Best of Rajasthan
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Introduction
Rajasthan is regarded as a ride on the sands of time. India's quintessential land of maharajas and medieval forts, palaces and tigers, and kaleidoscopic festivals, Rajasthan really is the jewel in India's crown. Far Horizon takes you onto a journey of vibrant and historical state of Rajasthan. Walk through the ancient alleys; listen to stories of the age of chivalry and excellent architecture taste; soak in the rich culture; take delight in the flavoursome food and treat your eyes and ears with lively folk music and dance, along with the thrilling experiences of spotting tigers and leopards in their natural habitat.
We have also added some special elements of Delhi with its majestic Mughal heritage and Agra where Taj Mahal defines its exquisite proportions.
Highlights
- Combined charm of Old & New Delhi
- Royal Palaces and Forts of Rajasthan
- Interaction with the Bishnoi Tribal people in Jamba
- Jeep Safari in Jawai Bandh in search of the elusive Leopards
- Unesco World Heritage sites including the iconic Taj Mahal
- Thrill of seeing the Royal Bengal Tiger in the Ranthambore National Park
Destinations Covered
Delhi
The City of GloryDelhi is said to be one of the oldest existing cities in the world, along with Jerusalem and Varanasi. It is the Capital Territory of India and a modern-day citadel that's dotted with ancient monuments.
History and Culture
Legend estimates it to be over 5,000 years old. Over the millennia, Delhi is said to have been built and destroyed 11 times. The oldest alleged incarnation of the city shows up in the Indian mythological epic Mahabharata as Indraprastha.
Jamba, Thar Desert
The Serene Desert LandscapeIn the distant reaches and vast expanse of the Thar Desert, far off the beaten tourist trail is the unique village called Jamba. It is located in Phalodi Tehsil of Jodhpur district in Rajasthan, India. This is a perfect place to get away from the big cities and enjoy the solitude of the desert life.
Jodhpur
A Rhapsody in BlueLocated on the foothills of a sandstone hillock, the city of Jodhpur seems like an oasis in the vast desert. The city is known by three names as the "Sun City" for the bright, sunny weather it enjoys all year. It is also referred to as the "Blue City" due to the vivid blue-painted houses around the Mehrangarh Fort.
Jawai Bandh
The Land of LeopardsThe Jawai hills located in the Pali district of Rajasthan are known as the leopard hills, surrounded by Jawai Bandh and grasslands while the area is enclosed by the Aravali range. Considered among one of the lesser known tourist destinations, this place deserves much more attention than it gets.
Udaipur
Venice of the EastUdaipur, also known as the City of Lakes, is the crown jewel of the state of Rajasthan. It is surrounded by the beautiful Aravalli Hills in all directions, making this city as lovely as it is. This 'Venice of the East' has an abundance of natural beauty, mesmerising temples and breathtaking architecture which makes it a must-visit destination in India.
Jaipur
The Pink CityJaipur is the largest city in Rajasthan and was built in the eighteenth century by Sawai Jai Singh as India's first planned city. Jaipur is a major tourist attraction amongst Indian as well as international travellers. Jaipur is often called the Pink City in reference to its distinctly colored buildings, which were originally painted this color to imitate the red sandstone architecture of Mughal cities. The present earthy red color originates from repainting of the buildings undertaken for a visit by the Prince of Wales in 1876.
Ranthambore
The Great Wildlife Adventure
Agra
The Majesty of the TajAgra is the city of the Taj Mahal, in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Agra has three UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort in the city and Fatehpur Sikri on the outskirts of Agra. There are also many other buildings and tombs from Agra's days of glory as the capital of the Mughal Empire.
Detailed Itinerary
- Day 1 Arrive Delhi
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Day 2
Delhi
Delhi
Today morning proceed to explore the Old Delhi.
On the tour of “Old Delhi,” you will head out to explore this exotic locale with its narrow dirt roads, myriads of people and inexpensive and colourful bazaars that keep alive the traditional workmanship for which Delhi has always been famous. Drive past the Red Fort, and visit the Jama Masjid, one of the largest Muslim mosques in India. A bicycle rickshaw would take you into the heart of Chandini Chowk (the silver square - so named because of the silver merchants).
We then drive to the outskirts of New Delhi to explore the Qutub Minar, on the way our guide will point out the Raj-era architecture in the city centre, including the renowned India Gate and Edwin Landseer Lutyens’ and Herbert Baker’s monumental governmental building on Raisina Hill.
Qutub Minar, a victory minaret was built by the first invading Persian, Qutub-ud-din, a millennium ago in South Delhi. One of Delhi’s most visited and striking monuments, the 72-meter (230 feet) high tower which majestically towers over the wide plains of Delhi.
Overnight at the Hotel (B)
- Day 3 Delhi - Jodhpur by flight & drive to Jamba
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Day 4
Jamba
Jamba, Thar Desert
After breakfast, go 4 wheeling cross-country on dirt and sand roads to continue your exploration of “Jamba-ji’s” land. These excursions introduce you to traditional Rajasthani hospitality, as well as give you a chance to witness rural Rajasthani life up close. The villages are built with painted adobe walls, and village life continues unaffected by the big cities nearby.
Bishnoi villages are immaculate, scrubbed daily by brightly clad women who are weighted down by silver jewellery and festooned with bangles right up to the length of their arms. By contrast, their tall men dress entirely in white, their large turbans loosely swathed around dark skinned, weathered faces.
Return to the retreat for lunch.
Later in the afternoon, we will also have an opportunity to go on a camel cart safari.
Return to Resort in time to watch the setting sun light up the desert.
