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Week In Wonderland Train Tour :
Day 1: WED Evening: New Delhi depart
Check-in starts at Safderjung Railway Station (Near Moti bagh Flyover) by 4 p.m.& train departs at 6 p.m.
Note: Morning tour of Old/New Delhi can be organised with railway station transfer at extra cost.
Day 2: THURS: Jaipur
Also known as The Pink city,Jaipur was built in mid 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the Rajput Ruler of Amber. Jaipur is said to be one of the best planned cities in pre-modern India ,with royal Rajput flavour There are Magnificent Palaces ,well planned residential quarters for commoners ,wide streets, acres of gardens & small lakes, In 1853,the entire city was painted in Pink Colour ,to honour Prince of Wales visit.
The working Sun Observatory-Jantar Mantar ,is an UNESCO World Heritage site. Also popular is Palace Of Winds(Hawa Mahal) & late 19th century built Albert Hall Museum-with a rich collection of artefacts ' like paintings, carpets, ivory, stone, metal sculptures, colourful crystal works etc Located 13 km away is Hill Fort Palace of Amber ,built in late 16th century by Raja Mansingh,Commander In Chief of Mughal Emperor Akbar's army.Ride up the Hill on Elephant Back's ,from base of the Fort,is very popular with the tourists The Sheesh Mahal(hall of mirrors) at Amber fort,leaves you awe struck of the fine craftsmanship of the workers of those times
Jaipur is also famous for it's textiles & semi precious stones.
Day 3: FRI Morning: Ranthambhore (Sawai Madhopur)
This forest was hunting ground of Maharaja Of Jaipur,before 1947 ;& was declared protected Tiger Reserve in 1973 .Spread over more than 300 square k.m.of arid rocky terrain,huge water bodies,with surrounding grasslands ,deciduous forest- Ranthambhore is home to around 35 white Bengal Tigers, and crocodiles,sloth bear,panther,wild boar,pythons,hyena , jackal, foxes.,monkeys,langur, & four species of Deer; ,besides number of migratory birds.
There have been numerous coffee table books published on Tigers of Ranthambhore & their peculiar habits Overlooking the forest reserve ,are ruins of 10th century built Ranthambhore Fort,spread across a small plateau Sawai Madhopur Railway station is located 15 k.m. away
Day 3: Fri Afternoon: Chittorgarh
'The Chittorgarh Fort,was built by Mauryan Kings in 7th century & ruled by the same Mewar dynasty for more than 800 years from 9th till late 16th century. Seated on a 180 metre hill,spread over an area of 700 acres,encircled by a huge wall, approached by a path guarded by seven huge gates,the Chittorgarh is much more than merely being the biggest Fort in India. Historically,it been made famous by repeated gauhars by it's women folk (prefer to self immolate by leaping into huge fire, rather than to be at mercy of invading armies), spiritual poems of Meerabai -a royal princess; & successful struggle to regain his lost Kingdom by one of the bravest Rajput Warrior Kings-Maharana Pratap.
Day 4: Sat: Udaipur
Founded in mid 16th century,by Maharana Udai Singh II,ruler of Chittorgarh & later made capital of Mewar Dynasty, Udaipur is often referred to as "Venice of the East" & also nicknamed "the lake city" -after it's natural spring water fed lakes Apart from its glorious history, culture and scenic locations, it is also known for its Rajput-era palaces. The Lake Palace, for instance, covers an entire island in the Pichola Lake. Many of the palaces have been now converted into luxury hotels.
