Colours of Rajasthan

You will be greeted upon arrival in Jaipur, the ‘pink city’ by our friendly agent who will then escort you to your luxurious hotel where you may check-in to unwind and freshen-up.

After this, you will embark on a journey to discover some of the key attractions in Jaipur like the Hawa Mahal, the Jantar Mantar and the City Palace.

In the evening, you’ll visit the Govind Dev Ji Temple to seek the blessings and to experience a captivating ‘Mangala Arti’ ceremony. Following this, you are free to explore the local markets like the ‘Johri Bazaar’ or the ‘Tripolia Bazaar’ on your own.

Later, return to your hotel for a delightful dinner and to grab a restful sleep.

Today, wake up to a fresh new day, have a scrumptious breakfast and prepare to immerse yourself in Jaipur’s rich history with a visit to the magnificent Amer Fort, that has been a witness to numerous wars and royal celebrations.

After this, you will head towards the Jaigarh Fort, which is perched atop the Cheel ka Teela (The Eagle’s Hill). From here, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the Amer Fort, Maota Lake, and the city of Jaipur. The Jaigarh Fort is also home to the Jaivana Cannon, which is recognized as the world’s largest canon.

Later, conclude your day with a visit to the renowned Birla Temple, a stunning marble temple dedicated to Lakshmi Narayan Ji to witness the captivating evening ‘aarti’ ceremony.

After this, head back to your hotel for a delectable dinner and a tranquil night’s sleep.

Feast on a delicious breakfast and check out from your hotel to embark on your journey to Bikaner, traveling along a beautiful, picturesque route. Upon arriving in Bikaner, check in to your hotel, take some rest, and then commence a captivating sightseeing tour of the city, renowned for its red-coloured architecture and culinary delights.

Your day begins with a visit to the renowned Karni Mata Temple, often referred to as the ‘Rat Temple’. The legend has it, that Karni Mata is an incarnation of Goddess Durga, who was born into a Charnan Brahmin family.

According to the temple’s legend, when Karni Mata’s step-son, Laxman, drowned in Kapil Sarovar while quenching his thirst, she cried and prayed to Yama, the God of Death to bring back her son. In response, Yama brought Laxman back to life, but under one condition that her sons will be turned into rats. The white rats in the temple are considered as the reincarnated sons of Karni Mata herself, while the black ones are believed to be the deceased ancestors of various Rajput clans.

Following your visit to the temple, you’ll explore the National Research Centre on Camels, also known as the Camel Breeding Farm. Here, you’ll gain insights into the various camel breeds in India.

After your time at the farm, your driver will drop you off at the local market to allow you to savour the authentic flavours of the world-famous Bikaneri Bhujia and sweets.

Later, return to your hotel for a hearty dinner and a peaceful night’s sleep.

Today, you’ll feast on a very delicious authentic Bikaneri cuisine and then explore some of Bikaner’s major attractions like the Junagarh Fort and the Lalgarh Palace.

Then, you’ll continue your journey to Jaisalmer, the ‘golden city’ built with yellow sandstone. On reaching Jaisalmer, you’ll check-in to your hotel to grab a little rest.

Later, in the evening, you’ll head to the Gadisar Lake for a delightful boating experience, which will be followed by an aarti ceremony at the ancient Shiva Temple located on the bank of the lake. You may also choose to sit by and enjoy a delicious cup of coffee at one of the famous street side vendors i.e. Adonai Coffee.

After this, you may return to your hotel for a delectable dinner and a good night’s sleep.

Get ready for another exciting day, starting with a visit to the famous Jaisalmer Fort, which is often referred to as the ‘Sonar Killa’ or the ‘Golden Fort.’ The Jaisalmer Fort is considered as a UNESCO World Heritage and is among the very few forts in the world that are still inhabited by people.

There are various attractions within the fort like the Raj Mahal, the Chandraprabhu Jain Temple, the Laxminath Temple, the Jaisalmer Fort Palace Museum, and the canon point that overlooks the city.

After this, you’ll head towards the Patwon ki Haveli, which is renowned for its intricate carvings and grand architecture. After the haveli, you will visit the Amar Sagar Jain Temple, which is a beautiful temple situated along the Amar Sagar Lake and is dedicated to Lord Parshvanath, the Jain Tirthankara (spiritual teacher).

This will be followed by a visit to Kuldhara, a haunted village that once served as the home to the Paliwal Brahmins, who abandoned it one night along with villagers from over 90 villages to save the honour of a Paliwal girl from Salim Singh, a shrewd minister.

After Kuldhara, you will continue your journey towards the famous Sam Sand Dunes, where you can engage in thrilling adventure activities such as parasailing, quad biking, and a jeep safari (all at your own expense). After indulging in these unforgettable adventures, you’ll experience a mesmerizing camel ride across the captivating sand dunes.

You will then check-in to your desert camp, where you’ll receive a traditional welcome with a dhol and tikka ceremony. This will be followed by a welcome drink and some snacks. Soon, you will witness a mesmerising cultural programme with a captivating local dance and music performance by the local gypsy community.

After the performance, conclude the day with a delicious dinner and retire to your cozy Swiss Tent to relax like the royals from the begone era.

Today wake up to a refreshing day in the Great Thar Desert, freshen-up, and feast on a scrumptious breakfast, before checking-out from the desert camp.

