Day 01: Nov 17, 2007 - Saturday, Arrive New Delhi
Namaste! We are welcomed the traditional Indian way with hands clapped together. Arrival at Delhi Airport, and you are in India. After immigration and custom formalities, we are assisted and driven through the city to our hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Taj Palace (2 nights) (D)

Day 02: Nov 18 – Sunday, New Delhi
The capital of India is a true reflection of the old and new of India. We start our morning tour with New Delhi and visit first the famous India Gate followed by the Houses of Parliament, Connaught Place and the Qutb Minar - a perfect minaret towering 102 meters into the sky. New Delhi is a blend of Moghul India, Hindu India, British India and, certainly, modern independent India.
Our afternoon concentrates on Old Delhi, starting with the famous Red Fort. Built by Shah Jehan, this was once the most opulent fort of the Moghul Empire. Next we visit another Moghul majesty, the Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque, followed by the Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. We end our tour with a bazaar experience at Chandni Chawlk, the street of silver and goldsmiths. (B, D)

Day 03: Nov 19 - Monday, New Delhi / Agra (Train: - Bhopal Shatabad)
Early morning we take a train journey to Agra. We start our tour with the Taj Mahal. Built by Shah Jehan as a mausoleum for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj is built of white marble, beautifully carved and inlaid with semi-precious stones. Next we visit Agra Fort, also a World Heritage Site, where Shah Jehan was imprisoned by his son in the later years of his life to prevent him from spending the family fortunes on a black echo of the Taj Mahal. Afternoon is free to shop for the Taj replicas; wood works and leather goods that the descendants of the builders of the Taj are still famous for.
Overnight: Hotel Taj View (1 night) (B, D)

Day 04: Nov 20 - Tuesday, Agra / Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri (drive - 4 hours)
A short drive gets us to the World Heritage Site of Fatehpur Sikri the beautiful capital built in 1640 by the Moghul king Akbar the Great and was later abandoned for lack of water. A superb example of Moghul architecture, it stands perfectly preserved in the desert. We also visit the artistically designed mausoleum of Salim Chisty who is reputed to have prayed for a son for Akbar leading to the birth of Salim Jehangir. From here we continue on a scenic countryside drive to Jaipur, the rose pink capital of Rajasthan.
Overnight: Hotel Rambagh Palace (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 05: Nov 21 - Wednesday, Jaipur
A royal experience awaits us as we take an elephant ride uphill to the intriguing Amber Palace, a distinguished example of 17th Century Rajput architecture. After enjoying the panoramic view, we return to Jaipur to visit the old astronomical observatory built by Jai Singh who founded the city. We also visit the majestic Palace, which houses a rare collection of Indian art, and the colourful bazaar. Jaipur is noted for its craftsmen, skilled in brass inlay, lacquer work and stone setting. Most of the buildings in the old city are made of pink sandstone. One of the most beautiful is Hawa Mahal, Palace of Winds, where the ladies of the royal harem used to watch the city from behind the intricately carved facade. Evening is free to enjoy both shopping and a cultural experience in the bazaars of Jaipur. (B, D)

Day 06: Nov 22- Thursday, Jaipur / Pushkar (drive - 4 hours)
In the morning after breakfast we set for on our Journey to the Pushkar fair grounds.
Overnight: Deluxe Tents (2 nights (B, D)

Day 07: Nov 23 - Friday, Pushkar
The annual fair in Pushkar is serious business for villagers who spend days traveling across the desert to Pushkar hoping to turn camels into much needed cash. The Pushkar Lake is holy to the Hindus and religious ceremonies are performed simultaneously as camels are being traded. Night at the fairground takes on a Carnival atmosphere. The ferris wheel attracts line-ups of giggling Rajput women in their richly colored saris and sparkling bangles that stretch from wrist to shoulder. Roadside vendors sell pots, pans, bangles, saris, belts and other various items. Campfires dot the dark desert like bright stars as the evening meal is prepared. This day is free to experience the festivity and mingle with the people. (B, L, D)

Day 08: Nov 24 - Saturday, Pushkar / Ajmer (drive 1 hr)
An interesting drive gets us to Ajmer. We visit the Mosque and the Mausoleum of the revered Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisthi highly regarded by Muslims and Hindus alike. Evening we witness the auspicious ceremonies performed by the devotees at the Mosque experiencing tranquility.
Overnight: Hotel …… Ajmer (1 night) (B, D)

Day 09: Nov 25 - Sunday, Ajmer /Jodhpur (drive – 7 hours)
A countryside drive gets us to the desert city of Jodhpur, the blue city, a crazed mass of indigo angles, spreads, along the edge of the great Thar Desert. Jodhpur’s fort, Mehrangarn, towers over the city, perched on a sheer rocky ridge from where the view over the sea of blue buildings is mesmerizing. Traditionally, blue signified the home of a Brahmin, but these days, non Brahmins have taken on the practice too. The old city of Jodhpur is a tangle of winding, glittering streets, scented by incense, roses and sewers, with shops selling everything from trumpets to temple decorations, from snuff to saris. It’s surrounded by 10 km long wall (built about a century after the city was founded) with eight gates. Jodhpur was founded bin 1459 by Rao Jodha, a chief of the Rajput clan known as the Rathores. On a vital trade route, the city was built on the profits of opium, sandalwood, dates and copper. Our experience of Jodpur starts with the visit to Mehrangarn fort, built in 1459 A.D. by Rao Jodha, rises steeply from a rocky scrap winds up to the massive gateway with immense portals and enter through the Gate of victory – Jai Pole and Loha Marked with palm prints of ‘Sati” (Rajput Ladies immolated themselves on funeral fire of their Husband). Inside the fort there a series of courtyards and palaces, a deep – terracotta latticed network. They house a museum, with a splendid collection of the trappings of Indian royalty, including some amazing elephant’s howdahs (essential for glittering processions), miniature paintings and inevitable Rajput armory and ephemera from ivory inlaid ladies dumbbells to camel bone carpet weights. Later we visit Jaswant Thada. This milky – white marble memorial to Maharja Jaswant Singh II is a peaceful array of whimsical domes, about 1 km from the fort. The royal crematorium and three other cenotaphs that stand nearby followed the Cenotaph, built, in 1899. Next we visit the museum at the Umaid Bhawan Palace, now a luxury hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Taj Hari Mahal, Jodhpur (1 night) (B, D)

