Exotic North India - Festival, Forts, Palaces & People

Depart the US on your overnight flight(s) to India.

Arrive in New Delhi, where you will be met at the airport and transferred to your beautiful deluxe hotel in the heart of the city. Check in and go to bed, as it will be early morning when you arrive at the hotel. The Claridges Hotel (4.5-star)

India’s capital and a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis that successfully combines the ancient with the modern. Set amidst the rapidly multiplying skyscrapers are forts, palaces and other monuments of the region’s ancient legacy.

After a leisurely breakfast, enjoy a guided bus tour of the New Capital designed by Sir Edward Lutyens for the British. Drive down the Rajpath, the impressive main avenue, to the World War I Memorial Arch and the India Gate and past the president’s residence, Rashtrpati Bhavan, and the Parliament Buildings. Then see Imperial Delhi as you visit the ornately carved 236-foot-high Qutub Minar,* the tallest stone tower in India, begun in 1199 by the Sultan Qutub-ud-din Aibak. By pulling down 27 Hindu and Jain temples and using their columns, he also erected the Quwat-ul-Islam Mosque which today lies in ruins nearby. This evening enjoy a welcome dinner in a local restaurant. B/L/D The Claridges Hotel (4.5-star)

Take a guided tour of Old Delhi, the 300-year-old walled city built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in 1648 as his capital. Your first visit will be to Humayun’s Tomb (WHS), built in 1565 by his widow Haji Begum. It is an outstanding monument in the Indo-Persian style, and is a precursor of the architectural style of the Taj Mahal. Drive past the Raj Ghat, the memorial where Mahatma Gandhi were cremated, before arriving at the imposing Red Fort, once the capital of Delhi built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan as symbol of power. The Fort, built of red sandstone (1638-48) overlooks the Yumana River. Within its walls are marble palaces and a grand audience chamber where Mughal emperors held court and the Peacock Throne once stood.   Then take a short bicycle rickshaw ride through the bustling and congested by-lanes and bazaar of Chandini Chowk to the Jama Masjid, considered to be the largest mosque in India. This was the last great architectural work of Shah Jehan. B/L The Claridges Hotel (4.5 - star)

After breakfast depart from Delhi and travel by air-conditioned coach across the countryside to Agra. The trip of about 210 kilometers/130 miles will take about five hours. Upon arrival, have lunch at a local restaurant and check in at your hotel. Later in the afternoon visit Agra Fort, situated around the bend of the Yamuna River from the Taj Mahal. Construction of the red sandstone walls and gates of the fort was begun by Akbar as the seat and stronghold of the Mughal Empire. It was enlarged by successive generations including Shah Jehan, who had the Moti Majid (Pearl Mosque), Royal Pavilions, and Hall of Public Audience added, and by Aurangzeb, who added outer ramparts. B/L Taj View Hotel (4.5 – star)

Rise early this morning for a sunrise tour of the Taj Mahal, to view this incredible and extravagant monument as the sun bathes it in an ethereal light. Built in the 17^th century by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, it took 22 years and the labor of 20,000 men. The white marble for this perfectly proportioned building with its amazing delicate inlay work was transported to the site by elephants from a quarry 200 miles away.

Return to your hotel after the sunrise tour for a buffet breakfast. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore on your own or relax at your hotel, perhaps taking a swim in the pool. Dinner at a local restaurant. B/D Taj View Hotel (4.5 - star)

Following breakfast, depart for Ranthambore. En route stop to visit Fathepur Sikri,* built by Emperor Akbar the Great in 1569 and deserted 14 years later because its water supply failed. Pass through the victory gate of Buland Darwaza to tour the imperial Jami Masjid (mosque); the tomb of Shaik Salim Chisti, who predicted the birth of Akbar’s son Jehangir; the Panch Mahal with magnificent columns; and the Pachisi Courtyard, paved with black and white tiles, where the Emperor played chess using slave girls as figurines.

