Sixth Destination:
Fifth Destination:
The Wedding Ceremony
Fouth Destination:
Third Destination: THE WEDDING
Second Destination:
First Destination:
15th April: Agra
Leaving Delhi we will ride the train (in firsrt class of course) to Agra to visist the magnificent Taj Mahal Befor Departing for Jaipur.
- Train Delhi to Agra in First Clas Cabin
- Visit Taj Mahal
- High Tea at Oberoi Amarvilas Agra with view of Taj Mahal
- Drive to Jaipur
15-18 April: Jaipur
Whilst in Jaipur we will partake in the following activities
- Visit Anokhi Museum
- Specialised walking tour of Old City and Craft, including Johri Bazaar
- Enjoy a rickshaw ride through the main street
- Tumeric Ceremony
- Mehndi Ceremony
- High Tea
- And of course:
18-20 April: The St. Regis, Mumbai
- Tour of Elephanta Island
- Visit to Mumbai Fort
- The Amazing race of the Dabbawallas - understand how the system works by being part of the system
22-24 April: TAJ LAKE PALACE,UDAIPUR
- Specialized designed walking tour of Old City and Craft including old Crafts
- Sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola including stop at Jag Mandir
- Farewell dinner on a roof top overlooking Lake Pichola at Shiv Niwas Palace in Udaipur
20-22 April: Umaid bhawan palace jodhpur
- Specialized designed walking tour of Old City and Craft including Sadar Bazaar
- Dinner on a roof top restaurant at Pal Haveli in Jodhpur
12-15 April: The Lodhi, New Delhi
You will be met at the airport on the aerobridge on arrival
- Transfer to hotel
- City tour
- Plunge Pool Room
12-16 April: Hotel City Star, New Delhi
16-18 April: The Ajit Bhawan - A Palace Resort, Jodhpur
18-20 April: Ravla Khempur, Udaipur
20-22 April: The St. Regis, Mumbai
22-24 April: ITC Rajputana, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Jaipur
24-25 April: ITC Mughal, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Agra
Wednesday 12 APRIL 17:
|
ARRIVE DELHI:
|
BY FLIGHT:
|
|
On your arrival at Delhi airport, you will be met and assisted by our representative and transferred to your hotel.
This fascinating city has been in existence since the 6th century BC and has seen ups and downs from the rule of the Pandavas right up to the British Raj.
Overnight: Hotel City Star New Delhi
Meals: None
|
09 APRIL 2017 SUNDAY:
|
DELHI:
|
|
|
Post breakfast exploring the fascinating and living legacy of the Indo-Islamic culture and lifestyle of Old Delhi. Wander through the narrow and busy streets of the mile-long market Chandni Chowk, popularly known as Silver Street and filled with shops and bazaars. Visit Jama Masjid with its tapering minarets and wonderful marble domes; this is the largest mosque in Old Delhi and can accommodate 20,000 people. Experience a rickshaw ride here.
From Old Delhi drive to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, the temple for the followers of the Sikh religion. The Sikhs believe that everyone, regardless of their station in life, should do “seva” or “social service”. This resulted in the “Langar” or community Kitchen, where every member of the religion considers its honor to put it a couple of hours cooking, to feed who so ever wants to be part of the meal.
Later in the afternoon you will go for the tour of Hidden Art of Delhi -This “off the beaten track” excursion will highlight for you the artistic spirit that thrives in Shadipur, one of the most popular neighborhoods for street artists. Over 3 hours you will explore this area with a local artist. With him you will meet traditional artists and entertainers, including puppeteers, wood-carvers, papier-mâché experts, street performers, wedding drummers, musicians and dancers.
From here you will drive past the President Palace, India Gate and end the day’s tour at Humayun’s Tomb, which was built in the 16th century and is considered the architectural forerunner of Agra's Taj Mahal. Set in peaceful surrounds, it features an artful combination of red sandstone and white marble, which plays with the wonderful symmetry and scale used by the Mughal empire builders.
You will return to your hotel.
Overnight: Delhi
Meals: Breakfast
|
10 APRIL’17 MONDAY:
|
DELHI TO MUMBAI
|
BY FLIGHT
|
|
Post breakfast you will be transferred to Delhi airport for your flight by AI-865 (1000/1215 hours) to Mumbai.
