Pearls of Rajasthan

On your arrival in Jaisalmer, the golden city, our friendly agent will greet you and then escort you in a comfortable car to your hotel, where you can freshen up and grab a little rest.

You will begin your day by visiting the Golden Fort, also known as the ‘Sonar Killa.’ Built in the 12th century by Maharaja Rao Jaisal, the founder of Jaisalmer, this UNESCO World Heritage Site stands as one of the largest fully preserved fortified cities in the world. Constructed atop a hill using yellow sandstone, the fort remains a vibrant home to over 3000 residents. Within its walls lie a maze of narrow lanes with various shops selling handicraft, jewellery, textiles, and other traditional Rajasthani items. Some other key attractions within the fort are the Raj Mahal, Chandra Prabhu Jain Temple, Shri Laxmi Nath Temple, the Jaisalmer Fort Palace Museum, and the cannon point, that offers a panoramic city view.

The next attraction on today’s itinerary is the Patwon ki Haveli, which is a remarkable architectural marvel that was crafted in the early 19th century by a wealthy merchant Guman Chand Patwa. The Patwon KI Haveli is a cluster of 5 havelis, each dedicated to one of the merchant’s sons. Only one or two havelis have been converted into museums, while the rest are still used as residences.

Next, you will head towards the mesmerizing Gadisar Lake, a man-made reservoir constructed in the 14th century by Maharawal Gadsi Singh to ensure a reliable water source for the city’s inhabitants. You can simply relax by the tranquil lakeside, or you may opt for boating (at your own expense).

Continuing your exploration, you will head to Kuldhara, an abandoned village shrouded in mystery and local folklore. Once inhabited by the Paliwal Brahmins, this haunted village tells a haunting tale of sacrifice, where residents from Kuldhara and around 90 other villages from the adjoining areas departed in a single night in 1875 to preserve the honour of a young girl who faced a dire situation with a corrupt minister, Salim Singh.

After this, you will continue your journey to the famous Sam Sand Dunes in the Great Thar Desert. Enroute Sam, you have an option to indulge in various adventurous activities like parasailing, quad biking, and jeep safari, but at your own expense.

After travelling a bit further towards Sam, you will reach the sand dunes where you will experience a mesmerizing camel ride. After this, you may click some amazing pictures with a backdrop of the golden sands and then you will check-in at a luxurious desert camp, where you’ll receive a warm traditional welcome with dhol and tikka. This will be followed by a captivating cultural program in some time performed by the local gypsy community.

The day finally culminates with a delightful dinner and a peaceful night’s sleep in the comfort of your lavish Swiss Tent.

Begin your day with a fresh morning breeze amidst the golden sand dunes and enjoy a delicious breakfast before bidding farewell to your luxurious desert camp in Jaisalmer.

After this, you will start your journey to Jodhpur via Tanot Longewala. The first attraction you will visit today is the Longewala Yudh Sthal, which stands to testify and honour the brave defense put forth by our armed forces during the Battle of Longewala (1971).

Your second destination on the route to Jodhpur will be the Sadhewala War Memorial, which is a site of deep reverence and was constructed to pay homage to the extraordinary bravery and sacrifices made by our soldiers during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971.

After Sadhewala, you’ll proceed to the famous Tanot Mata Temple, which is dedicated to ‘Awadh Mata’, an incarnation of Goddess Durga. As you step into this sacred temple, you’ll witness a profound blend of history and spiritual significance. The legend has it that during the Battle of Longewala, the Pakistan Army dropped about 400 bombs, but none exploded near the temple. This incident led the Pakistan Army General to visit the temple, seeking forgiveness from Tanot Mata. The temple’s fame further surged after it was featured in the 1997 Bollywood blockbuster ‘Border’, thereby attracting millions of visitors annually.

After seeking blessings at Tanot Mata, you’ll continue your journey to Jodhpur. Upon arrival at your luxurious hotel, indulge in a delectable dinner and relax for a peaceful night’s sleep.

We recommend you wake up and start a bit early today to make the most of your day as you will be embarking on an immersive sightseeing tour of the key attractions of Jodhpur and Ranakpur. After this, you will continue your journey to Udaipur, the beautiful city of lakes.

