Thursday, November 6, 2008

Rajasthan Culture Travel Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Delhi
On arrival, just past midnight, you are met by our executive and accorded a royal welcome and escorted to the hotel Imperial / similar, where we already have done a pre check in for you to save time.

New Delhi
begins with the drive past Safdarjang’s Tomb (1753 AD) on the way to Qutab Minar (1193 AD) this striking medieval tower of victory of Persian World is 73 m high. Within the Qutab complex, amidst the ruins of Quwat-ul-Islam mosque, stands the Iron pillar which has stood the vagaries of weather and has not rusted over 1500 years. Then drive through New Delhi includes the Embassy area (Diplomatic enclave), Government buildings, India Gate, Sikh Temple (Bangla Sahib Gurudwara), Birla Temple and Connaught Place, New Delhi’s main shopping area. Visit Humayun’s Tomb - considered to be the fore runner of Taj Mahal.

Day 2: Delhi
Your day would begin after a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. Your personal guide takes you to the fantastic sites of old and New Delhi. The sites include the Jama Masjid, Raj Ghat (Gandhi’s memorial), Humayun’s tomb and the 12th centaury Qutab Minar. During the day you also drive through the government buildings like the president house, the parliament, India gate and the Sikh temple. Evening we cease the opportunity to host you a welcome dinner at the Village Bistro on a rooftop. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3: Agra :

After a leisurely breakfast we drive five hours to reach Agra.Later in the afternoon your personal guide takes you to visit the legendary Taj Mahal by the sun set. Overnight at the hotel Taj view / mughal shareton.

Taj Mahal

One of the Seven Wonders of the World, built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved consort Mumtaz Mahal. This beautiful mausoleum took 22 years to complete with a work force of 20,000 craftsmen and master builders, who came from all over Asia to join in this great work from Baghdad, Shiraz, Delhi, Samarkand and Turkey. The marble, India s finest; was quarried at Makrana near Jodhpur. Precious and semi precious stones were imported from distant lands : Jasper from Punjab, Jade & Crystal from China, Turquoise from Tibet, Lapis from Afghanistan and Ceylon, Chrysolite from Egypt, Amethyst from Persia, Agate from Yemen, Malachite from Russia, Diamonds from Golconda and Mother of Pearl from the Indian Ocean. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4:Agra
The day starts early as we offer you to visit the great monument once again by the sun raise. After the visit you return to the hotel for breakfast. In the afternoon the guide takes you to the other breath taking sites from the Mughal era, including the Agra fort and Itmad-ud-Daulah, commonly known as baby Taj. Evening you return to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: Bharatpur
After a leisurely breakfast we drive to Bharatpur. 50 Kms On the way we visit Fatehpur Sikri, a 16th century deserted capital of the Mughals. Late afternoon we arrive in Bharatpur.Today we stay in a haveli ( merchant’s mansions) located in the middle of village Pehrasar. Chandra Mahal Haveli is situated 30 kms from Bharatpur in a village originally called Lohagarh but later renamed Peharsar. Legend has it that it was captured in just three hours by Sultan Mahmud. The Haveli was built by rich Muslim nobles in the 1850s and its proximity to the Mughal Durbar is apparent in the architecture which reminds one of Fatehpur Sikri.

Special Feature:
The Ghana Bird Sanctuary, Bharatpur is just 23 kms away. Visits to villages where carpet weavers can be seen at work can be organized. Folk music and dance, cultural shows, boating and jeep safaris can be arranged on request.

Day 6 - 7 : Samode ( 250 kms) & Jaipur
After a restful night and a leisurely breakfast, we head out for the village of Samode for two nights at the beautiful Samode Palace. The story of Samode Place goes back more than four and a half centuries.

Prithviraj Singhji
of Amber, the seventeenth prince of the house of Kachhawaha Rajputs, had awarded Samode to one of his twelve sons-Gopal Singhji along with the hereditary title of Rawal Saheb. Nestled picturesquely amid rugged hills, Samode Palace with its stately grandeur and frescoed walls is a pleasant journey into the glorious past. The palace is full of architectural delights -the birds, animals and flowers painted on the walls of Sultan Mahal, the dining-room with its stained glass windows and its collection of old family portraits, the Durbar Hall with its painted ceilings and intricately carved walls and beautiful chandeliers, give this palace its old world charm. Each room is done up in traditional Rajasthani style and the antique furniture blends well with the atmosphere making it comfortable and luxurious at the same time.

