Palace Tours 12000 Biscayne Blvd. #107 Miami FL 33181 USA 800-724-5120 / 786-408-0610 Call Us 1-800-724-5120 Colors of Rajasthan Discover the very best of Rajasthan in 11 nights on an exciting group tour! Explore the hues and contrasts that define India as you travel from Delhi, the historical center and modern capital of India, to Agra, where the glimmering white Taj Mahal towers over bustling streets and wooded forests. In Jaipur, ride to an ancient fort upon the back of an elephant before discovering a pink paradise in town; then continue on to Udaipur to see majestic palaces as they seem to float in green-watered lakes. Next, you find yourself in Jodhpur, the Brahmin's Blue City, where you can stroll through its gardens protected by an impressive fort. Finally, witness a glorious sunset over the sand dunes of Jaisalmer's desert. When you return to Delhi after 12 days of adventure and relaxation, you will have truly experienced all of the vibrant Colors of Rajasthan. Itinerary This group departure tour can also be taken as an independent tour. Please e-mail us with your preferred dates of travel, bearing in mind that the Taj Mahal is closed to the public on Fridays. Day 1 - Welcome to Delhi Arrive in India’s capital city of Delhi and let the experience begin! A traditional welcome marks the start of your magnificent journey before you are transferred from the airport to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure resting and relaxing from your long flight and stay overnight at the hotel. Day 2 - Explore Old and New Delhi After breakfast this morning, proceed for a full-day tour of Old and New Delhi. Enjoy a rickshaw ride through the bazaars that have been the center for the spice and cloth trades for centuries in Old Delhi. This portion of your tour is an amazing contrast to your private tour of modern New Delhi later in the day, where you may visit such places as the historic Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Raj Ghat, Qutab Minar, Parliament House, and Birla Temple. The evening is free to spend at your leisure. Day 3 - Travel to Agra and visit the Taj Mahal Depart Delhi this morning after breakfast and drive to Agra. Upon arrival, check in to your luxury hotel and enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Agra Fort and Sikandra's Tomb, followed by a visit to the magnificent marble Taj Mahal, which glitters in the moonlight. Day 4 - Travel to the "Pink City" Awaken early this morning to enjoy an unforgettable sunrise view of the most opulent wonder of the modern world - the Taj Mahal. Return to the hotel for breakfast and depart by road for Jaipur. En route, visit Fatehpur Sikri, the abandoned Mughal palatial complex of Emperor Akbar. Upon arrival in Jaipur, check into your hotel and spend your evening at leisure. Day 5 - City tour of Jaipur This morning after breakfast, begin your tour of Jaipur with an elephant ride to the top of Amber Fort. After lunch, embark on a guided sightseeing tour of the "Pink City" visiting such places as Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), the City Palace and Museum, Jantar Mantar Observatory and Albert Hall Museum. You are treated to dinner tonight accompanied by a cultural show. Day 6 - Journey to Chittaurgarh After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, check out and embark on the drive to Chittaurgarh. Enjoy the views from the window as the colorful countryside passes by. Check in to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Colors of Rajasthan(© www.palacetours.com) 1/12 Day 7 - History revisited in Chittaurgarh and Udaipur A morning excursion to Chittaurgarh gives you an insight into the historic charm of Rajasthan. The massive Chittaurgarh Fort sits high upon a hilltop and symbolizes the glory, bravery and nobility of the Rajput tradition. Later this afternoon, drive to Udaipur, the serene “City of Lakes.” Visit City Palace and Museum, Sahileyon Ki Bari (Garden of Royal Ladies), Jagdish Temple and Bhartiys Lok Kala Mandal. Check in to your next luxurious hotel and stay overnight. Day 8 - Discover the temples of Ranakpur en route to Jodhpur Your private chauffeur driven car awaits to take you to Jodhpur. En route, visit the famous temples of Ranakpur, including a white marble Jain temple with over 1,400 exquisitely carved pillars and distinctive domes and turrets. Day 9 - City tour of Jodhpur Enjoy a full-day guided sightseeing tour of Jodhpur, a city ringed by a high stone wall with seven gates and several bastions. Rediscover the heritage of Rajasthan at the rock-solid Mehrangarh Fort, Mandore Garden and the impressive Umaid Bhawan Palace. Day 10 - Travel to Jaisalmer, "Jewel of the Thar" Today, depart Jodhpur for Jaisalmer, a jewel of a city set in the heart