(11N/12D) - Rajasthan Trails (2N Jaipur + 1N Bikaner + 2n Jaisalmer + 1N Jodhpur + 1N Mount Abu + 2N Udaipur +2N Ranthambore)

Jaipur After breakfast proceed for full day city tour of Jaipur – visiting Amer Fort located at a distance of 11 kilometers from Jaipur and was the old fort of the Kachhwaha clan of Amber. It used to be the capital, till it was moved to Jaipur.
The fort is built with white marble and red sandstone and looks even more attractive because of the Maota Lake in the foreground. The fort in itself is a beautiful sight to behold but as one looks on the fort with its clear reflection on the lake in the front; one cannot help but wonder if it is a dream or a beautiful illusion. An elephant [Subject to availability/alternatively by jeep] will spare you the trouble of climbing up to the fortress. Once on top, stroll through the sprawling complex of courtyards and halls with a well-informed and well-spoken guide who would regale you with tales of yore.
Continue past through the Jalmahal, a photo stop and drive to Ram Niwas Gardens and architecturally impressive Albert Hall. Ram Niwas Bagh & Albert Hall Central Museum Built by Sawai Ram Singh II in the 1868 A.D, Ram Nivas Bagh is a lush sprawling garden with a zoo, an aviary, a greenhouse, an herbarium, a museum, and sports ground in the premises. Albert Hall This fine example of example of Indo Saracenic style of architecture, in the Ram Nivas Bagh was designed by Sir Swinton Jacob.
The Hall is home to an exquisite collection of sculptures, paintings, objects d’art, natural history specimens, an Egyptian mummy, and a beautiful Persian carpet. Recently, the Rabindra Manch with an auditorium, a modern art gallery and an open-air theatre, has been added to promote cultural events. Later on, pass through the Moti Doongri Palace – a privately owned hilltop fort built like a Scottish castle and Birla Temple. Evening drive to Chokhi Dhani village– Rest of the day is free to explore the colorful town independently. Overnight stay at your hotel Breakfast Included Sight Seeing Included: Albert Hall Central Museum / Amer Fort / Chokhi Dhani Village / Moti Doongri Palace / Ram Niwas Bagh

Jaipur - Bikaner After the breakfast you will drive to Bikaner; Arrive Bikaner & transfer to your hotel. This desert town in northern Rajasthan was founded in 1488 by Rao Bikaji. Like many others in Rajasthan, the old city is surrounded by a high crenellated wall.
The old city with its exquisite merchant havelis, temples and bazaars retains a medieval air. Later proceed for half day city tour of Bikaner visiting Junagarh Fort, one of the most interesting forts in Rajasthan, with its sumptuously decorated interiors.
Built in 1588 by Raja Rai Singh, it is unusual in the sense that it was one of the few major forts of Rajasthan that was not built on a hilltop. Instead, it was built on the desert plains; its rugged sandstone bastions and graceful pavilions and balconies are silhouetted against the sky. Overnight stay at your Hotel. Breakfast Included Breakfast Included

Bikaner - Jaisalmer After breakfast, drive 350 km to Jaisalmer - a fairy-tale town in the Thar Desert founded about 800 years ago by Rajah Jaisal.
Unlike any other city, this desert fortress is one of Rajasthan's most exotic and unusual towns. Jaisalmer, an important ancient trading centre because of its strategic location on the camel trade routes, is often described as the 'golden city'. The havelis, built by merchants of the 19th century, are exquisitely carved from golden-yellow sandstone and are still in beautiful condition.
The fort built by Rawal Jaisal in the 12th century, stands on the 80-meter high Trikuta hill, with beautifully carved Jain temples. The annual desert festival takes place in January and February each year and is a riot of colour and activity.
Jaisalmer is also famous for its embroidery, Rajasthani mirror work, rugs, blankets, antique, stonework and camel safaris into the barren sand-dunes desert. Before Arrival in Jaisalmer 15 KMS BEFORE you will visit the War museum to showcase bravery of Army - Jaisalmer War Museum has been established in the military station of Jaisalmer to showcase the traditional bravery of the Indian Army and also to commemorate the sacrifice of its heroes’ displaying valour and courage of exceptional order during India's wars.
The Indian Army has set up a historical war museum in Jaisalmer. This war museum, which is the first-of its-kind on the western front, traces the evolution of the Indian Army and covers in detail its inspiring contribution in mainly 1965 Indo-Pak War and 1971 Longewala battle including all combat operations and other nation building activities. The war museum is located 10 km short of Jaisalmer on the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur highway .This historical war museum could become a new tourist spot for all Indian and foreigner tourists coming to Jaisalmer.
Arrival and check in at Hotel Late Lunch and you will visit the Gadsisar Lake -The beautiful arched gateway across the road down to the tank A scenic rainwater lake with numerous beautiful shrines around. The lake is an idyllic spot for outings. Bada Bagh, cenotaphs of the Jaisalmer Rawal’s, has some magnificent chhatri’s (canopies) set amidst an oasis of greenery. It is indeed a great place for a stopover and photography. Another beautiful place is the Gadi Sagar Tank, the main source of the city's water supply. Evening is free to walk around in the colorful and bustling bazaars for personal exploration or shopping. Overnight stay at your Hotel. Breakfast Included Breakfast Included

Jaisalmer After breakfast, leave for the city tour of Jaisalmer. Visit the famous Havelis (mansions) known for their frescoes. Jaisalmer's strategic position on the camel terrain route bought it great wealth. The merchants grew prosperous and commissioned great havelis, or mansions, to flaunt their ever-growing status in society. Made of local golden-yellow sandstone and wood, some of the havelis are still in excellent condition. The most elaborate and magnificent of all the Jaisalmer havelis is the Patwaon Ki Haveli. Five Jain brothers-built Haveli between 1800 and 1860. Salim Singh Ki Haveli and Nathmal Ki Haveli are the other two havelis that are open to visitors.
Built in 1156 by the Bhatti ruler, Jaisal, THE FORT here stands atop the 80 m high Trikuta hill. 3 walls and 99 bastions surround the fort. Over the centuries, the golden sandstone fortress witnessed many battles between the Bhatti’s, the Mughals, and the Rathore’s of Jodhpur. Within the fort complex lie the beautifully carved Jain Temples built between the 12th and 15th centuries. The Maharawals (rulers) of Jaisalmer were devout Hindus but were tolerant of Jainism and encouraged art and religion.
There are 7 temples in the complex - Chandraprabhu, Parasnath, Shitalnath, Sambhavnath, Shantinath, Kunthunath and Rikhabdev Temple. The temples are all connected by a series of corridors and walkways. Close by is the Gyan Bhandar, a library founded in 1500 A.D. This house is priceless ancient manuscripts and other exhibits like astrological charts, besides the Jain equivalent of the Christian Shroud of Turin.
In the evening, proceed for the excursion to Sam Sand dunes. Located at a distance of 42 kilometers from Jaisalmer, Sam Sand Dunes is the closest point to witnessing the total sandy desert. You can also see the patterns and motifs created by the shifting sands and air. Moreover, Sam Sand Dunes also provide you with an unforgettable experience of camel rides and the sunset. Return to your hotel for an overnight stay. Breakfast Included Sight Seeing Included: Chandraprabhu Temple / Jain Temples / Nathmal Ki Haveli / Patwaon Ki Haveli / Salim Singh Ki Haveli / Shantinath Temple Overnight at hotel Breakfast Included

