EXPLORING RAJASTHAN 16 FEBRUARY – 1 MARCH 2019 Tour Leader: Alastair Watson JOURNEY THROUGH THE LAND OF THE MAHARAJAS This captivating tour of Rajasthan offers a comfortable and gentle, yet comprehensive introduction to one of India’s most fascinating regions. It combines not only the palaces and imposing hilltop forts of the Mughals, but also exquisite ancient temples, the colonial heritage of British India, rich and varied wildlife, and the unspoiled peace and natural beauty of the countryside. We begin our journey in Delhi exploring the contrast between bustling Old Delhi and Sir Edwin Lutyen’s New Delhi. After a visit to Agra with the impressive Agra Fort and the spectacular Taj Mahal, we continue to Bharatpur for a visit to the famous Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Next we explore the ‘Rose City’ of Jaipur, with its colourful markets and eclectic blend of architecture, including the magnificent Amber Fort, before enjoying a couple of days of unspoilt rural Rajasthan at the imposing hilltop fort at Deogarh. We reach the beautiful city of Udaipur, often referred to as the ‘Venice of the East’ to explore the treasures of the imposing City Palace complex, visit the Jagdish Temple and enjoy a sunset cruise on Lake Pichola. The tour finishes with a relaxing stay in the royal residence on the banks of Gaibsagar Lake before ending our journey back in Delhi. We would love to have your company on this incredible tour of Rajasthan. Get in touch with The Ultimate Travel Company on 020 3411 4595 to reserve your place. White-throated Kingfisher Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, Jaipur Rickshaw taxi 14 DAY ITINERARY, DEPARTING 16 FEBRUARY 2019 16 February London / Delhi later additions made by his son, Jahangir, in the impressive buildings that remain Evening departure from London Heathrow and grandson, Shah Jahan. End the today. Fatephur Sikri was abandoned on a British Airways flight to Delhi. afternoon with a visit to the white marble after 15 years and stands in near Tomb of Itimad ud Daulah, known as the perfect condition allowing the visitor an 17 February Delhi ‘Baby Taj’, considered to be the interesting glimpse into everyday life at On arrival transfer to the Oberoi Maidens forerunner of the Taj Mahal and profusely the Moghul court. Hotel, an elegant colonial hotel located decorated with non-precious stone inlay Lunch at a local restaurant. Check in in the centre of New Delhi, where two work. Overnight at the Taj Gateway Hotel, at the simple but comfortable Birder’s nights are spent. Afternoon orientation set in extensive gardens and with views Inn Hotel in Bharatpur where one night tour of Delhi. Dinner at the hotel. of the Taj Mahal. Dinner at the hotel. is spent. The hotel is situated near Keoladeo Ghana National Park, one of 18 February Delhi the most famous bird sanctuaries in the Morning tour of Sir Edwin Lutyens’ New world. Dinner at the hotel. Delhi, passing India Gate, the Parliament Building and Qutb Minar, the world’s 21 February Bharatpur / Jaipur tallest brick minaret. Early morning visit to the Keoladeo Lunch under own arrangements. Ghana National Park before returning to Afternoon rickshaw ride through Old the hotel for breakfast. Drive to Jaipur, Delhi’s bustling and vibrant Chandni known as the ‘Rose City’, having been Chowk market place and a visit to painted pink in 1876. En route visit the the Jama Masjid Mosque, the largest Chand Baori stepwell at Abhaneri, one of mosque in India. Evening visit to the local the largest and most beautiful stepwells markets and bazaars. Dinner under own in India built during the 8th and 9th arrangements. centuries. India Gate, New Delhi Lunch at a local restaurant. Check into 19 February Delhi / Agra Dera Mandawa where two nights are Transfer with luggage to Delhi Station to 20 February Agra / Bharatpur spent. Dera Mandawa offers a lovely board the train to Agra. On arrival, visit Drive to Bharatpur with a visit en route to combination of staying in a beautiful the Taj Mahal, the world’s greatest the deserted red sandstone Moghul city heritage boutique hotel with a traditional monument to love and devotion, with its of Fatephur Sikri, 40km from Agra. The home-stay experience in the heart of superb craftsmanship of semi-precious city was built by Emperor Akbar as his Jaipur. Built 125 years ago by Thakur stones inlaid into the marble in beautiful splendid capital and palace in the late Jait Singhji of Mandawa, the hotel is patterns, a process known as pietra dura. 16th century and in its heyday was the now home to his great grandson Thakur Lunch at a local restaurant. Continue to most important artistic centre in South Durga Singh who will be your charming the impressive 16th century Agra Fort, Asia. One long bazaar connected the and welcoming host. Remainder of the which was started in 1565 by Akbar with city to Agra and its wealth is reflected afternoon to relax. Dinner at the hotel. 