward to Leh (3 hrs approx). Arrive Leh and check in to hotel. Overnight at hotel |
| Day 22- LEH / DELHI (Flight, 9W 610 - 0730 / 0845) |
| Early morning transfer to airport to connect flight for Delhi Upon arrival – met at the airport and directly proceed for the sightseeing of Delhi Visit Old Delhi - visit the Red Fort, the Jama Masjid, and Chandni Chowk (Silver Street) and Raj Ghat - the site of Mahatma Gandhi's cremation. In the afternoon, proceed for the sightseeing of New Delhi - drive past the stately government buildings of the British Era designed by Lutyens, including the India Gate & the Presidential Palace. Continue onto the beautiful Humayun's tomb of the Mughal era & predecessor of the world famous Taj Mahal. End the tour at the towering minaret of Qutab Minar. Thereafter, time free for souvenir shopping. Thereafter, transfer to hotel, where a courtesy room will be provided for wash & change until your departure to the airport Later in the evening transfer to International airport to connect flight for onward destination. |
| Day 23- DEPART DELHI |
| Board on the flight and take off for onward destination |
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