Romantic India's Rajasthan and Moses Promised Land

A Private Tour of India , Palestine , Israel and Romantic Rajasthan
All in 18 days including : Delhi . Agra . Jaipur . Khimsar . Jaisalmer
Jodhpur . Udaipur . Delhi . Old City of Jerusalem , Bethlehem

In the afternoon: You will then be driven to New Delhi, which reflects the legacy the British left behind. The division between New and Old Delhi is the division between the capitals of the British and the Mughals respectively. The division in the walled city and New Delhi also marks the division in the life-styles. The walled city is all tradition where one will be able to glean a past life-style in all its facets, colours and spells. New Delhi in contrast, is a city trying to live up to the best of 21st century standards.

The tour to Imperial Delhi will include a visit to the Qutub Minar, the tallest stone tower in India . Qutub-ud-din Aibak started it in 1199. Pulling down 27 Hindu and Jain temples and using their columns erected the attached Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque also built by him. 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 Rastrapathi Bhawan, the President’s residence.

Dinner hosted at Indian family’s home.

Overnight at the hotel

DAY 3 :         DELHI – AGRA   BY: TRAIN- Monday

Early morning , our local representative will meet you in the hotel lobby and transfer you to the railway station to board train for Agra:

Departure: Delhi                  at: 0615 Hours                       By: Shatabdi Express

Arrive: Agra                          at: 0827 Hours

Upon arrival at Agra, you would be received by our local representative and transferred to your hotel

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.

Proceed for the visit the 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.

Evening: Hi tea at Mr. Mukesh Aggarwal’s home

Overnight at the hotel .

DAY 4 :                     AGRA – FATEHPUR SIKRI - JAIPUR    - Tuesday                                   

After buffet breakfast at the hotel, proceed for sunrise tour of 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.

Later you would be driven from Agra to Jaipur (240 KMS/ 06 hrs) enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri.

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. Now it is an extraordinary place to wander around with its buildings in near perfect condition.  

Rajasthan’s kingdoms are an enduring legacy to India ’s history. A land endowed with invincible forts, magnificent palaces ad waves of sand dunes and serene lakes. No other region in the country assembles the many paradoxes of India , as does the desert land of Rajasthan. By far it is the most colourful region in India .

Jaipur's past is never too far from hand. The city of victory, Jaipur presides over the fascinating desert state and its people: surrounded by rugged hills, each crowned by a formidable fort; and beautiful palaces, mansions and gardens dotted throughout its precincts. The palaces and forts of yesteryear that were witness to royal processions and splendour are now living monuments, accepted quite naturally into the lifestyles of the people of the "pink city".  Except for the busy traffic of bicycles, cars and buses, little seems to have changed.  There is a timeless quality to Jaipur's bazaars and its people.  With its historical past, Jaipur revives legends of the ancient Rajputs.  The dresses of the women and the turbans of the men add colour to this fascinating city.

Overnight at the hotel

DAY 5 :       JAIPUR- Wednesday
After buffet breakfast at the hotel, 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 17^th 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. A jeep / elephant 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. En-route to Amber 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. (Elephant ride at Amber Fort is subject to availability due to limited number of Elephants.)
Later 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, armory, 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 also have the opportunity to wander about the local markets.

Evening (2000 hrs onwards): Puppet show at the hotel

DAY0 6 :         JAIPUR – KHIMSAR - Thursday
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Later drive from Jaipur to Khimsar (340 kms / 07 hours drive approx).

Upon arrival check–in at Khimsar Fort.

Perched on the edge on the great Thar Desert in the Heart of Rural India, the unique fort at Khimsar offers a wide range of Experiences. The Battle scarred walls and turrets remained one of the Glorious past. The initial Construction began in 1523 AD, the family moved in during the 18th Century When a new 'Zenana' (Ladies Wing) was constructed. Thakur Onkar Singh built a regal wing for himself in 1940s . Today the khimsar fort ranks high amongest the premier classified heritage hotels of India

Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Khimsar Fort.

DAY 7 - KHIMSAR – JAISALMER - Friday
Buffet breakfast at the hotel and later drive from Khimsar to Jaisalmer (270 kms / 06 hours drive approx).

