Journey Quests
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Journey Quests Archaeological Tour of Rajasthan 23 Nights / 24 Days Delhi – Jaipur – Samode – Nawalgarh – Bikaner – Gajner – Jaisalmer – Osian – Khimsar – Manvar – Jodhpur – Rohet – Mount Abu – Udaipur – Dungarpur – Deogarh – Ajmer – Pushkar – Pachewar – Ranthambhore – Agra – Delhi Day 1: Arrival in Delhi‐ On arriving at Delhi International Airport, meet our tour representative who helps you with an assisted transfer to the hotel. After completing the check‐in, the representative briefs you about the tour program. Now, you are free to explore the surroundings on your own. The capital city of India, Delhi is one of the fastest growing cities that blends a bold present with a rich historic past. Built on the ruins of 7 ancient cities, Delhi comprises of Old Delhi and New Delhi, and is dotted with several tourist attractions that were commissioned by its rulers in the due course of its recorded history. The city is also quite popular for its lip‐smacking street food. Overnight stay at the hotel. Day 2: Delhi‐ After breakfast, the day is scheduled for exploring Delhi. The list of attractions of Old Delhi that you visit today include the colossal Red Fort‐ a red sandstone gem; Rajghat‐ Memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, and Jama Masjid‐ constructed by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, it is India's largest mosque. Hop into a rickshaw and enjoy a ride through the bustling streets of Chandani Chowk. Next partake in the sightseeing tour of New Delhi including Rashtrapati Bhawan, the imperial residence of the British viceroys, that today is the official home of the President of India; the India Gate‐ 42 m high this is a war memorial dedicated to soldiers who martyred during the Afghan war; Laxmi Narayan Temple‐ dedicated to Goddess Laxmi and Lord Vishnu, it was commissioned by the Birla's and is also called Birla temple; World Heritage Site of Humayun's Tomb‐ constructed by Humayun's son Akbar in 1569‐70; Lotus temple‐ a lotus‐ shaped Bhai Temple; UNESCO world Journey Quests heritage site of Qutub Minar ‐ constructed by Qutub‐ud‐din Aibak of the Slave Dynasty. The evening is scheduled for light and sound show at Red fort – depicting the rich history of India. Stay overnight. Day 3: Delhi – Jaipur (260 km, 6 hrs)‐ On day 3, have your breakfast and check‐out from the hotel. Now begin driving to Jaipur. On the way, halt at the luxurious Neemrana Fort, the first heritage hotels of India. Once the residence of the descendants of Prithvi Raj Chauhan, today the place offers memorable accommodation and other experiences. You can stop here for lunch. Now, continue to Jaipur. On reaching, check‐in at the hotel. Relax for some time now. Have an evening visit to the stunning Birla temple or Laxmi Narayan temple‐ Made from white marble, it looks beautiful at night when it is well‐lit. Savor Dinner at Chokhi Dhani. A village‐like 5‐star resort offering several attractions like puppet show, camel ride, live music, games, henna applying, several village games, folk music and dance performance, Rajasthani food and more. Stay Overnight. Day 4: Jaipur‐ The day, after breakfast, is for the city tour of Jaipur, fondly known as the 'Pink City'. The first visit of the day is to the massive Amber fort or Amer fort, located 11 km away from the city. Enjoy an elephant ride up to the entry gate of the fort that is placed on a hilltop. Back in the city in the afternoon, and explore the beautiful City Palace‐ a wonderful blend of Mughal and Rajasthani styles of architecture. Next visit is to the Central, also known as Albert Hall Museum‐ built in 1887, it houses Indian art, jewelry, arms, furniture, artifacts etc. After this, head towards the World Heritage Site of Jantar Mantar‐ out of 5 astronomical observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh, it is the largest one. Next is the beautiful pink‐colored Hawa Mahal with its 953 jharokhas (small window) from which the royal ladies could the city's hustle‐bustle. In the evening visit the colorful local bazaars of Jaipur filled with some amazing stuff like handicrafts, textiles, precious and semi‐precious gems and more. Journey Quests Overnight stay in Jaipur. Day 5: Jaipur – Samode – Nawalgarh Shekhawati (170 km, 3 hrs)‐ On the 5th day, have breakfast, and hit the road to Nawalgarh. On the way, halt at Samode. Lying within walls, Samode is a caravan city that has a beautiful castle, called Samode Palace, which you visit to day. The most attractive structure here is the Hall of Mirrors or the Sheesh Mahal. In the pre‐ evening hours, hop onto ma camel cart for exploring the mighty Samode Fort and the semi‐desert Samode village to have a look into the villagers' culture. Thereafter, continue towards Nawalgarh, one of Rajasthan's historical city. Upon arrival, check‐into the hotel. The evening is at leisure. You can explore this tiny town