India FACE TO FACE Shopping and Cooking Tour 15 days

Transcription

1 India FACE TO FACE Shopping and Cooking Tour 15 days DAY BY DAY ITINERARY Day 1 Depart country of origin Each person is responsible for their own flight tickets to get to Delhi International Airport and back to country of origin. Day 2 Arrival DELHI - SUNDAY Depart home country day before and arrive at New Delhi s Indira Ghandi International Airport on Sunday. There will be assistance at and collection from the Airport to our hotel for booking in. Evening welcome drinks and meeting fellow travellers from all over the world. Day 3 DELHI MONDAY After breakfast off we go exploring the buzzing streets of the most famous bazaar Paharganj. After exchanging money and a thorough orientation of this exotic bazaar you are free to a day of shopping to your heart s delight. Paharganj is a shopper s paradise and hosts many export companie s selling clothes, shoes, jewellery, handicrafts and a lot more. Enjoy lunch at your own leisure at one of the local restaurants. Shop some more in the afternoon until we meet again at our hotel in the evening. The entire Paharganj can be explored on foot through all the narrow little streets. It can take you days to find all the little shops therefore at night if so inclined explore more shops or find a peaceful rooftop terrace for a sun downer or meal or head for our hotel and collapse after a blissful day of shopping.

2 Day 4 DELHI TUESDAY After breakfast we depart by small 6 seater vehicles to Greater Kailash for more shopping. GK 1 is home to FAB India one of India s leading textile companies, selling from ladies and gents garments in 100% cotton to home collections and soft furnishings. In the afternoon we are off to Dillihaat, a handicraft destination for one and all. Dillihaat is a showcase of traditional arts and crafts that represents all states of India under one roof. Treat yourself to a great lunch at one of the local restaurants representing one of the states. The Masala Dosa, a south Indian delight, is one of my favourites. The evening is at leisure - relax and enjoy supper at one of the local restaurants around our Hotel. Day 5 DELHI WEDNESDAY Enjoy breakfast together at our Hotel. Depart by local transport to Janpath and Palika Bazaar for the last day of shopping. Janpath is famous for overflow stock and rejects of top labels at unimaginable prices. There are lots of handicrafts and textiles to feast your eyes on. Palika Bazaar is well known for good quality electronics like Boss, Samsung, Sony and Apple, as well as accessories, men s, women s and children s clothing. We meet up again at 4pm for a High Tea down the road from Janpath at the beautiful 5 Star Imperial Hotel. After 3 days of shopping to your heart s delight, we will depart Delhi tonight by overnight train to Jaipur. Bedding is provided for the overnight train journey.

3 Day 6 JAIPUR THURSDAY We arrive in Jaipur early morning and book into our Hotel where we will freshen up and enjoy a hearty breakfast. Jaipur is called the Pink City, because of the extensive usage of the abundant pink stone found locally. The origins of the beautiful city of Jaipur can be traced back to the eighteenth century, during the reign of Jai Singh II who ascended the Amber Throne in He abandoned the rugged hills of Amber in 1727 and set about building a perfect palace-city in the adjoining plains - Jaipur. It is this city that became the capital of the post-independent state of Rajasthan. Today we will visit a block print dyer s workshop in the old city of Jaipur called Lehariya Dyers Workshop. India is known for its printed and dyed cotton since the 12 th century. The art has survived regardless of it being labour intensive. Block printing is a process of dying and colouring a fabric using wooden blocks. Afterwards we will visit one of Jaipur s most famous shopping Bazaars called Johari Bazaar. It is the largest and oldest shopping mall in Jaipur. It is famous for its amazing collection of precious and semi-precious stones, costume jewellery, bangles, traditional clothes, textiles and lots more. On the way we will stop at the HAWA MAHAL. The ornamental façade of this Palace of Winds is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. This 5 story pink building had 953 niches and windows built-in by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh and was built for the palace. Considered as an embodiment of Rajputana architecture, it was built so that the royal ladies could look out onto everyday life, as they never appeared in public. Build in 1799 the Mahal was a royal grand stone for the palace women. We will return in time to our hotel to freshen up and depart for an evening of traditional Rajasthan life and a meal at the Ethnic Village Resort of Chokhi Dhani.