of the Thar Desert. Enjoy an exciting camel ride on the sand dunes of Sam and witness an explosion of color as the sun sets against the golden dunes. Day 11 - The desert experience at Jaisalmer Embark on a full-day sightseeing tour of Jaisalmer, whose temples, forts and palaces are constructed mainly out of yellow sandstone. See the Patwon Ki Havelis, Salim Singh Ki Haveli, and Gandhi Sagar Tank before returning to Jodhpur later this afternoon. Day 12 - Departure day This morning after breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Delhi or to your next destination as you recall the exciting adventures and marvelous sights of the past twelve days which remain forever as cherished memories. Destination Information Agra Agra, which lies on the west bank of river Jamuna, became one of the principal cities of the Mughal Empire, as the capital of the Emperor Shah Jahan and his beautiful Queen Mumtaz Mahal. Its beautiful monuments and the rich presence of color and harmony make it a place worth visiting at least once. But the most important of Agra's tourist attractions and its main claim to fame is the magnificent Taj Mahal, the pride of India. Taj Mahal is considered as one of the eight wonders of the world. The architecture alone has inspired reams of rapture over the years. Other tourist attractions in Agra include the Rambagh and Dayalbagh Gardens, Chini ka Rauza, and Jama Masjid. Agra Red Fort, an elegant military structure constructed by Akbar (but partially converted into a palace by Shah Jahan), gives you a feel of Agra's rich past. Chittorgarh Chittaurgarh is located about 112 km from Udaipur in a country strewn with rocky cliffs, monsoon streams, and pleasant fields. The fort is studded with several historical monuments and memorials, the most important being Vijay Stambh, Kirti Stambh, Rana Kumbha's Palace, Padmini Palace, Meera and Kumbha Shyam Temple etc. The fort has witnessed some of the bloodiest battles in the Indian history. Fatehpur Sikri The royal city at Fatehpur Sikri, situated 26 miles west of Agra, was built at the orders of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. It is predominately built in red sandstone. The Emperor buildt a magnificent city as an act of gratitude to a saint, made it the capital of his empire, and then, due to the shortage of water supply, the pristine complex was abandoned. This deserted city has two complexes. The first has the royal enclosure of the palaces and the official buildings. And the second dargah of a Sufi saint, with a mosque and a lofty gateway. Colors of Rajasthan(© www.palacetours.com) 2/12 Jaipur Jaipur is one of the most beautiful cities in India. In 1876, Jaipur dressed itself in pink to welcome Prince Albert and Queen Elizabeth II, and thus the nickname "Pink City" is still attributed to it. Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan, the desert state in India, which is famous for its majestic forts, opulent havelis, beautiful lakes and sand dunes. It is also home to gold and silver jewellery made in the "Kundan" and "Meenakari" traditions, which are now world famous. The city also has an excellent infrastructure to support the tourism. Jaipur has some of India's best hotels, which compliment the scenery and architectural beauty of the Pink City. Jaisalmer Jaisalmer is located in the middle of the desert in the western portion of Rajasthan state. Tourist attractions in Jaisalmer are a constant reminder of the city's golden past that sparkles with tales of valor and courage. The surrounding region, once a princely state, consists almost entirely of sand, forming part of the Great Indian (Thar) Desert. A visit here is incomplete without venturing on a Camel safari. The heart-stirring yellow sandstone Jaisalmer Fort and the exotic Gadi Sagar Tank, which was, at a certain point of time in history, the only source of water supply for Jaisalmer, are two memorable sites. Jaisalmer has also become a popular destination for desert safaris in present times, rivaling other such expanses in Africa and elsewhere. Jodhpur Jodhpur, the Sun City in Rajasthan, is another fascinating destination for tourists. It is also called the "Blue City", due to its many blue-painted houses. Impressive forts, flawless havelis and a splendid culture welcome you into Jodhpur in Rajasthan. See the grand Mehrangarh Fort, amazing Jaswant Thada, tribal settlements, temples and other entrancing and unique attractions. New Delhi The national capital territory of Delhi is situated between the Himalayas and Aravalis Ranges in the heart of the Indian sub-continent. Delhi is considered one of the most historic capitals in the world, and two of its monuments — the Qutab Minar and Humayun's Tomb — have been declared World Heritage Sites.