Wonders of North India in Rajasthan

Arrival in Delhi. On arrival your Curry Compass guide will be happy to welcome you and help you check in your hotel where you can refresh and rest. Depending on your arrival time you can go for a walk and have a first contact with the city. Delhi, the capital of the kingdoms and empires of the past is now a sprawling megalopolis that combines the past and the present in a remarkable way. It is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land and a kaleidoscopic vision of India. Overnight in Delhi.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast in the hotel. Visit Old Delhi, the historic city and New Delhi, the modern city. Old Delhi- The historical part of Delhi with a visit to Raj Ghat – the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. JamaMasjid, the largest mosque in India and the Red Fort once the largest fortress and palace of the Mughal Empire. Hop aboard a rickshaw and enjoy the ride from JamaMasjid to ChandniChownk. New Delhi – The day continues with a full tour of the modern city with a visit to Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar, the highest minaret in India. A drive along Ceremonial Avenue – Rajpath – passing the imposing India Gate, the Parliament, official residence of the Indian President. The tour will end with a tour of the Diplomatic enclave district. Later, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the unique ambience of DilliHaat, a traditional marketplace designed for contemporary cravings with a mix of crafts, food and cultural activities. Night in Delhi.

Breakfast at the hotel before leaving for Mandawa. Upon arrival, checkin and refresh. Proceed for sightseeing. Visit of the medieval fort, temples and interesting Haveli residences that are mansions, small palaces or mansions that illustrate the architecture and the domestic customs of the time.

The Mandawa fort rises gradually on the horizon like a mirage. From the terrace of Mandawa Castle, you can enjoy stunning views of the city. The castle museum contains a valuable collection of traditional ceremonial weapons and costumes. In this city, the Haveli of Chowkhani, Saraf, Goenka and Ladia are worth a visit. They were built in 1775 by Thakur Nawal Singh. The chateau houses an interesting collection of paintings, jade, costumes and objets d’art. The courtyard and terrace come alive in the evening with candlelight dinners and fire dances following the season. Take a walking tour of Havelis owned by some of the country’s leading family businesses. Although their owners no longer live here, the local guards will be happy to open their doors. Chowkhani Haveli, Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli, Lakshmi NarayanLadia Haveli, MohahanlalSaraf Haveli and Bhagchandika Haveli are particularly noteworthy. Spend most of the day looking for frescoes that adorn the walls of its houses full of stories. Night at Mandawa.

After breakfast, departure for Jaisalmer. The city of Jaisalmer appears on the horizon like a mirage of gold in the heart of the desert. The yellow sandstone facade of Fort dominates the city with amber colors. Upon arrival, check in and relax after a long journey. Overnight in Jaisalmer.

Breakfast and discovery of the city.

Jaisalmer Fort : the outer walls, the temple of the palace and the houses inside the enclosure are made of yellow ocher sandstone. The medieval fort founded by RawalJaisal in 1156 inspired Bengali writer and filmmaker Sayajit Ray for his novel “ShonarKella”.

Patwon Ki Haveli : This is the largest and most elaborate Haveli in Jaisalmer.

Salim singh Ki Haveli : It was designed by Salim Singh Mohta, who was the prime minister of Jaisalmer in the eighteenth century, a man known for his tyranny. His home is distinguished by two main features: the cantilevered first floor supported by a carved peacock, and the large blue domes that adorn the roof.

Nathmalji Ki Haveli : The last of the great Havelis was built in the late nineteenth century. Nathmalji was the prime minister of the state at that time and his family still lives there.

Gandhi Sagar tank : It is lined with elegant palaces and has beautiful steps that go down to the water. In the evening, admire the sand dunes and enjoy a camel ride followed by a dinner with traditional dance show. Nights in Jaisalmer.

After having breakfast at the hotel, you will be taken to Jodhpur “Thar City” located on the edge of the Thar Desert. Upon arriving in Jodhpur, check in at the hotel and then rest before resuming sightseeing.

The imperial city of Jodhpur is the cradle of many tales of antiquity. The capital of Marwar State was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha – leader of the Rathore Rajputs clan who claimed to be descendants of Rama – the epic hero of Ramayana.

Mehrangarh Fort : discover the extravagance that characterized this imposing fort which dominates the city and houses several palaces.

Umaid Bhawan Palace : Built between 1929 and 1943 by the Maharaja Umaid Singh, it is a colossal building of Anglo-Indian style.

Jaswant Thada : This mausoleum is built entirely of white marble.It was built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II (1838-1895) a popular ruler whose reign was marked by remarkable reforms and development works of the city. Overnight in Jodhpur.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Pushkar. The legend tells that the god Brahma having killed a demon of lotus, petals would have fallen in three places making emerge three lakes where Pushkar is the most important of them and means blue lotus. A yagna (sacred ritual) is performed there on the full moon of Kartik (October / November) as a tribute to the god Brahma.