The commercial capital of India, Mumbai is many cities in one. Originally a group of seven marshy islands on the west coast of India, Mumbai was inhabited by Koli fishing community and then was ceded by the Moguls to the Portuguese in the 1630s. Later the King of England leased it to the East India Company as part of the marriage settlement between King Charles II and Catherine of Braganza, sister of the King of Portugal.
In present day Mumbai, pavement dwellers coexist with modern skyscrapers and gracious colonial buildings with impressive modern factories. Christian churches with Hindu Temples – in a medley of contradictions - makes Mumbai a product of the Indian past that holds the key to the present and the future.
Upon arrival at Mumbai airport, you will be met and assisted by our representative and transferred to your hotel.
After lunch, you will take guided tour of Fort Mumbai, the historic downtown area that derives its name from earlier colonial fortifications. The tour will concentrate on the Kala Ghoda area. Apart from its cluster of Victorian Gothic architecture, it includes the oldest Sephardic synagogue of the city, The Prince of Wales Museum, and also houses a number of cafes, restaurants and fine shops and boutiques. You will stop at the extraordinary Victoria Terminus. This World Heritage Monument was built in 1878 and its arcades decorated with stained glass and glazed tiles were inspired by London’s St Pancreas Station.
Also on the tour is a stop at Dhobi Ghat, a sight unique to this city. ‘Dhobi Ghat’ or “washerfolks’ place”, the world's largest outdoor laundry, and where Mumbai's traditional washer folk -- or dhobis -- provide a wonderful service, collecting dirty laundry, washing it, and returning it neatly pressed, all for a very small fee.
End your tour with a visit to Mani Bhawan a private home where Mahatma Gandhi stayed when visiting Mumbai.
Overnight: Mumbai
Meals: Breakfast
|
11 APRIL’17 TUESDAY:
|
MUMBAI
|
|
|
It is a very early start for you this morning. Mumbai by Dawn with an expert is a unique offering, where you see the bustling city of Mumbai wakes up. You get a peek into the little seen activities of the city, and get insights into what makes this magnificent Industrial capital of India tick and function.
On this morning’s walk you see hundreds of newspaper vendors sort out newspapers of 7 different languages, experience one-of-its-kind fish auction of 20 tonnes of fish, observe an ‘only green’ herb market get set up for business across a popular bridge, watch the milkmen drive past with filled canisters, enjoy the melee of color at the flower markets, and soak in the clamour and chaos of the arrival of over 100 tonnes of vegetables, fruits and meat – ‘Mumbai by Dawn’ truly defines the mercurial character of Mumbai, like none other.
What’s interesting is that when you walk the same lanes a few hours later, you won’t find any evidence of the morning’s hustle bustle. But this sneak peek comes at a price, waking up at 5.15 AM for one!
Return to the hotel for the breakfast.
Later this morning, you will start at 11:00 AM you drive to Churchgate Station to see the “Dabbawallas”. Feted by Prince Charles and Richard Branson, and studied by Harvard Business School, these five thousand men deliver 200,000 lunch boxes each day to offices. Every morning the Dabbawallas call on homes in the suburbs to pick up “Dabbas” or lunch boxes of home cooked food prepared for office goers who left at the crack of dawn to take commuter trains into the city. Transporting these on local trains, they gather at Church gate station to segregate them area wise before they are delivered. Each lunch box looks exactly alike, but without any modern technological equipment, the lunches are delivered are loaded into multiple boxes on to coffin size trays and delivered to the correct offices. This remarkable profession has also been given a Six Sigma rating by Forbes Global.
Next you will drive to the Gateway of India. Incorporating the Islamic architectural style of 16th century Gujarat, it was built to commemorate the 1911 royal visit of King George V; however it was not completed until 1924. Ironically, the British builders of the gateway used it twenty-three years later as the last British regiment left this British colony and India became independent. These days, the Gateway is a favorite gathering place for locals and an ideal spot for people-watching!
From here you board your shared launch for a one hour journey across Mumbai harbor to the cave temples on Elephanta Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Excavated during the 9th century, the caves are dedicated to the trinity of Indian deities – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Some of the sculptures were destroyed when the island was used as bivouac for the Portuguese who used the images for target practice.
You will return to your hotel.
Overnight: Mumbai
Meals: Breakfast
|
12 APRIL17 WEDNESDAY:
|
MUMBAI TO JODHPUR
|
BY FLIGHT
|
|
This morning you will be transferred to Delhi airport for your flight by AI-645 (0945/1145 hours) to Jodhpur.
