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 Day 01 :
Arrival / New Delhi
Late Night arrival.
Traditional welcome with garlands as our representatives
welcome you aboard your Luxury coach. Whilst the room
keys are assigned to you, our representative would
introduce, India as well as some common Indian customs
and courtesies - Welcome to India !!!!
Overnight will be in Delhi.
Day 02 :
Delhi
This morning we proceed for
a guided tour of New Delhi. Our tour of New Delhi
includes visits to such sights as Humayun’s Tomb (1586)
the Qutab Minar 72 meters high and one of the most
perfect towers in the Persian world. The Iron Pillar
which has survived the vagaries of weather for over 1500
years. Continue with a drive through Embassy area, the
Government buildings (1921-1930) and Connaught Place,
the heart and main shopping district of the capital.
Afternoon we cross the city and into the walled gates of
the Old city with visits to the Jamma Mosque (1650) and
drive through the fabled area of Chandni Chowk (aptly
translates to Moonlight Square) where the throngs of
shoppers and vendors meet in the oldest area of Delhi.
Visit the Red Fort (1639-1648 built by Shah Jehan the
builder of the Taj Mahal in Agra) to view the inlaid and
carved Royal Chambers, on to Raj Ghat and nearby ghats
where the founder of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi was
cremated.
Overnight will be in Delhi.
Day 03 :
Delhi / Ahmedabad (9W 701 - 0610/0735) Ahmedabad /
Dungarpur (125 Kms)
Morning, transfer to
airport for your flight to Ahmedabad. Meeting &
assistance upon arrival & drive to Dungarpur. Upon
arrival check into the Udai Bilas Palace. The history of
Udai Bilas Palace, Dungarpur, Rajasthan dates from the
mid-19th century, when Maharawal Udai Singhji-II, a
great patron of art and architecture built a wing of
bluish grey local stone " Pareva" overlooking the lake
and the " Ek Thambia Mahal," featuring intricate
sculptured pillars and panels, ornate balconies,
balustrades, bracketed windows, arches and frieze of
marble carvings, a veritable marvel of Rajput
architecture.
The Udai Bilas Palace was enlarged in 1940 by Maharawal
Laxman Singhji, who built three new wings around the "
Ek Thambia Mahal" (Literally one- pillared Palace) and
thus created the famous " courtyard of the palace. The
result is an architectural expression exquisitely
detailed. Still the royal residence, the Palace offers
accommodation in the houseguest tradition with seventeen
spacious and lavishly appointed bedrooms. No two rooms
are alike; each room enchants with its own personality,
spaciousness and modern comforts and offers a unique
experience. The Furnishings are mostly from the 20th
century art-deco style, marble bathrooms with English
fixtures and running hot and cold water. Meals are
served either in the banquet hall, which displays
crystal chandeliers, or in the more intimate family
dining room. Continental or Chinese dishes are also
served.
The day is at leisure to enjoy this incredible heritage
hotel. You could alternatively walk into the main town
walking through the bustling bazaar, which is an amazing
spectacle of colour. Watch out for the pavement bazaar
including the laughing set of dentures, proudly
displayed by the owner of the ‘Dental Parts’ ‘store’ (to
be read as clinic !)
Overnight will be in Dungarpur.
Day 04 :
Dungarpur
The district is the
stronghold of Bheels, a tribe whose history of occupancy
in the Aravalli Range is said to date back to 4000 B.C.
They are one of the oldest and most primitive tribes of
the world. This morning we will visit some of these
unspoiled Bheel hamlets in and around the town. We will
witness and photograph age-old tribal lifestyles and
customs handed down over the centuries. You would have
an opportunity to meet villagers who have never seen
white people!! Say hello to people, allow them to get
used to you and then, you may go ahead with your
pictures. You would soon end up as the pied piper
followed by scores of noisy and happy children!!!
