Rajasthan Odyssey with Pushkar

Day 1: Udaipur

Transfer from Airport to Hotel.

Upon arrival in Udaipur, you will be received by our representative, who will transfer you from the airport to your hotel for check in. Rajasthan is romantic with tales of valour and chivalry, and a history that brings to life forts and palaces and court intrigues. But Udaipur is different - an interlude for the diehard romantics. A splash of colour in colourful Rajasthan that's brighter, tinged with the tones of local legends and lores. Here are lakes that come as a surprise in sandy Rajasthan, and forested hills where wildlife still abounds. And in the lakes or by their edges are palaces straight out of fairy tales, each more beautiful than the other. There are rugged fortresses too -- Chittaurgarh and Kumbalgarh, where the history of Udaipur is told as if it were but a page from yesterday. For in Udaipur the past lives and breathes with the present. Set on the shores of Lake Pichola and surrounded by hills, Udaipur grew in complete contrast to the harsh deserts of the rest of Rajasthan. As capital of the old Mewar State it was the only Rajput stronghold to uphold its Hindu allegiance in the face of Muslim invasion. From the late 16th century, peace brought about an era of renaissance in the arts and encouraged the building of beautiful palaces around the lake, culminating in the City Palace, one of the largest palace complexes in the world. The lake itself is a romantic setting surrounding the gleaming white Lake Palace and the Jag Mandir, a refuge of the rebel Mughal prince, Shah Jehan, soon to be the creator of the incomparable Taj Mahal.

Day 2: Udaipur

Half day sightseeing tour of Udaipur City, also known as the City of Sunrise.

First on your sightseeing tour you will proceed for a tour of the City Palace, which overlooks the Lake Pichola. The City Palace was built in 1725 of granite and marble with filigreed balconies, ornate windows and craftsmanship in glass. The royal palace walls stretch over a mile on the eastern side of the lake. Within the palace is a maze of courtyards, apartments and decorated halls. The rooms are covered with frescoes, displays of royal processions, stone and glass mosaics and ornamental doors and painted windows. The marble throne in the coronation rooms was last used during the time Maharana Sangram Singh II (1710-30) and nearby is the Sun Window installed by Maharaja Bhim Singh (1778-1828). This is the divine symbol of the house of Mewar, which traces its lineage to the Surya Vansha, descendants of the Sun. Each palace within is an outstanding creation of art. Visit the museums and the hall of public audiences, the private chambers of the royal ladies at the palace and Sahelion-ki-Badi. Later, experience the hustle bustle of the old market at Udaipur. Walk past the spice shops, jewellery shops, utensil shops, jaggery shops, silver market, local meat and food shop. You shall walk through the areas where The Octopussy –James Bond film was shot.

Half day motor boat cruise of Lake Pichola.

You will enjoy a motorboat cruise on the placid waters of Lake Pichola. The beautiful Lake Pichola was enlarged by Maharana Udai Singh after he founded the city. The city palace extends a considerable distance along the east bank of the lake. From the boat you will be able to view the city of Udaipur as it rises majestically above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan desert. One would get an interesting view of the Dhobi (laundry) ghats. Also visit the Jag Mandir Palace - a lovely island palace in the middle of the lake. In the evening, experience the hustle bustle of the old market at Udaipur. Walk past the spice shops, jewellery shops, utensil shops, jiggery shops, silver market and local meat & food shop. (Boat ride is subject to water level in Lake)

Day 3: Udaipur

Half day sightseeing tour of Udaipur City, also known as the City of Sunrise.

First on your sightseeing tour you will proceed for a tour of the City Palace, which overlooks the Lake Pichola. The City Palace was built in 1725 of granite and marble with filigreed balconies, ornate windows and craftsmanship in glass. The royal palace walls stretch over a mile on the eastern side of the lake. Within the palace is a maze of courtyards, apartments and decorated halls. The rooms are covered with frescoes, displays of royal processions, stone and glass mosaics and ornamental doors and painted windows. The marble throne in the coronation rooms was last used during the time Maharana Sangram Singh II (1710-30) and nearby is the Sun Window installed by Maharaja Bhim Singh (1778-1828). This is the divine symbol of the house of Mewar, which traces its lineage to the Surya Vansha, descendants of the Sun. Each palace within is an outstanding creation of art. Visit the museums and the hall of public audiences, the private chambers of the royal ladies at the palace and Sahelion-ki-Badi. Later, experience the hustle bustle of the old market at Udaipur. Walk past the spice shops, jewellery shops, utensil shops, jaggery shops, silver market, local meat and food shop. You shall walk through the areas where The Octopussy –James Bond film was shot.

Day 4: Pushkar

Leave for Pushkar by surface.

You will be driven to Pushkar (285 Kms/06 Hours).

Half day city tour.

You will explore the city mainly visiting the Pushkar Lake Ghats and the Brahma Temple, which is one of its kind left in India today.

Day 5: Jaipur

Leave by surface from Pushkar to Jaipur via Ajmer ( 165 kms )

Famous for the Tomb of the Sufi Saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti. This old city of Ajmer was founded by the Chauhan ruler, Ajaipal, during the 11th century and is dominated by the Taragarh Fort built by Prithiviraj Chauhan.Some 800 years ago,a splendid embankment was built by Anaji by the lovely lake,Ana Sagar and some 500 years later Shah Jehan erected 5 beautiful marble pavilion. Jaipur, the city capital in the tone of an autumnal sunset, literally blushed pink when Prince Albert, the consort of Queen Victoria, stepped on its soil in 1883. Interspersing the play of red and pink were white borders and motifs, painstakingly outlining the architectural highlights of Jaipur’s buildings. Jaipur has been like that since 1727 when Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II had it built.

