Magnificent India Delhi-Agra-Jaipur-Bikaner-Jaisalmer-Jodhpur-Udaipur- Mumbai (15 Nights/16 Days) Day 01 : Arrival Delhi Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel Day 02 : Delhi Today full day sightseeing of Old & New Delhi Morning Old Delhi visiting, RAJ GHAT and Shanti Vana – the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, JAMA MASJID, one of the largest mosques in India and Drive past Red Fort and Chandni Chowk. Rickshaw ride at Old Delhi Afternoon New Delhi visiting, QUTAB MINAR, the tallest stone tower in India; INDIA GATE – A War Memorial Arch. Also drive past the PRESIDENT’S HOUSE, PARLIAMENT HOUSE, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT BUILDINGS and CONNAUGHT PLACE – the heart of New Delhi and a busy shopping center. Overnight at hotel Day 03 : Delhi-Agra (By Surface/03 hrs) Today drive to Agra. On arrival check in at hotel Afternoon visit the world famous Taj Mahal built by Shah Jahan in 1560 in memory of his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. This architectural marvel is a perfectly proportioned masterpiece fashioned from white marble that stands testimony to the skill of 20,000 craftsmen brought together from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy and who took 17 years to complete this 'Love Poem in Marble'. (Friday closed). Later visit the Agra Fort containing the halls of private & public audiences & other palaces. Shah Jahan spent here years of confinement at the hands of his son Aurangzeb, looking wistfully at the Taj Mahal from the Fort. Overnight at Hotel Day 04 : Agra – Fatehpur Sikri- Jaipur (By surface/06 hrs) Today drive to Jaipur. En-route visit Fatehpur Sikri, built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. The Fatehpur Sikri complex houses tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal and other palaces, which surprisingly have withstood the ravages of time and are still in good condition. Continue drive to Jaipur. On arrival check in at hotel Day 05 : Jaipur Today full day sightseeing of Jaipur City. Morning Elephant ride to Amber Fort Amber Fort, standing tall over a small hillock overlooking the Pink city, Amber is a classic, romantic Rajasthani Fort-Palace. Miniatures painted on the walls depict hunting and war scenes, apart from festivals. Precious stones and mirrors are embedded into the plaster. A major attraction at Amber is the Elephant Ride, all the way up to the Fort entrance. Afternoon half day sightseeing tour. The tour begins with a visit to the Maharaja's City Palace,- the former Royal residence,- part of it converted into a museum. One of the major attractions in the museum is the portion known as Armoury Museum, housing an impressive array of weaponry -pistols, blunderbusses, flintlocks, swords, rifles and daggers. Also see the miniature items and old carpets at the Textile Museum. Later visit the Jantar Mantar, which is the largest stone-and-marble-crafted Observatory in the world. Situated near the gate of the city palace, the Observatory has 17 large instruments, many of them still in working condition. Drive past to Hawa Mahal (Wind Palace). Overnight at Hotel Day 06 : Jaipur – Bikaner (By surface, approx 6 Hrs) Morning depart for Bikaner by surface and on arrival check-in at hotel. Overnight at hotel Day 07 : Bikaner – Jaisalmer (By surface, approx 6 Hrs) Morning day city sightseeing of Bikaner. The city is bolstered by imposing walls and has a 16th century fort housing old palaces, temples and a 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. An enormous arched doorway leads to the Joramal temple. The royal chapel is Har Mandir where royal weddings and births were once celebrated. Afternoon depart for Jaisalmer. En-route visit Karni Mata Temple (RAT Temple) On arrival Jaisalmer, check in at hotel, Overnight at hotel Day 08 : Jaisalmer Morning half day sightseeing of Jaisalmer, built in burnished sandstone is an intricately moulded wonderland. A full-day sightseeing tour takes you through this city of gilded magic. See the Citadel, the fort built by Rawal Jaisal where a fourth of the population lives. Also visit Jain temples of the 12th to 15th centuries Patwon ki Haveli, a five-story mansion with carved pillars and murals; Salim Singh and Nathmalji ki Haveli. Afternoon half day excursion (evening) to the Sand Dunes combined with a short visit to Lodurva, which allows the visitors to see some unique ancient Jain temples at Lodurva village and watch the sunset. Enjoy a camel ride with Dinner and the views of the desert landscape. Overnight at hotel Day 09 : Jaisalmer- Jodhpur (By surface/06 hrs) Today dive to Jodhpur En-route visit Ossian- Rajasthan (No guide) is an ancient city lying in ruins. It is approximately 65 Kms from Jodhpur. The main attractions of this city are its temples that have gracefully stood the test of time. They are beautifully designed and constructed. Visit here Sachiya Mata