ART & CULTURE OF RAJASTHAN PRIVATE LUXURY TOUR – 15 DAYS, 14 OVERNIGHTS IN INDIA

NEW DELHI, AGRA, JAIPUR, JODHPUR, JAISALMER, ROHETGARH, RANAKPUR, UDAIPUR, DEVGARH, SAMODE & MANDAWA

Enliven your senses with the vibrant sights, sounds and pageant of Rajasthan. Indulge in history of the capital city, New Delhi. Wonder the harmonious architecture of the world famous Taj Mahal, the eternal monument to love in the ancient Mughal capital of Agra. Experience the blended Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic architecture in the palaces of Emperor Akbar’s deserted city, Fatehpur Sikri. Relish the glory of Kachwaha architecture and culture in the City Palace of the pink city, Jaipur. The masonry instruments in the astronomical observatory of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh still function. Enjoy a ride on beautifully decorated elephants going up to the hilltop palaces of Maharaja Man Singh and Mirza Raja Jai Singh at Amber Fort. Experience the colors and folklore at the Sam sand dunes at sunset. Relish the relaxing boat ride on Pichola Lake in Udaipur, the city of palaces and lakes. Choose your style of hotel from the world’s most luxurious to conveniently located comfortable hotels to your budget. Vegan and vegetarian cuisine can be arranged especially for you. Prices from USD 1,360 per person, double occupancy for this fascinating 15 day tour !

Day 01, DELHI:

Arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport, welcome and transfer to hotel for overnight.

Day 02, DELHI/AGRA:

After breakfast drive to Raj Ghat (Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial on the banks of River Yamuna), drive past Red Fort, with stop for photography, to Emperor Shahjahan’s Jama Masjid. On the way back stop near Chandni Chawk Bazaar for photography. After lunch in a city restaurant start the New Delhi sightseeing including Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, a brief stop at Baha’i Lotus Temple for photography and drive past President’s Mansion, Prime Minister’s office, Parliament House and India Gate in the part of New Delhi planned by the British architect, Edwin Lutyens and drive in about 4 hours to Agra and Transfer to the hotel for overnight.

Day 03, AGRA:

Visit the world famous Taj Mahal by Sunrise. There will be ample time in the vast walled enclosure of the Taj Mahal for sightseeing. After breakfast visit Agra Fort built by Emperor Akbar and renovated by his grandson, Emperor Shahjahan. Overnight in Agra.

Day 04, AGRA/FATEHPUR SIKRI/ JAIPUR:

After breakfast drive to the deserted capital of Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri. After sightseeing of the fascinating palaces complex and the Jama Masjid with the white marble tomb of Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chistie, drive about 4 hours to Jaipur. Overnight in hotel in Jaipur.

Day 05, JAIPUR:

After breakfast a short drive to Amber Fort where you will ride decorated elephant to the hilltop palaces of Kachchwaha Maharajas. After lunch visit the City Palace with its interesting textile gallery in Mubarak Mahal, the Sarvatobhadra hall of private audience with its two gigantic silver urns, the courtyard of Chandra Mahal and the Diwan-i-Am art gallery with its world famous collection of miniature paintings and portraits of Maharajas. Overnight in hotel in Jaipur.

Day 06, JAIPUR/JODHPUR:

After breakfast drive about 330 kilometers or 205 miles to Jodhpur with stop in Neemaj village for lunch in the Castle. Drive further to Jodhpur and visit the hilltop Mehrengarh Fort and Jaswant Thada memorial. Overnight in hotel.

Day 07, JODHPUR/JAISALMER:

After breakfast drive about 302 kilometers or 188 miles to Jaisalmer in about 6 hours. On arrival check-in hotel and enjoy a desert sunset dinner at the sand dunes. Overnight in hotel in Jaisalmer.

Day 08, JAISALMER:

After breakfast visit the Jaisalmer Fort, the famous Havelis of Patwon, Salim Singh and Nathmal, as well as the Gaddi Sagar Lake and Royal Chattariyan cenotaphs. Overnight in hotel in Jaisalmer.

Day 09: JAISALMER/ROHETGARH:

After breakfast drive about 290 kilometers or 180 miles to Rohetgarh Fort. On arrival relax in the fort hotel or walk in the village. Overnight in hotel.

Day 10, ROHETGARH/RANAKPUR/UDAIPUR:

After breakfast drive for lunch at Maharani Bagh Hotel in Ranakpur and sightseeing of the famous Chaturmukh Jain Temple and the smaller Jain and Hindu temples in the same complex. Later drive 90 kilometers or 56 miles to Udaipur, the city of Lakes and Palaces. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11, UDAIPUR:

After breakfast visit the imposing City Palace of the Maharanas of Udaipur and the Jagdish Temple that is just outside its main gate. In the afternoon enjoy a boat ride on Lake Pichola to view the Jag Niwas Lake Palace Hotel Island and visit the Jag Mandir Island Palace. Overnight in hotel.

Day 12, UDAIPUR/DEVGARH:

After breakfast drive to the beautiful Castle of Devgarh set in the midst of a small Mewari village. Overnight in hotel.

Day 13, DEVGARH/SAMODE:

After breakfast drive to Samode. Wonder at the prolific and colorful frescoes in the Samode Palace. Visit the village. Overnight in Samode Palace.

Day 14, SAMODE/MANDAWA:

After breakfast drive to Mandawa, relax and walk in the village. Overnight in hotel.

Day, 15, MANDAWA/DELHI/USA:

In the morning relax in hotel and after lunch drive to New Delhi for farewell dinner and transfer to board the flight back to USA.

Prices as per following hotel categories and car/van models valid until April 31, 2010:

WITH LUXURY HOTELS (transport with air-conditioned Toyota Innova Van):

WITH FIRST CLASS HOTELS (transport with air-conditioned Toyota Innova Van):

WITH TOURIST CLASS HOTELS (transport with air-conditioned Medium Car):

The above cost includes:

·          Accommodation on Double/Twin Room Sharing basis for 14 nights at the above mentioned hotels / similar category hotels will be offered incase of non availability at given hotels

·          Based on room with breakfast basis

·          Transfers and sightseeing by chauffer driven air-conditioned mid size car or van as per hotel category

·          Two bottles of water per day available in car or van

·          All Government taxes, Road tax and tolls, parking fees and driver’s overnight wages

·          Tours with professional English Speaking Local Guide as per itinerary.

·          Entry fee to all monuments and places of interest as per the itinerary (One Time)

·          Elephant ride in Jaipur, boat ride on Pichola Lake in Udaipur, Camel ride on Sam sand dunes in Jaisalmer

·          The rates are valid till April 2010.

Not included in the prices:

·          Cost of international airfare, we will be glad to get you the best airfares through our international flight consolidator

·          Cost of Travel Guard Group Insurance, please inquire the premium amount and coverage details (highly recommended)

·          Cost of lunches and dinners

·          All drinks in hotels & restaurants etc.

·          Still and Video Camera Fees at monuments

·          Tips to drivers and guides as well as any item not included in the above (included) list

·          All expenses of personal nature like telephone calls / laundry / room service charges in hotels etc.

PAYMENTS:

Please fill out the registration form, sign it and mail it with an advance payment by personal check of $ 370 for 1^st Class and tourist class hotel accommodations and with an advance payment of $ 570 for luxury class hotel accommodations. The balance is payable 60 days before departure date. On receipt of the form I will be glad to inform you the travel insurance premium amount. There is an extra charge of 2.75% for payment with Visa, Mastercard and Discover credit and debit cards because credit and debit card commissions and fees are not included in the price. Please call or email us for credit or debit card payments.