Cultural Rajasthan Tour

Optima Travels’ representative will greet you on arrival at New Delhi airport. You will be taken to New Delhi hotel to check in. On the way to hotel, the representative will explain various aspects of Rajasthan tour, introduce you with chauffeur for the whole tour and hand over hard-copies of hotel vouchers, invoice, itinerary, contact details, driver details etc. Since most of the international flights land in India at late night, after smooth check in at the hotel, have sound sleep to get relaxed for the sightseeing tour of Delhi next day.

The whole day is meant for thorough exploration of major highlights of Delhi . After breakfast, proceed on a guided tour of Delhi. Bangla Sahib Gurudwara will be visited first to observe ‘langar’ (free kitchen) and salient aspects of Sikhism. Old Delhi happens to be the next halt. Visit of Red Fort (remains closed on Monday), Jama Masjid & Chandni Chowk is on the chart. Exploration of Chandani Chowk will be conducted on a manually-pulled rickshaw. Drive past India Gate & Rashtrapati Bhavan while moving towards Akshardham Temple (remains closed on Monday). Qutub Minar complex, housing 2000 years old rust-free Iron Pillar, will be the last monument to be visited. It is leisure tour and helps you understand ‘exoticism’ of India. After visiting famous monuments of Delhi, later in the evening, return to hotel for overnight stay.

Today, you will enter the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, popularly called as ‘Open Art Gallery’ due to brightly and opulently frescoed mansions of rich merchants. After breakfast, depart for Mandawa, the town of stunning havelis. The themes of the paintings, frescoes and murals are inspired by Indian epics, legends and religious & historical stories. Depiction of Lord Krishna, cow-herds, Leela of Radha Krishna etc can be easily seen. After exploring Mandawa, in time return back to the hotel for overnight stay in Mandawa.

Bikaner , the city of dessert & desert, is the next destination to reach and explore. After breakfast in Mandawa hotel, drive to the Camel City of Rajasthan– Bikaner, predominantly famous for its stunning havelis, camel breeding farm, Lalgarh Palace, Junagarh Fort and Karni Mata Temple. Check in at the hotel on arrival. Relaxing for a while, proceed on a guided sightseeing tour of Bikaner which primarily includes magnificent Junagarh Fort, splendid Lalgarh Palace and Camel Breeding Farm & Research Centre. Spend rest of the day at leisure and have night stay in Bikaner hotel.

Jaisalmer, highly popular desert destination, is famous for camel safaris, desert villages, sand dunes, unique culture, intricately carved havelis, temples and fort. After breakfast in Bikaner hotel, depart for Jaisalmer. It takes about 7 hours driving to reach Jaisalmer from Bikaner. On arrival at Jaisalmer, check in at the hotel to spend rest of the day in leisure and have overnight stay.

After breakfast, guided sightseeing of Jaisalmer, one of the prominent tourist destinations in Rajasthan, will be carried out. Jaisalmer Fort , popularly known as Sonar Qila or Golden Fort, is the prime monument of the city. The old city of Jaisalmer is settled within fort ramparts. Golden Fort is home to famous Jain & Hindu temples, palaces and ancient library. One reaches to them meandering through narrow alleys. Jaisalmer is known across the globe for its intricate carved & latticed havelis (mansions). After visiting fort, move on for leisurely sightseeing tour of havelis of Jaisalmer. The prominent havelis are Nathmalji-ki-Haveli, Salim Singh Ki Haveli, Patwon -ki-Haveli and Manak Chowk and Havelis. Manak Chowk is main marketplace outside the fort that leads to the narrow lanes dotted with famous havelis.

Post-lunch, a camel ride to sand dunes in the heart of the desert will be conducted. Approximately after one hour of camel ride, you will reach the sand dune where tented accommodation awaits you to watch beautiful sunset and enjoy cultural evening amidst the sea of sand. Discover desert traditions, folk culture and desert ways during your Jaisalmer camel safari. Your over-night stay has been scheduled in a desert camp.

Proceed for Jodhpur, the Blue City of Rajasthan, after having breakfast in the tent. After 5 hours of drive, reach Jodhpur to check in at the hotel. After relaxing a bit, move on a guided sightseeing tour of Jodhpur. Among the prominent tourist attractions of Jodhpur are mammoth Mehrangarh Fort, Umaid Bhawan Palace & Museum, Jaswant Thada and Sadar market. After exploring local market, return to Jodhpur hotel for overnight stay.

Historically, Kumbhalgarh is probably most important fort palace complex, only after Chittorgarh. After breakfast, depart for Kumbhalgarh. En route, have a stop-over at Ranakpur, a famous Jain temple town of Rajasthan. Visit Ranakpur temple, located in pleasant idyllic set up. After visiting Ranakpur temple, have lunch there. Late afternoon, proceed for Kumbhalgarh which is almost 35 kms away from here. On arrival at Kumbhalgarh, you will be transferred to Kumbhalgarh hotel to spend evening in leisure and have overnight stay.