You will begin today’s tour by visiting the Mehrangarh Fort, which was built by Maharaja Rao Jodha in 1459 on top of a hill. The fort offers stunning panoramic views of Jodhpur.

Following a visit to the Mehranhgarh Fort, you’ll visit the royal cenotaphs at Jaswant Thada, which are often referred to as the ‘Taj Mahal of Mewar’ for its captivating beauty. The Jaswant Thada was erected by Maharaja Sardar in 1899 in honour of his father, Maharaja Jaswant Singh II.

Next, you will visit the Umaid Bhawan Palace, another architectural marvel, that was built in 1943 by Maharaja Umaid Singh. It is counted as the youngest royal palace of India and was built to provide employment to the locals during drought and famine.

Finally, you will visit the majestic Kumbalgarh Fort or the beautiful Ranakpur Jain Temple before reaching Udaipur late in the evening.

The Kumbhalgarh Fort was constructed in the 15th century by Rana Kumbha and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is known for its picturesque views and an almost impregnable wall spanning over 36 kilometers.

The Ranakpur Temple which is dedicated to Lord Adinatha, the first Jain Tirthankara. It was built by a local businessman named Darna Shah and is quite popular because of its stunning marble architecture and intricate carvings.

After this, you will soon reach Udaipur, where you will check-in to your cozy hotel for a delightful dinner and a peaceful night’s rest.

Today, start your day with a delightful breakfast and prepare to discover some of the wonderful attractions in Udaipur.

You will begin your sightseeing tour for the day by visiting the Bhartiya Lok Kala Museum. The museum was founded in 1952 to display a fascinating assortment of folk art, intricate jewelry, distinctive puppets, and masks. Occasionally, the museum also hosts live performances showcasing some traditional folk arts, like puppet shows and folk dances.

Following your visit to the museum, you will proceed to the Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace, constructed in 1884 by Maharana Sajjan Singh. This palace is situated on a hilltop overlooking the Fateh Sagar Lake and offers breathtaking views of the surroundings.

After this, you will head to Lake Pichola, one of the largest lakes in Udaipur. The lake was originally constructed in 1362 to serve the region’s water needs. Later, it was enlarged by Maharana Udai Singh II in the 16th century. The lake is home to four islands, with the famous ones housing the Jag Niwas and the Jag Mandir. Jag Niwas is also known as the Lake Palace and was constructed by Maharana Jagat Singh II. Jag Mandir is quite popular because of its elegant garden courtyard and intricate architecture. You will be visiting the Jag Mandir in Lake Pichola by embarking on an enjoyable boat ride, capturing the picturesque surroundings by the lake’s beautiful banks.

Later, conclude today’s sightseeing tour by returning to your luxurious hotel, where you can savour a delicious dinner and enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep.

Today you will head towards Jaipur, but before reaching Jaipur, you have the option to visit either the Chittorgarh Fort or the Ajmer-Sharif Dargah, with an additional opportunity to include a visit to Pushkar (but at an additional expense).

Option 1: Chittorgarh Fort

If you opt for the route via Chittorgarh, you will be visiting the Chittorgarh Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This fort is counted amongst Rajasthan’s largest forts and was erected in the 7th century. The fort stands as a symbol of Rajput courage and sacrifice today, having witnessed numerous battles and sieges.

The complex of the fort also houses the ‘Rani Padmini Mahal,’ which is associated with the legendary queen Padmini. The legend has that Rani Padmini was renowned for her beauty, and Alauddin Khilji wanted to marry her. But she resisted Alauddin Khilji’s proposal, which made Alauddin furious and as a result he attacked the fort, leading to the defeat of the Rajputs. In the face of invasion, Rani Padmini and other brave Rajput women chose Jauhar, a form of self-immolation, to uphold their honour.

The story of Rani Padmini gained further recognition among the masses, as it was featured in the Bollywood Blockbuster, ‘Padmaavat’ featuring Shahid Kapoor, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh.

Option 2: Ajmer-Sharif Dargah & Pushkar*

But, if you prefer a spiritual conclusion to your trip, you will visit the world-famous Ajmer-Sharif Dargah that is dedicated to Khwaja Gharib Nawab Moinuddin Chishti, a Persian Sufi saint. Dating back to the 13th century, this shrine holds immense historical and spiritual importance in the hearts of people from all faiths and attracts tourists from around the world. The importance of the site as a pilgrimage destination is further emphasized by the fact that even the esteemed Mughal Emperor Akbar visited it eleven times during his reign.

*You may also choose to visit Pushkar, but at an additional expense. However, visiting Pushkar is truly worth it! Pushkar is known for its tranquil sacred lake and unique white temple. Some of the key attractions in Pushkar include the Brahma Temple, an ancient temple that is among the very few temples dedicated to Lord Brahma; the Brahma Ghat, where Lord Brahma conducted the Yagna; and the Varah Ghat, the place where Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of a wild boar.

Whether you choose Chittorgarh or Ajmer-Sharif, and Pushkar, rest assured, you will have an enriching and soulful experience. After a picturesque drive, you will arrive in Jaipur by evening, where you will check-in to your hotel to feast on a delicious dinner and to grab a restful sleep.

Wake up, relish an appetizing breakfast, and then continue your sightseeing tour for the day.

The first attraction you will be visiting is the Hawa Mahal, which is quite popularly also known as the ‘Palace of Winds’. The Hawa Mahal was built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799 to provide a discreet vantage point to the royal women, so that they could observe the activities taking place in the streets below. Moreover, the structure was designed in a way to ensure a good air flow, which acted as a natural cooling system.

The second destination you will be visiting today is the Jantar Mantar, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was crafted by Maharaja Sawai jai Singh II for observing the stars, predicting eclipses, and tracking time.

Next, you will visit the City Palace, a beautiful palace built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in the 18th century. This palace is still being used as the royal family’s residence and is famous for its stunning blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture. Within the premises, you’ll find beautiful, well-planned gardens, courtyards, and some other key structures like the Mubarak Mahal, the Chandra Mahal, Diwan-i-Khas, Diwan-i-Aam, and the Patrika Gate.

Lastly, you will visit the Govind Dev Ji Temple, that nestled in the City Palace complex. This temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and the idol of Lord Krishna was brought from Vrindavan in 1735 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. But the temple was later constructed at the site by Raja Man Singh in 1890. Here, you will witness a captivating ‘Mangala Aarti’, a melodious ritual of lights.

After this you are free to visit the local markets of Johri Bazaar and Tripola Bazaar on your own. Later, return to your hotel for a delicious meal and a good night’s sleep.

Start your day with a satisfying breakfast and you’ll then head off to explore the famous Amer Fort and the Jaigarh Fort.

The Amer Fort rests majestically on top of a hill, overlooking the Maota Lake. It was the residence of the royal family for centuries and is carved out of red sandstone and ivory marbles. This architectural marvel features massive courtyards, impressive entrances, and lavishly adorned rooms. A hall of flickering mirrors, an intricately carved ‘Magic Flower’, and a beautiful garden set amidst the lake, are among the many other captivating designs adorning the fort.

Following this, your next attraction will be the Jaigarh Fort, a grand fort perched atop ‘Cheel ka Teela’ or Eagle’s Hill. Here you will enjoy the stunning panoramic views of Maota Lake, the Amer Fort, and Jaipur city. This fort was established by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1726 and its purpose was to monitor the weather and oversee the valley below to guard against potential enemy threats. One of the attractions within the Jaigarh Fort is the ‘Jaivana Cannon’, which is recognized as one of the largest cannons in the world.

Conclude your day with a visit to the renowned Birla Temple, which is also known as the Lakshmi Narayan Temple. This temple is dedicated to the Hindu God Narayan Ji (Vishnu) and his consort Goddess Laksmi Ji. The temple is built using white marble and it commemorates India’s rich cultural and religious diversity, showcasing figures of saints from different religions, and various renowned historians & philosophers.

You will witness the evening aarti here at the Birla Temple, after which, you will return to your hotel for a delicious dinner and a peaceful sleep.

Today, wake up, have a scrumptious breakfast, check-out from your hotel and bid farewell to Jaipur, the pink city of Rajasthan.

We will drop you off at the Jaipur Railway Station, ISBT, or the airport, from where you will continue your journey back home with sweet and unforgettable memories.