Rajasthan Land of the Rajput Kings October 22 – November 8, 2016 Tour leader: Judy Tenzing Rajasthan Land of the Rajput Kings Overview This 18-day tour takes in the highlights of Rajasthan – the land of the great Rajput kings who are renowned across India as warriors and champions of the Hindu faith. From the great metropolis of Delhi and its rich history under centuries of conquest and foreign rule, we head to Agra, home to that most glorious of monuments, the fabled Taj Mahal. Then on to Rajasthan’s capital, the “pink city” of Jaipur and the golden palace of Samode, set in the hills outside Jaipur and our home for a tour highlight – the greatest Indian “festival of lights” – Diwali. We then proceed to Jodhpur, a desert town nestled beneath the great Mehrangarh Fort of the Marwari kings. From here to the fairytale town on the great Pichola Lake – Udaipur, a stay at the world famous Lake Palace Hotel is an experience never to be forgotten. We conclude our Indian experience with a visit to Mumbai, gateway to old British India and the modern nation’s economic capital. This tour offers the very best that India has to offer – the great deserts of Rajasthan, palace forts, historic cities and towns and a sense of what is quintessentially India. Touring highlights Three nights in Delhi, exploring the old and new cities of the Moghuls and the British Raj Admire Agra in all its glory with visits to the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort Fatehpur Sikri – the deserted city of the Moghuls Celebrate Diwali at the stunning Samode Palace in Jaipur The exquisite textiles, palaces and gems of Rajasthan’s capital, Jaipur The desert city of Jodhpur, home of the greatest fort in Rajasthan, Mehrangarh Udaipur – the city on the lake, staying at the famed Lake Palace Hotel The cosmopolitan city and Gateway of India, Mumbai Tour Leader India, Nepal, Bhutan and Burma are Judy Tenzing’s lifelong passions and with over 30 years experience as an administrator and tour leader on the sub-continent, she has a wealth of knowledge to share. Judy has a degree in South Asian History and has regularly presented courses at Sydney University’s Centre for Continuing Education on the history and culture of this remarkable region. Images left: Bowls are painted by hand in preparation for Diwali; and the Taj appears luminous Tour Price The tour price is $10,475 per person, twin share accommodation. The supplement for a single room is $2,800 per person. A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required to secure a place on the tour. Included in the tour price All accommodation in selected four and five star hotels All breakfasts and 15 lunches and 7 dinners in hotels and local restaurants as indicated in the itinerary One-way economy class flight between Udaipur and Mumbai Land travel by air-conditioned coach Extensive tour notes Services of an Australian tour leader throughout the tour All entrance fees to sites mentioned in the itinerary Services of qualified local guides throughout Tips to local guides and drivers Not included in tour price International air fares, taxes and surcharges Travel insurance Meals not stated as included in this itinerary Above: The magnificent walled city of Fatehpur Sikri, the ‘city of victory’, and a fine example of Mughal architecture Items of a personal nature such as laundry, phone calls or internet use Below: Influenced by the Islamic school of astronomy, Rajput King Jai Singh built five astronomical observatories Air travel OPTIONS or Jantar Mantars – we visit the one pictured in Jaipur The tour price quoted is for land content only. Singapore Airlines offers daily flights into Delhi and out of Mumbai with connections via Singapore. Please contact us for further information on competitive Economy, Business, or First Class airfares. Airport transfers Arrival and departure hotel/airport transfers are included for all passengers booking their flights through Academy Travel. Please contact Erin Laffin for further details. Enquiries and bookings For further information or to secure a place on this tour please contact Erin Laffin at Academy Travel, on 9235 0023 or 1800 639 699 (outside Sydney) or email [email protected] Rajasthan Land of the Rajput Kings Detailed Itinerary All breakfasts included. Included lunches and dinners are indicated by the letters (L) and (D). Saturday October 22 Arrive Delhi Flights depart Australian cities during the day arriving in Delhi, late on Saturday night. Passengers booking their flights through Academy Travel, to commence the tour today, will be transferred to the group hotel. Overnight Delhi Sunday October 23 Old Delhi After a morning welcome meeting in the hotel we cross into the old city of Delhi to visit to great Red Fort (Lal Qila), built