Jaisalmer – Jodhpur After breakfast drive to Jodhpur - Arrive at the Blue City – Jodhpur and transfer to your hotel. An oasis in the arid Thar Desert, Jodhpur is the second largest city in the state of Rajasthan. Representing this colourful city with shades of blue, Jodhpur has a history that is rich and a present that beckons strongly to the discerning tourist. Forts and palaces, temples and havelis, culture and tradition, spices, and fabrics, colour and texture, Jodhpur has them all and in plenty. Situated in Western Rajasthan, Jodhpur has long attracted both domestic and international tourists. It not only offers tangibles in terms of what you can see and buy but also fills one with a sense of history and the splendour of an era gone by. The hospitality of the locals, the demure women, and the colourful turbans -all set against the beloved desert (Marwar) is something to feel, not just see. Every pore of Jodhpur tells its own tales of heroic deeds that made legends out of kings and soldiers, romances that continue to warm the heart and a time when epics were lived out on the streets by everyday man. Later proceed for half day city tour of Jodhpur. Visit the Mehrangarh Fort, situated on a low sandstone hill. The palace apartments like Sukh Mahal, Phool Mahal, and Sheesh Mahal etc are beautifully decorated and house jewellery, costumes, armoury, palanquins, howdahs, and other remnants of the past. See the Jaswant Thada, an imposing marble memorial to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II built in 1899. Later the royal crematorium and three other cenotaphs were also built here. Also visit Sardar Bazaar and Clock Tower markets where you can see the vegetable, spice, Indian sweets, and textile and silver markets. These colourful markets with tiny shops dot the narrow lanes replete with woodcarvings, wrought iron, lacquer work, silver and ivory ornamentation and leather handicrafts. Afternoon is free to walk around in the colorful and bustling bazaars for personal exploration or shopping.Overnight stay at your Hotel. Breakfast Included

Jodhpur – Ranakpur – Mount Abu After breakfast drive to Mount Abu enroute visiting Ranakpur which is the largest Jain temple complex in India and dates to the 15th century. The main temple is dedicated to Adinath, the first Tirthankar. Intricate carvings detail mythological figures, patterns, and motifs on the walls, pillars, and domes. There are 1444 ornately carved marble pillars in the complex and none of them are similar. The beautiful lace-like interiors of the domes are a superb example of western Indian temple style. Surya Temple and other Jain Temples are sided attractions. (Temples open only at 1200 Hrs. Leather belts, footwear, bare legs, and black clothing not allowed) Later continue to drive to Mount Abu; Arrive Mount Abu and transfer to your hotel At 1200 meters, Mt. Abu is the highest point of the Aravalli Range passing through Rajasthan. The only hill resort of Rajasthan, it is built around a lake and is surrounded by forested hills. According to a legend, the place derives its name from Arbuda, a serpent who descended to the spot to rescue Shiva’s bull, Nandi. Besides having all the features of a pleasant hill resort, Mount Abu is also a center of pilgrimage for Jains on account of the famous Dilwara Temples. There are interesting treks and picnic spots, romantic royal retreats of various erstwhile royal families, and some relics of the Raj period. Later proceed for city tour of Mount Abu. Visit the breath taking Dilwara temples, among the finest examples of Jain architecture with their superb marble carving. The complex consists of five temples built between the eleventh and thirteenth century. The intricate ornamental carvings here represent the great heights reached in stone decoration. Also, visit Nakki Lake, and see the strange rock formations around it including Toad Rock. The Achalgarh fort has the famous Achaleshwar temple and also provides superb views of the area. Afternoon is free to walk around in the colorful and bustling bazaars for personal exploration or shopping. Overnight stay at your Hotel. Breakfast Included Breakfast Included

Mount Abu – Udaipur After breakfast drive to Udaipur; arrive Udaipur and transfer to your hotel.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 the capital of the old Mewar State, it was the only Rajput stronghold to uphold its Hindu allegiance in the face of Muslim invasion. This fairy – tale city, with its marble palaces and lakes surrounded by a ring of hills, was founded by Maharana Udai Singh in 1559. The city is dominated by the massive City Palace, which overlooks Lake Pichola with its romantic island palaces. Picturesque havelis, ghats, and temples line the lake front, with the lively bazaars of the old walled city stretching behind them. Afternoon is free to walk around in the colorful and bustling bazaars for personal exploration or shopping. Overnight stay at your Hotel. Breakfast Included Breakfast Included

