LXV WINE - JOURNEY TO INDIA FEBRUARY 2015
Long before European countries woke up to the ‘incredible taste of fermented grape juice’, prehistoric Indian communities were fully conversant with the intoxicating wines they could distill from plants and fruits. Beginning with the Rigveda, the first among India’s ancient Vedas, and ending with the poetry of Mirza Ghalib, eminent Urdu poet of the 18th century, India’s tradition and history prove that the temporal joys offered by a glass of wine and its complex spiritual symbolism were equally familiar to generations of Indians!
Your journey to India is a cultural cocktail. With its diverse mixture of people, gastronomy, scenery, architecture, religions and cultural influences. Journey Sutra weaves together inspiring destinations, with un‐comparable experiences of a lifetime.
QUICK LOOK ITINERARY 15 Nights, 16 Days: 03rd TO 18th FEBRUARY 2015
DELHI – KHAJURAHO – ORCHHA – AGRA – RANTHAMBORE – JAIPUR – SAMODE – UDAIPUR
TUESDAY, 03 FEBRUARY 2015 ARRIVE DELHI
WEDNESDAY, 04 FEBRUARY 2015 DELHI
THURSDAY, 05 FEBRUARY 2015 DELHI
FRIDAY, 06 FEBRUARY 2015 DELHI – KHAJURAHO
SATURDAY, 07 FEBRUARY 2015 KHAJURAHO – JHANSI – AGRA
SUNDAY, 08 FEBRUARY 2015 AGRA
MONDAY, 09 FEBRUARY 2015 AGRA – RANTHAMBORE
TUESDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2015 RANTHAMBORE
WEDNESDAY, 11 FEBRUARY 2015 RANTHAMBORE – JAIPUR
THURSDAY, 12 FEBRUARY 2015 JAIPUR
FRIDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 2015 JAIPUR – SAMODE
SATURDAY, 14 FEBRUARY 2015 SAMODE
SUNDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 2015 SAMODE – UDAIPUR
MONDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2015 UDAIPUR
TUESAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2015 UDAIPUR
WEDNESDAY, 18 FEBRUARY 2015 UDAIPUR – DELHI
Delhi Delhi , India’s capital is a multidimensional metropolis. A vibrant melting pot ,it is sprinkled with captivating ancient monuments, magnificent museums, a vivacious performing‐ arts scene ,modern hotels and great places to eat and shop!
DAY 1 & DAY 2
TUESDAY, 3RD FEBRUARY: ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi.
You will be met and assisted on arrival at Delhi International airport.
Transfer to the Imperial hotel for check in.
The moment you drive down the royal palm lined drive you know you have reached somewhere special. Built in 1934 as a jewel in the crown by the British Raj, this landmark hotel located in the heart of New Delhi exudes style and colonial elegance. Designed by Lutyens assistant, Bromfield, the inlaid marble floors, three‐story atriums, fountains and lithographs complement well appointed rooms, grand suites, wonderful restaurants and bars. The hotel's city centre location does mean it can be fairly noisy and that good views are in short supply but these shortfalls are more than made up for by the hotel's colourful history and its unmistakable sense of location.
Night at hotel.
WEDNESDAY, 04TH FEBRUARY: DELHI
Breakfast at hotel.
Morning visit to HUMAYUN’S TOMB - the first garden‐tomb in the Indian subcontinent and the inspiration for the Taj Mahal.
Drive onto old Delhi, past the Red Fort. Proceed to KHARI BAOLI Asia’s biggest spice market by CYCLE RICKSHAW. The street is congested but lively, lined by shops crammed by spices, pulses dried fruits and other edibles. Continue your walk through the streets of CHANDNI CHOWK, KINARI BAZZAR & DARIBA KALAN , savouring the sights and smells and sampling some of the famous street foods of old Delhi and walk through the famous Parathay Wali Gali to reach the Jama Masjid.
Visit the JAMA MASJID mosque ‐ this congregational mosque was built by Shahjahan in 1650
Proceed for LUNCH AT KARIMS ‐ Old Delhi’s most famous culinary destination, boasts of a line of chef’s that used to prepare meals for Mughal emperors. Located in the bustle and chaos , it serves legendary Mughlai fare, Mutton Korma and Stew, Seekh kebabs and Bakri Khani.
Afternoon at leisure at the hotel.
Dinner at Indian Accent (pre paid) we welcome you on a unique culinary journey. awarded the best restaurant all india by time out, indian accent showcases indian food for the 21st century with a path-breaking contemporary menu that is sure to excite the adventurous, yet satisfy traditional palates. seasonal and organic (where possible) and fresh local produce join unusual ingredients from world cuisine to create a menu that we hope will excite the adventurous, yet satisfy traditional tastes and evoke nostalgia. this is our attempt at proposing indian food for the twenty first century – a unique marriage of global ingredients and techniques with the flavours and traditions of india.
Return back to hotel.
DAY 3
THURSDAY 05TH FEBRUARY: DELHI
Breakfast at hotel.
Morning visit to a SIKH TEMPLE to witness the wonder of mass community kitties that feed over 2000 people a day.
Proceed to visit the QUTUB MINAR, first Islamic structure in India.
LUNCH AT MEHRAULI VILLAGE COMPLEX, overlooking the
Qutub Minar.
Afternoon at leisure to visit the HANDICRAFTS EMPORIUM
DINNER WITH INDIAN FAMILY, where flavour of home
cooking engulfs you.
Return back to hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Khajuraho
The Kamasutra carvings thatswathe Khajuraho’s three groups of temples areamong the finest temple art in the world. The templesat Khajuraho were built during the
Chandella dynasty.
DAY 4
FRIDAY 6TH FEBRUARY: DELHI – KHAJURAHO
Breakfast at hotel.
Transfer to Delhi airport for flight to Khajuraho via Varanasi.
FLIGHT 9W 2423 DEPARTS DELHI AT 10H45 Stopover in Varanasi for 30 minutes. Light snacks served on the flight. FLIGHT 9W 2423 ARRIVES KHAJURAHO AT 13H25
Met at Khajuraho airport by our representative and transferred to hotel.
Late lunch at the hotel. (Pay direct)
Take an informative and spiritual guided tour of the Karmasutra
carvings that swathe KHAJURAO’s GROUPS OF TEMPLES which
are among the finest temple art in the world.
Return back to hotel.
Dinner at the hotel (pay direct)
Agra
Agra stands as a testimony to the true spirit of a resilient era that made India a force to be reckoned with. With their talent and wealth the Mughals immortalized Agra in stone and marble leaving behind a legacy of some of the finest examples of Mughal architecture in the country. Today
DAY 5 & DAY 6
SUNDAY 8TH FEBRUARY: AGRA SATURDAY 7TH FEBRUARY :
KHAJURAHO – ORCHHA – JHANSI -AGRA Have a spectacular start to the day with a
sunrise visit to the TAJ MAHAL, built by Breakfast at hotel. Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, in loving memory
of his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her Drive to Orchha (180 Km / 4 ½ hours). mortal remains.
Entered by a gate crowned with a red Ganesh, Return to the hotel for breakfast. ORCHHA name (Hidden Place) is singularly appropriate. Temples, palaces and chhatris After breakfast, visit the AGRA FORT where fight their way out of the encroaching jungle, Shah Jahan spent years of confinement at the their spires and domes overshadowing a few hands of his son Aurangzeb, looking wistfully at ramshackle streets. the Taj Mahal.
LUNCH IN ORCHHA. Lunch at hotel (pay direct)
Later afternoon transfer to Jhansi railway Evening witness the Taj Mahal from the station to board train for Agra. ITMAD-UD-DAULAH (mini Taj) and
EXPLORE THE NEARBY VILLAGE OF TRAIN DEPARTS JHANSI AT 17H59 KACHPURA TRAIN ARRIVES AGRA AT 20H30
(Air-conditioned Executive Chair Car Class) Return back to hotel.
De‐board the train in Agra and transfer to Dinner at hotel (pay direct). hotel.
Dinner at hotel (pay direct). Overnight at hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Ranthambore
RanthamboreNational Park in south‐eastern Rajasthan is amongst the finest places in the world to see wild tigers. The park is named after one of India’s largest and most beautiful forts which stands majestically in the heart of the jungle
DAY 7 & DAY 8
MONDAY 9TH FEBRUARY: TUESDAY, 10TH FEBRUARY: AGRA – BHARATPUR – RANTHAMBORE RANTHAMBORE
Early morning transfer to BHARATPUR railway Begin your day early with second Jeep Safari to station to board train for SAWAI MADHOPUR. national park.
Packed breakfast will be arranged from the Tigers at Ranthambore National park have hotel. been known to even hunt in full view of human visitors. These tigers are famous for being seen BOARD TRAIN FROM BHARATPUR AT 10H30 in the daytime too, due to their lack of fear of DEBOAR TRAIN IN SAWAI MAHDOPUR AT 12H30. human presence in vehicles.