The City Palace, built atop a hill that looms over Lake Pichola., is considered the largest of its type amongst the royal complex of Rajasthan.It was built in a flamboyant style over 300 years & offers a fine fusion of Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles. Maharana Fatah Singh of Udaipur was the only royalty who did not attend the Delhi Durbar for King George V in 1911. This fierce sense of independence earned Udaipur the highest gun salute in Rajasthan, of 19 by British colonial rulers
Day 5: Sun: Jaisalmer
Nicknamed "The Golden City" ,Jaisalmer is located in the wastelands of Thar Desert. The town stands on a ridge of yellowish sandstone, crowned by a fort, which contains the palace and several ornate Jain temples. The Fort Town was founded in mid 12th century by Rawal Jaisal, and Jaisalmer Fort is situated on Trikuta Hill
and had been the scene of many battles. Its massive sandstone walls are a tawny lion colour during the day, turning to a magical honey-gold as the sun sets. Also famous is Patwon-ki-Haveli ,an ornate five- storey complex ,that took more than fifty years to complete & was former residence of a very wealthy merchant & banker family.
Another early 19th century built Salam Singh-ki-Haveli , has a beautifully arched roof capped with blue cupolas and carved brackets in the form of peacocks Nearby located,The Desert National Park has a collection of fossils of animals and plants of 180 million years old. Some fossils of Dinosaurs of 6 million years old have been found in the area. Located 40 k.m away(appx 25 miles) are Sam Sand Dunes, a truly magnificent stretch of sweeping dunes, with sparse or no vegetation & starting point of camel safaris.
Day 6: Mon: Jodhpur
Former capital of Marwar Dynasty ,Jodhpur features many palaces, forts and temples, set in the stark landscape of the Thar desert.
It is also referred to as the Blue City due to the blue-painted houses around the Mehrangarh Fort.
Founded in mid 15th century by Rao Jodha,the main fort of Mehrangarh was completed in mid 17th century & towers 400 feet above the city. Inside its boundaries there are several palaces known for their intricate carvings
and expansive courtyards.There are seven gates, which include Jaya pol & Fatteh pol (both meaning 'victory' gates).
The museum in the Mehrangarh fort ,offers selection of old royal palanquins, and heritage of the Rathore Royal Clan in arms, costumes & paintings
Nearby located,royal cenotaph of Jaswant Thada,was built in last decade of 19th century.The monument,
is built out of intricately carved sheets of marble. These stones are extremely thin and polished so that they
emit a warm glow when the sun's rays dance across their surface.
Umaid Bhawan Palace, constructed in mid 20th century is one of the world's largest private residences,occupied
by the erstwhile Jodhpur Royal family.Part of this 347 room complex,,operates as a hotel, managed by Taj Group of Hotels.
Day 7:Tue Morning : Bharatpur
The Keoladeo Ghana National Park in rain fed marshland of Bharatpur, is home to over 230 species of migratory
birds & has also been declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 7: Tue Afternoon: Agra
The medieval town of ,Agra is famous for the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tāj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpūr Sikrī,
AGRA FORT is the most important Fort in India,being the capital of powerful Mughal Dynasty for more than 125 years.
It contained the largest state treasury and mint. The outer Red Sandstone structure was built by Great Mughal Emperor
Akbar in mid 16th century & after couple of decades Emperor Shahjehan rebuilt most of it's interiors in white marble
with inlay of gold & semi-precious stones.The Fort was site of a major battle in 1857 & in victory,
The British Army destroyed most of the original structure,
FATEHPUR SIKRI Red Sand Stone planned city was built in late 16th century by Mughal emperor Akbar,but had soon
to be abandoned ,due to scarcity of water & turned into a Ghost town..But even today, the complex of buildings, including
the extant royal palaces, courts and the Jama Masjid reflect the genius of Akbar in assimilating diverse regional
architectural influences of Persian,Islamic,Indian,Rajput with a holistic style that was uniquely his own
TAJ MAHAL ,built in White Marble during mid 17th century is considered amongst the most beautiful buildings
in the world,& stands as a symbol of eternal love.
Day 8: Wed Morning: New Delhi Return
The train returns to Delhi,Safderjung Railway station by 530 am
Check-out by 715 am,after early breakfast
Note: Pick up from station can be arranged at Extra cost
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