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North India Panorama Tours Introduction This tour offers you a truly top flight way to sample all the best ingredients of Rajasthan, the real home of the traditional Maharajas. You will travel on air-conditioned trains, stay in converted palaces, visit historic towns and cities, see the Taj Mahal at sunset, ride on elephant-back to the Amber Fort in Jaipur and join a camel safari. Rajasthan, roughly the size of Germany, consists really of three regions – the Aravali Hills, The Thar Desert and the more cultivated eastern areas. It is best known for the dynastic rulers – the Rajputs and the Mughals. Duration : 20 days SUGGESTED PROGRAM : Day 1 – ARRIVE DELHI Arrive Delhi, where you will be met by our representatives in India and transferred to the Hotel. Day 2 – SIGHTSEEING OLD & NEW DELHI Delhi basically is 12 cities all merged into one and laced together by the new city of the British Raj, designed by Lutyens & baker. It was one of the boldest expressions anywhere in the world of British Imperial ambitions and has endless sightseeing possibilities. This morning we will tour Old Delhi, visiting the Raj Ghat memorial at the site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated, and the two structures that dominate this part of the city – the Red Fort, once the most lavish fort and palace of the Mughal Empire, and Jama Mosque, the largest in India. Overnight at the Hotel. RED FORT This imposing monument to the rule of Shah Jahan was begun in 1639 and completed in 1648, taking its name from the red sandstone used in its construction. It is said to have cost 10 million rupees to build, much of it spent on the opulent marble royal palaces within. Here the Emperor exercised his divine authority in the Halls of Public and Private Audience – seated in the latter on the fabulous gold-canopied Peacock Throne that was inlaid with a vast number of sapphires, rubies, emeralds and diamonds. JAMA MOSQUE This last great architectural work of Shah Jahan was intended to dwarf all other mosques that had gone before it, symbolising the aspirations of its maker and the gulf that existed between monarch and subject. Each Friday, the Emperor and his male retinue would travel the short distance from the Red Fort to attend midday prayers. Marble and sandstone are interspersed in its domes, minarets and cusped arches and its courtyard can accommodate 20,000 worshippers. This afternoon we take a sightseeing tour of New Delhi, visiting Humayun’s Tomb, the most interesting and best preserved tomb in the city, and the 73m-high, five-storey Qutab Minar, begun in 1199 and intended to be a tower of victory as well as a minaret attached to the Might of Islam Mosque. Later we travel along the Rajpath Ceremonial Avenue past the imposing India Gate was memorial, Parliament House and the President’s Residence and end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave. Day 3 – TRAVEL BY TRAIN TO AGRA, SIGHTSEEING Today we board the Shatabdi Express Train for the 200 kms journey to Agra that stands like Delhi, on the right bank of the River Yamuna. Agra, home of the fabulous Taj Mahal, was one of the great Mughal cities of South Asia, alternating with Delhi as the capital of their empire. On arrival, we will be met and transferred to the Mughal Sheraton Hotel for lunch. In the afternoon we will take a sightseeing tour around the many places of interest, including the magnificent Red Fort and the local bazaar, before visiting the Taj Mahal at sunset. Overnight at the Mughal Sheraton Hotel. RED FORT This magnificent fort, standing on the west bank of the Yamuna River and dominating the centre of the city, was constructed by the Mughal ruler, Akbar, in the 16th century. Its impressive imperial quarters and mosque were built later by Shah Jahan. It was here that he was imprisoned by his son, Aurangzeb, and it is said he lay on his deathbed in the beautiful Mussaman Burj (Octagonal Tower), gazing at the Taj Mahal, his memorial to his departed wife. TAJ MAHAL The Taj Mahal (The Crown of the Palace), one of the most famous buildings in the world, was Shah Jahan’s lavish tribute to his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal (Jewel of the Palace) who died giving birth to their 14th child. It took 22 years and a workforce of 20,000 to construct and the white marble to which it owes much of its breathtaking beauty was transported 300 kms from near Jodhpur on a fleet of 1,000 elephants. Inside the mausoleum itself, where Mumtaz and her devoted husband now lie, this marble is carved into intricate screens inlaid with precious stones brought from all over Asia and the Middle East. The symmetrical gardens, restored by Lord Curzon, early in the 20th century, were separated by four watercourses into quadrants, each divided into 16 flower beds, and the original trees were either cypress to signify death or fruit trees to signify life. At sunset, as at dawn, the Taj Mahal presents an unforgettable spectacle and one we are sure you will never forget. Day 4 – DRIVE TO BHARATPUR BIRD SANCTUARY, VIA FATEHPUR SIKRI We drive today to the 29 sq kms Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, one of the finest in the world and home to more than 360 species. En route we will visit Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted city of red sandstone that was built by Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the last 16th century. It was a veritable fairytale city and its ruins are still in pristine condition, giving us an idea of what court life must have like in its heyday. We will also visit the 41m-high Buland Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world, built around 1576 to celebrate Akbar’s conquest of Gujarat. On arrival at Bharatpur, we will check in to the Laxmi Vilas Palace, a hotel converted from a palace, which was built in 1899 for the younger of the Maharaja of Bharatpur. This afternoon we travel to the bird sanctuary that used to form the hunting estate of the Maharajas of Bharatpur, where the daily shoot was reputed to be as high as 100,000 birds, However, Maharaja Brajendra Singh converted the estate into a bird sanctuary in 1956. He had inherited both the crown and an interest in wildlife from his deposed father, Kishan Singh, who was dismissed in the early 1920s for gross misrule. This is the best time of year to visit the sanctuary, when it attracts Northern hemisphere migratory birds. This afternoon we will take a tour to see some of the many resident species that include egrets, ducks, coots, storks, kingfishers, spoonbills, Sarus cranes and several birds of sanctuary is also home to other wildlife, including chital deer, wild cats, hyenas, wild boar and some very large rock pythons to be found near Python Point! Overnight at the Laxmi Vilas Palace. Day 5 – EARLY MORNING PARK VISIT, THEN DRIVE TO JAIPUR (170kms. 4-5 hrs.) After a final visit to the bird sanctuary, we drive to Jaipur, the city founded in 1727 by the Sawai Jai Singh II, the Maharaja of the Kacchwaha clan of Rajputs, who ruled from 1699-1744. We will stay tonight in the heart of the city at the impressive Alsisar Haveli. It was built in the traditional Rajput style of the last century and has large courtyards, corridors with arched pillars and a huge garden in frnt. The rooms have antique furniture and chandeliers and traditional fabrics enhance the medieval look. Overnight at the Alsisar Haveli Hotel. Day 6 – EXCURSION TO AMBER FORT, CITY TOUR TO JAIPUR. Today we travel 11 lms north of the city across the plains to Amber, ancient capital of the Kacchawaha region from 1037 until Sawai Jai Singh II moved to the newly-created Jaipur. Overnight at the Alsisar Haveli Hotel. AMBER FORT. The building of the fort-palace, with its distinctly Mughal architecture, was begun by Raja Man Singh, a noted Rajput general in Akbar’s army in 1600 and later added to by successive rulers. The most popular way to enter the hilltop palace is on the back of one of the colorfully-decorated elephants, which walk up and down the entrance ramp in a continuous train. The ride can be bit unnerving when the elephant comes close to the edge of the road, but it is perfectly safe. The palace contains a green marble-pillared temple to Shila Mata (Kali as Goddess of War), as well as beautifully-decorated pavilions of cream marble filled with mosaics, mirrors