Rajasthan with Pushkar Camel Fair: October 18-November 3, 2009

A very special Experience: Pushkar is the place of Pilgrimage, where in autumn the biggest religious festival of Rajasthan takes place. On the Full Moon in the Hindu month Kartik, thousands of believers make a pilgrimage to Pushkar, to take a holy bath there in the sacred lake and to pay homage to God Brahma.

Our tour takes you into the realm of the Rajput-Kings. You will see splendid palaces, impressive forts and legendary temples. You will experience the iridescent, everyday life in villages and cities and stay mostly in so-called "Heritage Hotels" in which the reminiscence of the history is ubiquitous, but also in luxury tent camps. Experience the highlights of Rajasthan: the pink city of Jaipur with the Palace of Winds, Udaipur-the city of sunrise, the desert city of Jaisalmer and Agra with the Taj Mahal. A very special experience is to visit the Rajasthan when the religious festival is held during the Full Moon in the Hindu month Kartik. You can watch as thousands of believers journey to Pushkar for the Pilgrimage. It is an honor for these pilgrims to take a take a holy bath in the sacred lake and to pay homage to God Brahma. During the religious pilgrimage a small, colorful fair is held at the world-famous cattle market, adding to the color, sounds and sights of a very important event.

October 18 2009: Welcome to Delhi!

You will arrive at the Delhi International Airport. Delhi is India's second largest metropolis next to Mumbai, which is located in the northern part of the country. The architectural features in the city are similar to those which can be seen in Athens, Rome and Istanbul.

October 19 2009: Exploring Delhi

Your first day you will explore the old and new city of Delhi. You'll be mesmerized by the 100-foot, red-stone boundary walls of the Red Fort built during the 17th century. Opposite this ancient structure is the Jama Masjid, built in 1656. Found in front of the Jama Masjid is the 1656 AD construction of red sandstone and white marble. It is the largest mosque in India where 20,000 people can pray. You will also tour the town in a Rickshaw, and while riding down the streets of old Delhi you will see the Raj Ghat, and the Mahatma Gandhi (Father of the Nation) Memorial which is close to the river Yamuna. Next, you will visit the Humayun Tomb of the second Mughal emperor, Shahjahan, which was completed by his wife during the 16th century. Shahjahan had the vision for the structure of the Taj Mahal. The Qutub Minar, a 220-foot tower built by one of the first Muslim leaders in India, was built between 1199 and 1368 AD and runs counter to Rashtrapati Bhawan, the residence of the President of India. There you'll see the buildings of government and parliament. You'll also see the India Gate which is 130-foot wall built in memory of the soldiers who died during the First World War. You will have an overnight stay in New Delhi.

October 20 2009: Delhi - Mandawa

After breakfast you will drive to the Shekhawati region and visit Mandawa, famous for its painted mansions (Havelis). After your arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Right after lunch you will visit the town with its 150 - to 200-year-old havelies, which were painted with natural colors. These havelies belonged to the rich community, who were business persons during those days. The merchants of the region became wealthy through the trading of opium, spices and cotton, which they flaunted through the magnificently fortified trading houses. You will also have the chance to observe the daily activities of the local villagers. In the evening, you will return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

October 21 2009: Mandawa - Bikaner

After breakfast, you will drive to Bikaner which was established in 1488 by Rao Bikaji. The city forms an oasis in the middle of the desert with its sand dunes, and preserves a medieval air with the sandstones houses and the city rampart. You will visit the Junagarh Fort, built during the 26th century, and stands on a plain. The other forts of Rajasthan are located on a hill. The Junagarh Fort features massive bastions, ramparts, pavilions and palaces, and is surrounded by a water ditch. It's massiveness helped keep the Junagarh Fort unconquered. Fine wall and ceiling paintings, intarsia (wood inlay) and marble lattices decorate the palaces within the fort. Afterwards you will visit Asia's largest Camel Breeding Research Farm, 5 miles from Bikaner, where high-quality camels are bred for border troops. You will then drive to the Karni Devi temple in Deshnok. Thousands of rats are treated here by the believers with sweets and cereal. You'll then return to your hotel for an overnight stay.