Jaisalmer - The golden beauty etched in yellow sandstone, standing tall against miles of gleaming sand. Founded in 1156 AD by Maharawal Jaisal, Jaisalmer’s location kept it almost untouched by outside influences and even during the days of the Raj, Jaisalmer was the lastto sign the Instrument of Agreement with the British. Rest of the day at leisure . Upon arrival check-in at the hotel

DAY 8 - JAISALMER - Saturday

 Buffet breakfast at the hotel, later proceed for city tour of Jaisalmer. You will walk up to the Fort, which dominates the town.  Built in 1156, it is one of the oldest forts in Rajasthan. About a quarter of the old city's population resides within the fort walls, which have 99 bastions around the circumference. Within the fort are a fine group of Jain temples built between the 12th and 15th centuries, many containing ancient manuscripts. Walk through Jaisalmer’s narrow streets dotted with ornately decorated Hindu and Jain temples.

Walk around this desert city, its fort emerging from the flat dry sands, bounding in ancient palaces, temples and delicately sculpted havelis - all witness to the emergence of this Rajput state into a market centre for traders.

 Late afternoon drive to SamSand Dunes for a camelback ride into the desert to watch the sun set on this golden desert city, emitting a lustrous glow off the desert sand. Camel Safari is one of the unique ways to explore small villages in Rajasthan. Atop this ship of the desert embark on an exciting soft adventure. This safari is across India ’s Thar Desert, one of the harshest environments in the world. Board camels to discover the rich desert culture and meet the colourful tribal people. The capital of this exotic region is the golden city of Jaisalmer. Here we’ll explore palaces, local markets, and venture down the narrow alleys to visit with the inhabitants of the intricately carved sandstone buildings . Return to the hotel after your tour. Overnight at the hotel

DAY 9 - JAISALMER - JODHPUR  - Sunday

Buffet breakfast at the hotel. 0800 hrs : Drive from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur 290 KMS / 06 hours drive approx). Upon arrival, proceed for check-in at your hotel.

Jodhpur- The old city of Jodhpur is surrounded by a wall 10km long, which was built about a century after the city was founded. From the fort you can clearly see where the old city ends and the new begins. The old city is fascinating jungle of winding streets of great interest to wander around. Eight gates lead out from the walled city. It’s one of the more interesting cities in India and those baggy-tight horse riding trousers, jodhpurs, took their name from this locale.

Upon arrival in Jodhpur, proceed for check in at the hotel.

Later proceed for the sightseeing tour of Mehrangarh Fort & Jaswant Thada.

The Mehrangarh Fort is sprawled across a 125-meter high hill and is the most impressive and formidable fort in the fort-studded Rajasthan. On the wall adjacent to the Lahapol or “ Iron Gate” are 15 handprints, the sati marks of the widows of Maharaja Man Singh who threw themselves upon his funeral pyre in 1843. Inside the fort, which is still run by the Maharaja of Jodhpur, there is a whole series of courtyards and palaces.

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.

Evening: proceed on an exhilarating walk through the old city of Jodhpur. The walk will take you as far as the old market from which point you will be transported by Tongas , or horse-drawn carriages, back to the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel

Day 10  - JODHPUR – UDAIPUR - Monday

Buffet breakfast at the hotel.

Later you will be driven from Jodhpur to Udaipur (255 KMS / 6.30 hours) en-route visiting Ranakpur Jain Temples (The temple is open for visitors from 1200 hrs till 1700 hrs only) an exceptionally beautiful excursion through the rugged, wooded hills of Rajasthan to the Jain Temples of Ranakpur in the Aravalli Valley, to see one of the best complexes of Jain religion which is particularly noted for the grandiose scale of its architecture and the highly decorated ceilings, walls and 1444 different pillars. The priests of the temples did all the temple designing and their generations are still continuing the work.

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 Jahan, soon to be the creator of the incomparable Taj Mahal.

Overnight at the hotel

• Visa for Egypt may be secured upon arrival by paying $ 15 in cash in USD or Euros, exact change please, no photos required, this is for a limited number of nationalities such as American , Australian, NZ , Canadian, EU , Singaporean, and Japanese Citizens , if in doubt about your eligibility , please contact the Egyptian Consulate nearest you . Your passport must be valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of arrival in Cairo. After exiting the terminal, our local representative will escort you to the hotel