NAGAUR & DESERT FESTIVAL

DELHI + AGRA + JAIPUR + BIKANER + JAISALMER + LUNI + UDAIPUR + MUMBAI

Rajasthan has one of the most colorful and vibrant deserts in the world. The great Thar Desert has much to offer through a plethora of celebrations. Festivals and fairs, music and dance, are a part of life in the State as well as in the desert. The yearlong festive fervour and cattle marts turn into delightful fairs. Festivals hold an unusual lure for the Rajasthanis and they have any number of reasons to celebrate.

The Nagaur Festival is held every year in the period between January-February in the quaint Rajput town of Nagaur. The Nagaur festival is essentially a cattle fair and every year close to 75,000 camels, bullocks and horses are traded. In fact the sheer volume of trading is astonishing to the first time visitors.

Desert Festival of Jaisalmer is a colorful festival held in February every year. You will get to see Cultural events, camel races, turban tying competitions etc. Not exciting enough! Attend the contests to judge the man with the best moustache. Everything is exotic in the Desert festival, amidst the golden sands of the Thar Desert.

The desert festival in Jaisalmer was started to attract foreign tourists, who always wanted to explore as many facets of Rajasthan as they could in the possible crunch of time. The three-day event stresses more on local elements and heritage.

Day 01: DELHI ARRIVAL

Fly to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi, you will be Greeted and Escorted by Indo Asia Tour Executive to your Hotel.On arrival at hotel check in. (Room will be available from 1200 Noon)

In its 3000 years of existence; seven cities have risen where the present capital of India stands. Here you'll encounter a fascinating blend of the ancient and the contemporary. Where government buildings, medieval palaces and bazaars exist beside a modern metropolis. Delhi is a city waiting to be explored. Overnight at the Hotel

Day 02: DELHI

After breakfast enjoy a full day city tour of Old & New Delhi. Visit the Red Fort - the 17th century imposing fortress built in red sandstone is surrounded by a huge 33m high boundary wall. Inside are exquisite palaces and beautiful gardens.

Opposite the Red Fort lies Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque) made of red sandstone and white marble, completed in 1656 at a cost of one million Rupees has perfect proportions. India's largest mosque where more than 20.000 people can kneel in prayer. The interior of the prayer hall is divided into aisles by arches. The walls and floors are of marble inlay panels.

Also visit the Raj Ghat on the banks of the river Yamuna is Mahatma Gandhi's Memorial, where he was cremated following his assassination in January 1948. The memorial lies in the midst of landscaped gardens and made of a simple square platform of black marble inscribed with his last words "Hey Ram". An eternal flame burns 24 hours.

Drive through Lutyens Delhi and see India Gate - Built of Bharatpur-stone, commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who died in the 1st world war. 13516 names of British and Indian soldiers killed in the Afghan War of 1919 are engraved on the arch and foundations. Photo stop at Rashtrapati Bhawan once the Viceroy's residence is now the official residence of the President of India.

Later in the afternoon explore New Delhi. Visit the Humayun's Tomb, built by his wife Haji Begum in the 16th. Century. An early example of Mughal architecture considered the predecessor of the Taj Mahal. The elements in its design - a squat building, lighted by high arched entrances, topped by bulbous dome and surrounded by the char bagh (garden divided

into quadrants), water channels and fountains.

Later visit the Qutub Minar - the landmark of Delhi, a huge tower of victory started in 1199 and completed in 1368. The Minar is 72.5m high with a diameter at the base 14.4m and 2.7m at the top. The tower has 379 steps to the top. Overnight at the Hotel

IMP: Red Fort Remains closed on Monday.

Day 03: DELHI - AGRA

After breakfast drive to Agra.

