930 Irwin Street, Suite 222, San Rafael, CA 94901

Phone: 415-381-5861 ◆ 888-367-6147 inquire@originalworld.com ◆ www.originalworld.com

CST Permit #2057026-40

Royal Rajasthan: An In-Depth Exploration (18 days) including Royal Palaces, Forts and Tribal Villages

November8-25,2018

IncludesthePushkarCamelFair

Travelthroughexotic,colorfulRajasthan,thelandofthemaharajas!WeshallvisitIndia’smajesticpalacesandfortsofancienttimes.Enjoymagnificentart,craftsandarchitecture.Experiencethegoldendesert,thetownsofShekawatidubbed“theopen-airartgalleryofRajasthan,”picturesqueUdaipurby

thelake,thepinkcityofJaipur,andtheexquisitewhitemarbleTajMahal.

Throughoutitall,connectwiththediversepeoplesofIndia.Soakintheroyalatmosphereasyoustayinhistoricpalacesthathavebeenconvertedtobeautifulhotelsandintimateheritagepropertieswheredescendantsoftheroyalfamiliesstillreside.OurRoyalRajasthantoursareanexcellentintroductionto

Indiaandofferexcitingphotographyopportunities.

Nov8DAY1:ArrivalinDelhi.TransfertohotelTheLalitNov9DAY2:Delhi/TheLalit(B,L,D)We’lldepartat9amonourfulldaytourofOldandNewDelhiincludingtheJamaMasjidMosque&arickshawridethroughthemarketinOldDelhiandIndiaGate,RajGhat/GandhiMemorialMuseum,LakshmiNarayanTemple(BirlaMandir)andQutabMinarinNewDelhi.StartthetourwithavisittothegreatJamaMasjid-theprincipalmosqueofOldDelhi.Builtintheyear1656ADbytheMughalEmperorShahJahan,itisthelargest&bestknownmosqueinIndia.Thecourtyardofthemosquecanholduptotwenty-fivethousandworshippers.Themosquealsohousesseveralrelicsinaclosetinthenorthgate,includinganantiquecopyoftheQur'anwrittenondeerskin.ItliesattheoriginofaverybusycentralstreetofOldDelhi,ChandiChowk.NextwetakeanexcitingrickshawridethroughChandiChowk,theoldmarketplaceofShahJahanabadnowacolorfulbazaar.Wecontinueourtour,nowdrivingtoNewDelhi.ThefirststopisatRajGhat,memorialtotheFatheroftheNation,MahatmaGandhi.Itisasimpleblackmarbleplatformthatmarksthespotofhiscremationon31January1948.Aneternalflameislit.AndthenavisittotheGandhiMemorialMuseum,oppositeRajGhat.WewillstopforlunchatPindi,awonderfultraditionalNorthIndianrestaurant.AfterwardsdrivepastIndiaGate,memorialbuiltintheyear1931tocommemoratetheIndiansoldierswhodiedintheWorldWarI&theAfghanWars.President'sHousebuiltintheyear1931.Until1950itwasknownasViceroy'sHouse&servedastheresidenceoftheGovernor-GeneralofBritishIndia.Next,aquickstoptoseeLotusTemplefromtheoutside-oneoftheremarkablearchitecturesofBahaifaith.Builtintheshapeofalotusflowerofpurewhilemarble,cement,dolomiteandsanditwasdesignedbythePersianarchitectFariborzSahbaandcompletedin1986.ThesymbolofthelotusfloweriscommontoHinduism,Buddhism,JainismandIslam.Thetempleisopentopeopleofallreligionsandprovidesanenvironmentformeditationandprayer.Aroundthepetalsareninepoolsofwaterwhichlightupatdusk.Thetemplehasreceivedrecognitionfromallovertheworldforitssplendidarchitectureanddesign.OnwardtoQutubMinar,builtintheyear1206byQutub-ud-dinAibek.Itisthetallest(72m)brickminaretintheworld,animportantexampleofIndo-IslamicArchitecture.Culminatingtheday,wedrive1.5kmwestofConnaughtPlacetoLakshmiNarayanTemple.ThesoaringspireoftheLakshmiNarayanTemple(alsocalledBirlaMandir)dominatestheurbaneskylineofCentralDelhi.Thisgarish,modern,OrissanstyletemplewaserectedbyindustrialistB.D.Birlain1938andwasinauguratedbyMahatmaGandhiontheconditionthatpeopleofallcastesespeciallyuntouchableswouldbeallowedin.ThetempleenshrinesalmostallthedeitiesoftheHinduPantheon,thepresidingdeitybeingNarayan(Vishnu,thepreserverinHindutrinity)andhisconsortLakshmi,theGoddessofprosperityandgoodfortune.Thereveredshrine,nestlingintheheartofthecity,isasfamousforitssanctityasforitsarchitecture.Portrayinganalluringblendofcreamandred,thesacredshrinealsoaffordsacuriousmedleyofHindumythologyandancientIndianarchitecture.Theexteriorisofwhitemarbleandredsandstonewithtallcurvedtowers.Visitinghoursarefrom7amto12noonand2to9pm.Justnorthofthemaintemple,wevisitGeetaBhawan(Hall)wherepaintingsdepictingscenesfromIndianmythologyaredisplayed.Aartis(pujaceremony)areperformedeveryevening,6:30-7pm.Otherattractionsarethegardensandfountainsinsidethepremises.DinneratChoreBizarreRestaurant.

