Grand Rajasthan Tour + Agra + New Delhi

Overview :

Lets spend the 2nd day of Chinese New Year in 2018 visiting Colourful Rajasthan ! This 12 Day tour begins from New Delhi itself , through to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal , one of the wonders of the world and India's monument of Love , onwards to a Grand Tour of Rajasthan .

Rajasthan - The Land of the Kings , with its extravagant palaces , rugged forts , finely carved temples , comprise one of India's richest crops of architectural monuments . Colour distinguishes Rajasthan's most important cities : Jaipur , the vibrant state capital , is known as the Pink City thanks to the reddish paint applied to its ornate facades and palaces . Jodphur , the Blue City , is centred on a labryinthine old walled town , whose sky-blue mass of cubic houses is overlooked by India's most imposing hilltop fort. Further west , the magical desert city of Jaisalmer , built from local sandstone , is termed the Golden City . In the far south , Udaipur , nicked named the Venice of the East , could be called the White city , coated in limewash , its waterside palaces and havelis' are framed by a distant vista of sawtooth hills . 

Rajasthan's strong adherence to tradition is what makes it a compelling place to visit . Locals at their most colourful , swaggering moustaches , heavy silver anklets , red , yellow or orange turbans , pleated veils and mirro-inlaid saris , bustling bazaars, epitomise India at its most exotic . 

Another attraction is Rajasthan’s wonderful wildlife sanctuaries. We will be visitng Keoladeo National park on the eastern border of Rajasthan near Agra , which is unmatched in South Asia for its incredible avian population , as well as Desert Sands National Park . 

The best time to visit Rajasthan is between mid October to mid March , where the weather is pleasant , cool and dry and the desert sun is not too intense . 






Itinerary :

Day 1 ( Sat 17 Feb ) : Singapore - Delhi . Fly SQ . Departure 0235 hours . Arrive New Delhi 0555 hrs . 
Pick up by Local Representative and have local breakfast at a good restaurant . Followed by a full day city tour of Old and New Delhi . Red Fort , Qutub Minar , Humayun' Tomb . India Gate ( War Memorial Arch ) Connaught Place shopping centre , driving past President's house , Parliament House , Akshardham temple ( modern Hindu Temple )  ,Jama Masjid  , Shanti Vana (the cremation sites of Jawaharlal Nehru, Raj Ghat (the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi) . A walking tour of the bustling street markets of Chandni Chowk in the evening . Overnight Stay at Leela Ambience Convention Centre and Hotel . 

Jama Masjid : PhotoCredit : Nimitnigam  https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jama_Maszid.jpg

Diwan I Khas , inside Red Fort , New Delhi.


Day 2  ( Sun 18 Feb ) : Delhi  - Agra 
Drive to Agra. Visit Agra Fort , Akbar's Mausoleum , Itimad -ud- Daulah , Kinara Bazaar, Agra Walk , Sunset Tour of Taj Mahal . Sunset View of Taj Mahal at Metab Bagh and phtography. Overnight stay at Hotel The Retreat , Agra . 



Taj Mahal


Day 3 ( Mon 19 Feb ): Agra - Bharatpur- keoladeo National Park - Jaipur
Early morning rise for Sunrise view of Taj Mahal and photography. Return to Hotel for Breakfast and check out. Drive to Jaipur via Bharatpur, visiting to Fatephur Sikri and Keoladeo National Park. Tour of Keoladeo National Park. Keoladeo National Park is a famous avifauna sanctuary and world heritage site that hosts thousands of birds, especially during the winter season. Over 230 species of birds are known to be resident. After Lunch , depart for Jaipur – Arrive Jaipur in the evening . Visit Jaipur Night market / Night Tour of Jaipur . Overnight stay at Holiday Inn City Centre Jaipur.


Photo Credit : Asim Chaudhuri  https://www.flickr.com/photos/asianu/8457986109





Day 4  ( Tues 20 Feb ) : Jaipur
After explore the Pink City with an excursion to Amber Fort, situated just outside the city, enjoy the experience of ride on elephant back to and from the top of the hill on which the fort is situated. Afternoon sightseeing tour of City Palace in the heart of Jaipur is known for its blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Not far away is the Central Museum. Jantar Mantar is the largest of the five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh. The Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds was constructed for the royal ladies to watch the royal processions without being seen, all monuments are located in the vicinity of City Palace Complex of Jaipur. Later afternoon is kept free to visit the famous Markets of Textiles, Gems, Carpets, and handicrafts. Jaipur is an ideal place for buying souvenirs. Overnight stay at Holiday Inn City Centre Jaipur.


Amber Fort


Jaipur Market


Hawa Mahal


Day 5 ( Wed 21 Feb ) : Jaipur – Ajmer / Pushkar – Jodhpur 
Today drive to Pushkar via Ajmer . Tour Pushkar .Pushkar has a magnetism all of its own  It’s a prominent Hindu pilgrimage town and devout Hindus should visit at least once in their lifetime. The town curls around a holy lake, said to have appeared when Brahma dropped a lotus flower. It also has one of the world’s few Brahma temples. With 52 bathing ghats and 400 milky-blue temples, the town often hums with puja (prayers), generating an episodic soundtrack of chanting, drums and gongs, and devotional songs. After visiting Pushkar , drive to Jodphur. Overnight stay at Devi Bhawan Hotel . 


Pushkar Holy Lake

City View of Pushkar


Day 6  ( Thu 22 Feb ): Jodphur
Full day tour of Jodhpur. Jodphur 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-Gujrat trading route and the marwaris benefited from the passing traffic of opium, copper, silk which was traded to China. Tour of 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, then Umaid Bhawan Palace, Umaid Bhawan Museum, and Ghanta Ghar. Overnight stay at Devi Bhawan Hotel . 

Jodphur , the Blue City

Mehrangarh Fort


Day 07 ( Fri 23 Feb ) : Jodphur - Jaisalmer ( 285 km - 6 hrs )
Today drive to Jaisalmer . After Arrival , visit Desert Sands National Park and Khuri Sand Dunes .Khuri Sand Dunes is a peaceful place with houses of mud and straw decorated like the patterns of Persian carpets.  Option of Camel Safari at Khuri Sand Dunes . Overnight stay at Pleasant Haveli . 



Khuri Sand Dunes , Desert Sands National Park 

Day 08 ( Sat 24 Feb ) : Jaisalmer 
Full day tour of Jaisalmer -  visit to the splendid Jaisalmer Fort also known as the Sonar Kila. The fort placed approximately 30 meters above the city and serves as a residence to a whole living region within its massive walls. Jaisalmer is also famous for its old and traditional havelis and during your sightseeing tour you also include the visit to Patwon ki Haveli, Salim ji ki Haveli and Gadi Sagar Lake. Overnight stay at Pleasant Haveli . 


Jaiselmer Fort


Patwon Ki Haveli


Day 09 ( Sun 25 Feb ): Jaisalmer – Jodhpur 
Drive back to Jodhpur .Day is at leisure. Optional visit to Mandore Garden and other places of interests can be arranged . Overnight at Devi Bhawan Hotel /


Day 10 ( Mon 26 Feb ) : Jodhpur – Udaipur via Ranakpur and Kumbhalgarh
Drive to Udaipur via Ranakpur and Kumbhalgarh . Visit Ranakpur Jain temples and Kumbhalgarh fort. Overnight stay at Karohi Haveli . 

