Jaipur To Jodhpur Via Sand Dune Cities Of Mandawa, Bikaner, Khimsar & Jaisalmer

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Jaipur

Stop At: Jaipur, Jaipur, Jaipur District, Rajasthan
On arrival at Jaipur airport assistance and transfer to hotel & check in.

Rest time free and easy to relax. You can visit Albert Hall Museum, the building gets inspiration for its design & name from The Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The exquisitely built Albert Hall is housed in the centre of Ram Niwas Garden. Sir Swinton Jacob (who is also the mastermind behind many other palaces in Rajasthan) conceptualised and designed it using styles from the Indo-Sarcenic architecture and the Prince of Wales laid the foundation stone of the building in 1876. The museum displays a wide range of metal objects, wood crafts, carpets, stone and metal sculptures, arms and weapons, natural stones and ivory goods. It also houses a large collection of miniatures from Bundi, Kota, Kishangarh, Udaipur and Jaipur schools of art.
Duration: 5 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Jaipur

Stop At: Jaipur, Jaipur, Jaipur District, Rajasthan
Breakfast at hotel, city tour of Jaipur. Jaipur holds the distinction of being the first planned city of India. Established in 1727 by Jai Singh II, the king of Amber when he shifted his capital from Amber to the new city because of the rapidly-growing population and an increasing water scarcity. Noted architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharya used the established principles of Vastu Shastra to build the city. In 1876, the Prince of Wales visited Jaipur and the entire Jaipur city was painted in pink the symbolic colour of hospitality to welcome him. The pink that colours the city makes for a marvellous spectacle to behold. Jaipur rises up majestically against the backdrop of the forts Nahargarh, Jaigarh and Garh Ganesh Temple.

In morning visit Amber Fort followed by Jaigarh Fort & Sisodia Rani Garden. Afternoon city tour visit City Palace, Observatory & Hawa Mahal. Further explore local market the famous bazaars of Pink City. In the evening attend Aarti Ceremony at Birla temple.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Jaipur – Mandawa (170kms/ 3hrs approx)

Pass By: Mandawa, Mandawa, Jhunjhunu District, Rajasthan
Breakfast at hotel drive to Mandawa check in at hotel.
Mandawa once functioned as a trading outpost for ancient caravan routes in Shekhawati for goods from China and the Middle East. Thakur Nawal Singh, then ruler of Nawalgarh and Mandawa built a fort in to protect this outpost. Over time, a township grew around the fort and soon attracted a large community of traders, who then settled down at Mandawa. Mandawa is also famous for its beautiful havelis. The realm of lovely havelis, harking back to the yester years, epitomizes the beauty of Mandawa. The land is laced with innumerable grand mansions that are guaranteed to capture one's imagination. It is a haven for a true connoisseur of art and architecture.

Stop At: Mandawa, Mandawa, Jhunjhunu District, Rajasthan
Visit Mandawa Fort, Hanuman Prasad Goenka’s Haveli, Jhunjhunwala’s Haveli, Saraf Haveli, Murmuria’s Haveli, Raghunath Ji Temple, Ladia Haveli, Chokhani and Newatia Havelis and Lord Krishna Temple.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Mandawa – Bikaner (195kms/ 4hrs approx)

Pass By: Bikaner, Bikaner, Bikaner District, Rajasthan
Breakfast at hotel drive to Bikaner check in at hotel.
Bikaner is one of the earlier established cities in Rajasthan. Bikaner still displays its ancient opulence through palaces and forts, built of red sandstone, that have withstood the passage of time. It is also home to one of the world’s largest camel research and breeding farms; as well as being known for having its own unique temple dedicated to Karni Mata at Deshnok, called the Rats Temple. Bikaner is home to one of the only two models of the biplane used by the British during World War I. They were presented by the British to Maharaja Ganga Singh, then ruler of the city.

Stop At: Junagarh Fort Road, Bikaner 334001 India
City tour of Bikaner visit Junagarh Fort, Lallgarh Palace & Museum, Laxmi Niwas Palace, Rampuria Group of Havelis. Evening visit the Camel Breeding Farm & enjoy Desert Camel Safari at sunset.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 5: Bikaner – Nagaur - Khimsar (160kms/ 3hrs approx)

