rajasthan jewels of india - 14 days trip code: t4w 180 ... · presidents house / india gate taj...
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Rajasthan Jewels of India
Phone: +64 6 356 7043 or Mobile: + 64 (27) 356 7043
Email:[email protected]
Rajasthan Jewels of India - 14 Days
Trip Code: T4W 180
Grade: easy Group Size: max of 12
Starts: Delhi Ends: Delhi
Trip Overview Highlights
Day 1 Delhi
Day 2 Drive Delhi - Agra
Day 3 Agra - Jaipur
Day 4 Jaipur
Day 5 Jaipur - Bikaner
Day 6 Bikaner – Camel Safari
Day 7 Camel Safari - Jaisalmer
Day 8 Jaisalmer
Day 9 Jaisalmer - Jodhpur
Day 10 Jodhpur - Ranakpur
Day 11 Ranakpur - Udaipur
Day 12 Udaipur - Pushkar
Day 13 Pushkar - Delhi
Day 14 Delhi
Old & New Delhi
Humayun’s Tomb
Qutab Minar
Jama Masjid
Red Fort
Presidents House / India Gate
Taj Mahal
Fatehpur Sikri
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary – UEESCO’s
world Heritage site
Elephant / Jeep ride Amber Fort
Jaipur Observatory
Jaipur City Palace & Hawa Mahal &
Pink City tour
Overnight Camel Safari in Thar
Desert
Explore Pushkar temple town and
surrounding Holy Lake
Forts, Bazaars and market tours
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Detailed trip itinerary
Day 1: Delhi
There will be a meeting at 9am on day one for group introductions and tour briefing.
We will embark on a full day city tour visiting through the Old and New Delhi visiting Humayun’s
Tomb which was built in the 16th century. This tomb has high arched entrances topped with a
bulbous dome and surrounded by formal gardens. Qutab Minar 72 metres high and one of the
most perfect towers in the Persian world.
We also visit the stunning Jama Masjid mosque which is the largest in India. It has four angle
towers and two minarets standing 40metres high made of red sandstone and marble. If we are
lucky we can climb the steps to get superb views. There will be a chance to see the Red Fort with
the inlaid and carved royal chambers and temples, the palace like President House, Government
house, and India gate which are a 42 metre high stone memorial arch that pays tribute to 90,000
Indian army soldiers who died in WW1.
There will be some leisure time to relax as well.
We will meet for a group dinner (at your own expense) in the early evening.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 2: Drive Delhi - Agra
Today we will drive through the villages and countryside towards Agra. There will be an afternoon
visit to the magnificent white marble monument of the Taj Mahal where we witness the magical
effects caused by reflections of the changing colours of the sun on this fantastic white marble
building. No description can prepare you for this beautiful monument which was built by Emperor
Shah Jahan as a memorial for his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal. This labour of love took 22 years
to build, is inlayed with semi-precious stones and a site to be hold. We will also visit nearby Agra
Fort with its elegant buildings inside with its maze of courtyards, mosque & private chambers is
equally a gem to visit. Agra fort, is across the water from the Taj Mahal and is one of the finest
forts in India.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 3: Drive Agra – Jaipur
On route to Jaipur we will visit the fortified ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri which is still well preserved,
with an interesting history. This was once the capital of the Mughal Empire but was abandoned in
1585 due to a shortage of water. Today there may be an opportunity (if arriving before dawn) to
visit the world Heritage Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary where it is possible to view some of the 364
different birds within its 29 sq km marshlands
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Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 4: Jaipur
Known as the “Pink City of Rajasthan” we spend the morning visiting Amber Fort, (12 km from
Jaipur city),where we will climb the hill via Elephants/jeeps to this magical fort which has many
inlaid gems and mirrors in the ceilings and arches. It is truly a beautiful place to visit which looks
out over a lake. This Palace was the capital of the Jaipur state for 600 years before the city of
Jaipur was built.
We drive past the “Palace of Winds” (an impressive five story structure of pink sandstone), Hawa
Mahal and the Pink city, visiting Maharaja’s Palace
We will also have a guided tour of Jantar Mantar Observatory with explanations on how each
instrument works to tell the time by the giant sun dials. This Solar Observatory – is an
astronomical treasure house.
There will be time to shop for a true Indian carpet, gold jewellery or a beautiful colourful silk sari.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 5: Jaipur - Bikaner
Sadly we leave the interesting and colourful city of Jaipur for Bikaner. On our arrival we visit the
picturesque Junagarh Fort, highlights are the “Flower Palace” which is decorated with paintings
and carved marble panels. Bikaner is a vibrant walled city and desert town which has a maze of
narrow streets some exquisitely painted Jain temples.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 6: Bikaner – Camel Safari
We take a morning drive to Nokhra where we start our overnight Camel Safari to Chakhu. The
Safari takes us through the “Thar Desert” which is unlike the Sahara in that it is a living desert.
We go to remote villages, crossing small sand dunes along the way. We overnight in the desert
amongst the sand dunes, where we will be provided with some mouthwatering Rajasthan food
and sit around a camp fire in the Thar Desert.
Meals: Full board while on Safari
Accommodation: Private tents
Day 7: Camel Safari – Jaisalmer
We awake early to catch the spectacular sunrise over the desert and continue our Camel Safari
to a Jambha Village where we will mix with the locals, before dismounting and driving to
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Jaisalmer.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 8: Jaisalmer
We visit Gadisar and Amar Sagar Tank, the Jain Temples and Jaisalmer Fort one of the world’s
most endangered monuments. One third of the population of the old city still live here, interesting
in the fact Jaisalmer rises out of the desert and is believed to be the home of the most handsome
men and beautiful women in the whole of Rajasthan.