Today you will head towards Jodhpur, the ‘blue city’. Enroute Jodhpur, you’ll be visiting Tanot Longewala on the Indo-Pak border. The first attraction on this patriotic border tour will be the Longewala Yudh Sthal, which stands as a tribute to the brave defence put up by our armed forces during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.

Our next stop is the Sadhewala War Memorial, a place of profound reverence that pays homage to the incredible bravery and selfless sacrifices of our Indian soldiers during the Battle of Longewala in 1971.

After this, you will continue your journey towards the famous Tanot Mata Temple, which is dedicated to ‘Awadh Mata,’ a local deity. As you step into the temple, you’ll experience a remarkable blend of historical significance and divine spirituality.

It is said that during the Battle of Longewala, the Pakistan Army dropped around 400 bombs, but miraculously, none of them exploded near the temple. In fact, the Pakistan Army General even came to the temple to seek forgiveness from Tanot Mata. This iconic temple gained further fame when it was featured in the 1997 Bollywood blockbuster movie, ‘Border’ and ever since then, it continues to draw millions of visitors every year.

After this you’ll head towards Jodhpur and conclude your journey for the day by checking-in at your hotel for some relaxation, a delicious dinner and a peaceful night’s sleep.

Today, wake up a bit early to make the most of your time as you will be exploring the beautiful blue city of Jodhpur.

Your first destination for the day is the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort, which was built by Maharaja Rao Jodha in 1459. This monumental structure is perched on a rocky hill that soars 400 feet above the Jodhpur plains and offers panoramic views of the city.

After this, you’ll visit the royal cenotaphs at Jaswant Thada, affectionately known as the Taj Mahal of Mewar. These cenotaphs were erected by Maharaja Sardar in 1899 in honour of his father, Late Maharaja Jaswant Singh II.

The final attraction you will be visiting today is the Umaid Bhawan Palace, which is considered as the youngest royal palace in India. It was constructed by Maharaja Umaid Singh in 1943 to provide employment to over 3,000 to 4,000 locals who were grappling with drought and famine during that period.

After this, you will continue your journey towards Udaipur, the ‘white city’ or the ‘city of lakes’. On reaching Udaipur, you will check into your luxurious hotel to savour an appetizing dinner and to unwind in your cozy room.

Today is one of the most exciting days of your trip to Rajasthan as you will be exploring the beautiful city of Udaipur, which is renowned as the ‘city of lakes’. This beautiful city has served as the capital of the Mewar kingdom and was established by Maharaja Udai Singh II in 1559.

You will start your sightseeing tour by visiting the City Palace, which is situated on a rocky hill next to the Lake Pichola, the city’s largest lake in Udaipur. The palace is renowned for its mirrored walls, ivory doors, windows adorned with colourful glass, and much more.

After visiting the City Palace, you’ll set out to visit the Gulab Bagh, a beautiful historical garden situated in a quaint place, tucked away from the city’s hustle and bustle. After this, you will visit the Bhartiya Lok Kala Museum, which is home to a diverse collection of folk art, ornate jewellery, unique puppets, and masks.

After this, you’ll revisit the Lake Pichola in the evening, to enjoy a serene boat ride or to savour some magical moments by the tranquil lakeside.

In the evening, return to your hotel to relish a delicious dinner and to enjoy a sweet, restful sleep.

Today is the final day of your magical trip to Rajasthan, which will culminate in Jaipur. But before reaching Jaipur, you will be either visiting the Chittorgarh Fort or the Ajmer-Sharif Dargah, with an option to visit Pushkar at an additional expense.

Option 1: Chittorgarh Fort

If you choose to travel to Jaipur via Chittorgarh, you will be visiting the Chittorgarh Fort, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is counted amongst the biggest forts of Rajasthan. The fort was built in the 7^th century, and it has been a witness to various battles and sieges, making it a testament to the Rajput valour and sacrifice.

The Chittorgarh palace boasts of a captivating architecture and is also known as the ‘Rani Padmini Mahal’. Legend has it that Rani Padmini was a very beautiful princess and as a result, she caught the eye of Alauddin Khilji, who sought her hand in marriage. Her refusal led to a furious attack by Alauddin, resulting in the defeat of the Rajputs. In the face of this siege, Rani Padmini and other brave Rajput women chose the path of Jauhar, a solemn act of self-immolation. To honor the queen’s bravery, many Rajput women participated in this sacrifice.

The fort gained further recognition through the Bollywood blockbuster “Padmavat,” which depicted the tragic tale of Rani Padmini.

Option 2: Ajmer-Sharif Dargah & Pushkar*

In case you want to conclude your trip on a spiritual note, and you chose to visit the Ajmer-Sharif Dargah, you will reach the Dargah in a couple of hours.

The Ajmer Sharif Dargah is dedicated to Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, a Persian Sufi saint, who is the descendent of Prophet Muhammad. This dargah dates to the 13^th century, bears historical significance, as the renowned Mughal Emperor Akbar visited it 14 times during his reign.

The dargah holds a special place in the hearts of people from all faiths and attracts tourists from around the world. It is considered one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in Rajasthan.

*Additionally, if you choose to visit Pushkar, you will have to spend a little extra, but it’s absolutely worth it. Pushkar is famous for its serene lake and unique white temples along the shores, including the world’s only ancient temple dedicated to Lord Brahma.

Whether you opt for Chittorgarh or Ajmer-Sharif and Pushkar, you’re in for a soul-enriching experience. Later in the evening, you’ll arrive in Jaipur to conclude your enchanting Colours of Rajasthan tour, which will leave profound memories that will linger for years to come.