Rajasthan is known for its heritage
and culture. The state is full of innumerable forts and palaces. It has a
colourful traditional past. The enormous forts, palaces, and Havelis
indicates the regal life of Maharajas. Rajasthan has a rich natural
splendour. The Ranthambore National Park, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary are the
richest source of fauna and flora. The lost wild species is protected by the
state govt in these Reserve areas. The rich variety of Tiger, Panther, Lion,
deer, Sambhar, Cheetah Neelgai etc. can be found in these sanctuaries. The
different kind of beautiful Indain and migrated Birds like ostrich, painted
stork etc, are found here.
Rajasthan is a hot arid desert but,
there is a variety in its climate. There are somewhat hilly area and
beautiful lakes can also be seen here. The temple of Mount Abu are the
excellent example of the rich architecture and grand paintings. Rajasthan
has a rich and lively art and crafts, handicrafts heritage. Its colourful
paintings and sculpture can be seen on the wall of palaces and Forts. The
artist used very lively coloured that gives the Rajasthan a colourful
tradition. Beside these significances of art and architecture and natural
beauty Rajasthan Heritage tour introduced you with the colourful fair and
festive of the state. The Pushkar fair is famous all over the world. The
melodious tunes, singing and dancing stolen the visitors hearts. The famous
ghoomer and kathputli dances are the main attraction of such type of fairs.
So you can better explore the Rajasthan by the Rajasthan Heritage tour.
Our
itinerary at a glance: DELHI - NEEMRANA - PACHHAR - JAIPUR -
PUSHKAR - RANAKPUR - RAWLA NARLAI - KUMBALGARH - UDAIPUR - JODHPUR- DELHI.
RAJASTHAN - 'The Land of Kings' - is one of India's
most traditional states, with a history of always fiercely resisting
conquest by the various waves of invaders who have swept over the
sub-continent from earliest times. As a result it has preserved a unique
cultural integrity. A wild and beautiful desert land, it rejoices in a
romantic past of often warring princely states whose deeds are embellished
by tales of chivalry and romance. Yet it is also celebrated for its ancient
and vibrant spiritual tradition, a living heritage passed down through
saints and shrines of the Hindu, Jain and Islamic faiths, and for its
vibrant artistic creativity - its miniature art, fabrics, furniture,
sculpture, ceramics and jewelry.
RAJASTHAN is a place of
brilliant colours, its clear light giving an added vibrancy to the materials
and paintings for which it is famed, and lending great drama to its hilltop
palaces and forts with their finely carved buildings. A visit to this unique
area makes an ideal introduction to the magic that is India, and gives a
glimpse of the fascinating variety of a country that is like nowhere else on
earth.
OUR ACCOMMODATION will be in keeping with the
spirit of Princely India. We shall be staying in Heritage hotels - palaces
and guesthouses that, once the homes of maharajahs and local rulers, will
provide us with a gratifying and memorable balance of comfort and character,
elegance and atmosphere.
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY: DAY
00/ 6th OCT PASSAGE TO INDIA: When you arrive at Indira Gandhi
International airport, you will be met and transferred to our hotel, the
Hotel Imperial in Janpath, where your room has been reserved for you from 12
noon today.
DAY 01/ 7th OCT DELHI The
tour begins officially with a rendezvous in the hotel lobby at 12 noon
today, followed by a gourmet South Indian lunch in a local restaurant.
An afternoon of gentle sightseeing of the imperial buildings of Mughal and
Raj Delhi, followed by evening visit to Bangla Sahib Sikh temple with its
beautiful chanting.
Overnight in Hotel.
DAY
02/ 08th OCT DELHI TO NEEMRANA Late morning, after breakfast we
shall drive to Neemrana (about 125kms), a village cradled in the horseshoe
formation of the billion year old Aravalli ranges. Check into the hotel, a
converted fort built in 1464 AD, which covers 25 acres and rises to 10
levels commanding the most splendid views. Each room is different, furnished
with a charming mix of traditional Indian and colonial furniture, antiques
and objets d'art. Rest of the day free to relax.
Overnight in Hotel.
DAY 03/ 9th OCT NEEMRANA Today is for
gentle sightseeing of the nearby village and surrounding area.
Overnight in Hotel.
DAY 04/ 10th OCT
NEEMRANA TO PACHHARAfter breakfast we shall drive to Pachhar (about
70kms), and check into our hotel, a lovely small haveli where the Maharaja
and his wife will be very happy to be our hosts. Rest of the day is free for
you to relax.
In the evening we can attend the arati ceremony, when the
deity is offered light, in the local temple.
Overnight in Hotel.
DAY
05/ 11th OCT PACHHAR TO JAIPURAfter breakfast we drive to Jaipur
(about 65 kms), known as the Pink City, with many buildings still washed
pink, the traditional colour of welcome, originally introduced to honor the
visit of the Prince Albert in 1856. Jaipur is particularly interesting as it
is one of the few cities left in India where the original vastu - design
according to Vedic principles of sacred architecture - is still clearly
visible.
We check into the hotel, with rest of the day free to relax or
local sightseeing.