October 22 2009: Bikaner - Oscian - Jaisalmer

After breakfast on your way to Jaisalmer you will travel through the Thar Desert, situated in the extreme northwest of Rajsthan near the border with Pakistan. The Bhatti-Prince Rawa Jaisal Singh founded in 1156 is located in the middle of the Thar desert, an oasis of Jaisal. Jaisalmer was built on a mountain and protected with high walls. This kept the city safe within the fort walls and resisted all attacks during the past centuries. The grand prosperity of Jaisalmer resulted mainly because of its proximity to the ancient camel routes to Pakistan and Afghanistan. The merchants earned so much money that they built the beautiful Havelis that featured elaborately decorated balconies and painted facades. The golden-yellow sandstone from the region provided an excellent building material for the masons. By separating Pakistan from India, the city lost its importance and many residents had to find new sources of income.

Enroute you will visit the seventh century Mahavira Jain Temple and the 2000-year-old Jija Mata Temple at the Oscian village. You will then drive to Jaisalmer. During your drive you will view fascinating desert landscape, sheep meadows and women in their colorful Saris with water pitchers balanced on their heads. Before you arrive in Jaisalmer, you can see the fort and the beautiful city from far away. Upon your arrival in Jaisalmer you will be transferred to your hotel. Before retiring at your hotel for dinner, you will drive to the Sam Sand dunes to watch the beautiful sunset from the back of a camel. You will then return to your hotel for an overnight stay.

October 23 2009: Jaisalmer and Drive to Manvar

After breakfast, you will check out of the hotel and have time to explore the city. You'll visit its gigantic golden fort that overlooks the city and forms an oasis in the desert Thar. You will also visit Jain temples within the fort, and see beautiful havelis like Patwaon-Ki-Haveli, Nathmalji-Ki-Haveli and Salim Singh-Ki Haveli. The most luxurious havelis is the Patwonki-Haveli, built by the rich brocade merchant Patwa for his five sons and consists a group of five houses. By seeing these uninhabited houses both from the inside and outside, you will feel you've entered a fairy tale. After sight-seeing, continue your drive to Manvar.

October 24 2009: Manvar - Jodhpur

After breakfast, you will drive to Jodhpur, the second largest city in Rajasthan and once the capital of the Marwar. During the 16h Century it became the most important trading center on the caravan route between the ports of Gujarat and China. There you'll explore the ten-kilometer-long city wall with its seven mighty gates, through which the mighty "Meherangarh" Fort rises. Today Jodhpur surrounds the imposing Mehrangarh Fort. You will then drive to Luni, located 19 miles away from Jodhpur, and where the famous Mewar horses are bred. You will stay overnight at Luni in the Jodhpur district.

October 25 2009: Explore Jodhpur

After breakfast you will tour Jodhpur. Since its establishment in 1459 on a 110-foot-tall sandstone hill, the massive fortress was attacked several times, but never captured. From the top of the hill you can see the old town and the priests' houses painted blue which gives the town it's name of "blue city". The fort now houses an excellent museum with an impressive collection of items from the Rajput period including litters and palanquins of pure silver, ivory elephant saddles, royal cradles, an octagonal throne, miniatures and weapons collection. You will then travel on to Jaswant Thada, a large Cenotaph, which was built in 1899 for Maharajah Jaswant Singh II. After lunch, you can stroll through the old markets, where you can also buy various spices for yourself.

The afternoon will be devoted to the village life in Rajasthan. You will drive through the picturesque villages by jeep and have the opportunity to purchase local craft work. You will also visit the houses of the Bishnoi tribe, who are farmers and totally vegetarian. You can see deer and birds in the surrounding village. You will stay overnight in Luni.

October 26 2009: Drive to Ranakpur

The Jain Temple of Ranakpur lies hidden in a valley of the Aravalli mountains and are among the finest temples in Rajasthan. The main temple is made of white marble and consists of 29 halls with 1444 pillars richly decorated with ornaments and figures.

Afterwards, you will drive to Kumbhalgarh through the Kumbhalgarh Nature Reserve - the last hideaway of the Indian wolf. You will visit the Kumbhalgarh fort, the second largest fort of Rajasthan, which stands majestically on a steep rock over 3000 feet above the plain. From here you have a beautiful view of the Aravalli Mountains. You will stay overnight in Sardagarh.

