DURATION: 14 days 

GROUP SIZE: 1 Couple (Private)  

DATE: Daily (Private tour)

ACCOMMODATION: 13 nights accommodations (combination of heritage hotels, cottages & historical palaces)   

MEALS: 13 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 13 dinners 

TRANSPORT: Private air conditioned car, taxi, auto rickshaw, bicycle rickshaw, jeep, boat and flight from Udaipur back to Delhi.        

STAFF: Personal VegVoyages Adventure Leader escorts entire tour along with local guides at sites.   

OTHERS INCLUDED: All entry fees, all guide fees, 3 massages, private cooking demonstration, all activities, live music and entertainment as per the tour itinerary and airport arrival transfer.  

NOT INCLUDED: International airfare, airport taxes, visas, travel insurance, tips, laundry and any additional transport, meals, drinks and activities outside of the adventure itinerary. 

PRICE: US$ 3,295 per person

 

Namaste! Welcome to India! On arrival, you will be met at the airport by your VegVoyages’ Adventure Leader and chauffeured to the hotel in your own private air-conditioned luxury vehicle.   There are no planned activities until the evening. After your long flight, you may want to relax, freshen up with a dip in the pool, kick back in the hotel restaurant or bar, get a soothing massage in the hotel’s beauty center or head to your room to catch up on some rest before we meet in the evening. At sunset, you’ll sit down with your Adventure Leader for your orientation meeting where, over candlelight snacks and drinks, we’ll discuss the adventure ahead in detail. After the meeting, we’ll head out into the heart of New Delhi to a popular local café for a tasty vegetarian feast before returning to the hotel for the evening. (Snacks, Dinner)

           

After a hearty buffet breakfast, your adventure will begin as we head to Bharatpur – home of the UNESCO World Heritage Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary – stopping for lunch along the way. We’ll be staying at a 200-year-old royal garden retreat set amongst 12 acres of verdant trees and flowers. After checking in, we’ll head to the national park. A haven of wetlands and forests, the sanctuary is home to over 400 species of birds, including a selection of herons believed to be among the best in the world, as well as a wide variety of other wildlife. You’ll explore the park by bicycle or peddle rickshaw (your choice) traversing the back trails of the sanctuary with our naturalist before returning to your hotel. Arriving back at the hotel, you’ll have a time to cool off in the pool and freshen up before sitting down for a candle lit dinner in the royal garden. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)   

 

 

Following breakfast, we’ll visit the ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri. Built in the 16^th century by the religiously tolerant Muslim Emperor Akbar, the well-preserved ruins were the capital of the Mughal Empire between 1571 and 1585 AD before being deserted. Fatehpur Sikri’s architecture is a combination of both Islamic and Hindu elements. Next, it’s on to Agra – home of the Taj Mahal. First, we’ll eat at a popular South Indian vegetarian restaurant for lunch, before visiting India’s most famous landmark - the stunning Taj Mahal, a remarkable mausoleum built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jehan as a tribute to his favorite wife – Mumtaj Mahal. When one sees it in person understanding its history, the feeling is best summed up in the words of Rabindranath Tagore who described the tomb as “one tear drop…upon the cheek of time”. Returning to our royal garden oasis in the early evening, you’ll settle down for a rejuvenating traditional Ayurvedic massage – the perfect way to end a day of exploring.  After, you’ll have a romantic candle lit dinner by the pool before calling it a day. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 