020 3411 4595 | [email protected] | THEULTIMATETRAVELCOMPANY.CO.UK Kumbhalgarh Fortress Amber Fort, Jaipur Royal Observatory, Jaipur. 22 February Jaipur hyenas and wolves have been sighted in Lunch at a local restaurant. Continue Morning visit to the impressive Amber Fort the surrounding hills. Feed and wash the to Udaipur, the ‘City of Dreams’, which which dates from the 16th / 17th centuries, elephants before dinner at the camp. is considered one of the most romantic cities in India. In contrast to some of where the majestic 18km ramparts rise 23 February Jaipur / Deogarh steeply above its hilltop site and elephants its desert neighbours, it presents an carry visitors up to the entrance gate. Depart (with luggage) for Deogarh enchanting image of white marble Within, a series of courtyards lead to a rich and check into the Deogarh Mahal palaces, placid blue lakes and green hills interior of lavishly decorated pavilions, where one night is spent. Known as the that keep the wilderness at bay. It is an rooms and apartments – gold and silver, ‘Abode of the Gods’, Deogarh Mahal oasis of colour in a stark and arid region. coloured and mirrored glass, carved is a magnificent, rambling hill top fort On arrival, transfer to Kankarwa Haveli, marble, plaster and wood and exquisite nestled in the Aravali Hills dotted with situated in the heart of the old city at wall paintings abound. Walk to Anokhi a number of old, majestic forts and over Lal Ghat on the shores of Lake Pichola, Museum, located in a magnificently a hundred lakes. This unique hotel, with where two nights are spent. Dinner at restored haveli, containing a selection of décor reflecting the Rajput era, is run by the hotel. the local ruling family and every guest block printed textiles alongside images, 25 February Udaipur tools and related objects – all chosen is treated with the traditional Mewari to provide an in-depth look into the hospitality. Morning visit to the superb 17th century complexity of this ancient tradition. Lunch at the hotel. Afternoon spent Jagdish Temple noted for its imposing 25-metre pagoda covered with bas-relief Lunch at Samodi Haveli. Visit the relaxing or exploring the Rajasthani town. Dinner at the hotel. of horsemen, dancers, musicians and Maharaja’s City Palace and the 18th elephants, along with black stone images century Royal Observatory (Jantar 24 February Deogarh / Udaipur of Vishnu as Jagannath. Continue to Mantar) with its monumental sundials and Depart for the World Heritage Site of the grand City Palace complex which signs of the zodiac. See the magnificent Kumbhalgarh Fort, one of the most towers over Lake Pichola, started in 1567 Hawa Mahal, known as the ‘Palace of the impressive fortresses in the ancient by Maharana Udai Singh with carefully Winds’, an elaborate five storey façade Kingdom of Mewar. Built during the integrated subsequent additions. Within of windows and tracery from where the course of the 15th century by Rana are a series of courtyards, corridors ladies of the court used to sit and observe Kumbha and enlarged throughout the and gardens, along with a fascinating the outside world and enjoy the cooling 19th century, it sits on a hilltop 1100 collection of museums and beautiful breezes (hence the name). metres above sea level and its perimeter traditional miniature paintings. This evening, drive to Dera Amer, an walls extend over 36km, making it Lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon at elephant camp run outside a local the second longest wall in the world. leisure. Evening cruise on Lake Pichola, family’s ancestral home. Located at Kumbhalgarh Fort and its adjoining areas followed by dinner at the hotel. the foothills of the Aravali Range and have been declared a wildlife sanctuary surrounded by just a few hamlets which protects one of India’s few families 26 February Udaipur / Dungarpur housing the local villagers, the birdlife of wolves as well as leopards and flying Morning at leisure to walk around the in the area is thriving and occasionally squirrels. shops and market. 020 3411 4595 | [email protected] | THEULTIMATETRAVELCOMPANY.CO.UK Traditional Rajasthani Dress Lunch at the hotel. Depart (with luggage) 28 February Dungarpur / Udaipur / Delhi TOUR PRICES PER PERSON for Dungarpur and check into the Udai Morning to relax at the pool or by the Tour price £4,395 Bilas Palace where two nights are lake before transferring to Udaipur spent. Still the royal residence, the Airport for a domestic flight to Delhi Single Supplement £1,050 exquisitely detailed palace is nestled in Airport. Transfer to the Trident Gurgaon Upgrades idyllic splendour, with the blue waters of Hotel, where one night is spent.