The city of Jodhpur boasts forts and palaces that rise against the backdrop of the surrounding Thar Desert and the walled old city. The most spectacular is the Umaid Bhavan Palace, an architectural marvel designed for the Maharaja in the late 1920s. Part of the palace remains the official abode for Jodhpur’s royal family, while another houses a luxurious heritage hotel.
Post lunch, you will enjoy a guided tour of Jodhpur, visiting Mehrangarh Fort. This spectacular fort - made from red sandstone - stands on an astonishingly perpendicular cliff above the skyline of Jodhpur and truly dominates the city below.
Visit Jaswant Thada, a marble cenotaph built to commemorate Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. The monument, in its entirety, is built out of intricately carved slabs of marble, and this later you’ll have an opportunity to visit textile showrooms if you wish.
This evening you may enjoy a stroll through the Old City bazaars, noted for their craft stores that manufacture and sell silver jewellery, lacquer ware, tie-dyed fabrics, puppets and camel hide leather products.
You will return to your hotel.
Overnight: Jodhpur
Meals: Breakfast
|
13 APRIL 17 THURSDAY:
|
JODHPUR TO UDAIPUR
|
BY SURFACE
|
|
Post breakfast you will be driven approximately (300 kms/05 and half hours) to Udaipur, excluding stops.
En route visit Ranakpur, the famous Jain temple, superbly preserved in a near-perfect condition for over five hundred years. The most attractive features are the 29 halls of the temple, which have 1444 pillars of which no two are like.
After visit, you will continue drive to Udaipur.
Udaipur is considered to be one of India’s most lovely locales and is a medieval town. Set on the shores of Lake Pichola and surrounded by hills, Udaipur grew in complete contrast to the harsh deserts of the rest of Rajasthan.
Upon arrival in Udaipur, you will check–in at your hotel.
Overnight: Udaipur
Meals: Breakfast
|
14 APRIL 17 FRIDAY:
|
UDAIPUR
|
 
|
|
Spend the morning visiting the City Palace. It is a series of interconnected palaces that reveal private apartments, airy gardens on the upper floors, paintings and portraits, and a miniature painting gallery.
From here you will proceed for a walk through the old part of the city, seeing fruit and vegetable markets and farmers displaying their produce. You may like to be adventurous and try tea at a local vendor, after which an introduction to the arts of Udaipur including miniatures.
Thereafter, visit a picturesque garden, Sahelion ki Bari.
You will enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Pichola - the historic 14th century lake made by a local banjara (gypsy) that was extended in the 16th century by RanaUdai Singh II to establish Udaipur. The picturesque boat ride on Lake Pichola provides the best scenic view of the lake and the mountains. The famous Lake Palace is perhaps the city's best-known site, located in the middle of Lake Pichola.
You will return to your hotel.
Overnight: Udaipur
Meals: Breakfast
|
15 APRIL 17 SATURDAY:
|
UDAIPUR TO BUNDI
|
BY SURFACE
|
|
Post breakfast you will be driven approximately (225 kms/04 hours) to Bundi.
Bundi is a hidden gem in Rajasthan’s crown, a slow attractive town tucked into a crease of tall peaks. Bundi is famous for its imposing forts and palaces nestled within the beautiful Aravalli Hills.
Upon arrival in Bundi, you check–in at your hotel.
Later in the afternoon enjoy a guided tour of Bundi including the imposing Taragarh Fort, dating back to 1354, and 16th century Bundi Palace, adorned with lavish carvings and brightly painted murals, frescoes and ceilings glittering with scenes of dancing girls and marching soldiers, royal processions and duck ponds, vanquishing gods and speared tigers.
Bundi is best explored on foot. It is a laid-back place of winding alleys and flag-laden temples and a market where, among the enlivening bustle, men in saffron turbans, sporting magnificent moustaches, have their machetes sharpened in a spray of sparks.
Overnight: Bundi
Meals: Breakfast
|
16 APRIL 17 SUNDAY:
|
BUNDI TO RANTHAMBORE
|
BY SURFACE
|
|
Post breakfast you will be driven approximately (140 kms/03 hours) to Ranthambore.
Ranthambore - one of India's largest national parks at 1,334 square kilometers, and probably the most famed and favored of wildlife photographers.
