North India Tour
Rajasthan is a medieval land of fabulous palaces, ancient towns, walled forts
and historical characters who might have stepped from the pages of romantic
legend. On this tour we visit some of the most famous cities of the region:
Jaipur, whose red sandstone suffuses the whole town with a delicate pink light:
Jodhpur whose Mehrangar fort might have been the setting for a thousand and
one nights; and Udaipur arguably the most romantic city in India. But we also
take time to explore smaller towns and villages off the beaten track. Places
like Neemrana, Samode, and Nalrai which allows us an insight into the tradittional
culture which gives this state its distinct and vibrant identity.
India’s westernmost state, where the desert tracts of the subcontinent
meet with the monsoon lands of peninsular India. Gujrat is synonymous for
arts and craft weaving and hand block printing all thrive Througout the state.
Theh foress are alive wit brightlhyh colouhred bhhirds and the onhly sanctuary
for the Asiatic lion. Further north the salt flats of the Rann of Kutch has
the largest flamingo breeding area in the world and the only Asiatic wild
asses. People are rural, peacful, industrious, and content and proud that
their state was the home of Gandhi, the father of the nation
Day 01 : Delhi to Neemrana
Drive to the Neemrana Fort Palace atop a rocky outcrop just inside the borders
of Rajasthan. Built in 1464 by a Rajput maharajah, the fort and palace has
been beautifully converted into a luxury hotel. It is difficult to imagine
a more perfect introduction to India.
Explore unspoit village beneath the palace and visit the traditional step
well, a design unchanged in centuries. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy
the surroundings and the beauty of our palace.
Day 02: Neemrana to Samode
Drive to samode for a one night stay. In the afternoon we explore the local
village with its oild painted havelis, or merchant houses, and its traditional
work shops producing printed cloth and glass bangles.
Day 03 : Samode to Jaipur
Continuing south by road, we stop at Amber where we are conveyed to the old
fort above the town by elephant. In the afternoon we arrive at the ‘
pink city ’ of Jaipur, one of the most flamboyant showcases of Rajasthani
architecture
Day 04 : Jaipur to Roopangarh
Morning drive westward to Roopangarh where we stay at the Roopangarh fort.
The afternoon is spent exploring the palace which houses an excellent collection
of 18th century miniature paintings.
Day 05 : Roopangarh to Luni
Drive to Ajmer where thousands of Muslim pilgrimsconverge once a year on the
tomb of Mu’inuddin Chisti, a sufi saint. In the heart of the lod town
the domed tomb of white marble is considered second only to Mecca as a holy
shrine. After lunch we continue our journey on to Jodhpur where we stay in
the quiet village of Luni.
Day 06 : Luni/Jodhpur
Our morning tour of Jodhpur takes in the Mehranghar Fort, a huge complex of
extravagant Rajput Palaces which occupies a steep escarpment above the town.
In the afternoon we tour the markets which specialise in colour textiles,
silverwork and a range of local handicrafts.
Day 07 : Luni to Narlai
By road to Ranakpur to see the Jain temples set in a remote valley of the
Aravalli range. The craftsmanship here is astonishing; of the 1444 columns
in the marble Chaumukha temple, no two are alike. After lunch we continue
to Narlai
Day 08 : Narlai to Udaipur
The imposing Kumbalgarh fort is the first stop on our morning itinerary, so
remote and inaccessible it was only taken once in five centuries. After lunch
we drive to Udaipur.
Day 09 : Udaipur
Though it has host of rivals, Udaipur is the most picturesque and atmospheric
city in Rajasthan. The tall white washed houses and the winding lanes give
it a medieval air, while the tranquility of the lake pervades every corner
of the city.In the morning we explore the city palace and in the afternoon
we visit Nagda and Eklingi, redolent of an even more ancient past.
Day 10 : Udaipur to Dungarpur
South from udaipur brings us to the little town of Dungarpur, home to
the former maharaja, it belongs to an age before independence swept away the
princely states.
Day 11 : Dungarpur to Ahmedabad
Morning at leisure before an afternoon drive to Ahmedabad, whose fame as a
mercantile and textile centre has earned it the epithet ‘ the Manchester
of East’ .
Day 12 : Ahmedabad
This morning tour the old city noted for its combination muslim and hindu
architecture. In the afternoon you may wish to visit the calico museum and
the shreyas museum of Folk art. Also visit the sabarmati ashram founded by
Mahatama Gandhi in 1915
Day 13 : Ahmedabad to Zainabad
After breakfast depart by car for Modhera and Patan. The Surya temple at Modhera
was built in 1026 and is dedicated to the sungod. Then to Patan the old capital
of Gujrat and home of the famous Patola silk. In the afternoon drive to Zainabad
on the edge of the Rann of Kutch.
Day 14 : Zainabad to Bhuj
Early morning visit to the Asiatic wild ass sanctuary then to Bhuj visiting
enroute the beautiful lake side palace at Halvad. The old wall city of Bhuj
is the capital of the Rann of Kutch and was until recently locked at night.
Day 15 : Bhuj
This mornin visit the city to view the palace and explore the narrow alleyways
with their carved ovehanging balconies in search of handicrafts. Later drive
out to the cost to Mandvi which is noted for its suprb palace.
Day 16 : Bhuj
Today visit Bani and other villages to the north of Bhuj which are noted for
their rural handicrafts.
Day 17 : Bhuj to Wankenar
Drive today via Morvi to the Ranjit vilas palace at Wanaker. Built between
1907 - 1914 this grand palace is now a hotel and also home to prince Digvijay
Singh.
Day 18 : Wankaner to Ahmedpur Mandvi
After breakfast visit nearby Rajkot where Mahatma Gandhi spent his early years.
Then south to the ancient fortified city of Junagarh before arriving at Ahmedpur
Mandvi.
Day 19 & Day 20: Ahmedpur Mandvi
At leisure.
Day 21 : Ahmedpur Mandvi to Bhavnagar
Drive to Bhavnagar, a flourishing port on the Gulf of Khambat.
Day 22 : Bhavnagar to Ahmedabad
Early morning visit Palitana where over a period of 900 years , 86 jain temples
have been constructed on five sacred hills. Later return to Ahmedabad visiting
enroute
Lothal ( closed on Fridays ) to see the major archeological site dating back
to the Harapan era 2400 - 1500 BC.
Day 23 : Ahmedabad to Mumbai
Fly on to Mumbai
