INDIA – ROYAL RAJASTHAN

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Upon arrival, you will be met by a representative at “Meet & Greet Hall” and then he will escort you to your vehicle and accompany you in the chauffeur driven vehicle to your hotel.
Please note check-in time @ 1400 hours, early check-in subject to availability).
We welcome you in the capital city of India, for a journey across the fascinating history- markers of medieval north India. Wars were fought and rulers changed in Delhi but ordinary lives were lived in relative continuity. Glimpses of these can be seen even today as the character of the city underwent massive changes in the last decades. In the lands fabled to have seen seven cities, signs of the old are continuously jostling with the new, presenting an ever-fascinating panorama. We welcome you to its chaos and stability, into its steadfastness and its impatience and into a delightful rainbow of amalgamation, producing a world completely its own.
Spend 02 nights at hotel, Delhi.

EASTBOUND DISCOVERIES SPECIAL EXPERIENCE – A SPECIAL PRAYER CEREMONY IN A HINDHU TEMPLE BEFORE YOU START YOUR INCREDIBLE TOUR OF INDIA
An arti is a prayer ceremony and a fundamental part of Hindu culture. Representing the elements of fire, earth, water and air as well as the senses, the priest has a tray with a diya (lamp), offerings of food, water, flowers, incense and a small bell. An ‘Aarti lamp’ is passed around a deity and is generally accompanied by the singing of songs in praise of that particular god. In doing so, the plate or lamp is supposed to acquire the power of the deity which is then passed around the people when the priest circulates the plate or lamp to all those present. The ceremony ends with everyone sharing the food which has been offered to the Gods.
Arrive into Delhi international airport (Flight details to advised)

Later proceed for the sightseeing tour of Old Delhi. Begin your day with an exploration starting in Old Delhi, visiting the Jama Masjid, the royal mosque built by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan in 1656. It is one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in the world and is constructed in red sandstone and white marble. The main prayer hall has a seating capacity of more than 20,000 worshippers.
Combined with old Delhi Tour on a tricycle rickshaw in the Indian metropolis of Delhi, where fast-paced, cell-phone toting characters out of Monsoon Wedding live side by side with barefoot rickshaw wallahs cycling past roaming cows in the road, you will visit the largest spice market in all of Asia, the bustling Khari Baoli bazaar. At once, all your senses will be over-stimulated to an amplified level.
Red Fort (From Outside)- The largest of old Delhi’s monuments is the Lal Quila, or the Red Fort, the thick red sandstone walls of which, bulging with turrets and bastions, have withstood the vagaries of time, and nature.
Then explore New Delhi by visit the 12th century Qutab Minar, gracefully hand-carved for its entire height of 234ft, and the iron pillar, which has withstood the ravages of time and not rusted even after 1500 years. Visit the mausoleum of emperor Humayun – a forerunner of the Mughal style of architecture and the imposing modern Lakshminarayan temple.
Drive past the India Gate (war memorial dedicated to the lives of laid down by the Indian soldiers), the president’s residence – formerly the Viceroy’s Palace, parliament House and the Secretariat buildings, – an interesting blend of the Victorian and 20th century architecture.
EASTBOUND DISCOVERIES SPECIAL EXPERIENCE: Visit of Sikh Temple (Gurudwara Bangla Sahib)
The Gurudwara Bangla Sahib (the temple of the followers of the Sikh religion). The Sikhs, which means “disciples”, are one of the country’s most recognizable groups. Beards and turbans give them a distinctive look. Unlike Hinduism, they believe in one God, and that everyone, regardless of their station in life, should do “seva” or rendering social services. This resulted in the “Langar” or community kitchen, where every member of the religion considers it an honor to come and put in a couple of hours cooking thousands of Indian breads, making huge vat loads of curry, to feed the poor and underprivileged. The food served at the Langar is simple, but fresh and wholesome.
Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast at hotel, drive to Agra (Approx. 04 hours drive)
Upon arrival, check in at the hotel.
Agra is globally renowned as the city of the Taj Mahal. But this royal Mughal city has, in addition to the legendary Taj, many monuments that epitomize the high point of Mughal architecture. In the Mughal period, in the 16th and 17th centuries, Agra was the capital of India. It was here that the founder of the dynasty, Babar, laid out the first formal Persian garden on the banks of the river Yamuna. Here, Akbar, his grandson raised the towering ramparts of the great Red Fort. Within its walls, Jahangir built rose- red palaces, courts and gardens, and Shah Jahan embellished it with marble mosques, palaces and pavilions of gem-inlaid white marble. The crowning glory of the city is obviously the Taj, a monument of love and imagination that represents India to the world.
And then visit the Agra Fort, occupying a dominant site on the bend of River Yamuna, the high walled red-sandstone structure was built by Akbar between 1565 and 1573 and thereafter structures within it were added by successive emperors.
EASTBOUND DISCOVERIES SPECIAL EXPERIENCE (OPTIONAL):
Visit Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity Home. Home to the less fortunate children and abandoned senior citizens. Spend the next few hours with the underprivileged children and frail senior citizens who are taken care of by the nuns of the Charity Home. It is a heart-warming experience that restores one’s faith in humanity. Also get to know about the work being carried out by the Missionaries of Charity in over 123 countries in the world. you will come back with a feeling of profound respect for the missionaries who are tirelessly carrying out the noble job started decades ago by Mother Teresa.
Spend 01 night at hotel, Agra.

