Royal Rajasthan

DAY 01: DELHI

On arrival at airport, be received by our representative and take a transfer and check into the hotel for overnight stay.

Meals:

DAY 02: DELHI

After breakfast in the morning, enjoy a full day's city tour of Old and New Delhi. Visit the Red Fort comprising of exquisite palaces reflecting Mughal architecture and the largest mosque in India, the Jama Masjid. Enjoy a rickshaw ride through the colorful and bustling Chandni Chowk bazaars. Visit Raj Ghat, a memorial for Mahatma Gandhi, Humayun's Tomb, one of the city's finest historic sites as well as the Qutub Minar, a soaring, 239.5 ft high tower of victory dating back to 1199. Drive past Rashtrapati Bhawan, the residence of the President of India, Rajpath and India Gate, among other landmarks. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Meals:

DAY 03: DELHI - AGRA - 216 KILOMETRES /4 HOURS BY ROAD

After breakfast drive to Agra. Enroute visit Sikandra. On arrival in Agra, check into the hotel. Refresh yourself and go on a sightseeing tour of the city - visit the Agra Fort built by Emperor Akbar in 1565. Made of red sandstone, this structure reflects fine Mughal architecture with ornate interiors in the Jehangir Mahal (Jehangir's Palace), Khas Mahal, Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) and Deewan-e-Am (Hall of Public Audience). At sunset, visit the Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world built by Emperor Shah Jehan as a shrine for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is looked upon as the ultimate symbol of love with its majestic marble domes and elegant minarets. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Meals:

DAY 04: AGRA - JAIPUR 249 KILOMETRES /6 HOURS BY ROAD

After breakfast, drive to Jaipur. Enroute, visit the imperial 'Ghost Town' of Fatehpur Sikri, constructed of sandstone and built by Emperor Akbar. Within it, lies the tomb of the great Sufi saint, Salim Chisti. It houses the Panch Mahal (Palace of Five Storeys) and the Buland Darwaza (Gate of Victory), two of the many excellent representations of Mughal architecture. Upon arrival in Jaipur, check into the hotel. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure or take a walk through the city' s streets. In the evening, visit the Birla Temple for the 'Arati' (prayer) ceremony. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Meals:

DAY 05: JAIPUR

After breakfast, proceed to Amber (pronounced Aamer) Fort enjoying an elephant ride up the fort's ramparts. The fort, originally built in the 16th century by Maharaja Man Singh encloses superb palaces and a beautiful temple in marble dedicated to the fearsome goddess Kali. Later, enjoy a city tour. Visit the Hawa Mahal (Wind Palace) from where the palace women would discreetly observe the activities of the bustling bazaar below, without being seen themselves. In the afternoon, visit the City Palace Museum, which contains elaborate costumes, magnificent armory and intricate carved weapons. Then visit the Jantar Mantar Observatory nearby built in 1728. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Meals:

DAY 06: JAIPUR - BIKANER - 320 KILOMETRES /6 HOURS BY ROAD

After breakfast, drive to Bikaner. On arrival, check in to the hotel. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Meals:

DAY 07: BIKANER - JAISALMER - 323 KILOMETRES /6 HOURS BY ROAD

After breakfast, proceed on a morning sightseeing tour of Bikaner. Visit Junagarh Fort, Anup Mahal, Ganga Mandir, Rang Mahal and Har Mandir. Later drive to Jaisalmer. On arrival, check in to the hotel. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Meals:

DAY 08: JAISALMER

After breakfast, enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city and visit the 800 years old sandstone Jaisalmer Fort that dominates the entire town with its presence atop the Trikuta Hill. The Fort encloses a number of exquisitely carved havelis of merchants. Also visit the Jain temples dating back to the 12th and 15th centuries, the town's main market and assorted havelis including the most renowned Patwon-ki-Haveli. Later, proceed to Sam Sand Dunes and enjoy a camel ride up to Sunset Point. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Meals:

DAY 09: JAISALMER - JODHPUR

After breakfast, drive to Jodhpur. On arrival, check into the hotel for overnight stay. Enjoy a sightseeing tour in the faternoon and visit the Meherangarh Fort built during the 15th and 16th centuries. Within the Fort are some magnificent palaces with superb collections of palanquins, elephant hawdahs (seats used by the royalty during processions), miniature paintings, musical instruments, costumes and furniture. Stop by at the Jaswant Thada, which harbors royal cenotaphs built in white marble. Also visit the colorful local market around the popular landmark, the Clock Tower. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Meals:

DAY 10: JODHPUR - UDAIPUR

After breakfast, drive to Udaipur. En route visit the Jain temples at Ranakpur where intricate carvings detail mythological figures, patterns and motifs on the walls, pillars and domes. On arrival in Udaipur, check into the hotel for overnight stay.

Meals:

DAY 11: UDAIPUR

After breakfast, go on a half-day sightseeing tour and visit the City Palace where the royal family still resides. The main portion of the palace is now a museum, which houses a lavish collection of artifacts, intricate miniature paintings and sculptures. Take a stroll around Sahelion-ki-Bari, a beautiful garden with fountains. Enjoy boat ride at Lake Pichola (subject to watr level) in the evening. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Meals:

DAY 12: UDAIPUR

After breakfast, take a transfer to the airport to board connecting flight for onward destination.

Meals:

SHIKARBADI

City: Udaipur

Location
Shikarbadi is located at Govardhan Vilas. About half a kilometre long dirt road takes you to Shikarbadi, the road flanked by nothing but desert plants, the horse stables and the air strip. The airport is about 35 km from here, the railway station about 7 km and the bus stand about 5 km.

An erstwhile hunting lodge for the royalty, Shikarbadi was converted into a hotel when hunting was banned by the government in 1976. But the lodge retains its old ambience, complete with a stud farm, an air hangar, and a deer park. Animals roam the grounds in the evenings and amid the lush greenery one can see peacocks serenading. The Aravallis ring Shikarbadi from behind, birds chirp, egrets fly, the rooms have gabled roofs and trees abound. The interiors are like that of an English villa, all stone walls and wooden everything. Stay at Shikarbadi if you are looking for something different, if you want to take a break from the chaos of life.

Rooms
There are 26 rooms at Shikarbadi, including 3 Suites, a Family Suite and 21 Standard rooms. The Family Suite is the largest, made to accommodate big groups, comprising a living room, a small dining hall, a kitchen, a master bedroom and a smaller room with twin beds. The Living room has comfortable couches, a large table with chairs, a separate antique study table and a television with cable connection. The Master bedroom is simply furnished with a double bed with red silk bedspread and intercom. A small dressing room adjoins it and is adorned with a large mirror and cupboard. The washroom has Biotique amenities including soap, shampoo, moisturiser. A geyser ensures 24-hour supply of running hot water. The decor of the Family Suite is very basic, more functional than ornamental. The kitchen has a refrigerator, a small geyser and washing sink. Kitchen ware is available on request.

The Suites have a split level living room, a bedroom, spacious dressing room and washroom. The living room is large and open with a refrigerator, tea/coffee maker, pretty cane couches and divan, television, a small dining table, a study table and intercom. Large photographs of tiger adorn the walls. A balcony adjoins the living room with a view of the Gordan Lake. The bedroom is beautiful with a bamboo double bed. Rajasthani miniatures are hung on the walls which are complemented by blue, silk drapes and bedcover. There is large gilt-edged mirror here. Amenities include television and intercom. The adjoining dressing room has a lovely rosewood dresser and cupboard. The dressing room leads to the very spacious washroom, as big as a normal room. The washroom is very clean and appointed with a bathtub, a large mirror, hair dryer, shampoo, soap, moisturiser and conditioner, as week as hot and cold running water. There is lots of natural light. The washroom has two entrances - one from the bedroom and the other from the living room, making it easier for groups. Outside, you have a beautiful view of Shikarbadi's private lake and the Aravallis beyond.