En-route visiting Sikandra. The mausoleum of the great Mughal King Akbar (1556-1605). Akbar began building it during his lifetime and his son, the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, completed it. It has a large arched entrance and green lawns, on which deer can be seen grazing, surround the tomb. The entrance is decorated with marble inlay work around the arch, and the inner surface of the dome of the tomb is decorated with images of flowers, geometric designs and Islamic calligraphy.

Later continue your drive to Agra.

Agra stands on the right bank of the river Yamuna, was once the seat of the Mughal rulers, the zenith of art and an enshrined romance. Agra is a town famous for its beautiful medieval monuments. The passion of the Mughals for building endowed it with some of the loveliest buildings in the world.

On arrival in Agra, check in at hotel. Overnight at the Hotel

Day 04: AGRA

After breakfast visit the Taj Mahal- a poem in white marble, built by the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in the memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaj Mahal. Today India's most fascinating and beautiful masterpiece, this perfectly symmetrical edifice is set amidst landscaped gardens on the banks of the Yamuna River. Its marble exterior reflects rose and golden tints at sunrise and sunset, while it is dazzling white during the day and glows pearl-like in the moonlight and during the monsoon.

Later visit Agra Fort. Designed and built by Akbar in 1565 A.D., the fort is surrounded by a 70 feet high wall. It houses the beautiful Pearl Mosque and numerous palaces. The Agra fort happens to be on the same bank of the river Yamuna as the Taj Mahal, which is visible in all its beauty from one side of the fort. Emperor Shahjahan, a prisoner of his son Aurangzeb in his old

age was put in a cell from where he could gaze at the Taj Mahal at a distance from his cell in the

Agra Fort. It is an imposing structure with walls of red sandstone almost three kilometers long.

Later visit the stunning tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah or the `Baby Taj'- a marble memorial with exquisite inlay work built in 1628 by Nur Jahan, queen of Jehangir, for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg.

Overnight at the Hotel

IMP: Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.

Day 05: AGRA - JAIPUR

After breakfast drive to Jaipur.

On the way visit Fatehpur Sikri. It is a beautiful and deserted medieval city built by Akbar the Great in the 16th century to serve as the capital of his vast empire. The Mughals later abandoned this city for lack of water.

Later continue your drive Jaipur.

Maharaja Jai Singh II built Jaipur in the 18th century. It is a planned city built with ancient Hindu rules as the colonial capital of a richly colorful state. The whole city was painted pink to welcome the visit of Prince Albert in 1853. On arrival check in the hotel On arrival in Jaipur, check in at hotel.

Overnight at the Hotel

Day 06: JAIPUR

After breakfast, half-day excursion trip takes you to Amber Fort with Elephant or Jeep ride.

This city Fort is situated 130m high with the Aravali hills around 11 km north of Jaipur. It was the ancient capital of the Kachhawaha Rajputs till 1037. En route, make a photo stop at the palace of winds the Hawa Mahal. A 5 storied building with 25cm thick facade from the 18 century having 953 windows and niches so that ladies of royal family could see the procession and events in the city without being visible to the people.

In the afternoon, visit City Palace occupies the center of Jaipur. It now houses the Royal residence and museums with collections of textiles and costumes, armoury, manuscripts,

paintings etc.

Later visit Jantar Mantar (1728-34) by king astrologer Jai Singh II. The instruments are built of stone with marble facing on the important plains for measuring the harmony of the heavens. Each instrument serves a particular function and each gives an accurate reading.

Overnight at the hotel

Day 07: JAIPUR - BIKANER

Drive to Bikaner. Bikaner in the middle of Rajasthan's Thar desert, founded and named after Rao Bhika in 1488. Earlier it was the main centre on the caravan route to Central Asia & North India before Rathore Prince Bika conquered it. An oasis town among scrub and sand dunes. The walled city retains a medieval air and sandstone architecture. On arrival, transfer to the hotel and check in. Overnight at the hotel

Day 08: BIKANER - NAGAUR

Morning, visit the Junagarh Fort unusual, because other major forts of Rajasthan were built on hilltops, but this fort is built on the desert plain, surrounded by a moat. The palace complex's sumptuously decorated interiors are perhaps best preserved in India. The palaces have

balconies, kiosks and fine jali screens with rich interiors and lacquered doors.