Temple. Continue drive to Jodhpur. On arrival check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel Day 10 : Jodhpur Today city tour of Jodhpur Visiting the 5-km long Mehrangarh Fort situated on a 125-mt high hill. This is one of the most impressive and formidable structures in Rajasthan. Within the fort are some magnificent palaces with meticulously carved panels, latticed windows or "Jarokhas" with evocative names. The chambers of Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, The Sileh Khana and the Daulat Khana are noteworthy for the Splendour and glamour of a bygone era, Jaswant Thada - a cluster of royal cenotaphs in the white marble built in 1899 AD in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh-II, Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum exhibits an exclusive range of items belonging to the Maharajah and the royal family. Located within the Umaid Bhawan Palace, the museum has items ranging from weapons, an array of stuffed leopards, antiques, crockery to various trophies. Also visit Mandore Garden (If time permit) with their high rock terraces are the prominent attractions of the site. In the gardens, there are chhatris (cenotaphs) of the Rathore rulers. The Cenotaph of Maharajah Dhiraj Ajit Singh, an attraction of this site is adorned with carved elephants. Overnight hotel Day 11 : Jodhpur-Ranakpur-Udaipur (by surface/06 hrs) Today drive to Udaipur. En-route visit Ranakpur. The Jain Temples of Ranakpur, built in the 15th century, are situated in the lovely Aravali valley. The town is named after Rana Kumbha, the legendary warrior king of Udaipur. Its surroundings are peaceful and picturesque. The Ranakpur Jain temples have grand structures and beautiful sculptures. There are 1444 pillars in the temples and no two of them are similar. Visit Surya Temple and other Jain Temples a little distance away. Continue drive to Udaipur. On arrival check in at hotel. Overnight hotel Day 12 : Udaipur Today full day city tour of Udaipur Visiting City Palace : Built on the bank of the Pichola Lake, by Maharana Udai Singh in 1570. The impressive complex of several palaces is a blend of Rajput and Mughul influences. Visit here Dilkhush Mahal, Sheesh Mahal - studded with glittering Belgium Mirrors, Moti Mahal and the Palace of Lord Krishna all of which are ornately decorated, Jagdish Temple: This temple built in 1651 is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu Trinity of Gods, Saheliyon ki Bari : Explore (the Courtyard of the Maidens), a lush garden featuring lawns, fountains and marble sculptures. Located on the banks of Fateh Sagar Lake, the greenery of the gardens is in stark contrast with the dryness of the surrounding lands. Also visit Miniature Painting School : Students are trained in miniature painting in an open air Art School. They work on various subjects and various platforms like silk cloth , hand-made paper, marble & processed plate. Our Miniature Paintings are made with natural stone colours and with real gold & silver Evening enjoy the boat ride on Lake Pichol (Subject to water label) Lake Pichola, the scenic focus of Udaipur, surrounded by hills, gardens, havelis, ghats and temples. A boat cruise around the lake takes you to the Jag Mandir Island. Jag Mandir built in 17th century is made of yellow sandstone and marble inlay around an attractive courtyard. The Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan took refuge after he led a revolt against his father. During the 1857 Mutiny, English women and children were also given refuge here by the Maharana. Overnight at hotel Day 13 : Udaipur –Mumbai (By Flight) Today in time transfer to airport to connect flight for Mumbai. Meet and assistance on arrival & transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel Day 14 : Mumbai Today sightseeing of Mumbai Visiting Gateway of India, Mumbai's principle landmark. This arch of yellow basalt was erected on the waterfront in 1924 to commemorate King George V's visit to Mumbai in 1911. Drive pass the Secretariat of Maharashtra Government and along the Marine Drive which is fondly known as the 'Queen's Necklace'. Visit Mani Bhavan, where Mahatma Gandhi stayed during his visits to Mumbai. Drive past the Victoria Terminus, the principal railways station of Mumbai, a beautiful building that symbolise the ethos of the Edwardian architecture, well worth a photo stop. At the Church gate station see the Dabbawala’s- a unique tiffin delivery service run by over 5000 semiskilled workers of delivering lunch to corporate executives from their homes. Visit the 'Dhobi Ghat', an open laundry where Mumbai's 'dirties' are scrubbed, bashed, dyed and hung out to dry - a nice photography stop well worth a visit. Visit the ISKON Temple devoted to Lord Krishna in time for the noon aarti and then continue to the colourful Crawford market and Flora fountain a large bustling square, in the heart of the city.