Arrive at Sawai Madhopur station and transfer The park has many water bodies located all to hotel in Ranthambore. over, which provide perfect relief during the extremely hot summer months for the forest Ranthambore National Park is in Sawai inhabitants. A huge fort, after which the park is Madhopur District of Rajasthan state. Located named, towers over the park atop a hill. There at the junction of the Aravalli and Vindhya hill are many ruins of bygone eras scattered all range, this is one of the finest places to view over the jungle, which give it a unique, animals. The park covers an area of about 400 wonderful and mixed flavour of nature, history sq Km and if combined it with the area of Sawai and wildlife. Mansingh sanctuary area, it is around 500 Sq km. Return back to hotel for breakfast.
LUNCH AT THE LODGE. LUNCH AT THE LODGE.
Afternoon experience your first Jeep safari to Late afternoon visit the Ranthambore Fort OR Ranthambore National Park (included in take 3rd Jeep Safari into the national park. package) This fort stands majestically atop a hill It is advisable to take along a good pair of overlooking the entire park. The walk up, one binoculars and if possible a camera with a very of the only places this mode of transport is powerful lens when visiting the fort. possible, is a very refreshing and exciting one as even the big cats have been spotted up Late evening return back to the lodge. there! The view of the surrounding keeps getting better and better as you go up but the Dinner and overnight at the lodge. view from the fort itself can only be described as breathtaking.
Return back to camp.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Jaipur Jaipur, the City of Victory has a habit of tickling travellers pink. Stunning hilltop forts and glorious palaces fit like footprints from a rich royal past, fluttering saris catch the eye while bright turbans blaze through brilliant bargain-filled bazaars.
DAY 9 WEDNESDAY 11TH FEBRUARY: RANTHAMBORE - KANOTA - JAIPUR
Breakfast at hotel.
Drive to Jaipur (4hrs). On the outskirts of Jaipur is the castle of Kanota, a small feudal estate of Jaipur.
Stop for lunch, where the feudal lord Man Singh Kanota himself cooks for you and shares age old recipes passed down by his forefathers. The house of Kanota is famous for an exquisite liquor brewed by them. participate in an interactive cooking demonstration followed by dinner with the royal family .
Evening check into hotel in Jaipur.
Dinner at hotel in Jaipur (pay direct)
Overnight at hotel.
SAMODE Samode Palace was initially built in the sixteenth century as a Rajput fort, but in early 19th century, under the nobleman Rawal Berisal, it was converted from a fort into an exquisitely designed palace in Rajput and Muslim Architecture
DAY 10 & DAY 11
THURSDAY 12TH FEBRUARY: JAIPUR FRIDAY 13TH FEBRUARY: JAIPUR –SAMODE Breakfast at hotel. Morning at leisure. Proceed to visit AMBER FORT ‐ is one of the most fascinating of the Indian forts, Post breakfast transfer to Samode. (42 Km / 1 comprising of the Palace of Mirrors, Hall of ½ hour). Public Audience and the beautiful gardens, all of which give a glimpse into the majesty of Samode is tucked away in the Aravalli Hills, days gone by. about 40 kilometers from Jaipur. It is famous for its restored 18th‐century palace, now a Escalate the ramparts of the Amber fort on luxury hotel and certainly the best of its kind Elephant back. in India, which rises above the cobbled streets and stone houses of the village like a mirage. On the way back from the Amber fort, stop at Indigo ‐ silk pyjamas, linen. Check‐in at hotel.
Visit the CITY PALACE who’s several Lunch (pay direct) courtyards and gardens provide wonderful contrast to its many palatial structures Late afternoon walk around the Samode including Mubarak Mahal, Chandra Mahal, village followed by camel ride witnessing the Badal Mahal and the Sri Govind Dev temple. sunset by the sand dunes.
Lunch at local restaurant (pay direct) Dinner at the hotel (pay direct)
Afternoon free for shopping in Jaipur.
Dinner at hotel (pay direct)
Night at hotel.
DAY 12 & DAY 13
SATURDAY 14th FEBRUARY: SUNDAY 15TH FEBRUARY: SAMODE SAMODE – UDAIPUR
Breakfast at hotel. Breakfast at hotel.
Morning at leisure. Morning drive to Udaipur, en‐route stopping for lunch at Bijay Niwas Palace, in Bijaynagar. Lunch at the village farm, where you will witness people making fresh food from organic Samode – Bijaynagar (220 Km / 3 ½ hours) vegetables and poultry. Bijaynagar – Udaipur (240 Km / 4 hours)
Return back to hotel. LUNCH AT BIJAYNAGAR (included)
Dinner (pay direct) and overnight hotel. Post lunch continue drive to Udaipur.
Check‐in at hotel. VALENTINES DAY CELEBRATION GALA DURBAR EVENING AT SAMODE PALACE Dinner at hotel (pay direct) (Included) Night at hotel You are taken in camel cart procession accompanied by local band and ‘mashals’ (lighted torches) to the Palace where a Royal Welcome awaits you with horses and camels on each side. The Palace is beautifully illuminated and you enjoy the Champagne cocktail with delicious food on the terrace while the folk dancers entertain you. The evening ends with a spectacular firework display.
Udaipur
City of lakes, Venice of the East. Elegant, romantic and one of India’s truly seductive cities, Udaipur is surrounded by the glassy waters of its lakes and is the perfect location to end your Indian Journey in relaxed beauty.
DAY 14 & DAY 15
MONDAY 16TH FEBRUARY: UDAIPUR TUESDAY, 17TH FEBRUARY: UDAIPUR
Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast, visit the CRYSTAL GALLERY, located at Fateh Prakash Palace. It has some of Morning at leisure. the most exquisite collection of 600 crystals ordered from F & C Osler England by Maharana Afternoon proceed for lunch at Bedla house. Sajjan Singh and was opened to the public in Bedla family offers a vast number of culinary 1994. delights comprising of authentic hereditary recipes inherited over two centuries from the Continue on to the CITY PALACE, which is the kitchens of the House of Bedla. The family has largest in Rajasthan. In size and outline the City revived those recipes that were served to the Palace and its subsidiary palaces bear a distinguished guests and for over a decade has resemblance to the Windsor castle in England. been promoting them at food festivals and has Built in 1725, it houses the Dilkhush Mahal, been hosting culinary connoisseurs of good Sheesh Mahal ‐ studded with glittering Belgium food at their ancestral home in Udaipur. Mirrors, MotiMahal and the Palace of Lord Krishna all of which are ornately decorated. At Sunset, take a ROMANTIC MOTOR CRUISE on the placid waters of Lake Pichola. From the Later visit the lovely medieval JAGDISH boat you will be able to view the city of Udaipur TEMPLE, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the as it rises majestically above the lake in the preserver in the Hindu Trinity of Gods and middle of the Rajasthan desert. Sahelion‐Ki‐Bari or the ‘Gardens of the Maids of Honor’. Stop off at the Jag Mandir Palace ‐ the other island palace in the middle of the lake. Afternoon at leisure.
Meeting with Maharana of Udaipur (subject to Dinner at the Sunset Terrace of hotel Fateh his availability, cannot be guaranteed) Prakash Palace. (included)
Dinner (pay direct) Night at hotel.
Night at hotel.
DAY 16
WEDNESDAY, 18TH FEBRUARY : UDAIPUR – DELHI
Breakfast at hotel.
Rest day at leisure.
Lunch (pay direct)
Check‐out time at hotel is 12h00 Noon.
Afternoon transfer to airport for flight to Delhi.
FLIGHT AI 472 DEPARTS UDAIPUR AT 16h05
FLIGHT AI 472 ARRIVES DELHI AT 17h25
Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be met by our
representative transferred to the International
terminal to board your flight home.
