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TENTATIVE ITINERARY

Nightstop

DAY ONE - SATURDAY

Depart country of origin.

Tour participants should book their international flights as appropriate to the following schedule. Flights from the UK into Mumbai (Bombay) arrive early morning.

Accommodation and transfers can be arranged at out tour hotel for those wishing to arrive the day prior in order to acclimatise or whose airline schedule demands such.

DAY TWO - SUNDAY

• Arrive Mumbai by international flight. Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel where rooms will be protected for immediate occupancy
• AM: Excursion to Elephant Caves (closed on Mondays)
• PM: Free for independent activities.

Mumbai (Bombay)
Mumbai is the vibrant and pulsating capital of Maharashtra. For over a century, Mumbai has been a commercial and industrial centre of India with a magnificent harbour, imposing multi-storeyed buildings, crowded thoroughfares, busy markets, shopping centres and beautiful tourist spots. The British acquired Mumbai from the Portuguese in 1665 and handed it over to the East India company in 1671 for a handsome annual rent of Sterling Pounds 10 in Gold!. Later, these seven islands were joined together by causeways and bridges in 1862.

Elephanta Caves
Elephanta is 9 kms off the coast of Bombay and an hours ride by motor launch from the Gateway of India. The cave temples of Elephanta date back to the 7th century. Four rows of massive columns cut into solid rock from three magnificent avenues lead to the outstanding three-headed sculpture representing Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva the Destroyer. Dedicated to Shiva, the beauty and power of these phenomenal sculptures depicting the various manifestations of Shiva is overpowering.

DAY THREE - MONDAY

City tour of Mumbai: After breakfast at the hotel, we take a walking tour of Mumbai in the area where Rudyard Kipling was born and grew up till age six. This house located at 78 Fort, Dr. D N Road, Mumbai is now converted to the J J School of Arts. We'll also Visit the Prince of Wales Museum, which has an excellent collection of miniatures, Mani Bhavan where Mahatma Gandhi spent 17 years of his life working for the freedom of India and the 19th century Jain Temple with its silver doors. Part of our day will also see us driving past the Kamala Nehru Park and the Ferozshah Mehta Gardens known as the Hanging Gardens of Bombay and the Towers of Silence where the Parsis dispose their dead.

This evening we board the first of our internal flights fro the city of Udaipur arriving some 90 minutes later. We'll be here for three nights.

DAY FOUR - TUESDAY

Udaipur - the city of Dawn, is the Jewel of Mewar - a kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1200 years. Its kaleidoscope of fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples, gardens and narrow lanes strewn with stalls, carry the flavour of a heroic past, epitomising valour and chivalry. The reflection of the City Palace and the old surrounding buildings in the placid waters of the Lake Pichola is an enticing sight. Following breakfast we'll enjoy a morning city tour of Udaipur, visiting the City Palace, a majestic architectural marvel towering over the lake on a hill surrounded by crenellated walls, it is a conglomeration of courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors, rooms and hanging gardens. Each palace within is an outstanding creation of art.

This afternoon see us enjoying a boat ride on Lake Pichola on which the majestic Lake Palace Hotel is situated. The ghats along the lake, the buildings on the banks, the views of the City Palace from the lake all make for spectacular sighseeing. We'll dock at the historic Jagmandir island and hear tell how the great Shah Jehan was given sanctuary here in 1627 by the Maharana.

DAY FIVE - WEDNESDAY

Cradled in the cluster of thirteen mountain peaks of the Aravalli ranges, the formidable medieval citadel - Kumbhalgarh stands a wary sentinel to the past glory. Rising from a prominent ridge, 914 meters high from the sea level, the fort was built in 15th century AD by Maharana Kumbha and is the principal fortification after Chittaurgarh, lying 90 kms north-west of Udaipur. The massive fort, encompassed by a 36 km long wall, has seven majestic gates and seven ramparts, one within the other. Rounded bastions and soaring watch towers strengthen the crenallated walls of the fort making it an impregnable structure. Within the fort are many magnificent palaces and an array of ruined temples. The most picturesque of the palaces is the "Badal Mahal" or the palace of the cloud. it offers a superb bird's eye view of the countryside surrounding the fort as well as of other ruins within the fort.

In a quiet and picturesque glen which runs into the western slopes of the Aravalli hills, lie the remarkable 15th century Jain temples. Though over 500 years old, the temples here are superbly preserved in a near-perfect condition. In the centre is the main "Chaumukha temple" dedicated to Adinath. The most distinctive features are the 29 halls supported by 1444 pillars, of which no two are exactly alike. Every conceivable surface is carved and every corner and angle is engraved with Jain images.

DAY SIX - THURSDAY

The pride and glory of Rajasthan, Chittaur echoes with the tales of romance and valour, unique to the Rajput traditions. This fortified settlement has been ravaged thrice and each time the outcome was "Jauhar" - when after an acknowledged defeat of the Rajput army, women and children immolated themselves on a huge funeral pyre while men donned in saffron robes of martyrdom rode out of the fort towards certain death.

The Fort, the pride of Chittaur, is a massive structure with many gateways. It was built initially by the later Maurya rulers in the 7th century AD and in due course of time became the capital of the Sisodias of Mewar. Perched on a of 180 m high hill, it sprawls over 700 acres. The fort has many magnificent monuments - all fine examples of Rajput architecture. Unfortunately, on account of the various battles fought and lost, many of the monuments are in ruins. Some of the monuments that can be seen are the Vijay Stambh (Victory Tower), Kirti Stambh (Tower of Fame), Rana Kumbha's and Padmini's Palaces.

Our overnight is at Bijapur.

DAY SEVEN - FRIDAY

The city of Ajmer is a true amalgam of two rich cultures, Hindu and Islamic. A Sanskrit College, Jain and Hindu Temples of the 7th century have housed one of the first mosques built in India in the 12th century known as the Adai din ki Jompdi.

The great Muslim divine Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti of Persia lived and died in Ajmer in the 13th century and is buried here. His Dargah is sacred to the followers of Islam as also to those of other faiths who are his devotees. Ajmer is considered a second Mecca/Medina for the Muslims.

Surrounded by hills on three sides, Pushkar, 11 kms from Ajmer, abounds in temples. Of these the most famous is the Brahma temple - the only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma in the country. Once a year, during the Kartik Purnima,(full moon of November) there is a religious and a social gathering in Pushkar. The religious to bathe in the Pushkar Lake and to offer prayers at the Temple to Brahma the Creator, to commemorate the creation of the universe. The social event is the Camel and Cattle Fair. The entire region comes alive with pulsating crowds who gather for a weeklong celebration for religious purpose or for trading of these essential animals- cattle and camel.

Tonight we stay at the Royal Tents.

DAY EIGHT -SATURDAY

Jaipur - the capital of Rajasthan, is colour washed pink - the colour associated with hospitality in Rajput culture. This Pink City of fairy tale palaces, rugged fortresses perched on barren hills and broad avenues are picturesque. The first planned city of its time, Jaipur is encircled by a formidable wall.

DAY NINE - SUNDAY

We slow our pace a little today and make the 'pink city' the focus of our explorations. This is yet another ot India's jewles in the crown.

On the way to Amber Fort drive past the Palace of Winds, known popularly as Hawa Mahal. This is just a facade built for the Ladies of the Royal household in the 19th century. This was built so that the ladies could conveniently sit behind these windows and watch the proceedings of functions and festivals on the roads below. The Amber Fort, capital of the erstwhile State of Jaipur until 1728 is perched on a hill. It has halls of Public and Private audience, a Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors) various marble palaces which are marvelous examples of ancient Rajput architecture. The Temple of Amba (Mother Goddess), the patron deity of the Royal family is at the entrance to the palace.

An undoubted hightlight now follows: you'll ride an elephant to ascend the hill on which the Fort is situated!

This afternoon and evening ypu'll be free to roam the city at leisure or joing our guided tour that'll encompass the Jantar Mantar, an astrological and astronomical Observatory, and the City Palace. This former royal residence houses a museum with a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes, an armoury of the Mughals and Rajputs with weapons of arms, an art gallery with an excellent collection of miniature paintings, carpets, royal paraphernalia. Visit built by Maharaja Jai Singh in 18th century, which is remarkable for its accuracy of the instruments till date.

DAY ELEVEN - TUESDAY

This is one morning that you'll never regret having to get up to witness the sunrise. and you'll never forget the spectacle of the sun slowly breaking over the white mable the Taj Mahal.

This tomb, built over 22 years and employing the labour of over 22,000 people, by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal was to enshrine her mortal remains. Ws there ever a more lasting monument to the immortality of love?

Next a change of style and use as we explore the Agra Fort. Built by three Mughal Emperors starting from Akbar the Great in 1565 AD. The fort is a masterpiece of design and construction. Within the fort are a number of exquisite buildings including Jahangir's Palace, Khaas Mahal,Sheesh Mahal, Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-i-Khas and Musamman Burj - the Octagonal Tower, where Emperor Shah Jahan, the builder of the Taj Mahal was imprisoned by his son Aurangazeb for seven long years and died a prisoner.

Before we board our overnight train for Umaria, we'll have time to shop and no doubt add to our collection of precious stones and jewels!

DAY TWELVE- WEDNESDAY

A rail journey in Indai is an experience in itself. The noises, the people beside the road, the hawkers. All of India's rich tapestry assaulting your senses. Arriving at the rail station in Umaria we're tansfered to Bhandavgarh (30 km). This journey, by jeep, begins with an interesting arrival into the tiny village of Umaria.

We'll enjoy breakfast at our hotel on arrival and have the remainder of the morning free. This afternoon we take yet another mode of transport and cloimb inot jeeps for a visit to the Bhandavgarh National Park by jeep and, later, we may well find ourselves once again on elephant backs!

Bhandavgarh

Camp

DAY THIRTEEN - THURSDAY

Today we safari, taking jeeps to explore the abundant bird-life and game of Bandhavgarh.

There'll also be an opportunity for some walking for those who'd enjoy seeing nature close up and by foot.

DAY FOURTEEN - FRIDAY

DAY FIFTEEN - SATURDAY

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Leave Khajurao fo Jhansi (95 km) visiting Orchha enroute. On arrival in Jhansi, connect train to Delhi
• Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel

• Breakfast at the hotel
• AM: sightseeing tour of Old Delhi
• PM: Sightseeing Tour of New Delhi
• Farewell dinner and transfer to international airport

Delhi - the capital of India, is a fascinating city with complexities and contradictions, beauty and dynamism, where the past co-exists with the present. Many dynasties ruled from here and the city is rich in the architecture of its monuments. Delhi is not only the present metropolis of India but also a necropolis. Located on the banks of the river Yamuna, Delhi has witnessed the rise and fall of many cities over the last five millennia.

Visit the Qutab Minar, a tower of victory which was built in the 12th century by Qutbuddin Aibak and the tomb of Humayun - the magnificent structure in red sandstone and white marble which is one of the finest examples of the "garden tomb", and a precursor to the Taj Mahal. It's proportionate spaces, double dome and refined elegance are characteristic of Mughal architecture. See India Gate, the war memorial of the First World War and drive past the Rashtrapathi Bhawan - the residence of the President of India, which is flanked by the houses of Parliament and the Government Secretariat buildings.

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