Incredible Forts & Palaces Tour

Tour Destination: Delhi-Neemrana-Nawalgarh-Mandawa-Bikaner-Jaisalmer-Rohitgarh-Jodhpur-Narlai-Kumbalgarh-Udaipur-Jojawar-Pushkar-Jaipur-Samode- Delhi

Travel Duration: 22 Nights/23 Days

DAY 1: DELHI:- Arrive in Delhi and later transfer to the hotel. After freshen up, enjoy full day city tour of Old Delhi & New Delhi visiting

JAMA MASJID- This is the largest mosque in India, located opposite to the Red Fort, it was again the great Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan behind this architectural masterpiece.

RAJ GHAT- Built on the banks of the legendary Yamuna, which flows past New Delhi, Raj Ghat-the last resting place of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation.

PRESIDENT’S HOUSE- New Delhi, centers around the Rashtrapati Bhawan. It is architecturally a very impressive building standing at a height, flowing down as it were to India Gate. HUMAYUN’S TOMB- The emperor’s grieving widow, Haji Begum, built Humayun’s Tomb the first mature example of Mughal architecture in India, in 1565 AD.

LAXMI NARAYAN TEMPLE- Also called the Birla Mandir it was built in 1938; the temple is an ideal introduction to some of the gods of the India pantheon. 

LOTUS TEMPLE- The Bahai’s Temple, is shaped like a lotus. It is an eye-catching edifice worth exploring. Built by the Bahai’s community, it offers the visitor a serenity that pervades the temple and its artistic design. 

QUTAB MINAR- It is among the tallest and famous towers in the world. Qutab Minar is famed as the highest brick minaret of the world, located amidst the lush greens of South Delhi. 

Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 2: DELHI – NEEMRANA:- Next morning drive towards Neemrana Fort- this palace is among India's oldest heritage resorts in Alwar, Rajasthan. Transfer to hotel. In the afternoon visit 

NEEMRANA FORT- It is famous for its magnificent Neemrana Fort Palace. It was built in 1464 AD, a palace from where Rajput Maharaja Prithvi Raj Chauhan III reigned. Neemrana fort is now converted into one of the Rajasthan's oldest heritage luxury hotels.The fort has been restored and developed for the people to enjoy amalgamation of history and modernity. It is a perfect place to visit just for a day to enjoy the heritage resort and also the activities including zip-lining, swimming, etc.

Overnight at hotel.

DAY 3: NEEMRANA - NAWALGARH:- Next morning drive to Nawalgarh- a small nontouristy town almost at the very centre of the Shekhawati region, and makes a great base for exploring. It boasts several fine havelis, a colourful, mostly pedestrianised bazaar

MORAKA HAVELI- Unlike the Poddar Haveli, this one didn't have to be restored and hence it stands erect in its original glory. This is one of the two most visited attractions in this deserted town of Nawalgarh- the other one certainly being the Poddar Haveli.

PODDAR HAVELI- This haveli is not quite ancient and was built just about 90 years ago, in the 1920s under the Nawalgarhs. The Haveli boasts of some really beautiful frescoes with varied themes ranging from the illustrations of technological marvels like the air balloon or the modern railways or the Wright brothers' attempt at flight to the paintings of Gods and Goddesses.

ROOP NIWAS PALACE- An amalgamation of both European and Rajput styles of architecture, this Palace was the residence of the Thakur of Nawalgarh. It is situated about one km from the Nawalgarh fort and was built by Thakur Roop Singh Ji and Rawal Madan Singh Ji.

Overnight at hotel.

DAY 4: NAWALGARH - MANDAWA:- Next morning drive towards a small town in the heart of Shekhawati Region- Mandawa. Transfer to hotel. In the evening visit 

FORT PALACE- The structure of the palace reminds of the cultural and social importance of this region in the past. 

Overnight at hotel. 

DAY 5: MANDAWA - BIKANER:- Next morning drive to the imposing walled city of Bikaner; transfer to hotel and after lunch visit Bikaner.

