Day
1 - Saturday 1st November 2008 - In Flight
Depart London Manchester/Heathrow on British Airways flight to Delhi.
Day
2 - Sunday 2nd November 2008 - Delhi
Met on arrival by our agents and transferred by private coach to the 5-star
Jaypee Vasant Continental Hotel Delhi. Remainder of the day at leisure.
Welcome reception followed by dinner in the hotel. Overnight: Jaypee Vasant
Continental Hotel, Delhi. D
Day
3 - Monday 3rd November 2008 - Agra
Transfer to the train station for the Shatabdi Express train to Agra.
Met on arrival and transferred to the Oberoi Trident Hilton Hotel. At
the time of the Moghuls in the 16th and 17th centuries, Agra was the capital
of India and its superb monuments date from that era. Morning - sightseeing
of the imposing Agra Fort. The building was started in 1565 by Akbar with
later additions made by his son Jahangir and grandson, Shah Jahan. Wander
through the white apartments of the Emperor Shah Jehan and glimpse the
Taj Mahal in the distance. Afternoon - visit to the Taj Mahal, the greatest
monument to love and devotion. Although the Taj is amazingly graceful
from almost any angle, it is the beautiful patterns of semi-precious stones
inlaid into the marble which are really astounding. Overnight: Dinner
in the hotel. Oberoi Trident Hilton Hotel, Agra. BD
Day
4 - Tuesday 4th November 2008 - Kararuli
Drive to Kararuli (4 hours) for two nights at the Bhanwar Vilas Palace
- a large 1930s palace surrounding an inner courtyard, where the Maharaja
still lives. The walls of the dining room and main sitting room are covered
with hunting trophies and family photographs, and the spacious bedrooms
are decorated with original colonial furnishings. There are large gardens
with stables and a swimming pool. Afternoon
- walk into the village to visit the Old City Palace, a beautiful 17th
century building with wonderful stone carvings, jalli work and classic
paintings and frescoes. Overnight: Dinner in the hotel. Bhanwar Vilas
Palace, Kararuli. BD
Day
5 - Wednesday 5th November 2008 - Kararuli
Visit the village Hindu Temple followed by a trek into the Kail Devi Sanctuary
(3 hours), Lunch will be served either by a lake or at the fort. After
lunch there will be time to explore the fort before driving back to the
hotel. Dinner in the hotel. Overnight: Bhanwar Vilas Palace, Kararuli.
BD
Day
6 - Thursday 6th November 2008 - Jaipur
Drive to Jaipur (approximately 4 hours) via the deserted sandstone fortress of Fatehpur Sikri, built by Emperor Akbar as his splendid capital and palace in the late 16th century. It was abandoned soon after it was built when the local wells ran dry, and it remains today in much the same condition that it was over 300 years ago. Rest of the day at leisure. Dinner in the hotel. Overnight: Samode Bagh, Samode. BD
Day
7 - Friday 7th November 2008 - Jaipur
Jaipur, or the City of Victory, was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai
Jai Singh II. It is a well-planned city, built from rose-coloured terracotta,
which has given it the name 'Pink City'. Its bazaars teem with people,
camels, horses and a multitude of vehicles. This
morning we have a 40-minute drive to Amber, the ancient capital of the
region. Now a deserted complex, it still recalls its heydays in the majestic
ramparts rising steeply along the contoured hillsides. We ride on elephants
to the stately splendour of the main Palace, where our guide explains
the history of this beautiful complex, which has been extremely well preserved.
Afternoon - a sightseeing tour of Jaipur includes a visit to the magnificent
Hawa Mahal, otherwise known as the Palace of the Winds: an elaborate facade
behind which the ladies of the court used to sit and observe life going
on in the streets below. We also visit the City Palace and the Royal Observatory.
Dinner in the hotel. Overnight: Samode Bagh, Samode. BD
Day
8 - Saturday 8th November 2008 - Pachewargarh
Drive to Pachewargarh (approximately 5 hours) and check into the Pachewargarh
Fort for two nights. This 300 year old fort with its massive ramparts,
turrets and gates is now a small hotel, run by the owning family with
great care and attention. The simple bedrooms are brightly decorated in
local Rajput tradition, and look down on to a charming inner garden where
one may sit and watch the stars by night or sunbathe during the day. It
is a rambling place with many hidden balconies for those wanting privacy.
