Shekhawati – An Open Air Art Gallery with Delhi And Taj Mahal

After breakfast, proceed for visit of Delhi including following: 

Raj Ghat

Raj Ghat is a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. It is a black marble platform that marks the spot of Mahatma Gandhi's cremation, on 31 January 1948, a day after his assassination. It is left open to the sky while an eternal flame burns perpetually at one end. It is located on the banks of the river Yamuna in Delhi on Ring Road officially known as Mahatma Gandhi Road. A stone footpath flanked by lawns leads to the walled enclosure that houses the memorial.

Heritage Walk in Old City (Around 3-4 Hours)

We will walk you through the charming quarters of Old Delhi. Old Delhi Bazaars have colourful and interesting street food and is crowned with the oldest shops with many delicacies. You may enjoy a visual treat. The area is also home to several small temples, shrines, old mosque and protected monument sight. Cows wander the streets, small dharamshalas (rest-houses) and pyaus (water-stations) attest to the pious contributions of local merchants.

The walk is an escorted experience in English for about 3-3.5 delightful hours as we explore the galis (bye lanes) of Shahjahanabad (Old City), the city built by Emperor Shah Jahan(1628-1658). You have an opportunity to visit what life is really like in this narrow crowded part of Old Delhi, where adjacent houses share a common wall and everyone knows everyone else.

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

Bangla Sahib Gurudwara is a Sikh Temple located in Delhi. The Temple has been named after the 8th Sikh Guru (Teacher), Guru Harkishan Singh and is one of the most important places of worship for the Sikh community in Delhi. Temple is well known for its Langar Hall (community kitchen) which is open for all the visitors irrespective of religion. Food is served free of cost in the Hall two times a day and around 8,000 – 10,000 people come to eat every day.

Drive past the Govt. Buildings

New Delhi houses several government buildings and official residences reminiscent of the British colonial architecture. Today we will drive past few of them, like The Parliament House, designed by Baker is 173m in diameter, the Rashtrapati Bhawan once the Viceroy’s residence is now the official residence of the President of India. Designed by Lutyens, it combines western and eastern styles.

Photo stop at the India Gate

At the centre of New Delhi stands the 42 m high India Gate, an "Arc-de-Triumph" like archway in the middle of a crossroad. Almost similar to its French counterpart, it commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during the World War I. The memorial bears the names of more than 13,516 British and Indian soldiers killed in the Northwestern Frontier in the Afghan war of 1919. Under the arch, the Amar Jawan Jyoti commemorating Indian armed forces’ losses in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971.

Qutub Minar

Qutub Minar is a soaring, 73 m-high tower of victory, built in 1193 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak. The tower has five distinct storey’s, each marked by a projecting balcony and tapers from a 15 m diameter at the base to just 2.5 m at the top. The first three storeys are made of red sandstone; the fourth and fifth storey’s are of marble and sandstone. At the foot of the tower is the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the first mosque to be built in India. A 7 m-high iron pillar stands in the courtyard of the mosque. It is said that if you can encircle it with your hands while standing with your back to it your wish will be fulfilled.

Overnight at the Hotel in Delhi.

Alsisar is a small town located in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan. Shekhawati is renowned for its beautifully painted havelis (mansions) and vibrant frescoes that adorn the walls of these historical buildings. Alsisar, like many other towns in Shekhawati, boasts a rich cultural and architectural heritage.

One of the main attractions in Alsisar is the Alsisar Mahal, a majestic palace-turned-hotel that offers a glimpse into the grandeur of the region's past. The palace is known for its intricate architecture, stunning courtyards, and luxurious accommodations.

On arrival in Alsisar, transfer to Hotel and Check-In.

Later in the evening, walk around the village Alsisar and explore the rural lifestyle in the region.

Overnight at the Hotel in Alsisar.

After breakfast in the Hotel, have an excursion to Mandawa and Nawalgarh.

Excursions from Alsisar to Mandawa and Nawalgarh offer travelers a deeper immersion into the rich cultural tapestry of Rajasthan's Shekhawati region.

Mandawa:

Mandawa is a bustling town renowned for its elaborate havelis (merchant houses) adorned with vibrant frescoes. These havelis, once the residences of wealthy merchants, display exquisite artwork depicting scenes from Hindu mythology, historical events, and daily life. Each Haveli showcases the unique architectural styles and intricate designs.

