Rajasthan Tour with Varanasi Ghats by Capital City Travels and Tours

Tour Itinerary

Day 01 : Arrive Delhi.

Arrive Delhi by any convenient flight. Meet upon arrival at the airport and transfer to hotel.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Note : Check-in time at the hotel is 12 Noon. If you will arrive early morning the accommodation will

be required from previous night.

Day 02 : Delhi.

After breakfast in the hotel, proceed for the full day tour of Old and New Delhi in the afternoon.

Old Delhi was an ancient walled city. Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in 1650 switched the Mughal capital from Agra to Delhi. Shah Jehan possessing an exquisite talent, especially in architecture, created the seventh city and in the process brought about Delhi's glorious renaissance. Here you will see Red Fort, the most opulent Fort and Palace of the Mughal Empire. The fort is Shah Jehan's symbol of power and elegance, built by behind sandstone walls. Its main gate (Lahore Gate) faces Chandni Chowk, the perpetually congested avenue heading west from the Red Fort, is filled with twisting lanes, small streets and crowded bazaars.

Also visit Raj Ghat, the memorial site of the Mahatma Gandhi; Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India; and Chandni Chowk, the bustling and colorful market of the old city. Chandni Chowk was the commercial centre of Delhi in the old time and you will see it come alive in the morning as the trading day starts. New Delhi was designed and built by the British in the 1920's - it's a city of wide boulevards impressive Government buildings, green parks and gardens. In 1911 King George V announced the transfer of the capital from Calcutta to Delhi. The King's architects, Lutyens and Baker, set in motion the Design and construction of

Delhi's eighth city - New Delhi. Lutyens designed an "Imperial City" having palatial-sized buildings set amid broad tree-lined avenues punctuated by Mughal style gardens, complete with fountains and shallow pools. It took 20 years to complete this immense undertaking only to have the British pack up and relinquish the subcontinent in 1947.

You will visit two monuments from Delhi's past - Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar. Your drive takes you along the ceremonial avenue, Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate and Parliament House. Also visit the local Bahai Temple {Lotus Temple}.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 03 : Delhi / Mandawa. 260 Kms & 05-06 Hrs.

In the morning after early breakfast pick up from the hotel and drive to Mandawa. Upon arrival in Mandawa, check in at the hotel. Evening take a walk to see the beautiful painted havelies and houses.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04 : Mandawa / Bikaner. 250 Kms & 05-06 Hrs.

Morning after early breakfast leave Mandawa and drive to Bikaner. Upon arrival in Bikaner, check in at the hotel. Afternoon sightseeing visit : Junagarh Fort, Lal Ghar Palace, the Sun Gate. Also visit the famous camel breading center, this is the larget camel breading center in Asia.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 05 : Bikaner / Jaisalmer. 300 Kms & 05-06 Hrs.

Morning after breakfast leave Bikaner, and drive to Jaisalmer, a fascinating city rising from the heart of the Thar Desert like a golden mirage. On arrival at Jaisalmer, check in to the hotel. Evening free for independent activities.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 06 : Jaisalmer / Khuri. 45 Kms & 01 Hour.

Morning after breakfast at the hotel, proceed for sightseeing of Jaisalmer city visit Nathmalji-Ki-Haveli and Patwaon ki Haveli, three beautifully sculptured Jain temples built between the 12th and 13th Centuries; and five interconnected palaces. The fort is approached through four gateways - Akhaiya Pol, Ganesh Pol, Suraj Pol and Hawa Pol. About noon check-out from the hotel and drive to Khuri. later enjoy the camel ride and beautiful sunset

in the desert. Overnight stay in tented accommodation.

Day 07 : Jaisalmer {Khuri} / Jodhpur. 330 Kms & 06-07 Hrs.

Morning after breakfast leave Khuri & drive to Jodhpur. Jodhpur is called the "Blue City" for the characteristic plea indigo color of its traditional homes. Upon arrival in Jodhpur, check in at the hotel.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 08 : Jodhpur.

Morning visit the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, built atop a 400 ft. promontory. Below the fort, visit the Jaswant Thada, a graceful marble cenotaph built 1899 for Mahrajaha Jaswant Singh II, and monuments to other Maharajahs of Jodhpur. After lunch visit Bishnoi Village. Evening free for independent activities.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 09 : Jodhpur / Pushkar. 200 Kms & 04-05 Hrs.

Morning after breakfast at the hotel, check out from the hotel and drive to Pushkar. On arrival in Pushkar, check in at hotel. Afternoon visit the famous Lord Bramha Temple and the holy Pushkar lake. Evening free for independent activities.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 10 : Pushkar / Jaipur. 150 Kms & 03-04 Hrs.

Morning free in Pushkar. Later drive to the "Pink city" Jaipur. On arrival in Jaipur, check in at the hotel. Evening free for independent activities.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 11 : Jaipur.

Morning visit the Amber Fort in the Aravali Hills, which is a super example of Rajput (Medieval Hindu) style architecture. A slow elephant ride (included) takes you to the top of the Fort, which houses several graceful buildings. Afternoon visit the City Palace. In the heart of the old city is the former royal residence built in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal styles, Hawa Mahal or Palace of Wind, Jantar Mantar.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 12 : Jaipur / Agra. 260 Kms & 05-06 Hrs.

