Vacations India

MUMBAI (BOMBAY) >> AHMEDABAD >> LOTHAL >> BHAVNAGAR >> PALITANA >> GONDAL >> JUNAGARH >> DASADA >> POSHINA >> MOUNT ABU >> UDAIPUR >> RANAKPUR >> JODHPUR >> PUSHKAR >> JAIPUR >> BHARATPUR >> FATEHPUR SIKRI >> AGRA >> DELHI

As the name itself signify the tour is about the cultural heritage of India.During this tour we travel around Gujarat and Rajasthan and try our best to stay in the palaces / havelis and castles.The tour begins from Mumbai (Bombay) the busiest commercial centres of India.From here we fly to Ahmedabad and the to the Indus sites at Lothal and onward to Bhavnagar.The next is a visit to the famous Jain temple complex at Palitana where one sees 850 temples covered on the hill.Next we take an excursion to Junagarh and drive to Dasada - visiting the little Rann of Kutch.From Gujarat we start our journey to Rajasthan first visiting Mount Abu, the only hill station of Rajasthan and to the city of lakes - Udaipur and onward via Ranakpur to Jodhpur - visiting the Meherangarh fort.During the tour we mix a round with the local people in the small villages and proceed to Pushkar - city of 52 bathing ghats and 500 temples and driving on to Jaipur, Agra and finally to the capital Delhi - where we visit the old and the new part.

DAY 01 : ARRIVE MUMBAI ( BOMBAY )
Upon arrival in Mumbai ( Bombay )Morning at leisure to rest and relax, This afternoon proceed on a guided tour of the city, Which is distinctly tropical. Its weathered Victorian mansions, some still privately owned, and grand public buildings, many beautifully lit at night, stand as lingering reminder of the days of the British Raj, First visit the Gateway of India, hastily created as a symbol of welcome to Queen Mary and King George V of England on their to India in 1911. Next visit the Hanging Gardens, perched at the top of Malabar Hill, which provide lovely views over the Arabian Sea.
Overnight at Hotel.

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DAY 02 : BOMBAY - AHMEDABAD BY FLIGHT
After breakfast an excursion on motorized boats across the Arabian Sea to the Elephanta Caves, which house several, sculptures and images sacred to the Hindu faith . Of special mention is the sculpture of the Holy Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva - the Creator, Preserver and the Destroyer.
Afternoon we are transferred to the domestic airport to board flight for Ahmedabad. Upon arrival we are met and transferred to our prebooked Hotel.
Overnight at the Hotel.

DAY 03 : AHMEDABAD - LOTHAL - BHAVNAGAR
Morning visit the Calico Museum , numerous mosque and mausoleum complexes and other attractions of Ahmedabad.Afternoon we continue our drive for Bhavnagar enroute visiting the Indus Site of Lothal.Upon arrival in Bhavnagar checkinto the Nilambagh Palace.
Overnight at the Palace.

DAY 04 : BHAVNAGAR - PALITANA - GONDAL
After breakfast we go for a morning trip to the famous Jain Temples covered on the Shetrunjaya Hills with its splendid cluster of more than 850 temples on the summit. These temples were built some 900 years back.On a moonlit night these ivory coloured temples conjure up the vision of a fantasy land.The ornate temples have deities studded with GEMS and JEWELS.
After the visit to these famous Palitana Temples we continue our journey to Gondal.
Overnight at the Hotel.

DAY 05 : GONDAL - EXCURSION TO JUNAGARH
After breakfast we visit the vintage and classic car collection , the 1748 AD Naulakha Palace, the Ayurvedic pharmacy and the lakes of Gondal.
After visiting these sites of Gondal we drive to Junagarh to visit the famous Uparkot Fort , Durbarhall Palace Museum, Royal Mausoleum and Hill Views.
Evening we return back to Gondal for an overnight at the hotel.

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DAY 06 : GONDAL - DASADA
After breakfast we drive towards Dasada. Afternoon we take excursion by jeeps to the little Rann of Kutch sanctuary and nearby villages.
Overnight at the Hotel.

DAY 07 : DASADA
Today we visit the village around Dasada of more than nine pastoral and agricultural communities.Here we visit hamlets along the Little Rann of Kutch and the salt gatherers.
Overnight at the Hotel.

DAY 08 : DASADA - POSHINA
After breakfast we start our drive towards Poshina were we visit the Bhil and Garasia Hamlets.
Overnight at the Hotel.

DAY 09 : POSHINA - MOUNT ABU
After breakfast we start our drive towards Mount Abu. Close to the Gujarat border , Mt Abu is Rajasthan's only hill station.Sprawling along a 1200 m high plateau, Mt Abu stretches for about 22 Km.For years the Maharajas and the Princes escaped to this hill resort to escape the sweltering summers of the dusty desert.Here we also visit the famous Dilwara group of Jain temples - one of the finest examples of Jain architecture in India.
Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 10 : MOUNT ABU - UDAIPUR
After breakfast we start our drive towards Udaipur. Upon arrival at Udaipur we checkinto our prebooked Hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight at the Hotel.

