ONE OF INDIAS MOST TRADITIONAL STATES, RAJASTHAN - The Land of Kings - fiercely resisted conquest by various waves of invaders who swept over the sub-continent from earliest times. As a result it has preserved a unique cultural integrity. A wild and beautiful desert land, it rejoices in a romantic history of often warring princely states whose deeds are embellished by tales of chivalry and romance. Yet Rajasthan is also celebrated for its ancient and vibrant spiritual tradition, a living heritage passed down through saints and shrines of the Hindu, Jain and Islamic faiths, and its vibrant artistic creativity. Thus a visit here makes an ideal introduction to the magic that is India, and gives a glimpse of the fascinating variety of a country that is like nowhere else on earth.

Our accommodation will be in keeping with the spirit of Princely India. We shall be staying in Heritage hotels - palaces and guest-houses that, once the homes of maharajahs and local rulers, will provide us with a gratifying and memorable balance of comfort and character, elegance and atmosphere.

Itinerary at Glance: Delhi-Agra-Bharatpur- Jaipur- Pushkar- Osiyan-Khichan-Jodhpur- Udaipur- Delhi
Duration: 16 days
High lights:
" Taj Mahal.
" Camel safari
" Khichan
" Birds, People, culture, Forts, palaces and havelies.
Best Time: Mid October to Mid March
Physical Challenge: Moderate overall, some long drives.

Itinerary

Day 1, ON Board to Delhi.
Leave your country.

Day 2, Delhi.
Arrive Delhi around mid night and transfer with assistance to your Pre-booked hotel. Morning at leisure. Perhaps there is no other capital city in the world so steeped in history and legend as the Indian capital, Delhi. It was the magnet that drew the Mongols, Turks, Persians, Afghans, Mughals and Finally the British. All of whom contributed to its glorious but turbulent history. The fascination with Delhi was such that even though it was abandoned many times, its rulers returned to it again and again rebuilding it at least seven times. Old Delhi Tour (half day) : Shah Jahan founded the city of Shahjanabad, now referred to as Old Delhi, in 1648. The famous Red Fort in the heart of Old Delhi was once the most opulent fort of the Mughal Empire and it boasts the Diwan-I-Am, Hall of Private Audience. Opposite the fort is the Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in the world, built by Shah Jahan to dominate his city. Afternoon sightseeing to Red Fort, Jama Masjid Mosque & Humayuns tomb. Breakfast & Overnight in Hotel.

Day 3, Delhi/ Agra (Train)/ Bharatpur (Drive).
We leave early morning at 0600hrs by the Shatabdi Express to Agra (2 hours), on arrival at 0810hrs we visit India's most celebrated monument the Taj Mahal, built as a monument of eternal love by Shah Jahan to the bride Mumtaz, the Taj Mahal looks amazingly graceful from almost any angle. It was built over a period of 20 years by 20,000 laborers and craftsmen and displays superb craftsmanship. The close up details of the Taj Mahal is as exquisite as the overall architectural design, with semi-precious stones and beautiful patterns covering the marble surface. RED Fort, Akbar began Agra Fort in 1565, with additions of the citadel being made through to the time of Akbars grandson, Shah Jahan (Kind of the World). The forts have fine views of the Taj across the River Yamuna, and consists of Deewani  Aam(hall of public ordnances) and Deewan- Khass (the hall of Private ordnances), it also has a nice grape garden, beautiful fountain ways. Afternoon drive 2hrs to Bharatpur national Park. Breakfast and overnight in hotel.

