INDIA OF MAHARAJA AND CAMELS: RAJASTHAN

30 october to 15 november 2007
The cost of the trip is US$2100 per head on double sharing basis.
For single supplement, please add US$500.
Single supplement does not cover nights in tents in Pushkar (3 nights) and Camel Safari (2 nights).

Rajasthan - the land of warriors, gorgeous women, royal elegance, vibrant colors, perfumes of spices and incenses. Celebrated in songs by the ballad singers, majestic forts rise from sands and ornate palaces throb with romantic charm. There is a magic in traveling in Rajasthan which is unequalled by any other place in the world for its everything superlative: impressive, fascinating and breathtakingly beautiful.

‘Padharo' the word whistles out from the desert of Thar and the palaces. It means ‘welcome', welcome to a land of chivalry and its etiquette and even more of its hospitality. It was a land that held the guest supreme and even enemies were treated with grace on her soil. What better greeting could a prospective visitor hope to hear. But despite wars and the constant fear of attacks from neighboring states, the Rajas left their mark on the landscape of desert. Well planned beautifully built cities and palaces rising above the dusty plains look like mirage. In peace the Rajas gave expression to their fantasies, encouraging craftsmen and painters, weavers and sculptors, poets and musicians to migrate to their kingdoms and contribute towards the cultural and artistic enchantment of their cities. Today every town worth its name is renowned for either its architecture, miniature painting, printed textiles, jwelery, weaving, leather goods and cuisine.

No visitor can leave Rajasthan without being part of some festival or celebration, because it is said that if there are seven days in a week there are eights festivals in this state. The Rajasthani loves his rituals and festivals as they are part of their daily lives. The most beautiful and significant festival is that of Pushkar, ‘Camel Fair of Pushkar'. Pushkar, since time immemorial, has been the most hallowed holy spots for the Hindus and other ethnic people. Mythological believes says that the creation of the world started here when Brahma, the creator descended here in Pushkar and created this lake.

The celebrations in Rajasthan carries on, in its palaces and forts, in its painted havelis and courtyards, in its streets and villages, among its nomads and caravans as the plaintive song of the bard is carried over the sand dunes…

The sun sets in the evening sky
The stars twinkle in the darkness
But as the full moon grows
My desert turns into a plate of gold.
(“Welcome! Welcome to my land”)

This journey takes us to know the cities of Jaipur, Pushkar fair of camels, Bikaner, camel safari, Jaishalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Delhi, etc. with first hand experience of culture, religion and age old traditions.

Daily tour itinerary:

Month/day

10/29/06 : Arrival in Delhi in the late afternoon or night and check into hotel.
10/30/06: Due to late night arrival of some of the participants, morning is free to take rest. By mid day the participants depart for sightseeing. We visit Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Old Delhi bazaars and Chadni Chowk. Back to hotel in the late evening and overnight. Group welcome dinner.

10/31/06 : Delhi-Samode Palace-Jaipur ( approx. 6 hours drive covering 265 KMS.) After breakfast we drive by a private bus passing through the city of Delhi and its densely populated periphery. The unfinished plains with scarce vegetation and high traffic in the national highway takes us to Samode Palace. We visit this palace and stop for lunch. After lunch we proceed to the Amber Fort Palace, the former capital , on the back drop of wooded ranges and overlooking a lake which reflects its terraces and ramparts. We leave our vehicle on the bottom of the hill and ride on decorated elephants to the palace. Having visited this magnificent palace we walk down or ride down hill on elephant back and drive to Jaipur and check into hotel.

11/01/06 : Jaipur: Jaipur since centuries is called the Pink City because of the extensive usage of pink stones in massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and marvellous gardens. We visit Hawa Mahal (palace of the winds) a multi-storied building looking out over the main street of the old city, is a living example of Rajput artistry with its pink, semioctagonal and delicately honeycombed sandstone windows. This historical structure was initially built to enable ladies of the royal household to watch the everyday life and processions of the city. Jantar Mantar (stone made astronomical observatory) has constructions for specific purposes, such as measuring the positions of stars, altitudes and azimuths, or calculating eclipses. The City Palace in the heart of the old city is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The former Maharaja of Jaipur still lives in part of the palace. If time permits we will visit Jal Mahal ( a lodge surrounded by water which was used as a hunting lodge by the former kings), market place and bazaars filled with precious and semi-precious stones, open markets and embroidered cotton and silken dresses. Overnight in Jaipur.