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DAY 11 : UDAIPUR
Built along three lakes and ringed by green hills, Udaipur (pop, 366.000) is known as the 'Venice of the East' The City's palaces, gardens, ghats, temples and painted houses match the beauty of the setting. This morning we'll visit the towering City Palace, the largest in Rajasthan, and the Saheliyon ki Bari ( Garden of the Maidens.) Once for bidden to all but he queen and her ladies.From here we visit the e superb Jagdish Temple noted for its elephant - motif carvings.
Evening we take a boat ride on the Lake Pichola.
Overnight at the Hotel.

DAY 12 : UDAIPUR - RANAKPUR - JODHPUR
After breakfast leave for JODHPUR enroute we visit Ranakpur which is situated between Jodhpur , Mount Abu , Udaipur. Here we visit the famous Ranakpur Temple Complex, one of the biggest and most important cluster of Jain Temple in India. Nestled in the Aravalli Range.The Chaumukha temple , or Four Faced Temple is the main temple in the complex and dates back to the 15 th century.Built in marble , the temple has 29 halls supported by more than 1400 pillars, no two of which are alike. After visiting the Ranakpur we continue our drive to Jodhpur.Upon arrival in Jodhpur we checkin at our prebooked hotel.

DAY 13 : JODHPUR
This morning's tour begins at the massive Meherangarh Fort where we will explore the intricate living quarters, corridors and palaces within the complex. Proceed into the heart of the bazaars for a view of local artisans at work as well as locals shopping of their wares. Late morning, we set out on a fascinating drive to Rohetgarh, a neighboring royal village . On our drive back to the hotel we visit the famous Jaswant Thada - a memorial built in pure white marble which is in exclusive use by the royal family as a crematorium , the old fort museum and the mandore garden.
Overnight at the hotel.

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DAY 14 : JODHPUR - PUSHKAR
After an early breakfast we drive towards Pushkar - a quiet little town ,on the edge of a small and beautiful lake in eastern Rajasthan. A city of 500 temples and 52 bathing ghats. Pushkar prides itself on being the site of the only temple of the Hindu God of Creation , BRAHMA and is therefore believed to be the centre of the creation of the world. Afternoon is spent visiting the ghats and the temples.
Overnight at the Pushkar Resorts.

DAY 15 : PUSHKAR - JAIPUR Checkin at hotel
After a relaxed breakfast we start our journey for Jaipur popularly known as the Pink City, was built in 1727 AD by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Designed in accordance with Shilp Shastra - an ancient Hindu treatise on architecture - Jaipur follows a grid system. Upon arrival check in your pre booked Hotel.
Afternoon - tour of City Palace and Observatory. The City Palace in the heart of the old city is a blend of Rajasthan and Mughal architecture. The Palace of winds - a five storied structure of pink sandstone has semi-octagonal and delicately honeycombed windows overlooking the main street of the old city. It was originally built to enable the ladies of the royal household to watch everyday life.

DAY 16 : JAIPUR
The capital of Rajasthan is the most colourful city in India. Today morning we visit the Amber Fort in the Aravali Hills, which is a super example of Rajput (Medieval Hindu) style architecture. A slow elephant ride takes us to the top of the Fort, which houses several graceful buildings.
Afternoon is spent visit the local bazaar.
In the evening, we visit Chokhi Dhani where an ethnic village atmosphere is recreated each evening with thousands of oil lamps, folk dancers, arobats, snake charmers, puppeteers etc.
Overnight at the Hotel.

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DAY 17 : JAIPUR - BHARATPUR - FATEHPURSIKRI - AGRA
This morning travel to Bharatpur for a tour of the world famous bird sanctuary here. The reserve bosts of river 300 species of resident and migratory birds. From here we drive to the ancient city of Fatehpur Sikri ( ghost capital) for a tour of the magnificent and world heritage buildings still in a state of perfect preservation. We continue our journey for Agra and upon arrival check into Hotel.

DAY 18 : AGRA - DELHI
Agra was the capital of India under the Moghuls in the 16th and 17th centuries. This morning we see the exquisite tomb of the emperor Jehangir's chief minister and father-in - law, often called the 'BABY TAJ' because its design foreshadows the Taj Mahal,. Then we tour Agra's Red Fort, built over three generations by the moghul emperors. Following an afternoon free, we go at sunset to see the Taj Mahal, the mausoleum built by a sorrowing Shah Jehan in memory of his young wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Building's stupendous scale, flawless symmetry, translucent white marble and shimmering reflection in the water channel are truly breathtaking.
After visiting the Agra city we leave for Delhi.
Overnight at the Hotel.

DAY 19 : DELHI
This morning we visit Old Delhi, built in the 17th century by Shah Jehan the Magnificent ( who also built the Taj Mahal). First we will be visiting the famous Jama Masjid mosque with its 9,000 sq. ft. courtyard, three domes and two minarets, and then proceed to the massive complex known as the Red Fort.
Afternoon we'll visit Lakshmi Narayan Temple, a Spectacular structure that's just 60 years old , and then proceed via India Gate and the Governmental building to Qutub Minar, the 240 foot tower built in 1190 to commemorate the arrival of Islam in India, the Bahai Temple with its nine pools on an elevated platform, and the Crafts Museum, which replicates and Indian street with over 50 artists and craftspeople at work.
Evening we go for a farewell Dinner in Haus Khas Village complex.
Overnight at the Hotel.

DAY 20 : LEAVE DELHI
After what will have been a majestic way to see and experience royal India, we bid farewell as we are transferred to the airport for our flight back home.

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