Royal Rajasthan ~ India – GITB, April 2018

Royal Rajasthan

Travelling through India is an experience like none other. Overwhelming in its chaos at first, it gradually unfolds unique delights. You may find it in its majestic forts, monuments and temples; in exquisite crafts; in traditional and contemporary arts; in the bustle of its colourful bazaars; landscapes and nature reserves; in diverse cuisines; or in the unexpected beauty that filters through the chaos.

Legendary cities, opulent palaces, majestic forts, teeming jungles, barren deserts, bustling temples and a myriad ruins form the state of Rajasthan. Never more than two minutes away are the flashes of brilliant colour of the ladies saris and men’s carefully twisted turbans which punctuate the landscape. Witness life in the countryside which has changed little through the centuries, stubbornly refusing to give in to modernisation, where village markets surround the crumbling cupolas of long forgotten monuments, selling local produce in spectacular displays. Camels will take you out to villages to meet with ancient tribal populations, horses can carry you between heritage forts and places where each day provides a different spectacular backdrop, elephants take you to imposing forts and off road jeeps can take you through deserts or take a day trek from one UNESCO world heritage monument to another. In Rajasthan, there is never a question of what to photograph or when, it is a never ending kaleidoscope, the only question will be, when to stop.

At a Glance

Highlights of the tour 19 Apr: Arrival in Delhi 20 Apr: Delhi s Taj Mahal 21 Apr: Agra s One morning, three religions tour of 22-24 Apr: Jaipur Delhi s Jantar Mantar, Jaipur 25 Apr: Khimsar / Nimaj s Special dinners during GITB s 26-27 Apr: Jodhpur Amer Fort 28-29 Apr: Udaipur s Elephant interaction at Dera Amer s 30 Apr: Delhi Village visits and local schools

s Marvelous Ranakpur Jain Temples s Boat ride in Udaipur

Price per participant:

$ 369 | € 349 | £ 299

Price per accompanying Guest: Key Facts

$ 429 | € 399 | £ 359 J 11 Night | 12 Days India Experience J Average temperature range 30 C- 35 C Airfare Udaipur to Delhi:

$ 95 | € 85 | £ 75

Delhi

Jaipur Jodhpur Agra

Khimsar / Nimaj

Udaipur

Brief Itinerary

Delhi – Agra – Jaipur – Khimsar / Nimaj – Jodhpur – Udaipur - Delhi

Distance Delhi – Agra Agra Road Transfer 200 km (Approx. 4hrs) – Jaipur Jaipur – Road Transfer 235 km (Approx. 5hrs) Khimsar / Nimaj Road Transfer 185 km (Approx. 3hrs) Khimsar / Nimaj – Road Transfer 203 km (Approx. 3.5hrs) Jodhpur Jodhpur – Road Transfer 260 km (Approx. 6hrs) Udaipur

Itinerary

Dates Activity

19th April 2018 (Thursday) Arrive at Delhi International airport, personalized welcome upon arrival at the airport | Transfer to the Hotel

20th April 2018 (Friday) Breakfast at hotel | One morning, three religions tour of Delhi| Lunch | Lutyen’s Delhi, Presidential Palace, India Gate, Raj Ghat and Humayun’s tomb | Dinner at Kohli’s residence

23rd April 2018 (Monday) Breakfast at the Hotel | Day at Great India Travel Bazaar Meetings | Evening pick up from the hotel for an Cocktail & Dinner hosted by Creative Travel

24th April 2018 (Tuesday) Breakfast at the Hotel | Day at Great India Travel Bazaar Meetings | Evening pick up from the hotel for an Cocktail & Dinner hosted by Creative Travel

26th April 2018 (Thursday) Breakfast at the hotel | Visit to the village and local school | Drive to Jodhpur | On arrival lunch and site inspection | Later, check-in at hotel and time free on your own

27th April 2018 (Friday) Breakfast at the hotel | Tuk tuk ride and visit to Mehrangarh fort and Jaswant Thada | Visit to Bishnoi Village |High tea with site inspection | Dinner at Specialty restaurant

28th April 2018 (Saturday) Breakfast at the hotel | Drive to Udaipur | Visit to Ranakpur Temples & lunch followed by site inspection | Arrive Udaipur and check in at the hotel | Dinner at hotel.

29th April 2018 (Sunday) Breakfast at hotel | Morning visit Temple, later city palace of Udaipur followed by lunch and site inspection | Boat ride to Jag Mandir and Hi-Tea with site inspection

30th April 2018 (Monday) Breakfast at hotel Morning free at hotel | Transfer to airport around midday for flight (Indigo flight 1420 / 1535) to Delhi | Arrive Delhi and depending on international flight drop for international flight or check-in at hotel

Delhi

Delhi stands as the capital of Modern India. Here you can see the mingling of the Old and New India, the ancient and the modern. Delhi is a city that bridges two different worlds. Old Delhi, once the capital of Islamic India, is a labyrinth of narrow lanes lined with crumbling havelis and formidable mosques. In contrast, the imperial city of New Delhi created by the British Raj is composed of spacious, tree-lined avenues and imposing government buildings. Delhi has been the seat of power for several rulers and many empires for about a millennium. Many a times the city was built, destroyed and then rebuilt here. Interestingly, a number of Delhi's rulers played a dual role, first as destroyers and then as creators.

The city's importance lies not just in its past glory as the seat of empires and magnificent monuments, but also in the rich and diverse cultures. No wonder chroniclers of Delhi culture - from Chand Bardai and Amir Khusro to present day’s writers - have never been at a loss for topics. In Delhi, you will discover that the city is sprinkled with dazzling gems: captivating ancient monuments, fascinating museums and art galleries, architectural wonders, a vivacious performing- arts scene, fabulous eating places and bustling markets.

Delhi has seen the rise and fall of many emperors, which has left behind a plethora of monuments that commemorate the grandeur and glory of bygone ages. Very few cities in the world can express such a profusion of architectural styles.

Agra

Believed to have been built in 1475, Agra even finds a mention in the epic Mahabharata where it is called Agraban (meaning paradise). The renowned second century geographer Ptolemy had also spotted this place as Agra in his world map. The present Agra city was established by Sikandar Lodi of the Lodi Dynasty in the 16th century and was the capital of the Lodi and Mughal dynasties.

The examples of art and culture in this historic city are not only breath-taking, but are also mirrors of the artistic talents of the Indian population during the grand past. The city houses many ancient temples, mosques, forts, mausoleums, tombs and historical monuments. The city has its unique style of traditional paintings, folk dances, folk music and embroideries.

Jaipur

Jaipur, Rajasthan’s capital, is an enthralling historical city and the gateway to India’s most flamboyant state.

The city’s colourful, chaotic streets ebb and flow with a heady brew of old and new. Careering buses dodge dawdling camels, leisurely cycle-rickshaws frustrate swarms of motorbikes, and everywhere buzzing auto rickshaws watch for easy prey. In the midst of this mayhem, the splendours of Jaipur’s majestic past are islands of relative calm evoking a different pace and another world.

At the city’s heart, the City Palace continues to house the former royal family; the Jantar Mantar, the royal observatory, maintains a heavenly aspect; and the honeycomb Hawa Mahal gazes on the bazaar below. And just out of sight, in the arid hill country surrounding the city, is the fairy-tale grandeur of Amber Fort, Jaipur’s star attraction.

Jaipur is where the enduring charisma of the past blends with the throbbing vitality of today. Where a colourful cast of characters - from painters and potters to artists and antique dealers - present a fascinating picture of a city that is alive to both tradition and change. Today, Jaipur has spread far beyond the pink crenelated walls that once defined its boundaries. It presents a fascinating picture of a city where growth, evolution and change are sustained by tradition.

Jodhpur

During the British Raj, the state of Jodhpur was the largest in Rajputana, by land area. Jodhpur prospered under the British Raj. Its merchants, the Marwaris, flourished endlessly. They came to occupy a dominant position in trade throughout India. In 1947 India became independent and the state merged into the union of India. Jodhpur became the second city of Rajasthan.

Jodhpur was the home of the Rathore rulers - the princely State of Rajasthan. A high 10 Km. long stone wall protects the well-fortified city. Within stands an imposing Fort on a low range of sandstone hills, about 125 mtrs. Above the surrounding plains. In 1458, Rao Jodha (1438-1488), one of Rainmal's 24 sons became the fifteenth Rathore ruler. After one year of his accession, Jodha was suggested to move his capital to a safer place because one thousand years old Mandore fort was no longer considered to be strong and safe. This need for a safer place for Jodha gave India one of her largest forts.

Udaipur During the British Raj, the state of Jodhpur was the largest in Rajputana, by land area. Jodhpur prospered under the British Raj. Its merchants, the Marwaris, flourished endlessly. They came to occupy a dominant position in trade throughout India. In 1947 India became independent and the state merged into the union of India. Jodhpur became the second city of Rajasthan.

Thank You

No place is boring if you’ve had a good nights sleep and have a pocket full of unexposed film.

~ Robert Adams

For the born traveler, traveling is a besetting vice. Like other vices, it is imperious, demanding its victims time, money, energy and the sacrifice of comfort.

~ Aldous Huxley

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