by Shah Jahan and home of the Mughal rulers until the Great Mutiny of 1857. The fort is named for its large red sandstone defensive walls that now house several museums. Most of the fort’s treasures were looted and the gardens destroyed to make way for the British Army barracks, however a few examples of beautiful carving, inlay and gilding can be seen in the Diwan-I Khas where the emperor held court from the gilded peacock throne. After a break for lunch we take a rickshaw ride through the narrow alleys of the old city, regrouping at the famed Jama Masjid Mosque. Completed in 1656 by Shah Jahan the mosque took 5000 workers six years to construct. It is the largest mosque in India with the courtyard able to accommodate 25,000 worshippers. We return to the hotel before gathering for a welcome dinner this evening. Overnight Delhi (B, L, D) Monday October 24 New Delhi Today we look at New Delhi and the role that it played in the Indian independence movement. We will stop to see the great work of British architects Edwin Landseer Lutyens and Herbert Baker who designed the majestic Rashtrapati Bhawan, originally the Viceroy’s residence and seat of power of the British in India from 1911. It is now the official residence of the Indian president. We also spend time at Birla House, the site of Gandhi’s assassination and now a memorial to the iconic leader before moving on to Teen Murti, the former home of Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first president. It is now a wonderful museum and library. This evening is at leisure. Overnight Delhi (B, L) Tuesday October 25 To Agra An early start today as we depart by coach for the 204km drive to Agra, the city made famous for the Taj Mahal. The journey takes approximately three to four hours and Judy will give a talk about the coming of the Mughals to India and Shah Jahan and the building of the Taj Mahal. After lunch we visit the Agra fort, built in red sandstone by the great Mughal Images left: Diwan-I Khas or Hall of Private Audiences where the Emperor received guests at the Red Fort in Delhi; Changing of the guard at Rashtrapati Bhawan; the red fort in Agra is considered one of the finest Mughal forts in India . emperor Akbar and centre of India’s power for centuries. The structure took over 4,000 workers eight years to build. Behind the fort’s formidable walls we wander through lovely palace apartments, gardens and audience halls evoking the splendours of a bygone era. It has a rich history as Mughal India’s capital and was besieged by the British during the 1857 Mutiny. Overnight Agra (B, L) Wednesday October 26 The Taj Majal We rise before dawn in order to arrive at the famed Taj Mahal for its sunrise opening. This is the best time to visit as the crowds are far less pervasive and the light is usually soft and beautiful for photography. One of the most ethereal of buildings, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his queen and completed in 1653, it is an extraordinary monument to love and power. After lunch in a local restaurant the remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight Agra (B, L, D) Thursday October 27 Fatehpur Sikri Departing Agra we drive for approximately an hour to Fatehpur Sikri, the 'City of Victory'. The emperor Akbar spent fourteen years planning and Above: The pink sandstone façade of the Hawa Mahal, a constructing the magnificent walled city but by 1585, shortly after its perfect vantage point for the women of the royal court to completion, he had abandoned the site and moved his capitol to Lahore. watch proceedings below With its blend of Persian and Indian architectural influences, this perfect Below: The beautifully decorated City Palace of the Pink ghost city is one of the best preserved examples of Mughal architecture in City, Jaipur; and elephants make their way up Amber Fort India. We explore the palace complex and see the Jama Masjid, the huge congregational mosque which could accommodate up to 10,000 faithful. After a break for lunch we continue for about 200 kilometres to Jaipur. Dinner tonight is in our hotel. Overnight Jaipur (B, L) Friday October 28 In Jaipur We begin our time in the Pink City at the Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds, a stunning stone façade from where the women of the royal court could watch ceremonies and parades whilst still remaining unseen. We then continue to the wonderful City Palace, built by the Rajput Maharajah Jai Singh in the early 18th century. The palace museum houses a stunning collection of textiles, artefacts, armoury and Indian miniature paintings. From here the skills and knowledge of the Indian craftsmen is further reflected in the Jantar Mantar observatory, begun by Jai Singh in 1728 and one the best of its kind in the world.