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Pushkar Festival
Tour
This
very special tour will allow you to fully experience the romance that is
Rajasthan  during
one of India's best-known festivals - the Pushkar Mela. Legend has it that
a lake sprung miraculously from the spot where petals of a lotus blossom
fell from the hands of Lord Brahma, the creator. Every year, the sleepy
town of Pushkar transforms into a spectacular festival ground where crowds
of pilgrims converge to worship at the Brahma temple on the lake. In the
evening, the entire area reverberates to the ringing of bells and, as
night falls, hundreds of small oil lamps floating on green leaves light up
the lake with the act of worship called deepdan.
 At
the same time, the usually dull surrounding desert comes to life.
Beautifully decorated camels are paraded and raced, and bought and sold in
brisk trading. Vendors peddling their dazzling array of wares in hundreds
of roadside stalls, sell everything from beads, bangles and brass utensils
to embroidered clothes, shoes, and skilfully woven blankets.
This 14-day land program is combined with a unique spiritual experience at
Ajmer. Here we draw inspiration at the mausoleum of the revered Sufi
saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, highly regarded by Muslims and Hindus
alike.
Itinerary
Day 1: Depart Home City For New Delhi
Today we take our flight for a cultural journey to experience Rajasthan in
India
Day 2: Arrive New Delhi
Arrival at New Delhi and we are welcomed and transferred to our hotel.
Day 3: New Delhi
Morning tour of New Delhi includes a visit to India Gate, the House of
Parliament, Connaught Place and Qutub Minar, a perfect minaret towering
102 meters into the sky. New Delhi is a blend of colonial and modern
architecture with wide boulevards and open areas
Afternoon is a tour of Old Delhi, starting at the Red Fort. Built by Shah
Jehan, this was once the most opulent fort of the Mughal Empire. Next we
visit the majestic Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque, and Raj Ghat, the
cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. We end our tour with a bazaar experience
at Chandni Chawlk, the street of silver and goldsmiths.
 Day
4: Delhi/Agra (Drive 204kms / 145miles)
Early morning drive to Agra. We are welcomed with a
visit to the most well known wonders of the world - the Taj Mahal. Built
by Shah Jehan as a mausoleum for his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj
is built of white marble, beautifully carved and inlaid with semi-precious
stones. Next we visit Agra Fort, where Shah Jehan was imprisoned by his
son in the later years of his life to prevent him from spending the family
fortunes on a black echo of the Taj Mahal.
Day 5: Agra/Jaipur Via Fathepur Sikri (Drive 225kms / 150 miles)
A short drive brings us to Fatehpur Sikri, the beautiful capital built in
1640 by Akbar the Great. It was later abandoned for lack of water. A
superb example of Mughal architecture, it stands perfectly preserved in
the desert. From here we continue on a countryside drive to Jaipur, the
rose pink capital of Rajasthan.
Day 6: Jaipur
Morning free to relax.
An afternoon tour of Jaipur covers the old astronomical observatory built
by Jai Singh who founded the city. We also visit the majestic Palace which
houses a rare collection of Indian art, and the colourful bazaar. Jaipur
is noted for its craftsmen, skilled in brass inlay, lacquer work and stone
setting. Most of the buildings in the old city are made of pink sandstone,
one of the most beautiful is Hawa Mahal, Palace of Winds, where the ladies
of the royal harem used to watch the city from behind the intricately
carved facade.
 Day
7: Jaipur/Puhskar (Drive 145kms / 95 miles)
A royal experience as we take en elephant ride uphill to the intriguing
Amber Palace, a distinguished specimen of 17th Century Rajput
architecture. After the tour and enjoying a panoramic view, we set on our
journey to the Pushkar fair grounds.
Day 8: Pushkar
The annual fair in Pushkar is serious business for villagers who often
spend days traveling across the desert hoping to turn camels into much
needed Cash. The lake(Pushkar)is considered holy by the Hindus and
religious ceremonies are performed simultaneously as camels are being
traded. The night at the fairground takes on a Carnival atmosphere. The
ferries wheel attract line-ups of giggling Rajput women in their richly
coloured saris and sparkling bangles that stretch from wrist to shoulder.