Overnight in Hotel.
DAY
06/ 12th OCT JAIPUR After breakfast, we start our day by ascending
on elephant to the 16th century fortress at Amber, the citadel that was the
capital before Jaipur was built in the early 18th century. Amber was the
site of a Hindu temple built by the Mina tribes, and there is a beautiful
and powerful Kali temple still active within the walls of the fort.
On
the way back to our hotel we shall visit Mangalam Arts, one of the best
galleries in Jaipur for antiques and traditional stone-coloured paintings.
In the afternoon we shall visit the home of Jaipur's Royal family - the City
Palace - around which the city was originally laid out, and the adjacent
Jantar Mantar or Vedic astrological observatory. Still in use today by
astronomers and astrologers, the observatory, originally built in 1730, is a
place of futuristic beauty.
Overnight in Hotel.
DAY
07/ 13th OCT JAIPUR TO PUSHKAR After breakfast we continue to
Pushkar (about 145kms), check into our hotel located on the Lake. Pushkar
lies in a narrow dry valley overshadowed by impressive rocky hills, which
offer spectacular views of the desert at sunset.
After lunch we
shall visit the ghats around the lake , see some of the temples, especially
the particularly holy Brahma Temple, one of only two known temples dedicated
to this deity, the God of Creation, in the whole of the sub-continent.
Overnight in Hotel
DAY 08/ 14th OCT PUSHKAR TO
RANAKPURAfter an early breakfast we take a beautiful drive to
Ranakpur (about 210kms), check into the delightfully appointed hotel, with
its Ayurveda clinic.
Rest of the day free to relax; we shall
attend the evening ceremony at the local temple.
Overnight in Hotel.
DAY 09/ 15th OCT RANAKPUR After
breakfast we shall visit the marvelously carved 15th century temple complex
of Ranakpur. This is one of the five holy places of the Jain community -
perhaps the oldest religious group in the sub-continent - and one of the
wonders of Indian architecture. The most important temple here covers some
48000 sq.ft. and has 29 halls and 1444 pillars, all minutely carved out of
pure white marble.
Back to our hotel for lunch and then an afternoon
at leisure.
Overnight in Hotel.
DAY 10/ 16th
OCT RANAKPUR TO RAWLA NARLAI Today we continue to Rawla Narlai
(about 55kms), check into the hotel.
Rest of the day free to relax.
Overnight in Hotel.
DAY 11/ 17th OCT RAWLA
NARLAI After breakfast a relaxed visit to the local temples and
markets; afternoon camel cart ride to nearby villages.
Rest of the day
free to relax.
Overnight in Hotel.
DAY 12/
18th OCT RAWLA NARLAI TO KUMBALGARH Today drive to Kumbalgarh [3
hrs] a wild area with an ancient fort.
Overnight in Hotel.
DAY 13/ 19th OCT KUMBALGARH Morning free to relax and enjoy.
Afternoon visit to the Fort on horseback.
Overnight in Hotel.
DAY
14/ 20th OCT KUMBALGARH TO UDAIPUR After breakfast we continue to
Udaipur (about 45kms), romantically set on the shores of Lake Pichola and
surrounded by hills. Upon arrival, we check into our hotel, a Royal Hunting
Lodge set in a beautiful wooded area, with the rest of the day free to relax
and explore.
Overnight in Hotel.
DAY
15/ 21st OCT UDAIPUR After breakfast, we shall drive to nearby
Eklingji, one of the most important Shiva temples in India, set in a
delightful and unspoiled market area.
Afternoon, visit to the City
Palace - familial home of the Udaipur Maharanas and the
largest palace
complex in Rajasthan - and the surrounding bazaar.
Overnight in Hotel.
DAY 16/ 22nd OCT UDAIPUR TO JODHPURWe
make an early start for a dramatic sunrise drive to Jodhpur (about 275kms),
with lunch en route. Check into our hotel with rest of the day free to
relax.
Overnight in Hotel.
DAY 17/ 23rd
JODHPUR Morning after breakfast we visit the massive Mehrangarh
Fort that looms over the city and the red sandstone palaces within the fort.
Together they form one of the most impressive complexes in Rajasthan.
Lunch at hotel
Afternoon sightseeing around the lake and ghats.
Overnight in Hotel.
DAY 18/ 24th OCT JODHPUR
All day sightseeing and relaxing.
Overnight in Hotel.
DAY
19/25th OCT JODHPUR / DELHI fly Morning after breakfast transfer to
the airport for flight to Delhi.
Arrive in Delhi and transfer to our
hotel, set in lovely gardens.
Overnight in Hotel.
DAY
20/ 26th OCT DELHI Morning free to relax, or enjoy last-minute
shopping. In the afternoon we make a short drive to the tomb of Nizamuddin,
a renowned Sufi saint. Here we shall see the famous quawali devotional
singing of the local dervishes- an unforgettable experience with which to
finish our tour.
Farewell Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
DAY
21/ 27th OCT HOMEWARD BOUND Early morning, transfer to
international airport to board flight to your home country.
Cost and
accommodation details will be provided on request.