Nov10DAY3:Delhi–Agra/TheGateway(B)

TransfertoNewDelhirailwaystationforGatimanExpressTraintoAgradepart0810am/arrive0950am.Onarrivaltransfertohotel.(earlycheckinsubjecttoavailability).Aftercheckin(orluggagedropwithhotelsecurity),wewillvisitAgraFort,builtprincipallyasamilitaryestablishmentbyAkbarin1565.TheredsandstoneAgraFortwaspartiallyconvertedintoapalaceduringShahJahan'stime.ThismassiveFortis2.5kmlong&isconsideredaspredecessorofDelhiRedFort.NextvisitItmad-Ud-Daulah,thefirstwhitemarbleinlaidgraveinpureIndo-Persianstyle,builtbetween1622and1628.AfterwardsvisitAgraFort.Laterwewillstopinoneoftheartisanworkshopstoseeademonstrationofthein-laymarbletechniqueusedontheTajMahal.ThesearedescendantsoftheoriginalartistswhoworkedontheTajMahal.Returntothehotelforlunchonyourownandabitofrest/relaxation.InthelateafternoonwesetoutforasunsetvisittoTajMahal,ajewelofMuslimartandoneofthefinestexampleofMughalarchitecture,astylethatcombineselementsfromIslamic,Persian,OttomanTurkishandIndianarchitecturalstyles.TajMahalbecameaUNESCOWorldHeritageSitein1983.

Nov11DAY4:Agra–Jaipur(260km/5hrs)/SamodeHaveli(B,D)OPTIONAL:aTonga(HorseCarriage)forasunrisevisitofTajMahal(extracost$20pp).Returntohotelforbreakfast.Afterbreakfast,we’lldrivetoJaipur.En-routewevisitFatephurSikri,alsocalled“thedesertedcity.” FatephurSikri,builtin1571,oneoftheworld'smostperfectghostcitiesandamarvelofdesignandconstruction.ItisasynthesisoftheflourishingstylesofthePersiancourtsandtheprevailingHindu-Islamictrends.Fatehpur(townofvictory)SikriwasbuiltbyAkbar,thethirdandgreatestoftheGreatMoguls.Itisover400yearsoldandtodayitspristineredsandstonebuildingsareasperfectaswhentheywerefirstchiseled.Thetownwaserectedafteraholyman,SheikhSalimChisti,decreedthebirthsofthreesonstoAkbarafterallhischildrenhaddiedininfancy.TherearethreesectionstotheCity:TheRoyalPalace(notablefortheEmperor'sthrone),theoutsideoftheRoyalPalaceandtheJamiMasjid(thelocationoftheTombofSheikhSalimChishti,amasterpieceinbrilliantwhitemarble).ThecenterpieceofthisremarkablemonumentistheJewelHouseoftheDiwanIKhas.Architecturallyextraordinary,thefourdoorwaysleadintoasingle-storyroomwhereahugecentralpillarsupportsaseatreachedbymid-airwalkways.WestopforlunchaLaxmiVilasPalaceinBharatpur.OnarrivalinJaipur,checkintohotel.Thiseveningweattendpuja(Hinduceremony)atGaneshTempleinJaipur.DinneratNirosRestaurant.Nov12DAY5:Jaipur/SamodeHaveli(B) ThismorningweenjoyapleasantexcursiontoAmberFort.AmberisthenameoftheancientkingdomofJaipuraswellasthenameofitsancientcapital,beforeitwasshiftedtoJaipur,situated7milesaway.Itshistorycanbetracedbackedtothe12thcentury.AmberFortissuperblylocated,protectedbythewildArrivalHillsonallsides.Originallybuiltinthe11thcentury,itwasexpandedbyRajaMannishinthelate16thcentury.Theruggedexteriorbeliesabeautifulanddelicateinterior. Returntothehotelandlunchonyourown(paydirect).

Thisafternoon,acitytourincludingtheCityPalace,HawaMahal(PalaceofWinds)andtheJantarMantarAstronomicalObservatory.Browsetheshopsifyouwish. AttheheartofJaipurisitsCityPalacewhichhousesanextensivecollectionofraremanuscripts,MughalandRajasthaniminiatures,Mughalcarpets,costumesandtextiles,armsandweapons,royalbuggies,chariotsandpalanquinsandaremarkablecarriage-theindiraviman-thatwasdrawnbyfourelephants.AtthecenterisChandraMahal,theseven-tieredmoonpalacewherethepresentMaharajastillresides.TheCityPalacecomplexalsocontainstheGovindDevjiTemple,dedicatedtoLordKrishna. JustoutsidethegatewayoftheCityPalaceisJantarMantar,theYantralayaofSawaiJaiSinghII,thelastgreatclassicalastronomerinIndia.Themodernisticstructures,knownasYantras,aretheuniquecreationsofthisastronomer-king,designedbyhimandbuiltbyexpertstoobservethemovementsofthesun,moon,planetsandstars.Thisisthelargestoffiveobservatoriesfoundedbyhiminvariouspartsofthecountry. HawaMahal(PalaceofWinds)isJaipur'smost-photographedbuilding,ahoneycombpalacewith953latticedwindowsoverlookingthebazaarandbusystreetsofJaipur.Builtin1799bythepoet-kingPratapSingh,thisextraordinarybuildingwasusedbypurdah-boundwomentowatchthegrandprocessionsthatwerearegularfeatureofthecity.Nov13DAY6:Jaipur–Pushkar(120km/3hrs)/PushkarBaghResort(B,L,D)PushkarCamelFairAfterbreakfast,wedrive3hourstoPushkar.ThetownofPushkarsurroundsaholylakebelowthefairsite.Itisaneasywalkdownthehilltothetown,whichwillbefilledwithpilgrims,sincethiseventisnotonlyaboutcamelsbutaspiritualauspicioustimeaswell.PilgrimscometoperformdevotionalritualsatthetemplededicatedtoLordBrahma(theonlyoneinAsia.)Wearriveacoupleofdayspriortothetourismoffice’sannouncedstartofthefairtobeabletominglewithabitfeweroutsidevisitors.Thenomadsarriveearlytosetuptheirtents,groomanddecoratetheircamelsandpracticeskills.Agooddealofcattletradinghappensatthistimetoo.Ouraccommodationislocated500metersfarfromthefairgroundsandonecanwanderthroughthenomadiccamelherders’campquarterstoseetheirlifestylescloseupandtointeractwiththem.Theyareveryfriendlyandenjoytheexchangeaswell.We’llhavelunchshortlyafterarrivalandthengocheckoutthefairgroundsandthenomads’quarters.Nov14DAY7:Pushkar/PushkarBaghResort(B,L,D)PushkarCamelFairFulldayvisittothefestivalfairgroundsandthetown.Afterbreakfastvisitthefairgrounds.Returntoourresortforlunch.Thisafternoonwe’llhaveatourofthetownincludingavisittheBrahmaTemple.Afterwardsyoucanhavefreetimetorelaxbythelake,explorethetownindependentlybrowsingshopsandphotographing.ThecarwillbeparkedatPushkarPalaceHotelandweshallallmeetbackherebeforesunsettoexperiencetheeveningritualatthemainghat(stepsleadingintothelake)withthelocals.Therewillbedrummingfromeveryghat(52)aroundthelakeasthesunsets.Awonderfulgestureandtradition.Returntoourresortfordinnerandeveningactivities.

