Our 19-days ‘The Colours of India’ program gives you the
opportunity to Journey into the very heart of a land of
staggering colour and culture. Taking in some of India’s most
priceless gems, the colourful exuberance of Delhi’s vibrant
streets, to the elegant majesty of Udaipur’s sumptuous palaces
and gardens, this journey of discovery takes you through some
of Rajasthan’s most enchanting places where Rajput princes
ruled for centuries in extravagant pomp and splendor and lastly
the timeless majesty of the Ganges in Varanasi.
Day 1 : Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport this morning. You will be met at the airport by our representative who give you a warm welcome with fresh flower garlands and transfer to your hotel by Royal Saloon airconditioned Car. Your room is available for immediate occupancy. Afternoon explore the city as per your own wish. Car will be at your disposal.. Overnight stay at the hotel
Day 2 : Train Delhi/Ranthambhore
Morning after breakfast we board our Superfast Train to Ranthambhore, former hunting preserve of the Maharajas, famous for the wildlife sanctuary, which is said to have the India’s friendliest Tigers and considered to be the best place in the world to photograph the tiger in its natural habitat, a wonderful place for bird watching too. Overnight stay at the Jungle Resort.
Day 3 : Ranthambhore
On morning and late afternoon game excursions in the park, we are likely to see Nilgai (blue bull), barking deer and sloth bear and perhaps the very elusive Royal Bengal tiger. Park visit Timings 7:00am - 10:00am & 2:30pm - 5:30pmOvernight stay at the Jungle Resort.
Day 4 : Ranthambhore/bijaipur(230kms/6hrs)
After breakfast drive to Bijaipur. Arrive and check in to the hotel Castle Bijaipur. Castle Bijaipur is a 16th century castle set in the serene vindhyanchal ranges near Chittaurgarh. A wildlife sanctuary adjacent to the castle has leopard, chinkara, spotted and four-horned deer, crocodile and wild boar as well as a variety of birds. Overnight stay at the fort hotel.
Day 5 : Bijaipur/Chittorgarh/Udaipur (160kms/3hrs)
After breakfast drive to Udaipur - There is no place in Rajasthan, which appeals more to the imagination of poets and painter, travellers and writers than Udaipur, an oasis in the desert state of Rajasthan. Enroute we will visit the Chittorgarh fort. After the visit continue drive towards Udaipur. Early evening leave to visit the Crystal Gallery, this collection has been hailed as the single largest collection of crystal in the world. The crystal gallery also houses the only crystal bed in the world. Later we enjoy the Boat cruise at Lake Pichola. The breathtaking beauty of the Lakes – Pichola and FatehSagar truly make Udaipur an oasis in the desert. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 6 : Udaipur
Let the glorious sunrise dazzle you at breakfast. Wander through the opulent City Palace grounds and the museum, which are the testamentto the valour and chivalry of the Mewar rulers. Visit Saheliyonki Bari (the gardens the maids-of-honour), the Jagdish temple on the shores of Lake Pichola. The BhartiyaLok Kala Mandir is a treasure house of Rajasthani folk culture. The afternoon is at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 7 : Udaipur/Ranakpur/Jodhpur (259kms/6hrs)
Today our drive takes us to Jodhpur through the most interesting contours of the desert landscape, the enchanting forts, temples, other royal residences and settlements retain its medieval character and comprise the town's multifaceted attractions. Enroute we stop to visit the Jain temples at Ranakpur, superbly preserved in a near-perfect condition for over 500 years. The most attractive features are the 29 halls of the temple, which have 1444 pillars of which no two are like. Upon arrival at Jodhpur in the evening we proceed to hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 8 : Jodhpur/Osian/Jaisalmer (308kms/6hrs)
After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel we visit the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, Perched on a 150 m high hill its sprawl is the most formidable and magnificent fort in Rajasthan which dominates and offers spectacular vistas of the blue-hued city. On the way down from the fort, on left is JaswantThada, the graceful marble cenotaph of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. The main memorial has been built like a temple with intricately carved marble stone that is sculpted by the genius artesian. A visit to this structure is through the rocky hills giving it a secluded and a mystic aura. Post lunch we will journey through the vast Thar Desert to the ancient caravan city of Jaisalmer - one of the last princely bastions in the region, founded on the crossroads of lucrative trade routes. Its like straight out of an Arabian Nights fable. The name Jaisalmer induces a dramatic picture of utter magic and brilliance of the desert. The hostile terrain not with standing the warmth and colour of people is simply over whelming. Enroute we stop to visit Osian, An ancient town in the Thar Desert known for its temples. There are 15 brahminical temples and shrines, and a cluster of Jain temples, all built during the GurjaraPratihara dynasty between the 8th and the 12th centuries. Upon arrival at Jaisalmer in the evening check in to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 9 : Jaislmer