11/02/06 : Jaipur – Pushkar (approx. 3 hours drive covering 120 KMS.) Driving through the dry plains the road winds through the Nag Pahar ( Snake Mountain) leading to the ancient holy lake of Pushkar. The group will check into royal tents with all the services and start exploring the town. Pushkar has been a place of pilgrimage through centuries not only for Hindus but also for folks of all faiths. There are 52 bathing ‘ghats' built around the lake with each ‘ghat' having special powers. Annually on the full moon of kartik ( falls towards the end of October and beginning of November depending upon the lunar calendar), the famous Pushkar fair is held with devotees coming to take a holy dip in the lake from the neighbouring states and also from far off. It is not only a fair of revering the creator god of Hindu faith ‘Brahma', but is also an occasion of exchanging local products, sale and buy of cattle, family get together and cultural and religious programmes.

11/03/06 and 11/04/06: These two days will be devoted in exploring Pushkar and her vicinity, observing and participating in religious ceremonies and cultural get-togethers, dances, camel and horse rides, camp fire every evening by the tent-sides with local musicians playing folk musical instruments and dances.

11/05/06: Pushkar – Bikaner ( approx. 6 hours drive covering 275 KMS.). Early morning drive to Bikaner passing through Sekhawati region. Bikaner is a walled city which stood on the ancient caravan routs which linked central Asia and North India with sea ports of Gujarat. Junagarh Palace with museum inside, Kote Gate with interesting bazaars, rustic men and women in their traditional cloths rub shoulders with their ‘modern' counterparts are the high lights of this magical place. Because of her location outside influences were minimal and this city still today is able to keep its medieval flavour alive. Overnight in Bikaner.

11/06/06: Bikaner – Deshnook- Camel safari: Having breakfast in the hotel, we head for Deshnook about 30 kilometres south along the Jodhpur highway where thousands of holy rats are worshipped in Karni Mata Temple. We visit this temple and observe the rats drinking milk from big vessels and running around. Seeing a white mice brings good fortune. Leaving this power place behind, we drive for a while and find the camels and helpers waiting for us to take into the Desert Camel Safari. Every camel will carry two persons: camel man and one of us with a small bag. There will be a desert jeep carrying rest of our necessities and collect if anyone cannot drive on camel back. Overnight in tents fixed in full circle with a camp fire at the centre. Kitchen tents, service tents and camels make the outer circle. Fresh vegetarian buffet meals will be prepared by the troupe cooks, kitchen boys and their helpers.

11/07/06: Desert Camel Safari: After breakfast we start our adventure on the camel backs. Stop over for lunch in the oasis and continue for our destination. During the day we will visit the desert nomads and the habitants with different professions like ceramic workers and weavers. Overnight in the tents with camp fire at the centre.

11/08/06: Desert Camel Safari Camp – Jaisalmer (approx. 5 hours drive covering 170 KMS.) After breakfast we embark on our private bus and proceed to Jaisalmer. Check into hotel and start the exploration of this ‘mirage' like city rising out of Thar Desert. The magic, incomparably romantic and totally unspoiled city has been dubbed the ‘Golden City' because of the colour imparted to its stone ramparts by the setting sun. No-one who makes the effort to get to this remote outpost leaves disappointed. The ‘havelis' of Jaisalmer are more exotic than any where found in India. Even the humblest shops and houses display something of the Rajput love of the decorative arts in its most whimsical form. The rich merchants engaged stone craftsmen who worked with great diligence on the sand stone mansions they built, filling up facades with sculptural filigree, screen windows, delicate pavilions and beautiful balconies. Within the habited fort walls are the group of beautifully carved Jain temples. Patwon Ki Haveli and Salim Singh Ki Haveli are the most beautiful mansions. Overnight in the hotel. Group dinner.

11/09/06: Visit Jaislamer and the vicinity . Overnight in Jaisalmer.

11/10/06: Jaisalmer – Jodhpur (approx. 6 hours drive covering 260 KMS). After breakfast we leave for Jodhpur passing through some villages and towns. The massive fort –Mehrangarh- which came first and around which the town of Jodhpur developed is seen from the distance. The fort is protected by a high stone wall with seven gates and countless bastions. Spreading over 5 kilometres on a perpendicular hill and looking down from a height of about 125 metres, Moti Mahal (Pearl Palace), Phool Mahal (Flower palace), Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace), etc. are some of the important areas to be visited. Having visited this fort and the vicinity we check into hotel. Group dinner.

11/11/06: Jodhpur – Udaipur passing through Ranakpur :(approx.7hrs and 30 minutes covering 380 KMS:). The winding road takes us through the countryside and forests to the hill Jain temples of Ranakpur. We visit this wonderful temple and take lunch. Having lunch we descend down the Aravali hills and arrive in the romantic lake city of Udaipur. Check into hotel.