Surrounded by a village, a great insight into rural life can be gained
from wandering the narrow streets. Late
afternoon - we visit the Royal Cenotaphs built on the banks of Pumpa Sagar
Lake, and the village, to watch the craftsmen and artisans making delicate
blue pottery, cosy carpets, colourful tie-and-dye, and terracotta. Overnight:
Pachewargarh Fort, Pachewargarh. BD
Day
9 - Sunday 9th November 2008 - Pachewargarh
Trek to the renowned Temple of Diggi, situated 15km from Pachewargarh and surrounded by beautiful rural countryside. We walk for 4-5 hours through some small villages and dhanis, where one can see people living without any modern amenities. Picnic lunch can be enjoyed before reaching the Diggi Temple in the open fields, or by the side of the beautiful lake after visiting the temple. Return to Pachewargarh by coach. Optional return by camel cart. Dinner in the hotel. Overnight: Pachewargarh Fort. BD
Day
10 - Monday 10th November 2008 - Deogarh
Drive (5 hours) to the small village of Deogarh for a one-night stay at the rambling hilltop fort of Deogarh Mahal, which dominates the delightful, small town nestling in the Aravalli Hills. These rugged, rocky hills are dotted with a number of old, majestic forts and over 100 lakes. The hotel is owned and run by the local ruling family and all the rooms have been carefully restored to retain their original style - some still have 17th or 18th century frescoes. Spend the afternoon exploring the village. Dinner in the hotel. Overnight: Deogarh Mahal Fort, Deogarh. BD
Day
11 - Tuesday 11th November 2008 - Ghanerao
Drive to Ghanerao, situated in the picturesque Aravalli Hills (4 hours).
Ghanerao is a small enchanting town with several temples. En route we
visit the famous Jain Temples of Ranakpur situated in the picturesque
Aravalli Hills. After two hours experiencing these amazing temples we
continue our drive to Ghanerao. We
spend one night at Ghanerao Royal Castle, a large, rambling, 17th century
castle lying at the foot of the green Aravalli Hills in western Rajasthan.
It has been in the family of Thakur Sajjan Singh for over 400 years, and
is still lived in by him and his wife who are charming hosts. The family's
history adorns the walls. The rooms are very simply furnished but it is
a stunning building with great atmosphere. Dinner
in the hotel. Overnight: Ghanerao Castle, Ghanerao. BD
Day
12 - Wednesday 12th November 2008 - Ghanerao to Aidhi (Kumbalgarh)
The trek today starts from Ghanerao and takes you through the Aravallis.
Nature is surprisingly different in this part of Rajasthan with rocky
hills and lots of greenery. As we walk through narrow fertile valleys
we will see sugarcane and other staple food being cultivated with old
Persian water wheels driven by oxen irrigating the fields. After a picnic
lunch at Thandi Beri overlooking a small lake we climb along the slope
to a Shiva-temple hidden in the rocks. From the hilltop there are wonderful
views over the surrounding plains. Return to the hotel late afternoon
leisurely walk of around five hours. Dinner
in the hotel. Overnight: The Aodhi, Kumbalgarh. BLD
Day
13 - Thursday 13th November 2008 - Kumbalgarh/Udaipur
Early morning visit to Kumbalgarh Fort, strategically located on top of
a 1100m high hill, and impressive for its location and splendid views.
During the walk we explore huge ramparts and a wealth of temples, palaces
and gardens. After about two hours exploring the fort we set off on a
stunning drive through the Aravalli Hills, passing river valleys, beautiful
villages en route to the romantic lake city of Udaipur, where we stay
for two nights at the unique Fateh Palace Hotel. Udaipur,
'City of Dreams', is often referred to as the most romantic city in India.
In contrast to some of its desert neighbours it presents an enchanting
image of white marble palaces, placid blue lakes and green hills, and
is an oasis of colour in a stark and arid region. Rest
of the day at leisure. Dinner at the Lake Palace Hotel. Overnight: Fateh
Palace Hotel, Udaipur. BD
Day
14 Friday 14th November 2008 - Udaipur
Morning sightseeing of this wonderfully romantic city set on Lake Pichola, including visits to Saheliyan Ki Bari (Garden of the Maids of Honour), the Jagdish Temple and the City Palace with its superb museum, paintings and glasswork. Afternoon boat ride on Lake Pichola. Farewell dinner party at the Shiv Niwas Palace. Dinner in the hotel. Overnight: Fateh Palace Hotel, Udaipur. BD
Day
15 - Saturday 15th November 2008 - Udaipur/Mumbai
Transfer to the airport for flight back to the UK via Mumbai. B
Optional
Extension to Northern Kerala 15th - 19th November 2008
Day
15 - Saturday 15th November 2008 - Udaipur/Neeleshwar
Transfer to the airport at Udaipur for the flight to Mangalore via Mumbai. Transfer by private coach (50km) to Neeleshwar for three nights at leisure at the Neeleshwar Hermitage.
Day
16 - Sunday 16th November 2008
At leisure in Neeleshwar. B
Day
17 - Monday 17th November 2008
At leisure in Neeleshwar. B
Day
18 - Tuesday 18th November 2008 - Mangalore/Mumbai
Transfer to the airport for the internal flight to Mumbai. Transfer to
a 5-star hotel to relax, followed by dinner. Transfer to the International
Airport for the return flight to UK. BD
Day
19 - Wednesday 19th November 2008
Return flight to the UK.
B
= Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner |
