Desert Tour Of Rajasthan

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Jodhpur and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon if time permits visit Umaid Bhawan Museum.

Stop At: Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum, Circuit House Road, Jodhpur 342006 India
Such was the clout of Maharaja Umaid Singh of Marwar that the President of the British Royal Institute of Architects himself designed a palace for him. Around 3000 workers toiled for over 15 years to translate the design of this imposing edifice into reality. It was actually Maharaja's magnanimous effort to employ his people who were hard hit by a drought at that time. The specialty of the building is that for its construction hand chiseled stones are interlocked and there is no mortar binding. It is also known as Chittar Palace because of the use of local Chittar sandstone. Presently a portion of it is used by the descendents of the Maharaja while the rest of it is converted into a luxury heritage hotel and a museum that houses interesting photographs, model aeroplanes, weapons, antique clocks and watches and crockery etc and is open for visitors.
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Balsamand Lake Palace and Garden Retreat or Ranbanka Palace or similar

Day 2: Jodhpur City Tour covering the Majestic Mehrangarh Fort

Stop At: Mehrangarh Fort, Fort Rd., Jodhpur 342006 India
Ensconced upon a 150 m high hill, the fort of Meherangarh is considered to be the most formidable fort in Rajasthan. The foundation of it was laid by Rao Jodha in 1459, but the subsequent rulers of Jodhpur have made significant additions to it. A 5 km road meanders its way up to the entrance of the fort from the town below.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Jaswant Thada, Near Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur India
Dating back to 1899, this is the illustrious marble cenotaph of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II that was built by his son Maharaja Sardar Singh. It lies to the left on the way down from the Meherangarh fort. The main memorial is built like a temple.The fine lattice work in marble over the windows and intricately carved doors are what catch the attention of visitors. Make a visit and see why it is called the Taj of Marwar.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Balsamand Lake Palace and Garden Retreat or Ranbanka Palace or similar

Day 3: Drive from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer - Gateway to the Desert Heritage Capital

Stop At: Sam Sand Dunes ,sam Road,jaisalmer Sam Sand Dunes Before Sam Village Jaisalmer, Kanoi 345001 India
Sam dunes is popular for sunset Camel rides. Not a remote spot, the dunes proper only covering a small are yet quite impressive. Right in the middle of the dunes, Sunset View is like a fairground with almost 500 trippers in the high season time.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner: Dinner included in desert camp
Accommodation included: Overnight at Winds Desert Camp or similar

Day 4: Jaisalmer City Tour

Stop At: Kuldhara, Rajasthan 345001, India
This fascinating Ghost town around Jaisalmer is worth stopping enroute to Sam Dunes. Some 400 yrs ago when then Prime minister Salim Singh set his eyes on a paliwal girl from this village, the paliwal villagers did not want to give away this beautiful girl. After intense pressure from the PM, they decided to abandon the village one night with everyone dispersing in different directions, never to return. Well preserved and best visited with a guide who can point out the most interesting buildings still standing. Khaba, just south of here is also recommended
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Jaisalmer Fort, Fort Road, Jaisalmer 345001 India
On the roughly triangular shaped Trikuta Hill, the fort stands 76 meters above the town, enclosed by a 9 km wall and 99 bastions. The outer gate has bands of decoration which imitate local textile designs. Often called the Golden Fort due to the sandstone color….it dominates the town.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Mandir Palace or similar

Day 5: Jaisalmer to Bikaner with enroute stop at Deshnokh Temple

Stop At: Karni Mata Temple Rd, Deshnoke 334801 India
This 17th century temple is famously called as The rat temple. Massive silver gates and beautiful white marble carvings on the façade were added by Ganga Singh Ji who dedicated this temple to Karni Ji - believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Durga. Mice and rats are revered with sweets and milk in the belief that they are re-incarnated saints. They swarm over the temple around your feet. Spotting a white rat is supposed to bring good luck.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Lalgarh Palace or similar

Day 6: Sightseeing of Bikaner - The oasis town

Stop At: Junagarh Fort Road, Bikaner 334001 India
One of the finest examples in Rajasthan of the paradox between medieval military architecture and beautiful interior decoration. This superbly preserved fort has an entrance by the yellow sandstone gate to the east, called the Sun gate. The lal Niwas have the oldest walls elaborately decorated in red and gold. Karan Mahal stands as the victory sign of karan Singh over Aurangzeb. Gaj Mandir with its mirrored Shish Mahal, the magnificent Coronation Hall adorned with plaster work, lacquer, mirror and glass is in Anup Mahal. Ganga Niwas, Chandra Mahal, Chetar Mahal, Chini Burj, har Mandir, Phul Mahal (Flower Palace) - are all various architecture geniuses which speak a story of their own.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: National Research Centre on Camel, Jorbeer, Bikaner India
Various breeds of camels are studied at this research center as they are very important for the fragile eco-system of the desert. There is a museum in this research centre which depicts the research and developmental aspects of camels. Facilities like camel riding and Safari are also available. One can also enjoy beverages and ice-creams made of camel milk. It is also known as Camel Breeding Farm and was established in 1984 by the central government.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Lalgarh Palace or similar

Day 7: Drop at Jaipur airport to end the tour

Pass By: Jaipur, Jaipur, Jaipur District, Rajasthan
Capital of Rajasthan.

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