Once the hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur, the park gained celebrity status during the 1960s when Queen Elizabeth II visited and Prince Philip shot a tiger here. The park introduced protection for tigers from hunters in 1973 and is now one of the best tiger reserves in India. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1957 and habitat is predominantly dry deciduous forest.
One of the most interesting features of the park is that it is dotted with ancient ruins, including a fort where tigers and leopards are often spotted.
Apart from tigers, the park is home to leopards, jungle cats, sloth bears, hyenas, Indian foxes, jackals and crocodiles.
Upon arrival in Ranthambore you will be assisted check-in at your hotel.
This afternoon you will go for a safari in Ranthambore National Park.
Return to your hotel.
All meals will be served at your hotel.
Overnight: Ranthambore
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
|
17 APRIL 17 MONDAY:
|
RANTHAMBORE |
|
|
Today, you will enjoy morning and evening safaris in Ranthambore National Park that is home to the proud but dwindling Tiger. Spotting the creature in the wild can test your patience, but it is worth it.
Originally a hunting ground of the Maharaja of Jaipur, Ranthambore National park is located at the junction of the Aravalli and Vindhya hill ranges, that is home to animals like the jackal, mongoose, sloth bear, leopard, and of course, the tiger.
All meals will be served at your hotel.
Overnight: Ranthambore
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
|
18 APRIL 17 TUESDAY:
|
RANTHAMBORE TO JAIPUR
|
BY SURFACE
|
|
Post breakfast you will be driven approximately (180 kms/03 and half hours) to Jaipur, through the beautiful countryside that takes you through small villages, industrial towns and agricultural vistas.
The fascinating capital of the marvelous state of Rajasthan is one of the well-planned cities of its time. The graceful architecture of the city that runs across in pink colour has earned Jaipur the title of "The Pink City". Jaipur is predominantly known for its musicians, artisans and craftsmen. Today, it is flocked by masses for its fine jewellery, varied textiles and sumptuous cuisine.
Upon arrival in Jaipur you will be assisted check-in at your hotel.
This afternoon you have an option to go for a half -city sightseeing tour of Jaipur visiting the City Palace and Observatory (JantarMantar). Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and its centerpiece is the City Palace, home even today of the royal family, and known for its clutch of excellent private museums that display royal memorabilia, particularly armaments, art, books, costumes and textiles. Lying adjacent to the City Palace is the medieval JantarMantar Observatory – built by Maharaja Jai Singh II, an inveterate astronomer who’s curiously shaped and oversized implements are astonishingly accurate till today.
Later explore the narrow lanes and by lanes of the old city. Visit the craftspeople, still using basic tools and ancient traditions to make the most extraordinary variety of handicrafts and household appliances. You will spend time in the oldest and busiest of markets in the walled city, called Johori Bazaar.
You will return to your hotel.
Overnight: Jaipur
Meals: Breakfast |
19 APRIL 17 WEDNESDAY:
|
JAIPUR
|
|
|
Post breakfast; visit Amber, the ancient capital that preceded Jaipur. Originally built in the 11th century AD and expanded in size and scope by succeeding dynasties and their rulers, Amber is a fortress town by itself! Ride up to its imposing hilltop location in jeeps and explore the maze of passages, corridors, pavilions, ornamental gardens and ramparts.
On the way back you may like to stop at Anokhi Museum, where you will see a collection of old costumes with hand blocked prints that are typical to Rajasthan (closed on Mondays).
Evening enjoy wedding celebration.
Overnight: Jaipur
Meals: Breakfast |
20 APRIL 17 THURSDAY:
|
JAIPUR
|
|
|
Today is at leisure to relax, unwind and enjoy the hotel facilities.
Overnight: Jaipur
Meals: Breakfast |
21 APRIL 17 FRIDAY:
|
JAIPUR TO AGRA
|
BY SURFACE
|
|
Post breakfast you will be driven approximately (250 Kms/05 hours) to Agra.
Enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri, an enigmatic deserted Mughal city. This spacious, red sandstone city was built in the 16th century by the great Mughal Emperor, Akbar. The architecture of Fatehpur Sikri is a combination of Hindu and Muslim styles, expressing Akbar's vision of synthesizing the two cultures. Akbar occupied Fatehpur Sikri for 14 years before the city was mysteriously abandoned. This hauntingly beautiful city has been painstakingly restored and is now a World Heritage
After sightseeing, continue your drive to Agra. Upon arrival in Agra, you will be assisted check-in at your hotel.
