Splendor of Rajasthan

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arriving in Delhi

  Upon your arrival in Delhi, you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel The Claridges New Delhi. In the afternoon, visit of Old Delhi: Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Raj Ghat, Rickshaw Ride in Old Delhi, as well as government buildings (India Gate, Raj Path and Parliament House). Overnight in Delhi.

• day 2

  Visit of Delhi.

  After breakfast, a full day of sightseeing in New Delhi was dedicated to Qutab Minar, Humayun Tomb, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Laxmi Narayan Temple, and Connaught Place. Night in Delhi.

• day 3

  Delhi - Udaipur Fly

  After breakfast at your hotel, you will be transferred again to the domestic terminal of Delhi airport to check in for your two-hour flight to Udaipur. Upon arrival at the chic Udaipur airport, you will be greeted and will take the 30-minute drive (26 km) to reach the city. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a boat ride on Lake Pichhola. Overnight at Jagat Niwas hotel or similar, Udaipur.

• day 4

  Sightseeing in Udaipur.

  This morning, you will visit the imposing City Palace of Udaipur, the largest palace complex in Rajasthan. In the afternoon, visit the Jagdish Temple and the Shaheliyon Ki Bari (Royal Queen's Garden). The rest of the time, you will be free for personal exploration, to shop for Rajasthani handicrafts, or simply to relax at your hotel. Overnight at the Jagat Niwas hotel or similar. Drive to Kumbulgarh - 64 km, 2 hours. Visit the fort. Drive to Narlai and explore the village. After breakfast, you will continue to Khumbalgarh. It is a very beautiful drive through the hills. You can stop along the way to see a stepwell, so typical of the region. You will finally see the imposing shape of the Khumbalgarh Fort on the horizon. After your visit to the fort, you may want to climb a nearby hill to get a good view of the fort. Later, by car, Narlai is an attractive, typically Rajasthani village. You should arrive early enough to explore the village and climb the rock, or you can wait until the morning. In addition, you can visit an old and very beautiful stepwell located in the surrounding orchards. Accommodation: Rawa Narlai, Narlai.

• day 5

  Visit of the Jain temples in Ranakpur, 32 km, 1 hour drive.

  After breakfast at the hotel, you will head to Ranakpur, famous for its marble Jain temple, which is one of the most complex and largest Jain temples in India. The huge base of the temple covers 48,000 square feet. There are four subsidiary shrines and twenty-four pillared halls. The most impressive are the 1,444 intricately carved columns, no two of which are alike. You return to Narlai for the night...

• day 6

  Route to Jawai: 70 km, 2 hours. Evening safari.

  Today, you will go to the Jawai region. The Jawai Bandh dam is the largest dam in Rajasthan. It was built by the Maharaja of Jodhpur in the 1940s and, in addition to being the main water source for the Jodhpur region, it is a paradise for migratory birds. On the shores of the lake, you can find marsh crocodiles and rare bird species such as the sarus crane, the bar-headed goose, and the comb duck, as well as more common species such as the duck, flamingo, spoonbill, pelican, and ibis. The dam offers a picturesque setting of rocky hills that are home to all kinds of wildlife, including panthers, bears, wolves, jackals, and jungle cats. However, the main attraction of the Jawai region remains the leopards that live in the nearby granite hills. These hills, formed by lava long ago, now contain natural caves and rock shelters where the leopards reside. You will spend two nights here, with the possibility of observing leopards and birds. Overnight at Bera Safari Lodge hotel, Jawai.

• day 7

  Leopard safari and bird watching around Jawai

  Early this morning, after a cup of hot tea, you will leave for a morning safari of about three hours. You will continue to the lake where you will have your breakfast at the dam and can spend time birdwatching. You will return to the lodge by boat around 10am and can then relax at the hotel. Later in the day, you will go to a nearby village where most of the inhabitants are shepherds. In the late afternoon, you will have another safari, which normally lasts about three hours. Overnight at Bera Safari Lodge Hotel, Jawai.

• day 8

  Route to Chhatra Sagar - 170 km, 4 hours. Visit of Nimaj en route.

  Today, you will go to Chhatra Sagar. On the way, you can stop to visit the small lively town of Nimaj, with its prosperous streets, colorful fruit and vegetable stalls, as well as the pretty old palace located in the very center of the village and the 9th-century temple dedicated to the goddess Durga. The palace, owned by the Thakurs of Nimaj, has been recently renovated to become a pleasant hotel. You will then continue the short distance to Chhatra Sagar. Previously, Chhatra Sagar served as a hunting lodge on the Nimaj estate. Today, it is a luxury tented camp, set in a magnificent and romantic position, overlooking the lake. Its east-facing tents, with private locations, offer a panoramic view. The tents, very comfortable, are furnished and decorated with style, and are equipped with bathrooms with hot water. The food offered here is also exceptional. It is a wonderful place for bird watchers and nature lovers. In the afternoon, you can walk by the lake and enjoy a sunset while admiring the view. Luxury tents at Chhatra Sagar for the night.

• day 9

  Day at Chhatra Sagar.

  Today, you will have a full day to enjoy Chhatra Sagar and its beautiful surroundings. You can relax, take a birdwatching walk around the lake or a nature walk in the countryside. There will also be the possibility to visit a nearby village or a local farm. If you did not have time to explore the town of Nimaj on your way, you can return there to visit the palace and the temple. Luxury tents Chhatra Sagar, Chhatra Sagar Nimaj.

• day 10

  By car to Jodhpur: 120 km, 2 hours drive. Visit of the fort.

  Today, you will drive to the desert city of Jodhpur, about 2 hours away by road. You will check in at your hotel and, later, you will visit the superb fort of Jodhpur. This fort is a remarkable feat of construction and seems to emerge from the rock on which it is built. The imposing ramparts overlook a steep drop to the city below. Inside this immense fort are many small palaces and apartments that you can explore at your leisure. After your visit to the fort, you will take the "heritage trail" that descends from the fort into the bustling and narrow alleys to visit the old city of Jodhpur. During your stay in Jodhpur, you will have the opportunity to buy local handicrafts, fabrics, and jewelry, as well as visit the region's antique dealers. This evening, you will dine on the rooftop of Pal Haveli, where you will have a breathtaking view of the fort illuminated at night. Overnight at Pal Haveli or similar, Jodhpur.

• day 11

  Full day in Jodhpur.

  You will have plenty of time to visit Jodhpur and its surroundings. First, you will visit the Umaid Bhawan Palace. You will also visit Jaswant Thada, a cenotaph built by Maharaja Sardar Singh in 1899 in memory of his father, Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. There are three other cenotaphs in the park. The afternoon will be free for further exploration or shopping. Overnight at the Pal Haveli hotel or similar, in Jodhpur.

• day 12

  Flight to Delhi.

  After a relaxing breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport and take the flight to Delhi. As you have a morning flight, your hotel will be located near the airport. However, as it is also close to a metro station, you will be able to easily go into the city if you wish to explore further or go shopping. Overnight at the Holiday Inn or a similar establishment, near the New Delhi International Airport, Delhi.