Rajasthan is desert country. The colours of silver sage, cerulean blue skies and ochre sand predominate. Dashing men sporting handle bar moustaches, wear turbans of yellow, pink and red. Women float along in their lime green, purple or orange saris.

Rajasthan is camel country. Nomads herd these goofy elegant beasts from watering hole to market to fair. We’ll have the chance to ride one and sleep in the desert in a luxury tent.

Our accommodation varies from Haveli's - small architectural delights built by the flourishing business class when the Maharajas reined the land and traded on the silk route, to first class modern hotels. Each has been carefully selected for convenience and charm.

Our tour kicks off with a cultural show and welcome dinner in Delhi. Then we are off to Agra, to visit the Taj Mahal early in the day to catch its magic. Birding at Bharatpur and seeking the elusive tigers of Ranthambhore Park add an exciting wildlife element to our Indian experience. By private air con coach we tour to the west of Rajasthan where there are forts at every stop with fabulous carved gates big enough for the elephants to enter. While it is desert outside the fort walls, inside there are flowering trees and chattering green parrots - Jain temples with lace marble domes - symphonies in stone.

At fabled Udaipur, our hotel overlooks Lake Pechola where we can watch the sun's orange ball sink beyond the hills. Pink light deepens to plum. The sunset in Udaipur is most beautiful. At dusk, the monkeys swing down from the temple to the Bhodi tree where they curl in their young and settle down for the night and the light fades from plum to black velvet.

• 19 nights hotel accommodation on twin sharing basis including staff gratuity
• transportation by an air-conditioned deluxe minibus/large coach
• services of a local English speaking guide in the cities
• breakfast in all places except in Ranthambhore where all meals are included
• 16 dinners including Welcome+Farewell+Rajasthani Gala night in Jaipur
• entrance & sanctuary fees
• cycle-rickshaw ride in Delhi & Bharatpur
• two Jungle rides in Ranthambhore
• elephant/jeep ride in Jaipur (at Amber Fort)
• boatride in Udaipur (subject to water level in the lake)
• cooking class in Delhi,
• visit to Bishnoi Village.
  

Itinerary

Day 1 Wed Oct 25
depart Toronto Air Canada

Day 2 Oct 26
Arrive in New Delhi
Hotel The Park

Day 3 Oct 27
In Delhi. Sightseeing tour + dances of India
Welcome dinner
Hotel The Park

Day 4 Sat Oct 28
Delhi tour / dinner at the country estate
Hotel The Park

Day 5 Oct 29
by coach to Agra
Jaypee Palace

Day 6 Oct 30
In Agra

Day 7 Oct 31
by coach to Bharatpur
Laxmi Vilas hotel

Day 8 Nov 01
by coach to Ranthabhore - afternoon jungle tour
Nahargarh www.alsisar.com

Day 9 Nov 02
In Ranthambhore – wildlife viewing

Day 10 Nov 03
by coach to Jaipur
Alsisar Haveli

Day 11 Sat Nov
In Jaipur – Amber Palace with elephant ride & city tour

Day 12 Nov 05
by coach to Jodhpur
Ajit Bhawan Palace

Day 13 Nov 06
In Jodhpur - Bishnoi Village excursion with lunch

Day 14 Nov 07
by coach to Manvar
Manvar Desert Resort

Day 15 Nov 08
In Manvar

Day 16 Nov 09
by coach to Rohet
Rohetgarh hotel

Day 17 Nov 10
by coach to Udaipur via Ranakpur Jain Temples
Trident hotel

Day 18 Sat Nov 11
In Udaipur
Trident hotel

Day 19 Nov 12
In Udaipur

Day 20 Nov 13
Fly to Delhi - farewell Dinner
Hotel The Park

Day 21 Tue Nov 14
Depart Delhi to Toronto

Optional extension:

Four days three nights trip to Varanasi & Khajuraho:

Nov 14 & 15 in Varanasi / Nov 16 in Khajuraho / Nov 17 in Delhi
Return to Toronto Nov 18

For more, contact Everest Trekking.