Later you will leave for a guided tour to Agra including a visit to Agra Fort that is strategically situated along a bend on the Yamuna River. Built in the 16th century AD by three generations of Mughal emperors, it is a superb synthesis of stern military fortifications with delicate interior details.
You will return to your hotel.
Overnight: Agra
Meals: Breakfast |
22 APRIL’17 SATURDAY:
|
JAIPUR TO AGRA
|
BY SURFACE
|
|
This early morning, you will experience the sublimity of the Taj Mahal at Sunrise (closed on Fridays) - a varying kaleidoscope of solitude, colour and mood. A tribute from a great emperor to the memory of his beloved wife, it was 22 years in the making (1631-1653) and is a cerebral experience that defies description. Widely regarded as the earthly replica of paradise, the Taj Mahal is likened to “a vision, a dream, a poem and a wonder.
Return to your hotel for breakfast posts which you will be driven approximately (204 Kms/03 and half hours to Delhi International airport to board your International flight back home.
Meals: Breakfast
*** TOUR CONCLUDES***
|
india
08 APRIL’17 SATURDAY:
|
ARRIVE DELHI:
|
BY FLIGHT:
|
|
On your arrival at Delhi airport, you will be met and assisted by our representative and transferred to your hotel.
This fascinating city has been in existence since the 6th century BC and has seen ups and downs from the rule of the Pandavas right up to the British Raj.
Overnight: Delhi
Meals: None
|
09 APRIL’17 SUNDAY:
|
DELHI:
|
|
|
Post breakfast exploring the fascinating and living legacy of the Indo-Islamic culture and lifestyle of Old Delhi. Wander through the narrow and busy streets of the mile-long market Chandni Chowk, popularly known as Silver Street and filled with shops and bazaars. Visit Jama Masjid with its tapering minarets and wonderful marble domes; this is the largest mosque in Old Delhi and can accommodate 20,000 people. Experience a rickshaw ride here.
From Old Delhi drive to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, the temple for the followers of the Sikh religion. The Sikhs believe that everyone, regardless of their station in life, should do “seva” or “social service”. This resulted in the “Langar” or community Kitchen, where every member of the religion considers its honor to put it a couple of hours cooking, to feed who so ever wants to be part of the meal.
Later in the afternoon you will go for the tour of Hidden Art of Delhi -This “off the beaten track” excursion will highlight for you the artistic spirit that thrives in Shadipur, one of the most popular neighborhoods for street artists. Over 3 hours you will explore this area with a local artist. With him you will meet traditional artists and entertainers, including puppeteers, wood-carvers, papier-mâché experts, street performers, wedding drummers, musicians and dancers.
From here you will drive past the President Palace, India Gate and end the day’s tour at Humayun’s Tomb, which was built in the 16th century and is considered the architectural forerunner of Agra's Taj Mahal. Set in peaceful surrounds, it features an artful combination of red sandstone and white marble, which plays with the wonderful symmetry and scale used by the Mughal empire builders.
You will return to your hotel.
Overnight: Delhi
Meals: Breakfast
|
10 APRIL’17 MONDAY:
|
DELHI TO MUMBAI
|
BY FLIGHT
|
|
Post breakfast you will be transferred to Delhi airport for your flight by AI-865 (1000/1215 hours) to Mumbai.
The commercial capital of India, Mumbai is many cities in one. Originally a group of seven marshy islands on the west coast of India, Mumbai was inhabited by Koli fishing community and then was ceded by the Moguls to the Portuguese in the 1630s. Later the King of England leased it to the East India Company as part of the marriage settlement between King Charles II and Catherine of Braganza, sister of the King of Portugal.
In present day Mumbai, pavement dwellers coexist with modern skyscrapers and gracious colonial buildings with impressive modern factories. Christian churches with Hindu Temples – in a medley of contradictions - makes Mumbai a product of the Indian past that holds the key to the present and the future.
Upon arrival at Mumbai airport, you will be met and assisted by our representative and transferred to your hotel.
After lunch, you will take guided tour of Fort Mumbai, the historic downtown area that derives its name from earlier colonial fortifications. The tour will concentrate on the Kala Ghoda area. Apart from its cluster of Victorian Gothic architecture, it includes the oldest Sephardic synagogue of the city, The Prince of Wales Museum, and also houses a number of cafes, restaurants and fine shops and boutiques. You will stop at the extraordinary Victoria Terminus. This World Heritage Monument was built in 1878 and its arcades decorated with stained glass and glazed tiles were inspired by London’s St Pancreas Station.
