| |
Rajasthan is one place that has probably everything that one associates India with, colourful tradition and costumes, spicy dishes, festivities that have legacies of their own, ancient incredible architecture, palaces, elaborate and decorative royalty and a strong volatile past. Join us on this classic fully escorted tour as we show Rajasthan, a memorial of chivalry of Rajputs and Agra, the city of Taj and Mughal Architecture.
|
 |
GeTS Holidays is a great option that fuses quality with affordability. Our long experience in the travel industry and the local know-how is a great asset that helps to offer ideal travel packages which not only suit your pocket but also your interests in having a great holiday as well as experiencing the best of hospitality that stands as a legendary tradition of India.
Rajasthan as a State is a unique blend of history and modernity. The state has a heritage of courage and valour that passes down generations. The richness of its artefacts and coloured vibrancy of its costumes and traditional attires are alluring for the first timers.
There are Palaces, Forts and havelis littered across the State that stand as a living testimony of its past and create an ambience of hybridism that is magical and seemingly unreal. Tall camels galloping beside modern cars on the city streets, wooden artefacts and colourful costume shops that accept all the major credit cards, elephants welcoming its guests by throwing rose petals in a five star heritage hotels; all these and more, only happens in Rajasthan!
Duration: 14 nights / 15 days
Destinations: Mumbai » Udaipur » Dungarpur » Chittorgarh » Kota » Ranthambore » Jaipur » Agra » Delhi
Day 01: Mumbai
GeTS Holidays executives will receive you at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport Mumbai. Your welcome will be a testimonial of Indian culture and will offer a glimpse of our hospitality. GeTS Holidays executive will escort you to the hotel of your choice. En- route you will catch your first glimpses of Mumbai. The islands forming today’s Mumbai were given to Charles II of England in dowry in 1661. In 1845 the seven islands were merged through the construction of Mahim causeway. In 1853, India’s first railway line joining Thana and Bombay was inaugurated.
In 1911, the ‘Gateway of India’, a 26 m high structure, was built in honour of King George V and Queen Mary. In close proximity is the Taj Mahal Hotel, built by JN Tata in 1903. The Prince of Wales Museum is a superb structure, built in Moorish and Gothic styles. The Museum has a fine collection of Indus Valley artefacts, priceless Tibetan and Nepali Art, Buddhist tankha scrolls. Tibetan bronzes and over 2000 miniature paintings. Close by is the Bombay Natural History Society, having a wide collection of flora and fauna.
Other places of interest are the Mani Bhawan, Jahangir Art Gallery, Siddhivinayak Temple and Bollywood, the Indian film city.
Mumbai is also the centre for all sensational activities in India, like film, music, dance and drama. Some famous exotic dishes are bhel puri, kebabs and mouth-watering Mumbai’s pau bhaji.
Day 02: Udaipur
After lunch we will fly you to Udaipur and arrange your stay at the Trident hotel. You are free to spend the rest of the day as you wish or enjoy a leisurely late afternoon cruise on the shimmering waters of Lake Pichola or stroll around the fountain pavilions and paved gardens of the illustrious Jag Mandir Palace.
Day 03: Udaipur Udaipur considered as the most romantic city of Asia, was built by Rana Udai Singh during the 16th century. This city is known as the’ Venice of East’ and the ‘city of Lakes’. It is a pleasant and romantic city situated on rugged hills of the Arawali. The city has never been fortified unlike many cities of Rajasthan. It has also never been attacked. The city served as capital of Mewar since the 17th century till independence. What makes Udaipur truly superb and unforgettable are the exquisite lake palaces, shimmering like jewels on Lake Pichola. Jag Niwas, the summer residence of the princes of Mewar, is today a luxury hotel of breathtaking magnificence. Jag Mandir, the other island palace, is a marvel of red sandstone, with a marble dome.
Night stay at Udaipur.
Day 04: Dungarpur
After leisurely breakfast a representative of GeTS Holidays will drive you to Dungarpur and arrange your stay in a luxury hotel. You have a free evening to enjoy.
Day 05: Dungarpur
Tour the tourist attractions of Dungarpur with the GeTS representative and see the brilliant interiors of the Juna Mahal. Dungarpur is a significant tour destination as it has the largest concentration of Bhils, an ethnic tribe of Rajasthan.
Stay overnight at the Dungarpur Palace heritage hotel.
