Rajasthan and the sacred city "Varanasi"
Varanasi, or Benares, also known as Kashi, is a city located on the banks of the Ganges in northern India. It is the most important pilgrimage destination in India for Hindus, who believe that dying in Varanasi brings salvation, and thus they make the journey to the city when they realise they are close to death. When pilgrims perform their devotions in the Ganges River at sunrise against a backdrop of centuries, it is one of the most impressive sites in the world. You can walk along the river and see all the ghats; the best option to view the ghats is to hire a boat and see them from the river.
Detailed programme
Voyage au Rajasthan qui vous plongera dans cette fameuse Inde des milles et une nuits. On dit ça le terre de rois avec culture riche. Rajasthan est plus connu en monde pour grandes palais et des havelis avec belle peinture à la fresque et surtout son tradition locale, les femmes en mettant la saari typique et l'homes avec un turban au tête et une belle sourir sur leur face. Chaque endroit du rajasthan a son propre aperçu, par example le désert du thar et les fresques havelise en nord par contre au sud, vous voyez les montagnes verdoyantes, les forts majestueux et les magnifiques lacs : Découvrez le charme des villes emblématiques du Rajasthan : Jodhpur, « la ville bleu », Udaipur, « la Venise de l’Orient » et Jaipur « la ville rose ». Puis le spectaculaire Taj Mahal à Agra et En fin vous découvriez la ville sacrée Bénarès situé au berge de la rivière Ganges. Baladez sur les ghats pour découvrir la culture typique de hindous. et dans le soir assistez la cérémonie d'Arti du Gange.
Day 1 - Arrival in Delhi
Upon arrival, a traditional welcome with a garland and a bottle of mineral water by our representative. Meet your driver and transfer to your hotel. Check-in at the hotel.
Day 2 - Visit to Delhi
Today you begin your visit to Delhi. Start with Old Delhi, the cosmopolitan capital: visit the Red Fort, Jama Masjid (the Great Mosque). Then take a ride in a cycle rickshaw through the old Delhi neighbourhood. Next, visit Raj Ghat (the Gandhi Memorial), the Humayun's Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Qutb Minar, a monument combining Hindu, Arabic, and Persian arts. Stop in front of the India Gate and stroll around India Gate.
Day 3 - Delhi - Shekhawati 5-6 hours of travel
The morning after breakfast, drive to Mandawa. It is located in Shekhawati, a region famous for its beautiful painted old havelis (mansions). It is a magnificent place for architecture enthusiasts, art lovers, and historians. The Shekhawati region was once home to the wealthy Marwari community, who hired artists to paint frescoes on their homes to showcase their opulence. Nowadays, many havelis have been converted into hotels. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Day 4 - Mandawa – Fatehpur – Bikaner 5h of travel
In the morning after breakfast, drive to Bikaner with a visit to Fatehpur en route; enjoy the visit to the Devra and Sanghani Havelis. If time permits, also visit the Haveli of Nadine the Prince, the cultural centre to appreciate the work done by this centre to preserve the cultural heritage of Shekhawati. Continue towards Bikaner. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5 - Bikaner – Deshnoke – Jaisalmer 6h drive
In the morning after breakfast, start your visit to Bikaner at Junagarh Fort, Jain Temple, Ganga Singh Museum, and Sadul Singh Museum. Then drive to Jaisalmer, with the option to visit Deshnoke en route, famous for the Karni Mata Temple, also known as the Temple of Rats due to the presence of thousands of rats in and around the temple. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6 - Visit to Jaisalmer
In the morning after breakfast, discover Jaisalmer all day long. Start your visit at the living fort of Jaisalmer, then Bada Bagh, Patwon Ki Haveli, and Gadisar Lake. In the late afternoon, take a jeep to the sand dunes for a safari. Also enjoy a camel ride at sunset in the desert. Return to your hotel and spend the night there.