and paintings. From the rooftop there are stunning views across the rooftops of Amber town. Above the palace stands the gigantic bulk of Jaigarh, its walls, bastions, gateways and watchtowers a testimony to the power of the Jaipur rulers. In the afternoon, we return to Jaipur, known as the pink City of Rajasthan, to discover why it is the most popular tourist destination in the region. The original buildings were painted in a varity of colours, including grey with white borders, bt now many have a pink wash – first used in 1853 in honour of a visit by Prince Albert. The numerous places of interest include the City Palace and its museum, built in 1728-32 and dominating the centre of Jaipur, the Jantar Mantar (Observatory), also built in the 1700s, yet even today looking futuristic or even surrealistic, and the Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds. Day 7 – DRIVE TO DEOGARH (280kms, 6hrs) Today we lave Jaipur and take a very scenic drive to Deogarh, traveling through the very heart of Rajasthan. En route we will stop at the town of Ajmer, celebrated capital of the Chauhan and the Rajput clans of Rajasthan. Here we will visit the Dargah of Khwaja Chisti, a sufi saint’s tomb, reputed to be second in importance only to the Mecca. Deogarh, which has a good bazaar for textiles, is situated in the rugged countryside of the Aravallis – one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, dotted by a number of lakes and visited by many migratory birds. Tonight we will stay at the magnificent 17th century Deogarh Mahal. This famous fort, run as a hotel by the family, which owns and restored it, contains its own fine collection of the local school of miniature painting. Overnight Deogarh Mahal Hotel. Day 8 – SIGHTSEEING IN DEOGARH, THEN DRIVE TO UDAIPUR. (135 kms, 3.5 hrs). This morning we have time to look around Deogarh and visit the Palace set beside Raghosagar Lake. This afternoon we drive to the beautiful walled city of Udaipur, regarded by many Indian and foreign visitors as the most romantic in India. The city that stands on the shores of Lake Pichola is an oasis of colour in a stark and arid region, delighting the eyes with enchanting images of white marble palaces, placid blue lakes and green hills. Overnight at the Paras Mahal Hotel. Day 9 – BAOT RIDE ON LAKE PICHOLA, SIGHTSEEING TOUR OF CITY. We begin the day with an early morning motor launch ride on the placid waters of Lake Pichola, the scenic focus of Udaipur. Fro the boat you will be able to view the city as it rises majestically above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan desert. We will also visit the Jag Mandir Palace – the other lovely island palace in the middle of the lake. This afternoon we will take a sightseeing tour of the city, founded in 1586 and named “the city of sunrise”. Udaipur’s bastioned rampart walls are pierced by five massive gates, each studded with iron spikes as protection against enemy war elephants. Overlooking the lake stands the massive palace of the Maharanas, probably the largest in Rajasthan. Its rooms are a delight of mirrored walls and ivory doors, coloured glass windows and inlaid marble balconies. The old city is a maze of narrow winding lanes, flanked by tall whitewashed houses with doorways decorated with folk art, windows with stained glass or jail screens, majestic Havelis with spacious inner courtyards and shops. We will also visit the Jagdish Mandir Temple and the lovely Sahelion ki Bari Gardens. Overnight at the hotel. Day 10 – DRIVE TO JODHPUR, VIA RANAKAPUR (259 kms/ 6 hrs) Today we leave Udaipur and drive towards Jodhpur, stopping first at Ranakpur, one of the five holy Jain sites, with one of the religion’s best known temple complexes in the country. This is a very popular pilgrimage centre and the grandiose architecture of the temples, dating back to the 15th century, is complemented by the wooded setting that is home to peacocks and numerous other birds. Its 29 halls are supported by 200 pillars, none of which is alike, and abound with intricate friezes and sculptures. In the afternoon we reach Jodhpur, the second city of Rajasthan that sprawls around the impressive Meherangarh Fort, built