There will be time to shop for souvenirs and savour the smells and delights of Indian cuisine.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 9: Jaisalmer – Jodhpur
We drive to Jodhpur where we can admire the magnificent Meherangarh Fort which has a
fascinating history and priceless jewels in the royal palaces. The captivating Meherangarh Fort
stands high on a hill with its seven entrances and deep terracotta latticed network of courtyards
palaces. We also visit the milky white marble Jaswant Thanda memorial and the local markets
Jodhpur city is famous for Bandhani and Lahariya, block printed textiles, silver jewellery, antique
furniture, wood and metal handicrafts and carpets.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 10: Jodhpur – Ranakpur
Ranakpur is home to the exquisitely sculptured sculpted white marble Jain temples. This is an
amazing feat of construction and a sight to behold with its four shrines, 24 pillared halls, and
1,444 carved pillars with no two alike. The main temple of Chaumukh or four faces temple
dedicated to Adinath.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 11: Ranakpur – Udaipur
It is only a short drive today to the blue city of Udaipur (the Venice of the east) with its splendid
Lake Pichola that is now 4km long. The romantic Lake city of Udaipur is known as the “City of
Sunrise” where the sun truly never sets. We will visit the largest palace complex in Rajasthan and
enjoy a relaxing boat cruise, where we can view the floating Lake Palace which is the centerpiece
of the city. Along the banks there may be interesting glimpses of the locals going about their daily
bathing and doing their laundry.
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We will also visit the lovely ornamental garden of Saheliyon-ki-Bari which has fountains, marble
elephants and a lotus pool.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 12: Udaipur – Pushkar
This pond sized Hindu pilgrimage town is a magical desert edged place with one of the world’s
few Brahma temples.
Pushkar is not only known for its mystical holy lake and the 52 ghats where pilgrims come to
bathe in the sacred waters but also for the Pushkar Camel fair held on the eight lunar month of
(October /Nov) each year, which is the Hindu calendar and one of the holiest. Over 200,000
people converge to partake in the festivities.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 13: Pushkar – Delhi
Today will be a see us on the last leg of our tour travelling to Delhi passing through villages and
enjoying the local cuisine on route.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 14: Delhi
After breakfast and checking out of our Hotel, the trip will end. You may wish to stay on an extra
few days and visit the many historical sites that Delhi has to offer or for us to arrange further
travel in India.
Meals: Breakfast
Price includes:
Experienced English speaking Local tour Guides except in Pushkar &
Ranakpur
Private transport while on tour
Camel Safari and overnight accommodation at Thar Desert Sand Dunes
Full board meals while on Camel Safari
12 nights hotel accommodation on Bed and breakfast and twin share bases
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One group dinner as per itinerary
Airport arrival transfers if arriving on day one
Some entrance fees to places of interest
Elephant / jeep ride to Amber Fort
Trekking Adventures T- Shirt
Tipping:
It is customary to tip the tour leader, local guides. The amount however is totally discretionary. This is not
included in the advertised price.
Accommodation:
All accommodation as detailed in this itinerary is on a share basis (usually twin) and in standard hotels.
Accommodation while on the overnight Camel Safari is staying in tents.
Extra accommodation can be reserved for you in Delhi for before and after your tour. Please enquire for
prices at the time of booking.
Indian Visa:
Prior to departure you may need to obtain certain visas depending on your nationality. Specific
information is given to you in your pre departure information.
Clothing Note:
While some regions can be very hot during the day it can get cool in the evenings, it is advisable to take
mixture of warm and some cool clothing, especially while on the Camel Safari.
Donations:
Please note that there will be times that you will be expected to make a donation when entering some
historical sights, especially forts and temples.
Pre departure information:
Further to the information provided in this itinerary, a pre departure information booklet will be sent to you.
This Pre departure booklet provides you with information regarding visas, joining instructions, clothing/
equipment list, health requirements, vaccinations, extra hotel accommodation, training tips for fitness etc.
Please read it carefully to make sure you are fully prepared
Important note:
The enclosed notes are intended as a guide only, indicating a typical itinerary and series of activities and
highlights. While every effort will be made to follow the route published on any departure and the
distances travelled, driving time and available activities can vary for a number of reasons, in the event of
political problems or natural difficulties which are beyond our control and prevent travelling to a particular
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area, Trekking Adventures reserve the right to substitute an alternative activity for that section of the trip.
Overnight stops may vary on occasions from those suggested Please note that your leader has the
authority to amend or cancel any part of the itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns.
The leader will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if
necessary.
Price does not include:
Entry Visa to India
Drinks, tips, laundry and other items of personal nature
Some tour entrance fees
Meals except where indicated in the itinerary
personal gear
International airfares and Travel Insurance
Departure transfer
Single supplement
Optional extras before or afterward your trip:
Extension to Varanasi
Sikkim trekking
Updated January 2014
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Trekking Adventures (Formerly known as Trekking 4 Women), P O Box 5543, Palmerston North 4441,
Phone: +64 6 356 7043, Mobile: + 64 (027) 356 7043 Email:[email protected], web: www.trekkingadventures.co.nz