Half day tour of Amber Fort.

Drive just outside Jaipur to the ancient capital of Amber to see the fabulous Amber Fort. Maharaja Mansingh, Mughal Emperor Akbar’s most successful General, started the construction of Amber Fort in the 17th century. Before the City Palace was constructed in Jaipur, Amber was the seat of power. The fort is surrounded by fortified battlements and overlooks the Moat Lake. Ruins and remains are spread over the Aravalli hills and sprawling crenulated walls lattice the surrounding area. An elephant (alternatively by jeeps) will spare you the trouble of reaching up to the fortress. Once on top, stroll through the sprawling complex of courtyards and halls. Many of the rooms have delightful wall paintings, with precious stones and mirrors inlaid in the walls. Most fascinating, perhaps, is the Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors) where a single lamplight is reflected in the many mirrors, lighting up the room.

Day 6: Jaipur

Full day sightseeing tour of Jaipur.

You will be driven just outside Jaipur to the ancient capital of Amber to see the fabulous Amber Fort. Maharaja Mansingh, Mughal Emperor Akbar’s most successful General, started the construction of Amber Fort in the 17th century. Before the City Palace was constructed in Jaipur, Amber was the seat of power. The fort is surrounded by fortified battlements and overlooks the Moat Lake. Ruins and remains are spread over the Aravalli hills and sprawling crenulated walls lattice the surrounding area. An elephant (alternatively by jeeps) will spare you the trouble of reaching up to the fortress. Once on top, stroll through the sprawling complex of courtyards and halls. Many of the rooms have delightful wall paintings, with precious stones and mirrors inlaid in the walls. Most fascinating, perhaps, is the Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors) where a single lamplight is reflected in the many mirrors, lighting up the room. In the afternoon you will visit the city of Jaipur. Among the highlights to be seen while touring Jaipur include the City Palace, which is an overwhelming complex of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards, decorative art and carved doorways. The palace museum houses collections of rare manuscripts, armoury, costumes, carpets and miniature paintings. Walk to the adjacent Jantar Mantar or Astronomical Observatory made by the Maharaja of Jaipur, built in 1726 and is one of the five such astronomical wonders built by Sawai Jai Singh and makes accurate predictions even to this day. You will stop and see the `Palace of Winds’, otherwise known as Hawa Mahal. It is really an elaborate facade behind which the ladies of the court used to watch the daily goings on in the street below. It is extremely intricate in its pink sandstone carving. The cool wind blows through its facade of windows and latticed screens through which the queens of the court once viewed the streets of the city. You will also have the opportunity to wander about the local markets.

Day 7: Agra

Transfer from Jaipur to Agra (240 KMS / 6 hours) en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri.

Fatehpur Sikri the deserted red sandstone city built by the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar and was the political capital of India's Mughal Empire under Akbar's reign, from 1571 until 1585. It is regarded as emperor Akbar's crowning architectural legacy. Indeed, its numerous palaces, halls, and Masjid satisfy his creative and aesthetic impulses, typical of Mughals and used to be a town larger than London when it was originally constructed. It was abandoned soon after it was built when the local wells went dry and it remains today in much the same condition that it was over 300 years ago. Here a renowned Muslim scholar will meet you and give you a lecture on the Mughal art and architecture. After your visit continue your drive to Agra. Agra in terms of ambiance is still associated with its Mughal period. The Mughals besides being great rulers were also great builders and they preserved their best architectural wonders for Agra & its neighbourhood. It has many wonderful monuments and the Taj Mahal, the greatest of them all, is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture at its best. The massive but elegant Agra Fort, the delicate artistry of Itimad-ud-daulah’s tomb, the magnificent Taj and Akbar’s deserted capital, Fatehpur Sikri, are each unique and outstanding. Their architectural genius can also be seen in the forts, palaces and aesthetically laid out gardens - each one a silent witness to a grand style of a golden era.

Half day tour of Taj Mahal & Agra Fort.

The Taj Mahal is everything that has been said about it and more. Taking 22 years and 20,000 men to build, the white marble was quarried 200 miles away and was transported to the site by a fleet of 1000 elephants. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, in mid 17th century, the Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world. Though the Taj appears to be amazingly perfect from almost any angle, it is the close-up marble inlay work, which is really astounding. You will have ample time to view and be mesmerized by this outstanding piece of architecture. Agra Fort - an outstanding example of Mughal architecture. Agra Fort - the seat and the stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations. This was the seat of Mughal rule and administration and the present structure owes its origins to Akbar who erected the walls and gates and the first buildings on the eastern banks of Yamuna River. Shah Jehan added the impressive quarters and the mosque while Aurangzeb added the outer ramparts. Visit its Hall of Public Audience and its Royal Pavilions. Then proceed to Itmad-Ud-Daulah popularly known as Baby Taj.

If you find this icon against any service, it means that services of local tourist guide will be provided during those sightseeing trips/ other activities, as mentioned.