LALGARH PALACE- The spectacular Palace is an outstanding architectural marvel that enchants you with a magical fusion Rajputana, European and Mughal building styles. Stone crafted pillars, Italian colonnades, spacious lounges, regal halls and profusely carved fire places at the imposing Lalgarh Palace in Bikaner transport you back in time to an incomparably lavish royal era. 

GAJNER PALACE- This red sandstone Palace lies ensconced in the midst of wooded grounds and is a delightful palatial home that has been converted into a heritage hotel. Delicately carved columns, sculpted pillars and Jharokha windows add to the quiet class of this heritage palace in Bikaner, Rajasthan. Set on the banks of a serene lake the Gajner Palace is a glittering jewel on the Bikaner crown. 

SHIV BARI TEMPLE- Constructed by Maharaja Doongar Singhji, the Shiv Bari Temple India is a virtual museum of miniature paintings that are delicate yet colorful representations of ethnic Bikaner traditions and patterns.

CAMEL BREEDING FARM- Popularly referred to as the Government Camel Breeding Farm, the National Research Center on Camel breeds the best camels in Bikaner and conducts research work related to "the ship of the desert."

Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 6: BIKANER - JAISALMER:- Today continue your drive to the desert town of Jaisalmer. Transfer to hotel and in the evening visit 

SAM SAND DUNES- Sam Sand dunes are the major attractions of Jaislamer. It is 3 kms long and 1 km wide and is half a kilometer high. The Sam sand dunes are unreliable and they are picturesque. Sam Sand dunes are just the place to surf the golden sands of Rajasthan through a safari.

Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 7: JAISALMER:- Take on a full day city tour of Jaisalmer.

HAVELIES- Evoking a vision of chivalry and valor, wealthy merchants built these havelies. Famous for their intricately- carved facades, the workmanship of Jaisalmer's Havelies present a beautiful amalgam of Rajput architecture and Islamic art. Some of the famous havelies of Jaisalmer are Salim-Singh-ki-Haveli, Patwon-ki-Haveli, and Nathmal-ki-Haveli.

GADISSAR LAKE- The origin of this artificial water tank dates back to 1156 AD. Surrounded by small temples and shrines, it also gives a view of the exquisite archway, Teelon ki Pol - one of the main entrances to the lake and the city.

Overnight at hotel.

DAY 8: JAISALMER - ROHETGARH:- After breakfast drive to Rohetgarh, a small settlement of Bishnoi community. Transfer to hotel. In the afternoon enjoy the jeep safari at Rohet Villages. 

Overnight at hotel.

DAY 9: ROHETGARH - JODHPUR:- Next morning drive to the Blue City of Rajasthan- Jodhpur. Transfer to hotel and after lunch visit Jodhpur.

JASWANT THADA- It lies quite close to the Mehrangarh Fort complex. It was built in 1899 AD in the memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II and houses the cenotaphs of a number of Rajput royals. The main cenotaph has rare portraits of many Rajput rulers on display. 

ARCHITECTURAL SPLENDOR OF JODHPUR- Given the rough terrain it is not surprising that the architecture of the city was influenced by it. Desert architecture is noted for two distinct traits, the need to guard against the heat and to fortify itself against invasions. Fortifications tend to merge with the color of the land, providing it with a natural camouflage.

THE MEHRANGARH FORT- Fort at Jodhpur is such that the fort walls and the sheer basalt escarpment are not distinguishable, one from the other. Huge gates at the entrance are fitted with iron nails to prevent elephants from bringing them down. The palaces and the mansions within the complex are more delicately designed. The chief palaces you can see in the fort are the Phool Mahal, the Moti Mahal, the Jhanki Mahal, the Sheesh Mahal and the Sadar Vilas.

Overnight at hotel.

DAY 10: JODHPUR –NARLAI – KUMBALGARH - UDAIPUR:- Next morning drive towards Udaipur. Enroute visit Narlai & Kumbalgarh.