Day 10: Nov 26 - Monday, Jodhpur / Jaisalmer (drive - 7 hours)
After the Jodhpur experience we get a different feel of Rajasthan as we drive to Jaisalmer, the ancient capital of the Yadavas in the heart of the Thar Desert. The evening is free.
Overnight: Hotel Taj Rawalkot (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 11: Nov 27 - Tuesday, Jaisalmer
We start our city tour of Jaisalmer visiting the fort built by Maharawal (Maharaja) Jaisal in 1156 A.D. – one of the oldest in Rajastan situated on triangular Mound 76 meters above ground level. Like a giant sandcastle, the golden fort thrusts skywards out of the surrounding barren landscape. Dubbed the “Golden City” because of its honey color, it is the place that should exist only in the imagination. For years Jaisalmer remained untouched by the outside influences. The rise of shipping trade and the port of Mumbai saw the decline of Jaisalmer. But the desert fortress, that seems to be straight out of the ‘Tales of the Arabian Nights’ still enchants. The life within the citadel conjures up images of medieval majesty visible in its narrow lanes strewn with magnificent palace, havelis, temples and, of course, skilled artisans and ubiquitous camels. The setting sun turning Jaisalmer into a beautiful golden brown is a spectacular sight. We also visit the Jain temple of the 11th century BC, Gadisar Tank – A scenic rainwater lake with numerous beautiful shrines around and a spectacular avian variety. The lake is an idyllic spot for outings. Folk Museum, Patwan ki Haveli the most elaborate and magnificent of all the Jaisalmer havelis. It has exquisitely carved pillars and extensive corridors and chambers. One of the apartments of this five story high haveli is painted with beautiful murals, Badal Vilas Palace. In the evening we take an excursion tour of Sam and Sand Dunes. Village Sam, 45 km west of Jaisalmer, has a cluster of Sand dunes. These dunes are large extents of shifting sands, the wind heaps the sand into hills or deep hollow scopes vary in size form 3 to 15 km. Adventure freaks can go out on a Camel Safari – getting the real feel of the desert on the camel back. Enjoy the sun set with changing colors in desert. (B, D)

Day 12: Nov 28 - Wednesday, Jaisalmer / Bikaner (drive - 7 hours)
In the morning after breakfast we drive to Bikaner. En-route we visit Deshnok. Deshnok is a small village situated 32 km south from Bikaner city. It is connected by national highway and rail. The holy land of Deshnok was formed by taking the corner plots of ten near by villages about 387 years ago (as per English calendar). At the time local people used to call it as dusnok. As the time changed it has been converted into Deshnok. The greatest attraction of Deshnok is the temple of Shri Karni Mata. People from far and wide come to pay religious tribute to Shri Karni Mata. We visit the Temple of Karni Mata, also known as the Rat Temple. Karni Mata is the presiding diety of the royal house of Bikaner. An interesting feature – Rats are the worshippers of Karni Mata in the form of Bards and are present in large numbers with in the precincts of the temple.
Bikaner city is bolstered by imposing walls and has a 16th century for housing old palaces, temples and a mosque. Founded by Rao Bika, the fort is distinguished by its long range of 37 pavilions, a line of balconies and windows of varying designs. An enormous arched doorway leads to the Jaramal Temple. The royal chapel is Har Mandir where royal weddings and births were once celebrated. This sprawling desert town has a fort with some of the finest interiors in India, and a bustling old walled city encompassing dark red sandstone havelis and exquisitely painted Jain temples. The area is famous for the intricate rich gold painting work by Muslim Usta artisans. On arrival in Bikaner, we check in our hotel. Later we tour Bikaner by visiting the Janagadh fort, constructed between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Rai Singh – a general in the army of the Mughal emperor, Akbar. Then Lalgarn palace, this red stone palace was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh (1881 – 1942) in memory of his father Maharaja Lal Singh. It is an imposing building, with overhanging balconies and delicate latticework.
Overnight: Gajner Palace (1 night) (B, D)

Day 13: Nov 29 - Thursday, Bikaner / Mandawa (drive - 5 hours)
Our tour of today will culminate with a drive to Mandawa. In Mandawa we visit the Mahavir Prasad Goenka Haveli, Shani Temple and Kanhaiayalal Bagla Haveli where you can see the glass lamps and Shekawati Furniture.
Balance of the day is free and at leisure.
Overnight: Hotel Mandawa Castle (1 night) (B, D)

Day 14: Nov 30 - Friday, Mandawa / New Delhi (drive - 5 hours)
In the morning after breakfast we drive to Delhi, upon arrival in the capital city, we are transferred to our hotel.
Balance of the day is free. Optional Sound and Light Show at the Red Fort.
Overnight: Hotel Taj Palace (1 night) (B, D)

Day 15: Dec 01 - Saturday, New Delhi - Home
Today we bid farewell to India and the festivities of Pushkar. We are transferred to the airport for our departure flight home.