Continue on to Bharatpur where you will have lunch in a heritage hotel. Then board the train for Ranthambore National Park. Near the township of Sawai Madhopur, in the state of Rajasthan, Ranthambore National Park is an outstanding example of the work of Project Tiger, a governmental conservation effort. These forests around the 11^th-century Ranthambore Fort were once the private grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur. As a result of the stringent conservation programs tigers, the prime assets of the park, have become more and more active during the day and are often seen lolling around lazily in the sun or feverishly hunting down sambar around the lakes. Panthers also are found here, as well as marsh crocodiles, hyenas, jungle cats and sloth bears. Sambar (Rusa deer), the prime target of all predators, is found in abundance all over the area. Chital, nilgai, and chinkara are the other inhabitants of the region. The avian population comprises black storks, quails, Bonelli’s eagles, spur fowls, crested serpent eagles and painted storks.

Transfer to your hotel, where you will spend two nights. This heritage hotel in Indo-Saracen style was modeled on the hunting lodges of the Maharajas. B/L/D Dev Vilas (Heritage)

Take an early morning and an afternoon exploration into the reserve at Ranthambore by jeep/canter safari to look for signs of game animals and other wildlife, including birds. Your guide will stop to point out the wildlife and provide time for photography. Later this morning, visit the Dastkar Ranthambore Project, started in 1981 to organize artisans of traditional crafts. While the roots of all craft traditions are based in social, cultural, or religious customs, the production of crafts is an important economic activity and the second largest source of income for rural people in India today. Dastkar’s retail outlets, where artisan groups sell their products directly to the customers, have been invaluable in exposing craftspeople to the market by giving them a first-hand knowledge of contemporary forces and consumer tastes.

If you like, you can enjoy another early-morning game drive inside the park before breakfast. Later this morning depart for Jaipur, a trip of 4 1/2 hours covering 180 kilometers/112 miles. Jaipur, the vibrant capital of Rajasthan is popularly known as the 'Pink City' because of the pink sandstone used for the buildings in its old city. It sits on a dry lakebed in a somewhat arid landscape surrounded by forts and palaces. The walled old city is in the northeast of Jaipur, the new areas spread to the south and west. Jaipur offers a combination of splendid sightseeing and shopping opportunities. When you arrive, check into your hotel where you will stay for three nights, and have the rest of the day at leisure. B/L Trident Hilton Jaipur (4-star)

This morning visit the City Palace, a large complex of palaces, gardens and courtyards that is now a museum. It houses collections of Mughal and Rajput miniature paintings, rare manuscripts, traditional clothing and an armory. Stop in next door to see the amazing Astronomical Observatory (Jantar Mantar) built by the Maharaja of Jaipur, Sawai Jai Singh, in 1726 to accurately predict movements of the moon and planets. Following these visits you will have the opportunity to wander through the local markets.

In the afternoon drive to the small town of Sanganer, 16 kilometers/10 miles south of Jaipur, on the banks of the River Saraswati. Sanganer is known for traditional crafts, especially handmade paper, hand-printed textiles and blue pottery. Meet the artisans at work and watch them painting designs on the pottery. You will also see some of the array of screen-printed and block-printed fabrics and the handmade papers for which Sanganer has been known for centuries. Return to Jaipur for dinner at a local restaurant and the night. B/D Trident Hilton Jaipur (4-star)

Begin your excursions in Jaipur today with a visit to the Palace of Winds (Hawa Mahal). Behind its pink sandstone façade, intricately carved into honeycomb screens, windows and balconies, the ladies of the court could watch the daily activity and royal processions in the street below without being seen. The windows and latticed screens also allowed the cooling winds to blow through the palace.

At Amber, the ancient capital just outside present day Jaipur, visit the fabulous Amber Fort, which was the seat of power before the City Palace was built in Jaipur. Maharaja Man Singh, Mughal Emperor Akbar’s most successful general, began construction of the fort in the 17^th century. It is a complex of courtyards and royal apartments surrounded by fortified battlements, overlooking the Moat Lake. Space permitting, enjoy a ride on an elephant as you travel up to the fort. Continue your tour of the elaborately decorated halls, some with delightful fresco paintings, glass or inlaid precious stones. One of the most outstanding rooms is the Chamber of Mirrors (Sheesh Mahal) where the light from a single lamp, reflected in the many mirrors, illuminates the entire room.