Overnight at the Hotel (B, L, D)
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Day 5
Jamba - Jodhpur (approx. 2.5 hours’ drive)
Jodhpur
After an early breakfast, check-out and drive to the Khichan village to witness the perfect example of the bird and human relationship, where over 15000 demoiselle cranes come to the village during the months of winter and villagers feed them grains.
Thereafter, continue on your drive to Jodhpur and check-in to the hotel on arrival.
This afternoon, explore the city’s beautiful palace Mehrangarh Fort has been in existence since 1459 and is one of the most astounding constructions and architectural marvels. The towering building has extremely high walls and gates, and the closer it is explored, the smaller you begin to feel! Inside the fort is a network of courtyards and palaces, (including a museum that houses a splendid collection of items from the Maharajas), salvaged to display their long history of warding off attackers.
You can visit the bustling Clock Tower bazaar to get a flavour of this historic city.
Overnight at the Hotel (B)
- Day 6 Jodhpur / Jawai (approx. 3½ hours’ drive)
- Day 7 Jawai
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Day 8
Jawai / Udaipur (approx. 3 hours’ drive)
Udaipur
After breakfast, drive to Udaipur, known as the Venice of the East, the city of lakes and one of India’s most romantic destinations.
Arrive and check-in to the hotel.
Enjoy the pleasant boat ride on the Lake Pichola in the evening.
Overnight at the Hotel (B)
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Day 9
Udaipur
Udaipur
Today morning post breakfast visit the Jagdish Temple, the largest and most venerated temple in Udaipur. Built in 1651 A.D. by Maharaja Jagat Singh, the temple is decorated with friezes and enshrines a black stone image of Vishnu.
Walk about the Garden of Maidens (Sahelion Ki Bari), which consists of an ornamental lotus pool with delicately carved cenotaphs of black and white marble and soapstone.
Explore Maharajah’s City Palace, an imposing edifice of granite and marble, standing atop a ridge overlooking the blue waters of Lake Pichola and the exquisite Lake Palace.
Overnight at the Hotel (B)
Garden of Maidens
Saheliyon Ki Bari - Day 10 Udaipur / Jaipur (approx. 6 hours’ drive)
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Day 11
Jaipur
Jaipur
Full day sightseeing of Jaipur including a visit to the Amber Fort and a photo stop at the Palace of the Winds, the Hawa Mahal in the morning.
Visit Amber Fort a UNESCO World Heritage site built by the Kachhawah Rajputs as their capital from 1037 to 1728 and considered the pinnacle of Rajput architecture. We tour the unoccupied citadel this morning, to admire the fresco-covered portal, the impressive room of mirrors, walls of jewel-encrusted marble, and the royal apartments offering beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding valleys.
We continue on to Jantar Mantar, the incredible open-air Royal Observatory (ca. 1728) housing oversized astronomical instruments and a UNESCO World Heritage site; and City Palace, former residence of the Maharajas of Jaipur, built in the shape of the city itself and now converted to a museum that houses the rulers’ magnificent art collections.
Overnight at the Hotel (B)
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Day 12
Jaipur / Ranthambore (approx. 4 hours’ drive)
Ranthambore
This morning we embark on a drive to Ranthambore.
After lunch at the hotel, proceed for the first game drive in the Ranthambore National Park.
Overnight at the Hotel (B)
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Day 13
Ranthambore
Ranthambore
On today’s morning and afternoon game drives, we’re sure to see more game (though tiger and leopard sightings are not guaranteed).
The park’s varied landscape of beautiful lakes, lush grasslands, deep ravines, wooded valleys, and open scrub also features picturesque ruins of old fortifications and the thousand-year-old Ranthambore Fort, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Overnight at the Hotel (B, L, D)
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Day 14
Ranthambore / Bharatpur by train & drive to Agra
Agra
With packed breakfast, check-out from the hotel and transfer to Sawai Madhopur Railway Station to board the train to Bharatpur.
On arrival at Bharatpur, drive to Agra.
Later this afternoon, proceed to visit the “Mehtab Bagh” situated north of the Taj Mahal complex on the opposite side of the Yamuna River, in the flood plains. The garden complex, square in shape, is perfectly aligned with the Taj Mahal on the opposite bank. The most important attraction of Mehtab Bagh is the Taj Mahal itself. This is a unique spot as you can get a picturesque view of The Taj from here.
Overnight at the Hotel (B)
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Day 15
Agra
Agra
Early this morning, savour a travel highlight as we embark on a tour of the Taj Mahal, the magnificent tomb of white marble built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz, who had implored her husband to build a monument symbolizing their undying love for each other. Some 20,000 labourers and artisans from around the world spent 22 years constructing what became Mumtaz’s mausoleum, which was begun in 1632. Along with its exquisite symmetry, the Taj features striking examples of pietra dura; a decorative art in which craftsmen embed precisely cut semi-precious stones in marble to form dazzling patterns.
Return to the hotel & have breakfast.
Post lunch visit the imposing Red Fort of Agra (also known as Agra Fort), comprising of fairy tale palaces, two beautiful mosques, audience halls, pavilions, courtyards, and gardens all surrounded by a massive wall, a moat, and yet another wall. A creative, architectural, and strategic masterpiece, the Fort is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. In a cruel twist, Emperor Shah Jahan, builder of the Taj Mahal and whose grandfather built the original Fort and who also assumed the throne himself, was imprisoned here at the end of his life by his own son – in a room looking out on the Taj Mahal across the river.
Overnight at the Hotel (B)
- Day 16 Agra – Delhi drive (approx. 4 hours’ drive) & departure
