Jaisalmer Desert Festival: – 05 to 07 Feb 2012
Desert Festival, celebrated for 3 days in the month of February every year in the golden sand of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. It is a colorful festival where you get to see Cultural events and folk dances, camel races, turban tying competitions and musical events etc. Also attend the best moustache competition. This festival showcases the art, culture and history of the region.
The desert festival in Jaisalmer was started as an effort to attract tourists from various parts of the globe who always wanted to see and experience the many facets of the colourful states of Rajasthan in the shortest of time. Rajasthani Folk songs and dances are an integral part of the festival along with some other activities included from the region. The Gair and fire dances some of the other tourist attractions at the festival.
However the most interesting and inviting event seems to be the best moustache among the foreigners. A camel ride at the grand finale at Samm along with some folklores and dances under the open sky’s full moon brings end to the three day extravanganza.
This is a suggested tour. It can be tailor-made to suit your requirements. Please contact us for a tailor made tour.
Jaisalmer Desert Festival - Day 01, Arrival / Delhi
Arrive Delhi, meet assist at the airport and transfer to hotel. Night stay in Delhi.
Delhi, Capital City of independent India, is the main cultural hub of the country where you will find the people from all the regions trying to find a living. With more than a thousand monuments and two old capital buildings complexes-including the present seat of Government, has lot to offers and showcase to the interested tourists and strangers. Cosmopolitan hotels, shopping, and fine restaurants abound. Delhi also offers a glimpse into the real India: the labyrinthine street bazaars of Old Delhi, and the temples and monuments of Indian’s chequered colonial past. In the deepest sense, from Old Delhi’s Red fort and Jama Masjid mosque to New Delhi’s chic art galleries and nightclubs, Delhi is profoundly Indian city.
Jaisalmer Desert Festival - Day 02, Delhi
After breakfast proceed for sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi:
OLD DELHI - A sight-seeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting the Raj Ghat - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India.
NEW DELHI - An extensive sight-seeing tour of New Delhi would include a visit to the Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House, the President's Residence and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.
Jaisalmer Desert Festival - Day 03, Delhi / Agra (by road) approx drive 4 to 5 hrs
After breakfast drive 4 to 5 hrs to Agra. On arrival check into hotel.
Afternoon city sightseeing of Agra visiting Agra Fort and Taj Mahal at sunset.
Agra Fort on the bank of river Yamuna and built of red sand stone. Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his queen Mumtaz Mahal. This world famous monument has been built of white marble and is a symbol of everlasting love.
Overnight at Hotel.
Jaisalmer Desert Festival - Day 04, Agra - Jaipur (By road) Approx. 5hrs
After breakfast drive to Jaipur en route visiting Fatehpur Sikri, built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 to commemorate the birth of his son and later abandoned due to scarcity of water. Visit the remains, it fortifications within the city including Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal and other palaces.
Overnight at a hotel in Jaipur.
Jaisalmer Desert Festival - Day 05, Jaipur
Morning excursion to Amber Fort, the ancient capital of the region.
Afternoon city sightseeing of Jaipur city visiting
CITY PALACE - A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture and JANTAR MANTAR – The observatory and HAWA MAHAL - The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds" is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. Their five-storey structures of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies.
Spend the evening at leisure or explore the markets famous for textiles, handicraft and jewellery.
Overnight at Hotel in Jaipur.
Jaisalmer Desert Festival - Day 06, Jaipur - Pushkar (By road) Approx. 4 hrs drive
After breakfast drive to Pushkar, a famous hindu pilgrimage centre with many temples.
The most famous is the Brahma Temple, said to be one of the few temples in the world dedicated to this deity.
Overnight at a hotel in Pushkar.
Jaisalmer Desert Festival - Day 07, Pushkar - Udaipur ( By road ) Approx. 5 to 6 hrs. drive
After breakfast drive 5 hrs to Udaipur en route visiting Ranakpur Jain Temples, one of the five most important Jain pilgrimage sites.
Udaipur - A romantic collection of exotic gardens filled with blossoming trees, palaces, mansions and fantasy island palaces shimmering in mirror-calm lakes - that’s Udaipur.
Overnight at Hotel.
Jaisalmer Desert Festival - Day 08, Udaipur
Morning city sight seeing tour of Udaipur with your local English speaking guide.
The city is built in 1559 A.D. by Maharaja Udai Singh and has been described as the most romantic spot on the continent of India by Col. James Todd. Visit the City Palace museum, the Jagdish temple, Sahelion Ki Bari (Queen’s resort for their friends) Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir (Folk art museum) and the Pratap Memorial.
Overnight at Hotel.
Jaisalmer Desert Festival - Day 09, Udaipur / Jodhpur ( By road ) Approx. 5 hrs. drive.
After breakfast drive to Jodhpur. Jodhpur - the stronghold of the fierce Rathore clan, was founded in 1459 by Prince Jodha. On arrival check into your hotel.
Afternoon city sightseeing of Jodhpur visiting Mehrangarh fort and Jaswant Thada. Later in the evening explore the markets famous for its antiques and handicraft items.
Overnight at Hotel.
Jaisalmer Desert Festival - Day 10, Jodhpur - Jaisalmer ( By road ) Approx. 5 to 6 hrs. drive.
Spend the morning at leisure. Later drive 5 hrs to Jaisalmer. On arrival check into hotel for overnight.
Jaisalmer Desert Festival - Day 11, Jaisalmer
Spend the day exploring the various events and activities at the Desert Festival. Rajasthani men and pretty women dressed in their bright costumes dance and sing lingering ballads of valour, romance and tragedy.
The major attractions at the festival are - puppeteers, acrobats, camel tattoo show, camel races, camel polo, traditional procession, camel mounted band, folk dances, etc. Proud moustached villagers, dressed in their ethnic best come astride their picturesquely caparisoned camels to join in the camel dances and competitions of camel acrobatics. Tug of war and Panihari Matka race are the events where visitors to the fair can participate and enjoy the thrill and taste of traditions.
The turban tying competitions are big draws and laughter. The Mr. Desert competitions, which are focused around the length and style of moustaches and rustic physique wrapped in traditional costumes, many visitors.
Overnight at Hotel.
Jaisalmer Desert Festival - Day 12, Jaisalmer
Spend the entire day in desert festival. In the late afternoon proceed to sand dunes to enjoy camel ride at sunset. Enjoy the dinner with folk dance and music after the camel ride.
Overnight at hotel in Jaisalmer.
Jaisalmer Desert Festival - Day 13, Jaisalmer / Jodhpur / Delhi / Departure
After early breakfast drive 5 hrs to Jodhpur airport for flight to Delhi. You will be met on arrival at Delhi airport and transferred to international airport for flight to onward destination.
Note: The tour can be done in reversed as well.
