Desert Palaces of Rajasthan – 16 days – Price: US$ 1,840 Guaranteed departures for minimum 2 persons!

Luxury and heritage hotels in Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Pushkar, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner & Mandawa. Price includes roundtrip airfare from New York to Delhi, guaranteed departures!

Enjoy the colorful spectacle and tribal traditions of Rajasthan, the land of magnificent palaces, intricately carved temples, amazing desert landscapes and friendly people. Discover this region’s most fascinating cities – Jaipur, the pink city; Jodhpur, the former capital of Marwar; Jaisalmer, the golden city surrounded by sand dunes of the Thar desert; Udaipur, the city of lakes and palaces; Bikaner, famous for its Jharokha latticed windows in Junagarh Fort and city Havelies; Mandawa, an important town in Shekhavati that is an open air museum of fresco painted, aristocratic mansions. Be amazed by the serene beauty of the world famous Taj Mahal glowing in the light of sunrise. This exhilarating journey starts in India’s capital, New Delhi, designed by the Edwin Lutyens and James Baker in a blend of British colonial and Indo-Saracenic architecture.

Day 1, Depart from NEW YORK

Day 2, Arrive NEW DELHI:
Our India executive will welcome you at Indira Gandhi International Airport and bring you to Ramada Plaza or Oberoi Maidens Hotel in Delhi for overnight.

Day 3, DELHI – AGRA (205 km. – 5 hour’s drive):
After breakfast sightseeing of Rajghat, Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial, India Gate; Parliament House and President’s Mansion (from outside); Bahai Lotus Temple (closed on Mondays) and Qutub Minar – the oldest Islamic monument in Delhi. Later drive to Agra for overnight in the Jaypee Palace Hotel.

Day 4, AGRA:
Early morning visit the world famous Taj Mahal as the first rays of rising sun bathe it glowing light. After breakfast wonder at the traditional marble inlay craftsmen using implements similar to those that were used to build the Taj Mahal many centuries ago. Afternoon sightseeing of Emperor Akbar’s Red Fort of Agra where Emperor Shahjahan renovated many palaces in white marble. Overnight in Jaypee Palace Hotel.

Day 5, AGRA – JAIPUR (235 km. – 5 hour’s drive):
After breakfast drive one hour to Fatehpur Sikri, Emperor Akbar’s capital that was deserted for more than 400 years to witness the blend of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain architecture in Red Sandstone in the palaces complex. Later walk up to the beautiful white marble tomb of Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chistie in the massive courtyard of Jama Mosque. Afternoon is at leisure. Special traditional dinner at Chowki Dhani Restaurant is included in the price. Overnight in Ramada Inn.

Day 6, JAIPUR – AMBER:
After breakfast drive through pink city with stop at Hawa Mahal, the viewing gallery for women of royal household to view it in morning sun. Later enjoy a leisurely ride to the hilltop palaces of Amber Fort of Kachhwaha Maharajas. Gem cutting and polishing as well as textile block printing & woolen carpet weaving demonstrations are interesting in Jaipur. In the afternoon visit the City Palace with its collections of royal garments, miniature paintings and other interesting royal artifacts. Enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride in pink city before returning to hotel. Overnight in Ramada Inn.

Day 7, JAIPUR – PUSHKAR (140 km. – 3.5 hour’s drive):
After breakfast drive to the Pushkar Pilgrimage Town for a walking tour of the bazaar, temples and lakeside Ghats where a special prayer ceremony will be performed for you. During fair you would love to walk or rent a camel for a tour of Pushkar fair grounds. Overnight in Pushkar Palace.

Day 8, PUSHKAR – UDAIPUR (260 km. – 5 hour’s drive):
After breakfast drive to Udaipur. In the afternoon relax with a boat ride in Pichola Lake with option to visit the Jag Mandir Island Palace. Overnight in Rajputana Resort or Hilltop Palace Hotel.

Day 9, UDAIPUR:
After breakfast sightseeing of the amazing glass mosaic interior decorations in the City Palace of the Sisodia Maharanas of Mewar. Later visit the Jagdish Temple just outside the Torana gates of the palace. In the afternoon visit historical fountain garden for women of royal household – Saheliyon ki Bari. Special dinner at Rajbogh Restaurant is included in the price. Overnight in Rajputana Resort or Hilltop Palace Hotel.

