Rajasthan Jewels of India Rajasthan Jewels of India - 14 Days Trip Code: T4W 180 Phone: +64 6 356 7043 or Mobile: + 64 (27) 356 7043 Email:ann@trekkingadventures.co.nz Grade: easy Group Size: max of 12 Starts: Delhi Ends: Delhi Trip Overview Highlights Day 1 Delhi Day 2 Drive Delhi - Agra Day 3 Agra - Jaipur Day 4 Jaipur Day 5 Jaipur - Bikaner Day 6 Bikaner Camel Safari Day 7 Camel Safari - Jaisalmer Day 8 Jaisalmer Day 9 Jaisalmer - Jodhpur Day 10 Jodhpur - Ranakpur Day 11 Ranakpur - Udaipur Day 12 Udaipur - Pushkar Day 13 Pushkar - Delhi Day 14 Delhi Old & New Delhi Humayun s Tomb Qutab Minar Jama Masjid Red Fort Presidents House / India Gate Taj Mahal Fatehpur Sikri Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary UEESCO s world Heritage site Elephant / Jeep ride Amber Fort Jaipur Observatory Jaipur City Palace & Hawa Mahal & Pink City tour Overnight Camel Safari in Thar Desert Explore Pushkar temple town and surrounding Holy Lake Forts, Bazaars and market tours 1
Detailed trip itinerary Day 1: Delhi There will be a meeting at 9am on day one for group introductions and tour briefing. We will embark on a full day city tour visiting through the Old and New Delhi visiting Humayun s Tomb which was built in the 16 th century. This tomb has high arched entrances topped with a bulbous dome and surrounded by formal gardens. Qutab Minar 72 metres high and one of the most perfect towers in the Persian world. We also visit the stunning Jama Masjid mosque which is the largest in India. It has four angle towers and two minarets standing 40metres high made of red sandstone and marble. If we are lucky we can climb the steps to get superb views. There will be a chance to see the Red Fort with the inlaid and carved royal chambers and temples, the palace like President House, Government house, and India gate which are a 42 metre high stone memorial arch that pays tribute to 90,000 Indian army soldiers who died in WW1. There will be some leisure time to relax as well. We will meet for a group dinner (at your own expense) in the early evening. Day 2: Drive Delhi - Agra Today we will drive through the villages and countryside towards Agra. There will be an afternoon visit to the magnificent white marble monument of the Taj Mahal where we witness the magical effects caused by reflections of the changing colours of the sun on this fantastic white marble building. No description can prepare you for this beautiful monument which was built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial for his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal. This labour of love took 22 years to build, is inlayed with semi-precious stones and a site to be hold. We will also visit nearby Agra Fort with its elegant buildings inside with its maze of courtyards, mosque & private chambers is equally a gem to visit. Agra fort, is across the water from the Taj Mahal and is one of the finest forts in India. Day 3: Drive Agra Jaipur On route to Jaipur we will visit the fortified ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri which is still well preserved, with an interesting history. This was once the capital of the Mughal Empire but was abandoned in 1585 due to a shortage of water. Today there may be an opportunity (if arriving before dawn) to visit the world Heritage Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary where it is possible to view some of the 364 different birds within its 29 sq km marshlands 2
Day 4: Jaipur Known as the Pink City of Rajasthan we spend the morning visiting Amber Fort, (12 km from Jaipur city),where we will climb the hill via Elephants/jeeps to this magical fort which has many inlaid gems and mirrors in the ceilings and arches. It is truly a beautiful place to visit which looks out over a lake. This Palace was the capital of the Jaipur state for 600 years before the city of Jaipur was built. We drive past the Palace of Winds (an impressive five story structure of pink sandstone), Hawa Mahal and the Pink city, visiting Maharaja s Palace We will also have a guided tour of Jantar Mantar Observatory with explanations on how each instrument works to tell the time by the giant sun dials. This Solar Observatory is an astronomical treasure house. There will be time to shop for a true Indian carpet, gold jewellery or a beautiful colourful silk sari. Day 5: Jaipur - Bikaner Sadly we leave the interesting and colourful city of Jaipur for Bikaner. On our arrival we visit the picturesque Junagarh Fort, highlights are the Flower Palace which is decorated with paintings and carved marble panels. Bikaner is a vibrant walled city and desert town which has a maze of narrow streets some exquisitely painted Jain temples. Day 6: Bikaner Camel Safari We take a morning drive to Nokhra where we start our overnight Camel Safari to Chakhu. The Safari takes us through the Thar Desert which is unlike the Sahara in that it is a living desert. We go to remote villages, crossing small sand dunes along the way. We overnight in the desert amongst the sand dunes, where we will be provided with some mouthwatering Rajasthan food and sit around a camp fire in the Thar Desert. Meals: Full board while on Safari Accommodation: Private tents Day 7: Camel Safari Jaisalmer We awake early to catch the spectacular sunrise over the desert and continue our Camel Safari to a Jambha Village where we will mix with the locals, before dismounting and driving to 3
Jaisalmer. Day 8: Jaisalmer We visit Gadisar and Amar Sagar Tank, the Jain Temples and Jaisalmer Fort one of the world s most endangered monuments. One third of the population of the old city still live here, interesting in the fact Jaisalmer rises out of the desert and is believed to be the home of the most handsome men and beautiful women in the whole of Rajasthan. There will be time to shop for souvenirs and savour the smells and delights of Indian cuisine. Day 9: Jaisalmer Jodhpur We drive to Jodhpur where we can admire the magnificent Meherangarh Fort which has a fascinating history and priceless jewels in the royal palaces. The captivating Meherangarh Fort stands high on a hill with its seven entrances and deep terracotta latticed network of courtyards palaces. We also visit the milky white marble Jaswant Thanda memorial and the local markets Jodhpur city is famous for Bandhani and Lahariya, block printed textiles, silver jewellery, antique furniture, wood and metal handicrafts and carpets. Day 10: Jodhpur Ranakpur Ranakpur is home to the exquisitely sculptured sculpted white marble Jain temples. This is an amazing feat of construction and a sight to behold with its four shrines, 24 pillared halls, and 1,444 carved pillars with no two alike. The main temple of Chaumukh or four faces temple dedicated to Adinath. Day 11: Ranakpur Udaipur It is only a short drive today to the blue city of Udaipur (the Venice of the east) with its splendid Lake Pichola that is now 4km long. The romantic Lake city of Udaipur is known as the City of Sunrise where the sun truly never sets. We will visit the largest palace complex in Rajasthan and enjoy a relaxing boat cruise, where we can view the floating Lake Palace which is the centerpiece of the city. Along the banks there may be interesting glimpses of the locals going about their daily bathing and doing their laundry. 4
We will also visit the lovely ornamental garden of Saheliyon-ki-Bari which has fountains, marble elephants and a lotus pool. Day 12: Udaipur Pushkar This pond sized Hindu pilgrimage town is a magical desert edged place with one of the world s few Brahma temples. Pushkar is not only known for its mystical holy lake and the 52 ghats where pilgrims come to bathe in the sacred waters but also for the Pushkar Camel fair held on the eight lunar month of (October /Nov) each year, which is the Hindu calendar and one of the holiest. Over 200,000 people converge to partake in the festivities. Day 13: Pushkar Delhi Today will be a see us on the last leg of our tour travelling to Delhi passing through villages and enjoying the local cuisine on route. Day 14: Delhi After breakfast and checking out of our Hotel, the trip will end. You may wish to stay on an extra few days and visit the many historical sites that Delhi has to offer or for us to arrange further travel in India. Price includes: Experienced English speaking Local tour Guides except in Pushkar & Ranakpur Private transport while on tour Camel Safari and overnight accommodation at Thar Desert Sand Dunes Full board meals while on Camel Safari 12 nights hotel accommodation on Bed and breakfast and twin share bases 5
One group dinner as per itinerary Airport arrival transfers if arriving on day one Some entrance fees to places of interest Elephant / jeep ride to Amber Fort Trekking Adventures T- Shirt Tipping: It is customary to tip the tour leader, local guides. The amount however is totally discretionary. This is not included in the advertised price. Accommodation: All accommodation as detailed in this itinerary is on a share basis (usually twin) and in standard hotels. Accommodation while on the overnight Camel Safari is staying in tents. Extra accommodation can be reserved for you in Delhi for before and after your tour. Please enquire for prices at the time of booking. Indian Visa: Prior to departure you may need to obtain certain visas depending on your nationality. Specific information is given to you in your pre departure information. Clothing Note: While some regions can be very hot during the day it can get cool in the evenings, it is advisable to take mixture of warm and some cool clothing, especially while on the Camel Safari. Donations: Please note that there will be times that you will be expected to make a donation when entering some historical sights, especially forts and temples. Pre departure information: Further to the information provided in this itinerary, a pre departure information booklet will be sent to you. This Pre departure booklet provides you with information regarding visas, joining instructions, clothing/ equipment list, health requirements, vaccinations, extra hotel accommodation, training tips for fitness etc. Please read it carefully to make sure you are fully prepared Important note: The enclosed notes are intended as a guide only, indicating a typical itinerary and series of activities and highlights. While every effort will be made to follow the route published on any departure and the distances travelled, driving time and available activities can vary for a number of reasons, in the event of political problems or natural difficulties which are beyond our control and prevent travelling to a particular 6
area, Trekking Adventures reserve the right to substitute an alternative activity for that section of the trip. Overnight stops may vary on occasions from those suggested Please note that your leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. The leader will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if necessary. Price does not include: Entry Visa to India Drinks, tips, laundry and other items of personal nature Some tour entrance fees Meals except where indicated in the itinerary personal gear International airfares and Travel Insurance Departure transfer Single supplement Optional extras before or afterward your trip: Extension to Varanasi Sikkim trekking Updated January 2014 7
Trekking Adventures (Formerly known as Trekking 4 Women), P O Box 5543, Palmerston North 4441, Phone: +64 6 356 7043, Mobile: + 64 (027) 356 7043 Email:ann@trekkingadventures.co.nz, web: www.trekkingadventures.co.nz 8