Legendary Rajasthan
India - By Air with Optional Corbett Private Air Safari Extension
Departure Dates:
- Nov 07, 2009 - Nov 17, 2009
Itinerary: 11 Days / 10 Nights
Day 1
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7
Delhi, India
Arrive Delhi tonight. Upon arrival you will be received and taken to your comfortable hotel for the remainder of the night.
Lodging: The Oberoi Delhi
Day 2
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8
Delhi, India
After a leisurely morning, you will be taken on a half day city tour of both Old and New Delhi. Old Delhi pulses with the energy and color, the hustle and bustle of thronged bazaars, and is laced by a maze of narrow lanes which twist and turn between tall, leaning houses full of the sights, sounds and aromas of the Indian sub-continent. You will see the famous Red Fort surrounded by shops, and bazaars, the Jama Masjid with its tapering minarets and wonderful marble domes and the Chandni Chowk. In Old Delhi you will also have an opportunity to enjoy a rickshaw ride. New Delhi is a city of wide boulevards which offers ever-changing perspectives of Lutyen's landscaped city. It is a city known for its formal parks, magnificent Parliament Building, the Rashtrapati Bhawan (the official residence of the President of India designed by Sir Edwin Lutyen) and India Gate. In New Delhi you will also visit Qutab Minar, the 238-foot high tower dating back to 13th century and Humayun's Tomb (built in the 16th century and architecturally the fore runner of the Taj Mahal). In the evening enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel.
Lodging: The Oberoi Delhi (B, L, D)
Day 3
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9
Delhi to Agra
This morning you will be taken to the airport for your commercial flight to Agra. On arrival in Agra, you will be taken to your hotel for check in, and later proceed for a tour of Agra city, visiting the Agra Fort and the incomparable Taj Mahal. Shah Jehan's son imprisoned him in the magnificent fort at Agra. Here you'll see the art and crafting of the white marble that has made the area so famous. The Taj Mahal truly is one of the wonders of the world. It is a monument of love built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in 1630 for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. For 22 years, 20,000 men laboured day and night to build this masterpiece that has held the world awe struck ever since. Your dinner tonight will be in the hotel's speciality Indian restaurant, Esphahan.
Lodging: The Oberoi Amarvilas (B, L, D)
Day 4
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10
Agra to Jaipur
This morning you will visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise - a truly majestic sight. Later this morning there is also the option of visiting the deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri which was built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after fifteen years due to a scarcity of water. Here you will see the city's many graceful buildings, which include the Jama Masjid, the Tomb of Salim Chishti and the Panch Mahal. Later today you will be taken to the airport to board your commercial flight to Jaipur. Upon arrival in Jaipur you will be received and driven to Samode Palace where you can relax and enjoy your surroundings, or walk to the rural villages nearby, followed by dinner at the Palace hotel. One of the first heritage palaces to open their doors to visitors, Samode Palace is located just outside Jaipur and is a magnificent example of Rajput-Mughal architecture. The owners (the existing royal family of Samode) still run the property, and the rooms are beautifully appointed with all the modern amenities you would expect.
Lodging: Samode Palace (B, L, D)
Day 5
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11
Jaipur
This morning you will be taken to visit Jaipur's Amber Fort and City Palace. After lunch in Jaipur, you will return to Samode Palace. Later in the evening, you will be driven to Dera Amer (approximately 20 mins). Dera Amer is situated behind the hills of the famous Amber Fort. The Camp is located at the foothills of the Aravalli Range and surrounded by the wilderness of a reserved forest with no urban civilization in the vicinity, just a few hamlets housing the local villagers occupied by farming on the their fields bordering a pretty lake. A local Rajput family who themselves reside in the area organize elephant polo and safaris in the jungle using their beautiful home and camp as a base. Here, you will enjoy an elephant polo match, followed by a special bush dinner at Dera Amer Camp.