Roadside Vendors sell pots, pans, bangles, saris, belts. Campfires dot the
dark desert like bright stars as the evening meal is prepared. This day is
free to experience the festivity and meet the people.
Day 9: Pushkar / Ajmer (Drive 13kms / 8 miles)
An interesting drive gets us to Ajmer.We visit the Mosque and the
Mausoleum of the revered Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisthi highly
regarded by the Muslims and Hindus alike. Evening we witness the
auspicious ceremonies performed by the devotees at the Mosque experiencing
tranquility.
 Day
10: Ajmer / Jodhpur (Drive 170 kms / 107miles)
A countryside drive gets us to the desert city of Jodhpur. Afternoon we
visit the city which take stands on a range of sandstone hills surrounded
by a strong wall nearly 10 Kms. in length, with seven gates. Dominating
the city is the massive fortress, safeguarding the royal palaces with
their collections of arms and priceless jewels.
Day 11: Jodhpur/Jaisalmer (Drive 220kms / 138miles)
After the Jodhpur experience we take another feel of Rajasthan with a
drive to Jaisalmer, the heart of the Thar desert and the ancient capital
of the Yadavas. Here people still live in buildings which date back to the
12th century.
Day 12: Jaisalmer
The museum city of India is one of the last princely bastions. Our tour of
this Thar desert city offers an interesting insight to architecture. Each
of the buildings is a monument to the skills and creativity of the
Rajasthani craftsmen of medieval times, for all have exquisite carvings
and filigree work. The Citadel of Jaisalmer, built in 1156 A.D., stands
atop a hill on the slopes of which a large part of the population lives.
The high walls protect palaces, towers, streets and buildings with
beautifully carved, overhanging balconies.
Evening an unforgettable trip to the desert for a Sand Dune and enjoy a
Camel ride
Day 13: Jaisalmer/ Bikaner (Drive 245kms / 155miles)
Completing this triangle we take an interesting drive to Bikaner. Founded
in 1488, Bikaner was a bustling center on the caravan route to West Asia
and Africa, famous for its camels. Bikaner's wall and buildings, built of
red and yellow sandstone, are fine specimens of Rajput architecture.
Day 14: Bikaner/Mandawa (Drive 180kms / 112miles)
Our visit to Bikaner will culminate with a drive to Mandawa. In Mandawa we
visit the Mahavir Prasad Goenka Haveli,Shani Temple and Kanhaiayalal Bagla
Haveli (House) where you can see the glass lamps and Shekawati Furntiture)
Day 15: Mandawa/Delhi (Drive 240kms / 150miles)
Before we drive to Delhi, we take a tour of this rural township. It gives
us an interesting exposure to lifestyle of the people. Visit the Junagarh
Fort, Lalgarh Palace and the Camel Breeding farm and Karni Mata Temple.
Return to Delhi,upon arrival in the capital city we are transferred to our
hotel. Balance of the day free.
Optional Sound & Light Show at the Red Fort.
Day 16: Delhi/Home
Today, we bid farewell to India and the festivities of Pushkar. We are
transferred to the airport for our departure flight .
Rajasthan's City
Information :- Ajmer :: Alwar
:: Bharatpur :: Bikaner
::Bundi :: Jaipur ::Jaisalmer
:: Jodhpur :: Kota :: Mount
Abu :: Pushkar :: Udaipur
Maps of Rajasthan :- Map
of Ajmer :: Map of Alwar :: Map
of Bharatpur :: Map of Bikaner ::Map
of Bundi :: Map of Jaipur :: Map
of Jaisalmer :: Map of Jodhpur :: Map
of Kota :: Map of Mount Abu :: Map
of Pushkar :: Map of Udaipur
Rajasthan Suggested
Itineraries :- Palace
on Wheels :: Pink
City Tours ::The
Forts Of Rajasthan Tour ::Heritage
Tour :: Wildlife
Tour :: The
Best of Rajasthan :: A
passage Through Rajasthan
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