Rajasthan with Ajanta Ellora Tour

1. Day 01 - Arrive New Delhi

   Welcome to India!!
   
   You will be received by one of the representatives of “Times India Travels” or your driver at the international airport and you will be assisted to your hotel. In the Hotel, the representative/ driver will provide your documents regarding the tour.
   
   Overnight in Hotel.
   

2. Day 02 - New Delhi

   After a delicious breakfast, we will proceed for the sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi. The places include Jama Masjid - one of the largest mosques of Asia, Red Fort- the most opulent and magnificent fort which was built during the years 1638 - 1648 by the Moghul Empire. We will walk through the silver street of Chandni Chowk. We will also visit RajGhat - the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi, Akshar Dham- A massive temple , Birla Mandir- The Hindu temple, Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar - a 73 m high victory tower, and The Bahai Temple - shaped like a lotus flower and a proof of India's secularism. The India Gate -war memorial, The Rashtrapati Bhavan - President's House, Parliament House, and Government Secretariat Buildings. Overnight rest at New Delhi hotel.
   

3. Day 03 - Udaipur

   Morning at leisure, in time transfer to Domestic Airport flight to Udaipur. Upon arrival, you will be received by your driver and transfer to the hotel at Udaipur. Later visit Udaipur. Udaipur is one of the most romantic cities in Rajasthan which is also known as the city of lakes. The marble palaces, beautifully laid out gardens and the lakes make Udaipur seem almost like a mirage in the desert. The founder of Udaipur was Maharana Udai Singh and he was overcome by the misfortunes that his old capital of Chittorgarh had to face due to repeated attacks by the Mughal armies. On the advice of a holy man, Udai Singh shifted his capital to the banks of Lake Pichola- the city was named Udaipur after him. Afternoon boat rides at Lake Pichola and visits "Jag Mandir". In the evening, you are free to leisure. Overnight rest at Udaipur hotel.
   

4. Day 04 - Jaipur (Via Fatehpur Sikri)

   Early morning visit incomparable Taj Mahal which is among the seven wonders in the world. Taj Mahal was constructed by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Queen Mumtaz Mahal. It began in 1631 and with 20000 workmen it took 22 years to complete it. Taj Mahla is a dream in white marble which lies in perfect proportion to the elegant garden of fountains on the bank of the Yamuna. After lunch, we will visit the Phantom city- Fatehpur Sikri which was built by Akbar in the late 16th century. It was abandoned after only 14 years due to the shortage of water. The entire city of Red sandstone (sandstone palaces and temples) is virtually intact and a sight worth seeing is the 54 m high main entrance. Jami Mosque, Buland Darwaza, Tomb of Shaikh Salim Chishti, Jodha Bai and Birbal’s house are the other attractions.
   
   Welcome to Jaipur- the Capital city of Rajasthan which is also known as “Pink City”. In the afternoon, we will set off to see the City Palace which is still the home of the former royalty H.H Bhawani Singh Ji of Jaipur. It houses a huge collection of art, carpets, and old weapons. We will next visit Jantar Mantar Observatory, which is situated in the heart of the city where time has been precisely measured since the 17th century. It is the largest and best-preserved stone observatory. On the way back, we will visit Birla Temple. Overnight rest at Jaipur hotel.
   

5. Day 05 - Pushkar

   After breakfast drive to Pushkar on the way visit in Ajmer Nasiyan Golden Jain Temple, “Dargah Sharif” and Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra. Afternoon reaches the Holy City - Pushkar, the place where Lord Brahma (Creator of the Hindu Trinity) and Savitri (His Wife) perform “Yagnas”. Here we visit Brahma Temple and Lake Pushkar, where devotees take holy bath in the lake water. The legend says that the lake sprout on the place where the lotus petals fell on earth from the hands of Lord Brahma. Pushkar is popular for the Pushkar Fair or Camel Fair held every year in the month of November. In the evening enjoy the walk along with the colorful and bustling local market. Overnight rest at Pushkar hotel.
   

6. Day 06 - Jaipur

   After breakfast, we will drive to Jaipur- the Capital city of Rajasthan. The origins 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 symbolizes the spirit of Rajputana. Despite evolving into a bustling metropolis, it still retains its character and history - A beautiful fusion and modernity. Jaipur is popularly known as the Pink City as it was painted in honor of Queen Victoria's visit to the Royal Union due to the widespread use of locally abundant pink plastered stone. Jaipur thrills the soul with its huge forts, exquisite temples, magnificent palaces, and lush green gardens. Overnight rest at Jaipur hotel.
   

7. Day 07 - Jodhpur

   After a delicious breakfast, we will drive to Jodhpur. Upon arrival check into the hotel. Post lunch sightseeing tour includes Mehrangarh fort - the pride of Jodhpur, still stand high witnessing the battles fought. The museum inside the fort displays a rich collection of old royal palanquins, arms, paintings, costumes, etc. Fort has several palaces - Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Takht Vilas, and Jhanki Mahal. On the way down from the fort, towards the left is Jaswant Thada - intricately carved marble stone temple shaped cenotaph of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Umaid Bhawan Palace or Chittar Palace - palace with no mortar bindings, only chiseled sandstone blocks are interlocked together. The evening is leisure or you can walk along with the famous spice market and feel the flavors of Indian spices. Overnight stay at Jodhpur hotel.
   

8. Day 08 - Udaipur (Via Ranakpur)

   After breakfast, drive to Udaipur. On the way, we will visit Ranakpur. This city is named after Rana Kumbha. It is famously known for its Jain temple. The four images of Adinath are enshrined in the main temple called 'Chamukh', having 29 halls and 1444 columns all with differently carved sculptures. The complex also includes Sun Temple, Amba Mata Temple, Parsvanath and Neminath temples. Reach Udaipur in the afternoon and check-in the hotel. Later, see Sahelion ki Bari where Maharana Sangram Singh built this garden complex with fountains and lakes for his beautiful daughter. After that move around the narrow streets of Udaipur, the rest of the time free for your leisure. Overnight stay at Udaipur hotel
   

9. Day 09 - Rajasthan with Ajanta Ellora Tour

   After breakfast move out for the city tour of Udaipur visit the City Palace, a grand palace with beautiful architecture, the Jagdish Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and the folk art museum with a colorful collection of puppets, musical instruments, and paintings. In the evening you can wander through the city or take a boat ride on Lake Pichola and see the mesmerizing lake palaces of Udaipur- the Jag Mandir Palace and the Jag Niwas Palace which is now known as the Taj Lake Palace. Here you can enjoy your dinner in a regal ambiance. Overnight rest at Udaipur hotel.
   
   Khajuraho: The temple city of central India is famous around the world for its exquisitely carved temples in stones. Thousands of visitors and tourists from all over the world flock together to envisage this immortal saga of Hindu art and culture engraved in stone by sharpies (stone craftsmen) a millennium ago.
   
   Today, apart from the temples, Khajuraho is a small village but a thousand years ago it was a large city of the Chandelas, medieval Rajput kings who ruled over Central India. Khajuraho is 595 km (370 miles) south-east of Delhi and can be visited by air, rail or road. The visitor to Khajuraho cannot but be attracted to the vivid erotic sculptures on the walls of the temple. The sculptures are mithunas i.e. couple in various erotic poses. There have been many interpretations of their presence and some have strongly criticized them. According to an authority, in the erotic embrace a man and woman complete the final union of the soul, such erotic motifs protect the temple from lightning strikes. The reason given for this is that Indra, Lord of rain and lightning who himself is a great connoisseur of Kama, will not damage anything about that.
   

10. Day 10 - Udaipur flight to Aurangabad

    After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport to take the flight to Aurangabad. Upon arrival received by our representative and transfer to the hotel. Later move for the sightseeing of Aurangabad which includes “Bibi Ka Maqbara” was built by Prince Azam Shah, son of Emperor Aurangzeb, in the late 17th century as a loving tribute to his mother, Dilras Bano Begum. The monument's name translates literally to 'Tomb of the Lady' but has earned the nickname 'poor man’s Taj' because it was made to rival the Taj Mahal. “Panchakki” The Water Mill complex. This is a very good example of long Indian science history, water force used to rotate the millstone for grinding wheat. Overnight stay at Aurangabad hotel.
    

11. Day 11 - Aurangabad

    After breakfast takes an excursion to Ajanta caves: Ajanta Caves are a series of 29Buddhist cave temples. Some of which date from the 2nd century BC. Incorporating both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhist traditions, the Ajanta caves preserve some of the best masterpieces of Buddhist art in India. The Caves were carved over many years out of a horseshoe-shaped cliff along the Waghora River. They were used by Buddhist monks as prayer halls (chaitya grihas) and monasteries (viharas) for about nine centuries and then were abruptly abandoned. They fell into oblivion until they were rediscovered in 1819. Overnight stay at Aurangabad hotel.
    

12. Day 12- Aurangabad flight to Mumbai

    After breakfast take an excursion to Ellora caves. Ellora caves are an impressive complex of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain cave temples built between the 6th and 10th centuries AD near the ancient Indian village of Ellora. The caves have a slightly less dramatic setting than Ajanta, but more exquisite sculptures. Ellora is a World Heritage Site and the most visited ancient monument in the state of Maharashtra. The Ellora caves were carved from the vertical face of the Charanandri hills between the 6th and 10th centuries. The carving started around 550 AD, around the same time Ajanta caves (100 km northeast) were abandoned. Later transfer to the airport to take the flight to Mumbai On arrival the driver will receive you and then you will be transferred to International airport 3 hours before your international flight time to your home country.
    

Every Itinerary is just given for an idea; it can be customized as per your wish and convenience!!