Sunrise visit to Taj Mahal: Visit Taj Mahal built by Shah Jahan as an eternal symbol of his love for his favourite wife, whom he called Mumtaz Mahal (“Jewel of the Palace”). The monument has immortalized him forever as one of the great architectural patrons of the world. The structure took 20,000 laborers and 22 years to complete. (Note: Taj Mahal is closed on Friday).
After breakfast at hotel, departure by surface to Jaipur.
En route, visit Fatehpur Sikri, a city abandoned by the ancient Mughal emperor, Akbar. We will continue the route to Jaipur. If time permits, we will visit Abhaneri stepwell too. Jaipur – The capital of Rajasthan, with its characteristic dark pink buildings, the color that represents hospitality for the Rajput in the Rajput culture. Founded by Raja Jai Singh in the 18th century, it is surrounded by hills at the top of which forts and palaces were built that inspired fairy tales. Camels walking slowly and the inhabitants dressed in bright colors, reflect a desert heritage in Jaipur. Meanwhile the markets are full of wonderful souvenirs, hand-woven fabrics and crafts. We invite you to visit the city of love, legends and traditions.
On arrival, check in at hotel.
Jaipur is also known as the Pink City, because of the terra-cotta-colored lime plaster that coats the old part of the city’s walls, buildings, and temples. The reasons for painting the town pink are unknown, some say it is because Maharaja Jai Singh II’s being a devotee of Lord Shiva and as pink was his favourite. The most popular reason is that pink is the traditional color of hospitality, and the old part of the city was freshly painted and paved with pink gravel to warmly welcome Edward VII for his visit here in 1876.
Spend 02 nights at hotel, Jaipur.

After buffet breakfast at the hotel, embark on your day of sightseeing in Jaipur.
EASTBOUND DISCOVERIES SPECIAL EXPERIENCE: ENJOY TURBAN TYING DEMONSTRATION: Before heading toward Amber Fort, enjoy turban tying demonstration. Ahead scarf that is even longer than a saree! This multilayered turban will add some real colour and splendour to your memories of Rajasthan.
Visit the Amber Fort, we recommend getting there early before the hoards descend. This is one of the most fascinating of the Indian forts comprising the Palace of Mirrors, Hall of Public Audience and the beautiful gardens, all of which give a glimpse into the majesty of days gone by. The fort can either be reached by Jeep, on foot or, subject to availability, on elephant back.
Then, visit the City Palace who’s several courtyards and gardens provide wonderful contrast to its many palatial structures including Mubarak Mahal, Chandra Mahal, Badal Mahal and the Sri Govind Dev temple. The huge silver water vessels displayed at the Diwan-e-Khas recorded in the Guinness Book as the largest in the world are a must see. Also visit Jantar Mantar- the Observatory. It incorporates multiple buildings of unique geometrical forms, each with a specialized function for astronomical measurement
Jaipur is also an interesting place for those interested in jewellery, clothes, carpets and other handicrafts items. The city is a veritable paradise for those seeking souvenirs of the craftsmanship of Rajasthan.
EASTBOUND DISCOVERIES SPECIAL EXPERIENCE: A SPEICAL EVENING WITH AN INDIAN FAMILY: In the evening, transfer to enjoy a culinary experience with a local family. Learn about the secret home recipes and culture over an exclusive time booked with your host for dinner. Learn about how to make a complete Indian meal with your host.
 Learn about spices
 Learn about the Indian lifestyle
 Dine with the family
 Learn about ingredients and techniques that are age old, time tested and good
for your health.
 Sit down dinner with your hosts
 Enjoy a few drinks and engaging conversation
 Participate in the preparation of the meal.