NARLAI- A small village, which rests in the foothill, 36 km away from the renowned town of Ranakpur. Various Jain Temples and Hindu Temples are in the region. Among the tourists, the murals and the architecture of the temple of Lord Adinath, the first Jain Tirthankara is very popular. This beautiful village has a 17th hunting lodge which is restored now. A scenic view of the hill from small haveli which lies within fortress attracts many tourists.

KUMBHALGARH FORT- The Kumbhalgarh Fort is located on the banks of Banas River and is the second most important fort of Rajasthan. It is surrounded by 13 mountain peaks and was built by Rana Kumbha and it took him some 15 years to build this fort.

Continue your drive to Udaipur. Transfers to hotel, in the evening enjoy the boat ride on the picturesque Lake Pichola. 

Overnight at hotel. 

DAY 11: UDAIPUR:- Take on a full day city tour of The City of Lakes- Udaipur.

Maharaja Jagat Singh II built Lake Palace- the palace. It is situated on Lake Pichola, and it appears to be floating on the lake.

CITY PALACE- The largest palace of Rajasthan, it represents the architectural and artistic evolution of Mewar over the centuries. The palace is divided into various sections, each with its own distinctive 

style.

SAHELIYON KI BARI- This garden was the picnic spot for the 48 royal ladies who were offered to the prince as dowry. The gardens here have lush green lawns & beautiful fountains in the shape of birds - presenting a wonderful sight!

JAGDISH TEMPLE- One of the largest and popular Vishnu Temples of Northern India, this temple has exquisite carvings and four other smaller shrines dedicated to other deities.

AHAR- An ancient capital of Mewar, Ahar is the favorite haunt of archaeologists and research scholars. It houses various famous monuments and temples like the Royal Cenotaphs, Adinath Temple, and Mahavira Temple.

Overnight in hotel.

DAY 12: UDAIPUR – JOJAWAR - PUSHKAR:- Next morning drive towards Pushkar enroute visiting Jojawar

JOJAWAR-  Set amidst the Aravalli hills, Known by the name of Rawla Jojawar the fort is now converted into a heritage hotel. 

Further drive to the holy city of Pushkar, evening free for leisure.

Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 13: RANTHAMBORE – PUSHKAR - JAIPUR:- After breakfast visit the holy city of Pushkar. 

Later drive towards Jaipur- the pristine jewel in the desert sands of Rajasthan. Transfer to hotel and evening time to relax.

Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 14: JAIPUR:- After breakfast visit the Pink City viewing

CITY PALACE- In the heart of the old city is former royal residence built in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal styles. The palace also has an art gallery with an excellent collection of miniature paintings, carpets, royal paraphernalia and rare astronomical works in Arabic, Persian, Latin and Sanskrit, acquired by Sawai Jai Singh II to study astronomy in detail.

JANTAR MANTAR- A stone observatory, largest of Jai Singh’s five remarkable observatories. The observatory was built to study the movement of stars. The observatory is built in stone and marble. 

AMER PALACE- A beautiful complex of palaces, halls, pavilions, gardens and temples built by Raja Man Singh. Tourists often ride on the elephant back to the Singh pool and the Jaleb Chowk. 

Other tourist attractions are Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh Fort, Govind Deoji Mandir, Rambagh Palace, Kanak Valley and Laxmi Narayan Temple. 

Overnight at hotel.

DAY 15: JAIPUR – SAMODE - DELHI:- After breakfast, continue your drive to Delhi. Enroute spend some time at Samode.

SAMODE- Standing like a sentinel on a hilltop, the Samode fort is one of the prime tourist attractions in the village  of Samode in Rajasthan. During its original days, the fort was used as a residence by the royal family of the Rawals. Displaying a brilliant work of Mughal architecture, the Samode fort is quite reminiscent of the bygone era.

Later drive to Delhi to catch flight/train towards onward destination.