Arriving at Pushkar, check in at the hotel then rest, before resuming the visits. Visit the main temple of God Brahma, Pushkar Lake where you enjoy a boat ride and visit the Savitri Temple. In the evening, visit PushkarBazaar famous for its traditions, jewelry and amazing objects. Overnight in Pushkar.

After breakfast at the hotel, head for Jaipur the “Pink City”. Jaipur is a relatively new city. It was created from the 18th century by Maharaja Jai Singh II. Surrounded by crenellated ramparts, the city is organized according to a checkered plan. All the streets intersect at right angles with wide avenues.

The facades of the houses aligned with in a line all have the same style of architecture with small towers and loggias. In 1876, in order to honorably receive the Prince of Wales, future Edward VII, the Maharaja had the city repainted in a warm and luminous ocher pink hue. Tradition still maintained today giving a beautiful unity of tones that illuminate at sunset.Arriving in Jaipur, check in at the hotel and then rest.

In the late afternoon, visit the Birla Temple to learn more about Jaipur’s contemporary religious life. Its marble structure, built in 1988, houses ornate statues, including one of Lakshmi and Narayan clad in bright colors. The sculptures in the temple and on the pillars supporting the covered walkways illustrate the Hindu pantheon, as well as Jesus, the Virgin Mary and Saint Francis of Assisi. Your visit will coincide with the AARTI ceremony where oil lamps are lit to summon the deities. Overnight in Jaipur.

Go on a morning excursion to Amber Fortress after breakfast.

Amber – Amber Fortress Amber – Amber is a typical fortress of Rajasthan. Its construction began under Man Singh I in 1592 and was completed under the reign of its descendant Jai Singh II. Its labyrinthine districts offer views framed. Its courses and successive speakers illustrate the fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles.

City Palace – A delightful blend of Mughal architecture and traditional Rajasthan architecture. The City Palace extends on one seventh of the fortified city. It is home to Chandra Mahal, ShriGovind Dev Temple and a museum.

Jantar Mantar – This is the largest and best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country. This observatory is still used but it is especially by the singularity and the scale of its architectures that it fascinates many architects and artists still today.

Hawa Mahal – The ornamental facade of this “Palace of the Winds” is an important landmark in Jaipur. It’s a five-storey palace with beautiful balconies and 953 tiny windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a sort of royal tribune that allowed women to look outside without being seen.

The afternoon is free, take the opportunity to shop and explore at your leisure. In Jaipur you’ll find gold and silver jewelry, pottery, silk, saris, wooden crafts, carpets and delicious pastries. Nights in Jaipur.

Breakfast at the hotel then departure for Agra. Stop along the way for a visit to Fatehpur Sikri.

Fatehpur Sikri was the imperial capital of the Mughal Empire from 1571 to 1584 . Built by Emperor Akbar, son of Humanyun, who ascended to the throne at the age of 14. The emperor, without heirs, used to go to the village of Sikri where lived a Sufi hermit Salim Chishti ( 1480 – 1572 ) whose blessings he sought. Akbar’s visits bore fruit because he soon had three son. To give thanks, he decided to build his new capital and many palaces and pavilions on this site.Arrive in Agra and check in at your hotel.

Agra – Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the small village of Agra into the second capital of the Mughal Empire – earning it the name of Dar-ul-Khilafat (seat of the emperor) . Today, you will have the pleasure of discovering a city of striking charm with its buildings in contrasting colors of red sandstone and white marble, its narrow galleries and picturesque carriages. Agra is a reflection of the Mughal heritage. Stroll through the narrow, bustling streets of the city and let yourself be enveloped in the sweet scent of Mughal cuisine.

Agra Fort – Built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565, the fort is made of red sandstone. You can discover the magnificent MotiMasjid (the Pearl Mosque) built by Aurangzeb, the last of the great Mughals. The Fort is on the banks of the Yamuna River, almost in the heart of the city. Akbar has built it like a citadel in a powerful architectural style with imposing portals and deep moats. Overnight in Agra.

Discovery of the Taj Mahal in the early morning.

Taj Mahal – Its construction was ordered by Shah Jahan, it is a white marble monument built to the glory of the love he bore to his late wife Mumtaz Mahal. It took 22 years for the Persian architect Ustad Isa to design and build this palace. Apart from its perfect symmetry, the Taj is also known for the beauty of its finely carved domes, among the most beautiful work ever undertaken. The size of its gardens is breathtaking.

Return to the hotel to have breakfast and depart for Delhi. The transfer to the airport will be organized according to your flight schedule. Leave loaded with unforgettable memories of India.