Day 7 - Jaisalmer – Jodhpur 6h drive
The morning after breakfast, drive to Jodhpur. The city in Rajasthan is known as the blue city of Rajasthan due to its houses painted in blue and white to keep the room cool during the summer. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Day 8 - Jodhpur – Narlai 4h drive
In the morning after breakfast, start your visit to Jodhpur at the Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada. After your visit, head towards Narlai, where you can stroll through the village and discover the beautifully carved temples, as well as have the opportunity to meet the locals. Overnight in a former fort converted into a hotel. Night at the hotel.
In Narlai, you have the option to go on a Jeep Safari to discover leopards. *** Ask on site.
Day 9 - Narlai – Ranakpur - Udaipur 4h drive
After breakfast, drive to Ranakpur. Visit Ranakpur, "famous for its Jain Temples with intricate carvings." After your visit, continue the journey to Udaipur, also known as the white city of Rajasthan. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Free day to stroll through the shopping lanes of the old town. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10 - Visit to Udaipur
In the morning after breakfast, start your visit to Udaipur at the Jagdish Temple, the City Palace "built in 1725, which houses the Dilkhush Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, etc. In the afternoon, continue your visit to the Sahelion Ki Bari gardens and the fountains. In the late afternoon, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Pichola. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 11 - Udaipur - Pushkar
After your breakfast, drive to Pushkar, famous for its largest cattle fair in India, the temple of God Brahma, and the sacred lake. It is renowned for its annual cattle fair where camel and cattle trading takes place. Upon arrival, transfer and check into your hotel, then visit the Pushkar Lake and Brahma temple, the only temple of its kind in the whole world. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 12 - Pushkar - Jaipur 3h drive
In the morning after breakfast, drive to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, also known as the Pink City due to its pink walls, shops, and buildings. It offers a royal heritage to its visitors. Upon your arrival in Jaipur, check in and spend the night at the hotel. In the evening, take a stroll around the city of Jaipur in a rickshaw or tuk-tuk.
Day 13 - Visit to Jaipur
Start your visit with an elephant ride up to Amber Fort, then proceed to Albert Hall, the City Palace, the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), and Jantar Mantar, the largest stone observatory in the world. Visit the Govind Temple dedicated to the god Krishna, the Lakshmi Narayan, and the Ganesh temples. Enjoy a Bollywood film at Raj Mandir Cinema. Optional activity in Jaipur: half a day at an elephant farm with an elephant painting experience, feeding this giant creature. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 14 - Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra 6 hours of travel
The morning after breakfast, drive to Agra, visiting Fatehpur Sikri on the way, a UNESCO World Heritage site that was the capital of the Mughal emperor, which was later abandoned due to a lack of water. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel.
Day 15 - Agra Taj Mahal and Night Train to Varanasi
Early in the morning visit to the Taj Mahal. The best time to visit the Taj Mahal, you can also explore the different moods of the place. Return to the hotel. Then visit Agra Fort and the Tomb of Itimad ud Daulah.
In the evening, you will take the train to Varanasi. Your driver will drop you off at Agra station. Then you will take an overnight train to Varanasi.
Day 16 - Arrival in Varanasi
At Varanasi station, you will meet another driver who will take you to your hotel. Settle in for 2 nights. Then stroll around the city, exploring local markets in the heart of the city (Chowk) before returning to the hotel. At noon, you will visit the Tulsi Manaa temples and the Durga temple.
In the evening, around 5 PM, you can walk along the Dasaswamedh ghat to witness the Aarti ceremony of offering to the sacred Ganges.
Day 17 - In Varanasi (Excursion to Sarnath).
Today at sunrise, you will take a boat ride on the Ganges with a guide. By boat, you will pass various ghats and witness the enthusiasm of Hindu pilgrims and their rituals. Then, return to your hotel for breakfast and take an excursion to Sarnath with a guide. Sarnath is a historic Buddhist site. Sarnath welcomes pilgrims from many Buddhist countries. You will visit the monasteries (Thailand, Tibet...). Return to Varanasi and spend the day in the city.
Day 18 - Varanasi - Delhi and Departure
In the morning, your driver will transfer you to Varanasi airport, and you will take the flight to Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be transferred into the city for shopping for your souvenirs, and later you will be transferred to the airport to connect with your return flight.
