Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to your hotel.

Day 02 : Delhi
You will first visit Old Delhi. The tour will begin with a visit to Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi; drive past the Red Fort. The magnificent Red Fort, overlooking the river Jamuna was built during the years 1638 - 48 when the Mughal Empire was at its peak. The tour continues to Jama Masjid, one of Asia’s largest mosques and which is viewed from the outside. People stream in and out of the mosque continuously and the presence of a nearby bazaar means that the area is rarely quiet.

After visiting Old Delhi, you will be driven to New Delhi, which reflects the legacy the British left behind.

The tour to Imperial Delhi will include a visit to the Qutub Minar, which is the tallest stone tower in India. The Qutub Minar was started in 1199 AD by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak and completed by the sultan's successor and son-in-law, Iltutmish. The building is 72.5 m high and has 379 steps from the bottom to the top. The Minar is tapering with the diameter of the base is 14.3 m while at the top floor it is2.7 m. The Qutub Minar is still the highest stone tower as well as one of the finest Islamic structures ever raised in India. Then visit Humayun’s tomb, built by the widow of the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun, it is an outstanding monument in the Indo-Persian style, a precursor of the Taj Mahal. The tour also includes a drive past the imposing India Gate, the Parliament building and the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the President’s residence.

Day 03 : Delhi-Udaipur by air (ITA 2301 Dep 0715 Arr 0855 hrs)
Possibly no city is as romantic as Udaipur, even though the state is replete with fantastic hilltop fortresses, exotic fairy-tale palaces and gripping legends of medieval chivalry and heroism. The French Impressionist painters, let alone the Brothers Grimm, would have loved this place and it’s not without justification that Udaipur has been called “the Venice of the East”.

Day 04 : Udaipur-Kumbhalgarh by surface (approx 80 km)
Drive to Kumbalgarh. Enroute visit Eik Lingi and nathdwara temples. Evening free to rest and relax and meet the safari team.

Day 05 : Kumbhal Garh - Ghanerao Castle
From Kumbhalgarh the unconquered fort of rulers Of Mewar we move on to the forest tracks. This is a declared wild life sanctuary housing sloth bear, leopard’s antelopes deer’s. Moving unhurriedly as you witness a large variety of birds and plant species which is true wealth of Aravalli. We come down from a height of 1800 feet to a breath taking view of a dam site with a forest lodge with hundreds of migratory birds in the water and crocodile basking in the sun. We stop here for our lunch and a long rest as the distance is not much. One can charm their cameras & handicams. We take charge of our mounts once again around 3pm coming out of the forest and crossing through few tribal settlements we head towards the old town of Ghanerao. As you enter the majestic gate way you are stunned by the grandeur of this 17 century castle of Ghanerao.

Day 06 : Ghanerao Castle to Ranakpur Move towards south of Ghanerao leaving behind the old town and castle to its former glory. Riding through forest crossing different hamlets in habited by Bhils a former warrior tribe who have opted farming as their livelihood now. Crossing small open water wells and few dry monsoon ridges we reach our lunching spot where our chef and attendants surprises us by chilled beers and hot soups. After having fresh cooked hot food we once again take charge of our mounts and by sunset we reach our destination Ranakpur where the world famous Jain temple intricately carved in white marble is situated.

Day 07 : Ranakpur to Beda (Leopards Lair)
Start moving west of Ranakpur in to the forest. After a few km rugged ride of ups and downs we step in to the hart of Aravalli and can encounter various wild animals if lucky enough. The track is full of pugmarks of leopards sloth bears hyenas jackals etc. we stop for our lunch at a scheduled place at around 12:30 noon. After lunch we move further crossing many settlements of Grasia tribe “the most colorful tribe of Rajasthan” which has a strong hold in this region

Day 08 : Beda (Leopards Lair )to Korta Escape
We are back again on the mounted journey once more. Crossing few more settlement of Grasia tribe in the forest, we come to lush green fields and then we pass by the main town of Bijapur which is the head quarter of many tribal villages, riding few more km we reach our lunch spot. After lunch and little rest we continue our ride. As we cross beautiful area full of rocky and romantic hills, and few villages we reach korta to witness the most beautiful sunset in the aravali range. Korta is beautiful place with many 15th century temples along Aravali range, lush green fields and large sand dunes. It is known as “Home to Marwari breed horses”. Blue bulls are also in abundant in this village. In the evening we are entertained by local tribal musicians and dancers.

Day 09 : Korta escape to Korta escape
Get acquainted with horses in the outdoor arena of Korta Escape, riding through dry river bed towards the historic temple of mother goddess. On reaching to the temple, we serve freshly cooked mixed cuisine lunch. After relaxing and enjoying the view, we start riding back. Riding through fields and passing through small villages of tribes, we reach back to Korta.

Day 10 : Korta escape to Bhenswara
Start riding north east passing through sand dunes, fields and small village hamlets. After about 2 and 1/2 hrs ride we reach our lunch place which is a cool shade of trees. After lunch and little rest, we set on our track, passing by a salt lake and along the foot hills of aravalies.

Day 11 : Bhenswara to Jodhpur drive (approx 80 km, 2 hrs drive)
Visit the Mehrangarh Fort (citadel of the Sun) that evokes the very spirit of the Rathores, the ruling local Rajput clan. Visit its various palaces with their delicate friezes and respective museums, displaying treasures of the royal family. North of Meherangarh Fort, and connected to it by road, Jaswant Thanda is a pillared marble memorial to the popular ruler Jaswant Singh II (1878-95), who purged Jodhpur of dacoits, initiated irrigation systems and boosted the economy. The cenotaphs of members of the royal family who have died since Jaswant are close by his memorial; those who preceded him are remembered by chhatris at Mandor. This south-facing spot is also the best place from which to photograph the fort, looming above the sheer rocky Meherangarh plateau.

Day 12 : Jodhpur-Jaipur by air (IT 2332 Dep 1540, Arr 1800 hrs)

Day 13 : Jaipur
We visit the palace of 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.

An elephant /Jeep will spare you the trouble of reaching up to the fortress (Elephant ride is subject to availability) 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. Come back to your hotel after your excursion.

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. Then you 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.

Day 14 : Jaipur-Agra by surface ( 240 km, 6 hrs drive)
You will be driven from Jaipur to Agra en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted red sandstone city, built by the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the late 16th century. 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. It is complete with palaces and mosques and used to be a town larger than London when it was originally constructed.

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.

Day 15 : Agra-Delhi by surface (204 km, 5 hrs drive)
You proceed for a sunrise tour of the Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays). Midway Tonga’s “horse carriages” would be waiting for you and will drop you at the gates of the Taj Mahal.

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.

We visit the Agra Fort thererafter. Agra Fort is 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.

Day 16 : Leave Delhi
In time transfer to airport to connect flight back.

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