The rooms are immensely pretty, with wooden floors and stone walls. Large windows give you amazing views of grassy meadows. Wrought iron chairs adorn the room, as well as a lounge, cane chair. Amenities include tea/coffee maker, mini refrigerator, television, intercom, a large mirror. The washrooms too have stone inlaid walls and all the amenities are similar to Deluxe room washrooms except for the fact that these do not have bathtubs.

Guests can avail 24-hour room service; all the rooms have broadband internet access as well as safety deposit lockers.

Dining & Facilities
The poolside area is beautiful, marked off with a fountain. There is pool side seating in the garden with quaint wrought iron chairs and tables, and beyond, only the Aravalis. One end of the pool has deck chairs and a small Pool Bar Deck which is a small bar. The 'Baithak' restaurant also lies here. Serving multi cuisine fare, it can accommodate about 50 people. The decor is ostentatious with a large chandelier dominating the room. The theme is hunting with old hunting pictures on the walls. It has stone walls and the lighting is dim, making the ambience quite cosy after the heat outside. This restaurant can be used for conference as well.

The animals at the sanctuary are fed everyday at 4:30 pm near the swimming pool so it's the perfect time for some wildlife gazing. Shikarbadi offers interesting activities such as rifle shooting classes, horse riding, horse safari in the nearby jungles as well as the Shikarbadi paddock (Horse riding: Rs. 250 per head for 40 minmutes; Safari: Rs. 1500 per person, including breakfast.)

The second restaurant is called 'Cheetal'. It offers charming outside seating by the deer park, under natural canopies of trees. Sloping roof and stone walls again recreate the English-villa atmosphere. There more pictures of kings hunting, or with their prey. The restaurant is multi cuisine and the timings are 7 am to 11:30 pm.

The lobby of Shikarbadi is next to the reception area in a separate building complex and on its upper floor is the bar, decorated with tiger and bear skins. Cane furniture adorns the bar and from its peaceful, open spaces you get a great view of the surrounding countryside.

Other facilities offered at Shikarbadi include Comfort Travel Desk, sightseeing, airport/railway station transfer, car rental, currency exchange, doctor on call, laundry service, parking.

HOWARD PARK PLAZA

City: Agra

Location
Howard Park Plaza is situated on the arterial Fatehabad Road, just 5 kms from the Agra Cantt. Railway Station. Lying in the heart of the tourist area, it is just a 10-minute walk from the Taj Mahal and a 10-minute drive from the main shopping centre Sadar Bazaar. The UP State Handicrafts Showroom and Pizza Hut lie at a distance of 250 metres from the hotel.

Howard Park Plaza, a 4 star hotel, offers the complete range of facilities that are required for a comfortable stay. The hotel's atrium lobby is decorated with a beautiful marble centre-piece that is crafted like a rangoli and filled with coloured gravel. Looming right above that is a long and exquisite chandelier, possibly the longest in Agra. After admiring these wondrous decor items, move on to the reception where the friendly staff greet you eagerly and help you check in.

Rooms
Accommodation options at the hotel include one Suite and 85 Superior rooms that are elegantly furnished and well appointed with all modern amenities including sofa, study table, cable television, tea/coffee maker, mini bar, luggage rack, cupboard and thermostat with temperature control. A complimentary bottle of mineral water is provided in each room. The attached washroom has a bathtub and soap, shampoo, shower cap and linen are provided for.

The Suite has a separate living room and bedroom besides two washrooms. Additional amenities in the Suite include a 4-seater dining table and two televisions, one in the living room and the other in the bedroom. The attached washroom has a Jacuzzi style bathtub and is replenished with shower gel, dental kit, shaving kit and hair dryer, in addition to other amenities.

Dining
Howard Park Plaza offers a range of dining options including a rooftop barbeque facility (during winter only). Rendezvous, the multi cuisine restaurant cum coffee shop adjoining the lobby offers a variety of Indian, Continental and Chinese delicacies with buffet as well as a la carte options while Downing Street, the pool facing bar offers the best in Indian as well as imported brands. While Rendezvous is open from 6:30 am to 11:30 pm, Downing Street remains open from 11 am to 11 pm. Room service is available round the clock.

