Rajasthan Special Package

Today arrive to the Blue City – Jodhpur and transfer to your hotel.
An oasis in the arid Thar Desert, Jodhpur is the second largest city in the state of Rajasthan.
Representing this colourful city with shades of blue, Jodhpur has a history that is rich and a present
that beckons strongly to the discerning tourist. Forts and palaces, temples and havelis, culture and
tradition, spices and fabrics, colour and texture, Jodhpur has them all and in plenty. Situated in
Western Rajasthan, Jodhpur has long attracted both the domestic and outside tourist. It not only
offers tangibles, in terms of what you can see and buy but also fills one with a sense of history and
the splendours of an era gone by. The hospitality of the locals, the demure women, and the colourful
turbans -all set against the beloved desert (Marwar) is something to feel, not just see. Every pore of
Jodhpur tells its own tales of heroic deeds that made legends out of kings and soldiers, romances
that continue to warm the heart and a time when epics were lived out on the streets by everyday
man.
Later proceed for city tour of Jodhpur visit the Meherangarh Fort, situated on a low sandstone hill.
The palace apartments like Sukh Mahal, Phool Mahal, and Sheesh Mahal etc are beautifully
decorated and house Jewellery, costumes, armoury, palanquins, howdahs and other remnants of the
past. See the Jaswant Thada, an imposing marble memorial to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II built in
1899. Later the royal crematorium and three other cenotaphs were also built here.
Overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast drive to Jaisalmer; Arrive Jaisalmer and transfer to your hotel. Jaisalmer - a
fairy-tale town in the Thar Desert founded about 800 years ago by Jaisal. Unlike any other city, this
desert fortress is one of Rajasthan's most exotic and unusual towns. Jaisalmer, an important ancient
trading centre because of its strategic location on the camel trade routes, is often described as the
'golden city'. The havelis, built by merchants of the 19th century, are exquisitely carved from
golden-yellow sandstone and are still in a beautiful condition. The fort built by Rawal Jaisal in the
12th century, stands on the 80-meter-high Trikuta hill, with beautifully carved Jain temples. The
annual desert festival takes place in January and February each year and is a riot of colour and
activity. Jaisalmer is also famous for its embroidery, Rajasthani mirror work, rugs, and blankets,
antique, silver jewellry, and stonework and camel safaris.

After breakfast leave for the city tour of Jaisalmer. Visit the Gadsisar Lake a water conservation tank
made around 1400 A.D. by the then maharaja of Jaisalmer, Maharwal Gadsi Singh. This structure
just outside the city walls once acted as a reservoir that controlled the entire supply of water to the
arid city. Thera are whole varieties of temples and shrines surrounding the lake.
Visit the famous Havelis (mansions) known for their frescoes. Jaisalmer's strategic position on the
camel terrain route bought it great wealth. The merchants grew prosperous and commissioned
great havelis, or mansions, to flaunt their ever-growing status in society. Made of local
golden-yellow sand stone and wood, some of the havelis are still in excellent condition. The most
elaborate and magnificent of all the Jaisalmer havelis is the Patwaon Ki Haveli. Five Jain brothers
built the Haveli between 1800 and 1860. Salim Singh Ki Haveli and Nathmal Ki Haveli are the other
two havelis that are opened to visitors.
Built in 1156 by the Bhatti ruler, Jaisal, THE FORT here stands atop the 80 m high Trikuta hill. 3
walls and features 99 bastions surround the fort. Over the centuries, the golden sand stone fortress
witnessed many battles between the Bhatti Rajput’s, the Mughals and the Rathore’s of Jodhpur.
Within the fort complex lie the beautifully carved Jain Temples built between the 12th and 15th
centuries. The Maharawals (rulers) of Jaisalmer were devout Hindus but were tolerant of Jainism
and encouraged art and religion. There are 7 temples in the complex - Chandraprabhu, Parasnath,
Shitalnath, Sambhavnath, Shantinath, Kunthunath and Rikhabdev Temple. The temples are all
connected by a series of corridors and walkways. Close by is the Gyan Bhandar, a library founded in
1500 A.D. This house is priceless ancient manuscripts and other exhibits like astrological charts,
besides the Jain equivalent of the Christian Shroud of Turin.
In the evening, proceed for the excursion to Sam Sand dunes. Located at 42 kilometers from
Jaisalmer, Sam Sand Dunes is the closest point to witness the total sandy desert. You can also see
the patterns and motifs created by the shifting sands and air. Moreover, Sam Sand Dunes also
provide you with an unforgettable experience of camel rides and the sunset.
Overnight at Hotel.

After the breakfast you will drive to Bikaner; Arrive Bikaner & transfer to your hotel.
This desert town in northern Rajasthan was founded in 1488 by Rao Bikaji. Like many others in
Rajasthan, the old city is surrounded by a high crenellated wall. The old city with its exquisite
merchant havelis, temples and bazaars retain a medieval air.
Later proceed for half day city tour of Bikaner visiting Junagarh Fort, one of the most interesting
forts in Rajasthan, with its sumptuously decorated interiors. Built in 1588 by Raja Rai Singh it is
unusual in the sense that it was one of the few major forts of Rajasthan that was not built on a
hilltop. Instead, it was built on the desert plains; its rugged sandstone bastions and graceful
pavilions and balconies are silhouetted against the sky.
Overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast drive to Jodhpur; Arrive Jodhpur and in time transfer to Jodhpur Airport / Railway
Station to board your flight / train for onward destination