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Enjoy the Luxury and History
of Royal Rajasthan!

Join our Small Group:

October 6-20, 2009

February 2-16, 2010

Post Extension to Khajuraho & Varanasi

OR

Choose Your Own Dates
& Go Privately

This tour is an excellent introduction to India.

Embark on a journey back thru time---Travel through exotic, colorful Rajasthan--the land of the maharajas! Enjoy stays at historic palaces and heritage properties as well as five star hotels. Visit ancient sites; magnificent art & architecture; experience the diverse cultures of India.

Delhi - Day 1
Arrival in Delhi. Transfer to hotel

Delhi - Day 2
Breakfast at hotel with introductions and orientation. Afternoon: Sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi, including Red Fort, Gates of India, Qutab Minar, and a rikshaw ride through the market in Old Delhi. Welcome dinner at the North Indian Restuarant.

Delhi - Mandawa-Nawalgarah (Shekhawati) - Day 3
Shekhawati is a semi-desert region in north Rajasthan and is situated in the triangle between Delhi-Bikaner-Jaipur. It takes its name after its ruler Rao Shekha. Shekhawati means the garden of Shekha.

Visit Nawalgarh & Mandawa including old painted havelis. Overnight at Mandawa Castle.

Nawalgarth - Bikaner (4 hrs) - Day 4
Lying in the north of the desert state, the city is dotted with scores of sand dunes. Bikaner retains the medieval grandeur that permeates the city's lifestyle. More readily called camel country, the city is distinguished for the best riding camels in the world. We will visit Bikaner and The Junagarah Fort and stay in the Laxmi Niwas Palace Hotel.

Bikaner - Jaisalmer (6 hrs) - Day 5
We’ll stop for a picnic lunch at Khichan, a lovely village with superb red sandstone havelies belonging to the Oswal Jains.

Jaisalmer is straight out of an Arabian Nights fable. The name Jaisalmer induces a dramatic picture of magic and the brilliance of the desert for many people. The hostile terrain not with standing, the warmth and color of people is simply over whelming. One of the main draws is the daunting 12th century Jaisalmer Fort.

A late afternoon visit to Khuri village, in the desert 40km southwest of Jaiselmer. Camel ride in the sand dunes at sunset. Our intinate heritage hotel is done-up in period luxury. Fort Rajwada Palace Hotel.

Jaisalmer - Day 6
Tour of Jaisalmer, The Golden City of India, including ancient Jain Temples, havelis with intricately carved motifs and the Fort. Time to explore the ancient bazaar surrounding the fort.

Jaisalmer - Jodhpur (6 hrs) - Day 7
Drive into the heart of the Thar Desert to Pokharan, a fort town renowned for its furniture and interior crafts. The route is dotted with Bishnoi villages.

Jodhpur - Day 8
Tour of Jodhpur, including the 15th century Mehrangarh Fort perched majestically on a high hill. Browse the bazaars of the old city, for Jodhpur is well known for its glass bangles, puppets and other folk art. Ornate glass bangles with mirrors embedded and lacquer-finished can be found here.

Jodphur - Ranakpur - Udaipur (5 hrs) - Day 9
Enroute we visit the magnificent Ranakpur Jain Temples built in 1439. Lunch at Maharani Bagh (Mango Orchard of the Maharaja of Jodhpur).

Udaipur - Day 10
Visit to The Royal Palace, Museum, art galleries and bazaars.Visit minature painting studios. Sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola.

Udaipur - Jaipur-Samode - Day 11
Fly to Jaipur. Drive to Samode Palace (40 min), an 18th century restored palace in the magnificent setting of a small quaint village. After lunch we will stroll the village and have a palace tour.

Drive to Jaipur (45 min) - Day 12 Oct Tour: Diwali, Festival of Lights
Visit The Pink City of India, including the City Palace, Hawa Mahal (The Palace of Winds) and the Jantar Mantar Observatory. Overnight in Samode Haveli, a heritage hotel with elegantly furnished rooms.

Oct Tour Only: Evening attend Diwali Festival celebrations. The origin of this festival can be traced back to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana when Rama- the incarnation of Lord Vishnu in the Treta Yug, returned to the kingdom of Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. The whole kingdom was lit up with diyas (earthen lamps ) to celebrate his return. Houses all over India glow with the twinkle of innumerable diyas, candles and electric lights.

Jaipur - Day 13
Morning excursion to Amber Fort. At one time the capital of the Kacchawa Rajputs before it was shifted to Jaipur, the rugged exterior belies a beautiful and delicate interior. We will approach the gates on elephant back. Afternoon independent to relax, stroll, shop.

