In the Land of Royal Princes (IE-02)

(From/To Delhi)

The Indian Union State of Rajasthan is the region of royal Princes, a noble caste of warriors, well-known for their splendid past and legendary wealth.On this tour experience the unique possibility to spend some night in authentic palaces and forts turned to hotels and where you can still trace the glorious past of the Rajputs. Start from the bustling capital Delhi and move to the Shekhavati Region, famous for imaginative frescoes where you overnight in a rural fort.Bikaner and Jaisalmer are cities surrounded by the Thar Desert.

Here and also in Jodhpur with the mighty Meherangarh Fort is flaunting over the city you stay in ancient royal places. The charming city of Udaipur looks back into times of legendary wealth. In Dungarpur - a place far off noisy cities – overnight in the Palace of the Maharawal on the banks of a little lake. Experience Castle Bijaipur – a unique rural palace with pristine nature which is a feast to the heart of a nature lover. The pink City Jaipur is capital of Rajasthan. A must for every visitor in Agra is the world famous Taj Mahal.

Day 1: Flight to Delhi. Arrival around midnight. Transfer to Hotel.   Day 2: Delhi: Sightseeing of Red Fort, Friday Mosque (Jama Masjid), Raj Ghat, Humayun’s Tomb and the India Gate with the government buldings in New Delhi. Overnight in hotel.

Day 3: Delhi - Shekhawati: Move to the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan. The business community of the Marwaris earned considerable profits when this place was on the caravan routes. They invested the money in erected beautiful mansions and buildings and decorated them with frescoes on the inner and external facades, depicting the local life of yesteryears. Overnight in a Heritage Hotel.

Day 4: Shekhawati – Bikaner: Drive to the desert city of Bikaner, surrounded by sand dunes of the Thar desert, once a famous stop for caravans leading to the Silk Route. Visit the towering Junagarh Fort with the palace part (pavilions, halls, archways). Overnight in Heritage Hotel.

Day 5: Bikaner – Jaisalmer: Drive to the "Golden City" of Jaisalmer, a fortress on a steep hill. Jaisalmer was a very business centre on the old East-West Silk route. The beautiful houses, built out of golden yellow sandstone are very delicately chiselled and ornamented within the fort and the city. The Fort of Jaisalmer is amongst the oldest living fort in India, built in the 12th cent. Before sunset we reach Bada Bagh with the beautiful chattries with a view to the Fort of Jaisalmer. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 6: Jaisalmer – Jodhpur: Drive to Jodhpur. PM: Sightseeing one of the most majestic forts in India perched on top of a hillock rising 125m above the city, the Meherangarh Fort. This fort has controlled and checked the advance of the numerous invaders into the desert kingdoms of Rajasthan. The impregnable fort museum is one of the best preserved. Opposite is the memorial of Maharaja Jaswant Singh which is made out of pure marble. From the top of the hill see Umaid Bhavan Palace which is among the last palaces built in India before independence. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 7: Jodhpur – Udaipur: Drive to Udaipur, the famous city of lakes, temples and palaces, surrounded by the gentle hills of the Aravalli Mountains. Enroute visit the Jain temples of Ranakpur, made of white marble and renowned their elaborate and intricate carving. Overnight in Hotel/ Heritage Hotel.

Day 8 : Udaipur: Visit the magnificient City Palace, Sahelion-Ki-Bari Garden with fountains and the puppet museum. PM: Comfortable boatride on the picturesque Pichola Lake. Overnight in a heritage hotel.

Day 9: Udaipur - Dungarpur: Move to the rural city of Dungarpur. In the green landscape on the banks of a lake lies picturesque Udai Bilas Palace (Heritage Hotel), built in 19. Century by the Maharawal Udai Singhji. Visit the Juna Mahal, a palace embellished with frescoes, miniature paintings, glass and mirror inlay work. Overnight in Udai Bilas Palace.