Morning we set out to explore the honey-coloured fort that emerges from the flat dry desert sands and enjoy a walk through the maze of narrow streets in the city with ornately decorated ‘havelis’ in yellow sandstone, built by rich merchants at a time when the city was a key stopping place on the caravan routes from the Middle East. Jaisalmer has been described as an ‘open air museum’, and to enter its narrow cobbled lanes is to step back into another era. We also visit the impressive ‘Havelis’ which were once build by the wealthy Jain merchants, decorated with rich-carvings, stone inlays, ornamental lattice, tracery works and some of them are still in excellent condition. Evening just before sunset we arrive at Sam Sand Dunes to see the total sandy bush less desert. It has a truly glorious stretch of sweeping sand dunes. We enjoy Camel Ride by the sand dunes and will be able to take our favourite picture with a lone camel on a desert track and the setting sun in the backdrop. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 10 : Jaisalmer/Gajner Palace/Bikaner (333KMS/06HRS)
After breakfast at the hotel we will be driven to the relatively remote city of Bikaner, tucked away in the desert region of western Rajasthan. The city is dotted with scores of sand dunes. Bikaner retains the medieval grandeur that permeates the city's lifestyle. Enroute we stop to visit Gajner Palace, converted into a heritage hotel just 32 kms from Bikaner. Gajner is an incomparable Jewel in the Thar, Built by the great Maharaja Ganga Singhji of Bikaner on the embankment of a lake with a generous dose of flora and fauna. Around the palace is a thick forestation that attracts the guests to take up a simple walk around admiring the migratory birds in winters like imperial sand goose,antelopes, black bucks and the animal species that wander around in the form of Nilgais, chinkaras, deers etc. The hotel is spread in a large area, and the ambiance around is as raw and authentic as it was before. We arrive Bikaner and check in to our Hotel. Post lunch followed by visit to the unusual Junagarh Fort - an unassailable fortress, which has never been conquered. Sumptuously decorated with its ornately lacquered walls in red & gold and panels of dazzling coloured glass inlay set over the coronation throne. We also visit the asia’s largest Camel Breeding Farm, here we get the opportunity to see hundreds of camels, wherein we can also see the gamboling baby camel which is a very interesting sight and an experience in itself. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 11 : Bikaner/Mandawa (190KMS/04HRS)
After breakfast at the hotel we drive towards Mandawa- The towns of Shekhawati are eminent for their amazing painted havelis. Such is the appeal of the havelis that this region is dubbed as "open art gallery of Rajasthan". The havelis are noted for their frescos depicting mythological themes and that of huge animals. Some later day frescos shows the arrival of the British and highlighting steam locomotives and train doubtlessly for the benefit of those members of the household who did not travel to distance places by train or see this newly introduced mode of transport. Post lunch visit the printed havelies of the Dundlod town and surrounding areas of Mandawa and Nawalgarh. The Painted Havelies of the region are called “The Open air art Galleries” Continue visit of Mukundgarh - well known for its brass and iron scissors, and Dundlod this small charming town has a fort, palace and the Goenkahavelis which have some fine frescoes. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 12 : Mandawa/Delhi (240KMS/06HRS)
After breakfast have free time with the Swimming pool. At noon we drive back to Delhi. Reach by evening and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 13 : Fly Delhi/Varanasi (IC406 – 1025/1145)
Morning flight takes us to the oldest living city in the world Varanasi – also said to be the India’s most sacred city situated on the western bank of the holy river Ganga. Varanasi is the city, which cannot be described, only experienced. to a crescendo of unparalleled piety and joy. Afternoon we tour Sarnath, an important pilgrimage centre for Buddhist. This is where the Buddha preached his first sermon after getting enlightenment. Sarnath's temples and Archaeological Museum are full of Buddhist art treasures. Our evening rickshaw (Tricycle) ride passing through the busy streets and bazaars of Varanasi takes us to the holy river Ganges where we cruise to witness the ceremonies amidst hundreds of lighted candles and flower offerings. Overnight stay at our hotel.