Jaipur - Fatehphur Sikri - Agra- Day 14
Enroute to Agra, visit the perfectly preserved 400 year old deserted city of Fatehpur (town of victory) Sikri, built by Akbar, the third and greatest of the Great Moguls. There are three sections to the City: The Royal Palace (notable for the Emperor’s throne), outside the Royal Palace and the the Jami Masjid (the location of the Tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti, a masterpiece in brilliant white marble).

Drive Agra-Delhi - Day 15
Agra is the home of the exquisite Taj Mahal and impressive Agra Fort. The traditional marble inlay work is incredible, the techniques of which continue to be passed down through the generations to ancestors of the workers who created the inlay for the Taj. The city alternated with Delhi as the capital of the Mogul Empire. Visit the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort; artisans workshop.

Afternoon: depart by car for Delhi. Transfer to hotel near airport for wash/change). Transfer to the international airport for flight home.

Main Tour 2009: $4562 per person; single room $1450 - Plus Airfare Udaipur-Jaipur est $130
Extension: $898-675/2-4 people; single room $295; Oct $1059-740/2-4 people; single room $325
Plus Airfare (estimate/subject to change) Khajuraho-Varanasi $140, Varanasi-Delhi $160

This tour can be traveled as a Private Tour: includes professional local guides; no accompanying escort
same price as above for 2 people traveling together.

Includes:

• Airport transfers
• Accomodations as listed or similar
• Accompanying escort for 4 or more people
• Daily breakfast
• Picnic lunch between Kumbalgarh-Bikaner, Lunch at Maharaja Bagh by Ranakpur
• Dinner in Delhi
• Land transport by private ac car
• Experienced Local Guides
• Entrance fees to monuments
• Camera Fees
• Porterage
• India Gov Service Tax 3.08%
  

• International Air (we can assist if you like)
• Airport departure taxes
• Trip cancellation/travel insurance
• Tips
• Any expenses of a personal nature such as phone, laundry, drinks

  Hotels Five Star and Heritage - based on availability

Extension: Khajuraho & Varanasi

Day 15 Afternoon drive to Gwailor (2 hrs) Overnight at Hotel Usha Kiran Palace. Rich in history, this 120-year-old palace played host to the King of England and is now a heritage hotel. Set amidst 9 acres of beautifully landscaped lawns, this regal palace is outfitted with artistic stone carvings and delicate filigree work.

Day 16 Drive Gwailor-Orchha-Khajuraho (170 Kms/approx 4 hrs.)
Morning drive to Orchha which was the capital of the kingdom of the Bundella Rajputs from 1531 to 1783. Visit Jahangir Mahal Palace, which is Indo-Persian style of the Mughul period and the Ram Raja Temple of the 17th century. Lunch on your own at the Orchha Palace Hotel. After lunch we continue to Khajuraho.

Khajuraho is a small, quiet village, lush with greenery and quaint with traditional ways. We visit the eastern complex of the classical temples from the Chandela style of the 9th- 11th century, illustrated with remarkable sculptures of the classical erotic literature, the Kama Sutra. Of the original 85, only 25 survive and each is a masterpiece dedicated to different deities. The temples were lost among the forest for centuries and were accidentally discovered by a British army engineer in 1858.

Day 17 Khajuraho-Varanasi
Morning visit the temple complex and the old village of Khajuraho. Fly to Varanasi Afternoon free to wander the narrow cobbled winding streets browsing the bazaars. A special hand-woven silk is made here called Benares Silk. Benares is the ancient name of Varanasi. Attend evening aarti (light ceremony) on the banks of the Ganges.

Day 18 Varanasi
Early morning boat ride on Ganges, breakfast near ghats, walking tour of ghats & temples with guide, then other sightseeing around Varanasi.

Late afernoon visit Sarnath, the spiritual center of Buddhism (where Buddha gave his first sermon in 500 BC). The ancient ruins are fascinating including the Dhamekh Stupa which is believed to mark the spot where Buddha preached his famous sermon; the archaeological museum is excellent. There is also a momument dedicated to Buddha and a modern Buddhist temple with murals by a Japanese painter depicting the story of the life of Buddha.

Day 19 Varanasi-Delhi
Morning independent. Afternoon fly to Delhi. Transfer to hotel for a wash/change. Late night transfer to international airport.

PRICE: Jan/Feb $898-675/2-4 people; single roo $295 Oct , $1059-740/2people, single room $325
Plus airfare Kajuraho - Delhi $180 - $201

Includes: One night Gwalior at Usha Kiran Palace, One night Khajuraho at Taj Chandela, Room for wash and change at Radisson with farewell dinner, airport transfers, land transportation by private ac car/Qualis, daily breakfasts, professional local guides & entrance fees, mineral water /soft drinks while driving, India Gov Service Tax 3.90%.

Does not include: Airport taxes, Insurance, Tips, Any expenditure of personal nature such as drinks, telephone charges, laundry.