Celebrating India !!
Day 1 : Arrival / New Delhi
Late Night arrival. Traditional welcome with garlands as our representatives welcome
you aboard your Luxury coach.
Whilst the room keys are assigned to you, our representative would introduce, India as
well as some common Indian customs and courtesies - Welcome to India !!!!
Overnight At The Imperial - 5* Hotel
Day 2 : Delhi
This morning we proceed for a guided tour of New Delhi.
For more on the tourist attractions of Delhi click here: Delhi Tour
Home Visit & A Welcome Dinner : Evening, we would visit an Indian family for
an Indian home experience. The evening is designed to give you a 'feel' and insight into
Indian family life as well as experience typical Indian hospitality and home made Indian
food.
Overnight At Hotel The Imperial - (B, D)
Day 03 : Delhi / Ahmedabad (9W 701 - 0610/0735) Ahmedabad / Dungarpur
(125 Kms)
Morning, transfer to airport for your flight to Ahmedabad. Meeting & assistance
upon arrival & drive to Dungarpur.
Upon arrival check into the Udai Bilas Palace. The history of Udai Bilas Palace,
Dungarpur, Rajasthan dates from the mid-19th century, when Maharawal Udai Singhji-II, a
great patron of art and architecture built a wing of bluish grey local stone "
Pareva" overlooking the lake and the " Ek Thambia Mahal," featuring
intricate sculptured pillars and panels, ornate balconies, balustrades, bracketed windows,
arches and frieze of marble carvings, a veritable marvel of Rajput architecture. The Udai
Bilas Palace was enlarged in 1940 by Maharawal Laxman Singhji, who built three new wings
around the " Ek Thambia Mahal" (Literally one- pillared Palace) and thus created
the famous " courtyard of the palace. The result is an architectural expression
exquisitely detailed. Still the royal residence, the Palace offers accommodation in the
houseguest tradition with seventeen spacious and lavishly appointed bedrooms. No two rooms
are alike; each room enchants with its own personality, spaciousness and modern comforts
and offers a unique experience. The Furnishings are mostly from the 20th century art-deco
style, marble bathrooms with English fixtures and running hot and cold water. Meals are
served either in the banquet hall, which displays crystal chandeliers, or in the more
intimate family dining room. Continental or Chinese dishes are also served.
The day is at leisure to enjoy this incredible heritage hotel. You could alternatively
walk into the main town walking through the bustling bazaar, which is an amazing spectacle
of colour. Watch out for the pavement bazaar including the laughing set of dentures,
proudly displayed by the owner of the 'Dental Parts' 'store' (to be read as clinic !)
Overnight Udai Bilas Palace (Suite) (B)
Day 04 : Dungarpur
The district is the stronghold of Bheels, a tribe whose history of occupancy in the
Aravalli Range is said to date back to 4000 B.C. They are one of the oldest and most
primitive tribes of the world. This morning we will visit some of these unspoiled Bheel
hamlets in and around the town. We will witness and photograph age-old tribal lifestyles
and customs handed down over the centuries. You would have an opportunity to meet
villagers who have never seen white people!! Say hello to people, allow them to get used
to you and then, you may go ahead with your pictures. You would soon end up as the pied
piper followed by scores of noisy and happy children!!!
We return to our hotel by mid morning to enjoy the destination at leisure. Udai Bilas
Palace is a round-the-year paradise for bird watchers. The cooler months from mid October
to February are the best to see winter migratory birds when birds can be observed in
attractive plumage. One can see from the Palace itself at remarkably close range egrets,
night and pond herons, white necked and painted storks, coots and winter or resident ducks
among others, depending on the season of your visit. Birds are also plentiful in the
surrounding wood lands where one can hope to see the Grey Hornbill, Gray Partridge, Green
Pigeon, Peafowl, Peacocks, Paradise fly-catcher and the Golden backed woodpecker, to name
a few representative species. You may proceed on a leisurely walk around the lake or heir
boat for a special boat trip on the lake as well as a gentle trek through the forests so
that the nature lover in you is able to enjoy the beauty of the place and are able to get
a close look at the bird life.
Late afternoon we visit the ancient fortified ruins of the Old Fort. Besides fine
panoramic view of the ancient town of Dungarpur the fort has well preserved examples of
natural colour paintings and incredible art and architecture.
Overnight Udai Bilas Palace (Suite) (B)
Day 05 : Dungarpur / Devigarh
Following breakfast, hold your breath as we drive past the age-old Aravali hills of
Rajasthan to discover, the 18th century Devi Garh Fort Palace, a seven Star boutique
palace hotel ! Situated in the village of Delwara, the fort palace commands one of the
three main passes into the valley of Udaipur. After years of restoration and
reconstruction, Devi Garh has regained its past glory. An imposing and impressive
structure, it is now a unique all-suite boutique hotel, where each 700 sq ft room is
tastefully decorated with a perfect blend of tradition and contemporary styles &
design. Devi Garh stands, quite literally, in two worlds: the traditional and the modern.
Its ambience is an eclectic mix of skillfully crafted designs, both old and new,
functional and purely aesthetic. Local materials like marble and semi-precious stones have
been used in contemporary designs to create an elegant beauty. Personalized service
complemented by a wide range of modern facilities goes towards making Devi Garh a
comfortable and attractive retreat that would steal your heart and take your breath away !
Rest of the day at leisure to enjoy your spectacular Palace Hotel.
Overnight - Devigarh (Garden Suite) - (B)
Day 06 : Devigarh / Udaipur / Devigarh (28 Kms)
Morning drive to Udaipur proceed on a guided tour of "Lake City". Udaipur is
a cool oasis in the dry heart of Rajasthan. It is probably the most romantic city in a
state where every city has some romantic or exotic tale to tell. The huge city palace
towering over the Lake Pichola is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan. Though it is a
conglomeration of buildings built by successive rulers, it manages to retain a surprising
uniformity of design and affords very fine view of the lake and the city from the upper
terraces. The Jagadish temple next to the city palace enshrines a black stone image of
Lord Vishnu and his vehicle- a mighty bird called garuda - in a brass image. The temple is
a very fine example of Indo-Aryan Art.
Afternoon we take a boat cruise on the serene and beautiful Lake Pichola. The island
palace on the Lake called Jagmandir Palace is quite fascinating. The Palace provided
inspirations and ideas to the builder of the Taj Mahal. The banks of the lake provide
interesting glimpses of the daily bathing and the laundry that takes place here. Looking
across the lake, with the city and its great palace rising up behind the island palace, is
a scene of rare beauty.
Evening drive back to your hotel in Devigarh.
Overnight - Devigarh (Garden Suite) - (B)
Day 07 : Devigarh / Jodhpur
Following leisurely breakfast drive to Jodhpur.
Upon arrival check into your hotel The Ummed.
From here we visit the Clock Tower Bazaar. This is one of India's largest and most
colourful whole sale markets especially with respect to clothes, fabrics, spices,
vegetables etc. It is a fantastic experience to walk through the place observing and
photographing this incredible spectacle of vibrant lifestyles and incredible colours.
Overnight at The Ummed - (B)
Day 08 : Jodhpur
Following leisurely breakfast we depart for a guided tour of Jodhpur. Our tour includes
the massive fort. In olden days this must have been impregnable since its rocky base is
scraped straight down making it nearly impossible to ascend. Once inside, royal palaces
abound with fascinating history and priceless jewels, on to the armoury and Jaswant Thada
- the Royal Crematorium.
Jodhpur is a veritable shopper's paradise with entire streets and localities in the
walled city devoted to single commodities. The city is famous for bandhani and lahariya,
block printed textiles, silver jewellery, antique furniture, wood and metal handicrafts.
Carpets and durries can be found on the Umaid Bhawan Palace road. Jodhpur is home to many
talented and skilled craftsmen like textile dyers, metal engravers and die-makers and
probably the last of the tailors of the classic Jodhpur breeches
Overnight at The Ummed - (B) |