Special Features:
A traditional welcome with camel carts, buggies, elephants and local musicians is organized if desired. Camel safaris available.The following day we make an excursion to the nearby pink city Jaipur known for it’s colours and grand style of town planning. Here we explore the local bazaars and have lunch at the one and only Surabhi restaurant known for it’s hospitality in traditional accord. The highlight is the turban museum and cooking demonstrations. After a purposeful day we return to our palacial abode for the night.

Day 8 - 9: Nimaj
After a leisurely breakfast we drive to Nimaj 150 Kms. 4 hours. Late afternoon we arrive at Nimaj after having lunch at the midway Surrounded by lush green fields and vast grazing pastures. Chhatra Sagar, a hundred-year old reservoir with a periphery of about 10 kilometers, is an ideal destination for nature lovers and a perfect getaway from the chaotic city life.

As a hunting preserve of the Nimaj Estate, Chhatra Sagar has witnessed many exciting shikar camps and leisure parties. Today, the campsite, situated on the dam, offers breathtaking views of the sunraise, sunset and the Aravalli ranges on the horizon. The old shooting box - Aodhi has been put to good use as it provides a closer view of the water fowl and birds of prey.Watch the birds, go for nature walks, soak in the fresh air, sit around the bonfire and listen to old folk lore - or be more adventurous and take one of the many safaris on offer. Experience the warm hospitality, and enjoy some truly delicious Indian and traditional Rajasthani meals cooked with farm fresh vegetables in the family kitchen. Relax in the tastefully designed and well-appointed tented accommodation. Each tent has an attached bath with running hot and cold water, and its own private sit out overlooking the lake.

Activities
Nature walk, Village safari by Jeep/Camel carts, Camel rides, Safaris can be organized: Here we stay as the guests of the local nobles who have contributed lots to nature and the villages nearby. Prime attractions are the village visits along with the visits to henna , chilly and vegetable farms where you witness the real India. Have a dialogue with potters on wheel , shoe makers , the shepherds, the farmers and retire in luxury.

Day 10 : Rohet Garh
A short drive this morning brings us to our oasis in the desert . Rohet Garh is the fortified desert home of the descendants of the 16th century Champawat clan of the Rathores. It is located 40 kms from Jodhpur. The colorful arched gateway leads to a compound into which the rooms open. The large spacious rooms are tastefully done up with carved furniture, delicate hand block prints, original paintings and momentous of a bygone era. The dining-hall has a large collection of antique hunting riffles, shields, spearheads, daggers, tiger skins and trophies giving a glimpse into the romantic past when the aristocrats took their hunting very seriously and often centered their lives around their interests.

Special Features: A visit to Rohet Garh can also mean an introduction to the life-style of a typical Rajasthani village. Visitors can visit and witness the traditional ceremonies of a Bishnoi village. Camping and encounters with blackbucks are usual features here.

Day 11: Devigarh
This morning we drive through the beautiful aravalli hills to Devigarh where tradition and hospitality reach zenith . Upon arrival check in and the remainder of the day to explore the village nearby and rest and relax in the hotel.

Day 12: Devigarh
This day we take an excursion to Udaipur, a short drive. The morning sightseeing tour of Udaipur includes the City Palace, Jagdish Temple and Sahelion-ki-Bari, a pleasure garden built for the royal maids-of-honour.UDAIPUR is perhaps a unique pre-modern capital which hasno fort. Coming to life after the final sacking of Chittor, Udaipur saw an explosion of building activity- temples, palaces and Havelis. Lake Picchola with its two islands-Jagniwas (now the Lake Palace Hotel) and Jagmandir defines Udaipur. The City Palace towers over the lake. The artificial Jaisamand Lake was created in 17th century by damming the Gomti River. There are beautiful chhatries(Cenotaphs) around the embankment.We take a romantic boat ride on the placid waters of Lake Pichola . A special lunch organised at the Lake palace to add to the charm of discovering hospitality in Rajasthan.We return in the evening to Devigarh. B/LOvernight at the hotel.

Day 13: Delhi
This morning Take a special yoga session at the Devigarh to unwind and after a leisurely breakfast we start from Devigarh to Udaipur airport to take a afternoon flight to Delhi. On arrival we have day rooms reserved for you at the hotel. You are free for the day. In the evening you are transferred to the airport for the flight back home.