CUSTOMISED PACKAGES
Customised Packages
Indian Delight
Duration: 16 Days
ITINERARY
Day 1 : Arrive Mumbai
Morning : Arrive Mumbai International Airport
Transfer to hotel. Full day at leisure / Free for Shopping Or Local sightseeing.
Overnight at Mumbai.
Day 2 : Mumbai
Morning: City tour of Mumbai with a local English speaking guide.
Overnight at Mumbai.
Day 3 : Mumbai – Ahmedabad
Early Morning : Transfer to Mumbai Central railway station. Leave for Ahmedabad by Shatabdi Express. Afternoon : Arrive Ahemdabad railway station.
On arrival transfer to hotel. Later Excursion to Adalaj Vav (approx 30 mins drive one way) with a local English speaking guide. Overnight at Ahmedabad.
Adalaj Vav : One of the Gujarat’s most spectacular step-wells, or vavs, Adalaj Vav is situated 19 kms from Ahmedabad amidst well tended gradens. Once a Hindu sanctuary, the well is now totally out of use. The monument is best seen in the latter part of the day when sunlight penetrates to the bottom of the five-storey octagonal wellshalf. Steps lead down to the cool depths through a series of platforms raised on pillars. Alive with exquisite sculptures, the walls, pillars, cornices and niches portray erotica, dancing maidens, musicians, animals and images of Shiva in his terrible aspect, Bhairava. Stone elephants, horses and mythical animals parade around the sides of the shafts. Before descending into the step-well, you will see several Sanskrit inscriptions etched into the walls just above eye level, one of which records the building of the step-well in 1498.
Day 4 : Ahmedabad - Dungarpur
Morning : City tour of Ahmedabad with a local English speaking guide.
Calico Museum Of Textiles, Ahmedabad : The Calico Museum Of Textiles in the Sarabhai Foundation is simly the finest collection of textiles, clothes, furniture, temple artifacts and crafts in the country. Colourful embroidered wall hangings depicting Krishna legends, cloth decorated with tie-dye method or bandhani, glinting mirror work, screen prints, block prints and intricate embroidery include exquisite pieces made during the Colonial era. From India’s royal households there is an embroidered tent and the robes of Shah Jahan along with carpets and cushions that furnished Muslim palaces. The collection also includes some of the best examples of the pastola sarees woven in Patan (situated in North Gujarat) and extravagant zari work. The Jain section features statues and ancient manuscripts painted on palm leaves. Among exhibits from elsewhere in India are Kashmiri shawls, Kullu embroidery, silk brocades from Varanasi , folk art from Punjab, masks from Tamil Nadu etc. Tribal crafts too are displayed in spectacular fashion. Clearly labeled diagrams and models explain the weaving, dyeing and embroidery methods
Afternoon : Leave for Dungarpur by road (175 kms / 02 1/2 hrs drive).
Overnight at Uday Bilas Palace (breakfast and dinner).
Dungapur & Udai Bilas Palace : The hilly bastion of Dungarpur was founded in the 13th Century. Some 700 years later, Dungarpur is still a picturesque town set amidst the rugged peaks of the Aravalli mountains. Nestled in idyllic splendor, with the blue waters of the Gaibsagar Lake on ne side and a cove of private reserve forest on the other, Udai Bilas Palace is the embodiment of the old world charm of priencly India – exquisite Rajput architecture, fine murals, miniature paintings and stone carvings will delight the cultured traveler.
Dungarpur is the stronghold of the Bheels, a tribe whose history is said to date back to 4000 BC. Besides visits to the Bheel hamlets, take an excursion (45 kms one way / approx 01 hr drive one way) to the 14th Century temple of Rishabdeo, noted for its intricate carvings and prescious stone studded idol of Lord Kesariyaji.
Dungarpur is a memorable experience in your journey across India.
Day 5 : Dungarpur - Udaipur
Morning: Leave for Udaipur by road(140 kms / approx 92 hrs drive).
Enroute halt at Kesariyaji Temple. Afternoon : Arrive Udaipur.
Evening : Visit the City Palace for a son-et-lumiere spectacle.
Overnight at Balunda House.
Day 6 : Udaipur
Morning : City tour of Udaipur with a local English speaking guide.
