DAY 02 ( THURSDAY ) »
Arrival Jaipur at 0000 hrs.
The first stop of the Palace on Wheels is Jaipur, one of the most well planned cities of the world of its time.
This capital city of Rajasthan, popularly known as the Pink City was founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, in 1727 A.D. To explore the city, an air-conditioned coach takes you to Hawa Mahal /the Palace of Winds , which is a remarkable five storeyed building along the main street of the old city in pink splendour with semi-octagonal and delicately honey combed sandstone windows.
This is followed by a visit to Amber Fort , eight kms away, where rides on caparisoned elephants add to the ambience.
Shop for Jaipur's famous jewellery, handicrafts, carpets, blue pottery and textiles. After lunch at a Palace Hotel, you are off to the City Palace , home of the erstwhile royal family.
Right across the road from the palace is the Jantar Mantar , the largest observatory built by Sawai Jai Singh II. After dinner and a cultural programme at Palace Hotel, the coach takes you back to the Palace on Wheels. Departure for Jaisalmer is at 1730 hrs.
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