4 Day 7 JAIPUR FRIDAY After an early breakfast we will depart for a fun filled day starting with an elephant ride up to the magnificent Amber Palace. The elephant ride is available only between 08h00 11h00 and subject to availability. The elephants used are only allowed to work so many hours in a day. The Fort may not look beautiful from the outside, but the interior is a virtual paradise. Our guide will share into the lives of the Mughal, his wives and concubines and everyday life of the Royals. We will be making our descent on foot down the hill to meet our driver for the next stop at the Blue Pottery Centre. The art of making blue glaze pottery came to Rajasthan via Kashmir - their entry point into India. The name comes from the eye-catching Persian blue dye used to colour the clay. This blue glaze technique was introduced to Jaipur in the 17th century. If time allows we will first stop for lunch and then proceed for more shopping. Tonight we depart by overnight train to Jodhpur. Day 8 JODHPUR SATURDAY We arrive in Jodhpur early morning by train. We will be transported to our hotel to freshen up and enjoy breakfast. After breakfast we will proceed with a guide to visit the 5km long Mehrangarh Fort (one of the largest forts in India) situated on a 125-mt high hill. This is one of the most impressive and formidable structures in Rajasthan. The fort overlooks the Blue City, built on the advice of a pious hermit. The fort houses several palaces and cannons, a temple and a museum. The garden is over 200 years old. On our descent enjoy lunch at one of the local restaurants. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore and roam the Blue City on foot through all the beautiful streets, meeting lovely ladies in their colourful saris. We will meet up again in the evening at our hotel for sun downers on the rooftop terrace. For all our meat

5 lovers who want to join, we will be dining at On the Rocks Restaurant. Day 9 JODHPUR SUNDAY After breakfast we will be visiting a few of the big export houses exporting furniture, handicrafts and textiles. Jodhpur is home to many export companies. It is possible to choose any item and have it shipped off to your country. Ask me how, I will show you the ropes. We will be meeting back in town for lunch and afterwards we will be met by our cooking host for a spice tour visit at the famous Clock Tower. Spices are what connected India to the West, and it s been in business since the 17 th century. Our friendly host will explain all the fresh ingredients and spices used for preparing different mouth-watering traditional Rajasthani dishes. This cooking course is only vegetarian. Our afternoon will be spent with our cooking host, learning the skill and art of traditional Indian cooking. (4 hours in total). Day 10 JAISALMER MONDAY We will depart Jodhpur early morning by 18 seater bus for the 5 hour s drive to the dessert city of Jaisalmer. On-route we will stop for breakfast at Manvar Resort 120km from Jodhpur. Use this time to relax and reflect as we drive through the Thar Desert. Jaisalmer also called the Golden City is situated in the Thar Desert and close to the Pakistan border. The city is dominated by the Jaisalmer Fort. Unlike most forts in India, the Jaiselmer Fort is a living fort. There are shops, hotels, age old havelis (homes) inside the fort area. It was built in 1156 AD by the Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal, from whom it derives its name. Before the days of the British Raj, the fortress city served as a refuge and way-station for caravans and travellers along the Silk Road. The fort s massive yellow sandstone walls are a tawny lion colour during the day, fading to a honey-gold as the sun sets, thereby camouflaging the fort in the yellow desert. The fort is also an UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE. We will arrive mid-afternoon at our hotel.

6 Orientation is very easy and the rest of the afternoon is at leisure to explore the magnificent fort and its beautiful people, on foot. There are also lots of shopping opportunities for leather shoes, belts, hats and traditional hand embroidered items. Day 11 JAISALMER - TUESDAY We will depart our hotel early morning by jeeps to meet our camels for our camel desert safari. A Visit to Jaisalmer is not complete without a camel desert safari. The camel safari offers a great opportunity to travellers to get acquainted with rural life of Rajasthan. The camels are well trained and an easy ride even to those who have never been on the back of a horse or camel. The sand dunes which look rough in the day take on a whole new meaning as the day draws to a close. Now they become the stage for the colourful, cultural activities that brings the desert to life. Eat, dance and enjoy music performances in the camp and sleep in a beautiful luxurious desert tent. How romantic!! Day 12 JAISELMER - WEDNESDAY After breakfast in the desert we depart back to our hotel in Jaisalmer where you can relax and soak in the last of this beautiful desert town. Tonight we will board our overnight train back to Delhi. Day 13 - DELHI - THURSDAY Arrive back in Delhi around mid morning. Basic breakfast is included in train trip. Today is the day for last minute shopping or to arrange for heavy shopping parcels to be couriered back to your country, at fairly cheap prices. I will show you how. The rest of the day is at your own leisure to explore and shop some more. By now you will feel like an expert Indian shopper.

