Classical Rajasthan. Highlights

Transcription

1 Classical Rajasthan Home to some of India s greatest monuments, Rajasthan has with good reason been dubbed the Land of Kings. One of the country s most colourful and diverse destinations, the old heartland of the Rajput princes is liberally sprinkled with some of India s most spectacular cultural gems. This classical journey across its historic landscapes takes you from Delhi and on to the sumptuous Mughal grandeur of Agra, where you will visit the iconic Taj Mahal and the UNESCO World Heritage setting of Fatehpur Sikri. Taking the train on to Ranthambore you ll then search for tigers and sloth bears in its famous national park, before travelling by private vehicle to the stunning Pink City of Jaipur. Travelling on to Pushkar and Jodphur, setting for the magnificent Meherangarh Fort, you then head through the picturesque Khamli Ghats to Deogarh, a journey made famous by Rudyard Kipling. There will be opportunities to enjoy bullock cart rides and jeep safaris, before completing the journey to Udaipur by way of the fortress of Kumbhalgarh and the breathtaking Jain temple at Ranakpur. Highlights Explore the cultural highlights of Delhi, Jaipur and Jodphur Watch the sun set over the iconic grandeur of the Taj Mahal Search out tigers and sloth bears in Ranthambore National Park Travel by train through the Khamli Ghats Visit Ranakpur, Kumbhalgarh and Udaipur, India s stunning City of Lakes Tour Includes: 4 nights four/five star hotels, 2 nights safari lodge, 7 nights traditional Palace and Haveli style properties 13 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners Private driver and vehicle Private guided sightseeing Private guided transfers to and from all airports Driver and guide s expenses Train from Bhratapur to Sawai Madhopur by Kota Jan Shatabdi express on Air conditioned car chair and Phulad to Kamlighat by regional trains in 3rd Class chair

2 Please note the prices shown above are based on two persons sharing a twin or double room Itinerary Day 1: Delhi Arrive at Delhi airport and transfer to your hotel. This afternoon you will have a short city tour with your guide, visiting the main cultural and historical sites of this fascinating city. Highlights include a visit to the new town to see Rashtrapati Bhavan and India gate, and in the old town, the spice market, Jama Majid Mosque and the Red Fort. The tour will end will a visit to the Raj Ghat memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, after which you will return to the hotel. (B) Day 2: Delhi - Agra This morning you will transfer to Agra with your driver; a journey of approximately 4 hours. Giving you time to settle in to your accommodation, later this afternoon your local guide will take you to visit the famous Taj Mahal for sunset, which is a fantastic time to visit the memorial as the marble takes on the gold and pink hues of the sky. Return to your hotel. (B) Day 3: Agra - Bharatpur - Ranthambore Morning visit to the mighty riverside Agra Fort, Agra's other main attraction, which comprises of exquisite palaces and mosques. After your visit to the fort you will be driven to Bharatpur, stopping at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fatehpur Sikri on the way. On arrival to Bharatpur your guide will accompany you to your seat on the train for your four hour journey through the countryside to Sawai Madphur, where you will be met and transferred to your safari lodge in Ranthambore. (B, L, D) Day 4: Ranthambore Early morning pick up from your hotel to explore the wilds of Ranthambore National Park, where if you are lucky you may see tigers, leopards, sloth bears, spotted deer and India's largest deer, the Sambar. After your game drive you will return to your accommodation for breakfast and some relaxation. After a leisurely morning and lunch you will be picked up at about 3pm to go back into the Park for your second safari of the day. Evening drinks and supper back at your hotel. (B, L, D) Day 5: Ranthambore - Jaipur You will be taken by private vehicle from your hotel in Ranthambore to Jaipur a journey of approximately 4 hours. On arrival to the bustling city

3 of Jaipur you will be taken to your hotel. As a unique feature of Wild Frontiers tours to Jaipur, in the late afternoon and early evening we will organise a specially guided walk through the bustling old town. (B) Day 6: Jaipur Today you will have a tour of Jaipur, the 'pink city' visiting the fascinating old Royal Observatory built by Jai Singh II, which houses the largest sun dial in the World, the City Palace Museum, the Palace of the Winds and it's impressive facade and finally the stunning Amber Fort, which is a 9km drive from the city. You will be taken back to your hotel at the end of the tour. (B) Day 7: Jaipur - Pushkar This morning you will be picked up from your hotel in Jaipur and transferred to the mystical town of Pushkar, a journey of approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. Made famous by its Camel fair, which takes place for a week in October/November, Pushkar is a beautiful lake-side town and, as it is home to India's only Brahma temple, an important pilgrimage site. (B) Day 8: Pushkar - Jodphur Today you will be picked up from your hotel in Pushkar and transferred to Jodhpur, a medieval desert town dominated by the towering and spectacular Meherangarh Fort. Afternoon free in Jodphur to relax at the hotel or explore the city at your own leisure. (B) Day 9: Jodphur Today you will visit the main sights of Jodphur with your local guide. The day will include a visit to the majestic Meherangarh Fort, stopping at the royal cenotaph Jaswhat Thada en route. The Meherangarh fort sprawls across a 125m high-hill and is just one kilometre from Jaswhat Thada, and is entered through a series of seven gates built by the reigning Jodphur Maharajas who each extended to the fort over the centuries. You will then be taken down to the old city to visit the central bazaar which sprawls from the clock tower. Return to your hotel at the end of the day. (B) Day 10: Jodphur - Khamli Ghat - Deogarh Morning pick up from your hotel and driven to Marwar Junction where you will enjoy the regional two hour train journey through the Khamli Ghats and on to the Aravalli plateau to Deogarh. The journey was made famous by Rudyard Kipling's classic tale, The Man Who Would be King. At the end of this spectacular journey you will be transferred to your hotel in Deogarh. (B) Day 11: Deogarh Day at leisure to arrange your own excursions through the hotel, or simply relax and enjoy the hotel and its

4 facilities. Excursions offered include camel and bullock cart rides, bird watching, trekking, jeep safaris, village walks and horse riding, amongst other things. (B) Day 12: Deogarh - Kumbhalgarh - Ranakpur - Udaipur This morning you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Udaipur. This journey will take most of the day as en route you will be taken to visit the stunning fifteenth century Kumbhalgarh Fort in the Aravalli Mountains. You will then continue to the journey to visit Ranakpur, home to a beautiful fifteenth century Jain temple made up of 29 halls and 1,444 intricately carved pillars. The last leg of the journey will end in Udaipur at your hotel. (B) Day 13: Udaipur Full day city tour of Udaipur, the Lake City. Your local guide will collect you from your hotel and take you to visit the highlights of this beautiful city including the City Palace, which was built in 1559 A.D and sits on the edge of Lake Pichola, the Jagdish Temple and the Garden of the Maid's Honour You will end the tour by taking a cruise on the Lake Pichola, passing by Jagniwas Island, which is home to the famous Lake Palace Hotel. Return to your hotel. (B) Day 14: Udaipur Tour ends after breakfast in Udaipur. (B) Accommodation Agra Trident Jaipur Khandela Haveli Pushkar

5 Pushkar Palace Ranthambore Ranthambore Regency Hotel Udaipur Udai Kothi Deogarh Deogarh Mahal Delhi Amarya Villa Jodhpur Haveli Inn Pal