We return to our hotel by mid morning to enjoy the
destination at leisure. Udai Bilas Palace is a
round-the-year paradise for bird watchers. The cooler
months from mid October to February are the best to see
winter migratory birds when birds can be observed in
attractive plumage. One can see from the Palace itself
at remarkably close range egrets, night and pond herons,
white necked and painted storks, coots and winter or
resident ducks among others, depending on the season of
your visit. Birds are also plentiful in the surrounding
wood lands where one can hope to see the Grey Hornbill,
Gray Partridge, Green Pigeon, Peafowl, Peacocks,
Paradise fly-catcher and the Golden backed woodpecker,
to name a few representative species. You may proceed on
a leisurely walk around the lake or heir boat for a
special boat trip on the lake as well as a gentle trek
through the forests so that the nature lover in you is
able to enjoy the beauty of the place and are able to
get a close look at the bird life.
Late afternoon we visit the ancient fortified ruins of
the Old Fort. Besides fine panoramic view of the ancient
town of Dungarpur the fort has well preserved examples
of natural colour paintings and incredible art and
architecture.
Overnight will be in Dungarpur.
Day 05 :
Dungarpur / Devigarh
Following breakfast, hold
your breath as we drive past the age-old Aravali hills
of Rajasthan to discover, the 18th century Devi Garh
Fort Palace, a seven Star boutique palace hotel !
Situated in the village of Delwara, the fort palace
commands one of the three main passes into the valley of
Udaipur. After years of restoration and reconstruction,
Devi Garh has regained its past glory. An imposing and
impressive structure, it is now a unique all-suite
boutique hotel, where each 700 sq ft room is tastefully
decorated with a perfect blend of tradition and
contemporary styles & design. Devi Garh stands, quite
literally, in two worlds: the traditional and the
modern.
Its ambience is an eclectic mix of skillfully crafted
designs, both old and new, functional and purely
aesthetic. Local materials like marble and semi-precious
stones have been used in contemporary designs to create
an elegant beauty. Personalized service complemented by
a wide range of modern facilities goes towards making
Devi Garh a comfortable and attractive retreat that
would steal your heart and take your breath away !
Rest of the day at leisure to enjoy your spectacular
Palace Hotel.
Overnight will be in
Devigarh.
Day 06 :
Devigarh / Udaipur / Devigarh (28 Kms)
Morning drive to Udaipur
proceed on a guided tour of "Lake City". Udaipur is a
cool oasis in the dry heart of Rajasthan. It is probably
the most romantic city in a state where every city has
some romantic or exotic tale to tell. The huge city
palace towering over the Lake Pichola is the largest
palace complex in Rajasthan. Though it is a
conglomeration of buildings built by successive rulers,
it manages to retain a surprising uniformity of design
and affords very fine view of the lake and the city from
the upper terraces. The Jagadish temple next to the city
palace enshrines a black stone image of Lord Vishnu and
his vehicle- a mighty bird called garuda - in a brass
image. The temple is a very fine example of Indo-Aryan
Art..
Afternoon we take a boat cruise on the serene and
beautiful Lake Pichola. The island palace on the Lake
called Jagmandir Palace is quite fascinating. The Palace
provided inspirations and ideas to the builder of the
Taj Mahal. The banks of the lake provide interesting
glimpses of the daily bathing and the laundry that takes
place here. Looking across the lake, with the city and
its great palace rising up behind the island palace, is
a scene of rare beauty. Evening drive back to your hotel
in Devigarh.
Overnight will be in Devigarh.
Day 07 :
Devigarh / Jodhpur
Following leisurely
breakfast drive to Jodhpur. Upon arrival check into your
hotel The Ummed.
From here we visit the Clock Tower Bazaar. This is one
of India’s largest and most colourful whole sale markets
especially with respect to clothes, fabrics, spices,
vegetables etc. It is a fantastic experience to walk
through the place observing and photographing this
incredible spectacle of vibrant lifestyles and
incredible colours.
Overnight will be in Jodhpur.
