India | India - Rajasthan, Tigers & Taj
Watching the sun's first rays tint the Taj Mahal saffron and coral? Or walking with a shepherd and his oxcart on the footpath to Delwara village? Hard to decide which is more memorable. India is fantastical - visit sumptuous palaces and temples for the photogenic proof. India is intensely human too, but visitors who only see the raucous cities miss the point. So one-of-a-kind countryside walks will introduce you to villagers and rural life...as well as descendants of royal families, sari- and turban-tying experts, and eminent naturalists. India is a rush of mind-bending contradictions. Think: "safaris" into the jungle habitat of tigers, New Delhi, and the desert at Pushkar-on camelback. Get set to absorb an amazingly broad wealth of experiences.
| Duration: | 11 Days |
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| Tour Code: | ITW33 |
| Trip Style: | Deluxe - 5 star |
| Departure Dates: | 12 Feb 2012, 14 Mar 2012, 31 Oct 2012, 29 Dec 2012 |
| Price: | From $7,395 |
| Single Supplement: | From $2,725 |
| Places you'll visit: |
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| Highlights: |
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Ideal for Solo Travellers
This tour offers a stimulating blend of easy walking and exposure to local culture and history. Expect an active but casually paced tempo that offers plenty of opportunity to absorb the environment, sightsee and relax. Over a third of guests travel on their own, so you'll fit right in.
In your small group (just 10 guests on average and no more than 18), there will typically be a mix of solo travellers, couples, and friends or family members travelling together. If you are like many people travelling solo and prefer a room to yourself, you'll find the single supplement is reasonable. Of course, at your request, we can invite another solo traveller on the tour to share the accommodation with you.
Trip Details
GROUP SIZE: 10 average (18 max.)
SEASONAL PRICE RANGE: $7,395 to $8,390 (plus internal airfare)
Single Supplement: $2,725 to $3,145
OPTIONAL EXTENSION PRICE: From $5175.00 (plus internal airfare)
Single Supplement: $1935
DAY 1: DELHI
You'ss be met at the Delhi airport and escorted to your luxurious hotel that offers a tradition of world-famous service. In its 3000 years of existence seven cities have risen where the present capital of India stands. Delhi is a fascinating blend of the ancient and the contemporary. Medieval palaces and bazaars exist beside a modern metropolis.
Today we'll head into the precincts of New Delhi, where we'll start the day with a walk to Jamali Kamali Mosque. The beautiful lawns make it a scenic picnic spot for Delhiites. Not far on foot is the soaring minaret of Qutub Minar and we stroll there as well. After a stimulating morning in the public Delhi, we pause for lunch.
Be sure your camera battery is well charged! Where our morning explorations took place on foot, this afternoon we board rickshaws to navigate the labyrinth of gallis (lanes) in Old Delhi. Once the commercial hub of the Mughal dynasty, Delhi still feels like one never-ending bazaar. Our guide will share the history and lore of the city.
Overnight: New Delhi - Meals: B,L,D
DAY 2: DELHI - AGRA
This morning we drive to Agra. We enter our gleaming white hotel through a courtyard graced by pools and fountains. The lobby is a great tiled dome and terraced gardens enfold a brilliant blue swimming pool. But it's the view from many of this remarkable hotel's windows that we've really come to see: the Taj Mahal. So mid-afternoon after some time to relax at the hotel head over to Agra Fort for an exploration and the most spectacular views of the Taj at sunset.
Before continuing on to dinner, we pause for a visit to meet artisans who carve marble and inlay it with intricate designs using semi-precious stones. It really helps you appreciate the human undertaking it was when 20,000 such artisans spent almost 22 years building Shah Jehan's memorial to his favorite wife.
Overnight: Agra - Meals: B, D
DAY 3: AGRA - RANTHAMBORE
We won't even try to describe the awe we feel at the Taj Mahal. It's one of those moments you will never forget. You'll share that experience with us this morning as we make a leisurely exploration with our guide. Trains are among the most important forms of transportation in India. This morning, we'll drive to Bharatpur to board the train that carries us to the tiger sanctuary at Sawai Madhopur. On our way, we'll visit Fatehpur Sikri, a fort palace that was the onetime capital of the Mughal Empire and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Just a few kilometers from Sawai Madhopur, Ranthambhore National Park is the world's premier Royal Bengal Tiger preserve. At nearly 400 square kilometers, the ruggedly beautiful park contains the Great Boundary fault where the Vindhaya plateau meets the Aravali range. Unlike any terrain we've seen before, it includes forests, rivers and open grasslands. An eminent naturalist joins us this evening to discuss local conservation efforts. (You'll be pleased to know that our visit here is in cooperation with an organisation dedicated to making wildlife tourism more responsible and sustainable.)