Nov15DAY8:Pushkar–Jodhpur(190km3hrs)/AjitBhawan(B,L,D)PushkarCamelFairTodayisthefirstofficialdayofthefairsoyouwillseethecameldecorationscompetitionsandsomecamelraces.Wedepartat11amforthedrivetoJodphur.Checkintohotelandwe’llhavelunchatthehotelrestaurant.Inthelateafternoonbrowsethebazaarsoftheoldcity.Jodhpuriswellknownforitsglassbangles,puppetsandotherfolkart.Ornatemirror-embeddedandlacquer-finishedglassbanglescanbefoundhere.Theareaaroundthebazaarsisawonderfulexampleof19thcenturytownplanning,blendingRajasthaniconceptswithmorecontemporarystyles.Nov16DAY9:Jodhpur/AjitBhawan(B,D)Thismorning,wetourthe15thcenturyMehrangarhFortperchedmajesticallyonahighhill.YouenterthroughgateswhichbeartheevocativehandprintsoftheSatiqueens,womenoftheroyalharemwhotooktheirownliveswhentheirmenweredefeatedinbattle.Theforthasaseriesofspectacularpalaces,eachdecoratedwithexquisiteengravings,latticeandmirrorwork.Ofparticularnoteisthemuseumthatexhibitsamagnificentcollectionofroyalmemorabilia.AfterwardsaquickstoptoadmirethegracefulcenotaphatJaswantThada.Returntothehotelforlunchonyourownandsomeindependenttime.

InlateafternoonweenjoyacookingclassfollowedbydinnerwiththeSinghfamilyattheirboutiquebungalow,NaharNiwas.

Mr.JitendraSingh,amemberofthenoblefamilyoftheJodhpurkingdom,servedasdirectoroftheMehrangarhFortuntilhisretirement.Heisawildlifeenthusiast,bird-watcher,historybuffandrecitespoetryintheancientbardiclanguageofDingal.

Hiswife,KeertiShribelongstothenoblefamilyofKhandelainShekhawati,knownfortheirfrescoesandhavelis.Sheisanavidgardenerandcollectorofantiquepaintingsandvintagetextiles.

Theirdaughter-in-law,GitanjalibelongstothenoblefamilyofJhalamandwhotracetheirancestrytothefamouswarriorRanaPratapofChittorgarh.SheisanexcellentcookoftraditionalRajathanicuisine.Sherestores,designsandmanufacturestraditionalIndianroyaldresses“poshaks”andsarisusingageoldtechniquesof‘zardozi’and‘salmasitara’whichisalldonepainstakinglybyhand.

Anant,likehisfather,isa6thgenerationalumniofMayoCollegeandaBachelorofCommercegraduatefromBangaloreUniversity.HeisanentrepreneurandexportsFurnitureandHandicraftsfromJodhpur.

Nov17DAY10:Jodhpur–Pokaran(Pokhran)-Jaisalmer(310km/5hrs)GorbandhPalace(B,L,D)We’lldepartat8:30amdrivingintotheheartoftheTharDesert,withastopinthetownofPokaran,renownedforBikanerRoadanditsfurnitureandinteriorcrafts.TherouteisdottedbyBishnoivillages.Bishnoism,areligiousmovement,isdevotedtoeco-friendlinessandwildlifeprotection.Oneofthemostprogressivereligionsintheworld,theyfollowareferenceguidetoliveincompleteharmonywiththeirenvironmentandestablishasymbioticrelationshipwithnature.We’llhaveabriefvisitandlunchatthe14thcenturyfortbeforecontinuing1.5hourstoJaisalmer.JaisalmerisstraightoutofanArabianNightsfable.ThenameJaisalmerinducesadramaticpictureofmagicandthebrillianceofthedesertformanypeople.Thehostileterrainnotwithstanding,thewarmthandcolorofthepeopleissimplyoverwhelming.

