| Day 1 - Flight to India (New Delhi)
Arrival in Delhi before or after midnight. The cosmopolitan city and capital New Delhi is the main gateway for the travellers to India. Upon arrival, you will be met by an Indo Vacations representative and transferred to the hotel. |
| Day 2 - New Delhi
The whole day is at leisure. |
| Day 3 - New Delhi - Shekhawati (about 260 km)
In the morning we leave New Delhi and drive to Shekhawati region. Arrive in Shekhawati in the evening. Shekhawati lies in the North East region of Rajasthan and is the homeland of marwaris. The marwaris form one of the most important merchant and business groups in India, they developed their business acumen on the trade routes between Delhi and the coast between India and Central Asia. The marwaris enjoyed protections by Maharajas and many of them built grand havellis. |
| Day 4 - Shekhawati - Bikaner (about 190 km)
In the morning we visit the grand havellis of the Shekhawati area. The havellis are mansions, elaborately and attractively decorated with a strong main entrance. The walls are often covered with murals, local legends and religious scenes from Hindu Mythology. After the visit of Shekhawati area we proceed to Bikaner. After a short break in Bikaner we visit the Junagarh Fort (1571-1611 AD) constructed of red sandstone and marble with kiosks and balconies embellishing the structure at intervals. This imposing fort and its palaces are an unforgettable experience for us. |
| Day 5 - Bikaner - Osian - Jaisalmer (about 330 km)
Today we drive through the desert and proceed for Jaisalmer via Osian. Osian is a great centre of Hindu and Jain religions. The oldest temple here was constructed in 1178 AD. We have a stop enroute at a village to observe the traditional life of the villages in Rajasthan. We arrive in Jaisalmer in the late evening. |
| Day 6 - Jaisalmer
Sightseeing of the medieval city of Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer's crenellated golden sandstone walls and its narrow streets lined with exquisitely carved buildings makes this city unique. Jaisalmer is famous for its carved havellis (grand mansions). In medieval times, its prosperity was due to its location on the main trade route linking India to Egypt, Arabia, Africa and the West. Jaisalmer is a marvel of beautiful culture and this city remains one of the most exotic cities not only in Rajasthan but also in the whole of India. Some of the visitors called this city "a living museum". We have a walk through the old city and visit the Fort and the Jain temple. In the afternoon we drive around 40 km. away from Jaisalmer to Sam dunes where we enjoy the sunset and also have camel safari before we drive back to Jaisalmer. |
| Day 7 - Jaisalmer - Khuri - Jaisalmer (about 40 km)
Today we will drive to Khuri. It is an oasis village located in the sand dunes. We will have camel safari in the sand dunes of Khuri. After having our camel safari we will drive back to Jaisalmer. Evening free for leisure. |
| Day 8 - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur (about 290 km)
Early morning drive to Jodhpur. The city was once the capital of the princely state of Marwar (Land of death). Jodhpur is the second largest city in Rajasthan. Jodhpur is also known as the blue city as most of the houses of the old city are painted blue. The old city is surrounded by a huge 10 km long wall, which has 101 bastions and seven gates. Jodhpur lies on the once strategic Delhi-Gujarat trading route and the marwaris get benefited from the passing traffic of opium, copper and silk, which was traded to China. We will visit the Mehrangarh Fort (majestic fort). Mehrangarh Fort was built on a steep hill and is among the best in India with exquisitely latticed windows in residential apartments within. We also visit the Jaswant Thada, a royal cenotaph built in white marble. After the sightseeing we have a walk through the Bazaars of Jodhpur. |
| Day 9 - Jodhpur - Lathi
In the morning after breakfast drive to Lathi. Lathi is a small village in the expanse of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan. Enroute we visit Ramdeora temple near Pokaran. Drive further to reach Lathi village the starting point of Camel Safari. Arrive at Lathi in the afternoon. |
| Day 10 - Lathi - Delasar (about 22 km)
In the morning after breakfast start Camel Safari to reach Delasar. Arrive by evening at Delasar. Here we will be introduced to the local villagers. Evening at leisure. |
| Day 11 - Delasar - Mulana (about 11 km)
In the morning after breakfast ride on camels to reach village Mulana. Arrive by the afternoon at Mulana. Evening at leisure. |
| Day 12 - Mulana - Zarat (about 32 km)
In the morning we again have camel safari to Zarat. As we pass through the desert we find the sporadically scattered desert flora and fauna. Reach Zarat by afternoon. Evening at leisure. |
| Day 13 - Zarat - Jodhpur
In the morning, after having our breakfast we drive to Jodhpur. Evening at leisure. |
| Day 14 - Jodhpur - Ranakpur - Udaipur (about 260 km)
In the morning, after having our breakfast we drive to Udaipur. Today we drive to Udaipur. Enroute we will visit Ranakpur. Ranakpur is known for its superbly carved marble Jain Temples. An enormous basement of this temple covers 48,000 sq. feet. There are four subsidiary shrines, twenty four pillared halls. The total number of columns is 1,444, all of which are intricately carved, no two being alike. The Ranakpur Jain Temples were built during the 15th century. We have a break in Ranakpur before proceeding further for Udaipur. Udaipur is called the romantic city of Rajasthan. A city built around shimmering, clear, blue water lakes which reflect the green hills of the Aravali ranges. Arrive in Udaipur in the evening. In the evening we have a Boat ride on the lake Pichola. The famous Lake Palace of Udaipur was the summer residence of the former rulers. The James bond Film Octopussy was shot here and made this palace more known in the west. |
| Day 15 - Udaipur
Today we visit Udaipur, also known as the city of sunrise. We start our sightseeing with the visit of Sahelion-Ki-Bari. This Garden of the Maids of Honour is well laid out with extensive lawns and shady walks. After the visit of Garden of Maids we visit a Museum of folk art. This museum has a rich collection of Folk dresses, ornaments, puppets, masks, dolls, folk musical instruments and paintings on display. After a break we proceed to City palace, the biggest Palace in India, where 4 generations of Maharajas added their contribution, is so carefully planned and integrated with the original buildings that it is difficult to believe that it was not conceived as a whole. The museum of the palace includes the beautiful peacock mosaic and miniature wall paintings of Indian mythology. Today we have an opportunity to visit a traditional painting school and see the famous miniature paintings done. |
| Day 16 - Udaipur - New Delhi (by air)
In the morning, after having our breakfast we drive to airport for the flight to New Delhi. Arrive in New Delhi in the afternoon. The rest of the day at leisure. |
| Day 17 - New Delhi
Around midnight flight to home destination. |
