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Tour
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Cultural
Heritage |
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21 Days Omnibus India Tours |
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| Delhi (2n) >> Amritsar (2n) >> Farm Stay (2n) >> Chandigarh (1n) >> Neemrana (2n) >> Jaipur (2n) >> Sardargarh (1n) >> Udaipur (2n) >> Shahpura Bagh (1n) >> Sawaimadhopur (2n) >> Agra (1n) >> Delhi (1n). |
| Tour
Duration |
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21 Days / 19 nights. |
| Best Time |
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October – 30 March. |
| Accommodation |
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Deluxe/Heritage Hotels/luxury Camps. |
| Transport |
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One Air-conditioned SUV. |
| Laundry |
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Available
at all locations |
| Trip Style |
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Independent. |
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| DAY
01 |
Abroad >> New Delhi.. Arrival at the IGI Int’l airport at late into the evening. Reception at the airport by our representative & transfer to hotel.
Overnight in Hotel The Manor.
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| DAY
02 |
Delhi. Wake up at leisure & after B’fast, enjoy a 15 minute massage at the Spa, to give a healing touch to the sore muscles, infusing them with positive energies through modern massage techniques!
Leave for full day sightseeing at 10:30am; to include a visit to the India Gate, a war memorial to the one million Indian & British soldiers, who died fighting in the great war & strikingly similar to one in Paris; Drive/walk past the North & South blocks & the erstwhile viceregal lodge, on the Kingsway (now Presidential estate on Rajpath). The secretariat buildings designed by Baker.
Visit the Chandani Chowk & Old Delhi, in a rickshaw; the Spice Market; a Sikh Temple.
Lunch in Connaught Place, enroute, stop at the CIE to get a flavor of the Kashmir arts and crafts.
Post lunch, visit National Museum, perhaps the best ever in India, with excellent overview of the cultural development in South Asia. The collection was formed from the nucleus of the exhibition of Indian Art (1947 London) which brought together selected works from state museums & private collections.
Theme dinners & overnight in your hotel (B, D).
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| DAY
03 |
Delhi >> Amritsar (By air). After B’fast this morning, transfer to the domestic a/port to catch the flight to Amritsar. On arrival, meet & greet. Transfer to your hotel.
Refresh yourself with a complimentary Spa Message at Svaasa Spa (25 minutes). Long strokes soothe and glide the calves and feet reviving diminished energy levels. Continuous movements with strong and gentle pressure recoup tired feet. Get rid of your day’s fatigue with a revitalizing foot massage.
This evening, after an early dinner, proceed to the Golden Temple, to witness the ceremony of ‘Palki Sahib’ whereby the Holy Granth (book) of the Sikhs is taken in a Golden Palanquin to it’s nightly abode, amidst the chanting of hymns, cattle drums & ‘nagaras’ (trumpets).
The Golden Temple, ‘built from white marble and crowned with a gold bengaldar pavilion. The temple is further decorated on the outside and inside by floral patterns composed of precious stones and verses from the holy book…despite the splendour, an atmosphere of deep religiousness envelops the temple.
Dinners & overnight in Hotel Ranjit Svaasa (B, D).
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04 |
Amritsar. After a leisurely B’fast, we shall drive into the city in a horse-driven buggy or the duggiwallah, savouring as we do the sights & sounds of Amritsar. The programme includes a cup of Indish ‘Chai’ tea at Giani tea stall on the Queens road; Visit the Jallian Wala Bagh where, most unfortunately, the firing on 13th April 1919 on a political congregation of Sikhs led to deterioration of relations with the British, “ The bitter debate that followed the shootings, the worst atrocity perpetrated, almost brought down the liberal government and was a decisive turning point in India’s march to independence,” Nigel Collett (oxford University);
Visit the Golden Temple kitchen, where thousands of devotees are served meals every day totally free of costs.
lunch at ‘Bharawan Ka Dhaba’ typically serving Amritsari food.
This evening proceed to the Wagah border to witness the Flag lowering ceremony. Return to your hotel for overnight. (B, D).
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| DAY
05 |
Amritsar >> Hoshiarpur Farm Stay (78miles / 2.3hrs). After a leisurely B’fast, drive into the plains of the Punjab, a state well known for it’s agricultural produce & the ‘finest peasantry world has ever known’. Your farm stay locates in a 70 acre Kinnow Farm, a fruit produced in California in 1935 by cross-pollinating the Kings & Willow Leaf varieties of Oranges.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Dinners & overnight at Citrus County Farms (B, L, D).
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06 |
Hoshiarpur. After B’fast this morning, you shall be taken around on the farm to see the various processes of farming. Also on offer is a short trip to the village ‘chaupal’ or common area, seeing daily village activities, ride on a tractor, walk through the kinnow farm and an adventurous jeep safari through farm and forest land in which some wildlife can be spotted. The safari also includes a drive through the dry-bed of a ‘choe’ or seasonal rivulets that Hoshiarpur district is famous for.