Onarrivalcheckintohotel.ThisafternoonvisittoBadaBaghCenotaphs.ThisisacomplexwithroyalcenotaphsandcarvedimagesofpastMaharawals(rulers)ofJaisalmer.Eachchhatricommemoratesaparticularrulerandpreservesaninscribedtabletrecordinghisdeath.ThiseveningwedineatTriorestaurant.Ithasaspectacularviewfromtheirrooftop.Nov18DAY11:Jaisalmer/GorbandhPalace(B,L)OneofthemaindrawsofJaisalmeristhedaunting12thcenturyJaisalmerFort.KnownasSonarQuilaortheGoldenFort,thismegastructurerisesfromthesandsandmergeswiththegoldenhuesofthedesertambienceandthesettingsuninitsmostcolorfulshades,givingitafairytalelook.ThedesertcitadelistrulyagoldenfantasyintheTharDesert.BhattiRajputrulerRawalJaisal,afterwhomthecityisnamed,foundedJaisalmerin1156.Onadviceofalocalhermit,Eesaal,hechosetheTricutHillsashisnewabode,abandoninghisvulnerableoldfortatLuderwajust16kilometersnorthwest.Inmedievaltimes,itsprosperitywasduetoitslocationonthemaintraderoutelinkingIndiatoEgypt,Arabia,Persia,AfricaandtheWest.TheBhattiRajputrulerslinedtheircofferswithgainsfromtraditionaltaxesonpassingcaravansandsometimesthroughillicitgainsbyrustlingcattle.Thefortisthemostlivelythatyou’llvisitanywhereinIndia,withhomesandshopstuckedinhiddenlanes.StallsareswaddledincolorfulRajasthaniembroideredandmirroredcloths.TheFortenvelopsthewholetownship,whichconsistsofthepalacecomplex,thehavelisofrichmerchants,severaltemplesandtheresidentialcomplexesofthearmiesandtradersplacedstrategicallyonthetraderoutefromwheretheancientcaravanspassed.Builtin1156bytheRajputrulerJaisala,thefortcrownsthe80-meter(262foot)highTrikutaHill.AboutaquarteroftheOldCity’spopulationresideswithinthefortwalls.WithinthefortwallsareabeautifulsetofJaintemplesbuiltbetweenthe12thand15thcenturies.Thebeautifulhavelissurroundingthefortareyetanotherfascinatingaspectofthedesertcity.Thewealthymerchants,inspiredbytheclassicstyleoftheroyals,constructedthehugehavelisadjacenttoeachotherinthenatureofmedievalcultureandprofuselydecoratedthewallsandceilingswithintricatelycarvedmotifs.ThecraftsmenwereusuallyMuslimswhowereinducedontheirjourneytoexhibittheirskills.Theresultswerearchitecturalpuritythatcannotbeseenelsewhere.ThesemerchantsacquiredagreatdealofpowerandnoblestatusintheroyalcourtsoftheBhattiRajputswhofoundedthestateinthe12thcentury.Wealsohaveaguidedwalkaboutthecityseeingseveralofthemostimpressivehavelis.Thesemansions,builtbywealthymerchants,arefinesandstonebuildingswithelaboratewallmuralsandmirrorwork.Theyarestilloccupiedbyfamilies,descendantsoftheoriginalownersinmostcases.EnjoylunchontheterraceoverlookingthecourtyardoftheoldcitywithviewofthefortatJaiselTreat,amulti-cuisinerestaurantwithsimplegoodfood.Afterwards,independenttimetoexplorethewindingnarrowpassagesofthewalledoldcitywhereshopsaretuckedintoeverynookandcrannyandlocalsgoaboutdailylife.Nov19DAY12:DrivetoManwar(180km/4hrs)/TheManvarResort&Camp(B,L,D)ManvarisanidealbasetoexploreIndiandesertlife,culture,wildlifeandlandscapeofbreathtakingbeauty.Itoffersastarkandcontrastingdesertexperience.

Onarrival,wecheckintotheresortcampandhavelunch.Thisafternoon,avillagesafaribyjeep,weshalldrive1.5-2hoursthroughdesertlandscapevisitingvillagesandviewingwildlifeaswedrivealong.Wewillvisitatypicaldeserthometoseehowpeopleliveinthedesert,seeacraftsmanhome.Enjoyasunsetcamelrideinthedesert(youcanoptoutifyoulike).Dinnerunderthestarswithcampfire,musicians&dancers.ManvarDesertCampliesinthenaturalbeautyoftheIndianTharDesertmidwaybetweenJaisalmerandJodhpur.Thecampconsistsof30colorfullydecorated,safari-styletentsarrangedinasemi-circlearoundacentral‘DurbarHall’(Courtiers'Hall).Forthosewhoseekatadmoreprivacyandtheluxuryofabsolutesolitude,thereare10DeluxeTentssituatedabout400metersawayfromthemaincamp.Alltentshaveprivateattachedwesterntoilets,hotshowers,andelectricoutletsforpluggingincameras.Anelectricblowerineachtentprovideswarmthoncolddesertnights.http://www.manvar.com/Nov20DAY13:Manwar-Rohet(160km/3hrs)/RohetGarh(B,L,D)DrivetoRohet.Checkintoanotheraniceheritageproperty-RohetGarh.Thisafternoonweexplorethevillages.VisittheBishnoisettlementsinthevillagessurroundingRohet.TheBishnoiareagentlepeoplewhofollowthe29(bish-noi)principlesofanon-violentVishnaasect.Foundedinthe15thcentury,theirreligiondictatesprotectionofallanimatebeings.Theircarefulenvironmentalmanagementhasresultedinwildlife,includingtherareblackbuck,takingsanctuaryneartheirvillages.Theyareacommunityofpotters,weavers,leatherembroiderersandcamelherders.Nov21DAY14:Rohet–GodwadLeopardCamp(140km/3hrs)(B,L,D)Wedepartat9amforthe3-hourdrivetoGodwadLeopardSafariCamp.GodwardislocatedinthefoothillsoftheAravalisinSouthRajasthanandisveryrichbio-diversityzoneaswellasoneofthemostculturallyrichareasofRajasthan.ThepeoplelivinginthisareaaretheRaikasshepherdcommunity;theGarasiyas,oneoftheoldesttribesinIndia;theBhils,tribalwarriors;nomadicironsmithsGadoliyaLohars;theportercommunityKumharsandtheNaths,faithhealers.Onarrivalcheckintocampandhavelunch.Afterachancetosettlein,reconvenewiththecampnaturalistforaleopardsafariintheJawaiconservationzone.GodwadLeopardSafariCampisathrivinghubofleopard.Hereyoucanexperiencethecloseencounterwiththisbeautifulanimalfromthecatfamily.Theaccommodationisluxurytentswithattachedbathrooms,hotwatershowersandelectricity.Nov22DAY15:DrivetoUdaipurenroutevisitRanakpurJainTemple(125km/3.5hrs)/FatehPrakash(B,L,D)We’lldepartat9:30amtovisitthevillageoftheRaikatribe,ashepherdcommunitylivingnearby.Wethencontinue,driving1hourtotheRanakpurJainTempleswith1444pillars.Surroundedbytangledforestswithmonkeysaboundinginthecourtyard,RanakpurisoneoffiveimportantpilgrimcentersfortheJaincommunity.Notedforitsgrandiosescaleandelaborateornamentation,ofthethreetemples,theAdinathaisthemostoutstanding.BuiltbyDaranshahin1439,thetempleisdedicatedtothefirstJainTirthankarasaint.Thewhole,includingtheextraordinaryarrayof1444sculpturedpillars,eachdistinctindesign,carvedceilings,andarchesdecoratedwithfriezesdepictingscenesfromthelivesoftheJainsaints,Jainmythologyandcosmology,ismagnificent.