11/12/06: Visit Udaipur : Udaipur is better known as the City of Lakes. The marble palaces, the beautiful gardens and the placid blue lakes enhance the beauty of this city. The City Palace having incredible balconies, arches, decorated pillars, the royal halls and private rooms of the royals are of great interest. The Jagdish temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath, Lake Pichola with palace at the middle of the waters, old havelis and flourishing bazaars are the places of interest. The lake city is surrounded by Aravali hills which also houses many palaces and hunting lodges. Overnight in Haveli.

11/13/06: Udaipur – Fatehpur Sikri - Agra : (long day drive): Having breakfast early morning we pass through the hills and with wonderful views of temples and lakes and reach the hill fort palace of Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri is an abandoned city situated about 40 kilometres west of Agra. Still today it's a perfectly preserved example of a Mughal city at the height of Mughal Empire's splendour. Having visited Sikri we proceed to Agra and check into hotel. Group dinner.

11/14/06: Visit Agra – Delhi : After breakfast we visit Taj Mahal, the living example of love and affection, the monument of love. It has been described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love, for the emperor Shah Jahan was heartbroken when Mumtaz, his wife died in child birth. We visit some of the other places of interest in Agra and after lunch drive to Delhi ( approx. 5 hours drive covering 205 KMS) and check into hotel.

11/15/06: The group departs for the airport depending upon the departure timings with ‘WARM NAMASTE', thus ending the great journey. (Hotel check out 12:00 noon).

• Indian visas are to be obtained through the Indian Diplomatic Missions abroad. No foreigners are allowed to enter into India without a valid visa
• As the days are hot and the evenings are cool, participants are requested to have clothing of both types ( temperature varies from 10-15°C between day and night). Maximum temperature in November in Rajasthan is about 33°C and minimum is about 17°C.
• On health and other precautions, please get advise from your doctor
• Comfortable long sleeved dresses are recommended both for Camel safari and Pushkar fair.
• All are advised to bring: sun protecting cream, hat, sun glasses, a pair of sandals, tea shirts and shirts, a cotton sweater, light autumn jacket, enough socks, trousers, cameras and enough films, small hand bag, soft baggage as we transfer almost everyday, though most of the meals are paid yet you need some money for meals not paid, drinks, shopping, etc. Therefore, please get some money in cash as some of the towns do not have credit card exchange facilities. Remember the supply of your medicines
• Descent dressing are welcome.
• Advised to respect the local cultures and customs and not to take pictures if the locals do not want to be photographed.
• To be open and cooperative at all levels of journey: as mechanical watches and biological watches have different timings, we request everyone to be flexible with the local guides and drivers if they are not on time.
• Almost all the hotels are of ‘Heritage Group', some are of good standard while others are less but all are certified by the Indian Govt. and International Hotel Associations. Some of them are ‘havelis' (mansions) upgraded into hotels. All the rooms are not same type and size though in the same complex. Hotels in Delhi and Agra are 4-5*.

The cost of the trip is US$2100 per head on double sharing basis.
For single supplement, please add US$500.
Single supplement does not cover nights in tents in Pushkar (3 nights) and Camel Safari (2 nights).

• all the hotel accommodations with breakfast in twin sharing basis
• all the sightseeing tours in private bus guided by local English speaking guides
• entry fees in all the monuments, temples and wherever applicable for single entry
• three nights in royal tent( all tents have two beds, toilet, shower, bed sheet, blanket, pillow, towels and two chairs and one small table outside the tents), accommodation on twin sharing basis inclusive of all the three meals ( no meet and no drinks included). Only vegetarian meals
• two nights in normal tents (toilets outside) on twin sharing basis inclusive of all the meals (no meet and no drinks included). Only vegetarian meals.
• lunch in Ranakpur
• all the ground transportations
• tips to guides, drivers, helpers, hotel and tent staff and also camel troupe
• airport pick up and drops
• 5 meals (lunch or dinner): one each in Delhi, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Agra.

• airfare to and from New Delhi from the origin and end of your travel
• health and travel insurances
• consular and visa fees
• photography fees wherever applicable
• all drinks
• all foods and drinks other than mentioned in the clause ‘cost includes'
• emergency pick ups and transfers in case of any unforeseen circumstances
• in case of any delays or lockouts extra costs incurred on hotels and foods and extra transportations
• expenses of personal character
• what is not mentioned under clause, ‘included'

For further information:
Bhola Banstola: bholamimi@hotmail.com or info@nepalese.it

James A. Dalton
American International Travel
Affiliated with The Spirit of Travel
3045 South Parker Road -Suit 201
Aurora, CO 80014, U.S.A.
Tel: 303 751-7200 FAX: 303 751-7526
Toll Free: 800 359 7200
E-mail: aitjim@yahoo.com

TARIFF IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO RISE IN PETROLIUM PRODUCTS AND FLUCTUATION IN INTERNATIONAL MONETARY EXCHANGE RATES.