Deserts Palaces Ganges - 13 days
An exciting two week tour that takes in Jaipur, the legendary Taj Mahal, the incredible carved temples of Khajuraho and the colourful city of Varanasi, right on the banks of the holy Ganges.
Day 1: New Delhi
Saturday. Welcome to India and the start of your holiday! Arrive Delhi, included transfer to hotel. Overnight - New Delhi
Day 2: Old Delhi & New
This morning, our welcome meeting takes place. We’ll then enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Delhi. Tonight, we enjoy a Namaste Dinner at an Indian restaurant. Overnight - New Delhi (B, D)
Deserts Palaces Ganges - 13 days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
Days 3 - 4: Amber Fort on Elephant back
Delhi - Jaipur. This morning we drive to Jaipur,
affectionately known as the Pink City as Maharaja Ram Singh
had all of the Old City painted a welcoming pink in 1876 to
herald a visit by the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII),
it is also the bustling capital of the state of Rajasthan. The
state of Rajasthan emerged after Partition from a mosaic of
22 feudal kingdoms, known in the British era as Rajputana,
‘Land of Kings’. We enjoy a tour of the City Palace and Jantar
Mantar - an old yet cleverly designed space observatory.
Jaipur is sensational for shopping. Keep your eyes peeled
for colourful papîer mache puppets and traditional jootis
- the Rajasthani shoe of choice. We’ll also visit a cotton
trading/tailor shop which specialises in tablecloths and
other articles block-printed with traditional Rajasthani
designs and a very capable tailoring service where bolts of
European-style fabric can be crafted into shirts and other
garments meeting your specification, at a fraction of prices
charged for bespoke tailoring in the West. Best of all,
anything you’re measured up for will be delivered in record
time to your hotel!
On day 4 we travel beyond Jaipur to the stunning 16th century Amber Fort - a sprawling Rajput concoction which hugs the hill on which it was built and overlooks the hot plains below. Perhaps opt for an early morning balloon ride over Jaipur. We enjoy a stately elephant ride* to the fort proper and tour the fort’s well-preserved interior and grounds. Back in Jaipur, enjoy the remains of the day your way. Overnight - Jaipur (B:2)
On day 4 we travel beyond Jaipur to the stunning 16th century Amber Fort - a sprawling Rajput concoction which hugs the hill on which it was built and overlooks the hot plains below. Perhaps opt for an early morning balloon ride over Jaipur. We enjoy a stately elephant ride* to the fort proper and tour the fort’s well-preserved interior and grounds. Back in Jaipur, enjoy the remains of the day your way. Overnight - Jaipur (B:2)
Jaipur - Bharatpur via Abhaneri and Peharsar. Our first stop
is Chand Baori, a famous 9th century step well in the
village Abhaneri. Then we drive to the small rural village of Perharsar, walking the dusty village lanes we gain an insight into local life and traditions.
If open, we can visit the village school where we operate our ‘Change for Children’ programme and stop in on a charming haveli (mansion house) with its small courtyard, lawned gardens and rustic appeal. After hotel check in at Bharatpur and time to freshen up we visit Keoladeo Ghana National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, Keoladeo’s 29 sq.km of swamps and lakes constitute one of the most important breeding and migratory areas in the world, where from October - March the some 200 plus local species are joined by a further 130 species from as far afield as the Russian Steppes and Central Asia. We will enjoy a leisurely bicycle rickshaw ride through the park. Overnight - Bharatpur (B, D)
If open, we can visit the village school where we operate our ‘Change for Children’ programme and stop in on a charming haveli (mansion house) with its small courtyard, lawned gardens and rustic appeal. After hotel check in at Bharatpur and time to freshen up we visit Keoladeo Ghana National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, Keoladeo’s 29 sq.km of swamps and lakes constitute one of the most important breeding and migratory areas in the world, where from October - March the some 200 plus local species are joined by a further 130 species from as far afield as the Russian Steppes and Central Asia. We will enjoy a leisurely bicycle rickshaw ride through the park. Overnight - Bharatpur (B, D)
Day 6: Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal
Bharatpur - Agra. En route to Agra, we visit
Fatehpur Sikri, former imperial capital of the great Mughal
emperor Akbar. Built between 1569 and 1585, it has been
deserted for more than four centuries, by all account
abandoned in 1600 due to a meagre supply of water. A
masterpiece in red sandstone, the vast ruins resemble an
elaborate film set. In Agra, we visit the impressive Agra Fort before touring the the legendary Taj Mahal and witnessing a spectactular golden sunset. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in loving memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz, who tragically died in childbirth in 1631, the Taj Mahal in Agra is described as the
most extravagant monument ever built for love and remains
one of India’s most enduring symbols. Constructed entirely
of white marble and inlaid with semi-precious stones, the
Taj Mahal has no peer. Overnight - Agra (B)
Day 7: Orchha's temples & Palaces
Agra - Orchha. Today, we travel by express train to Jhansi and drive onward to Orchha. Situated on the banks of the River Betwa, Orchha is set amongst a wonderful complex of well-preserved 16th century temples and palaces. Overnight - Orchha (B)
Orchha - Khajuraho. Travelling south-east, we arrive in Khajuraho - home of the resplendent Hindu temples which were built during the Chandela dynasty over a 100 year burst of creative genius from 950-1050 AD. Immortalised in stone, the carved temples display exceedingly artistic aspects of Indian life a millennium ago. Famed above all for their delicate sensuality and forthright eroticism, how and why they were built still remains a mystery.