After breakfast, you’ll set off across the desert with your Adventure Leader to the romantic kingdom of Kishangarh. Founded by a Jodhpur Prince four centuries ago the kingdom flourished with its military prowess and fortunes earned as a member of the Mughal court.The Maharajahs here were not only known for their successes on the battlefield, but also as patrons of the arts and the area’s paintings, many of which adorn the walls of their palaces – including the one you’ll be residing at for the next two nights, are well known throughout India. While here, you’ll be staying at the Maharajah’s beautiful monsoon palace built in 1871 just outside the massive walls of the medieval Kishangarh Fort on the banks of the monsoon fed Gandalao Lake. Your lakeside room has gorgeous views of the calm waters of the lake that catch the desert winds and are home to kites, peacocks, herons and wild ducks. After arrival, you’ll have time to freshen up, relax and enjoy the palace grounds until we meet up in the early evening on the palace verandah for fresh limejuice, tea and snacks before heading out to explore the colorful bazaars and centuries old streets of this charming princely state. As night slowly falls upon the desert landscape, you’ll return to the palace and freshen up before enjoying a romantic candle lit dinner on the palace rooftop terrace overlooking the lake. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Today it’s breakfast in bed before setting out to learn a little bit about marble. Rajasthan is famous for its marble – you’ll see it in temples, homes and palaces and this morning you’ll get a chance to find out how it comes to be - from the quarry, to the cutting factory to the final product. After learning about marble, we’ll head out to the banks of one of India’s largest salt lakes, Sambhar Lake, which has provided the local communities salt for thousands of years. Throughout its history, Rajputs, Mughals and British alike, have all exploited this rich source of salt. We’ll visit the salt works and pans, where you’ll see salt “farmed” using many of the same methods used centuries ago. If we’re lucky, we may also see some of the lakes colorful but shy winged visitors, the flamingos. You’ll return to the royal monsoon palace for a late lunch. After, you’ll have time to relax, explore the village on your own or just kick back on the verandah outside your lakeside room taking in the royal splendor and peacefulness of a bygone era. In the early evening, we’ll head out to the nearby village of Roopangarh. Being dropped near the main gate to the old walled town, we’ll be led into the nearly four centuries old city by foot exploring the medieval town before arriving at the 1648 built Roopangarh Fort at it’s center. Entering the fort, we’ll climb to the top of its palace where you’ll enjoy epic views of the surrounding desert from the royal terrace over drinks, snacks and local Marwari cuisine while being serenaded by local village folk musicians. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 

 

After a sumptuous breakfast on the verandah of your room looking out over the lake, we’ll depart for the 15^th century medieval city of Jodhpur. Reaching Jodhpur, you’ll check into the deluxe suite of an old regal residence owned by one of the members of the Jodhpur Royal Family. Your suite opens up to a beautiful garden often visited by peacocks. You’ll enjoy a peaceful lunch in the lush garden before having some time to relax and take a dip in the pool. Later in the afternoon, we’ll make our way to the center of the old city and up to the imposing Mehrangarh Fort. Referred to as the “citadel of the sun”, the foundation of this fort was laid in 1459.   The fort is the centerpiece of the town as it towers over the city on a rocky ridge overlooking the blue painted Brahmin houses sprawled out below. Surrounded by huge thick walls, a series of winding lanes and solid, elephant proofed spiked gates; the fort can be seen jetting out on the horizon from miles away. After, we’ll return to Devi Bhawan – where you’ll have time to freshen up before settling down for a soothing traditional Indian massage to help you unwind before dinner. Tonight you’ll enjoy a candle lit dinner at the current palace of the Maharaja of Jodhpur, Umaid Bhavan. This beautiful palace is a testament to the local artisans and builders’ skills, and has been visited by royalty from around the world. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 

After enjoying a late breakfast in bed, we’ll head well “off-the-beaten-track” and cut deep into the hinterlands of Rajasthan’s desert to the rustic yet charming village of Bhadrajun.  For the next three days this will be your home where you’ll be staying as personal guests of the Raja (equivalent of a Lord) of the village at his 16th century palace residence where you’ll have a chance to experience local village life, customs and culture. 

 

The history of this picturesque town dates back thousands of years and is even mentioned in the Mahabharata. Bhadrajun’s name is actually based on a romantic story in its own right, an ancient Indian tale. It is believed that the greatest warrior of that age "Arjun", an archer, fell in love with "Subhadra", the sister of Lord Krishna. They were undergoing a sentence where they had to stay in the jungle for 11 years and stay hidden for the last one year. The love affair started during the last year of the sentence; hence Arjun and Subhadra had to marry without being identified by any body. Lord Krishna had no objection to this marriage and helped the lovers move as fast as they could in a twin-horse driven chariot for three nights and two days nonstop to reach the valley where the village of Bhadrajun is situated today.  The eloped coupled got married here in the valley. Soon after Subhadra and Arjun got married in the valley, people started settling in this area and the new village was named “Subhadrajun”, which was later abbreviated to “Bhadrajun”.

