Aurangabad Extension Exploring Flamboyant India

Duration: 14 Nights - 15 Days
Destination Covered : Mumbai - Udaipur - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer - Bikaner - Mandawa - Jaipur - Agra - Delhi

Tour Highlights
Mumbai	Gateway of India, Elephanta Caves boat cruise, Prince Wales Museum & Marine Drive Optional - Bollywood Tour
Udaipur	City Palace, Maids of Honour, Bhartiya Lok Kala Museum & Boat Ride at Lake Pichola Optional - Sound & Light Show
Jodhpur	Mehrangarh Fort
Jaisalmer	Jaisalmer Fort , Jain Temple, Patwon Ki Haveli & Camel Safari
Bikaner	Junagarh Fort & Lal Garh Palace
Mandawa	Havelis (Mansion) of Goenka, Gori Shankar & Choudaharia with Frescoes
Jaipur	Amber Fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar Observatory, Palace of Winds & Elephant Ride Optional - Cultural evening at Chokhi Dhani,
Agra	Taj Mahal, Agra Fort ,Excursion to Fatehpur Sikri, Sikandra & Red Fort Optional - Magic Show.
Delhi	Red Fort,Raj Ghat, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, India Gate, President House, Humayun Tomb & Qutub Minar Optional - Sound & Ligdht Show at Red Fort & dinner at Chor Bizarre

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01 : Arrive Mumbai

Arrive Mumbai, after traditional "Swagat" (Welcome) our representative would assist you at the airport & to our hotel for check in
Overnight Hotel - Mumbai

Day 02 : Mumbai - Udaipur (By Flight)

Post breakfast take City tour of Mumbai visiting Prince Wales Museum , Marine Drive which runs along the shore of the Arabian Sea from Nariman Point past Chowpatty Beach to the foot of Malabar Hill.
Starting with the Gateway of India, entrance to the port of Mumbai. It was built to commemorate the visit of King George V in 1911. Historically the Gateway holds greater significance as the last of the British troops, which left independent India by sea, followed by the Elephanta Caves boat cruise from Gateway of India.
Evening transfer to airport to board flight to Udaipur. On arrival check in Hotel .
Overnight Hotel – Udaipur (B)

Day 03 : Udaipur – City Tour

Udaipur, The City of Lakes also undoubtedly one of the most Romatic cities of India is on cards. Morning tour of Udaipur's starts with fascinating City Palace, Moulded in soft yellow stone, its windowless base is crowned with ornate turrets & canopies. Part of the Palace is now a museum with its marble & granite walls laden with brilliant miniature paintings & decorated with coloured glass & mirrors. Tour continues to the Garden of the Maids of Honour & Bhartiya Lok Kala Museum. At sunset cruise around in a boat amidst the romantic waters of Lake Pichola.
Overnight Hotel – Udaipur (B)

Day 04 : Udaipur/ Jodhpurvia Ranakpur (260 Kms / 06 Hrs )

Today we drive down to Jodhpur. Jodhpur, bustling desert city is the second largest city in Rajasthan & has landscape dominated by the massive Mehrangarh Fort topping a sheer rocky ridge.Rao Jodha, a chief of the Rathore clan, founded the city in the year 1459 & it is named after him. It was formerly the seat of a Princely state, also known as Marwar.
En route Ranakpur
En route we will visit Ranakpur, renowned for some marvellously carved Jain temples in marble, created in the 15th century AD during the reign of Rana Kumbha.
Overnight Hotel – Jodhpur (B)

Day 05: Jodhpur

Half Day Tour
Today we take a guided tour of Jodhpur, visiting the Mehrangarh Fort (Majestic Fort), one of the most impressive & formidable structures anywhere in India. Built by Rao Jodha, this 5km long Fort is on a 125m high hill & has some magnificent palaces with marvellously carved panels latticed window. The Fort Museum houses an exquisite collection of palanquins, howdahs (Elephant saddles), royal cradles, miniatures paintings, musical instruments, costumes & furniture.