Thetourinsidethemaintemplewillbebyaudioheadset,guidesarenolongerallowedinside.Thisistorespectthesilence,asitisalivingtemplewherepeoplearepraying,meditatingandperformingdevotionalrituals.LunchatMaharaniBagh(MangoOrchardoftheMaharajaofJodhpur)nearthetemples.AfterwardsdrivefurthertoUdaipur(2.5hrs).OftencalledtheVeniceofIndia,thisisacityoflakes,palacesandgardens.ThereisnoplaceinIndiawhichappealsmoretotheimaginationofpoetsandpainters,travelersandwriters,thanUdaipur,thelovelylakesidecapitalofMewar.Thecity'sinherentromanceandbeauty,alongwithitsremarkablepast,bristlingwithepisodesofheroismandsplendor,continuetoenthrallvisitors.Udaipur,sometimescalledtheCityofDawn,loomsuplikeavisioninwhite.Surroundedbyhillsandmountains,andsetontheedgeofthreelakeswhichgivewaytoafertileplain,itisbewitchinginallitsdetails-narrowstreetslinedbyvividcoloredstalls,gardens,templesandpalaces-everyfeaturemirroredintheplacidbluewatersofLakePichhola.Udaipurretainstheessenceofaquainttownwithcobblestonestreets,plentifullocalbazaars,marblepalaces,lakesidegardens,templesandhavelis.Itisatraditionallyplannedfortifiedcitysurroundedbywallsandmassivegates.Therulers,beginningwithMaharanaSinghinthemid16thcentury,pridedthemselvesonbeingindependentfromothermorepowerfulregionalneighbors,particularlytheMoghuls.Onarrival,check-inandsometimetorefresh.Dinnerreservationstonightat6:30pmatTheUPRERestaurantwithspectacularviewsoftheCitypalaceandLakePichola.TherestaurantoffersfineinternationalcuisineaswellasauthenticflavorsofRajasthan.Nov23DAY16:Udaipur/FatehPrakash(B)InthemorningwewillvisittheCityPalace,thelargestPalacecomplexinthearea,andtheMuseumofRajasthan.TheCityPalaceisablendofsternRajputmilitaryarchitectureontheoutsideandlavishMughal-inspireddecorativeartontheinside.SetonahilloverlookingLakePichhola,itisquitelargeandmadeupofatleastfourseparateinter-connectingpalaces,builtoveraperiodofnearly3centuries.ThepalacemuseumcontainsawonderfulcollectionofoldRajputweaponry.WealsovisittheamazingCrystalGallery.WesuggestlunchattheexcellentFatehPrakhashrestaurant(paydirect),adjacenttotheCityPalace.Intheafternoon,we’llvisitartists’studiosoftheminiaturepaintingsandthenhavesometimeindependenttostrollthequaintcityandtakeawalkthroughthecolorfulBapuBazaar.Itiseasytowalkaboutindependentlyjustoutsidethecitypalacegatesforarealexperienceofthelocalculturebeyondthetouristshops.JustbeforesunsetboardaboatforacruiseonLakePichola.WewilldisembarkatJagmandirPalacefordinner(themenuhasawidevarietyofoptions;paydirect).Nov24DAY17:Udaipur/FatehPrakash(B,D)Wedepartat9amonanexcursiontoEklingji&Nagda.InthevillageofKailashpuri–only22kmnorthofUdaipur–thefascinatingEklingjiTempleComplex,withits108temples,attractslotsofpilgrimsbutfewtourists.Themaintemple’spresentformdatesfromthe15th-centuryruleofMaharanaRaimal,althoughitwasoriginallybuiltinthe8thcentury,accordingtolegend,bytheearlyMewarkingBappaRawal.Constructedfromsandstoneandmarble,ithasanelaboratelypillaredhallunderalargepyramidalroofandfeaturesafour-faced,black-marbleimageofEklingji,anincarnationofShivaandthefamilydeityoftheMewarroyalfamily.

About1kmbacktowardsUdaipurthen1kmtothewest,NagdawasanearlyMewarcapital,establishedinthe7thcentury.ItwasruinedbytheinvaderAltamashinthe1220sbutstillhasafewtemplesworthseeing.The

10th-centurySaasBahuTemples–thenamemeaning‘mother-in-lawdaughter-in-law’–arededicatedtoVishnuandfeaturefine,intricatecarvings,includinganumberoferoticfigures.

