Pushkar Highlights…
Day 1. : Arrival / Delhi
Late afternoon arrival. Traditional welcome with garlands as your representatives
welcome you aboard your Luxury Car. The ride to your hotel, The Connaught, is a short
drive during which time your representative would introduce, India as well as some common
Indian customs and courtesies.
Upon arrival at the hotel, whilst our representatives organize your check in, a
refreshing welcome drink is served to you - 'Namaste' and welcome to India !
Overnight At The Connaught
Day 2. : Delhi
Morning at leisure to relax and recover from your long flight.
Afternoon, as the Sun starts to mellow, we proceed on a guided tour of New Delhi,
Visiting such sights as Bahai Temple, Humayun's Tomb (1586), the Qutab Minar 72 meters
high and one of the most perfect towers in the Persian world. The Iron Pillar which has
survived the vagaries of weather for over 1500 years. Continue with a drive through
Embassy area, the Government buildings (1921-1930) and Connaught Place, the heart and main
shopping district of the capital.
A Home Visit & A Welcome Dinner: This evening we 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 The Connaught
Day 03. : Delhi / Jodhpur - {Overnight Train - 2030 / 1045*}
Following leisurely breakfast, proceed on a guided tour of the Old Delhi. The capital
of Muslim India between the 17th and 19th centuries, Old Delhi seems somewhat
anachronistic as compared to New Delhi. It draws one through congested roads and lanes,
interesting mosques, monuments and forts relating to its chequered history. Our tour
includes visit to the Jamma Mosque (1650) and drive through the fabled area of Chandni
Chowk (aptly translates to Moonlight Square) where the throngs of shoppers and vendors
meet in the oldest area of Delhi, on to the Red Fort (1639-1648 built by Shah Jehan the
builder of the Taj Mahal in Agra) to view the inlaid and carved Royal Chambers, on to Raj
Ghat and nearby ghats where the founder of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi and thereafter
Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi were cremated.
The highlight of this tour would be a ride on cycle rickshaws. Now these are 3-wheel
cycles with a sofa seat at the back. The Rickshawalla (Rickshaw driver) sits on a small
cushion in the front and two passengers on the sofa seat behind. This is a remarkable way
to explore and picture the hustle and bustle as well as the colour of the narrow winding
streets bursting with people and pavement shops selling wares of all description -
including a laughing set of dentures. The ride would be accompanied by peals of laughter
both from the passengers as well as the onlookers.
Later in the afternoon, transfer to the train station to board an overnight train for
an overnight journey to Jodhpur. Accommodation in air-conditioned cabins accompanied by
blankets, sheets and pillows.
Overnight: - 2 Tier Airconditioned Sleeper Accomodation
Day 04. : Arrival / Jodhpur
Meeting & assistance upon arrival and transfer to the legendary Ajit Bhawan Hotel,
Set in the serene desert of Rajasthan, this hotel stands as an oasis of hospitality and
warm Rajput charm. Built exclusively for Maharaja Sir Ajit Singh, it is vibrantly alive
with the personalized hospitality provided by the late Maharaja's family who still lives
there. The doors of this truly traditional yet subtlety contemporary estate is open to you
and offers you Old World elegance, with the modern comforts of a classic heritage hotel
and the essence of being a guest of the Maharaj's family.
After lunch we proceed on 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 Tara - the Royal
Crematorium.
Overnight: - Ajit Bhawan Palace
Day 05. : Jodhpur / Mandore / Jodhpur
After a leisurely breakfast, we would ride horse carriages to the Clock Tower Bazaar.
This is one of India's largest and most colourful wholesale markets especially with
respect to clothes, fabrics, spices, vegetables etc.
In the afternoon, we visit Mandore. It is famous due to its extensive gardens with huge
rock terraces. The garden also contains cenotaphs of Jodhpur Rulers. The 'Hall Of Heroes'
here contain 15 figures carved out of a rock wall. The brightly colored figures represent
Hindu deities or local heroes. Evening drive back to your hotel.
Overnight: - Ajit Bhawan Palace
Day 06. : Jodhpur
A special attraction of this morning is a village safari to nearby villages. We walk
through the lanes with mud thatched houses. Noisy kids follow us everywhere. We take
pictures of people in their houses, at work, gossip or kids at play.
The afternoon is free for independent activities. A visit back to the old city would be
a good idea. The area around the old city has slopes & gradients, If one stands at the
head of a street on a height, the sun's rays through the lanes creates very good shadows.
Overnight: - Ajit Bhawan Palace
Day 07. : Jodhpur / Sherga / Pali / Udaipur (275 Kms.)
The drive Jodhpur to Udaipur is through several interesting towns. Of special mention
are the two above towns - Sherga & pali. They are small but extremely busy traditional
business centres. The scenario is lots of colorfully dressed men & women, noisy
children, hawkers, venders & pedie cabs. We spend some time in each of these towns
before proceeding to Udaipur where we arrive in the evening.
Welcome to Udaipur, the famed "City of sunrise ". Founded in 1567 by Maharana
Udai Singh, from the lineage of the legendary Sisodias of Mewar - the decedents of the sun
God. A city where the sun truly never set, where tradition and a strict code of heroism
were happily united with a love of fine living. A city that has come to be an oasis of
romance in the warrior state of Rajasthan.
Upon arrival check into the hotel Paras Mahal, which is located on one of the most
prime real estate areas of Udaipur. This hotel offers you the best of two worlds:
traditional Indian hospitality and all the modern conveniences.
Overnight At Hotel Paras Mahal
Day 08. : Udaipur
This morning, we proceed on a tour of this "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.
After lunch 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.
Overnight At Hotel Paras Mahal
Day 09. : Udaipur
After leisurely breakfast, we indulge in photographic pursuits at the brick works of
Udaipur. The mixing of clay by hand, moulding of bricks again by hand, young girls
carrying mud & clay in overhead baskets, setting up of brick kilns, little houses of
the workers are very interesting subject matter for the camera - especially in the
backdrop of the red brick kilns & their wiff of smoke.
After lunch we visit a steam locomotive shed just outside Udaipur. Skilled workers
working on steam trains & doing jobs no longer done by hand in the west, are quite
fascinating sights of pictures.
Overnight At Hotel Paras Mahal
Day 10. : Udaipur / Pushkar (285 Kms)
Following breakfast, drive to Pushkar. Upon arrival check in to Swiss Tents.
A photographer's heaven is the Pushkar Camel fair. You have three days here to
experience the amazing spectacle called Pushkar. Picture this - countless camels ambling
their way across the golden sands of Rajasthan, horses marching towards the site of the
fair with their masters and an assemblage of numerous cows and sheeps, that's Pushkar Fair
for you. But wait, there is a lot other that make this fair a major event all over
Rajasthan. The large gaudy turbans of the native males, women wrapped in exquisite jewelry
from head to toe and children dressed in colorful tradition attire enjoying every moment
is a sight that you would remember for a long time to come.
Overnight Swiss Tented Accommodation . |
