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Rajasthan Royale: On the Maharaja trail (IE-06)

(From/To Delhi)

Rajasthan is the homeland of the "Kings of Sun", once a rich and till today an aristocratic caste of warriors. The numerous kings and princes had permanent feuds with each other. These together with the love for art and architecture resulted in the innumerable forts, palaces, country homes, hunting lodges and much more. Travellers to this region have the opportunity to stay in these tastefully converted hotel palaces and relish the breeze of the glorious and pompous by gone days.

Starting from the bustling capital Delhi you move to Agra and visit here the world famous Taj Mahal, a must for every visitor. Entering into Rajasthan’s "World of Palaces" one experiences the pink City of Jaipur, the capital of this union state. Colourfully dressed people and fantastic landscapes are a treat to your eyes and soul as you dwell in original palaces in Kishangarh, Kota, Udaipur, Khimsar, Bikaner and in the Shekhawati Region enjoying the hospitality that is so unique to Rajasthan.

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 – Agra:
Travel to Agra onboard the Shatabti-Express, (Chair Car, air-condition, departure 06.15 hrs, arrival 08.00 hrs in Agra). Start sightseeing with the world famous Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, tomb of Itmad-ud Daulah as well as Sikandra with the tomb of Emperor Akbar. Overnight in hotel.

Day 4: Agra – F. Sikri - Jaipur: Drive to Jaipur. 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). 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 5: 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 6: Jaipur – Shahpura:
Drive to Shahpura. Shahpura Bagh is a boutique homestay. This wonderful, 120 year old garden estate was formerly the summer home of the rulers of Shahpura and comprises 2 residences. One residence, which formerly housed state guests such as British Regents and Maharajas, has been completely restored and houses together 10 gorgeous, spacious, light, airy rooms. The main residence is where the family stay and is where you dine on colder nights. Set in 45 acres of garden and pasture and surrounded by lakes, it is a very special and ultimately peaceful little oasis, situated in the heart of Rajasthan.

Day 7: Shahpura – 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, originally built in 1904, situated in a well-kept park.

Day 8: Kota – Sardargarh:
Visit India’s most glorious and battle scarred fortress Chittorgarh on your way to Sardargarh. Overnight in Sardargarh (Heritage Hotel), a huge fort surrounded by a hilly landscape. Sardargarh a battle fort of the state of Mewar was the inspiration to the famous Lake Palace in Udaipur. The exquisitely renovated suites are all named after the ladies of the royal family. The 21 suites are spread in the Zenana Mahal with courtyards that please the senses and a terrace offering a fabulous view of the Manohar Sagar lake and the undulating Aravalli range.

Day 9: Sardargarh - Udaipur:
Drive to Udaipur, the famous city of lakes, temples and palaces, surrounded by the gentle hills of the Aravalli Mountains. PM: Comfortable boatride on the picturesquare Pichola Lake. Overnight in a Heritage Hotel.

Day 10: Udaipur:
Visit the magnificient City Palace, Sahelion-Ki-Bari Garden with fountains and the puppet museum. PM: free. Overnight in a Heritage Hotel.

Day 11: Udaipur – Jodhpur:
Drive to Jodhpur. Enroute visit the Jain temples of Ranakpur, made of white marble and renowned their elaborate and intricate carving. Jodhpur was the former capital of the Marwar State. Overnight in Heritage Hotel.

Day 12: Jodhpur – Khimsar:
In Jodhpur go up to the steep and majestically enthroned Meherangarh Fort overlooking the city with valuable exhibitions pieces of the Maharaja families from past epochs. Drive to Khimsar Castle. Overnight in a Royal Heritage Resort in a rural sourrounding.

Day 13: Khimsar – Desert Camp
AM: Free in Khimsar Castle. PM: Jeep ride to the sand dunes. Overnight in the Dunes Camp (small, idyllic bungalows) in the middle of the desert. Evening enjoy camp fire (in the hot summers the camp is closed, overnight will be in Khimsar Castle).

Day 14: Desert Camp – 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. Before you reach the city you can see the Karni Mata Temple, the only on in India, where rats are worshiped. Visit the towering Junagarh Fort with the palace part (pavilions, halls, archways). Overnight in Heritage Hotel.

Day 15: Bikaner - 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 16: Shekhawati – Delhi:
Check-out by 12.00 noon. Transfer to Delhi airport to connect your return flight or continuation of your program.

Rajasthan Royal: On the Maharaja trail
16 days from/to Delhi	Tourcode: IG 06
Category	Superior	Deluxe	Luxury
Price per person in INR sharing a double room


01.10.08 - 14.12.08	1,07,620	1,32,599	1,99,872
15.12.08 - 05.01.09	Prices on request as peak season
06.01.09 - 30.04.09	1,07,620	1,32,599	1,99,872
01.05.09 - 31.08.09	89,605	1,04,039	1,60,866
01.09.09 - 30.09.09	92,730	1,09,663	1,68,616

	Category
Place	Superior	Deluxe	Luxury
Delhi	Maidens Hotel	The Claridges	The Imperial/ The Taj Mahal
Agra	Mansingh Palace	The Gateway Hotel(Taj View)	Oberoi Amarvilas
Jaipur	Alsisar Haveli	Jai Mahal Palace	Rambagh Palace
Shahpura	Shahpura Bagh	Shahpura Bagh	Shahpura Bagh
Kota	Umed Bhavan Palace	Umed Bhavan Palace	Umed Bhavan Palace
Sardargarh	Sardargarh	Sardargarh	Sardargarh
Udaipur	The Trident	Fateh Prakash Palace	Taj Lake Palace
Jodhpur	Balsamand Garden Retreat	Taj Hari Mahal	Umaid Bhawan Palace
Khimsar	Khimsar Castle	Khimsar Castle	Khimsar Castle
Khimsar	Dunes Camp	Dunes Camp	Dunes Camp
Bikaner	Lalgarh Palace	Laxmi Niwas Palace	Gajner Palace Suite
Shekhavati	Mandawa Castle	Alsisar Mahal	Mandawa Castle

Minimum participants: 02

Program modifications and group prices on request

Our prices include:
15 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 flights, 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.