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Art and Culture Luxury Tour of India
(Total Tour - 15 Days)
Mumbai-Aurangabad-Udaipur-Jodhpur-Jaipur-Delhi-Agra-Orchha-Khajuraho-Varanasi-Delhi
 Day 05
Aurangabad - Mumbai:
Flight : 9W 3104 (Jet Airways)
Aircraft : ATR Jet
Departure : 0845 hr
Arrival : 0945 hr
Mumbai - Udaipur:
By Air Flight : 9W 3405 (Jet Airways)
Aircraft : ATR Jet
Departure : 1710 hr
Arrival : 1855 hr
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Transfer to the airport in time for flight to Mumbai. Reach and proceed to visit the Elephanta Caves.
Start the tour of the Elephanta Caves.
The Elephanta Island is the site of the magnificent Elephanta caves, containing beautiful carvings, sculptures, and a temple to the Hindu God, Lord Shiva. These caves are located at a distance of 11 km from Mumbai and are now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island of Elephanta, being a commercial, military and religious centre for centuries has traces of early Buddhist culture.
The Elephanta caves are thought to date back to the Silhara kings belonging to the period between 9th - 12th centuries. With the Brahminical resurgence during the reign of Gupta dynasty in 3rd century AD, these great caves dedicated to Lord Shiva exploded into existence at Elephanta. Legends and history suggest that the great warrior prince of Chalukya dynasty Pulkesin ll raised the shrine to celebrate his victory. Some historians also suggest that the Kalchuri King Krishnaraja built these caves in 6th century AD.
As the worship of the figure of the Buddha began to be encouraged with rise of the Mahayana sect of Buddhism, a shrine was introduced to house Buddha's image, replacing the cells at the centre of the back wall. The Monasteries of Ajanta lead us directly to Elephanta. It appears that the same families of craftsmen and sculptors who were working on the Kailash temple of Ellora and adjoining Buddhist caves at Ellora were employed at Elephanta.
Return to city and transfer to the airport for the flight to Udaipur.
The city of Dawn, Udaipur is a fairytale city set around an azure lake, hemmed in by the lush hills of the Aravallis. A vision in white drenched in romance and beauty, Udaipur is a fascinating blend of sights, sound and experiences and inspiration for the imagination of poets, painters and writers.
Its kaleidoscope of fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples, gardens and narrow lanes strewn with stalls, carry the flavor of a heroic past, epitomizing valor and chivalry. Their reflection in the placid waters of the Lake Pichola is an enticing sight.
Udaipur is the jewel of Mewar - a kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1200 Years.
Reach Udaipur and check into hotel. Stay overnight at Udaipur.
Day 06
Udaipur:
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Proceed for a sightseeing tour of Udaipur, stopping first at City Palace. Here you will marvel at rooms with mirrored walls and ivory doors, colored glass windows and inlaid marble balconies and the Peacock Courtyard.
Also visit the lovely Sahelion-ki-Bari Gardens, the Jagdish Temple and the local folk Museum.
In the afternoon, enjoy a motor launch cruise on the placid waters of Lake Pichola. From the boat you will be able to view the city of Udaipur as it rises majestically above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan desert.
Also visit the Jag Mandir Palace - the other island palace in the middle of the lake.
Stay overnight at the hotel in Udaipur.
Day 07
Udaipur - Jodhpur:
By Road : 260 km in 6hr
After breakfast drive to Jodhpur.
En-route, visit the Ranakpur Temples, dating back to the 15th century. You will see 200 pillars, none of which are alike, support its 29 halls. The Temple abounds with intricate friezes and sculptures. Includes visits to two more Jain temples and the Temple of the Sun God with its erotic sculptures.
Lunch will be at a mid-way restaurant.
Reach Jodhpur.
Set at the edge of the Thar Desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes with tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. Once the capital of the Marwar state, it was founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha-chief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs who claimed to be descendants of Rama - the epic hero of the Ramayana. The massive 15th century AD Mehrangarh Fort looms on the top of a rocky hill, soaring 125 Mts. Above the plains. A high wall -10 km long with 8 gates and innumerable bastions encompasses the city.
Relax in the hotel and visit the museum of the Umaid Bhawan Palace.
Stay overnight at Jodhpur.
Day 08:
Jodhpur - Jaipur:
By Road: 290 km in 6hr
Start for Jaipur after breakfast.
Enjoy your lunch at the Kishangarh Phool Mahal Palace. Visit the Kishangarh Fort.
Reach and check in at hotel.
Jaipur: The origins of the beautiful city of Jaipur can be traced back to the eighteenth century, during the reign of Jai Singh II who ascended the Amber throne in 1699. Jaipur today, epitomizes the spirit of Rajputana. In-spite of growing into a bustling metropolis, it still retains its character and history - a beautiful fusion of yesteryears and modernity. It is popularly known as the Pink City because of the extensive use of the locally abundant pink plastered stone, painted so in honor of the visit of the royal consort of Queen Victoria. Jaipur thrills the soul with its massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and lush gardens.
Spend the evening shopping at leisure in the city. Dinner will be at hotel.
Spend the night at Jaipur.
Day 09
Jaipur:
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Morning excursion will be to the Amber Fort where you will reach the fort on elephant back.
Amber Fort Palace: Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh I. Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate expression.
Lunch will be at the Turban Museum Restaurant.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of Jaipur:
City Palace: A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum.
Jantar Mantar: This is the largest and the best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country. This observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still in use.
Hawa Mahal: The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds" is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. It is a five-storey structure of sandstone, plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the palace women.
Stay overnight at Jaipur.
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