Also on the tour is a stop at Dhobi Ghat, a sight unique to this city. ‘Dhobi Ghat’ or “washerfolks’ place”, the world's largest outdoor laundry, and where Mumbai's traditional washer folk -- or dhobis -- provide a wonderful service, collecting dirty laundry, washing it, and returning it neatly pressed, all for a very small fee.
End your tour with a visit to Mani Bhawan a private home where Mahatma Gandhi stayed when visiting Mumbai.
Overnight: Mumbai
Meals: Breakfast
|
11 APRIL’17 TUESDAY:
|
MUMBAI
|
|
|
It is a very early start for you this morning. Mumbai by Dawn with an expert is a unique offering, where you see the bustling city of Mumbai wakes up. You get a peek into the little seen activities of the city, and get insights into what makes this magnificent Industrial capital of India tick and function.
On this morning’s walk you see hundreds of newspaper vendors sort out newspapers of 7 different languages, experience one-of-its-kind fish auction of 20 tonnes of fish, observe an ‘only green’ herb market get set up for business across a popular bridge, watch the milkmen drive past with filled canisters, enjoy the melee of color at the flower markets, and soak in the clamour and chaos of the arrival of over 100 tonnes of vegetables, fruits and meat – ‘Mumbai by Dawn’ truly defines the mercurial character of Mumbai, like none other.
What’s interesting is that when you walk the same lanes a few hours later, you won’t find any evidence of the morning’s hustle bustle. But this sneak peek comes at a price, waking up at 5.15 AM for one!
Return to the hotel for the breakfast.
Later this morning, you will start at 11:00 AM you drive to Churchgate Station to see the “Dabbawallas”. Feted by Prince Charles and Richard Branson, and studied by Harvard Business School, these five thousand men deliver 200,000 lunch boxes each day to offices. Every morning the Dabbawallas call on homes in the suburbs to pick up “Dabbas” or lunch boxes of home cooked food prepared for office goers who left at the crack of dawn to take commuter trains into the city. Transporting these on local trains, they gather at Church gate station to segregate them area wise before they are delivered. Each lunch box looks exactly alike, but without any modern technological equipment, the lunches are delivered are loaded into multiple boxes on to coffin size trays and delivered to the correct offices. This remarkable profession has also been given a Six Sigma rating by Forbes Global.
Next you will drive to the Gateway of India. Incorporating the Islamic architectural style of 16th century Gujarat, it was built to commemorate the 1911 royal visit of King George V; however it was not completed until 1924. Ironically, the British builders of the gateway used it twenty-three years later as the last British regiment left this British colony and India became independent. These days, the Gateway is a favorite gathering place for locals and an ideal spot for people-watching!
From here you board your shared launch for a one hour journey across Mumbai harbor to the cave temples on Elephanta Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Excavated during the 9th century, the caves are dedicated to the trinity of Indian deities – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Some of the sculptures were destroyed when the island was used as bivouac for the Portuguese who used the images for target practice.
You will return to your hotel.
Overnight: Mumbai
Meals: Breakfast
|
12 APRIL17 WEDNESDAY:
|
MUMBAI TO JODHPUR
|
BY FLIGHT
|
|
This morning you will be transferred to Delhi airport for your flight by AI-645 (0945/1145 hours) to Jodhpur.
The city of Jodhpur boasts forts and palaces that rise against the backdrop of the surrounding Thar Desert and the walled old city. The most spectacular is the Umaid Bhavan Palace, an architectural marvel designed for the Maharaja in the late 1920s. Part of the palace remains the official abode for Jodhpur’s royal family, while another houses a luxurious heritage hotel.
Post lunch, you will enjoy a guided tour of Jodhpur, visiting Mehrangarh Fort. This spectacular fort - made from red sandstone - stands on an astonishingly perpendicular cliff above the skyline of Jodhpur and truly dominates the city below.
Visit Jaswant Thada, a marble cenotaph built to commemorate Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. The monument, in its entirety, is built out of intricately carved slabs of marble, and this later you’ll have an opportunity to visit textile showrooms if you wish.
This evening you may enjoy a stroll through the Old City bazaars, noted for their craft stores that manufacture and sell silver jewellery, lacquer ware, tie-dyed fabrics, puppets and camel hide leather products.