We also visit Jaswant Thada, a cluster of royal cenotaphs in white marble built in the year 1899 AD in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Within the main cenotaph are the portraits of various Jodhpur rulers. It is an architectural landmark of Jodhpur.
Overnight Hotel – Jodhpur (B)

Day 06 : Jodhpur /Jaisalmer

Today we drive to Jaisalmer, founded in the year 1156 by Bhatti Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal. Often described as Golden City & rising from the heart of the Thar Desert like a golden mirage the commanding Fort etched in yellow sandstone, dominates the amber-hued city with its entire awesome splendour. Because of its strategic location it was an important ancient trading centre & camel caravans laden with precious spices & silk crossed the territory en-route India, Sindh, Arabia & Europe. The merchants of the 19th century built Havelis (Mansions) that are exquisitely carved from golden-yellow sandstone & are still in a beautiful condition. The life within the Fortified town conjures up images of medieval majesty visible in its narrow lanes strewn with magnificent palace, havelis, temples, & of course skilled artisans & ubiquitous camels.
Overnight Hotel – Jaisalmer (B)

Day 07 : Jaisalmer

Today we visit the old town of Jaisalmer & visit Jaisalmer Fort, built in the year 1156 by Rawal Jaisal. Perched on 80m high hill, housing the entire township within its ramparts, the golden hued Fort is standing like a sentinel in the bleak desert landscape. It is the only “Living Fort” inIndia & within its ramparts has an enchanting cow-web of narrow lanes dotted with some lovely Havelis (Mansions), Palaces & beautifully sculptured Jain Temples of the 12th-15th century AD & of course skilled artisans & ubiquitous camels.
We also visit magnificent Patwon Ki Haveli in the heart of the town. It was built by the rich merchant Guman Chand Patwa & his sons, whose business stretched between Afghanistan & China. It is the most elaborate & magnificent of all the Jaisalmer Havelis & is virtually the showpiece of Jaisalmer's legendary architectural wealth. The carving on stone far surpasses in beauty the work on brocade & gold. Later we drive down 40 km away from Jaisalmer to Sam to take the Camel ride on the Sand Dunes of Sam while the sun is setting down.
Overnight Hotel – Jaisalmer (B)

Day 08 : Jaisalmer - Bikaner (325km - 6hr)

Today we drive to the princely state of Bikaner, founded by Rao Bikaji (1465-1504 AD) in the year 1488 AD. He was a Rajput prince, descendent of the founder of neighbouring Jodhpur. It lies in the north-western part of Rajasthan & has a stark beauty of the desert landscape with wide-spread sand dunes & thorny shrubs growing around. It is a royal city surrounded by a mammoth fortification wall, more than 5 km in circumference & about 5 to 9m high. Fort, Palaces & people with colourful traditional costumes are the chief attractions of the city. The Camel Breeding Farm in Bikaner is only one of its kinds in the whole Asia & so is the illustrious Camel Festival.
Overnight Hotel – Bikaner (B)

Day 09 : Bikaner - Mandawa (160 km - 4 hr)

Half Day Tour
Today in Bikaner we visit Junagarh Fort, built in the year 1593 AD by Raja Rai Singh (1571-1612 AD), the 6th ruler of Bikaner. The Fort is aformidable structure & largely remained unconquered during its eventful history. It houses number of beautiful Palaces, Temples & Pavilions, which are richly decorated The beautifully maintained rooms of Anup Mahal now display the treasures of the Royal family. The Fort Museum has an extensive collection of illuminated manuscripts, jewellery, jars, carpets, weapons, treaties, decorations & Farmans (King’s Orders).

Later we drive to Mandawa in the heart of the semi-arid Shekhawati region. Shekhawati owes its name to Rao Shekha who ruled this area in the 14th century. The Fort of Mandawa was built in the year 1755 by Thakur Nawal Singh, the founder of the town. These were the times when Mandawa was settled & fortified by the rich & dominant Silk Route merchants of the region, who constructed many Havelis (Mansions), Chhatris (Cenotaphs), Temples & Baolis (Step-wells) with ornate frescoes adorning their walls & now aptly given the epithet – Open-Air Gallery. With the migration of these merchant families, their old settlements remained in total obscurity with no one to look after them. Mandawa still retains the charm & aura of a bygone era & coming here is like stepping into a different world.
Overnight Hotel – Mandawa (B)

Day 10 : Mandawa / Jaipur ( 150Kms / 03 Hrs )

Half Day Tour
Today we explore the Mandawa Fort, located in the very heart of Mandawa & a classic example of the famed Rajput style of architecture. It houses many beautiful paintings & frescoes that dazzle the eyes & now been converted into a heritage hotel. Gulab Rai Haveli built in the year 1870 that has some of the best murals in Shekhawati on both the exterior & interior walls with elephants & camels on its façade. Goenka Double Haveli, built in the year 1890, with monumental frescoes of elephants & horses decorating its façade. Bansidhar Newatia Haveli built in the year 1921 combines traditional frescoes of horses & elephants with those depicting a young boy using a phone plus opulent touring cars & the Wright Brothers’ plane. If time permits we may visit more Havelis of the region & observe the colourful village life in Rajasthan.