Later drive to Naguar.

On arrival transfer to the Tent.

The town of Nagaur has been the bastion of the Rajputs. Here you can hear the jingle of bells as camels or sheep wend their paths from village to village. And with them go the hardy people of these parts. The men with their proud moustaches and brightly colored turbans. And the women, in their gaily-printed skirts and heavy silver jewelry. And centuries of tradition follow in their steps.

Nagaur Festival is also called as the Cattle Fair, is the 2nd largest animal fair of India. Thousands of animals are gathered at the cattle fair for trading. Traders come to buy and sell cows, bullocks, oxen and camels.

Overnight in the Tent

Day 09: NAGAUR

The Nagaur Festival is organized by the Department of Animal Husbandry in co-operation with the Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan. As per the latest statistical records, approximately 80,000 cattle owners participate in this festival with more than 2,10,000 cattle’s being traded.

Enjoy the Nagaur festival.

Overnight in the Tent

Day 10: NAGAUR - JAISALMER

Morning enjoy the festival.

Later drive to the Jaisalmer.

Jaisalmer stretches across the hot barren desert are magical as the city shimmers like a mirage. The golden sandstone town walls and narrow streets lined with exquisitely carved buildings, through which camel carts trudge leisurely, has an extraordinarily medieval feel and an

incredible atmosphere. Located on the way of caravan route to Sind, Jaisalmer was the important stopover during the 12th century. A Muslim king Ala-ud-din Khilji to gain control over the business route attacked it.

On arrival, transfer to the hotel and check in.

Overnight at the hotel

Day 11: JAISALMER

After breakfast visit the fort perched on its hilltop, contains some beautiful Jain temples, while beautifully decorated merchants' havelis are scattered through the town. The Fort stands on a roughly triangular shaped Trikuta Hill 76 m above the town, enclosed by a 9 m wall with 99 bastions (mostly 1633-1647). Take a walk through the narrow streets within the Fort, often blocked by the odd goat or cow and see how even today about a 1000 of the town's people live

in tiny houses inside the fort often with beautiful carvings on doors and balconies.

Also visit the Salim Singh Haveli (17 century) which has the appearance of a great ocean liner, with a narrow base which widens at the top. It has a beautifully arched roof, topped with blue cupolas, and brackets in the form of peacocks.

Nathumal Haveli (1885) was built for the prime minister. It is partly carved out of rock by two craftsmen, each undertaking one half of the house. Highly decorative façade with attractive front door guarded by two elephants. Patwon Haveli (1805) is a group of five, built for five brothers. Possibly the finest in town and have fine murals and carved pillars. Overnight at the hotel

Day 12: JAISALMER

Today enjoy the Desert Festival

The Desert Festival is a 3-day extravaganza of colour, music and festivity, held at the golden city of Jaisalmer. Gair and Fire dancers swaying to traditional tunes, a turban tying competition and a Mr. Desert Contest are a part of the fun and frolic. The grand finale is a trip to the Sam Dunes where one can enjoy the pleasure of a camel ride and even watch the folk dancers and musicians perform.

The high points of the festival are - snake charmers, puppeteers, acrobats, folk performers do rapid trade. Camels, the lifeline of the desert, play a foremost role. Proud moustached villagers, dressed in their ethnic best come astride their picturesquely caparisoned camels to join in the camel dances and competitions of camel acrobatics, camel races and dicor, camel polo, tug of war and the like.

Overnight at the Hotel

Day 13: JAISALMER – JODHPUR – LUNI

Drive to Luni. On the way visit the 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 A.D. by Rao Jodha-chief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs who claimed to be descendants of Rama - the epic hero of the Ramayana.

