Rajasthan Panorama

Rajasthan is one of the most colourful and vibrant states in India, where we will spend most of our time during this in depth tour. With a brief visit to Delhi, this journey of discovery continues on to small Rajput towns and villages, with mysterious names like Alsisar, Kumbhalgarh, Deogarh and Pushkar. The Rajasthan Panorama tour combines Indian village life with visits to some of the most opulent palaces and majestic fortresses in India.

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1: Australia to Delhi

Begin our Wendy Wu Tours group holiday to India. Travel to Delhi with Singapore Airlines. Upon arrival we will be welcomed by our National Escort and transferred to our hotel.

Day 2: Delhi to Alsisar

This afternoon leave Delhi and drive into the countryside to the small heritage town of Alsisar, located in the Shekhawati region. Not as well known as Mandawa, Alsisar provides the visitor a non commercialised picture of village life in rural Rajasthan. The whole area of Shekhawati has beautiful frescoes, havelis and mansions and is often referred to as an open air art gallery. Our accommodation tonight is in a restored heritage haveli.

Day 3: Alsisar to Bikaner

Continue to head west this afternoon and drive to Bikaner, a major desert town in northern Rajasthan. Like many others in Rajasthan the old city is surrounded by a high crenulated wall and was once an important staging post on the great caravan routes.

Day 4: Bikaner to Jaisalmer

This morning we visit the Junagarh Fort and enjoy a rickshaw ride through the mediaeval streets to the old city Bazaar. Later today drive to Jaisalmer dubbed the ‘Golden City’ and enjoy an evening visit to Sunset Point.

Day 5: Jaisalmer

Today we see the fort built by Rawal Jaisal atop the 80m high Trikuta Hill. Within the fort there are beautifully carved Jain temples and the Badal Vilas Palace. Later in the afternoon visit the Sam Dunes located in the midst of the Thar Desert and take a camel ride on the sand dunes to view the sunset.

Day 6: Jaisalmer to Manvar

Drive back into the Thar Desert to Manvar. This afternoon experience a camel and jeep safari to local Bishnoi villages to meet the locals. The Bishnois follow 29 principles of a non-violent Vaishanavas sect. Tonight we will have a memorable stay in a tented camp in the desert. (Manvar Resort if camp unavailable)

Day 7: Manvar to Jodhpur

Today we leave our camp and drive to Jodhpur the second largest city in Rajasthan.

Day 8: Jodhpur

This morning visit Meherangarh Fort, one of the most impressive complexes in Rajasthan, followed by the museum located in the Umaid Bhawan Palace. Take an auto rickshaw ride to a local restaurant for lunch before walking through ‘Subji Mandi’, the local vegetable and spice market.

Day 9: Jodhpur to Udaipur via Ranakpur

After breakfast we drive to Udaipur via Ranakpur, home to the largest Jain temple complex in India, dating back to the 15th Century. The temple is an incredible piece of architecture with its 29 halls and 1444 pillars, no two alike. Relax this afternoon before leaving for a cruise on Lake Pichola, fringed with hills, palaces, havelis, ghats and temples.

Day 10: Udaipur

This morning visit Sahelion Ki Bari Gardens (the Garden for the Maids of Honour), the Folk Museum and a Mewar Art Gallery. After lunch visit the City Palace and walk through the local streets and shops. This evening enjoy an enchanting dinner at a local restaurant overlooking Lake Pichola.

Day 11: Udaipur to Deogarh

After breakfast drive to Deogarh. On arrival we will check into our hotel, the Deogarh Mahal, an imposing 17th Century palace. In the evening enjoy a walk through the colourful and bustling streets of the village to take in the sights and sounds of rural India.

Day 12: Deogarh to Pushkar

In the morning transfer to the local railway station and board a rural 1930’s train, enjoying a short 23km ride from Deogarh to Phulad, continue by road to Pushkar. Apart from its religious significance, Pushkar is known for its Cattle and Camel fair held every year in the festival month of Kartik (October - November). Being a religious town, alcohol and non-vegetarian food are taboo. Enjoy a walking tour of the market and stop at one of the temples by the lake.

Day 13: Pushkar to Jaipur

Leaving Pushkar we continue on to Jaipur, also known as the ‘Pink City’. This afternoon visit the City Palace and the Jantar Mantar (Observatory).

Day 14: Jaipur

Start today’s touring with a photo stop at the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), we then drive to the palace and fortress at Amer before learning about printing and carpet weaving, we return to our hotel for lunch. Later this afternoon enjoy a shopping experience at ‘Choti Choper’ inside the walled city before enjoying traditional dancing and dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 15: Jaipur to Ranthambore National Park

Leaving Jaipur we head south to Ranthambore National Park, one of the prime examples of Project Tiger’s conservation efforts in Rajasthan. Enjoy a canter safari this afternoon.

Day 16: Ranthambore National Park

Enjoy a morning and an afternoon game viewing by canter around an estimated area of 400 sq km of game reserve.

Day 17: Ranthambore National Park to Agra

Today take a train to Bharatpur from where we drive to Agra stopping en route at Fatehpur Sikri, a fortified ghost city. Agra rose to fame in the medieval period as the capital of the Moghul Empire and was beautified with gardens, waterfalls, bathhouses and canals. In modern times the city still supports thriving handicraft industries.

Day 18: Agra

Rise early and travel by horse drawn carriage ‘tongas’ to view the Taj Mahal in all its glory at sunrise. After breakfast, visit a marble factory to see traditional stone inlay work unique to Agra. After lunch we visit Agra Fort.

Day 19: Agra to Delhi

This morning drive to Delhi. Later this afternoon we visit Qutab Minar and the Lotus Temple before stopping at Connaught Place markets for some local shopping.

Day 20: Depart Delhi

Today we visit Old Delhi, drive past the Red Fort, walk through ‘Chandni Chowk’ to India’s largest mosque, Jama Masjid. Have a photo stop at the India Gate, drive past the President’s House and the Parliament Building before lunch. This afternoon is free until a late check out and dinner before transferring to the airport to board our flight home.

Day 21: Arrive Australia

Arrive home in Australia.

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Images from Rajasthan Panorama