Planning Rajasthan Tour

I am planning to visit the rajasthan on 10-14feb2011. Here is my tentative plan:

Day1 : Reaching Jaiselmer  in morning.  Best time October to march. 
Stay Hotel Golden City   Rs.840/-
Opposite SBI Bank, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan 345001
02992 251 664 ‎
Hotel Jaisal Palace Rs.1100/-
02992 252 717
 within walking distance of Jaisalmer Fort and the main market.
Hotel Pithla Haveli Rs1500/
Just 15 minutes walkway to famous fort


Jaisalmer Fort

The Jaisalmer fort, known as Sonar Quila or the Golden fort, rises from the sand and merges with the golden hues of the desert ambience. The setting sun in its most colourful shades gives it a fairy tale appearance.

Khuri Sand Dunes(40km) or Sam Sand Dunes(42 km)

Both Sam and Khuri are 40-50km from Jaisalmer. But they are in different directions.

Khuri: Khuri sand dunes are slowly picking up in the must visit charts of tourists. If you find Sam sand dunes a bit crowded then you can very well opt for Khuri sand dunes. Situated just 40 K.M. off the town, Khuri is a must visit for tourists seeking solitude in the desert. It is a peaceful place with houses of mud and straw decorated like the patterns of Persian carpets. 

Location: In the outskirts of Jaisalmer, 40 K.M. southwest from the main city
How to reach: Take a camel safari or any powerful SUV . i will hire a bikeat  Fort Road that passes the Gopa Chowk police station, not far from the first Fort Gate, and goes directly to Station Road at the foot of the hill. You will find Shiva Bikes on the right side of the road, and on the left a little further down one of the original bike hiring businesses, Desert Bikes. 
Attractions: Camel safari, Mud houses and Desert solitude

SAM Sand Dunes

(I droopeed SAM over khuri cause of overcrowd feedback)

Location: In the outskirts of Jaisalmer, 42 K.M. from the main town  west
How to reach: Jeep or any other 4 wheel drive SUV or Camel back according to your convenienceThere is no point coming to the Thar Desert if you don't go for the Desert Safari. No trip to Jaisalmer is complete without a trip to the most picturesque dunes of Sam. In the month of February/March, this whole place turns into a cultural hub. The desert festival organized amid these dunes is the showcase of Rajasthani culture as a whole. Open-air cultural extravaganzas, puppet shows, folk dance performances, camel races, competitions and general festivities mark this annual event that is held with great pomp and show at the Sam Sand dunes in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.. Exciting camel safaris allow you to get the real feel of the desert on the camel back.

Day2 and 3: Visiting Haveli's

• Manak Chowk and Havelis
  A main marketplace outside the fort leads to the narrow lanes dotted with famous havelis.
• Gadsisar Lake
  A scenic rain water lake with numerous beautiful shrines around and a spectacular avian variety. The lake is an idyllic spot for outings.
• Tazia Tower
• A pagoda like structure looming up from the 'Badal Mahal' with beautiful 'Taazias'-ornately decorated bamboo,paper and tinsel replicas of a bier, carried out in procession during Moharram by the Muslims.
• Nathmalji-ki-Haveli 
• 
  The late 19th century haveli with intricate architecture a display of sheer craftsmanship. The left and right wings of the mansion which were carved by two brothers are not identical but very similar and balanced in design. The interior walls are ornate with splendid miniature paintings.
• Patwon -ki-Haveli
• The most elaborate and magnificent of all the Jaisalmer havelis. It has exquisitely carved pillars and extensive corridors and chambers.One of the apartments of this five storey high haveli is painted with beautiful murals.
• Salim Singh-ki-Haveli
• This 300 year old haveli of Jaisalmer's Prime Minister Maharaja Rawal Gaj Singh-Salim Singh, has a beautiful blue cupola roof with superbly carved brackets in the form of peacocks.This extraordinary mansion in yellow stone is covered with intricate carvings and has an elaborate projecting balcony on the top storey.The mansion is one of the most notable of the array of havelis.
• Jain Temple
  The fort has three exquisitely carved jain temples dedicated to the Jain Tirthankars-Rishabhdev,Sambhavnath and Paraswanath.
• Gyan Bhandar or Library
  Some of the oldest manuscripts of India are found in this library established as a part of Jain temples

Day3 evening: moving to jaipur by 4.30pm train. will reach Jaipur next day morning.

Day3 &4

¤ CITY PALACE AND S.M.S. II MUSEUM - situated in the heart of the old City, it occupies about one seventh of the old city area. The palace is a blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture, it houses a Seven storeyed Chandra Mahal in the centre, which affords a fine view of the gardens and the city. Diwan-E-Am (Hall of public audience) has intricate decorations and collection of manuscripts, Diwan-E-Khas (Hall of private audience) has a marble pawed gallery Mubarak Mahal has a rich collection of costumes and textiles. There is a Clock Tower near Mubarak Mahal. Sileh Khana has a collection of armory and weapons. Timing 9.30 to 16.45 hrs. Entry Fee for Indians Rs. 35.00 and for foreigners Rs.150.00 inclusive of entry to Jaigarh fort, Phone: 2608055

¤ JANTAR MANTAR (Observatory) - built in 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the huge masonary instruments were used to study the movement of constellations and stars in the sky. Enormous sun-dial still provide accurate time, which are subject to daily corrections. Timing 9.00 to 16.30 hrs, Entry Fee Rs. 10.00, Phone: 2610494

 

¤ HAWA MAHAL - built in 1799, by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, is the most recognizable monument of Jaipur. The 5 storied stunning semi-octagonal monument having 152 windows with over hanging latticed balconies is a fine piece of Rajput architecture. Originally designed for the royal ladies to watch and enjoy the processions and other activities, on the street below. Now it houses a well laid out museum. The display “Jaipur past and present” is the special feature of this newly setup museum. Timing 10.00 to 16.30 hrs, Entry Fee Rs. 5.00: Phone: 2618862
 

¤ JALMAHAL - (6 kms) on the way to Amer, this small palace is set in the middle of Man Sagar Lake. A paved causeway leads upto the beautiful water palace.

¤ JAIGARH FORT - (15 kms.) standing on a hilltop, overlooking the palaces and city of Amer. The world’s biggest cannon on wheels- the Jai Ban is positioned here, built during reign of Maharaja Sawai Jaisingh. It has a twenty feet long barrel and pumped in the cannon for a single shot. Timing 10.00 to 16.45 hrs, Entry Fee for Indians Rs. 15.00 & for foreigners Rs. 20.00, Phone: 2630848

¤ AMER - The old capital of the Kachhwahas stands atop a range of craggy hills. The fort is remarkable as much for the majestic grandeur of its surroundings as for its sturdy battlements and beautiful palaces. It is a fine blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture. The solemn dignity of it red sandstone and white marble pavilions, when reflected in the lake at the foot hill, is a sight to behold. The original palace was built by Raja Man Singh, the additional extensions were built by Maharaja Mirja Raja Jai Singh and Sawai Jai Singh lIthe last Maharaja of Amer, who built a new city called Jaipur, where he shfted his capital in 1727.

The palace complex is lavishly ornamented and displays the riches of Amer. Sheesh Mahal chamber of Mirrors. Diwan-e-Am or the Hall of Public Audience is a beautifully proportioned hall open on three sides and stands on two rows of ornamented pillars. Diwan e-Khas or the Hall of Private Audience has delicate mosaic work in glass. Sukh mandir is guarded by sandalwood doors inlaid with ivory. Throughout the massive fort finely carved lattice windows, exquisitely painted doorways, halls and finely sculptured pillars crave for attention.

The old city of Amer was the seat of power and bustling with life and prosperity. Other worth seeing sites are Jagat Shiromani Temple, Narsinghji temple, the stepwell of Panna Meena and fine carved royal cenotaphs on the road to Delhi. Timing: 9.00 to 16.30 hrs. Entry Fee For Indians Rs. 10.00, For Foreigners Rs. 50.00, Phone: 2530293, Elephant ride charge Rs. 400.00 (inclusive of all taxes) Timing : 8.00 to 16.00 hrs, Phone: 2530264 (Tourist Office).
 

¤ NAHARGARH FORT - (15 kms.) cresting a hill about 600 ft. above the city, the fort was built in 1734. The walls of the fort run along the ridge and within are architectural beauties like Hawa Mandir and Madhvendra Bhawan. Timing 10.00 to 16.00 hrs, Entry Fee Rs. 5.00, Phone: 5148044

 

¤ CENTRAL MUSEUM - situated in the Ram Niwas Garden. This graceful building was founded in 1876 by Prince Albert (also known as Albert Hall). It has a rare collection of archaeological and handicraft pieces. Timing 10.00 to 16.30 hrs, Entry Fee for Indians Rs. 5.00, for foreigners As. 30.00, Phone: 2570099

¤ BIRLA PLANETARIUM - It offers unique audio-visual education about stars and entertainment with its modern computerised projection system. Entry fee As. 20.00 show timings: 11.00, 13.00, 15.00, 17.00, 18.00, 19.00 hrs. Phone: 2381594

¤ LAXMI NARAYAN TEMPLE - is situated just below the Moti doongri, known for the intricate marble carvings in white marble, popularly known as Birla Temple.

¤ KANAK VRINDAVAN - (6.5 Kms on the way to Amer) This newly restored temple and garden, near Jal Mahal, has beautiful gardens and is popular picnic place. This is also beautiful location for film shooting. Entry fee Rs. 4.00 & Timings 8.00 to 17.00 hrs, Phone: 2634596

- By

Vinod Kotiya