Day 08 :
Jodhpur
Following leisurely
breakfast we depart for a guided tour of Jodhpur. Our
tour includes the massive fort. In olden days this must
have been impregnable since its rocky base is scraped
straight down making it nearly impossible to ascend.
Once inside, royal palaces abound with fascinating
history and priceless jewels, on to the armoury and
Jaswant Tara - the Royal Crematorium
Jodhpur is a veritable shopper's paradise with entire
streets and localities in the walled city devoted to
single commodities. The city is famous for bandhani and
lahariya, block printed textiles, silver jewellery,
antique furniture, wood and metal handicrafts. Carpets
and durries can be found on the Umaid Bhawan Palace
road. Jodhpur is home to many talented and skilled
craftsmen like textile dyers, metal engravers and
die-makers and probably the last of the tailors of the
classic Jodhpur breeches
Overnight will be in Jodhpur.
Day 09 :
Jodhpur / Ranthambore (INTERCITY EXPRESS - 0550/1355)
Early morning transfer to
train station for your train to Ranthambhore
Meeting & assistance upon arrival & transfer to hotel
Tiger Moon resort, which gives you all the excitement
and exhilaration of holidaying in the heart of the
Indian wildlife; right where all the action is, in the
lap of Nature at it’s most raw. Here the law of the
jungle prevails; predators prowl the wild pathways ;
birds shriek in the skies and reptiles slither across
the earth. It is into this wilderness that we offer you
ringside seats to the ultimate show. This resort,
situated on the edge of the Ranthambor National Park
amidst the Aravali hills in Rajasthan, is the ideal
resort if you want to hit the tiger trail.
Evening, jungle excursion in open top vans.
Overnight will be in Ranthambhore.
Day 10 :
Ranthambore
Morning and evening jungle
excursions in open top vans. Ranthambore is known to
have India's Friendliest tigers Assured of protection;
these nocturnal creatures are seen often in the day.
Sprawled on the Aravalli and Vindhya ranges of Rajasthan
, Ranthambore National Park encompasses an area of 410
Sq. km. in which live a healthy population of about 40
tigers. A large number of deer inhabit the area and
leopards are occasionally sighted. The Pandam Taloa
lake, located adjacent to the Jogi Mahal hunting lodge,
is the park's favorite water source. Smaller pools at
Raj Bagh and Milak also attract a variety of wild life
The best way to explore Ranthambore is in a jeep as the
park is well connected by arterial roads and tracks.
Some of the popular sighting areas are Nal Ghati ,
Lahpur , ,Bakuala , Anantpur and the Kachida valley .
Mammals: Tiger, Panther, Hyena, Jackal, Jungle Cat,
Caracal, Sloth Bear, Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, Wild Boar,
Chinkara, Indian hare mongoose. Birds: Bonelli's eagle,
crested serpent eagle, great Indian horned owl, grey
partridge sandgrouse, quail, spurfowl, common peafowl,
tree pie, paradise flycatcher, pheasant tailed jacana,
painted stork, black stork, spoonbill, green pigeon,
ducks.
Overnight will be in Ranthambhore.
Day 11 :
Ranthambore / Jaipur
Morning, jungle excursion
in open top vans. After breakfast and then drive 3 hours
to Jaipur .
In a land steeped with heritage, picturesque with
exquisite architecture, in a state vibrant with heroic
memories and romance, lies the Dream City of Jaipur. The
people are dynamic, martial and, need we say it,
colourful. Here every walk through the by lanes is a
walk through history. Indeed, Jaipur could be compared
to a vast open-air museum. Pink turbans jostle with
saffron ‘odhinis’ (ladies scarves). Camel’s buggies and
elephants are as commonly found as motor cars and buses.
Upon arrival, check into Hotel.
