16Days Forts and Palaces Of Rajasthan

Arrive in Delhi and transfer to your hotel. Stay for two nights in Hotel Taj Mahal

Transfer to Airport

Flight to Mumbai. In the afternoon, proceed for tour of Mumbai visiting Prince of Wales Museum, built in 1904 and designed in the Indo-Saracenic style. A mere five-minute walk from this prestigious museum stands – Gateway of India; It was built to commemorate the visit of King George V in 1911. It is a magnificent structure overlooking the Arabian Sea. Also visit Gandhi Museum and the bustling Dhobi ghats, the washermen’s village. Later drive through Marine Drive an esplanade in a sweeping curve, also called the Queen’s Necklace, strung with glittering street lights like an enormous pearl necklace, and is at its most beautiful when lit up in the evening.

Overnight in Taj Mahal Hotel

Proceed on a city tour of Udaipur visiting city Palace, Jagdish Mandir and Sahelion ki Bari. A fusion of Medieval European and Chinese architecture City Palace. This marble monument is situated on the eastern banks of Lake Pichola. Numerous balconies, towers and cupolas of the palace provide a marvelous view of the lake and the city below. Jagdish temple built in 1651, houses an image of Lord Vishnu in black stone, along with a brass image of Garuda, his carrier. Covering the exterior and the plinth are base relief of alligators, elephants, horsemen and celestial musicians rising in rows. It is the largest temple in Udaipur. Also visit Sahelion ki Bari, the garden of maidens was built by Maharana Sangram Singh in the mid-18th century.

Afternoon at leisure. Enjoy an evening boat ride on Lake Pichola.

Morning tour of Jodhpur visiting Meharangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada. The awe inspiring Mehrangarh Fort takes pride of place as the first destination on any visitor’s list. From the outside its wide, high walls and sheer cliffs appear unassailable, imposing and austere, but once inside you discover several lavishly decorated palaces with intricate carved ‘jalis’ and panels that take your breath away.

Also visit Jaswant Thada, a few meters below the fort is the site of the white marble royal cenotaph of Jaswant Singh II and four of his successors. The Mahamandir, dedicated to Lord Shiva is an architectural wonder built in 1812 with 84 intricately carved pillars. As it was outside the city walls it was given its own protective fortifications, a sign of those turbulent times.

Afternoon drive to Udaipur enroute visiting the famous Ranakpur Temples, an astounding creation with 29 halls and 1,444 pillars, all distinctly carved. Continue to Udaipur and stay for two nights in Fateh Prakash Palace

This morning, visit this desert city which shines like a golden jewel above the hard sand. Visit the palaces, the Jain temples and the magnificent Havelis or merchant's houses, each richly decorated and carved from golden yellow sandstone. Afternoon visit the Royal Cenotaphs of the Rawals; also the best place to watch the spectacular sunset in the desert.

Drive to Khimsar. Perched on the edge on the great Thar Desert, the unique fort at Khimsar offers a wide range of experiences. The battle-scarred walls and turrets reminds one of the glorious past. Overnight in Fort Khimsar

Morning excursion of Amber fort,  a honey-coloured fortress-palace in the Aravalli Hills. Enjoy a jeep ride along the fortress ramparts. The sombre exterior belies the richness of the royal apartments which open on to striking views of the gorge. Walk into the Sheesh Mahal and admire the amazing interior décor thought of over 200 years ago. The Hall of Victory presents a galaxy of decorative art panels of alabaster with fine inlay work.

Afternoon city tour of Jaipur, driving past Hawa Mahal, an elaborate building encrusted with delicate honeycomb screens and carved balconies. Jai Singh’s Observatory built in the 17^th century by the founder of Jaipur who, besides being a prince was also soldier, astronomer and builder. This is an architectural feat. Visit the City Palace now a museum exhibiting fine Rajput and Moghul paintings, rare manuscripts and an armoury.

Cross the city into the walled gates of Old Delhi, visiting Jama Mosque (1650) and drive through the fabled area of Chandni Chowk. Then we drive past the Red Fort (1639-1648) built by Shahjehan, the builder of the Taj Mahal in Agra. Later visit Raj Ghat to pay homage to Father of the Indian Nation – Mahatma Gandhi.

In the afternoon, proceed on a tour of New Delhi visiting the Qutub Minar. Drive through the Embassy area, Connaught Place, the heart and main shopping district of the capital. Continue to Humayun’s tomb, also known as the forerunner to the Taj Mahal.