The vibrancy of India is best
experienced in Rajasthan. Massive hilltop fortresses loom over desert
landscapes alive with locals in colourful turbans and saris, tending camels
and goats. Opulent palaces filled with the wealth of Maharajas sit alongside
crowded bazaars in twisting lanes. From the beauty of the Taj Mahal to a
night under the stars on a desert camel safari, this is a true adventure.
Detailed
ItineraryDay 01 : Delhi Arrive Delhi by international
flight Assistance on arrival and transfer to the Hotel. Check-in
time is 12.00 Noon.
Day 02 : Delhi India's capital
is an exciting, busy, sometimes chaotic city and one of the most
interesting. With historical sites from different eras, museums and
galleries, shops and endless bazaars, there is more to see and do than we
can possibly fit in during our short time here. So for those arriving early
there is an opportunity to make more discoveries. The ruins of Qutab Minar
and Purana Qila, the crafts museum and Birla House (the site of Gandhi's
assassination) are all recommended. We start day 2 with a visit to Delhi's
oldest mosque the Jama Masjid, built by Shah Jahan of the Taj Mahal fame. We
step into old Delhi with a walk in the bazaars and spice markets, immersing
ourselves in the noise and smells of the crowded narrow streets and alleys.
The afternoon is free for you to visit Rajpath and Birla House.
Days 3-4 : Shekhawati region We depart for the Shekhawati
region and arriving there by early afternoon. We stop for a small break in
the town of Nawalgarh and take time to look at our first havelis. In the
days of the great camel caravans, Shekhawati merchants decorated the outside
of their houses with life-size murals depicting everything from the events
of the day to the exploits of the Gods. These havelis, along with decorated
cenotaphs and wells, remain as a spectacular open air museum. We move on to
Dundlod and then on to Mandawa. Staying in a beautifully restored haveli we
have a full day to explore Mandawa, Jhunjhunu and the surrounding area.
Days 5-7 : Bikaner Travelling further we head deeper
into the Thar Desert to the fortified town of Bikaner (approx. 6 hours).
Once an important staging post on the great caravan routes, the bazaars are
still contained within impressive city walls, as are a superb fort and
palace. We travel out to the Karni Mata temple, full of holy rats considered
to be the incarnation of musicians. It is particularly auspicious if they
run over your bare feet! Definitely not for the squeamish. To get a taste of
nomadic life, we ride camels out into the desert and camp under the stars
for a night. There are plenty of blankets to keep us warm and our drivers
will cook us a typical Rajasthani meal as we relax around the camp fire.
Days 8-9 : Jaisalmer Today's journey takes
approximately seven hours as we travel a remote desert road to the yellow
sandstone citadel of Jaisalmer. Looking like a scene from 'A Thousand and
One Nights' as it rises from the flat desert surrounds, Jaisalmer is a
centre for the nomadic tribal people who come to trade in the narrow
twisting alleys full of markets and ornately carved houses.
Day
10 : Jodhpur
A full morning's drive (approx. 6 hours) takes us across the desert to
Rajasthan's largest city, the busy and chaotic Jodhpur. Full of fascinating
artifacts, the Meherangarh Fort dominates the skyline and there are great
views from the ramparts. The town is known for its antique shops, for the
best lassi (a creamy yoghurt drink) in India and yes, it is where those
famous trousers come from.
Day 11 : Bhenswara
Leaving Jodhpur for our next destination, we spend time visiting the Bishnoi
tribespeople before arriving at our Royal Retreat - Bhenswara.The local
village is home to traditional craftsmen who make shoes, dhurries or rugs
and simple jewellery. We drive out into the local area for some classic
timeless Indian images. As the sun sets and the evening cooking fires start,
women carrying pots of water return from the well and the men bring back the
animals they have spent the day herding out in the scrublands.
Days 12-13 : Mount Abu
Heading south we leave the plains behind and climb to the cool air of
Rajasthan's only hill station, Mt Abu (approx. 6 hours). A popular spot for
Indian honeymooners, this is the perfect place to relax. There are plenty of
walks from the lake out to various viewpoints as well as horse riding and
boating. The Dilwara Jain temples are only a short ride away and well worth
a visit as they are some of the most beautiful buildings to be found
anywhere in India.
Days 14-16 : Udaipur It's an
interesting ride to Udaipur passing through some of the more remote tribal
areas of southern Rajasthan (approx. 6 hours). Rolling hills, white marble
palaces and lakes all combine to give Udaipur a very special appeal, living
up to its reputation as India's most romantic city. It's a centre for
artists, dancers and musicians and the shopping is superb. We take a boat
out on to Picchola lake for a closer look at the Lake Palace. We also visit
one of the largest royal palaces in India full of unbelievable treasures and
there is plenty of time to just take in the views from the rooftop cafes. In
the evening of day 16 an overnight train ride takes us on to the city of
Jaipur.
Days 17-18 : Jaipur Set around a sprawling
palace and with a backdrop of fortified hills, Jaipur is known as the 'Pink
City' because of the colour of the houses within its city walls. A
traveller's favourite, there is plenty to do in Jaipur. The bazaars are
famous for jewellery, semi-precious stones, blue glazed pottery and block
printed cloth. We visit the Amber Fort, see the famous Palace of the Winds
and you really shouldn't miss the opportunity to see a Hindi movie at the
opulent Raj Mandir cinema.
Day 19 : Bharatpur Once the domain for royal duck shooters,
Keoladeo is now a major bird sanctuary with over 400 different species
identified. Even for non-bird fanciers this area is a welcome respite from
the noise and chaos of Indian cities with its forests and wetlands. We take
cycle rickshaws ridden by local ornithologists to explore the sanctuary but
you can also hire a boat and rower to take you out into the more remote
areas or hire a cycle and take some quiet time for yourself.
Days
20-21 : Fatehpur Sikri / Agra We head for the deserted city of
Fatehpur Sikri (approx. 1 hour), on our way to the Muslim city of Agra
(approx. 1 hour). Fatehpur Sikri was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar and
the many palaces and pavilions are perfectly preserved. In Agra, amidst a
setting of beautiful formal gardens, the Taj Mahal is a masterpiece of
shimmering white marble and quite possibly the world's most famous building.
Cycle rickshaws take us to Agra's fort for a different view of the Taj and
in the evening you have the opportunity to visit once more to see its colour
changing with the setting sun, before we board our train back to Delhi
(approx. 2.5 hours). We arrive late in the evening of day 21.
Day 22 : Delhi After breakfast, Morning at leisure, After lunch
in the hotel, drive back to Delhi (220 kms 4 hours). Upon arrival, transfer
to the Indira Gandhi International Airport well schedule to check-in for
your onward flight.
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