After breakfast at hotel, in time transfer to airport for your flight to Udaipur (Flight).
Upon arrival, meet and transfer to check in at hotel and rest of the day off to rest.
Udaipur: A vision in white drenched in romance and beauty, Udaipur with its marble palaces, beautifully laid out gardens and the lakes seems almost like a mirage in the desert. Built on the shores of Lake Pichola by Udai Singh II in 1559, after having lost his stronghold, Chittaurgarh to the Muslim invaders, Udaipur today is a quiet and relatively traffic-free city, having a small town atmosphere. The city hailed as the ‘Venice of the East’ is also one of Rajasthan’s great centers of contemporary art as well as of miniature paintings.
And rest of the day free to explore around.
Spend 02 nights at hotel in Udaipur.

After a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel, visit City Palace which is the largest in Rajasthan. In size and outline the City Palace and its subsidiary palaces bear a resemblance to the Windsor castle in England.
Continue with a visit to the medieval Jagdish Temple with its meticulously detailed carvings and take the blessings of Lord Vishnu (deemed as the preserver of the Universe by the Hindus) as you start one of the most important phase of your life. Later visit Sahelion ki Bari (Garden of the maids).
In the evening unwind with a tranquil boat ride in a traditional Shikara along the waters of Lake Pichola. Soak up the glowing Rajasthani sunset and watch the stars appear. Enjoy the boat ride tour of Udaipur, Rajasthan’s most romantic city. The boat will glide past historic sites on the banks of Lake Pichola.
Overnight stay at the hotel

Breakfast at hotel.
And drive to Jodhpur. En route, stop at Ranakpur where we can contemplate the most exquisite Jains example, built in the 15th century. The main temple in the complex is the Chaumukha (four-faced) temple, built in 1439.
Upon arrival, transfer to hotel and rest of the day off to rest.
Jodhpur: One of the most beautiful places of tourist’s interest in India is Jodhpur. Situated in the arid land of Rajasthan, this place was founded by Rajput Chief Rao Jodha in 1459. Rao Jodha is the descendent of King Ramachandra of Ramayana. Earlier, it was the capital of the Marwar state of Rajasthan. Jodhpur is surrounded by a tall stonewall of about 10 kms. Long. This wall has got eight doors facing various directions leading to different places of Jodhpur. Jodhpur is a beautiful small city with the golden sands covering the thorny shrub growing arid land. Jodhpur has about 100 towers most of which are surrounded by defensive battlements. Normally, guard’s chambers could be seen along with these walls, which are considerably high armed with iron spikes on top of it.
Spend 02 nights at hotel in Jodhpur.

Breakfast at hotel.
And then visit the 5-km long Mehrangarh Fort situated on a 125-mt high hill. This is one of the most impressive and formidable structures in Rajasthan. Within the fort are some magnificent palaces with meticulously carved panels, latticed windows or “Jarokhas” with evocative names. The chambers of Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, the Sileh Khana and the Daulat Khana are noteworthy for the splendour and glamour of a bygone era. Later also visit the Jaswant Thada – a cluster of royal cenotaphs in the white marble built in 1899 AD in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh- II.

EASTBOUND DISCOVERIES SPECIAL EXPERIENCE: KNOW THE TRUE BLUE JODHPUR BY TAKING A WALK DOWN THE MEMORY LANE
To feel the true essence of a city, it is best to take a walk on the road less trodden on. A majestic city such as Jodhpur is a store house of majestic tales of the bygone era, and our guide ensures to tell you most of them while walking down the Mehrangarh Fort. On this walk, you will see the wholesale grain market, the bamboo market, spice sellers, colourful local grocery SHOPS, MILK and local cheese stalls, tea shops, fabric and jewellery shops, agricultural implements, fruits, vegetables, local beauty products…the list is endless!
Overnight stay at the hotel

Breakfast at the hotel.
Later transfer to the airport in time to board the flight to Delhi.
On arrival in Delhi, meet and transfer transfer to international airport for your flight to onward destination.