Royal Rajasthan Tour 21 Day

After breakfast proceed for sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi : 
OLD DELHI - A sight-seeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting the Raj Ghat - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India. 
NEW DELHI - An extensive sight-seeing tour of New Delhi would include a visit to the Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House, the President's Residence and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave. Overnight stay in Delhi. 

Morning drive to mandawa. Rest of the day visit Shekhavati villages of Dundlod, Mandawa, etc. Mandawa was founded in 1755 by Thakur Nawal Singh and is still the home of his descendants. Mandawa houses a collection of armories, costumes of ancestors, canons from 1820, ancient coins, numismatic collection and many other interesting items preserved in a museum. The whole area of Shekhavati has beautiful frescoes, havelis & mansions and is called the open air gallery. 
Overnight stay in Mandawa. 

Morning drive to Bikaner, on arrival check in hotel. Afternoon tour of this desert city. Bikaner is bolstered by imposing walls and has a 16th century fort housing old palaces, temples and a mosque. Founded by Raja Rai Singh, the fort is distinguished by its long range of 37 pavilions, a line of balconies and aerial windows of varying designs. An enormous arched doorway leads to the Joramal Temple. Tha royal chapel is Har Mandir where royal weddings and births were once celebrated. 
Overnight stay in Bikaner. 

Morning drive to Jaisalmer. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay in Jaisalmer.

Morning visit to Jaisalmer. Visit the Fort, bazars and the old mansions known as “havelis”. People still live in these ancient buildings dated 12th to 15th century. Every house has exquisite carvings and filigreed work. Overnight Jaisalmer. 

Morning drive to Jodhpur, on arrival check in hotel. Afternoon visit to Meharangarh Fort, situated on a low sandstone Hill, including Moti-Mahal and Phool Mahal. Also visit Jaswant Thada, an imposing Marble Memorium built in 1899 and the museum located in Umaid Public Gardens. Overnight stay in Jodhpur.

Morning drive to Udaipur visiting Ranakpur Temples enroute. Ranakpur – 98 kms from Udaipur. The Jain Temples built in the 15th century are situated in the lovely valley of the Aravalis. Its surrounding is quiet and picturesque. Ranakpur has grand structures and beautiful sculpture. There are 1444 pillars in the temple and none of them are similar. The magic of light & shade is really awe inspiring. Surya Temple ande other Jain Temples are side attractions. Overnight stay in Udaipur. 

Morning tour to Udaipur. Visit the city palace, Jagdish Temple, drive around Fatehsagar Lake, Sahelion ki bari (Queen’s resort for her friends) and Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir (Folk Art Museum). Afternoon free. Overnight stay in Udaipur. 

Morning drive to Ajmer / Pushkar, on arrival check in hotel. Afternoon visit the Tomb of the Sufi Saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, the Dargah Sharif. The city was founded by the Chauhan ruler, Aiaipal, during the 11th century & is dominated by the Taragarh Fort built by Prithviraj Chauhan. In Pushkar, visit the holy lake and also the famous Brahma Temple. Pushkar is one of the holiest places for Hindus. Overnight stay in Pushkar. 

Morning drive to Jaipur, on arrival check in hotel. Afternoon tour of Jaipur. Jaipur – the capital of Rajasthan was given a colour coat of pink a century ago in honour of a visiting Prince. Built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the notable astronomer, this city is 260 years old. Visit Maharaja’s City Palace, the Observatory & Ram Niwas Gardens. Drive past Hawa Mahal & through the pink residential & business areas. Overnight stay in Jaipur. 

In morning visit the Amber Fort of Jaipur – the ancient capital of the State. Visit the Sheesh Mahal or the Hall of Victory glittering with mirrors. Overnight stay in Jaipur. 