We’llreturntoUdaipurcityandenjoysomefreetimeandlunchonyourown.

At4pmwedeparttoBagorKiHaveli,overlookingPicholalakeintheoldpartofthecity.Itisagorgeous18thcenturyhavelithathasbeenconvertedintoamuseumshowcasingMewarartandarchitecture.

Firstwe’llvisittheartgallery,featuringfineexamplesofMewarcontemporaryandfolkart,andaneclecticselectionofworld-famousmonumentslovinglycarvedoutofpolystyrene(closesat5:30pm).We’llstayfordinnerandthedanceperformance(startsat7pmbutpeoplebegintotakeseatsby6pm).

ThehaveliputsononeofthebestRajasthanifolkdanceshowsinRajasthan–DharoharDance.Foranhour,performersdancetoRajasthanifolkmusicwearingbrightcolouredethnicdresses.ThedancesarevariedanddemonstratethetraditionandcultureofRajasthanifolklore.

Nov25DAY18:Udaipur-Delhi/(B)Enjoyaleisureindependentmorning.Wedepartat11amtotransferairportforflight9W2630dep.1435/arr.1615toDelhi.

Onarrival,transfertohotelnearairportforwash/changeuntil2100hrs.

LateeveningtransfertoInternationalairportforflighttohome.

PRICE:$4730perpersonbasedonmin6people;singleroomsupplement:$2110SpecialSingleRoomdiscount:twosingleroomsupplements,onfirstcomebasisifgroupsizeisminimum6people:$1055PlusAirTicketDelhi-Udaipur(estimate/exactTBDwhenbooked):$135OptionalExtrahotelnightonarrivalinDelhi:$104perpersontwinshare;$197singleroomPlusprivatearrivaltransferifnotarrivingonday1:$45percar

OptionalUpgrade:deluxetentsatManwar(locatedhigherontheduneswithbetterviews,largerbedrooms&bathrooms,front&rearverandas,upgradedfurniture)$TBDperpersontwinshare;$TBDsingleroom.Includes:Accommodationswithdailybreakfastandothermealsasindicated2NightsDelhiatTheMetropolitan5*superiorroom(B,1L,1D)http://www.hotelmetdelhi.com/1NightAgraatTheGateway,superiorTajView(B,D)http://www.thegatewayhotels.com/fatehabad-road-agra/overview.html2NightsJaipuratSamodeHaveli(B,1L,1D)http://www.samode.com/Jaipur-haveli/boutique-hotel-in-jaipur.html2NightsPushkaratPushkarBaghResort(B,L,D)http://www.thepushkarbaghresort.com/2nightsJodhpuratAjitBhawan(B,1L,2D)http://www.ajitbhawan.com/

2nightsJaisalmeratGorbandhPalace(B,1L,1D)http://www.hrhhotels.com/royal_retreats/gorbandh_palace/index.aspx1nightManwaratManwarCamp,standardtents(B,L,D)*http://manvar.com/1nightRohetatRohetHouse(B,L,D)http://rohetgarh.com/1NightGodwadLeopardCamp(B,L,D)http://leopardsafaricamp.com/index.htm3NightsUdaipuratFatehPrakash(B,1Len-route,2D)http://www.hrhhotels.com/grand_heritage/fateh_prakash_palace/index.aspxRoomforWashandChangenearDelhiairportonlastdaytill10pm

AccompanyingguidethroughoutthetourMeals:dailybreakfast,10lunches,12dinnersMineralwateronthevehicleduringdrives(2litresperpersonperday)AirporttransfersandsightseeinginacToyotaTempoTravelerTrainticketAcchairclasstoAgraEntrancefeestothemonumentsStillcamerafeesCycle-rickshawridethroughtheancientbazaarofChandniChowkinOldDelhi,ElephantridetoAmberFortinJaipur,camelrideinthedesert&villagesafariinManwar,RohetandBeraPortertipsathotelsanddomesticairportsIndiaGovServiceTax5%.DoesNotInclude:Visafees,Tripcancellation/travelinsurance,Airporttaxes,Tips,Mealsotherthenmentioned,Videocamerafees,Anyexpenditureofpersonalnaturesuchasdrinks,telephonecharges.