Services & Facilities
Regal Hall, the conference/banquet hall with a provision of partition, can accommodate up to 350 guests while the Business Centre offers all necessary business services.

The range of recreational facilities offered at Howard Park Plaza includes a Spa with a beauty salon and ayurvedic massage centre. Swimming pool access as well as Spa facilities are available from 7 am to 8 pm. The hotel also boasts of a rooftop Taj viewing gallery and a shopping arcade, D' Craft, where one can find all handicraft and souvenir items.

Other facilities on offer are Wi-Fi service (chargeable at Rs. 200 per hour or Rs. 500 for 24 hours), travel desk, car rental service, safe deposit lockers at the reception, in-house laundry service, doctor on call and spacious parking.

Don't Miss
The two highlights of Howard Park Plaza are the atrium lobby and the recently renovated Spa. The atrium lobby features one of the longest chandeliers in the city, if not the state. The Spa offers a wide range of services besides a soothing ambience.

HOTEL PARKLAND-GREEN PARK

City: New Delhi

Located in Green Park, a residential colony in south Delhi, Hotel Parkland offers a home away from home along with delightful hospitality for the business and leisure traveller to the city. Location Hotel Parkland is located in south Delhi in a neighbourhood called Green Park. It is 16 kms from the international airport, 12 kms from the domestic airport, 14 kms from the New Delhi railway station and within walking distance of the Green Park Main market. Rooms The hotel houses 42 spacious and well furnished air conditioned Executive rooms and Royal Suites. Some room facilities include a television, direct dial telephone and 24 hours room service. The attached washrooms feature a shower cubicle with linen and toiletries supplied for. Dining & Facilities Guests of Hotel Parkland can enjoy their meals at the hotel's restaurant Delhi Masala that serves Indian cuisine prepared by expert chefs. For business needs, the hotel has three conference halls that can accommodate up to 250 persons along with a business centre equipped with the latest audio-video technology. Other guest facilities available include 24 hours Wi-Fi connectivity and a fitness centre. Hotel Parkland accepts all major credit cards but does not accept personal cheques as a mode of payment.

HOLIDAY INN

City: Jaipur

Holiday Inn is a classified as 5 Star hotel by the Govt. of India. The hotel's architecture upholds the local culture, blending it comfortably with surroundings. All modern facilities are incorporated in the well planned hotel designed as a Haveli, which means a nobleman's mansion.

Hotel Facilities
Banquet | Conference & Seminars | Boardroom |Shopping arcade | Swimming pool | Travel desk | Business centre | Laundry service | Foreign exchange counter | Parking | Doctor on call | Safety deposit lockers | WiFi internet | STD/ ISD phone facility

Recreation facilities
Swimming Pool | Gymnasium | Table tennis | Indoor games

Room Amenities
Air conditioner | Satellite television | Telephone | Mini bar | Safety deposit locker |Tea coffee/maker | Attached washroom | Hot & Cold water | Soap | Shampoo | Linen |

Dining
Coffee Shop: Palms, the coffee shop offers Indian and International cuisine and snacks
Bar: The Bar is an extension of Palms and offers Indian and imported wines and spirits
Restaurant: Aangan is the Indian specialty restaurant, where you will be entertained with flute recitals, while the chefs conjure ethnic cuisines for you.
Outdoor Restaurant: Goth - The Village is the ethnic outdoor village restaurant, with an authentic Indian rural backdrop with folk dancers, fortune - teller, fire eaters entertaining you. The Goth is open only for dinner.

GORBANDH PALACE

City: Jaisalmer

Location
Gorbandh Palace is located on Sam Road in the desert city of Jaisalmer. The railway station is about 4 kms away from the hotel, while the bus stop is about 2 kms away. The famous sand dunes are about 45 kms away and the Jaisalmer Fort and city are about 3 kms away from the hotel.

Gorbandh Palace offers spectacular views of the acclaimed Jaisalmer Fort and is well-connected to the famous Sam Sand Dunes. The hotel offers modern amenities in an authentic Rajasthani ambience. Abundant greenery within the hotel, its fountain and blue waters of the swimming pool create a comfortably cool environment that defies the heat and sand of the desert.

Rooms
The hotel has 67 very well appointed centrally air-conditioned rooms and suites. Sixteen more rooms are in the offing. There are three Deluxe Suites with private balconies overlooking the swimming pool, the gardens and the Jaisalmer Fort. The sixty four Deluxe Rooms also have private balconies. Connecting rooms are also available. All the rooms and suites are well equipped with direct dial telephone, satellite television, DVD player and a mini bar. The Suite has tea/coffee maker and Wi Fi internet connectivity as well. The Deluxe room offers broadband internet connection.

Dining
The dining culture at Gorbandh Palace explores the nuances of the finest Indian and international cuisines, serving traditional and contemporary favourites. Rasoda is a multi cuisine restaurant serving Continental, Indian, Chinese and Rajasthani cuisine. You can also enjoy your meals at Bageecha, the open air garden restaurant or Sarovar, the poolside restaurant. For a quick bite and beverages, try Zhilmil, the coffee shop. Adjoining the Deluxe rooms is the Tall Garden Restaurant offering a range of Indian and international cuisines. For liquors and spirits, hit the Madhushala bar that serves an exquisite selection of Indian and imported liquor. The hotel can also arrange for romantic dinners at the sand dunes.

Facilities
Gorbandh Palace offers excellent conference and banquet options and has a business centre as well. The Darikhana conference room can accommodate around 100 persons. The Bageecha lawns, Sarovar poolside, Taal amphitheatre, roof top terrace are used as venues for weddings, banquets and other gatherings. Special dinners at the sand dunes and Patwon ki Haveli can be arranged on request. As many as 500 guests can attend casual buffet style functions and up to 200 guests can be accommodated for sit-down dinners.

Gorbandh Palace organises a plethora of activities like camel and jeep safaris into the sand dunes and the Fort and also organises for Swiss tent accommodation on the sand dunes for an overnight stay. Puppet shows and folk dances can also be arranged on request.

Other facilities include same day laundry and dry-cleaning service, travel and tour guides, travel desk, money exchange, fax and internet, safety deposit locker, doctor on call, souvenir shop, luggage storage area, massage centre, airport transfers and car on hire.

Recreational activities include a kid's club with games like carom, volleyball, cards and chess, a swimming pool and a cultural programme including songs, dance and puppet shows every evening.

GAJNER PALACE HOTEL- 30 MINUTES AWAY FROM BIKANER TOWN

City: Bikaner

Gajner Palace is a Grand Heritage Palace of the HRH Group of Hotels. Spread over 6000 acres, the palace is a 30-minute drive from Bikaner. Gajner Palace was built on the banks of Gajner Lake by Sir Ganga Singhji, one of the greatest Maharajas of Bikaner, in the early decades of the twentieth century.

Rooms
The hotel has luxuriously appointed suites and rooms. Historic Suites are lake facing suites with dressing room, sitting cum dining arrangement and large bathroom. Deluxe rooms are lake facing rooms with large bathrooms. All the suites and rooms are centrally air-conditioned and are equipped with period furniture, chandeliers, telephone, television, mini-bar and tea-coffee making facilities.

Dining
The Mirage is a multi-cuisine restaurant serving speciality Indian, Continental, Chinese and Rajasthani meals. Mrigtrishna Bar serves an exquisite selection of liquors.

Facilities
The hotel offers options for banquets, special dinners and corporate events at innumerable venues. Facilities include boardroom for 12 and conference room for 120 people. Venues for banquets and weddings include Dungar Niwas courtyard, Mirage restaurant terrace, Manoranjan amphitheatre, Shabnam Mahal, Dungar Niwas terrace, Gajner Rail restaurant; special dinners at sand dunes, sanctuary and Sugansagar Paal. As many as 1000 guests can attend casual buffet style functions and upto 150 guests for sit-down banquets. Other facilities include same day laundry and dry-cleaning, travel and tour guides, travel desk, 24 hours money exchange, safety lockers, facsimile and internet, doctor on call, library, railway station transfers and cars/limousines on hire. The hotel also arranges for billiards, nature walks, cycling, horse riding, camel and jeep safari into sanctuary; solar boat charters and boating at Gajner Lake, puppet show and folk dances.

Location
Built on the banks of Gajner Lake, the hotel is spread over 6000 acres and is a 30-minute drive from Bikaner.

AJIT BHAWAN PALACE

City: Jodhpur

Location
Ajit Bhawan is located near the Circuit House in Jodhpur. The Jodhpur railway station is about 4.5 kilometres away, the airport about 5 kilometres away and the bus stop about 2 kilometres away from the hotel. The nearest market is Rai ka Bagh about 3 kilometres away.

Home of the royal family of Jodhpur, Ajit Bhawan was built for Maharaja Ajit Singhji Rathore, younger brother of Maharaja Umaid Singhji of the erstwhile Jodhpur state. Ajit Bhawan offers a unique combination of ageless elegance with modern comfort. Built of Jodhpur stone, Ajit Bhawan incorporates the traditional style of gardens and has been built proportionately with two floors. The high ceiling ground floor has a mezzanine section circulating cool air and thus keeping the rooms cool from the scorching sun in the summer.

Rooms
Ajit Bhawan offers 69 stylish rooms that compliment the character of the hotel, mixing Raj splendour with a contemporary twist. With 10 Deluxe rooms, 22 Luxury rooms, 7 Luxury room, 10 Luxury tents and 15 Suites, the hotel promises a luxurious stay as antiques from various periods and photographs from the family archives create an ambiance that suggests a private home rather than a hotel room. Every room has a unique character. The Executive room is bigger than the Deluxe room, while the Luxury room has superior furnishings. The Luxury Tent is a concrete room with multi layered canopies to protect from the heat and cold, while providing a unique tent experience. The Luxury Suite is a class apart with a designer living room and bedroom and washroom. All rooms are well furnished and equipped with a telephone, plasma television with satellite channels, mini bar, air conditioner, Wi-Fi internet connectivity, electronic safe, tea/coffee maker and hair dryer. The washrooms are large with a shower cubicle or bathtub and luxurious toiletries provided for.

Dining
Ajit Bhawan offers a range of dining options. The Jodhpur Cafe is a multi cuisine restaurant that serves a wide range of sumptuous cuisines from around the world besides offering traditional Rajasthani delicacies. The view from the restaurant is spectacular as it looks over the rhombus pool. The Garden Restaurant is an extension of the cafe done in an alfresco setting. The Jodhpur Cafe and Garden Restaurant combined can accommodate around 105 guests. Dhani is a traditionally decorated restaurant open for dinner offering local Rajasthani cuisines. The Lounge Bar is located next to the reception and has a royal touch. Cane furniture, pictures of erstwhile Maharajas and royal artefacts are displayed in the bar. With about 25 as the seating capacity, the Lounge Bar offers a range of Indian and international liquor.

Hotel Facilities
The hotel offers lavish settings for conferences and banquets that can be organised in the plush halls or on the landscaped gardens.

Recreational facilities include a spectacular swimming pool surrounded by lush greenery. A health club, shopping arcade and a fleet of vintage club on hire are some of the other facilities available at the Ajit Bhawan. The hotel also organises folk dance performances and puppet shows on request.

Other facilities include business centre, Wi- Fi internet connection, currency exchange, travel desk, laundry service, housekeeping service, car rental facility and parking. Room service is available round the clock.

Outdoor activities include horse riding, camel safari, village safari, rock climbing, trekking and boating (during season).

Don't Miss
To take a few laps in the gorgeous swimming pool that is fitted with an ancient water wheel! There are deck chairs under shady trees that surround the pool where guests can enjoy a massage or a book. The Luxury Suite is worth seeing for its extravagant decor and rich furnishings.