Day 4, Bharatpur / Keoladeo National park.
Once the hunting preserve of the Bharatpur royalty, this exceptional ecosystem is now one of the finest bird sanctuaries on planet Earth, which has been declared a Ramsar Site, as well as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Keoladeo National Park was previously known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary and lies 174 km from Delhi and only 50 km from Agra. If Taj Mahal is rhapsody in marble then definitely Keoladeo is a ballad of birds. Located at the confluence of Gambhir and Banganga rivers and spread over 29km2 of shallow lakes and woodlands, Keoladeo National Park provides shelter to over 300 avian species, particularly during winter when the resident numbers multiply as a result of migrants. The freshwater swamp with the picturesque Kadam trees, stands of Acacia and profuse aquatic vegetation, is a habitat of various living organisms, which serve as food for the different species of animals. Two-thirds of the birds listed in Keoladeo are land birds while one-third of the species are water birds. Pintails, teals, mallards, pochards, geese, coots, storks, curlews and sandpipers can be seen in the lake; the heronry at Keoladeo is indeed one of the finest in the world, with 14 species nesting and breeding in the Park. The woodlands and pastures are alive with the gambolling of bulbuls, babblers, sunbirds, sparrows, parakeets and orioles, while the skies are set on fire by the birds of prey like the eagles, hawks, harriers, falcons, buzzards and vultures. However the rarest bird, which visits Keoladeo National Park from faraway Siberia is the globally threatened Siberian Crane (Grus leucogeranus); in fact these wetlands are the only wintering area of the western population of this beautiful, endangered bird. But all is not feather and crow in Keoladeo. Non-feathered members of this largely feathered fraternity are mammals such as the Wild Boar, Sambar, Nilgai, Chital, Mongoose, Otter, three species of wild cats, Civets, Jackals and also the gigantic Rock Pythons that live beyond the Temple of Keoladeo in the heart of the Park.

We have full day to explore this heaven by cycle rickshaw/ foot/ or bicycles with our resident naturalist. Breakfast and overnight in delightful heritage hotel.

Day 5, Bharatpur/Jaipur. (4/5 hours drive).
Morning time to re-visit the sanctuary and after late breakfast drive to Jaipur (pink city). Arrive Jaipur, built in 1727, was the dream of the brilliant ruler Jai Singh. It has retained its reputation as one of the foremost cities in India planned and executed in a manner that draws accolades from modern town planners. Jaipur is known as the pink city, because many buildings are still washed pink, the traditional colour of welcome, which was originally introduced to honor the visit of the Prince Albert in 1856. Overnight in hotel. Evening free. Breakfast and overnight in hotel.

Day 6, Jaipur.
This morning we drive to nearby Amber, ascending by elephant to see the 16th century hilltop fortress - Palace and its richly decorated apartments. Ascend to the ancient Rajput capital of Amber, this fort palace was begun by Raja Man Singh and used by the Rajputs as their stronghold until Sawai Jai Singh II moved to the newly created Jaipur. You will visit the palace and its many intricate chambers and hallways, which has breathtaking views of the Jal Mahal (Water palace) below. In the afternoon we visit City Palace, still inhabited by Jai Singhs descendants is a superb fusion of Rajput and Mughal architecture. A city within a city, it includes the Govind Deo Temple, the Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory and the Maharajas museum with his personal collection of weaponry, miniature paintings, royal attire and jewellery. On the periphery of the Palace stands the Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, an elaborate pink sandstone façade behind which the ladies of the court used to watch the daily goings on in the street below. Breakfast & Overnight in Hotel.

Day 7, Jaipur/ Pushkar ( Drive)
After an early breakfast drive to Pushkar (about 146kms/04hrs). Afternoon time to explore this magical place, and also visit to the Only Bhrama Temple in India by the Lake Pushkar, witness the devotees during the Sunset offering prayers and having holy dip in the lake.
All meals and overnight in deluxe tents.

Day 8, Pushkar.
The Pushkar camel and Cattle fair, a festival of sound and colour, is held annually on the banks of lake Pushkar. Traders and Pilgrims flock to pushkar for livestock trading, camel racing and other festivities and, to westerners, it is perhaps, one of Indias most famous fairs. Nestling on the edge of the desert, this small place transforms itself from a peaceful, rural community, into a vast tented village with a lively, colourful and noisy market.All meals and overnight in deluxe tents.
Pushkar Festival Dates are.
2007, November 21st to 24th.

Day 9, Pushkra/ Osiyan(drive).
After breakfast we drive about 275kms/6hrs to Osiyan through the villages, desert and distant views of the dry Aravali hills. Arrive Osiyan and Stay overnight in Deluxe Tents for the night. Osyian resembles jaisalmer with the fantastic sandunes, the ancient Thar Desert town of Osiyan was a great trading center between the 8th and12th centuries. The town has some beautiful temples.
Breakfast, dinner and overnight in Deluxe tents with en-suite bathroom.