Day 10: Dungarpur – Bijaipur: Drive to Bijaipur. Bijaipur lies far away from the beaten track. The family of the Thakur (local ruler) takes care of your stay as you experience the rural beauty of Rajasthan. Overnight in Bijaipur Castle.

Day 11: Bijaipur - Kota: Drive to Kota, an important trade centre for cotton, wheat and oilseeds, also famous for its location on the Chambal River. Visit the old Fort and the city Palace, today a museum with valuable exhibits from the former Maharaja days and an excellent collection of miniature paintings. Overnight in the elaborately restored Umed Bhawan Palace (WelcomHeritage Hotel-Group), originally built in 1904, situated in a well-kept park.

Day 12: Kota - Jaipur: Drive to Jaipur. Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan, well-known as "Pink City"ever since the visit of King Edward VII. All streets in the city centre are built rectangular according to and old Indian architecture book. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 13: Jaipur: Visit the old capital Amber, a fortified palace. Experience the glory of the Rajput court, its gardens and glittering palace rooms. Sightseeing of the royal City Palace and museum - until today a half of the palace buildings constitute the residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur, observatory (Jantar Mantar) and the famous Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). Overnight in a Hotel.

Day 14: Jaipur – Agra: Drive to Agra. Enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri, Moghul Emperor Akbars deserted capital made of pure pink sand stone with the famous tomb of the holy saint Chisti and the bombastic Buland Darwasa (Gate of Victory). Overnight in Hotel.

Day 15: Agra – Delhi: Visit the world famous Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, tomb of Itimad-ud Daulah as well as Sikandra with the tomb of Emperor Akbar. Drive directly to Delhi airport to connect your return flight or continuation of your program.

In the Land of Royal Princes   16 days from/to Delhi Tourcode: IE 02 Category Superior Deluxe Luxury Price per person in INR sharing a double room       01.10.08 - 14.12.08 94,756 1,20,017 1,92,483                 15.12.08 - 05.01.09    Prices on request as peak season 06.01.09 - 30.04.09  94,756 1,20,017  1,92,483 01.05.09 - 31.08.09  78,052 92,508  1,54,483 01.09.09 - 30.09.09 81,176 97,570 1,62,189

Category Place Superior Deluxe Luxury Delhi Maidens Hotel The Claridges/Grand Interconti. The Imperial/ The Taj Mahal Shekhavati Mandawa Castle Alsisar Mahal Mandawa Castle Bikaner Lalgarh Palace Laxmi Niwas Palace Gajner Palace Suite Jaisalmer Gorbandh Palace Fort Rajwada Fort Rajwada Jodhpur Balsamand Garden Retreat Taj Hari Mahal Umaid Bhawan Palace Udaipur The Trident/Fatehgarh Fateh Parakash Palace Taj Lake Palace Dungarpur Udai Bilas Palace Udai Bilas Palace Udai Bilas Palace Bijaipur Castle Bjjaipur Castle Bjjaipur Castle Bjjaipur Kota Umed Bhawan Palace Umed Bhawan Palace Umed Bhawan Palace Jaipur Alsisar Haveli/Mansingh Jai Mahal Palace/The Trident Rambagh Palace Agra Mansingh Palace The Gateway Hotel(Taj View)/The Trident Oberoi Amarvilas

Minimum participants: 02, Program modifications and group prices on request. Our prices include: 14 overnights with breakfast in the mentioned hotels or similar, transfers, round trip in passenger car with air-condition, English speaking local tourist guides for the sightseeing, excursions, entrance fees as per program. Our prices do not include: Flight to India and back, domestic flight in India, airport taxes, landing and security duties as well as duties on departure, visa for India, travel insurance, health insurance etc., lunch and dinner, beverages, camera/Video film fees, tips, personal expenses, compulsory Christmas and New Year dinners. Travel documents: To visit India every traveller needs a visa and a valid passport, valid 6 months beyond the date of return journey We recommend a travel and a health insurance.