Morning after early breakfast at the hotel, drive to Agra. Enroute you visit Fatehpur Sikri, (Built during the second half of the 16th century by the Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri (the City of Victory) was the capital of the Mughal Empire for only some 10 years. Afterwards continue drive to Agra. Upon arrival in Agra, check in at the hotel. Rest of the day is free.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Note : Taj Mahal is closed on every Friday.

Day 13 : Agra / Varanasi. Overnight Train

Morning visit the Taj Mahal, at the time of sunrise {recommendable} : The Taj Mahal, built by an emperor in memory of his beloved queen. Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1631, and is believed to have taken 18 years to complete, with over 20,000 craftsmen working around the clock. The design and construction is said to be that of the legendary architect, Ustad Ahamad Lahori. Legend has it that once construction was completed, Shah Jehan had Lahori's hands cut off, and blinded, so he would never be able to duplicate the structure. What makes the Taj Mahal unique is its perfect proportions, distinct femininity, medium of construction and ornamentation. Its marble exterior reflects rose and golden tints at sunrise and sunset, while it is dazzling white during the day. It is impossible to visualize the Taj Mahal in any surrounding others than its paradoxical garden. Paradise, in Islam, is visualized as a lush garden where running streams flow. When the Mughals brought this concept to India they elevated it to heights of incomparable artistry.

After visiting the Taj Mahal return back to hotel for late breakfast. After relax at the hotel proceed for the sightseeing of Agra city, visit Agra Fort, Itmad-Ud-Dola and the city. At the impressive Agra Fort you are taken through the chambers of this royal residence. As you drive through the city, witness the local life and bazaars (markets) and the hustle bustle of everyday India. Evening free for relax or optional visit the famous monument of love the Taj Mahal during sunset.

After early dinner transfer to Agra Fort railway station to take train to Varanasi.

Overnight on board the train.

Day 14 : Arrive Varanasi.

Arrive Varanasi railway station in the early morning. Meet on arrival and transfer to hotel.

Varanasi is the religious centre of Hindu religion. Situated on the banks of the holy river Ganges, Varanasi is considered to be among the oldest living cities of the world and has been a centre of learning and civilization for centuries. Varanasi holds special significance in the lives of the Indian people.

Every year hundreds of thousands of pilgrims make a long journey to this vibrant city where you can find the richest of the rich living side by side with the poorest of the poor. Travel to Varanasi with an open mind and see what faith can do to people and what their devotion to god leads them to achieve. Look beyond the poverty into the eyes of the people and you will see a sense of enlightenment and peace that their belief in a god has given them. The old city of Varanasi is a maze of small streets and alleyways hiding in disorderly array no less than 2000 temples and shrines. Domes, minarets, pinnacles and towers, and derelict eighteenth century palaces dominate the sacred left bank of the river. All in the jumble of this fascinating and spiritual city, you will see marriage processions and funeral processions and cows grabbing big flower necklaces destined for the gods. Varanasi is an unique city that vibrates with cosmic forces beyond comprehension.

Afternoon proceed for half day excursion to Sarnath, which is around 10 kms from the city centre. Sarnath symbolizes the birth of Buddhism. It was here that Buddha revealed his doctrine and founded his monastic community. The museum at Sarnath is amongst the most important in India and contains carvings representing a whole range of styles - archaic, the Mathura School, Gupta, past Gupta and Medieval - covering work of sculptors from the 3rd century B.C. to the 12th century A.D. Also seen here is the original lions heads from the Asoka Pillar, which form the symbol of the Indian republic.

Overnight at stay at hotel.

Day 15 : Varanasi / Delhi. Flight

Early this morning leave your hotel around 5:30 am for an early morning sunrise boat excursion on the holy River Ganges. See Varanasi come alive along the banks of the river. See people bathing in the holy water and worshipping the rising sun.

Witness the conclusion of life at the river bank holy cremation grounds. It is believed if you die in Varanasi you go straight to heaven. Varanasi will be one of the most extraordinary experiences of your visit to India.

After the boat ride return to the hotel for breakfast. Proceed on a Varanasi City Tour driving through the

Banaras Hindu University with a visit to the Bharat Mata (Mother India) Temple. Visit some of the holy temples of the city which encapsulates the ambience and the spirit of the city. Highlights include the Durga Temple, better known as the 'monkey temple' on account of the large number of monkeys residing there and the Temple

of Vishwanath (or Visheshwar, Lord of the Universe). If time permits before returning to the hotel, visit some of the silk brocade and weaving centers - a specialty of Varanasi. Afternoon check out from the hotel and transfer to Varanasi airport to take Air Sahara flight to Delhi at 1720 Hrs. Arrival Delhi at 2000 Hrs. On arrival in Delhi transfer to hotel.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 16 : Delhi / Departure.

Morning after breakfast, check out from the hotel and transfer to Delhi airport to take your return flight back home.

End of services with happy memories.