|
Day
1.
Arrival/Delhi.
Late Night arrival. Namaste! & Greetings ! as our
representatives welcome you aboard your Deluxe coach.
Upon arrival at the hotel, a traditional Indian Welcome
awaits you. The warmth of Indian hospitality and the
custom of welcoming guests is as old as time itself. As
you step into the hotel, ladies in traditional local
costumes greet you with garlands of flowers and perform
the "aarti" ceremony. After having your forehead
anointed with the traditional red "tikka", relax with a
non-alcoholic welcome drink
Overnight will be in Delhi.
Day 2.
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) and Safarjung's Tomb (1753) 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 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 and
thereafter Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi were cremated.
Return back to the hotel after the sightseeing.
Overnight will be in Delhi.
Day 3.
Delhi/Udaipur
(CD 7471- 1655/2000)
Following breakfast visit Dilli Haat, a project
conceived with the basic idea of providing encouragement
and exposure to needy artisans and craftsmen all over
the country who often spend their lives within the
confines of their own village and town. The success of
the project lied in freeing the craftsman and the
artisan from the stranglehold of the middlemen and
bringing them into direct contact with buyers both
within the country and outside. Dilli Haat offers the
visitor not only the arts and handicrafts of the country
at one place, but also the cuisine and performing arts
from different parts of the country. While developing
the concept, it was kept in mind that when a 'Haat'
comes to the city, it has to adjust to urban
contemporary needs while retaining the cultural ambience
familiar to rural crafts people.
Late afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight
to Udaipur.
Meeting and assistance upon arrival as we welcome you to
the hotel.
Evening free at leisure.
Overnight will be in Udaipur.
Day 4.
Udaipur.
Following breakfast, proceed on a tour of this "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.
This afternoon explore the bustling bylanes of Udaipur
which have artisans practicing their traditional crafts
handed down to them by their elders. Khari printers do
decorative floral patterns in gold and silver on plain
or printed fabric. Block printers print various designs
and patterns in different colours with the help of
wooden blocks. You'll also find artisans carving
furniture, making puppets and traditional wooden toys.
Alongwith engraving and embossing on brass, silver,
jewellery, copper and even pottery, Meenakari is a
speciality of this region. Udaipur also specializes in
stone carving, especially in marble and sandstone, with
artisans working hard at chiseling their finest filigree
work. Colour as usual plays an important role in the
life of Udaipur as in Rajasthan. It is wonderfully
evident in ghagharas (long flowing skirts), cholis
(blouses), and odhnis (long scarves) of the women as
well as the turbans of the men.
The Gangaur Boat Cruise Dinner : The Gangaur boat is the
antique royal barge of the house of Mewar. The barge is
decorated in a regal way and lit up to resemble a
fireball from a distance. The guests are taken around
the mystical Lake Palace. Their would be folk music,
dance and fireworks. Music and dance are intermingled in
the lives of the Mewaris who perform in various areas as
wandering minstrels, bands of musicians and dancers or
as dance drama troupes. They recite religious messages,
local legends, and tales of romance or social stories.
This is a tremendous experience.
Overnight will be in Udaipur.
Day 5.
Udaipur / Ranakpur / Jodhpur.
Following breakfast drive to Jodhpur enroute visit
Ranakpur where we tour the exquisitely carved Jain
temples made in white marble. The profusion and the
detailed sculpture is a mind blowing experience.
Afterwards continue the drive to Jodhpur.
Upon arrival, check into the hotel.
Late afternoon , visit the Clock Tower Bazaar. This is
one of India's largest and most colourful whole sale
market 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 6.
Jodhpur.
Following breakfast, embark on the tour of the huge
Meherangarh fort that looms ominously above the town.
The ramparts of the fort look down over the city which
is predominantly painted blue, identifying them as
houses of Brahmins. The blue powder that is mixed with
lime to paint the houses is expensive to buy, so as you
look down from the fort it is easy to see the "richer
side of the town"!
This afternoon explore the crafts of Jodhpur, which is
renowned for its woodworking and most of the Thacket
furniture sold in the West originates from the region so
in the morning you will visit a furniture workshop.
Overnight will be in Jodhpur.
Day 7.
Jodhpur/Pachewa (275 kms)
After breakfast drive to Pachewa. On the way you will
stop in a village where you will visit a block printing
and vegetable dyeing unit. Here you can see indigo dye
wells and block printing.
A truly Rajasthani welcome at the Pachewa Heritage
Hotel, a 300 year old fort with massive ramparts,
imposing gates and antique frescos, ends the day
perfectly.
An easy and restful afternoon. Take a wander in the
village and discover the knotting of carpets.
Overnight Pachewa Heritage Hotel.
Day 8.
Pachewa/Jaipur. (110 kms)
Following breakfast, a short drive brings us to Jaipur.
Transfer to the legendary palace hotel.
A Maharaja Welcome : As was in the past, when the
victorious Maharajas returned from war, a stunning
tableau of decorated camels and elephants unfolds before
you on the lawns of the palace-hotel. Ladies in
Rajasthani costumes perform the traditional garlanding,
"aarti" and "tikka" ceremonies while the music of the "shehnai"
welcomes you. Afterwards relax with a gin-based welcome
drink.
This afternoon visit a workshop where the most exquisite
embroidery is carried out. It is a workshop where
wedding saris are embellished with tiny beads and
intricate gold and silver threads. When you first see
the gold thread work that comes from this workshop you
will think it is machine work as its so precise.
Overnight will be in Jaipur.
Day 9.
Jaipur.