Accompanied by a guide, explore the historical fort palace complex of Kumbhalgarh. The length of the walls of Kumbhalgarh Fort is second only to Wall of China. Kumbhalgarh Fort is actually a fort within a fort. Temples, water ponds, Rajput architecture are worth watching. In the afternoon, depart for Udaipur, the City of Lakes. On arrival at Udaipur, you will be transferred to Udaipur hotel to spend rest of the day in leisure and have overnight stay.

Udaipur is the second most popular tourist destination of Rajasthan, after Jaipur. It ranks high due to its pleasant look, magnificent palace and truly Rajput architecture. On guided tour of Udaipur, you will be visiting City Palace, the largest and most beautiful palace complex in Rajasthan. Among other significant monuments are Jag Mandir, Saheliyon Ki Bari and Bagore ki Haveli. Late afternoon, Udaipur tour guide will take you on a boat cruise in Lake Pichola to view old city of Udaipur and famous Lake Palace of Udaipur (Jug Niwas). After having enjoyed leisurely sightseeing of Udaipur, spend rest of the day at leisure or relax. Return to Udaipur hotel for overnight stay.

Bundi, former principality of Hada Rajput clan, is historically and culturally greatly gifted but relatively being off-track, it is less frequented by the tourists. Any tourist once visits Bundi, returns with lifetime pleasant memories. After breakfast, drive towards Bundi via Chittorgarh. Chittorgarh is synonymous with valor and essence of Rajasthan. Though in not good form due to continuous attacks and ravages by Muslim rulers, Chittorgarh Fort & Palace complex will help you understand its strategic, cultural and historical importance. Chittorgarh is testimony to unmatched and uncompromising glory of Sisodia Rajput. After exploring Chittorgarh, drive towards Bundi. On arrival at Bundi, you will be transferred to Bundi hotel. Late afternoon, roam around the town market of Bundi, observing various aspects of culture and lifestyle of the local people. Spend evening in leisure and have overnight stay in the hotel.

Have scrumptious breakfast in the hotel and move on for a guided sightseeing tour of Bundi. Bundi is a historical and cultural destination and justifies it with its Taragarh Fort, Bundi Palace, Chhattar Mahal, Ratan Daulat, 84 Pillared Cenotaph and Baori (Stepwells). Bundi is known for its unique style of paintings that can be spotted in Chitrashala and even on the walls of the old houses. Soon after the lunch, drive for Ranthambhore Wildlife Sanctuary in Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan. Ranthambore wildlife sanctuary is known for its tigers and is one of the best places in India to see these majestic predators in the jungle. After three hours of drive, reach Ranthambhore to be transferred to the jungle resort to spend evening in leisure and have overnight stay.

After breakfast, proceed for Jungle safari by Jeep/ Canter on sharing basis in Ranthambore National Park for 04 hrs, from 07:00’Oclock to 10:30’Oclock. After jungle safari, return to the hotel and have lunch. Having lunch, proceed again for jungle safari by Jeep/ Canter on sharing basis in Ranthambore National Park for 04 hrs, from 02:00’Oclock to 05:30’Oclock in the evening. After tiger safari, come back to resort and enjoy the evening tea with camp-fire. Later in the night have dinner and overnight stay in Ranthambhore hotel.

Enjoying scrumptious breakfast, depart for the Pink City of Rajasthan – Jaipur.Jaipur , one of the triads of Golden Triangle , is equidistant from Agra and Delhi. After three hours of drive, reach Jaipur to be transferred directly to the hotel. Having relaxed for a while, a guided city tour will comprise a visit to City Palace , Jantar Mantar & Hawa Mahal . Late afternoon, explore lively market for shopping in Jaipur . In the evening, you will be attending mesmerizing ‘arti’ (deity worship ritual) in Govind Dev Ji Temple . It is a traditional Hindu practice of paying respect to and commemoration of God. Later, return to hotel for overnight stay.

Amber Fort, located 13 kms from Jaipur city center, is one of the prominent tourist attractions of Jaipur. The fort is perched on the top of Amber hills and is reached from foothill to hilltop where the main gateway of the mammoth structure lies. After scrumptious breakfast, check out from the hotel to move on for guided tour of Amber Fort. You will be taken to the main gate of Amber Fort by riding on the back of a caparisoned elephant. After visiting the fort, depart for New Delhi. On arrival at New Delhi, the driver will transfer you directly at Indira Gandhi International Airport to board flight for your next destination…