Bonfire & dinners (B,L,D).
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07 |
Hoshiarpur >> Chandigarh (75miles). After a leisurely B’fast, drive to Chandigarh.
Chandigarh is a modern city developed by the French architect Le’Corbusier, in the 1950’s. It has the highest per capita income in India & boasts of high standards of living.
This evening after refreshing yourself, take a stroll through the commercial centre of the city.
Dinners & overnight in Hotel Taj Chandigarh (B, D).
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08 |
Chandigarh >> Delhi >> Neemrana (By air / 75miles by road). After B’fast, transfer to airport to catch the noon flight to Delhi. On arrival drive to Neemrana Fort Palace.
The Neemrana Fort Palace, situates on the high hillock of the Aravalli hills. The fort dates back to the 15th century & was the strong hold of Chauhan rulers. Combining simplicity with elegance, the palaces ideal for relaxation. Beautiful sunsets.
Dinner & overnight in Neemrana Fort Palace (B, D).
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| DAY
09 |
Neemrana Fort Palace . Complete relaxation.
Dinner & overnight in your hotel (B, D).
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| DAY
10 |
Neemrana >> Samode Palace >> Jaipur (75 miles). After B’fast drive to Jaipur. On the way, visit Samode Palace.
The 500 year old palace, nestled in the Aravalli Hills, is one of the finest heritage hotels in the state of Rajasthan. The ‘Durbar Hall’ boasts of original frescoes & mirror work done 250 years ago. The court yards, pavilions & the fortress high above the hill provides an excellent exit to your Rajasthan tour, " one of the special features of the palaces of Rajasthan that further distinguish them from Mughal courts are mural paintings inspired by the Hindu religious tradition which also celebrates court life".
After partaking of light snacks & tea at Samode Palace, drive on to Jaipur.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Dinner & overnight in Hotel Shahpura House (B, D).
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| DAY
11 |
Jaipur . This morning at 8:00am, visit Fort Amber on a gaily caparisoned elephant. The fort was home to the Kuchwaha Rajputs from 1137 to 1727. The initial buildings were begun by Man Singh, the commander-in-chief of the Mughal armies. The work was carried on by successive rulers. The architecture shows an amalgam of Hindu & Moslem influence. You need to go through 5 defensive gates to reach the first courtyard or Rajmahal built in 1600 by Man Singh. On your right is the Sheila Devi Temple, the idol of the goddess was brought by Man Singh in 1604 from Bengal. You have several pavilions & Palaces inside the fort.
Visit the Palace of wind, is simply a pink sandstone façade. Built for the ladies of the harem, it is a five storey frontage on a high pedestal, containing 953 small casements for the ladies to view the scene in the market below.
Visit the City Palace & Museum. It is at the heart of the old city. The Hall of Private Audience, has an attractive white marble frontage. There are several museums inside viz. the Textile & Costume Museum, Arms & Armour, the Art Gallery. Some manuscripts of great significance & antiquity are housed inside the city palace.
Dinner & overnight in your Hotel. (B, D).
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12 |
Jaipur >> Sardargarh (187miles / 4hrs). After B’fast this morning drive to Sardargarh.
Fort Sardargarh, situated on Manohar Sagar Lake, "Whose China & Mirror Halls are still the theme of encomium…defaced by an explosion of powder magazine…which the guns of Holkar aided to diminish. But the castle of Lawah is still one of the finest in Mewar"- James Tod c.1832.
This evening, join the cooking classes under the watchful eyes of the fort chef & prepare some delightful Rajasthani cuisine. The dishes could be one of those delicacies which were served in camp, on the hunting expeditions of the Raj days! The same dishes are served at the dining table.
Candle light dinner & overnight in Fort Sardargarh, (Heritage, a battle fort, a new rural destination). (B+D).
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13 |
Sardargarh >> Udaipur (57miles). After a leisurely B’fast, drive to Udaipur.
Rest of the day at leisure on the Swimming pool.
Dinner & overnight in Hotel The Trident (B, D).
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14 |
Udaipur. B’fast partaken of, Visit the City Palace one of the best in India, Crystal Gallery, Maharanas vintage car garage which houses some of the rarest Rolls Royse. The ambience, history & locale of your stay, make Udaipur a tourist heaven. At 3:45 pm undertake a boat ride around the lake Palace & partake of a welcome cup of coffee at Jagmandir Island. Udaipur is an oasis of green mountains & blue lakes in the midst of a stark & arid region. Udaipur is a traditionally planned walled city, it’s bastioned rampart walls pierced by 5 massive gates, each studded with iron spikes as protection against enemy war elephants. High on the hill above lake Pichola stands the magnificent city palace.