An essential starting point for Rajasthan craftwork is
block making and block printing and the morning will be
dedicated to exploring the process from start to finish
in the villages around Jaipur.
The sound of the muffled thud of the block on the fabric
is so gorgeous, and the sharpness of the eye of the
printers never ceases to amaze - the block always goes
down in the right place. Along the street are tiny
shuttered shops with men sitting in wood chips, with
smiling faces, chip chip chopping at blocks, making the
most intricate designs with the utmost precision.
Later visit a hand made paper factory where you will see
mass production of recycled cotton pulp paper. Here it
is made with flower petals or leaves and is then cut and
made into books, cards, and all kinds of stationary.
Finally, on your way back to the hotel, you can visit a
small pottery workshop. Jaipur is famous for its blue
pottery and at this workshop you can see the intricate,
labour intensive painting of the pottery.
A Gala Evening : This evening we ride out to an
Agriculture farm. There is a Rajasthani Village ambiance
with thatched roofs and mud plastered walls in typical
Indian village attire. This Rajasthani Village is in an
area of about 3000 sq. yards with lush green lawns and
is surrounded by trees all around. The lighting is
elaborated but subtle. There is display of local arts
and crafts from the famous Sanganer Village displaying -
Block printing, Bangles, Miniature paintings, Blue
Pottery, Potter and Wheel, Durry Weaver etc. the
artisans display throughout the evening. The Farm
recreates a typical. has original Rajasthani Village
atmosphere. Adjoining the village, the farm has
tube-well for irrigation and normal crops like wheat,
barley, millet along with the seasonal vegetables are
grown.
A Royal Welcome is accorded to you upon arrival with
decorated Camels, Aarti, Tikka, and Garlanding. Also
enjoy a short camel ride in the farm surroundings.
Rajasthani Folk Dancers and musicians performance for 45
minutes soon after arrival of the group. Following the
entertainment dinner is served. It is Buffet-Cum-Sit
down meal arrangement. The elaborate menu offers Bar-be-ques
and a selection of Indian, Continental, Chinese,
Tandoori dishes. After the dinner, there will be a
spectacular firework display with the Group's Name
prominently displayed through the fireworks
Overnight will be in Jaipur.
Day 10.
Jaipur.
Today, visit the Amber Fort, which is one of the most
superb examples of Rajput architecture, dating back to
the 16th century. It is built on a hillside with outlook
posts and walls all around and is truly majestic.
Inside, some of the rooms are encrusted with mirrors and
painted with designs of flowers and water vessels. A
great place to sit and sketch, or just sit and imagine
that you are a Maharajah, or a Maharani!
This afternoon, explore one of the chief attractions of
Jaipur - its jewellery, which offers a variety that
ranges from chunky tribal jewellery to enamelled gold to
modern diamond jewellery. In Rajasthan, men and women
can be seen sporting necklaces, armlets, anklets,
earrings and rings. Silver is more commonly worn by the
rural women and is certainly more affordable for a
shopper. For dedicated collectors, goldwork of the
highest quality is also available. Kundan (art of stone
setting) and enamel jewellery has been a speciality of
Rajasthan, particularly that of Jaipur.
The stones are embossed into decorative shapes &
patterns and embellished with delicate enamel
ornamentation in the champeve ( raised field )
technique. Jaipur is well known for its gold and silver
enameiling. Colorful bangles made of lac and set with
semiprecious stones make an inexpensive buy. The
craftsmen take great pains to embed the hundreds of
stones into the lac. The skilled gem-cutters of Jaipur
carve enchanting little animals and birds from rock,
crystal, jade, smoky topaz and amethyst. Intaglio beads
& buttons and crystal scent bottles are also available.
Overnight will be in Jaipur.
Day 11.
Jaipur/Bharatpur/ Fatehpur Sikri / Agra
Following breakfast drive to Agra . Our first stop will
be at Laxmi Vilas Palace, the former home of the
Maharaja of Bharatpur for lunch. Set amidst 40 acres of
picturesquely landscaped environs, the palace was built
in 1899 as residence for the Royal ladies. A lively
fusion of traditional Rajasthani architecture and the
prevalent Mughal style, this place with its regal
ambience, sunny courtyards, and enchanting cupolas will
mesmerize you.
From here drive to the ancient city of Fatehpur Sikri
(ghost capital) for a tour of the magnificent and world
heritage buildings still in a state of perfect
reservation.
Meeting and assistance upon arrival as you are
individually checked in at your rooms at the luxurious
hotel, However, being in the city of the Taj Mahal, the
most relevant charm of the hotels is the unhindered view
of the Taj Mahal from your bed room. It is the most
beautiful and an amazingly uplifting sight. Only 600
meters from the Taj Mahal stands this luxury resort.
Discerning travelers can now appreciate the fabulous Taj
Mahal while enjoying world-class luxury. The elaborate
Mughal gardens, terraced lawns, fountains, reflection
pools and pavilions complement the classical
architecture of the hotel
Overnight will be in Agra.
Day 12
Agra/Delhi
Early this morning tour the Taj Mahal at sunrise. Agra
is the city of the Taj Mahal, perhaps the most
photographed monument in the world. However, their 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 rise 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
We return to our hotel for breakfast, following which 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.
Late afternoon, drive to Delhi through one of India's
finest free ways. We would have opportunities to stop on
the way at well appointed comfort stops for refreshments
as well as washroom facilities.
Upon arrival, check into Hotel.
Overnight will be in Delhi.
Day 13.
Delhi/Departure.
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. |