of the Shekhawati region that is dotted with havelis and forts, adorning frescoes. These stunning mansions showcase the affluent Marwari era in then19th century. As you cross an arched gateway painted with Lord Krishna and his cows, you enter the local bazaar. Observe the rich culture and the wonderful architecture of the state here. Chokhani Haveli, Anandilal Poddar Haveli, Aath Haveli complex, and Bansidhar Bhagat Haveli are worth‐visiting. Evening is for attending a folk music and dance performance in the hotel's courtyard. Overnight stay. Day 6: Nawalgarh – Bikaner (230 km, 4 hrs)‐ On day 6, post breakfast, enjoy a city tour of the erstwhile royal Nawalgarh town. The first visit of the day is to huge, opulent beautifully painted havelis of Shekhawati region. One of the most popular one is Roop Niwas Palace, located just a kilometer away from Nawalgarh Fort. An amazing architecture, this haveli, still holds its old charm. The splendid fountains and the well‐maintained gardens are the highlight. Back to the hotel for completing the check‐out formalities. Later, hit the road to Bikaner. Evening arrival and completion of the check‐in formalities. If time and energy permit, you can explore the surroundings. Overnight at the hotel in Bikaner. Day 7: Bikaner – Gajner – Jaisalmer (333 km, 7 hrs)‐ Journey Quests After morning breakfast, check‐out and move to Jaisalmer, by road. On the way, halt at the hunting lodge of Maharaja of Bikaner‐ Gajner Palace. Later, you visit the serene Gajner Lake. Next is an exciting wildlife safari inside the popular Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary where you can spot animals like black bugs, wild boars, chinkaras and blue bulls. This sanctuary is also quite known for offering wonderful bird watching experiences. It also has the only Camel breeding farm in Asia Thereafter, continue your road journey to The Golden City of Jaisalmer. Upon reaching, check into the hotel. In the evening, you can visit the local bazaar of Jaisalmer for shopping of souvenirs. Stay overnight. Day 8: Jaisalmer‐ Post breakfast on the 8th day of the tour, embark on city tour of Jaisalmer including the prime attractions like the mighty Jaisalmer Fort – comprising of 99 bastions, it is positioned on the highest point of the Trikuta hill. Within the premises of the fort, there are some stunning architectures like Megh Durbar and a number of temples. Two mansions worth‐mentioning are Patwon‐Ki‐Haveli and Salim Singh‐Ki‐Haveli, boasting of breathtaking latticework and delicate stone carvings. Post lunch, get all set to visit the world‐popular Sam Sand Dunes, 45 km from the main city. En‐ route, stop to visit the ancient Lodurwa temple, Amar Sagar Lake and Mool sagar Lake complex, founded in 1815 AD. Another highlight of this complex is a Summer Palace with a number of gorgeous pictures and paintings. Continue towards the dunes. Here, you enjoy one of the best things to do in Sam Sand Dunes, camel safari, through which you get a chance to have a sneak‐peak into the best sights and sounds of the region. Savor sumptuous local food, visit the nearby villages and enjoy special folk performances. Back to the hotel at night. (Note: If you want, there is also an option of staying the luxury tents here.) Overnight stay. Day 9: Jaisalmer – Osian – Khimsar (300 km, 7 hrs)‐ Have your breakfast, fulfill the check‐out and start your road journey to Khimsar, an erstwhile kingdom. On the way, visit the ancient Osian village and its ruined yet wonderful remains. An oasis in the desert, Osian has an old township, comprising of tiny villages, desert patched and undulant terrain. Explore the 15 beautifully‐sculpted Brahmanical and Jain temples. Sun temple (Surya Journey Quests temple), Sachiya Mata temple, Lord Mahavira temple and Kali temple are most outstanding. Continue to Khimsar. On arrival, check‐in at the hotel. Evening is scheduled for horse riding, camel safari, and special folk music and dance performances. Visit the villages of Bishnoi community for observing their distinct desert life. After sightseeing, explore the countryside town of Nagaur. Overnight in Khimsar. Day 10: Khimsar – Manvar (160 km, 4 hrs)‐ On the 10th day, after breakfast, begin your road journey to Manvar. Located in Shergarh Region of Thar Desert, this place has the area's highest sand dunes. Arrive at the very luxurious Manvar Resort and complete the check‐in. Later on, hop onto a camel's back for desert safari where you enjoy a rude till the Manvar Camp Site. Enjoy sunset and lovely views of sand dunes. You also have an option of jeep safari to pick from. The other highlights of the day includes exploring Dhani‐ a desert dwelling; visiting the carpenters, potters cobblers and metal smiths for their amazing work; seeing the Virgin sand dunes, attending folk music and dance performance under open sky, and spotting the desert's wildlife including nilgai, Indian gazelle, desert fox and peacocks.