You will return to your hotel.
Overnight: Jodhpur
Meals: Breakfast
|
13 APRIL 17 THURSDAY:
|
JODHPUR TO UDAIPUR
|
BY SURFACE
|
|
Post breakfast you will be driven approximately (300 kms/05 and half hours) to Udaipur, excluding stops.
En route visit Ranakpur, the famous Jain temple, superbly preserved in a near-perfect condition for over five hundred years. The most attractive features are the 29 halls of the temple, which have 1444 pillars of which no two are like.
After visit, you will continue drive to Udaipur.
Udaipur is considered to be one of India’s most lovely locales and is a medieval town. Set on the shores of Lake Pichola and surrounded by hills, Udaipur grew in complete contrast to the harsh deserts of the rest of Rajasthan.
Upon arrival in Udaipur, you will check–in at your hotel.
Overnight: Udaipur
Meals: Breakfast
|
14 APRIL 17 FRIDAY:
|
UDAIPUR
|
 
|
|
Spend the morning visiting the City Palace. It is a series of interconnected palaces that reveal private apartments, airy gardens on the upper floors, paintings and portraits, and a miniature painting gallery.
From here you will proceed for a walk through the old part of the city, seeing fruit and vegetable markets and farmers displaying their produce. You may like to be adventurous and try tea at a local vendor, after which an introduction to the arts of Udaipur including miniatures.
Thereafter, visit a picturesque garden, Sahelion ki Bari.
You will enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Pichola - the historic 14th century lake made by a local banjara (gypsy) that was extended in the 16th century by RanaUdai Singh II to establish Udaipur. The picturesque boat ride on Lake Pichola provides the best scenic view of the lake and the mountains. The famous Lake Palace is perhaps the city's best-known site, located in the middle of Lake Pichola.
You will return to your hotel.
Overnight: Udaipur
Meals: Breakfast
|
15 APRIL 17 SATURDAY:
|
UDAIPUR TO BUNDI
|
BY SURFACE
|
|
Post breakfast you will be driven approximately (225 kms/04 hours) to Bundi.
Bundi is a hidden gem in Rajasthan’s crown, a slow attractive town tucked into a crease of tall peaks. Bundi is famous for its imposing forts and palaces nestled within the beautiful Aravalli Hills.
Upon arrival in Bundi, you check–in at your hotel.
Later in the afternoon enjoy a guided tour of Bundi including the imposing Taragarh Fort, dating back to 1354, and 16th century Bundi Palace, adorned with lavish carvings and brightly painted murals, frescoes and ceilings glittering with scenes of dancing girls and marching soldiers, royal processions and duck ponds, vanquishing gods and speared tigers.
Bundi is best explored on foot. It is a laid-back place of winding alleys and flag-laden temples and a market where, among the enlivening bustle, men in saffron turbans, sporting magnificent moustaches, have their machetes sharpened in a spray of sparks.
Overnight: Bundi
Meals: Breakfast
|
16 APRIL 17 SUNDAY:
|
BUNDI TO RANTHAMBORE
|
BY SURFACE
|
|
Post breakfast you will be driven approximately (140 kms/03 hours) to Ranthambore.
Ranthambore - one of India's largest national parks at 1,334 square kilometers, and probably the most famed and favored of wildlife photographers.
Once the hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur, the park gained celebrity status during the 1960s when Queen Elizabeth II visited and Prince Philip shot a tiger here. The park introduced protection for tigers from hunters in 1973 and is now one of the best tiger reserves in India. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1957 and habitat is predominantly dry deciduous forest.
One of the most interesting features of the park is that it is dotted with ancient ruins, including a fort where tigers and leopards are often spotted.
Apart from tigers, the park is home to leopards, jungle cats, sloth bears, hyenas, Indian foxes, jackals and crocodiles.
Upon arrival in Ranthambore you will be assisted check-in at your hotel.
This afternoon you will go for a safari in Ranthambore National Park.
Return to your hotel.
All meals will be served at your hotel.
Overnight: Ranthambore
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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17 APRIL 17 MONDAY:
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RANTHAMBORE |
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Today, you will enjoy morning and evening safaris in Ranthambore National Park that is home to the proud but dwindling Tiger. Spotting the creature in the wild can test your patience, but it is worth it.
Originally a hunting ground of the Maharaja of Jaipur, Ranthambore National park is located at the junction of the Aravalli and Vindhya hill ranges, that is home to animals like the jackal, mongoose, sloth bear, leopard, and of course, the tiger.
All meals will be served at your hotel.
Overnight: Ranthambore
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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18 APRIL 17 TUESDAY:
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RANTHAMBORE TO JAIPUR
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BY SURFACE
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Post breakfast you will be driven approximately (180 kms/03 and half hours) to Jaipur, through the beautiful countryside that takes you through small villages, industrial towns and agricultural vistas.
The fascinating capital of the marvelous state of Rajasthan is one of the well-planned cities of its time. The graceful architecture of the city that runs across in pink colour has earned Jaipur the title of "The Pink City". Jaipur is predominantly known for its musicians, artisans and craftsmen. Today, it is flocked by masses for its fine jewellery, varied textiles and sumptuous cuisine.
Upon arrival in Jaipur you will be assisted check-in at your hotel.
This afternoon you have an option to go for a half -city sightseeing tour of Jaipur visiting the City Palace and Observatory (JantarMantar). Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and its centerpiece is the City Palace, home even today of the royal family, and known for its clutch of excellent private museums that display royal memorabilia, particularly armaments, art, books, costumes and textiles. Lying adjacent to the City Palace is the medieval JantarMantar Observatory – built by Maharaja Jai Singh II, an inveterate astronomer who’s curiously shaped and oversized implements are astonishingly accurate till today.
Later explore the narrow lanes and by lanes of the old city. Visit the craftspeople, still using basic tools and ancient traditions to make the most extraordinary variety of handicrafts and household appliances. You will spend time in the oldest and busiest of markets in the walled city, called Johori Bazaar.
You will return to your hotel.
Overnight: Jaipur
Meals: Breakfast |
19 APRIL 17 WEDNESDAY:
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JAIPUR
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Post breakfast; visit Amber, the ancient capital that preceded Jaipur. Originally built in the 11th century AD and expanded in size and scope by succeeding dynasties and their rulers, Amber is a fortress town by itself! Ride up to its imposing hilltop location in jeeps and explore the maze of passages, corridors, pavilions, ornamental gardens and ramparts.
On the way back you may like to stop at Anokhi Museum, where you will see a collection of old costumes with hand blocked prints that are typical to Rajasthan (closed on Mondays).
Evening enjoy wedding celebration.
Overnight: Jaipur
Meals: Breakfast |
20 APRIL 17 THURSDAY:
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JAIPUR
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Today is at leisure to relax, unwind and enjoy the hotel facilities.
Overnight: Jaipur
Meals: Breakfast |
21 APRIL 17 FRIDAY:
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JAIPUR TO AGRA
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BY SURFACE
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Post breakfast you will be driven approximately (250 Kms/05 hours) to Agra.
Enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri, an enigmatic deserted Mughal city. This spacious, red sandstone city was built in the 16th century by the great Mughal Emperor, Akbar. The architecture of Fatehpur Sikri is a combination of Hindu and Muslim styles, expressing Akbar's vision of synthesizing the two cultures. Akbar occupied Fatehpur Sikri for 14 years before the city was mysteriously abandoned. This hauntingly beautiful city has been painstakingly restored and is now a World Heritage
After sightseeing, continue your drive to Agra. Upon arrival in Agra, you will be assisted check-in at your hotel.
Later you will leave for a guided tour to Agra including a visit to Agra Fort that is strategically situated along a bend on the Yamuna River. Built in the 16th century AD by three generations of Mughal emperors, it is a superb synthesis of stern military fortifications with delicate interior details.
You will return to your hotel.
Overnight: Agra
Meals: Breakfast |
22 APRIL’17 SATURDAY:
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JAIPUR TO AGRA
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BY SURFACE
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This early morning, you will experience the sublimity of the Taj Mahal at Sunrise (closed on Fridays) - a varying kaleidoscope of solitude, colour and mood. A tribute from a great emperor to the memory of his beloved wife, it was 22 years in the making (1631-1653) and is a cerebral experience that defies description. Widely regarded as the earthly replica of paradise, the Taj Mahal is likened to “a vision, a dream, a poem and a wonder.
Return to your hotel for breakfast posts which you will be driven approximately (204 Kms/03 and half hours to Delhi International airport to board your International flight back home.
Meals: Breakfast
*** TOUR CONCLUDES***
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