Desert Cruise - CAMEL SAFARI – 14 nights / 15 Days (OTS 101)

Rajasthan the potpourri of mysterious situated on west most part of the country. One can enjoy Jeep Safari & for inclination towards high life can board “The Palace on Wheels-Luxurious Train”. The journey of desert is incomplete until we talk about camels and camel rides. The camel Safari: ride on back of clumsy critter reminds a sailor resonating careen deck in turbulent waters!

Day 01 - Arrive Delhi Reach Delhi and our representative will welcome later transfer to your hotel. Relax and retrieve. (Meal: one)

Day 02 - Delhi – Agra (203 kms 5hrs) Post breakfast lets start city tour of whapping history i.e. Delhi. Old Delhi: Magnificent - Built by Shah Jehan, once the most opulent fort of the . The Masjid-i Jahān-Numā commonly known as Jama Masjid another example of Mughal Art & sculpture made of Red Sand Stone. Followed by rickshaw ride through the busiest Chandni Chowk. also visit Raj Ghat (The place where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated) and Shanti Vana. New Delhi: drive past Rashtrapati Bhawan (Presidents Palace and one-time imperial residence of the British viceroys) visit The India Gate: a memorabilia in honor of the Indian soldiers, Qutab Minar, built by Qutub-ud-din Aibek of the Slave Dynasty. Around 3 PM, proceed to Agra by car (05hrs drive) Arrive- Relax & Retrieve at hotel. (Meals: Breakfast) Day 03 – Agra – Jaipur via (236 kms 5-6hrs) An early morning visit of Taj Mahal at Sunrise. The Taj Mahal: Fusion of many Architectural styles it is one of the wonders of Modern World. The incomparable monument was built by Emperor Shahjahan 1652 in the loving memory of his beloved wife Mumtaj Mahal. This poem on white is the work of 20,000 Skilled Artisans Who Inlaid the White Marble Edifice with Precious and Semi Precious Stones. Return to hotel for breakfast. Later check out and visit . Post lunch drive to Jaipur en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri – old and deserted town of Mughal Dynasty. Reach Jaipur & Relax-retrieve in hotel. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 04 – Jaipur This morning excursion to Amber Fort located just outside the city. This is amongst excellent example of forts & gives a magnificent view of the city down below. The Royal experience Elephant ride to and from the top of the hill where fort is situated. Later visit City Palace in the heart of Jaipur is known for its blend of Rajasthan and . Also visit Central Museum with its huge collection of jewellery, colorful costumes, woodwork, brassware, and pottery. You must see Jantar Mantar: one of the largest of the five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh. The Hawa Mahal: the Palace of Winds was constructed for the royal Ladies to watch the royal processions without being seen. The afternoon will be free to explore colorful lanes of bazaars of Pink city-Jaipur famous for its textile & jewellery. Relax & retrieve at hotel.

(Meal: Breakfast) Day 05 – Jaipur – Post breakfast drive down to Bikaner (237 Km from Jaipur and takes 4-5 hours). Arrive and check into hotel. Later visit The Junagarh Fort, , Museum and the Camel Breeding Farm. Relax and Retrieve at your hotel. (Meal: Breakfast)

Day 06 – Bikaner – Dhingsari village Post breakfast drive to village Munjasar a distance of 55 km via Deshnoke, Jegla, Janglu. At Deshnoke the Karni Mata Temple (of Rats) can be visited. Arrive Munjasar village and Lunch will be served. After Lunch ride the camels from Munjasar to village Dhingsari. Arrive village Dhingsari and camp. Dinner and program of music at the camps- Relax & retrieve in the tents. (Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner)

Day 07 – Dhingsari village to Khara Lohan Village - Camel Safari Breakfast will be served at the camp. Safari will begin after breakfast from village Dhingsari to village Khara Lohan (24 km approx) via Satika, Rataria, Dharnoke. Lunch will be served en-route safari around mid day. A short rest after lunch under the shade of some tree and again begin the second leg of the ride. Arrive Khara Lohan and relax & retrieve in tents. (Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner)