Day 10, Osiyan / Samrau ( Camel safari)
After an early breakfast a short drive of about 10kms to Bheekhamkhor from, hear we begin our 2 days camel trek through the villages/ desert and sand dunes to Samrau. (about 18kms/05 to 06hrs safari). All meals and overnight in Alpine style tents.

Day 11, Samrau/ Kheechan ( camel Safari)
After an early breakfast we continue our safari through the Thar desert to Kheechan village where people feed thousands of Demoiselle cranes between September to March, right in the center of the Thar Desert. overnight stay will be in Lallgarh Niwas, a simple 10 room hotel with en-suite facilities.(safari about 25/30kms/07 to 08hrs).
All meals and overnight in simple Guest House with ensuite facilities

Day 12, Kheechan Visit and Drive to Jodhpur.
Very early morning visit to the village of Kheechan ( about 10kms from our hotel), to see the winter visitor to the desert, its breeding grounds stretching from southeast Europe to Mongolia. It is the smallest of the five crane species found in India and is dark gray with white ear tufts behind its bright crimson eyes.
In Kheechan, a chugga ghar, or feeding home, stores the grain used to feed the cranes. The high- pitched calls of the birds at first light are the signal for one of the village men to scatter grain all over the area. Soon the sky darkness as thousands of demsiselle cranes arrive to feast, often less then 5 mts from the village folk with whom they have established a bond of trust over decades. Thousands of demoiselle cranes spend more then half the year around these sand dunes in the center of Thar Desert. They are regularly fed by the people of the village nearby who consider them a symbol of good fortune. After spending all morning watching these magnificent birds, we drive to Jodhpur about 150kms/4hrs. Arrive Jodhpur an dstay overnight in hotel.
Breakfast, lunch and overnight in hotel

Day 13, Jodhpur / Udaipur (6 hrs drive)
After breakfast visit the massive Mehrangarh Fort, looms over the city and the Red sandstone Palaces within the fort form one of the most impressive complexes in Rajasthan. Its museum contains sections which house armoury, palanquins, howdahs and headgear from all the communities of Rajasthan. After noon drive through the beautiful Aravali hills to the romantic lake city of Udaipur. Set on the shores of Lake Pichola and surrounded by hills, Udaipur grew in complete contrast to the harsh deserts of the rest of Rajasthan. As capital of the old Mewar state it was the only Rajput stronghold to uphold its Hindu allegiance in the face of Muslim invasion. From the late 16th century, peace brought about an era of renaissance in the arts and encouraged the building of beautiful palaces around the lake, culminating, in the City Palace, one of the largest palace complexes in the world. The lake itself is a romantic setting surrounding the gleaming white Lake Palace and the Jag Mandir, a refugee of the rebel Mughal prince, Shah Jahan, soon to be the creator of the incomparable Taj Mahal. We arrive at our delightful heritage hotel, and have plenty of time to relax in the garden and / or swimming pool. Our afternoon is free to visit the local bazaar.
Breakfast and overnight in hotel

Day 14, Udaipur
After breakfast full day visit to City Palace  the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, comprising many buildings added at different time by various maharajas. Perhaps the most beautiful are the Moti Mahal with its mirror inlay and the Chini ka Chitra Mahals iridescent tile work. At the nearby, Jagdish Temple, there is an impressively carved image of Lord Vishnu, to whom the temple is dedicated. A boat ride around Lake Pichola offers spectacular views of the city. The City Palace towers over the lake and you will also see the merchants havelis, temples, the royal hunting lodge and the exquisite Gul Mahal Pavilion on Jag Mandir Island. Having disembarked, you continue to the hotel for overnight. Breakfast and overnight in hotel.

Day 15, Udaipur/ Delhi.
After breakfast transfer to the airport for one hours flight to Delhi. Arrive Delhi and transfer to the airport hotel, where we will have day rooms. After dinner transfer to International airport.

Day 16, Delhi/London
Early morning flight to London.