Pushkar & Desert Trekking

Duration : 17 Days

Destination Covered : Delhi, Bikaner, Jamba, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Pushkar, Jaipur, Agra, Delhi.

Day-01. Arrive Delhi
  Assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel. DELHI : the capital of India has a fascinating history and a stimulating present. Delhi has been the seat of power of a number of dynasties - the Rajput's, the Muslim invaders from the north, the Afghans dynasties followed by Tughlaqs, Sayyaids, the Lodies and the Mughals, who continued the imperial line, untill British days. The Old city, built by Shah Jahan in the 17th century, stands today as an epitome of the whole history of Indo - Islamic architecture. New Delhi, designed and constructed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker is a mixture of east and west. Delhi is today the political, economic and cultural capital of the world's largest democracy and has also become one of the greatest tourist centres of the world. Overnight in train.

Day-02. Delhi - Bikaner
 Morning combined city tour of Old & New Delhi. Evening transfer to station to board overnight train for Bikaner departing at 2125 hrs. Overnight in train.
 
Day-03. Bikaner
 Arrive Bikaner in the morning at 0815 hrs. Meet at station and transfer to hotel. Bikaner, city lies on the northern point on the triangle of desert cities. Bikaner is another royal walled city dating back 1486 A . D. It was established by a Rathore prince, Bika and came to be called Bikaner after him. Bika was the eldest son of the founder of Jodhpur state - Rao Jodha. Bikaner was well protected from its enemies by the harsh desert which surrounded this city. It was, however a major trade centre as it stood on the ancient carvan route which linked central Asia and north India with the Gujarat seaports. Other outside influences were minimal and this city was able to keep its medieval flavour alike - in fact, this is true of the cityeven today. Sightseeing of Bikaner visit, Junagarh fort & Deshnok ( Rat temple ).

Day-04. Bikaner - Nokhra - Khariya
 We will be doing 04 days trek through Thar desert. Depart for Nokhra - 70 kms. Camel ride up to Khariya - 15 kms. Overnight in tents Quilon-Cochin, Cochin-Bombay, Bombay-Onward.

Day-05. Khariya - Rajputon Ki Dhani
 Breakfast at camp. Camel ride up to Rajputon Ki Dhani - 18 kms. Overnight in tents.
 
Day-06. Rajputon Ki Dhani - Bamnuo Ka School
 Breakfast at camp. Camel ride up to Bamnuo ka School - 17 kms. Overnight in camp.
 
Day-07. Bamnuo Ka School - Jamba
 Breakfast in camp. Camel ride up to Jamba via Meghwalon Ki Dhani - 18 kms. Overnight in camp.
 
Day-08. Jamba - Jaisalmer
 After breakfast depart for Jaisalmer - 190 kms. Jaisalmer, Rawal Jasal laid the foundation of this city in 1156 A . D after consulting a local hermit by the name of Eesul. Tricuta was the hill chosen and Jaisal abandoned his old fort at Lodurva and established this new capital. The bhatti Rajput's of Jaisalmer were feared bandit chiefs who lived off the forced levis of the great carvans that crossed their area enroute Delhi. These carvans, laden with precious cargoes of spices and silk brought great wealth to this town. Over the years the remote location of Jaisalmer kept it ulmost untouched by outside influences and even during the days of British Raj, Jaisalmer was last to sign the Instrument of agreement with the British. The remort desert citadel is today famous for its carved havelies, its cobbled streets and its ancient Jain temples. Overnight at hotel

Day-09. Jaisalmer
 Morning sightseeing of Jaisalmer visit, Fort, Jain temples and havelies. Overnight at hotel.

Day-10. Jaisalmer - Jodhpur 
Depart for Jodhpur - 286 kms. Jodhpur, the former capital of Marwar state, was founded in 1459 A . D by Rao Jodha who claimed descent from Lord Rama ( the hero of epic Ramayana ). The massive fort - Mehrangarh came first and around it grew the city of Jodhpur protected by a high stone wall with seven gates and countless bastions. Today the city has grown to become the second largest city of Rajasthan while still maintaining its medieval character. A flourishing trading centre in the 16th century, Jodhpur is still one of the leading centres for wood, cattle, camels and agricultural corps. Late afternoon tonga ride ( Horse cart ) to clock tower. Walk through the Spice & vegetable market. Overnight at hotel.

Day-11. In Jodhpur
 Morning sightseeing of Jodhpur visit Mehrangarh fort and Jaswant Thada. Afternoon visit Mandore gardens. Overnight at hotel.
 
Day-12. Jodhpur - Pushkar
 Depart for Pushkar - 280 kms enroute visit Dargah at Ajmer, popular pilgrimage centre for the Hindu's as well as Muslims. Pushkar, the abode of Lord Brahma. Pushkar lake is a sacred spot for Hindus. During the month of Oct/Nov devotees throng in large number here to take a dip in the sacred lake. According to myth Lord Brahma was on his way to search for a suitable place to perform a 'Yegna' ( a fire sacrifice ). While contemplating a Lotus fell from his hand on the earth and water sprouted from three places. One of them was Pushkar where lord Brahma performed his Yegna. Overnight at hotel.
 
Day-13. In Pushkar
 In Pushkar for sightseeing and to explore its surroundings or during Pushkar festival watch fair activities. Overnight at hotel.

Day-14. Pushkar - Jaipur
 Morning visit Brahma's temple and the ghats of sacred lake. Depart for Jaipur - 140 kms. Jaipur, the rose - pink capital of Rajasthan, is surrounded on all sides by rugged hills, crowned with forts and enclosed by embattled walls. Jaipur is aptly called "The Pink City" of India. It takes its name from the famous Maharana Sawai Jai Singh, who founded this city in 1728. A keen astronomer, he built an observotary which still exists and is equipped with quaint masonry instruments of remarkable size. Jaipur is noted for its craftmen skilled in the art of cutting precious stones and framed for its garnets and rubies. Overnight at hotel.

Day-15. Jaipur
 Fullday sightseeing of Jaipur visit, Hawa mahal, City palace, observatory and Amber fort. Overnight at hotel.

Day-16. Jaipur - Agra
 Depart for Agra enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri. Agra, became the capital of Sikandar Lodi in 1501 A . D but was soon passed on to the Mughal's and both Babar and Humayun's made some early Mughal constructions here. It was under Akbar that Agra first aspired to its heights of magnificence. From 1570 to 1585 A . D he ruled from nearby Fatehpur Sikri. When he abandoned that city he romoved to Lahore, but returned to Agra in 1599 A . D and remained there untill his death. In 1761 A . D Agra fell to the Jats who did much damage to the city and its monuments. In turn, it was taken by the Marathas in 1770 A . D and went through several more changes before the British took control in 1803 A . D. Overnight at hotel.

Day-17. Agra - Delhi
 Morning sightseeing of Agra visit, Taj mahal, Agra fort and Itimud-ud-ullah tomb. Afternoon depart for Delhi - 204 kms enroute visit Sikandra's tomb. Farewell Dinner and transfer to airport to connect flight for onward destination.