On arrival visit the impressive Mehrangarh Fort on a 37 m low sandstone hill built by Rao Jodha in 1459 of red sandstone. From the top of the fort one can get a bird's eye view of the old city. You will notice the predominance of blue houses referred to as Brahmin houses - the colour

being associated with the high caste.

Later proceed to the Jaswant Thada, an imposing marble cenotaph built in 1899 for Maharajah Jaswant Singh II, and smaller memorials to other Maharajahs of Jodhpur. After the sight seeing, drive to Luni for an overnight stay in a beautiful Fort now a hotel. Overnight at the Hotel

Day 14: LUNI - RANAKPUR - UDAIPUR

After breakfast drive Udaipur.

En-route visiting Ranakpur.

On arrival visit Ranakpur, the wonderful three temples of the Jain sect dating back to the 14th

/15th century. The unforgettable main Temple dedicated to Adinatha the first Tirthankar (1439)

built in marble took 65 years to complete. It is one of the five holy Jain pilgrimage centres, and has one of the best temple complexes.

Later continue your drive to Udaipur.

Udaipur lies in the Girwa valley amidst the Aravali hills of south Rajasthan. Considered a romantic city - with its lakes, gardens, temples and palaces - an Oasis in the Thar Desert. The old city is a traditionally planned fortified walled city, a maze of narrow winding lanes flanked by houses with doorways decorated with Mewar folk art, windows with stained glass or jali screens, massive havelis with large inner courtyards and shops. The legendary Ranas who ruled, traced their ancestry to the Sun Dynasty.

On arrival, transfer to the hotel and check in.

Overnight at the Hotel

Day 15: UDAIPUR

After breakfast visit the City Palace built on the bank of the Pichola Lake, by Maharana Udai Singh in 1570. The impressive complex of several palaces is a blend of Rajput and Mughul influences. Half of it is still occupied by the Royal family, and part converted into a museum.

The Folklore Museum charged with the preservation of Rajasthani folk arts, has an interesting collection including dresses, dolls, masks, turbans, tribal jewellery, musical instruments, paintings and puppets.

Also visit the Sahelion-ki Bari an ornamental pleasure garden specially made for the ladies of the palace in the 18th century. It has beautiful fountains, trees and flowers. The welcome fountain from the gate leads to the rain fountain, which has a center fountain with beautiful black marble kiosks with fountains on the corners of the pool and stunning bougainvilleas

covering the walls of the enclosure.

Afternoon enjoy the public boat ride on Lake Picholla.

Overnight at the Hotel

Day 16: UDAIPUR – MUMBAI

After breakfast transfer to the airport to board the flight for Mumbai.

On arrival at Mumbai, transfer to the hotel check in. Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay. India's most cosmopolitan city, an ancient port and trading center. This palm--fringed shore of the Arabian Sea was the British Empire's entrance to its `Crown Jewel'. Mumbai is also center for Hindi films made in India called "Bollywood", with a credit of almost 900 films a year.

Later drive for the sightseeing of Mumbai

Visit the 26 meter high British-built Arch "Gateway of India", Mumbai's landmark built to honour the visit of George V and Queen Mary in 1911. Also visit the Kamla Nehru Park from where you have a picturesque view of the city, Hanging Gardens are so named since they are

located on top of a series of tanks that supply water to Mumbai.

Pass by the `towers of silence' the crematorium of the Parsis and visit Mani Bhawan a private house where Mahatma Gandhi uses to stay when he visited Mumbai. It is now a museum and research library with 20,000 volumes. The display on the first floor there is a diorama depicting important scenes from Gandhi's life. The display of photos and letters written and received by Gandhiji.

Later enjoy the visit to Marine Drive dubbed, as the Queen's Necklace is Mumbai's most popular promenades. Overnight at the Hotel

Day 17: MUMBAI DEPARTURE

On time transfer to the International Airport to board the flight for onwards journey.

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