Rajasthan Heritage Palaces Tour with Taj Mahal by moonlight

This fascinating tour of northern India starts in the capital, New Delhi, designed by British architects Edwin Lutyens and James Baker. You will be amazed at the sight of the world famous Taj Mahal by sunrise and mesmerized to view it in the full moonlight. The ancient traditions and customs evolved over centuries under the reign of the Hindu Maharajas have survived to modern day in the state of Rajasthan. Each stop in this state is unique. Enjoy an elephant ride at Amber Fort and a camel ride on sand dunes at sunset near Jaisalmer. Relish this fascinating journey in the comfort of 5-star and heritage palace hotels. Samode Palace is considered one of the world’s most romantic hotels.

Sunday, December 27, 2009, US International Airport:
Departure

Monday, December 28, 2009, In Transit/DELHI:
Arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport a little past mid-night, welcome and transfer to hotel for overnight in Taj Palace Hotel (5-star deluxe hotel).

Tuesday, December 29, 2009, DELHI / AGRA:
After breakfast drive to Raj Ghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi on the banks of River Yamuna, drive past Red Fort, with stop for photography, to the Jama Masjid built by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan. On the way back stop near Chandni Chawk Bazaar for photography / Rickshaw ride. After lunch in a city restaurant start the New Delhi sightseeing including Qutub Minar, Tomb of Mughal Emperor Humayun, a brief stop at Bahai Lotus Temple for photography and drive past Rashtrapati Bhawan, Mansion of the President, office of Prime Minister, Parliament House and India Gate in the part of New Delhi planned by the British architect, Edwin Lutyens and leave Delhi around 4 PM to reach Agra at about 9 PM with stop on the way for dinner and transfer to Taj Gateway Hotel (5-star hotel very near Taj Mahal) for overnight.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009, AGRA:
Pre-sunrise walk a short distance to the world famous Taj Mahal to view it by Sunrise. After breakfast visit Agra Fort with red sandstone palaces of Emperor Akbar and white marble palaces of Emperor Shahjahan. In the late evening return once again to the Taj Mahal to view it in full moon light. Overnight in Taj Gateway Hotel.

Thursday, December 31, 2009, AGRA / FATEHPUR SIKRI / JAIPUR:
After breakfast drive to the deserted capital of Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri. After sightseeing of the red sandstone palaces of Emperor Akbar and the white marble tomb of Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chistie in this fascinating deserted city drive about 4 hours to Jaipur. In the afternoon visit the City Palace of the Maharajas of Jaipur with its interesting textile gallery in Mubarak Mahal, the Sarvatobhadra hall of private audience with its two gigantic silver urns, the courtyard of Chandra Mahal and the Diwan-i-Am art gallery with its world famous collection of miniature paintings and portraits of Maharajas and the asronomical observatory of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. Overnight in Raj Palace Hotel (4-star heritage hotel in walled pink city).

Friday, January 1, 2010, JAIPUR / JODHPUR:
After breakfast drive to Amber Fort for elephant ride to the hilltop palaces. Later drive about 330 kilometers or 205 miles to Jodhpur. Overnight in Ranbanka Palace (4-star heritage hotel).

Saturday, January 2, 2010, JODHPUR / JAISALMER:
After breakfast visit the hilltop Mehrengarh Fort, drive about 302 kilometers or 188 miles to Jaisalmer in about 6 hours. On arrival check-in hotel and take a short drive to enjoy a desert sunset at the sand dunes of Sam village. Overnight in Gorbandh Palace Hotel (5-star hotel).

Sunday, January 3, 2010, JAISALMER:
After breakfast visit the Jaisalmer Fort, the famous Havelis of Patwon, Salim Singh and Nathmal, as well as the Gaddi Sagar Lake and Royal Chattariyan cenotaphs. Overnight in Gorbandh Palace Hotel.

Monday, January 4, 2010, JAISALMER / ROHETGARH:
After breakfast drive about 290 kilometers or 180 miles to Rohetgarh Fort in about 6 hours. On arrival relax & explore the fort hotel or walk in the village. Overnight in Rohetgarh Fort (heritage hotel).

Tuesday, January 5, 2010, ROHETGARH / RANAKPUR / UDAIPUR:
After breakfast drive for lunch at Maharani Bagh Hotel in Ranakpur and sightseeing of the famous Chaturmukh Jain Temple and the smaller Jain and Hindu temples in the same complex. Later drive 90 kilometers or 56 miles to Udaipur, the city of Lakes and Palaces. Overnight at the Trident Hotel (5-star hotel) located on the shores of Lake Pichola.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010, UDAIPUR:
After breakfast visit the imposing City Palace of the Sisodia Dynasty Maharanas and the Jagdish Temple that is just outside its main gate. In the afternoon enjoy a boat ride on Lake Pichola to visit the Jag Mandir Island Palace and view the Jagniwas Lake Palace Hotel. Overnight in Trident Hotel.

Thursday, January 7, 2010, UDAIPUR / DEVGARH:
After breakfast drive about 135 kilometers or 84 miles in about 3 hours to the beautifully restored castle of the former Rawat of Devgarh. Overnight in Devgarh Mahal (4-star heritage hotel).

Friday, January 8, 2010, DEVGARH / SAMODE:
After breakfast drive about 291 kilometers or 106 miles in about 6 hours to Samode Palace, relax in the afternoon or explore the fresco paintings of the palace or walk in the village. Overnight in Samode Palace (4-star heritage hotel).

Saturday, January 9, 2010, SAMODE / DELHI / USA:
In the morning relax in hotel and after lunch drive about 242 kilometers or 181 miles in about 5 hours to Radisson Hotel for farewell dinner and later transfer to the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi to board the flight back to USA.

Price from New York is US$ 2,610 per person, single room supplement is US$ 890.

Price from Los Angeles or San Francisco is US$ 2,750 per person, single room supplement is US$ 890.

Please call us for price from other US airports.

The above mentioned Price includes:

·          Round trip international airfare from New York or Los Angeles or San Francisco as mentioned above.

·          Accommodation for 14 nights in hotels with breakfast based on double or twin room occupancy.

·          For 2 person AC car, for 3-4 persons AC SUV/Van and for more than 5 persons AC coach.

·          Local English speaking guides in each city for all sightseeing tours, tour escort for groups

·          Entrances at the monuments & tourist sights.

·          Boat ride in Udaipur.

·          Elephant ride at Amber.

·          Camel ride on sand dunes at Jaisalmer

·          Demonstration of Pietra Dure- Inlay art with semi-precious stones in marble.

·          Demonstration of Gem cutting and polishing in Jaipur.

·          Demonstration of wooden block textile printing and woolen carpet weaving in Jaipur.

·          All applicable state, transport & luxury taxes.

·          Farewell dinner at Radisson Hotel in New Delhi.

Tour cost does not include:

·          Cost of international flight’s airport taxes and surcharges.

·          Cost of lunches and dinners except farewell dinner at The Radisson Hotel in New Delhi.

·          Cost of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

·          Cost of Travel Guard International Insurance, it is highly recommended.

·          Expenses of personal nature like tips to hotel baggage handlers, guides and drivers; telephone calls, laundry, and room service in hotels.

PAYMENTS: