PALACES OF RAJASTHAN LUXURY TOUR WITH PUSHKAR FAIR – 15 DAYS, 13 OVERNIGHTS IN INDIA

Book before July 31, 2009 and save $ 100.00,

Pay full before July 31, 2009 and save $ 200.00 ! 

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

Relish the luxury of some of the world’s most exclusive palace hotels in Rajasthan. The Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi, the Oberoi Amar Vilas Hotel in Agra, the Taj Rambagh Palace Hotel in Jaipur, the Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace Hotel in Jodhpur and the Taj Jagniwas Lake Palace Hotel on an island in Pichola Lake in Udaipur are among the world’s most luxurious hotels. All other hotels in this tour are among some of the finest hotels in India. Breakfasts and dinners are included in the price! Small group! Continental, Vegan and Vegetarian meals available if required. Price: $ 3,959.00 only!

Rajasthan is the most colorful, historically important state of India. The culture and traditions evolved over centuries under the mighty Maharajas still remain an integral part of the life of people in Rajasthan. The quiet and sleepy, tiny pilgrimage center of Pushkar wakes up at the time of the annual pilgrimage to the hundreds of temples along the holy lake. Over 300,000 people from all over Rajasthan congregate during the 10 days at Pushkar. They bring along thousands of camels, cattle, horses, goats and sheep to trade at the fair. Enjoy your stay in Pushkar in the comfort of a hotel instead of tents. Each stop in this tour is a special attraction. Witness the finest in art, architecture and culture of India in this fascinating journey.

1.       Monday, October 19, 2009, US International Airport:
Departure

2.       Tuesday, October 20, 2009, DELHI:
Arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport, welcome and transfer to Taj Mahal Hotel (among the world’s most luxurious hotels) for overnight.

3.       Wednesday, October 21, 2009, DELHI / AGRA:
After breakfast drive to Raj Ghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi on the banks of River Yamuna, drive past Red Fort with stop for photography, to the Jama Masjid built by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan. On the way back stop near Chandni Chawk Bazaar for photography and Rickshaw ride. After lunch in a city restaurant start the New Delhi sightseeing including Qutub Minar, Tomb of Mughal Emperor Humayun, a brief stop at Bahai Lotus Temple for photography and drive past Rashtrapati Bhawan, the mansion of the President, the office of Prime Minister, Parliament House and India Gate in the part of New Delhi planned by the British architect, Edwin Lutyens and James Baker. Leave Delhi around 4 PM to reach Agra at about 9 PM with stop on the way for dinner and transfer to the hotel for overnight in Oberoi Amar Vilas Hotel (among the world’s most luxurious hotels, it is only 600 yards from east gate of Taj Mahal).

4.       Thursday, October 22, 2009, AGRA:
Pre-sunrise walk a short distance to the world famous Taj Mahal to view it by Sunrise. After breakfast visit Agra Fort with red sandstone palaces of Emperor Akbar and white marble palaces of Emperor Shahjahan. A stop at the workshop of the traditional marble inlay artisans (Pietra Dure) will be organized to witness this most unique art form. Overnight in Oberoi Amar Vilas Hotel.

5.       Friday, October 23, 2009, AGRA / FATEHPUR SIKRI / JAIPUR:
After breakfast drive to the deserted capital of Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri. After sightseeing of the red sandstone palaces of Emperor Akbar and the white marble tomb of Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chistie in this fascinating deserted city drive about 4 hours to Jaipur. In the afternoon visit the City Palace of the Maharajas of Jaipur 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 and the astronomical observatory of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. Overnight in Taj Ram Bagh Palace Hotel (rated among the 10 most luxurious palace hotels of the world).

6.       Saturday, October 24, 2009, JAIPUR / JODHPUR:
After breakfast drive to Amber Fort for elephant ride to the hilltop palaces. Later drive about 330 kilometers or 205 miles to Jodhpur. Overnight in Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace (rated among the 10 most luxurious palace hotels of the world).

7.       Sunday, October 25, 2009, JODHPUR / JAISALMER:
After breakfast visit the hilltop Mehrengarh Fort. Drive further about 302 kilometers or 188 miles to Jaisalmer in about 6 hours. On arrival check-in hotel and take a short drive to Sam village to enjoy a dinner on the sand dunes at sunset.. Overnight in Taj Rawalkot Hotel.

8.       Monday, October 26, 2009, 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 Taj Rawalkot Hotel.

9.       Tuesday, October 27, 2009, JAISALMER / ROHETGARH:
After breakfast drive about 290 kilometers or 180 miles to Rohetgarh Fort in about 6 hours. On arrival relax & explore the heritage fort hotel or walk in the village. Overnight in Rohetgarh Fort.

10.    Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 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 the beautiful white marble, Taj Lake Palace Hotel. This is one of the most luxurious hotels of the world located on an island in Lake Pichola and is 265 years old.

11.    Thursday, October 29, 2009, UDAIPUR:
After breakfast visit the imposing City Palace of the Sisodia Dynasty Maharanas and the Jagdish Temple that is just outside its main gate. In the afternoon enjoy a boat ride on Lake Pichola to visit the Jag Mandir Island Palace. Overnight in Taj Jagniwas Lake Palace Hotel.

12.    Friday, October 30, 2009, UDAIPUR / PUSHKAR:
After breakfast drive about 250 kilometers or 155 miles in about 5 hours to the most colorful folk fair of the world at the pilgrimage town of Pushkar. Overnight in Pushkar Palace Hotel.

13.    Saturday, October 31, 2009, PUSHKAR:
Full day to explore the vast tribal fair grounds and the Hindu temple along the Pushkar Lake. Overnight in Pushkar Palace Hotel.  

14.    Sunday, November 1, 2009, PUSHKAR / SAMODE:
After breakfast drive about 170 kilometers or 106 miles in about 4 hours to Samode Palace, relax in the afternoon or explore the fresco paintings of the palace or walk in the village. Overnight in Samode Palace.  

15.    Monday, November 2, 2009, SAMODE / DELHI / USA:
In the morning relax in hotel and after lunch drive about 242 kilometers or 150 miles in about 5 hours to Radisson Hotel for farewell dinner and later transfer to the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi to board the flight back to USA.

Included in the price of US$ 3,959.00:

·          Accommodations with breakfast and dinner on double bed-room occupancy basis.

·          All transfers & sightseeing per itinerary in air-conditioned deluxe coach

·          Two bottles of mineral water in coach daily.

·          Services of an English-speaking guide in each city

·          Entrance fees to all monuments

·          Indian classical Kathak dance exclusively for our group in the hotel in Agra

·          Elephant Ride in Amber, Boat ride on Pichola Lake and Camel Ride at Sam Sand Dunes in Jaisalmer

·          Farewell dinner in Radisson Hotel Delhi.

·          3.9% service tax, toll taxes, parking fees and driver’s allowances

Not included in the price:

·          Round Trip airfare from US International Airport to New Delhi (Please call or email us for airfare from nearest airport)

·          Single room supplement US$ 1,959.00

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

·          Cost of lunches (please budget about US$ 15 to US$ 25 per day)

·          All drinks in hotels & restaurants etc.

·          Still and Video Camera Fees at monuments

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

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

PAYMENTS:

Please fill out the registration form, sign it and mail it with an advance payment by personal check of $ 570.00. The balance amount is payable on the due on August 4, 2009. 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.

Travel Guard Group Insurance: is highly recommended, please inquire for premium amount.