Day 06: Chittorgarh
A representative of GeTS Holidays will drive you to Chittorgarh and arrange your stay in a deluxe hotel. The pride of Rajasthan, Chittorgarh still reverberates with the tales of its glorious but chaotic past. It is a land where the ideals of chivalry, sacrifice and honour were always worshipped. Today, all that remains of those glorious times are the ruins of forts; palaces and temples that have nevertheless, managed to retain their old grandeur. Chittorgarh has been a witness to some of the bloodiest battles fought on the Indian soil during the Mughal era. The city itself was ravaged thrice staring with Alauddin Khilji's attack in 1303 AD followed by Bahadur Shah in 1533 AD. Mughal Emperor Akbar attacked the city for a third time and razed the Chittorgarh fort to the ground. The fort was never inhabited after that attack. Every time Chittorgarh was attacked, its brave populace left no stone unturned to defend their honour till the last breadth. As the men rode out to meet their adversaries on the battlefield, the women and children would light a huge pyre and immolate themselves in order to escape the marauding enemy. Chittorgarh is synonymous with the tragic tale of Queen Padmini who chose death over dishonour by committing 'Jauhar' or self-immolation with other women. Alauddin Khilji was so overwhelmed by her beauty that he attacked Chittorgarh with the sole motive of possessing her. However, queen Padmini foiled his plans by taking the brave decision of facing death before giving him a chance to fulfil his aim. The spirit of sacrifice still lives on amidst the ruins of Chittorgarh. In fact, a visit to this city truly adds up as an experience to remember for a lifetime.
Day 07: Kota
After leisurely breakfast a representative of GeTS Holidays will drive you to Kota and arrange your stay in a luxury hotel. You have a free evening to enjoy.
Day 08: Kota After breakfast a representative of GeTS Holidays will drive you to Bundi. Bundi was stronghold of Hara Rajputs. They were famous for their valour. We will visit the Taragarh Fort and the Chitrashala - the famous centre of the Bundi School of Painting.
Day 09: Ranthambore
Ranthambore National Park was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1955. It has been a part of the Project Tiger since 1973. Ranthambore national park is considered as the best place for seeing tigers in their natural habitat. Even during daytime the tiger can be spotted. Besides tigers the National Park is an abode of jackals, mongoose, sloth bears and leopards. The sanctuary is situated between the Arawali and Vindhya ranges.
GeTS Holidays will arrange an elephant safari to take round the Park. We will also visit the historical Ranthambore Fort situated in the heart of the Forest. It was once the stronghold of the Chauhan Rajputs. The other attractions are Bakaula- a marshy tract, the Kachida Valley and the Raj Bagh Ruins. You will enjoy exploring the city and its market during the evening. Your stay will be arranged the Tiger Den hotel.
Day 10 Ranthambore- Jaipur
After early breakfast a representative of GeTS Holidays will drive you to Jaipur. We will arrange your stay in a heritage hotel. You will love to explore the city and its market during evening.
Day 11 Jaipur
After a leisurely breakfast GeTS Holidays will arrange a city tour. We will visit all three forts of Jaipur namely - the Amber, the Jaigarh and the Nahargarh. We will then visit other wonders like the Hawa Mahal- ‘Palace of Winds’, the City Square & Palace, and Albert hall museum. You will take pleasure in watching the glittering city during the evening. Jaipur has lots to offer like marble inlay work, silver and kundan jewellery, block prints and bandhani textiles.
Night stay at Jaipur.
Day 12 Jaipur – Agra
After breakfast we will drive to Agra, a 4 hours drive. We will visit Sikandra, the mausoleum of Akbar the Great. Emperor Jahangir in loving memory of his father Akbar built this mausoleum. GeTS Holidays will arrange your stay in a heritage hotel in Agra. After lunch we will tour the famous Agra Fort, the Taj, a monument of eternal love and Itmad-Ud-Daullah’s tomb known as precursor of the Taj. Agra is famous for designer marble items, leather products and an exotic sweet known as petha.
Day 13: Agra - Delhi
After early breakfast a representative of GeTS Holidays will drive you to Agra with a leisurely visit of Fatehpur Sikri. Emperor Akbar built this city as his capital in 1569. Now this city is completely abandoned. The monuments like the majestic Buland Darwaja, small but beautiful tomb of Saint Salim Chistie and many magnificent palaces are worth the visit. We will arrange your stay in a hotel of your choice. The evenings are reserved to explore the city and its market.
Day 14: Delhi
In the morning after your breakfast theGeTS Holidays representative will brief you about your Delhi sightseeing tour. Today’s Delhi is a unique amalgamation of the ruins of medieval citadels, palaces, tombs and mosques, with an ever-expanding, modern concrete jungle. The major tourist attraction sites are the Rashtrapati Bhawan designed as the British Viceroys Palace by Sir Edwin Lutyens, the Red Fort at Shahajahanabad (Old Delhi), Jama Masjid in the Chandni Chowk, Humayun’s tomb, the Qutub Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage monument which was built by the first muslim ruler of India, Qutubuddin Aibak. Construction began in 1193; it is India’s highest single tower; the Lotus Temple or the ISCON Temple etc. In the evening one can also witness a ‘Light and Sound’ show depicting the history of Delhi.
Delhi today is a mix of four major religions, thousands of years of history and cultural development, significant movements of different populations, invasions and colonisation. In Delhi you will feel the presence of one of the most vibrant and profound cultures in the world.
Night stay at Delhi.
Day 15: Delhi
After an early morning breakfast a GeTS Holidays’ representative will drive you to the Lutyn’s zone in New Delhi for glimpses of the India Gate- a war memorial, the Amar Jawan Jyoti- an eternal flame in memory of the ‘Unknown Soldier’, the Rashtrapati Bhavan- abode of the President of India.
In evening an executive of GeTS Holidays will drive you to airport for your return flight.
|