October 27 2009: Drive on to Udaipur

Idyllically situated between the lakes and hills, Udaipur is called the city of sunrise. The town was founded in 1567 by Maharana Udai Singh on the bank of the 12-mile-long and 9-mile-wide artificial Pichola Lake. In the middle of the lake you will see two small Palace Islands: Jag Mandir and Jag Niwas. Jag Mandir is a fine example of Rajput-Mogul architecture, and was influential in the design of the Taj Mahal. The summer palace on the island Jag Niwas, built during 1740, was transformed in 1963 into one of the most beautiful hotels in India. The Lake Palace Hotel, operated today by the Taj Hotel Group, has been often used as film set (James Bond: Octopussy, Der Tiger von Eschnapur). You will have two overnight stays in Udaipur.

October 28 2009: Morning City Tour of Udaipur

You will start the day by visiting the City Palace, situated on the bank of the Pichola Lake. This magnificent building is now home to three hotels--the Shiv Nivas Hotel, Fateh Sagar Hotel, Jagdish Niwas Hotel--and a museum. Another part of the palace is inhabited today by the family of the Maharana of Udaipur. From the high crenellation of the palace, you have a wonderful view of Lake Pichola and the Lake Palace Hotel. The exhibition displays include miniature paintings, and old objects used by the Maharanas. You will then visit the Jagdish Temple, dedicated to the god Vishnu, and the Sahelion-ki-Bari, the garden of the charming ladies. Finally, you will take a relaxing boat ride on Pichola Lake (depending on water level). You will stay overnight in Udaipur.

October 29 2009: Drive to Pushkar

You will travel on to the pilgrimage site of Pushkar, one of the holiest sites of the Hindus, which is dedicated to God Brahma. Pilgrims travel many miles to the holy lake of Pushkar, to take a ritual bath at the Ghats (steps leading to lake or river). The Brahma temple is the most important and one of only three temples in India that is dedicated to this deity. You will spend the afternoon sightseeing Pushkar and also have a chance to participate in the Pushkar Mela (religious festival). On the day of the Full Moon India's biggest festival concludes with celebration. Thousands of cattle traders, musicians, showmen, ascetics, farmers, nomads, and fortune-tellers with their animals rendezvous in the desert. You will enjoy the nighttime excitement by sleeping in tents.

October 30 2009: Explore Pushkar Fair

After breakfast you will visit the Pushkar Fair where you'll see the cattle market, the skill tournaments (like camel races), dance and music performances, political speeches in the stadium and of course the biggest camel market. Subsequently, you will continue your drive to Jaipur - also known as the "Pink City". The culture of the Rajputs observes the color pink as the color of hospitality. So in 1883, the formerly gray houses were painted in the traditional color on the visit of Prince Albert. You will stay overnight in Jaipur.

October 31 2009: Explore the Pink City of Jaipur

You will visit the famous Amber Fort which before the founding of Jaipur was the capital of the Raiput empire. Standing on a steep hill, Amber Fort houses a temple dedicated to the goddess Kali; and also features the famous Hall of Mirrors with its magnificent mosaics. Nestled between the high walls is a small garden, and when you stand in the galleries you will have a wide view overlooking the valley. You will continue your tour of Jaipur, the capital of modern Rajasthan, and visit the city's landmark, the Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds. This five-story, 18th-century building has 953 windows and niches where women observed the royal procession in the streets without being seen. Then, you will get to visit Jaipur's Palace city built during 1734 in the heart of the city. It is currently the residence of the royal family of Jaipur and is partially converted into a museum. You will also have time to visit the Jantar Mantar, an observatory built by the city's founder Jai Singh II during the 18th century. It still houses ancient instruments made of stone and marble, and used to observe the night sky. At the end of the day, you will retire at your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

November 1 2009: Jaipur - FatehpurSikri - Agra

After breakfast, you will drive to Agra. Enroute you will visit Fatehpur Sikri (22 miles from Agra), built during 1569 as the former metropolitan of Akbar. Akbar moved the capital to Fatehpur Sikri, but after 13 years due to the scarcity of water, the capital was shifted to Lahore in Pakistan and later again to Agra. You will continue your drive to Agra. You will visit the world-famous Taj Mahal (built between 1631-1653 AD). A "poem in white marble" it was built by the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan for his deceased wife Mumtaz Mahal. Its extravagant architecture has made the Taj Mahal one of the Seven Wonders of the World. 20,000 workers with experts from Italy, France, Iran and Asia worked for 21 years to build this world wonder. Afterwards you will visit the massive Agra Fort located on the west bank of the Yamuna River. The Agra Fort was built in the 16th century by Akbar and was completed by his grandson. Then you will travel 6 miles out of town to visit Sikandra, the impressive grave of Akbar, the most powerful of all Mughal emperors. You will then return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

November 2 2009: Final Stop: From Agra to Delhi

After breakfast you will have some time to explore this fair city one more time before leaving for Delhi. After arriving in Delhi, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.

Price List

Special Rajasthan tour with Pushkar Camel Fair (Private Individual Trip)
Tour Date:	Per Person on Twin sharing basis	Single Occupancy
18. October - 03. November 2009	USD 2294	USD 3433

Cost includes:

• 15 nights accommodation in mentioned hotels or similar with daily breakfast and 15 fixed menu buffet dinners.
• All meals ( breakfast, lunch & dinner ) at the time of staying in Manvar desert camp and luxury tent in Pushkar.
• Surface Travel by exclusive air-conditioned coach. (In case of individual trip by SUV air-conditioned car)
• All transfers & sightseeing as per the itinerary by air-conditioned coach. (In case of individual trip by SUV air-conditioned car)
• Camel Ride in Sam Dunes Jaisalmer
• Boat Ride in Lake Pichola in Udaipur
• Rickshaw ride in Old Delhi through Old Delhi-Jama Masjid, Gurduwara (Sikh Temple), Chandni Chowk Bazaar
• Rickshaw ride in Jaipur through Bazaars of old pink city
• One way horse carriage ride from the nearest parking to Taj Mahal in Agra
• Elephant ride (alternatively by jeeps) to ascend Amber Fort in Jaipur
• Entrance fee and Indian Vegetarian Rajasthani Dinner at Choki Dhani Village Resort, Jaipur
• Excursion to Nahargarh (Tiger) Fort in Jaipur to watch the sunset and beautiful view of
  Jaipur
• Excursion to Monsoon palace in Udaipur to the watch the sunset
• Jeep Safari in Jodhpur
• Entrance fee to monuments
• Mineral water (1litre) per person per day
• A local English-speaking guide shall be provided for the sightseeing tours.
• English or Language speaking tour escort throughout the tour (in case of group!) In case of FIT german speaking local guides will be provided. We can also provide german speaking tour escort for individual trip at an extra cost.
• Representative for assistance on all arrival and departure transfers.
• All applicable taxes and service charges
• All taxes, driver allowances, parking, fuel charges, interstate taxes, etc.

Services not included

• Any airfare (domestic or international).
• Any other services not mentioned in the inclusions.
• Our quote is not valid for period other than mentioned above.
• Expense of personal nature like tipping, laundry, telephone/fax calls, alcoholic beverages, camera/video camera fee at monuments, medical expenses, any Insurance, airport departure tax etc.

SPECIAL NOTES

• Price of tour is ascertained on travelling of minimum 2 persons.
• Hotel Check-In, Check-out time 12:00 NOON.
• Prices are subject to change with any increase in the cost.
• Rates include only those items specified in your itinerary.
• Elephant ride is subject to availability as Government of Rajasthan has restricted the number of rides and prior reservation. Clients will have to queue themselves and wait to see if they can get a chance to have the elephant ride. There is no guarantee that even after queing, they will get an elephant ride if the quota of rides is over.
• In case on any currency fluctuations or amendment in local Government taxes, or any fuel hike, we reserve the right to adjust the tour price accordingly.

Hotels Selected for the Tour

• Delhi- The Maidens
• Mandawa- Mandawa Castle
• Bikaner -Bhanwar Niwas
• Jaisalmer- Fort Rajwada
• Manvar -Manvar Resort
• Luni near Jodhpur- Fort Chanwa
• Sardargarh -Sardargarh Fort
• Udaipur- Karohi Haveli
• Pushkar -Deluxe Tents
• Jaipur -Alsisar Haveli
• Agra- Mansingh Hotel
• Delhi -Avalon Hotel (at the end of the tour)

(Please note hotels are subject to availability)

Special care is taken while selecting the hotels , As you may be aware that prices for same category of hotels are NOT the same , we select the hotels based on the quality & services & not just because it s' categories.

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