7 Day 14 - AGRA FRIDAY This will be our last day together and what a perfect way to finish our tour by visiting the great Taj Mahal. We will depart Delhi early morning by 25 seater bus to Agra where we will visit the Taj Mahal and The Agra Fort. The city of Agra flourished under the patronage of the emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan and attracted artisans from Persia and central Asia. Agra is where Emperor Shah Jahan engraved his immortal love for Mumtaz Mahal, a Mughal Empress and his chief consort, in marble - the Taj Mahal. Agra is still famous for handicraft products such as inlay work on marble, carpets, jewellery, zari and embroidery work. We will stop for lunch on the way to the Agra Fort. The red sandstone Agra Fort, an impregnable military structure was renovated and converted into a palace during Shah Jahan s time. Over a period of time, the fort acquired all the elegance, lavishness and majesty of an imperial palace. Emperor Shah Jahan s son, Aurangzeb imprisoned his father in the Agra Fort, from which he had a view of the Taj Mahal being erected for his deceased wife. We will also visit a carpet weaving workshop and a marble inlay factory. We will arrive back in Delhi in the evening, after a wonderful last day being educated about Dynasties, Mughal life, Rajas, rural life, shopping, cooking and adventures to ponder on for a life time, plus wonderful new friends from all over the world. DAY 15 Depart DELHI SATURDAY Depart Delhi to onward/return destinations

8 COST OF TOUR INCLUDES: 14 NIGHTS Accommodation will be on a Double Sharing and Bed & Breakfast basis at Hotels for the entire tour. When travelling and departing hotels early morning, breakfast will be provided on-route. Transport for all transfers to and from airport All transfers, excursions and sightseeing tours will be by using Air-Conditioned 6 seater cars or 18/25 seater busses as stipulated in itinerary, as well as the local transport in cities. All entrance fees at tourist attractions: Dillihaat; Amber Fort; Mehrangah Fort; Taj Mahal; Agra Fort; Cooking course with meal. Desert Camel safari. High tea at 5* Imperial Hotel. Evening excursion to Choki Dhani - entrance fee and dinner. All overnight trains between Delhi Jaipur; Jaipur Jodhpur; Jaisalmer Delhi. All transport costs. 25 Seater Bus from Jodhpur Jaisalmer. Agra day sight-seeing. Welcome drinks at the hotel upon arrival in Delhi Face to Face welcome souvenir All Road Taxes, Parking Fees, Fuel Charges, Interstate Taxes. English speaking guides at mentioned tourist attractions COST OF TOUR EXCLUDES: AIRFARE TO AND FROM COUNTRY OF DESTINATION. PACKAGE ONLY INCLUDES LAND ARRANGEMENTS. VISA APPLICATION. This is free of charge and can be done on line, except courier charges. Expenses of a personal nature like laundry, and telephone/ fax calls, all beverages, camera fees at monuments, medical expenses, airport departure tax etc. Tips / Gratuities Any other meals/ services not specified above Any Accommodation in Delhi before or after tour program commences and ends. Please note that the check in time on the Sunday of arrival is at 14h00 and check-out time from hotel is 12 noon on Saturday the day of departure. International / Domestic airfares/ visa fees. Travel Insurance.

9 SPECIAL NOTES: The reason NO AIRFARES are added to the land arrangements is that guests are from all over the world and some people would like to use their frequent flyer mileages as well as some guests might have more than one stop over from their country to India - i.e. in South Africa, some guests are from Cape town and the rates from Cape Town direct to Delhi are more expensive than for guests flying from Johannesburg. Airfares from Johannesburg to Delhi vary from around R6 500 upwards, depending on date of booking. Airfares from Cape Town vary from around R8 500 upwards depending departure dates. A suggestion is to book well in advance to qualify for specials on airfares. i.e. Qatar Emirates or Etihad Please be advised that in Jaipur the Elephant Ride up to the Amber Fort, is subject to availability, as there are a limited number of elephants available and the clients have to wait in a queue as it is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please be advised that all accommodation is on a twin basis (double room) sharing. In the event of only one passenger travelling, indicate whether we can match you up with a suitable room mate. We have done that in past trips and great friendships have been the result. If not, a single supplement will be added. Distances mentioned in the itinerary are approximate & driving time depends upon the traffic/ road conditions and refreshments stops taken by the group - i.e. Jaisalmer by bus is approximately 5 hours by road and the day excursion to Agra, plus minus 4 hours from Delhi by road. All hotels will be on a 3/4 Star basis. We try and stay in family owned accommodation that reflects true Indian hospitality. Smoking in public places has been prohibited in India, public places include: open spaces, restaurants, hotels, pubs, discotheques, banquet halls etc. No services are allowed in separate smoking enclosures/areas (if available), with the exception of rooms designated as smoking room in hotels. Face to Face Tours and its associates are not liable for any compensation for damage caused by a force majeure or other unforeseen events that we or our associates could not have prevented even through utmost care. Such events are, for example, an action of war, natural disasters, contagious diseases, strikes or other likely events. We will notify our clients timely of such events as and when feasible and will aim to limit the damage and supplement costs befalling the clients for making alternative arrangements deviating from the planned program.