City Palace
The city palace is one of the best in north & western India. Half of it is occupied by the maharana & his family; while the rest is a museum & some beautiful palace hotels with in.
The Crystal Gallery housed in the museum, overlooking lake Pichola is one of the best & one can also see the throne of the Maharanas of Mewar.
Lake Pichola Boat ride at 3:30pm.
Fringed with hills, gardens, havelis, ghats & temples, the lake is the scenic focus of Udaipur. Set in it is the Jag Mandir Palace. The Lake palace hotel is situated here & the views are great.
Overnight in your Hotel. (B, D).
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15 |
Udaipur >> Shahpura Bagh (141miles / 4hrs). After B’fast, drive to Shahpura Bagh, which locates on one side of the old moffusil town by that name. The hotel is in the middle of a large estate with ancient trees & bush! This evening, take a guided tour of the village & witness the colourful rural Rajasthan.
Dinner & overnight at Hotel Shahpura Bagh (B, D).
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16 |
Shahpura Bagh >> Sawaimadhopur (140miles). After B’fast, this morning drive to Sawaimadhopur.
After lunch proceed to view wildlife to the Ranthambore national Park in an exclusive Jeep. The park is overlooked by the Rinthambore Fort, scenes of many a battles between the crack Rajput warriors & the ruthless Moslem invaders. The two large lakes in the park are full of the Gharial crocodiles & it’s surrounding elephant grass is teeming with wildlife of all description, location of several wildlife films done by the National Geography & the BBC.
Dinner & overnight in Hotel Khem Villas / Luxury Jodhpur tents (B, L, D). The luxury tents, ensuite toilets, are well insulated & proper heating arrangements provided for.
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17 |
Sawaimadhopur .Exclusive jeep safari this morning after a cup of tea for WL viewing.
After lunch, drive today to Ranthambhore National Park in an exclusive Jeep. All trees like the Androk, Garjan & Semul, Jamoah, Gular & Kaith are green, attracting a variety of birds. Painted spur fowl, partridges, bustard quail, Ospreys, peafowl are among 211 known varieties. Animals found in the park include the tiger, panthers, hyena, leopard cats & a number of deer. Dinners & overnight. (B, L, D).
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18 |
Sawimadhopur >> Bharatpur (By train) >> Agra (35miles) .After B’fast, catch the morning train to Bharatpur. On arrival, get into your car & drive to Fatehpur Sikri, on your way to Agra.
Fatehpur Sikri & Buland Darwaza, the ghost city of the great Mughal Akbar, whose intention was it to reconcile Islam to Hinduism. Completed in 1571 by the Mughal Emperor Akbar, who was known to be a very tolerant ruler, the buildings at Fatehpur Sikri blend both Islamic and Hindu elements in their architectural style. Experts argue that Fatehpur Sikri is the greatest accomplishment of Mughal architecture, surpassed only in reputation but not in its beauty by the Taj Mahal. The cultural politics of the site remain to be written; perhaps the mammoth chess board, where human figures were used as chess pieces and moved at the emperor's will, provides a clue.
Dinner & overnight in Hotel Taj Gateway (B, D).
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19 |
Agra >> Delhi (131miles / 5hrs). At 6:00am this morning, visit the Taj Mahal – "…Looming 243 feet from the garden level to the dome’s golden surmounting needle, the mausoleum dwarfs visitors by it’s
grandeur. Inside of that gigantic central arch, vaulted marble has been chiseled into diamond shapes; while black-jet inscriptions from Koran weave stylised Arabic calligraphy like a giant’s puzzle around the entry way. "Concieved by titans and finished by jewellers" the entire edifice reveals a wealth of dadoes, panels in bass-relief, and precious stone inlay. Flower motifs repeated endlessly in a geometric profusion of bloom are surprisingly naïve. Dominant in the white marble bas-relief is the iris, that graveyard bulb which grows only in shadows away from the Indian heat".
Comeback for B’fast & Check out to proceed on sightseeing tour of Agra; visit Fort Agra, a massive red sandstone structure, associated closely with Mughal & British History, in India. It is a World Heritage Monument. Standing on the river Yamuna, was seat of government, of the most powerful Empire’s the world has seen. The architectural beauty of this fort is seen to be believed. According to Tillotson, "The architecture of Agra Fort, draws on India’s 2 main traditions, (Islamic / Hindu), but here the various parts are combined in a new and resolved style. It is that resolution which gives the buildings their appearance of purity".
Drive to Delhi.
Dinners & overnight in Hotel Metropolitan
(B, D).
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| DAY
20 |
Delhi >> Abroad. Day at leisure. Car at disposal for last minute purchases. Your hotel room shall be retained for ‘Day Use’ till about 09:00pm. Transfer to international airport, after dinners. (B).
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| DAY
21 |
Catch the midnight flight to next destination
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