Day 2, Thursday - Jaipur

Jaipur is popularly known as the Pink City. It is also the capital of the state of Rajasthan. It is one of the most visited tourist places of India. The old city of Jaipur is partially encircled with seven gates - the major gates are Chandpol, Sanganeri, and Ajmeri.The Capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is steeped in history and culture. Here the past comes alive in magnificient forts and palaces, blushed pink, where once lived the Maharajas. The bustling bazaars of Jaipur, Famous for Rajasthani jewellery, fabric and shoes, possess a timeless quality and are surely a treasure trove for the shoppers.

Arrive at 00.00 in Jaipur the Pink City, known for it's colourful and fascinating Architecture. Your tour begins at the Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds, followed by a visit to the Amber Fort, riding on canopied elephants in pomp and royal style of ancient maharajas. After indulging oneself in shopping at Rajasthali, the State's Handicrafts emporium for souvenirs and crafts, an exotic and sumptuous lunch awaits you at the majestic Rambagh Palace. The home of the erstwhile rulers, The City Palace, now a museum, full of royal splendor and the amazing Jantar Mantar - Astronomical Observatory, are to be explored at leisure. In the evening after a cultural program of enthralling dance and music, dinner is a celebration under the canopy of the star-lit skies at exotic Jai Mahal Palace. The train departs from the Pink City at 17.30 hrs.

Jaipur became the capital of the Kachchwaha dynasty when they shifted here from their hilltop fort of Amber. It was built according to the principles laid down in the ancient Architectural Treatises, but with all the opulence deserving to a royal city. At its center rose the seven-tiered palace of the royal family, and around it came up gardens and temples, its Astronomical Observatory and the myriads of mansions and business houses. Jaipur also offers a greats shopping experience since the city is the country's capital as far as handicrafts go - and they include a very extensive range - as well as a major international center for the cutting and polishing of gems and stones. It also has a large number of palace hotels, and both Rambagh and Jai Mahal, which are the venues for their lunch and dinner, are intimately linked with the history of this former princely state. Rambagh, in fact, was the last palace in which the former maharaja and his glamorous Maharani, and now Rajmata or Queen Mother of Jaipur, the popular Gayatri Devi, resided. The palace not only has most of the original furnishings and artifacts, but its famous Polo Bar also has pictures of the last maharaja with English Aristocracy and other important guests.