Overnight: Ranthambhore - Meals: B, L, D
DAY 4: RANTHAMBORE
At your option, you can join us on a pre-dawn safari to experience the jungle as the sun rises. This is truly one of the world's great wildlife experiences as we go in search of the tiger. Each vehicle has its own guide who interprets the sights and looks for signs that improve our odds of spotting wildlife. The tigers may be the stars of this visit, but there are plenty of other memorable opportunities as well. The birdwatching is excellent. Other animals in the reserve include leopards, hyenas, jackals, marsh crocodiles, wild boar, bears, and several species of deer, including the Barasinga that is a main food source for the tigers. After this interesting safari, we return to the hotel for breakfast.
This afternoon, we'll return to the park for another safari. Or, if you prefer, you can linger at the lodge where the 12 acres of gardens surround a very inviting swimming pool.
Overnight: Ranthambhore - Meals: B, L, D
DAY 5: RANTHAMBORE - JAIPUR
After breakfast, we walk in the hills just outside the park up to Ranthambhore Fort. The massive fort, with walls that stretch for almost 4.5 miles, offers breathtaking views of the surrounding terrain. We'll explore the fascinating ruins, said to be more than 1,000 years old. And we're likely to see the monkeys that scramble over the Ganesh Temple that's visited every year by thousands of religious pilgrims. (Ganesh is the Hindu god depicted as a onetusked elephant.) After the walk, we'll drive to Jaipur. Here, we're received at our glorious hotel that was once the home of the royal family.
Overnight: Jaipur - Meals: B, D
DAY 6: JAIPUR
An excellent breakfast fuels us for a visit to the Amber Fort. (Amber, by the way, refers not to the colour of the fort, but to the Amber Clan that built the richly ornamented structure in the 16th century.) There's plenty of time for this incredible sight to be revealed because we approach on elephant-back, like the Rajahs of old. Then, to stay in touch with tradition, we walk a country road used by bullock carts and cyclists. We'll have a chance to see a step-well, a distinctive architectural feature of this region. The well itself is well below ground level and is reached by elaborate steps and chambers. Our walk ends at a farmhouse in a private sanctuary where the owners-descendants of the Royal Family of Jaipur-welcome us into their home with refreshments.
After lunch, you'll get a lesson in an essential local skill. The men receive pointers on how to wind a turban. The ladies learn how to transform 6 yards of silk into a deceptively simple looking sari. Your choice is you want to go local or stick with the wardrobe you brought as you dress for dinner on your own tonight. As sunset nears, we'll walk through the old city of Jaipur past the Palace of Winds and market stalls before heading back to the hotel.
Overnight: Jaipur - Meals: B, L
DAY 7: JAIPUR - JODHPUR - OSIAN
We're in the birthplace of Yoga, and this morning offers a chance to experience the practice in a unique and authentic setting. The peaceful pre-breakfast session is a great chance to stretch and relax. In true Yoga tradition, everyone is welcome.
In the afternoon we take a flight to Jodhpur, where a short one and a half hour drive carries us into the amazing desert at Osian. Here, we're the guests of Reggie Singh, the grandson of Maharaja Ratan Singh, a royal from Jodhpur who is famous for his polo and Shikar exploits. Reggie's desert camp consists of large African safari tents with ethnic Indian interiors and colourful fabrics. Fully carpeted and well furnished, each tent has private ensuite bathrooms, as well as two layers of canvas that make the tents cool and waterproof. The camp takes you back to the British Raj days and has a colonial feel.
The ancient village of Osian is the gateway into the Thar desert and is legendary for its mesmerising 6th to 8th century temples, sand dunes and diversity of Rajasthani culture. Later in the evening folk musicians and dancers entertain us around the bonfire as a prelude to a candlelit dinner.
Overnight: Osian - Meals: B, L, D
DAY 8: OSIAN - NARLAI
Awaking in our spectacular setting, we journey further into the desert and deeper into India's rich culture on a camel safari. Along the way, we interact with proud local tribes in their natural surroundings. We'll encounter the Bishnois and Bhils people, as well as shepherds, potters who make their crafts in the way their ancestors did, and weavers making carpets and shawls out of camel and sheep hair. The natural history is amazing too, and we see a variety of wildlife, including blue bulls, gazelles, foxes, peacocks and partridges.
Our destination today is a land of beautiful hills and countryside, and some of the most beautiful walking in India. We complete our drive in Narlai and settle into our hotel. A beautiful village surrounded by the Aravali Ranges, Narlai is a quaint little hamlet dotted with beautiful old temples, step wells and marble archways. After some rest, we set out on a countryside walk, pausing part way through to enjoy high tea at a scenic lakeside setting.
Overnight: Narlai - Meals: B, D
DAY 9: NARLAI - UDAIPUR
This morning's walk may be our favourite of the week. Our footpath leads around the Aravali Range between the villages of Narlai and Ghanerao. Along the way, we gain a genuine insight into Indian village life, as we cross paths with tribal villagers, many of them shepherds out with their flocks. Rajasthan, the land of maharajahs and maharanis, also houses a divergent colony of traditional tribes with distinctive social systems, customs, costumes, jewellery, fairs and festivals. Our walk takes us through one of the villages so that we can see the lifestyle of these tribes up close. We'll picnic in the countryside before finishing our walk.
A welcome rest comes this afternoon in the form of our countryside drive to Udaipur, known for its fine palaces and beautiful lakes. Along the way, we pause for a visit of the remarkable complex of temples at Ranakpur. Built by the Jains, one of India's most ancient religions, there are 24 halls supported by 1,444 intricate carved pillars, no two of which are alike. In Udaipur our extravagant hotel overlooks the city, and we've included time to explore its beautiful grounds or even to arrange an optional spa treatment.
Overnight: Udaipur - Meals: B, L, D
DAY 10: UDAIPUR
Mahal is the Hindi word for a palace or other luxurious building. You'll understand that well after this morning's walking tour of Udaipur that takes us past several of Rajasthan's most ornate mahals. Udaipur is a glorious maze of winding lanes lined with tiny shops. Everywhere we go in India, the air is spiked with the fragrance of aromatic spices, but nowhere more than in the local market we explore later this morning. It's an especially enlightening experience because we'll shop with a local chef. Then we'll join her in the kitchen where our meal comes together as she explains some of the techniques and traditions of classic Indian cuisine. You'll be able to help with preparation if you like, and everyone sits down together to enjoy this very personal meal.
After some time in the early afternoon to relax at the hotel, join an hour-long walk from Dudh Talai to the top of Maachla Magra. This easy, scenic walk leads us uphill along a paved path. Our reward is an unparalleled view of Udaipur and its three lakes-Pichola, Fateh Sagar and Swaroop Sagar-as well as bird's eye views of the City Palace, Jagdish Temple and the Monsoon Palace. As the sun sets, we have the option to walk back down or use the new ropeway tram.
Overnight: Udaipur - Meals: B, L, D
DAY 11: UDAIPUR / DELHI
After a leisurely breakfast, we will drive to the airport to board our flight to Delhi. At the conclusion of your journey, we'll escort you to an airport hotel where we've arranged rooms for day use. You can rest up and repack to make room for all of your mementos before your flight home.
Day Use: Delhi - Meals: B
TERRAIN:
Easy to moderate countryside trails with option to do several more difficult walks.
UNIQUE & MEMORABLE EVENTS ON EVERY DEPARTURE!
February: You're invited to our desert encampment in Osian for the new moon ... and incredible stargazing.
March: Join in Jaipur's Elephant Festival with parades of gold-bedecked elephants, elephant races, elephant-polo matches and more.
November: Participate in the Pushkar Camel Fair, one of the world's great traditional gatherings that only happens once a year.
December: Join the Maharana of Udaipur for a magnificent New Year's Eve celebration in Udaipur.
EXTENSION: KOCHI & KUMARAKOM
Discover the sultry, coastal personality of India with an extended visit to the exotic state of Kerala, near the Subcontinent's southern tip. After the highland jungles and deserts of the north, the palm-lined canals around the spice-trade center of Kochi offer startling and beautiful contrasts. We indulge in lazy cruises, settle into a waterside resort, and experience a completely different culture. It's a perfect (and perfectly luxurious) picture of India's rich diversity. The extension ends with a guided visit of Mumbai.
DAY 12: KOCHI - RICEBOAT CRUISE TO RESORT
Kochi (also known as Cochin) was an important centre of the spice trade starting in the 14th century and was the first European settlement on the subcontinent. The city is ideal for walking, so after breakfast at the hotel, we'll wander its picturesque streets and alleyways to take in the Dutch Palace and St. Francis Church. Along the way, we'll see the graceful Chinese fishing nets that dot the harbour, which is widely regarded as the world's finest.We'll hit the famed antique shops on Jew Street and end our exploration at the 500- year-old Fort Kochi with its collection of beautifully preserved Dutch and Portuguese architecture from the colonial era.
Later, we drive to Kumarakom, a village paradise on a cluster of tiny islands crowned by coconut palms. Here in India's "rice bowl" region you'll be surrounded by a vast mosaic of rice paddies and meandering mangrove lagoons. The village is a cluster of little islands on Vembanad Lake. An enchanting backwater destination, Kumarakom is a perfect leisure getaway. While here we'll see how people have adapted their lives to the waterways and undertake all manner of activities on these winding canals.
To experience that life firsthand, we board a kettuvalam, the traditional riceboat with a wooden hull and a humpbacked thatch roof. It's a scenic, lazily paced way to cruise the waters enroute to our historic lakeside resort. The facilities have been assembled from over forty historical houses, and magnificent pools lap at the front door of our luxury accommodations. The balance of the day is yours to relax, explore the 10 lush acres, or to arrange a session at the ayurvedic health centre.
Overnight: Kumarakom - Meals: B
DAY 13: KUMARAKOM / BIRD SANCTUARY
Not only is this lush aquatic region a favourite with water birds, its location near the southern tip of the subcontinent makes it a natural resting point on one of Asia's primary migratory flyways. Today, we see that rich variety on a walking tour of the Kumarakom bird sanctuary. It's an ornithologist's paradise, and a local naturalist accompanies us on our walk to point out and interpret the species we spot. You don't need to be a birdwatcher to enjoy sighting the psychedelically plumed kingfishers. Along the way, we'll walk under rookeries of egrets and night herons, and we may well spot Siberian storks, golden-backed woodpeckers and acrobatic paradise flycatchers. The balance of the day is yours to soak in the relaxing beauty of the resort.
Overnight: Kumarakom - Meals: B
DAY 14: SPICE PLANTATION
Sleep in if you like. The morning is all yours. The spices that grow in this climate are the ones Columbus sought when he launched his journeys of exploration. Midday, we'll get our own taste of these legendary products of India as we visit a spice plantation. On a guided walk, we'll not only learn about the unique agriculture, we'll stroll along canals in which fish are raised. It won't come as any surprise that lunch is a highlight of this visit. Most of the dishes served are made of the farm's fish, vegetables and fruits, duck, chicken with rice and local breads like appam.
You'll have plenty of time in late afternoon to digest the feast before a sunset cruise along the backwater canals. Life is quiet as dusk approaches, and this is an excellent opportunity see the villagers as they end their day along grassy banks shaded by tropical canopies.
Overnight: Kumarakom - Meals: B, L
DAY 15: MUMBAI
After breakfast we transfer to Kochi Airport for the flight to Mumbai where we settle into a 5-star deluxe hotel with spectacular views of the harbour and city. After a brief rest, we'll experience the colourful exotic chaos on a half-day city tour. Of course, we'll visit the Gateway of India, an arch of yellow basalt erected on the waterfront in 1924 to commemorate a visit by King George V. Other sights include the Afghan Church, the seat of the Maharashtra State's government, and the white-domed Prince of Wales Museum, renowned for its collection of regional art including more than 2,000 miniature paintings.
Overnight: Mumbai - Meals: B
DAY 16: DEPART MUMBAI
After an early breakfast, we transfer to the airport for departing flights.
Inclusions
- First class accommodation (including day use on Day 11)
- All breakfasts, 7 lunches, 9 dinners
- 1 cooking instruction
- Full-time experienced guide(s) who are with you throughout the trip
- Support vehicle(s)
- Admissions to tastings, historic sites and other scheduled events as noted in the itinerary
- Gratuities for hotels, meals and baggage
- Trip literature
- All land transportation during the trip
What's Not Included
- Internal airfares
Terms & Conditions
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For more information, availability and pricing and options, please contact our expert travel specialists at Inspired Travel Worldwide on (02) 9449 8598 or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you.