Later we drive to Jaipur, popularly known as Pink City, the flamboyant & colourful capital of Rajasthan. With its rich & colourful past, resplendent with tales of valour & bravery, it is now one of the most important heritage cities in India. The city was founded in 1728 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber. It remains the only city in the world symbolizing the nine divisions of the universe, through nine rectangular sectors
Optional Tour - Chokhi Dhani
An evening excursion to Chokhi Dhani complex, ethnic village resort located at a distance of 15 km from Jaipur. Rajasthani village atmosphere is recreated on the sprawling ground & includes the entertainment by folk dancers & musicians. Later drive back to hotel.
Overnight Hotel - Jaipur (B)

Day 11 : Jaipur

Today we take an excursion to Amber Fort (11 km); the palace complex which stands to this date was commenced under the reign of Raja Man Singh. We take an Elephant ride to reach the Fort situated on the hill, an overwhelming experience.
Later we visit the City Palace, a perfect blend of Rajasthani & Mughal architecture. The center of the palace is a seven-storied building called Chandra Palace, with fine views over the gardens & the city. Further we visit Jantar Mantar, the Solar Observatory, an astronomical treasure house, with solar devices that give accurate predictions till date. We now visit Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), a five-storied structure of pink sandstone. It was built in year 1799 so that veiled royal women could peer down unseen by the world through its 593 stone Jharokas (mini windows).
Overnight Hotel – Jaipur (B)

Day 12 : Jaipur – Agra via Fatehpur Sikri (260 km - 6 hr)

Early morning after breakfast take an excursion to Amber Fort (11 km), the capital of the gallant Rajputs from 1037 - 1728 AD. On the Elephant back reach the Fort situated on the hill, an overwhelming experience.
Later drive to Agra, En route visit Fatehpur Sikri, a masterpiece in sandstone with the stunning elegance of its palaces & courts. Further proceed to Agra, upon arrival check-in at our hotel Evening at leisure.
Overnight Hotel – Agra(B)

Day 13 : Agra - Visit Taj Mahal

Agra, the erstwhile capital of India under Great Mughals & known for Taj Mahal - Eternal Poetry of love, built by emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Most of Agra is on the West bank of river Yamuna, with the Agra Fort & the Taj Mahal at its nucleus. Taj Mahal is quite simply one of mankind's most remarkable creations. After an early breakfast, visit Taj Mahal , followed by Agra Fort. Later in the afternoon take an excursion to Sikandara , Akbar's tomb.
Overnight Hotel – Agra (B)

Day 14 : Agra – Delhi (220 kms – 5 hr)

Today we will drive to Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds the ancient with modern.Its strategic location was the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. In fact, more mythological cities are believed to be here, like the city of Indraprastha from the Hindu epic Mahabharata, founded around 5000 BC. Numerous monuments were built over several centuries by different rulers like Qutub-ud-din Aibek, Alauddin Khilji, Tughlaks, Humayun & Shah Jahan, who built the Walled City Shah Jahanabad.
Later in first half of 20th century much of New Delhi was planned by Sir Edwin Lutyens, who laid out a grandiose central administrative area as a testament to British rule in India. The division in walled city & New Delhi also marks the division in life styles.
Overnight Hotel – Delhi (B)

Day 15 : Delhi – City Tour

Depart Delhi - Transfer

After breakfast start on a guided tour of Old Delhi, the 17th century walled city of Shah Jehanabad. Visiting the great Jama Masjid, Red Fort followed by walk through Chandi Chowk, the old marketplace of Shah Jahanabad, now a picturesque bazaar.
Post Lunch do sightseeing trip to Gandhi Memorial at Raj Ghat later drive by India Gate & President's House. Also visit Humayun's Tomb & Qutub Minar
Later transfer to airport to board flight for onward journey.

Our tour concludes: We thank you for your patronage & look forward serve you again in near future.