Day 08 – Khara Lohan – Jarkhi Post Breakfast Begin safari from village Khara Lohan to a place in the desert called Jarkhi (23 km approx) via Lammana, Bhatiyan & Miakor. Lunch en-route safari, arrive Jarkhi -Relax & retrieve in tents. (Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner)

Day 09 – Jarkhi to Bhardia Nada Post Breakfast Camel safari from Jarkhi to Bhardia Nada (27kms approx) via Mitharia & Luna. Lunch will be served en-route safari. Arrive Bhradia Nada and camp. Barbecue, Music & Dinner at the camp. Relax & retrieve in tents. (Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner)

Day 10 – Bhardia Nada Jaisalmer Breakfast at the camp and begin camel safari from Bhradia Nada to village Jambha (18 km approx) which is the finishing point of camel safari. Lunch will be served at Jambha. There after drive to Jaisalmer via Phalodi/Pokaran (190 km). Relax and Retrieve at hotel. (Meal: Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 11: Jaisalmer After Breakfast Sight Seeing of Jaisalmer Includes the Visit of Jain Temples, Gadisar Tank, Fort, Patewon Ki Haveli, Nathmalji-Ki Haveli and Salim Singh’s Haveli. Afternoon at Leisure. Relax & Retrieve at Hotel. (Meal: Breakfast)

Day 12: Jaisalmer - Jodpur Post Breakfast drive to and check into hotel. Later Visit The Wonderful Fort & Jaswant Thada (The Royal Cenotaphs Of Jaswant Singh). Overnight at Hotel. (Meal: Breakfast) Day 13: Jodhpur to Udaipur via Ranakpur After Breakfast drive to Udaipur. An oasis in the desert state of Rajasthan which appeals travelers such as poets & writers is one of the most romantic places. The marble palaces, attractively laid gardens and the lakes make Udaipur seem almost like a fata morgana in the desert. En-route you will visit the Jain temples at Ranakpur, superbly preserved in a near-perfect condition for over 500 years. Arrive and check into hotel. Rest of the time at leisure. Overnight at hotel. (Meal: Breakfast)

Day 14 - Udaipur Post breakfast Full day city tour of Udaipur. You will visit the City Palace: poised over Lake Pichola, opalescent with tile and mirror inlay. You will also explore the town by walking through the narrow, colorful meandering lanes. The light that reflects of the golden sands immersed a land renowned for its vibrant colors, people in the bright clothes and beautiful Jewellery, living in city dotted and dominated by towering fort and palaces that rise from sand like a phantasm. Udaipur is being the most eminently illustrious tourist attraction of Rajasthan. Overnight at hotel. (Meal: Breakfast)

Day 15 – Udaipur – Delhi Departure Post Breakfast Transfer to airport in Udaipur to board flight to Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi transfer to hotel for wash and change room, dinner and departure later in time to board international flight. (Meal: Breakfast & Dinner)

ABOUT THE TRAIL The main casts living in the villages are , Jats, Bishnois, Brahmins, Charans and occupational casts like Carpenters, Pot Makers, Barbers, Telis also. Although these casts have their own social identity but every cast in desert is basically farmer oriented and some people are cattle breeders also. Some people keep herds of sheep and the wool from these desert sheep is the best for making yarn for carpets. India meets its demand of live stock (55%) for meat purpose from goats and sheep from Rajasthan. There is one camel breeder cast living in desert called Raika and they are nomadic in nature. There are certain other casts who are nomadic too in nature like Jogi, Satiya, Ban Bawariya, Gadiya Lohar & Banjara and so on... These people roam from place to place and if you are lucky you may come across some of them.

These tours also provide ample of opportunity to photograph wildlife of desert, where Chinkara (Gazel), Desert Fox, Blue Bull, Rabbits, Vultures, Eagles, Falcons, Demossil Cranes, Sandgrouse and variety of other animals can be sited.