Nawalgarh

Nawalgarh is another gem of the Shekhawati region known for its stunning havelis and imposing forts. One of the highlights of Nawalgarh is the Poddar Haveli Museum, which houses an impressive collection of artifacts, textiles, and paintings. The museum offers insight into the opulent lifestyle of the region's merchant families during the heyday of the Marwari trade.

Enjoy walking around the vibrant Bazaar of Nawalgarh as well.

Later return back to Alsisar after the excursion.

Overnight at the Hotel in Alsisar.

After breakfast in the Hotel, Check Out and drive further to Jaipur while visiting the small towns Ramgarh and Fatehpur on the way.

Both Ramgarh and Fatehpur like other towns in Shekhawati region are also known for the beautiful frescoes and paintings on the outer and inner walls of the Temples, cenotaphs, Havelis etc.

Later after the visit, proceed further to Jaipur.

JAIPUR - The fascinating capital of the marvellous state of Rajasthan. Jaipur is popularly known as the Pink City, thanks to the colour of its buildings. It was built in 1727 A.D by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, followed a grid system, which made it the only planned city of its time. A young Bengali architect Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya designed the city in accordance with Shilpa Shastra - an ancient Hindu treatise on architecture. There are innumerable sagas and stories of culture, traditions, practices and valour. This diverse land of rich cultural heritage is a royal treat for tourists all over the world.

On arrival in Jaipur, transfer to Hotel.

Overnight at the Hotel in Jaipur.

After breakfast, city tour in Jaipur including following :

Amber Fort

The Amber Fort set in picturesque and rugged hills is a fascinating blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. Constructed by Raja Man Singh I in 1592 and completed by Mirja Raja Jai Singh, the fort was made in red sand stone and white marble. Amber is the classic and romantic fort-palace with a magnificent aura. The interior wall of the palace depicts expressive painting scenes with carvings, precious stones and mirror settings. Built mainly for the warring enemies as a safe place, the heavily structured walls could defend the residents within the ramparts of the fort.

Photo stop at the Hawa Mahal Palace

The poet king Sawai Pratap Singh built this palace of winds. This is easily the most well-known landmarks of Jaipur and is also its icon. This five-storey building overlooking the busy bazaar street is a fascinating example of Rajput architecture and artistry with its delicately honeycombed 953 pink sandstone windows known as 'jharokhas'. It was originally built for the ladies of the royal household to watch everyday life and processions in the city from their veiled comfort.

City Palace

Located in the heart of the walled city, the City Palace Complex gives you an idea about the farsightedness of the founder of Jaipur Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. He left behind a legacy of some of the ‘most imposing and magnificent architecture in the city. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II built many buildings but some of the structures were also built by later rulers. The palace is a blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture and the ex-royal family still lives in a part of the palace.

Jantar Mantar

The Jantar Mantar is a collection of architectural astronomical instruments, built by Maharaja (King) Jai Singh II between 1727 and 1734. It is modeled after the one that he had built for him at Delhi. He had constructed a total of five such facilities at different locations, including the ones at Delhi and Jaipur. The Jaipur observatory is the largest and best preserved of these. It has been inscribed on the World Heritage List as "an expression of the astronomical skills and cosmological concepts of the court of a scholarly prince at the end of the Mughal period".

Later in the afternoon, explore the local markets of Jaipur.

Optional: Elephant bathing, feeding, painting with BBQ Dinner at Dera Amer (90 USD per person, drinks extra)

It is a kind of activity with Elephants which is quite special and we are sure you would not have seen anything like this before. It is the experience of owning a beautiful creature like elephant for some time. This evening will be full of adventure with these beautiful & magnificent creatures, it is a special chance for you to get close and become friends with elephants and interact with it for real. Organic colours are used for the paintings at Dera Amer. All the elephants are female elephants which also makes them loving and gentle and no aggression towards guests who feed them, play with them or bathe them.

Overnight at the Hotel in Jaipur.

After breakfast in Hotel, Check-Out and drive further to Karauli.

Karauli boasts a rich historical heritage. Over the centuries, Karauli flourished as a princely state under various Rajput rulers and later became a part of the British Raj. One of the most prominent landmarks in Karauli is the City Palace, a magnificent structure that showcases a blend of Rajput and Mughal architectural styles. The palace complex houses several courtyards, temples, and beautifully adorned rooms adorned with intricate artwork and frescoes.

A Temple next to the City Palace is also worth visiting. Later explore the local vibrant Bazaar of Karauli.

Overnight at the Hotel in Karauli.