Morning drive to Agra visiting Fatehpur Sikri enroute. Fatehpur Sikri is 40 kms from Agra and built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. See the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal and other Palaces. On arrival check in. Afternoon visit the Agra Fort containing the Pearl Mosque, the Halls of Public and Private Audience. Also the Tomb of Itmad-ud-built by Empress Noorjehan in memory of her father. Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays. Overnight stay in Agra. 

You are expected to be in Lucknow, the capital of the state of Uttar Pradesh in the first day. Lucknow is famous for its heritage and culture. On arrival, check into the hotel and soon leave to visit Bara Imambara and Chhota Imambara. Both are imposing monuments with great historical significance.

Explore the city and the attractions it holds, Lucknow is an interesting place with great things to offer. The structures in the city showcase the fine blend of Indo-Islamic and colonial era. Visit some sites like: Dilkusha Garden, Shah Najaf, Ram Krishna Math, Moti Mahal, La Martiniere, Chattra Manzil, also visit the old city in the evening. Spend some time indulging into shopping and trying out some ethnic dishes.

After breakfast we will visit Maya Devi Temple, dedicated to the mother of Lord Buddha, Maya Devi. The temple was built during the 02nd century. Later drive to Kushinagar crossing Indo - Nepal border. Upon reaching transfer to the hotel. 
 After fresh-n-up at the hotel we will set of for a visit to the monuments of Kushinagar visiting Nirvana Temple and Ramabhar Stupa. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

After a breakfast leave for Rajgir via Vaishali. Vaishali mentioned in the Ramayana and in the Buddhist literature, is reputed as the birthplace of Lord Mahavira and the capital of Lichchavis from early times. It was the scene of the Second Buddhist council held about a hundred years Lord Buddha's death. According to the historians, Vaishali is one of the first democratic republics of the world. A recent excavation has brought Vaishali in the limelight and the historical and archaeological importance of the area has resurfaced. In Vaishali we will be visiting Ashoka Pillar, Buddha stupa and Shanti stupa.  Overnight Stay in Vaishali Hotel.

After Breakfast Drive to Bodhgaya . On Arrival Check in hotel & Rest in the Hotel . Overnight Stay in Hotel.

Today we will have a full day excursion to Bodhgaya and Gaya. We will be visiting The Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhi Tree, Great Buddha Statue, Niranjana River, and Sujata Temple 
And lots of other significant temples.
 The Mahabodhi temple built on the east of the sacred tree stands majestically 17 feet high on a base 5 feet square, and consists of a soaring pyramidal tower surmounted by a stupa. The Vajrasana or Diamond Throne lying between the Bodhi Tree and the temple marks the actual spot where Buddha sat in meditation and attained supreme knowledge. A gilded Buddha smiles upon the visitors from a niche in the wall of the temple, and his footsteps carved in stone hold flower offerings from the devout. Unbelievable peace pervades the atmosphere giving credence to legend Besides the Mahabodhi temple; we would visit several Buddhist temples built by the followers of Buddhism from all over the world.
 Dinner and overnight stay in Bodhgaya.

After an early breakfast we will leave for Varanasi. Before arriving to Varanasi, we will have a visit to Sarnath. It enjoys the extraordinary privilege of Lord Buddha delivering his first sermon after attaining enlightenment 2500 years ago. It is about 10 km from Varanasi and holds a number of Buddhist sites that include the famous Dhamekh Stupa, the seat of the holy 'Buddha'. You can also visit the ruins of Dharmarajika Stupa and Mulagandhakuti Temple, where Lord Buddha is said to have rested and meditated while in Sarnath. The Ashoka Pillar built by the emperor Ashoka is a must see in Sarnath. 
 Later proceed to Varanasi. Upon reaching check into the hotel. In the evening transfer to the river ghat to have the glimpse of evening aarti. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Early morning proceed on a boat tour on River Ganges visiting all the bathing ghats. Return to hotel for breakfast. After breakfast transfer to the airport to board the flight for Delhi. Upon arrival meet with our representative and transfer to the international airport to board the flight for onward destination.