Stop At: Forest Rest House Jorbeed, Joharbeeri, Rajasthan 334001, India
Breakfast at hotel morning excursion to visit Jorbeed (12kms from Bikaner) one of the best places for birders if they want to spot some raptors. Birds like the Steppe Eagles, Griffon Vultures, and Egyptian Vultures are as common as crows in this region. A place you’ll certainly have to come to terms with, you will hardly see a single tree here without some or the other raptor resting on it. A visit to Jorbeed is all about seeing the largest congregation of eagles and vultures in Asia, and if you are lucky, you might even spot the rare yellow-eyed pigeon here as well. With thousands of magnificent raptors dotting the landscape, Jorbeed is truly a birder’s paradise.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Karni Mata Temple Rd, Deshnoke 334801 India
Then after drive to Khimsar via visiting The Karni Mata Temple home to over 25,000 rats that inhabit and freely meander around the temple complex. These creatures can be seen emerging out crevices in the walls and floors, often passing over the feet of the visitors and devotees. People from different corners of India and abroad come to witness this astounding spectacle and also bring milk, sweets and other offerings for these sacred beings. The entire temple structure is raised in marble and its architecture evinces resemblance to the Mughal style.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Nagaur Fort, Bhandariyon Ki Gali, Nagaur, Rajasthan 341001, India
Continue drive and visit Nagour Fort. It is said that Nagaur fort was initially built by ruler of Nag dynasty in 2nd century and was then rebuilt in the early 12th century. This fort has witnessed several battles and has also been altered multiple times. Being one of the first Mughal strongholds in North-India it is an outstanding example of Rajput-Mughal architecture.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Khimsar, Khimsar, Nagaur District, Rajasthan
Continue drive to Khimsar check in at hotel. Evening visit Sand Dunes Village for a Jeep Safari experience along with Hi-Tea.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 6: Khimsar – Jaisalmer (290kms/ 5hrs approx)

Stop At: Jaisalmer, Jaisalmer, Jaisalmer District, Rajasthan
Breakfast at hotel drive to Jaisalmer check in at hotel.

Later excursion to Sam Sand Dunes for evening camel/ jeep safari. Witness the unparalleled views of sunset over the tall sand dunes located at a distance of 40km from the Golden City of Jaisalmer. Enjoy the music and dance performances by local artists which hold a mirror to the rich culture of Rajasthan. Satisfy your taste buds with the delicious, authentic local cuisine served at the Sam Dunes. Indulge in star gazing as a million stars shine brightly at you through the cold, clear skies in the above the dunes. Drive back to Jaisalmer for overnight stay.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 7: Jaisalmer

Stop At: Jaisalmer, Jaisalmer, Jaisalmer District, Rajasthan
Breakfast at hotel. City tour of Jaisalmer the 'Golden City’ founded in 12th century. It was in 1156 that Rawal Jaisal constructed a mud fort, named it Jaisalmer after himself and declared it his capital. The city’s most prominent landmark is the Jaisalmer Fort. It houses shops, hotels and ancient havelis (homes) where generations continue to live. If geology interests you, then The Wood Fossil Park is located about 15 kilometres away from the city. Here one can discover and trace geologic tragedies that occurred in the Thar Desert 180 million years ago.

Visit Jaisalmer Fort, Patwon Ki Haveli, Salim Ji Ki Haveli, Nathmal Ji Ki Haveli, Mandir Palace, Bada Bagh, Kuldhara abandoned village and Gadi Sagar Lake.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 8: Jaisalmer – Jodhpur (280kms/ 5hrs approx)

Pass By: Jodhpur, Jodhpur, Jodhpur District, Rajasthan
After breakfast, drive to Jodhpur, check in at hotel.
Later city tour of Jodhpur, popularly known as the Blue City. The name is clearly befitting as most of the architecture – forts, palaces, temples, havelis and even houses are built in vivid shades of blue. The strapping forts that tower this magnificent city sum up to a spectacle you would not want to miss. The mammoth, imposing fortress of Mehrangarh has a landscape dominating a rocky ridge with the eight gates leading out of the fortress. Jodhpur marks its origin back to the year of 1459 AD. Rao Jodha, the chief of Rathore Clan is credited with the origin of Jodhpur.

Stop At: Mehrangarh Fort, Fort Rd., Jodhpur 342006 India
Visit Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, Umaid Bhawan Palace & Mandore Temples, Gardens & Cenotaphs.
Duration: 5 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.



Day 9: Jodhpur

Stop At: Bishnoi Village Safari, 1st old public park near K.n Hall GIRLS College, Raikabagh, Ajit Colony, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342006, India
Breakfast at hotel excursion to visit Bishnoi Village Jeep Safari (20kms from Jodhpur)
Guda village, a Bishnoi village, is home to a vivid range of exotic wildlife and nature. It is a habitat for thousands of migratory birds in the area. One can often catch the Demoiselle crane frolicking at the lake. Antelopes and black bucks can also be spotted by the pond. The villagers are staunch worshippers of nature in all its forms, specially the sanctity of plant and animal life. They even pray to the green trees and animals that inhabit their land and make every effort to conserve the environment. Another fact about the Bishnoi tribals is that they worship Lord Vishnu and are vegetarians. It is the perfect place to experience the traditions and customs of tribal life. It is a place caught in a delightful time warp, where life still goes on like the days of the past.

Later as per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.