 

After settling into your rooms and freshening up, we’ll sit down for lunch in the palace dining hall where you’ll have the opportunity to learn a little more about the village and palace. After lunch, you’ll have time to relax a little before we set out to explore the storybook-like streets of this centuries old village visiting local artisans in their workshops making everything form clay pots to gold and silver jewelry. In the late afternoon you’ll walk to a small hill fort that was once used as a lookout point and barracks for the palaces army. Here you’ll enjoy stunning views of the desert plains and vistas while sipping on traditional India “masala chai” (spiced tea). We’ll return to our palace residence where you’ll have time to freshen up and relax before sitting down for traditional local drinks and snacks as personal guests of the Raja’s family before enjoying a romantic candle lit traditional dinner and drinks on the palace ramparts accompanied by the timeless, seductive tunes of local village musicians. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 

After a leisurely late breakfast, we’ll hop aboard the Raja’s jeep and head outside the palace walls to visit a nearby local farmhouse. We continue on to the local village school where you’ll be welcomed as guests of the students. We’ll then head out to an old temple with great desert views for a sumptuous picnic lunch. Returning to the palace after lunch, you’ll have the chance to relax before we meet in the late afternoon for a jeep safari deep into the desert where we’ll catch a splendid sunset viewed from the top of a large sand dune. As the sun slowly dips into the arid desert horizon, we’ll continue by jeeps out to a remote and auspicious Hindu Temple that dates back well over 3,000 years for their aarti (Hindu ritual) ceremony. As the stars begin to light up the desert sky, you’ll settle down atop a sand dune around campfire for a romantic dinner and drinks under the stars. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 

 

Enjoy another leisurely late breakfast before heading out into the desert. Today you’ll visit a local Bishnoi village. The Bishnois are strict vegetarians and have been strong environmentalists for centuries. Known for their protection of the trees and wildlife that surround their villages, the Bishnois are self-sustaining and many of their villages, like the one we visit today – look similar to the way they’ve looked for hundreds of years. We’ll continue on to another local village where you’ll be guests for a traditional Marwari lunch in the village “sarpanch’s” (chief’s) home. After lunch, we’ll head back to the palace where you’ll have time to freshen up and relax until we meet later in the afternoon. In the late afternoon, we’ll visit a local girl’s school located just outside the village walls where we’ll join the students in the popular village game of sitolia. From the school we’ll head further outside the walled town to a colorful shepherds village, where brightly attired locals go about their lives much as they have for centuries – their vibrant clothes standing out in stark contrast to the desert around. As the sunsets, we return to the palace where you’ll have time freshen up before meeting on the ramparts of the palace. Settling down in royal fashion on cushions and bolsters under a moonlit sky with breathtaking views of the village and the endless desert horizon beyond, you’ll enjoy a colorful evening of traditional music, dance, drinks, snacks and a tasty feast of local vegetarian specialties. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 

After sleeping in, we’ll say goodbye to Bhadrajun and head outside the village walls for our last time. We’ll continue to make our way across the desert where we’ll stop for breakfast before reaching the foothills of one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, the Aravalli Mountains. Here, we’ll stop at a local fresh produce market where you’ll have the chance to choose the vegetables you’d like cooked for tonight’s dinner. Heading further into the foothills, we’ll reach the stunningly beautiful Jain temple complex of Ranakpur. This marble marvel dates back to the 15^th century and is constructed entirely of carved white marble. The temple is one of the 5 holiest sites of the Jain religion. After taking in this majestic and tranquil temple complex, we’ll ascend the Aravalli Mountains to a serene hillside eco-retreat surrounded by forests, rivers and small villages. Checking in to your hillside chalet, you’ll have time to relax or take a dip in the retreats step-well inspired pool. We’ll meet in the early evening for a short but scenic hike around the eco-retreat’s gardens before we hit the kitchen! Tonight you’ll participate in cooking the food for tonight’s meal under the guidance of a master chef. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about the key ingredients and cooking methods of Indian cuisine. After helping to cook your evening meal, you’ll move over to your own private verandah overlooking the valley, lake and lush green hills where we’ll have a campfire set up for you for an evening of food, drinks and traditional village music by the Bhil tribes of the surrounding hills. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 

It’s another relaxing morning of breakfast in bed or on your verandah. After breakfast, we set out on a scenic drive through the rolling hills of the Aravalli’s where quaint roadside villages and rural farmhouses, meandering water buffalos, camels and peacocks are the norm. We’ll continue to Kumbhalgarh Fort. This massive citadel, once capital of the Mewar Kingdom dates back to the 15th century, itrises 1,100 meters from a prominent ridge and is encompassed by a 20-mile long defensive wall. It has 7 majestic gates, 7 ramparts, several soaring watchtowers and rounded bastions making it nearly impregnable. The fortress, with its turbulent history, has also seen more than its fair share of epic battles. From atop the palace roof – which we will be making a leisurely climb to, the fort also offers some impressive, 360 degree, panoramic views. After descending from the fort, we’ll explore the ramparts and centuries old temples at its base before we unwind over some cool drinks. You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch before we set off for the fabled city of lakes, Udaipur! 