Indeed, the Chandelas appear to have forgotten about the temples soon after they were completed and it took ‘rediscovery’ by the British before these awesome masterpieces were fully appreciated in India. Though we won’t be able to dispel the mystery, we’ve plenty of time to see the temples including the various acts from the famous Kamasutra depicted on these monolithic temples for ourselves! The incredible skill of the artisans is evident throughout. Adding to the beauty, these amazing temples subtly change hue as the day progresses, passing from a warm pink at sunrise to white under the midday sun and back to pink at sunset. Overnight - Khajuraho (B)
Day 9: Varanasi
Khajuraho - Varanasi. We offer a jeep safari in Panna NP this morning, please see our wildlife safari bolt on for details. This afternoon we bid farewell to Khajuraho and fly east to Varanasi. Perhaps the holiest city in India; Varanasi, also known as Benares or the city of Shiva, is also one of the oldest cities on earth. Sitting on the banks of the holy River Ganges, it has been a centre of learning and civilisation for more than 2000 years and is a place of Hindu pilgrimage. Overnight - Varanasi (B)
Day 10: Boat ride on the Ganges
This morning, we enjoy a sunrise boat ride on the holy Ganges where we’ll view the ancient religious tradition of ritual cleansing that takes place on the many riverbank ghats (riverside steps). Later, we embark on a tour of the city. At sunset consider re-visiting the ghats for the evening pilgramage, remarkably different from the dawn ritual. Overnight - Varanasi (B)
Day 11: Holi Varanasi
Varanasi - Delhi. Today, take the opportunity to further explore this vibrant city. Early evening we return to Delhi by comfortable overnight train (option to fly to Delhi available, see below). Overnight - Train (B)
Day 12: Explore Delhi your own way
Delhi. Breakfast upon arrival and hotel check in. Today is a chance to further explore the city at your leisure or a chance to pick up those last minute souvenirs. Overnight - New Delhi (B)
Day 13: New Delhi
Thursday. Hotel check out and included onward departure transfer to airport. Happy Travels!
(B)
Varanasi - Delhi by air
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Forsaking the included overnight train journey from Varanasi to Delhi, you may opt to upgrade and travel back to Delhi by air. This option includes an economy flight from Varanasi to Delhi on day 11, airport transfers at both ends and one night's accommodation in Delhi (evening of day 11). Please indicate your preference to travel by air at time of booking. |
The Elephant Parade... jumbo plays polo & wrestles in tug of war!
Join us and witness the immensely colourful and wildly exciting Elephant Festival hosted annually in the Rajasthan capital of Jaipur! Groomed to perfection, glittering in gold, laden with silk tassels and intricately decorated with brightly coloured motifs, row upon row of elephants will catwalk before an enthralled audience at the parade. The elephants move gracefully in procession, participate in running races, play the regal game of polo and by far the greatest highlight is the tug of war between men and elephants, a mismatch of epic proportions.
This is festival time for the elephants and we will not be missing the parade! If travelling with us on our Deserts, Palaces, Ganges tour departing 03 March 2012, we have revised our touring arrangements to allow for us to attend the festival. Travellers on this tour will spend an additional day and evening in Jaipur, making this tour 14 days in length. The festival begins mid afternoon on 06 March with camels and horses and lively folk dancers and musicians leading the carnival to Jaipur’s open air Chaugan Showground. Here we’ll be ringside to witness the colourful festivity, the crowning of the Best Decorated Elephant, the polo match and the comical bout of man verses elephant in tug of war. A small supplement has been added to our tour cost. For exact itinerary arrangements please refer to our Deserts, Palaces, Ganges tour Go Guide.
Tour Details
- Starts in: New Delhi / Ends in: New Delhi
- Departs: Every second Saturday - September through to April
- No local payment required
- Breakfast:12, Lunch: 0, Dinner: 2
- Hotel Rating: 3 - 4 star & heritage hotels
- Tour Guide: Yes
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