Explore by bicycle rickshaws the old quarters of Jaipur to see the traditional business activities in the bazaar and to feel, smell and see the colorful foods and wares being sold here. In the hustle and bustle of the marketplace you can bargain with the spice wallah (worker/seller), the rope wallah, bangle wallah, sweets wallah, and sellers of many other goods. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to explore on your own or relax at your hotel. B/L Trident Hilton Jaipur (4 -star)

After breakfast, travel to the “Blue City” of Jodhpur on a 6 1/2-hour journey covering 336 kilometers/209 miles. After arriving at the hotel where you will stay for three nights, have time at leisure in the afternoon to explore on your own or relax by the pool and enjoy the hotel’s amenities. B/L Taj Hari Mahal (5-star)

Today, have a guided tour of lovely Jodhpur, a city whose gentle atmosphere belies a stormy yet glorious past with city walls, seven gates, and numerous 16^th-century bastions and towers. Stop at the Jasawant Thada, a cluster of white marble royal cenotaphs built in 1899 in memory of Maharaja Jasawant Singh II.  

Visit the massive Mehrangarh Fort, set on a high hill overlooking the rugged and rocky terrain nearby and standing guard over the city below. The enclosed palace is intricately adorned with long carved panels and latticed window exquisitely wrought from red sandstone. The palace apartments—the Moti Mahal (Pearl Palace), Sileh Khana and Daulat Khana—weave their own magic with a rich varied collection of palanquins, howdas, royal cradles, miniature paintings of various schools, folk music instruments, costumes, furniture and an impressive armory. The display of cannons on the ramparts near Chamunda Temple is among the rarest in India.  

One of the highlights of any visit to Rajasthan is the way people of the state have converted their stark landscape into mosaics of vivid colors. Jodhpur is affectionately referred to as “ the Blue City” because of the indigo-colored houses in the old town, which are best seen from the ramparts of the Mehrangarh. Traditionally, blue signified the home of a Brahmin, but today non-Brahmins have also painted their homes in the splendid color. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. This evening enjoy a home-hosted dinner with an opportunity to talk with the family about their life and culture. B/D Taj Hari Mahal (5-star)

After lunch at Fort Chanwa at Luni, return to Jodhpur in the afternoon, to visit Jodhpur’s bazaar to experience the colors, sights and sounds of an Indian marketplace. Each trader’s wares are laid out for sale, including spices, assorted fruits and vegetables, peppers, bottles, buckets and assorted household paraphernalia. Since India is a melting pot of peoples, and the markets reflect the culture, each market you see will be different, reflecting the characteristics of the people of that state. B/L Taj Hari Mahal (5-star)

NOTE: The usual Rajasthani handicrafts are available here, but Jodhpur specializes in antiques. You will be hard pressed to find any bargains, though this is no reflection on the generally excellent quality of the goods available. Besides tie and dye fabrics, embroidered “jutis” or slippers in suede, camel skin and velvet are available. It was from this city that the popularly worn baggy-tight riding trousers or "Jodhpurs" took their name

Today you will travel about seven hours by coach from Jodhpur to Udaipur, a distance of 270 kilometers/168 miles. En route stop in Ranakpur, where you will visit the Jain Temples. The Jain religion dates from the 6^th century B.C. Its teachings of non-violence and respect for all life have significantly influenced the country’s other religions and Indian political life. The grand temple at Ranakpur, the largest Jain temple in India, features domes, turrets and cupolas, highly decorated ceilings and walls, and 1,444 pillars, each differently carved with sculptures. As the changing light plays over them, the columns seem to vary in color from white to pale blue to gold.

Have lunch at the Maharani Bagh Orchard Retreat, once the summer retreat of maharajahs. From Ranakpur, continue on an exceptionally beautiful route through the rugged, wooded hills of the Aravalli Valley to reach Udaipur. Set on the shores of Lake Pichola and surrounded by hills, Udaipur grew in contrast to the harsh deserts of the rest of Rajasthan. As capital of the old Mewar State it was the only Rajput stronghold to uphold its Hindu allegiance in the face of Muslim invasion. From the late 16^th century, peace brought about a renaissance in the arts and encouraged the building of beautiful palaces around the lake, culminating in the City Palace, one of the largest palace complexes in the world. Two palaces are set on islands: the gleaming white lake Palace and the Jag Mandir, which served as a refuge for the rebel Mughal prince, Shah Jahan. This romantic spot was one of the sites that inspired him when he created the incomparable Taj Mahal. Check into your hotel in Udaipur, where you will have dinner. In the evening take a guided walk around Udaipur on the shores of Lake Pichola. B/L/D Hilton Trident Udaipur (5-star)