Reporting time at airports is minimum 180 minutes prior to
scheduled departure time of the international flight
End of Services
COST PROPOSAL – LXV WINE TOUR DATES: 03 – 18 FEBRUARY 2015 DATE OF PROPOSAL – 02 APRIL 2014
A. HOTELES ENVISAGED
CITY HOTEL ROOM CATEGORY NIGHTS DATES CLARIDGES OR 03 – 06 FEB DELHI DELUXE ROOM 03 SIMILAR
06 – 07 FEB KHAJURAHO RADISSON SUPERIOR ROOM 01
07 – 09 FEB AGRA ITC MUGHAL MUGHAL ROOM 02
TAJ SAWAI SUPERIOR CHARM 09 – 11 FEB RANTHAMBORE MADHOPUR 02 ROOM LODGE
11 – 13 FEB JAIPUR SAMODE HAVELI DELUXE ROOM 02
13 – 15 FEB SAMODE SAMODE BAGH DELUXE ROOM 02
FATEHPRAKASH 15 – 18 FEB UDAIPUR DOVECOTE ROOM 03 PALACE Hotels Not booked – confirmaition of rooms will be subject to avaliablity B. COST DETAILS: (CURRENT RATE: 1$ = INR 60) Cost Desription Per Person 10 – 14 PAYING PAX INR 2,39,289
15 – 19 PAYING PAX INR 2,38,225
20 – 24 PAYING PAX INR 2,33,750
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT INR 1,05,732
HOTEL UPGRADE SUPPLEMENTS Cost Description Per Person Supplement for upgrading to Tent at Sherbagh in Ranthambore for 2 nights INR 17050 inclusive of all meals (no drinks) Twin share basis Supplement for upgrading to Deluxe rooms Samode Palace in Samode for 2 INR 11500 nights inclusive of breakfast and taxes on Twin share
Optional Supplements (minimum 15 paying pax) – Per person cost
Ballon Safari near Jaipur (45 minutes to 1 hour) INR 16500
Lunch at Dera Amer + Elephant Safari (2 hour) INR 8100
Exclusive Music &dance performance in Samode ( 2 hours) INR 12000
C. AIRFARE SUPPLEMENT (Economy class): COST PER DATE SECTOR FLIGHT NO. TIMING PERSON
06 FEB DELHI – KHAJURAHO 9W 2423 10H45 / 13H25 INR 10500 (VIA VARANASI)
18 FEB UDAIPUR – DELHI 9W 708 16H45 / 17H55 INR 7500
NOTES: The above quoted airfare is subject to change, unless ticketed with full passenger names. Free check-in luggage allowance on domestic flights in Economy class is 15 Kilos per person. Extra baggage has to be paid at the airline counter at the time of check-in.
INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS Inclusions : 15 nights accommodation at hotels mentioned. English speaking accompayning escort from arrival in Delhi on day 1 till departure from Delhi on day 16. Transport services using Volkswangen Crafter (upto 10 pax), Toyota Coaster (upto 15 pax) and Mitsubishi Rosa ( upto 20 pax), beyond 20 pax – Volvo coach will be used. Entrance fees as indicated in the program. 03 Jeep Safairs in Ranthambore national park ( jeep shared by 5 to 6 pax) Currently applicable government taxes.
Included Meals (venues cannot be guaranteed unless confirmed) Lunch at Karims on day 2 Dinner at Indian Accent – The Tasting menu accopmained by wine pairing. On day 2 Lunch Olive near Qutub Minar day 3 Dinner with Indian family day 3 Lunch at Orchha on day 5 Dinner at hotel in Ranthambore on day 7 Lunch & Dinner at hotel in Ranthambore on day 8 Cooking Demo and Lunch at Castle Kanota day 9 Lunch at at Village Farm in Samode day 12 Valentines day - gala dinner at Samode Palace on day 12 Lunch at Bijay Niwas Palace on day 13 Lunch at Bedla Family day 14 Dinner in Udaipur on day 15
Special inclusions Porter at airports. Special travel KIT and welcome gift. Meeting & assistance on arrivals and departures with services of our Concierge / Representatives. Still Camera fees at various monuments Tips for representative and driver an helper Local Indian SIM card to the clients for local calling (1mobile and SIM)
Above rates exclude: International air fares, airport taxes, visa charges or any kind of insurance cover Items of personal nature i.e.: telephone calls, drinks, laundry, tips etc Any liability arising owing to last minute changes in the program due to reasons beyond our control for instance; political disturbances, natural phenomenon, change in schedule of flight or train, any VIP movement etc Bank service charges in case of credit card payments Cost arising out of any last minute request by the guest for additional arrangements Any other items other than mentioned as ‘included’ Tips to guides, drivers or any other personals not mentioned in the inclusions.
The tour in general: The prices are subject to change in case of any variation of tax, currency and tariff structure The prices advised are net and non-commissionable. Check in time 1400 hours and check out time 1200 hours unless advised otherwise
PAYMENT:
In order to assure the room blackings to the hotels, we will require 25% of the land arrangements + full airfare at the time of booking. Balance payment has to be deposited minimum 90 days prior to date of arrival.
Payment Deposit Policy:
Within Duration Percentage of Invoice
At the Time of booking 25% of the land arrangement + full airfare. 90 days prior to the arrival Balance payment of the land arrangements
Tour Cancellation Policy:
Within Duration Cancellation Fees Charged 60 – 45 days before arrival 35% of the invoice 44 – 30 days before arrival 70% of the invoice 29 – 01 day before arrival No refund