on a 122 m sandstone bluff. The city lies on the once strategic Delhi-Gujrat trading route and the Marwaris managed and benefited from the traffic of opium, copper, silk, sandalwood, dates, coffee and many more goods. Overnight at the Hotel. Day 11 – MORNING SIGHTSEEING TOUR, AT LEISURE, THEN TRAIN TO JAISALMER. This morning we take a sightseeing tour of Jodhpur – gateway to the desert beyond, home of the Rathors of Marwa. We will visit the fort, built on a hillock overlooking the city on the advice of a hermit, and containing palaces and memorials to past rulers. We will also see the richy-carved houses and temples of the Old City and Mando – the ancient capital of the State of Manwar. After lunch we drive to Jodhpur. After an afternoon at leisure, we transfer to the railway station for the sleeper train to Jaisalmer. Day 12 – CITY SIGHTSEEING TOUR, THEN DRIVE TO LODURVA AND ON TO TO KAHLLA VILLAGE. We arrive in Jaisalmer at 06.00hrs and are transferred to the Gorbandh Palce Hotel. Later we take a sightseeing tour of Jaisalmer, that sits in th heart of the Great Indian Desert. The city is a mass of intricately-carved buildings, facades and elaborate balconies and we will see the Patwon-ki-Havelies. Salim-Singh-Ki-Haveli and Gadhi Sagar Tank. Then we drive the 16kms to Lodurva for lunch and a short visit to the Jain temples, before mounting our camels for a 16-km safari into the heart of the That desert. Dunes and a sea of sand will surround us as we make our way to Kahlla village, arriving after about 6 hrs. Please note that for anyone not wishingto camel ride today and tomorrow, vehicular transport can be arranged. Overnight camp. Day 13 – CAMEL SAFARI TO SAM. (24 kms) This morning we will visit a few traditional Kahlla homes to give us an insight into the diversity in religions, cultures and lifestyles that can co-exist peacefully in a small community. Then we mount our waiting camels for the 24-km safari on across the mighty Thar, reaching our scenic camp site at Sam 7-8 hrs later. Sam is known to have some of the largest dunes in Rajasthan and we will witness a breathtaking desert sunset, before we have dinner and retire to our tents for the night. Day 14 – DRIVE TO KHEECHAN (205 kms / 5-6 hrs) Today we bid our camels farewell and take an interesting drive to Kheechan, a scenic village on the banks of a small lake. Kheechan is famous for its carved Havelis, as well as the temples in the nearby village of Phalodi. The lake is host to the graceful Demoiselle cranes, which arrive in their thousands and stay for 5-6 months before there summer migration. Overnight camp. Day 15 – AT LEISURE IN KEECHAM Time to relax and do your own thing in this little oasis. Day 16 – DRIVE TO BIKANER (190 kms / 4-5 hrs) This morning we leave Kheechan and drive to Bikaner, stopping en route at Gajner for refreshments and a quick visit to its Palace, situated besides a lake in the Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary. Overnight at the Hotel. Day 17 – AT BIKANER This morning we take a tour of Bikaner, this desert town founded in1488 by Rao Bikaji, a descendant of the founder of Jodhpur, Jodhaji. We will visit the Junagarh Fort constructed between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Jai Singh, a general in the Mughal Emperor Akbar’s army. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at the Hotel. Day 18 – DRIVE TO MANDAWA (190 kms/ 5hrs) Today we leave Bikaner for the drive to Mandawa, which lies at the heart of Shekhawati. Overnight at the Hotel. Day 19 – AT MANDAWA This morning we will take a sightseeing tour to Mandawa. A painted arched gateway adorned with Lord Krishna and his cows leads to the bazaar. You can wander through the street where mansions of rich merchants are adorned with elaborate friezes. Overnight at the Hotel. Day 20 –DRIVE TO DELHI (280kms/ 6-7 hrs) This morning we leave Rajsthan and drive back to Delhi. Overnight at the Hotel. Day 21 – AT DELHI Today we have a chance to relax in Delhi and reflect on the sights and sounds of the last three weeks, before we transfer back to the airport this evening for the flight home. Day 22 – LEAVE DELHI
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