Evening is designed for escorted walks with our guide in
Jaipur’s shady animated streets - or for independent
discovery. The city is best explored on foot and only
the inquisitive visitor willing to go into the rastaas
(streets) and galis (lanes) will feel the spirit of the
city. Jaipur’s colorful bazaars tantalize the eye with
enameled blue pottery, exquisite gem-studded jewelry,
engraved brass work, traditional block-printed fabrics
and brightly patterned dhurrie rugs together with
traditional crafts and miniature painting.
Overnight will be in Jaipur.
Day 12 :
Jaipur
This morning we visit Amber
Fort, the former capital of the royal Jaipurs. Few fail
to be moved by the dramatic Rajput grandeur of this
hilltop fortress-palace 11-km north of Jaipur. Set on
the dry wrinkled Aravali Hills, and surrounded by
fortified battlements, the palace straddles two
sepia-hued tundra hills overlooking Maota Lake, and its
sprawling crenellated walls lattice the surrounding
hills.
We will ride up to this hilltop palace on a caparisoned,
painted elephant, passing through the ancient main gate
where Maharajas of Jaipur have entered for four hundred
years. Our guide will elaborate on the history of this
architectural masterpiece with its mirror-studded
alcoves, dazzling mosaics and water-cooled swings that
delight today’s visitors as they did their former royal
residents.
We shall visit the Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds, a
five-storied structure of pink sandstone with
semi-octagonal and delicately honeycombed windows
overlooking the main street of the old city. It was
built in 1799 so that veiled royal woman could peer down
unseen by the world through its 593 stone screens.
Afternoon, a tour Of City Palace & Observatory. The City
Palace in the heart of the old city is a blend of
Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The centre of the
palace is a seven storied building called Chandra
Palace, with fine vies over the gardens and the city.
The palace lies in the heart of the city and occupies
the whole central grid. The fortified wall has seven
gates and was built for protection from invading armies
and animals that lived in jungles which surrounded the
wall that time. Next, we visit the Solar Observatory -
an astronomical treasure house, with solar device that
give accurate predictions till date. The Palace Of
Winds, a five-storied structure of pink sandstone has
semi-octagonal and delicately honeycombed windows
overlooking the main street of the old city.
Overnight will be in Jaipur.
Day 13 :
Jaipur
/ Fatehpur Sikri / Agra by Surface Approx (265 Kms – 06
Hours)
Following breakfast drive
to Fatehpur Sikri for a guided tour. This abandoned
capital of the Mughals is a perfectly preserved city at
the height of the empire’s splendour. The city divided
into religious and secular parts has interesting
well-sculpted buildings. From here we continue drive to
Agra.
Upon arrival check into your hotel.
Agra is the city of the Taj Mahal, perhaps the most
photographed monument in the world. However, there is a
degree of enigma about the Taj. Once you hear about a
building so much and once you see so many pictures of a
building your expectations are real high; and this is
the enigma about the Taj Mahal. No matter how many
pictures you have seen or no matter how high your
expectations are, the Taj never lets you down - the
unparalleled glory and beauty of the building surpasses
beyond all human imaginations. At sun set we visit the
Taj Mahal to witness this spectacular monument built for
love. Besides perfect symmetry in every aspect of its
construction, the inlay work of semi precious stones
into marble in pietra dura style is absolutely
remarkable.
We would also have an opportunity to visit a marble
showroom where we would be able to witness the inlay
work done on marble just as at the Taj Mahal.
Overnight will be in Agra.
Day
14 :
Agra / Delhi / Departure
Following leisurely
breakfast we ride to the massive Agra Fort. The elegant
buildings inside reflect an interesting synthesis of
Hindu and Central Asian architectural styles. Built by
Emperor Akbar, the maze of the courtyards, mosques &
private chambers of the fort echo the story of the
Mughal Empire. The Moti Masjid & other magnificent
buildings reflect the skill of the ancient Indian
architects.
Following the tour, a 4 Hour drive through one of
India’s premier freeways to Delhi. We would have an
opportunity to stop at well appointed restaurants for
refreshments as well as restroom services.
Following the dinner transfer to international airport
for your flight back home. |