Afternoon : At leisure. Overnight at Balunda House.
Day 7 : Udaipur - Jojawar
Morning : Leave for Jojawar by road (150 kms / approx 02 hrs drive).
Afternoon : At leisure. Evening : Spa Treatment – full body massage or full body scrub. Overnight at Rawla Jojawar. Rawla Jojawar : Set amidst the Aravalli hills, this little garrison fort was once a major principality of the Royal House Of Mewar. The fort is now converted into a heritage hotel. Members of royal family presently residing here, enhance and enlighten the guests with their keen interest in history, flora and fauna of the region. At Rawla Jojawar the royal scions endeavour beauty combined with the warmth of a traditional family and enthusiastic villagers.
The Marwari Horse Safari offers an amazing insight into the village life and its surroundings. Rawla Jojawar is an ornithologists’ paradise. There are several bird watching trails. Jeep Safaris are offered to the neighbouring tribal and Rabari settlements to experience the rich rural culture of Rajasthan.
One of the main attractions at Rawla Jojawar is the Train Safari – a ride on the local meter gauge train – which takes guests through the picturesque Aravalli mountains, passing through tunnels and bridges overlooking beautiful lakes and forests.
Day 8 : Jojawar - Luni
Morning : Leave for Luni by road (200 kms / approx 02 1/2 hrs drive).
Afternoon : Jeep Safari to visit the Bishnoi villages.
Overnight at Fort Chanwa.
Fort Chanwa Of Luni : Owned by members of the royal family of Jodhpur, is a heritage hotel in the finest tradition. Carved out of the famous red sandstone of Jodhpur, the fort has ornately carved lattice work friezes. Intricate Jarokhas capture the romance and grace of a bygone age.
Bishnoi Village Safari : All around Jodhpur are the Bishnoi community habitats in large numbers. Their fascinating rustic way of life, everyday rituals and folk architecture is worth seeing. The Bishnoi are renowned for following their 29 conservation principles founded in the 15th Century by a Bishnoi woman. The Bishnoi region thrives in large numbers of Indian antelope and to a Bishnoi these are scared animals to be protected at all cost. The Bishnois are also known for their love for preserving green vegetation and environment management.
The Safari takes you to the villages of potters and shepherds’ settlements. All around these villages is the unique sight of a large number of antelope and black buck roaming about freely. A nearby lake is home to various speices of birds including numerous peacocks and cranes. Drive onwards to visit the villages where artisans indulge in superb terracotta work and block printing on fabric. These Bishnoi villages are known for producing durries, carpets, rugs, bed covers and tents using camel or goat hair, wool and cotton. The villagers take pride and delight to explain their customs and daily life.
Day 9 : Luni – Jodhpur - Luni
Morning : Excursion to Jodhpur (approx 30 mins drive one way) including visits to the Meherangarh Fort and Jaswanthada with a local English speaking guide.
Afternoon : At leisure. Overnight at Fort Chanwa.
Day 10 : Luni - Jaipur
Morning : Leave for Jaipur by road (approx 05 hrs drive).
Afternoon : Arrive Jaipur. Evening : Visit Amer Fort for a son-et-lumiere spectacle. Overnight at Jaipur.
Day 11 : Jaipur
Full day excursion to Amer Fort and city tour of Jaipur with a local English speaking guide. Overnight at Jaipur.
Day 12 : Jaipur - Agra
Early Morning : Leave for Agra by road (258 kms / approx. 04 1/2 hrs drive).
Enroute visit the deserted twin cities of Fatehpur & Sikri with a local English speaking guide.
Afternoon : Visit the Taj Mahal with a local English speaking guide. Overnight at Agra.
Day 13 : Agra – New Delhi
Morning : Leave for New Delhi by road (203 kms / approx. 04 hrs drive).
Afternoon : Arrive New Delhi. Overnight at Delhi.
Day 14 : New Delhi
Full day city tour of Old & New Delhi with a local English speaking guide.
Overnight at Delhi.
Day 15 : New Delhi – Mumbai
Morning : Flight from New Delhi airport to Mumbai. On arrival transfer to hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Mumbai.
Day 16 : Depart from Mumbai
Transfer to International Airport for your return flight.