Day 10, UDAIPUR – JODHPUR (285 km. – 5.5 hour’s drive):
After breakfast drive to the Chowmukha Jain Temple at Ranakpur. After sightseeing of temple drive further to Jodhpur. Late afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Ranbanka Palace Hotel.

Day 11, JODHPUR – JAISALMER (290 km. – 5.5 hour’s drive):
After breakfast sightseeing of the Mehrengarh Fort, perched on a hilltop surrounded by a flat landscape. Later visit the Jaswant Thada memorial. On arrival in Jaisalmer, time to relax in late afternoon. Overnight in Taj Rawalkot Hotel.

Day 12, JAISALMER:
After breakfast visit the Sonar Qila (golden fort) made famous by Bengali film director, Satyajit Ray; the Patwon-ki, Salim Singh ki and Nathmal ki Haveliyan (aristocratic mansions from Silk Route period) and Gaddi Sagar Lake. In the afternoon drive to Sam village for camel ride on sand dunes at sunset. Overnight in Taj Rawalkot Hotel.

Day 13, JAISALMER – BIKANER (200 km. – 4 hour’s drive):
After breakfast drive to Bikaner, the capital town founded by Rathore warrior, Rao Bika. Sightseeing of Camel Breeding Farm. Overnight in Gaj Kesari Hotel.

Day 14, BIKANER – MANDAWA (200 km. – 4 hour’s drive):
After breakfast sightseeing of the 16^th century Junagarh Fort on the way to Mandawa in Shekhavati region. Rao Shekha of Jaipur founded this region that was home to Silk Route traders who decorated their palatial mansions with Fresco paintings in the exterior and interior. Overnight in Desert Resort.

Day 15, MANDAWA – DELHI – NEW YORK:
After breakfast drive to New Delhi. Rest of the day is at leisure or for last shopping in India before transfer to Indira Gandhi International Airport to board the flight back to New York.

Day 16, ARRIVAL NEW YORK

Price and date schedule (guaranteed departures for minimum 2 persons):

Please add US$ 395 for departures from Los Angeles or San Francisco.

Please call us at 1-800-545-INDIA for departures from other US airports.

** Pushkar Fair Tour, limited places left; * High Season rate applies

THE ABOVE MENTIONED PRICES INCLUDE:

• Round trip international airfare from New York or Los Angeles or San Francisco as mentioned above.
• Thirteen hotel overnights on double/twin-bed occupancy with breakfast, fourteen days in India.
• Transfers, sightseeing and intercity transport by chauffeur driven air-conditioned vehicle.
• For 2 persons ac car, for 3-4 persons ac SUV/Van and more than 5 persons ac mini-coach.
• English speaking guides in all cities, local tour executives and qualified escorts with groups.
• Entrance fees to all monuments as per itinerary.
• Special dinner at Rajasthani traditional, Chowki Dhani Restaurant, in Jaipur.
• Special dinner at Rajbogh Restaurant in Udaipur.
• Cycle Rickshaw ride in Jaipur walled city.
• Elephant ride at Amber Fort.
• Pooja ceremony at Pushkar Lake Ghat.
• Boat ride in Pichola Lake in Udaipur.
• Camel ride on sand dunes at Jaisalmer.
• Demonstration of Pietra-Dure – traditional inlay of semi-precious stones in marble in Agra.
• Demonstration of Gem cutting and polishing in Jaipur.
• Demonstration of textile wooden block printing in Jaipur.
• Demonstration of woolen carpet weaving and finishing in Jaipur.
• All applicable government taxes, toll taxes, parking fees etc.

NOT INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE MENTIONED PRICES:

• International travel insurance. Travel Guard insurance is highly recommended. Please contact us.
• International flight’s airport taxes.
• Still and Video camera fees.
• Expenses of personal nature like room service, telephone calls, laundry in hotel rooms as well as tips to drivers and guides.

 PAYMENTS:

 Please fill out the registration form, sign it and mail it with an advance payment by personal check of $ 570.00. The balance amount is payable on October 10, 2009. On receipt of the form I will be glad to inform you the travel insurance premium amount. There is an extra charge of 2.75% for payment with Visa, MasterCard and Discover credit cards because credit card commissions and fees are not included in the price. Please call or email us for credit card payments.