Lodging: Samode Palace (B, L, D)
Day 6
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Jaipur to Jodhpur to Chhatra Sagar
Travel by plane to Jodhpur. On arrival in Jodhpur, you will be taken for a short tour of Mehrangarh Fort followed by lunch at Umaid Bhawan Palace. After lunch, you will be driven to Chhatra Sagar (two hours): your own private tented camp set in rural Rajasthan on a beautiful lake for a two-night stay. This afternoon enjoy camp activities, followed by authentic Rajasthan home-cooking and recipes passed down over generations.
Lodging: Chhatra Sagar Private Luxury Tented Camp (B, L, D)
Day 7
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13
Chhatra Sagar
Today explore rural Rahasthan and the surrounding grasslands in search of wildlife. A game drive will reveal herds of bluebull antelope and a myriad of birds. Also explore the countryside on foot, and visit Seervi and shepherd villages. Clay-pigeon shooting and archery are also available as options. In the evening take a camel ride into the desert and enjoy sundowners and a private dinner. With traditional musicians and dancers, the evening will be spent under the stars.
Lodging: Chhatra Sagar Private Luxury Tented Camp (B, L, D)
Day 8
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14
Nimaj to Narlai
This morning you will be driven through rural Rajasthan to Narlai (approximately 3 hours) and check in to Rawla Narlai, a beautiful boutique heritage hotel. After lunch we explore the village on foot. There are also optional activities available such jeep safaris or horse riding excursions. This evening enjoy the peaceful surroundings and gardens of Narlai, with dinner at the palace hotel. You will also have the opportunity of meeting the Jodhpur Royal family who own Narlai and previously used it as a hunting lodge before converting it to a hotel.
Lodging: Rawla Narlai Palace Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 9
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15
Narlai to Udaipur
This morning you will be driven to the outskirts of Udaipur (an approximately 2-hour drive), en-route visiting the Ranakpur Jain Temples, one of the largest temple complexes of the Jain religion. On arrival check in to Devigarh, an 18th century hilltop Rajput fort and palace. Offering luxurious spaces and magnificent views from the hill top, this Fort Palace Hotel offers only 39 suites and a contemporary design, with an emphasis on detail using local marbles and semi-precious stones. This afternoon is free to choose from a variety of options including bicycle trips away from the city, hiking in the scenic Aravalli hills, and an extensive array of spa and wellness therapies, massages, yoga, and meditation classes. In the early evening over cocktails, enjoy a special presentation on Indian history and culture. This evening you are free to choose your dinner venue, with dinner on your own.
Lodging: Devigarh – Palace Suite (B, L)
Day 10
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16
Udaipur to Devigarh
Early this morning there will be an optional specialist yoga session. After breakfast, you will be driven to Udaipur for a city tour. Udaipur, the enchanting City of Dawn, looms up like a vision in white. The sightseeing tour takes you to City Palace, built in 1725, and has various palaces inside such as Sheesh Mahal, Moti Mahal, Palace of Krishna, all ornately decorated. Saheliyon Ki Bari - this 'Garden of the Maids of Honour' is a small ornamental pleasure garden, contains an elegant lotus pool, gushing fountains, beautiful black marble on the corners of the pool and stunning bougainvilleas covering the wall of the enclosures. Also visit Jagdish Temple. After returning to Devigarh, your evening features a special, private Kashmiri dinner, with traditional Indian seating arrangements in the opulent and contemporary Durbar Hall. Kashmiri Cuisine evolved in the Kashmir Valley over several centuries through a fusion of local food and delectable elements of the Mughal art of cooking. Curd plays an important part in this cuisine. The Kashmir cuisine also involves liberal use of aromatic spices, and avoidance of onion and garlic. Some of the most popular Kashmir dishes are: Roghan Josh, Tabak Maaz, Daniwal Korma and Aab Gosh.
Lodging: Devigarh – Palace Suite B, L, D)
Day 11
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17
Udaipur and international flights home
After breakfast you will be taken to Udaipur airport in time to board your flight home or proceed to your trip extension.
The Details
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