Udaipur After breakfast proceed for a half day city tour of Udaipur – visiting the City Palace and Museum. The largest palace complex in India, it is a blend of Mughal and Rajput influences. Also, see the 17th century Jagdish temple, drive around the Fatehsagar Lake, and visit the Sahelion ki Bari (the Garden for the Maids of Honour), an ornamental pleasure garden with fountains and marble kiosks. Later visit the Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandir or the Folk Art Museum. Later in the evening take a boat ride (On direct payment) on the 4 km long and 3 km wide Lake Pichola, which is fringed with hills, palaces, havelis, ghats, embankments and temples and offers spectacular views of the city. Visit the Jag Mandir Island with its exquisite Gul Mahal Pavilion. Afternoon is free to walk around in the colorful and bustling bazaars for personal exploration or shopping. Overnight stay at your Hotel. Breakfast Included Sight Seeing Included: Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandir / City Palace and Museum / Folk Art Museum. / Gul Mahal Pavilion. / Jag Mandir Island / Sahelion ki Bari Breakfast Included

Udaipur – Chittorgarh – Ranthambore After breakfast drive to Ranthambore enroute visiting Chittorgarh said to have been originally built by Bhim, one of the Pandavas. Though deserted now, impressive reminders of its grandeur still stand. See Rana Kumbha’s palace and Fateh Prakash Palace. Visit the 37 m high Jaya Stambh (Tower of Victory) built by Rana Kumbha to commemorate his victory over Khiljis of Malwa in 1440.Also see the 22 m high Keerti Stambh or Tower of Fame, dedicated to Adinath and decorated with figures of various Jain Tirthankaras. Later continue to drive to Ranthambore; Arrive Ranthambore and transfer to your hotel. The park is one of the finest tiger reserves in the country where more visitors spending a couple of nights are likely to spot one of these majestic animals, The Royal Bengal Tiger. Once, a private tiger reserve of the Maharaja of Jaipur, in 1972 the sanctuary came under the Project Tiger scheme. It covers 410 sq. km and runs from the easternmost spur of the Aravalli to the Vindhya Range. It has both the old fort and the wildlife sanctuary, also known as Sawai Madhopur, after the town, which has some Jain temples with gilded paintings. Apart from tigers, you can see herds of Chital and Sambar deer and sounders of wild boar, Nilgai antelope, and Chinkara gazelles. There is also a sloth bear, a few leopards, and crocodiles. Extensive bird life includes jungle fowl, partridges, quails, crested serpent eagles, woodpeckers, flycatchers etc. There are also water birds like storks, ducks, and geese at the lakes and waterholes. Afternoon is free to walk around in the colorful and bustling bazaars for personal exploration or shopping. Overnight stay at your Hotel. Breakfast Included Breakfast Included

Early morning Game Drive [Not included in the quote] into the Park where your naturalist will talk to you about the wildlife found in this Park. Ranthambhore National Park is probably the best place in the world to see wild tigers and is the only dry deciduous tiger habitat in the world. In game drive, your naturalist will help you explore the park in search of The Royal Bengal Tiger. After Game Drive, return to the hotel for breakfast. Afternoon Game Drive [Not included in the quote] to Ranthambore National Park. Overnight at Hotel Breakfast Included Sight Seeing Included: Ranthambhore National Park Breakfast Included

Ranthambore – Depart Jaipur After breakfast drive to Jaipur; Arrive Jaipur and in time transfer to Jaipur Airport / Railway Station to board your flight/train for onward journey to your next destination. Hotel to Airport : PVT Transport Breakfast Included