Day 14 : Varanasi
Early morning, we leave for boat ride on the Ganges to see the bathing Ghats (river bank) & cremation site. Sunrise on the riverfront, as seen from a boat, can be a spiritually uplifting sight. The life on the Ghats bound in an endless string of rituals, ever-changing aspects of the river & the wide landscape across have fascinated visitors from all over the world. Return to hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, city tour of Varanasi where we visit the Bharat Mata temple with a big relief map of India in Marble, Durga temple, TulsiManasMandir, Benaras Hindu University which has an art gallery & the mosque of Moghul Emperor Aurangzeb. Overnight stay at our hotel.
Day 15 : Fly varanasi/khajuraho (9W723 – 1215/1255)
Morning flight takes us to Khajuraho, the legendary temples of Khajuraho built in the 9th and the 10th century are an incomparable experience. Acknowledged as one of the world’s artistic wonders.Khajuraho has achieved fame for the sensual appeal of its erotic sculptures. On arrival we check inn to our Hotel. Evening we witness the fascinating Son-et-Lumière spectacle evokes the life and times of the great Chandela Kings and traces the story of the unique temples from the 10th Century to the present day. Mounted in the complex of the Western Group of temples.Overnight stay at our hotel.
Day 16 : Khajuraho/Orchha (200KMS/4HRS)
Morning we visit the exquisite 10th century temples of Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by the Chandela Kings between 950 AD & 1050 AD. The most important are the Chaunset Yogini temple dedicated to Goddess Kali, the Mahadev temple, Chitragupta or Bharatji temple with lovely image of 11 headed Vishnu, Vishwanath& Nandi temples, Lakshmana temple, Visha temple dedicated to Shiva, which is the largest & most typical of temples. Post lunch we drive to Orchha, Once the capital of Bundelas, Orchha is a village, set amongst a complex of well preserved palaces and temples. Though Orchha was founded in 1531, it's golden age was during the first half of 17th century. When Jahangir visiting the city in 1606, a special palace, the Jehangir Mahal was built for him.Upon arrival at Orchha check in to the hotel.Overnight stay at our hotel.
Day 17 : Orchha/Jhansi/Gwalior (120KMS/3HRS)
After breakfast in Orchha visit the Jehangir Mahal, Raj Mahal & Ram Raja temple which also dates back to the 17th century. Later we drive towards Gwalior, Steeped in the splendour of its past, the ancient capital of Gwalior has yet made a successful transition into a modern Indian city, vibrant and bustling. Enroute visit Jhansi Fort, The fort is much in ruins and below is the government museum which houses a small collection of 9th to 12th century sculptures. Upon arrival in Gwalior check in to the hotel.Overnight stay at our hotel.
Day 18 : Train Gwalior/Delhi (1905/2220)
After breakfast we visit Gwalior, the entire city is a visual and aesthetic feast, for the builders of Gwalior were great architects. Take a walk through the streets of the city and you will discover old havelis with exquisitely carved doorways and windows; at almost every street crossing you will find statues of the Scindia family. Museums and art galleries are treasure houses and beautifully maintained palaces give the city its inimitable regal flavour. Sightseeing in Gwalior is a magical trip into the centuries gone by. Visit The Fort: Standing on a steep mass of sandstone, Gwalior Fort dominates the city and is its most magnificent monument. It has been a scene of momentous events : imprisonments, battles and jauhars. A steep road winds upwards to the Fort, flanked by statues of Jain tirthankaras, carved into the rock face. The magnificent outer walls of the Fort still stand, two miles in length and 35 feet high, bearing witness to its reputation for being one of the most invincible forts of India. This imposing structure inspired Emperor Babar to describe it "the pearl amongst the fortresses of Hind." Evening transfer to railway station to board the train to Delhi. Late evening arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel. Overnight stay at our hotel.