Udaipur

Duration - 9 Days / 8 Nights
Places to See - Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Udaipur - Delhi

Udaipur, city in northwestern India, in Rajasthan state. Udaipur is located southwest of Jaipur near the border with Gujarat state. It is at the southern end of the Aravalli Range and adjacent to Lake Pichola. An industrial city, Udaipur produces minerals, chemicals, and textiles. The city is also the outlet for the products of the surrounding agricultural region, including sorghum, sugarcane, and maize. It is a major road and rail junction. Udaipur is the seat of Mohan Lal Sukhadia University (founded in 1962) and its four constituent colleges. Udaipur is a historic walled city known as the “City of Sunrise.” It has a temple overlooking Lake Pichola and an impressive series of marble palaces on the lake's many islands. The temple and the palaces were built between the 16th and 18th centuries, after Udai Singh, the Rajput raja of Chittaurgarh (Chitor), made Udaipur the capital of the princely state of Mewar, when the Mughal emperor Akbar captured the previous capital, the Chitor fort, in 1568. Population (1991) 308,571.

Rana Pratap died in 1597 when his son Amar Singh took over the kingdom.
Although Maharana Pratap was not able to thwart the Muslims successfully, the saga of Rajput resistance to Muslim rule continued till the 17th century when the baton of the struggle for Indian Independence from Mughals was taken up by the upcoming power of the Marathas, who brought about an end to Muslim domination of India.

DAY 01 : ARRIVE DELHI
On arrival meet and assist at the airport and transfer to prebooked hotel for overnight stay.

Delhi : India’s capital & a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis which successfully combines in its fold the ancient & the modern. Its strategic location was one of the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. New Delhi also reflects the legacy the British left behind . The division between New & Old Delhi is the distinction between the capitals of the British & the Moghuls respectively. So, wherever the visitor goes, he will invariably confront the citys’ past.

DAY 02 : DELHI
After breakfast, full day city tour of old & modern capital of India. Visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Built by Shah Jahan, the construction was started in 1844 and was not completed until 1658 ; Red Fort, which was also built by Shah Jehan. This massive fort was built from 1638 to 1648 ; Chandni Chowk and Rajghat - the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. Witness the India Gate, the Presidents House & the Parliament. Visit Humayun's Tomb : built in mid 16th century this is an early example of Mughal architecture; Qutab Minar. The tour ends with a visit to Laxmi Narayan Temple (Birla Mandir).

DAY 03 : DELHI - AGRA
After breakfast, transfer to Agra. Upon arrival, check-in at prebooked Hotel. Afternoon, city tour of Agra. Visit Red fort, which was built by Emperor Akbar in 1565, and additions were made up until the time of his grandson, Shah Jahan. It contains the hall of public and private audiences amongst many other beautiful structues; Itmad-ud-daulah, which was contructed by Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628 and is very similar to the tomb she constructed for her husband, Jehangir, near Lahore in Pakistan; the highlight of the day - The Taj Mahal, which was constructed by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Contruction of the Taj began in 1631 and was not completed until 1653. Afternoon, free for individual activities.

DAY 04 : AGRA - FATEHPUR SIKRI - JAIPUR
After breakfast, leave for Jaipur. Enroute visit the abandoned Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri : built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, was the old capital of the Moghuls, which was abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. See the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal & other Palaces which are still preserved in its original glory. After the visit, continue drive to Jaipur - The capital city of the state of Rajasthan also know as “Pink City” owes its name, its foundation and planning to the great warrior astronomer Maharaja Jai Singh II. The city of Jaipur has broad avenues. The city sits on a dry lake bed in a wild and somewhat arid landscape, surrounded by barren hills surmounted by fortresses and crenellated walls. Arrive Jaipur in the evening and checkin at prebooked hotel.

DAY 05 : JAIPUR - UDAIPUR ( OVERNIGHT TRAIN )
After breakfast, excursion to Amber Fort enroute witness the façade of Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds which was built in 1799.

Amber Fort - The ancient capital of the state until 1727 when Jai Singh decided to move from his hillside fortress at Amber to new site on the plains. The construction of this fort began in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput commander of Akbar’s army. The fort is a superb example of Rajput architecture, stunningly situated on a hillside and overlooking a lake which reflects its terraces and ramparts. Visit the Jagmandir or the hall of victory glittering with mirrors, Jai Mahal & temple of Kali. Ascend on elephant back, the hill, on which the fort is situated. Afternoon, city tour of Jaipur. Visit the Jantar Mantar – the observatory built by Jai Singh in 1728; the City Palace which is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. It also has a museum with an extensive collection of art, carpets, paintings, enamel ware and weapons dating back to the 15th century. In the evening, transfer to the railway station to board Lake City Express, scheduled to depart at 2000 hrs. for Udaipur

DAY 06 : ARRIVE UDAIPUR
Arrive Udaipur at 0710 hrs., transfer to prebooked Hotel. Morning at leisure.

Udaipur: “The Venice Of the East”, Udaipur is an enchanting city. From lakes in the midst of sandy terrain to green forested hills where wildlife still abounds, the surprises are endless. And, in the lakes, or by their edges, are palaces straight out of fairy tales, each more beautiful than the other. Founded by Maharana Udai Singh, Udaipur is surrounded by the Aravalli mountain ranges situated on the edge of three lakes. Afternoon, city tour of Udaipur. Visit the Jagdish Temple, drive around Fatehsagar lake, Sahelion Ki Bari (Queen’s resort for the maids of honour), City Palace.

DAY 07 : UDAIPUR - DELHI ( OVERNIGHT TRAIN )
After breakfast, day excursion to Chittorgarh OR Ranakpur.

Ranakpur : The cluster of temples, made of intricately sculpted white marble, come across as a marvellous feat of architecture. It would take anyone by surprise to learn that they were built in 1460, so well preserved & sparkling is the marble. The main temple is supported on 1,444 pillars – none of which is similarly carved.

Chittorgarh : The hilltop fortress of Chittorgarh epitomises the whole romantic, doomed ideal of Rajput chivalry. Three times in its long history, Chittor was sacked by a stronger enemy and, on each occasion, the end came in a textbook Rajput fashion as jauhar was declared in the face of impossible odds. The men donned the saffron robes of martyrdom and rode out from the fort to certain death, while the women and children immolated themselves on a huge funeral pyre as honour was always more important than death. The first defeat occurred in 1303, the second in 1535 and this time the carnage was immense. It is said that 13,000 Rajput women and 33,000 Rajput warriors died following the declaration of Jauhar. The final sack came in 1568, when Mugha emperor Akbar, took the town. In 1616, Jehangir return Chittor to the Rajputs but there was no attempt at resettlement. Later, transfer to the railway station to board Chetak Express, scheduled to depart at 1815 hrs. for Delhi.

DAY 08 : ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi at 1115 hrs., and transfer to prebooked hotel. Rest of the day free for individual activities.

DAY 09 : DEPART DELHI
Transfer to the airport to board flight back home or onward destination.





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