 

We’ll arrive in Udaipur in the mid-afternoon and you’ll check into your home for the next three nights - the Royal Suite of a beautiful old converted regal haveli (mansion) set alongside the banks of the Lake Pichola. Your royal Suite is complete with striking views of the lake, old city, the Royal Palace and the renowned Lake Palace. You’ll have time to relax and take in the views and old world charm of Udaipur. Just before sunset, we’ll meet on the haveli’s verandah where you’ll catch your own private boat for a peaceful sunset cruise around the lake. Seeing the “city of lakes” from the boat offers a totally different perspective of this medieval city with its old palaces and ancient temples cradling the water’s edge and is a relaxing way to end the day. Arriving back at your haveli, you’ll have time freshen up before sitting down on the rooftop where you’ll watch the colors of the old city and the palaces along the banks of the lake change to night while enjoying a variety of tasty North Indian snacks, refreshing cold drinks and a sumptuous dinner! (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 

After breakfast in bed or on your verandah overlooking the city and lakeside palaces, you’ll depart for Chota Hawala village 4 kilometers outside of Udaipur to the base of Animal Aid. A very special animal rescue organization, Animal Aid provides a free hospital and home for the wounded animals of the city and the surrounding areas. Their patients and residents include everything from donkeys to dogs, cows to water buffalos, monkeys to pigs – whoever is in need, gets the help. Animal Aid not only offers a hospital, but also a home for the abused and neglected animals of the city. On the way back into the city, we’ll stop at the Garden of Maidens, also known as Sahelion Ki Bari, where fountains fill a peaceful royal garden.   The garden was built in the 18th century for the ladies of the royal court. It was built strategically at an elevation just below the level of the lakes that feed it enabling all the fountains to run on water pressure alone – no pumps involved. You’ll lunch at a popular local vegetarian eatery for a traditional thali. 

 

After lunch, we’ll explore the Royal City Palace. One of the most impressive of India’s palaces, it is a series of palaces built by different kings over the centuries, the first being built in 1559 AD. In addition to its intricate durbars, courtyards and rooms, the palace also offers some great views of the surrounding city and lakes. While here, we’ll visit the palace’s Crystal Gallery where a wide array of the erstwhile royal family’s collection of silver, gold, crystal items and priceless jewels are displayed. You’ll return to your haveli where you’ll have time to freshen up after a long day of exploring before settling down for an invigorating traditional Indian massage.

 

In the evening, your Adventure Leader will pick you up in auto rickshaws (tuk-tuks) and head out to Jagdish Temple – he’ll accompany you by foot down the fable-like alleys to a local Rajput family’s home for an evening of traditional festivities. Starting with sundowners on the rooftop with epic views of the old city, we’ll watch the colors change over the royal palace and old city while enjoying snacks, plenty of refreshing cold beverages and live traditional folk music and dance. Later, we’ll come down from rooftop for a delicious “home-cooked” traditional Mewari feast, closing the evening with a tasty local desert and a session of henna - traditional Indian hand painting. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast in bed or on your verandah, you’ll have the day free until the evening. Since it is your last full day in India, today is a free day to just kick back and relax, get in some of the last minute souvenir shopping, or just meander around the charming streets of this centuries old lakeside city. In the evening, we have a very special, romantic poolside dinner at the royal palace arranged for you where you’ll enjoy excellent vegetarian food, drinks, a regal atmosphere and enchanting music while being served like royals. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Enjoy your last breakfast in bed or on your lakeside verandah in Udaipur before your Adventure Leader meets you at your hotel to chauffeur you to the airport for your flight back to New Delhi. Your adventure ends in Delhi on arrival at the airport. If you would like to extend your stay in India or for any onward assistance, please contact your Adventure Leader. (Breakfast)