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Rajasthan, the Taj Mahal & Amritsar€’s Golden Temple

Resort:Rajasthan, the Taj Mahal & Amritsar€™s Golden Temple
Operator: Riviera Travel
Destination: Asia, India
Price From: £2699.00

Overview

India is steeped in history, mystery and magnificence. Its a heady cocktail of extraordinary contrasts, sumptuous palaces, splendid forts, lush countryside, haunting deserts and vibrant cities. Our extraordinary tour takes you to some of the most colourful and amazing places on the entire planet from Amritsars Golden Temple to the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur, the gleaming white of the Taj Mahal, and the ‘Blue City’ of Jodhpur. Then there are the parched ochre dunes of the desert sands and the array of reds and yellows exploding from a classic Indian sunset across a citys jumbled rooftops. India is all this and much more. Its not just a country; its an entire continent crying out to be discovered and explored.

Youll visit some of this wonderful destinations finest jewels; many world famous, while others are less well-known but equally enthralling. In this religious melting pot, youll experience some of the worlds most spiritual sites – including the Sikh holy city of Amritsar, and the revered Hindu town of Pushkar with its unique Brahma temple, sacred lake and historic bathing ghats. Jaipurs City Palace and the Palace of the Winds will amaze you with their grandeur, yet none compare with the Taj Mahal, that supremely beautiful and romantic masterpiece, truly one of the few wonders of the world.

Another great and unmissable wonder is Agras 16th century awe-inspiring Red Fort. Once at the heart of the Moghul Empire, its a fitting overture to the many other magnificent citadels for which Rajasthan is rightly famous especially the imposing and vast Mehrangarh Fort with its enchanting panoramic view over the ‘Blue City of Jodhpur. Finally its on to Udaipur, nestling serenely in one of the worlds most naturally beautiful settings. Surrounded by a series of scenic hills and lakes, almost silhouetted against the clear blue sky, its multitude of intricately turreted and balconied palaces surround the lakeside – a perfect blend of man and nature in complete harmony and quintessential India at its most mysterious, romantic and thought-provoking.

Spectacular though Indias cities, palaces and monuments are, a country is nothing without its people and you can travel the whole world before you find a welcome as warm and genuine as that in India. Increasingly aware of their unique sophisticated culture, Indians are eager to share their knowledge with you and to practice their English, which is almost universally spoken. You really sense that this is a country on the move.

Of course, India also possesses one of the worlds greatest cuisines, which for many will be one of the highlights of your holiday. Universally but incorrectly described as curry, there is a huge variety on offer making use of gorgeously fresh vegetables, pulses, meat and fish all expertly blended with an almost infinite array of herbs and exotic spices. With some dishes cooked quickly and some more slowly, its a real gourmets delight, so totally different and tastier than the majority of Indian restaurants we are used to at home. All this combined with the legendary Indian passion for service, ensures you will get the very best out of your visit to this fascinating and enchanting part of the world, returning home with some truly enchanting memories.

Itinerary Details

DAY 1DEPARTURE

DEPARTURE

Arrive for your overnight flight direct to Delhi.

Route map Route map

DAY 2ARRIVAL IN DELHI

ARRIVAL IN DELHI

On arrival in Delhi, we stay for one night at the five-star Hyatt Regency Hotel. We drive through the citys wide, tree-lined avenues designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and tour the best sights of New Delhi, including the Qutub Minaret and poignant reminders of the British Raj, before an evening at leisure.

Qutub Minaret, Delhi Qutub Minaret, Delhi

DAY 3DELHI

DELHI

This morning we are immersed in Old Delhi, starting with an exciting rickshaw ride through the bustling streets. See the vast Red Fort, Chandni Chowk market, the memorial to Gandhi and Humayuns Tomb. After lunch we continue by road to Agra and the Taj Mahal, arriving in the late afternoon. We stay for one night at the centrally located, four-star Taj Gateway Hotel. Dinner is included tonight.

Spices at the market, Delhi Spices at the market, Delhi

DAY 4TAJ MAHAL

TAJ MAHAL

In the soft morning light, as the mist rises from the Yamuna River, the Taj Mahal seems to float, miragelike, above the surrounding landscape. A combination of extraordinary beauty, symmetry and history makes this wonder of the world one of the planets most amazing monuments and you have plenty of time to admire it from all angles. Then, in stunning contrast, you visit the vast red sandstone 16thcentury Agra Fort, once the headquarters of the vast Moghul Empire. This afternoon we continue to Jaipur, staying for two nights at the four-star Holiday Inn Jaipur.

Taj Mahal Taj Mahal

DAY 5AMBER FORT & JAIPUR

AMBER FORT & JAIPUR

Jaipur is a fascinating place, its pink-coloured buildings contrasting beautifully with the kaleidoscope of striking reds, saffron and deep violets of hundreds of traditional saris whose countless sequins reflect the midday sun. Welcome to Rajasthan, Indias most colourful state! Our first stop is the Amber Fort, located in an amazingly scenic location in the nearby hills. Our tour includes sections reserved for the Maharajas wives and concubines and the amazing hall of mirrors. We have a photo stop outside the pink sandstone Palace of the Winds, an incredible honeycomb of windows from which the royal households ladies watched the street life and processions below. Next, we visit the City Palace, home to the present Maharaja of Jaipur, viewing the superb collection of formal robes, intricate carpets, fine paintings and an impressive armoury. Finally we see the outstanding 18th-century Jantar Mantar open-air observatory, a collection of early yet extremely accurate astronomical instruments.

Amber Fort Amber Fort

DAY 6PUSHKAR

PUSHKAR

This morning we leave Jaipur and experience one of Indias greatest institutions, the iconic railway system. We board the comfortable chair-class carriages of the Shatabdi Express, travelling to Ajmer. From here we drive to Pushkar, the sacred Hindu town, home to the worlds largest camel fair. A gathering of as many as 160,000 dealers and coinciding with the full-moon in November, business often takes a back seat to musicians, snake-charmers and dancers on hot coals. After checking in to the family-run three-star superior Pushkar Resort, its time to explore the town. We visit its rare Brahma temple, the only place in the world where it is permitted to worship the creator-God of the Hindu religion, continuing through the small market to visit the sacred lake and bathing ghats at the towns heart. A buffet dinner at your hotel is included tonight.

Pushkar Pushkar

DAY 7NAGAUR FORT & KHIMSAR

NAGAUR FORT & KHIMSAR

Leaving Pushkar, we continue towards Nagaur Fort, a little-known fort-cum-palace complex displaying a unique merging of Rajput and Moghul architecture. With its 800-year history and careful restoration, it well deserves its UNESCO recognition. Driving through pleasant country roads, through an arid landscape of sand dunes, we are off the beaten track, surrounded by the rural India of ox carts and small villages before seeing the astonishing Khimsar Fort, where we stay for two nights. Nothing prepares you for the sight of this grand, 16th century edifice of towers, domes and ramparts, in the same family for 21 generations, now a charming heritage hotel. The rooms are all different and spread out within the walls. Theres a bar, restaurant, tea room and spa, plus a lovely pool. Dinner is included tonight, either set out within the picturesque ruins of one of the buildings or along the battlements.

DAY 8FREE DAY IN KHIMSAR

FREE DAY IN KHIMSAR

Today we have a free day enjoying our peaceful surroundings, with the option of a jeep drive into the local bush hopefully spotting blackbuck and bluebuck, two of the local antelope species, then a walk experiencing colourful village life. Theres plenty of time to relax or explore and enjoy this delightful hotel. Marvel at its extensive ramparts, stroll through the lush green gardens watching peacocks, before taking tea on the veranda. This afternoon perhaps enjoy a drive to the dunes and a short camel cart ride before halting at the deserts edge to experience that magical moment when the sun sinks slowly in a fiery glow. This evening, theres a delightful Kalbelia dance troupe, a typical Rajasthani puppet show and traditional musicians.

DAY 9JODHPUR

JODHPUR

This morning we take the short drive to Jodhpur, the Blue City, so named after the colourwash of its old city which is totally dominated by the imposing Mehrangarh Fort towering above. Few sights can match this for pure grandeur, a gigantic mass of stonework seemingly growing from the huge hill on which it stands. Its museum houses Emperor Akbars sword, plus numerous howdahs and antique belongings of the Maharajas. This afternoon we walk through Jodhpurs fascinating open-air Clocktower Market, crammed with orange and red turbaned vendors selling absolutely everything and a real photo opportunity. Tonight we stay at the four-star WelcomHotel Jodhpur.

Jodhpur Jodhpur

DAY 10UDAIPUR

UDAIPUR

Today we leave Jodhpur and the plains of Rajasthan behind us, driving east to the Aravali Hills. Here the landscape changes to smooth bare hilltops interspersed with lush green narrow valleys, in one of which lies Ranakpur and arguably Indias finest Jain temple. Beautifully constructed entirely from white marble and completely covered by some of the worlds finest intricate carvings, no two of its 1,444 columns are identical. After lunch we continue to Udaipur, where we stay two nights at the four-star Oberoi Trident Hotel.

You may also upgrade your stay to the utterly sumptuous five-star Taj Lake Palace, one of the worlds finest hotels and an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience.Also available are upgrades to the award-winning five-star Oberoi Udaivilas, renowned as one of the very best hotels on the Indian subcontinent.

Udaipur Udaipur

DAY 11UDAIPUR

UDAIPUR

Udaipur, the City of Lakes with its backdrop of green-covered hills, has a stunningly romantic setting which never fails to impress. The stage for countless Bollywood films and James Bonds Octopussy, Udaipurs most famous sight is the astonishing white marble Lake Palace, seemingly floating on the calm waters of Lake Pichola. Overlooking this is the vast complex of the City Palace, where well see the Maharanis amazingly decorated private apartments, courtyards, pleasure gardens and a host of miniature paintings, palanquins and armaments. Well also see the great Durbar Hall and the Crystal Gallery, lined with thousands of unique items of crystal, all produced in Birmingham in 1877. This afternoon you are free to explore as you wish.

City Palace, Udaipur City Palace, Udaipur

DAY 12FLY TO AMRITSAR

FLY TO AMRITSAR

Today we take a domestic flight to the Sikh holy city of Amritsar (via Delhi). Our hotel for the next two nights is the five-star Hyatt Amritsar. A buffet dinner is included tonight.

Amritsar Amritsar

DAY 13GOLDEN TEMPLE

GOLDEN TEMPLE

The Golden Temple is quite extraordinary, with this magical building alluringly reflected in its huge sacred pool, surrounded by marble colonnaded arcades. Once inside, the richly gilded inlay work is a revelation – wood panels decorated with gold and silver plus ivory carvings, all under a brilliant dome containing 100kg of pure gold. In accordance with Sikh custom anyone is offered sustenance free of charge, with the resultant kitchens capable of feeding 6,000 people per hour we see their huge vats of dhal (lentils) and an ancient machine producing a constant stream of hot chapattis!

We also see the site of the Amritsar Massacre, where in 1919 a nationalist demonstration of unarmed locals was fired upon by the British authorities, without warning. This pivotal event had a profound effect on Gandhi, who then initiated his ultimately successful civil disobedience campaign. In the afternoon, we take the short drive to the nearby Bagh Border post with Pakistan to see the Beating the Retreat ceremony. Over the years a lighthearted, rather bizarre competition has developed as to which country has the most flamboyant marching style and vociferous supporters, with thousands coming to see this event daily. Its a typically Indian concoction, a blend of open-air theatre, party and military parade. Finally, both border gates are ceremoniously closed and the respective flags lowered for the night.

Golden Temple, Amritsar Golden Temple, Amritsar

DAY 14FLY TO DELHI

FLY TO DELHI

We fly back to Delhi for our final night at the Vivanta by Taj Dwarka Hotel, located close to the airport.

Delhi Gate Delhi Gate

DAY 15RETURN FLIGHT

RETURN FLIGHT

Transfer to the airport for the return flight to London.

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