Khumbalghar Fort


Ranakpur Jain Temple : Photo Credit : Strudelt  https://www.flickr.com/photos/strudelt/4135756184


Day 11 ( Tue 27 Feb ): Udaipur 
Full day tour of Udaipur. Today we visit Udaipur, also known as the city of sunrise and also Venice of the East. Tour includes the 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 .In the evening we have a Boatride 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. Other places to visit depending on time availability and groups interests ( not included in price ) : Jag Mandir , saheliyon-ki-bari , Fate Sagar Lake , Jagdish Temple , Bagore Ki Haveli museum and Dharohar folk dance perform at night , Shopping at Udaipur Markets , Crystal Gallery etc.  Overnight stay at Karohi Haveli . 


Night View of Udaipur

Dharohar Folk Dance at Bagore Ki Haveli : Photo Credit : Arian Zwegers https://www.flickr.com/photos/azwegers/6269624763

City Palace , Udaipur




Day 12 ( Wed 28 Feb ):
Own time to explore Udaipur on our own in the morning . 

• Depart Udaipur – Delhi ( domestic flight ) .1410 hrs - 1520 hrs 
• Depart Delhi  SQ 403 at 2210 hrs . Arrive Singapore at 0615 hrs on Day 13 ( Thu 1 Mar )

Day 13 ( 1 Mar ) : Arrive Singapore 0615 hrs 


Includes :

• All land transfer with Driver . 4 pax : Mahindra Scorpio (SUV) or Toyota Innova (MUV) or Mahindra XUV 500 (SUV) Air conditioned . 5-12 pax : Tempo Traveler. > 12 pax : 25 seater coach airconditioned .
• All Hotel Acommodations with Buffet Breakfast included. 2 single beds per room . Price based on twin sharing .
• Tour Guide to accompany group for entire trip
• 5 % GST
• Elephant Ride Amber Fort in Jaipur & Boat Ride in Udaipur 
• Monument Entrance Fees - Delhi : Red Fort , Humayun Tomb, Qutub Minar . Keoladeo National Park . Fatehpur Sikri . Agra Fort . Taj Mahal . Composite Ticket for Amber Fort , Hawa Mahal , Nahargah Fort , Jantar Mantar , Jaipur . Composite Ticket for City Palace and Jaigarh Fort , Jaipur . Mehrangarh Fort , Jodphur . Umaid Bhawan Museum , Jodphur . Jaswant Thada , Jodphur . City Palace , Udaipur . 
  
• Toll Taxes, Parking Fees, Interstate Taxes, Fuel Charge, Driver's Lodging and Boarding Charges. 

Excludes :

• Airfare including international flight from Singapore- New Delhi-Singapore and domestic flight from Udaipur to New Delhi.
• India Visa ( to apply on own ) 
• Breakfast on Day 1 at New Delhi and Lunch and Dinner , other meals not mentioned above
• Tips for Tour Guide and Driver
• Optional Camel Safari at Khuri Sand Dunes , Desert Sands National Park , Jaiselmer
• Entrance Fees to other optional parks , palaces , museums , forts , monuments , gardens not mentioned above we like to visit along the way , to be decided by the group . 

Important Notes :

1. Recommended Flight Arrangements :

A. International Flight : Singapore - Delhi - Singapore $470.70 ( price as checked on www.singaporeair.com website on 27 Sep 2017 ). Economy Super Saver Fare , no booking change/refund/cancellation allowed . 

Departure 17 Feb : Singapore Airlines SQ 402   SIN 0235 hrs Delhi 0555 hrs
Return : 28 Feb : Singapore Airlines SQ 403 Delhi 2210 hrs SIN 0615 hours 1 Mar 


B. Domestic Flight : Udaipur - Delhi on Wed 28 Feb 

Indigo Airways 6E747  1h10 min 1410 hrs - 1520 hrs Saver Fare ( including 15 kg baggage and choosing the free seat selection option) - SGD $49.40 ( price as  checked on www.goindigo.in  on 21 Sep 2017 )


Alternative Flight Arrangements for both International and Domestic Flights : Jet Airways , Air India



2. India Visa - Tourist E Visa can be applied here : https://www.hcisingapore.gov.in/pages.php?id=360



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