Marieke's Art of Living

Itinerary Outline

Day 1, Sunday, 4 January 2009 Arrival / Delhi

You will be met on arrival at Delhi International and transferred to your hotel.

Delhi, Capital City of independent India rewards the determined sightseer with more than a thousand monuments and two old capital buildings complexes-including the present seat of Government, designed by the British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. Cosmopolitan hotels, shopping, and fine restaurants abound. Delhi also offers a glimpse into the real India: the labyrinthine street bazaars of Old Delhi, and the temples and monuments of Indian’s chequered colonial past. In the deepest sense, from Old Delhi’s Red fort and Jama Masjid mosque to New Delhi’s chic art galleries and nightclubs.

Turbaned shepherds still lead goats and sheep through ravines in Delhi’s remaining open fields and near the airport. In Delhi’s golf courses Mughal monuments share fairways with peacocks. Rajasthani women in bright coloured saris and men in dhoti (skirt like wrap) work with outdated tools on construction sites while executives work out on computerised equipment in health clubs. By day, you will see temples packed with the devout, and by night, hotel discos packed with the young and affluent. Delhi is a city on a move, gate way to India, yet a profoundly Indian city.

Overnight The Oberoi.

An elegantly styled hotel for the discerning traveller, The Oberoi, New Delhi is located within easy access of the city’s commercial center and Central Government ministries. It offers its guests a range of state-of-the-art communications and business facilities, well appointed and tastefully decorated rooms, a choice of 3 restaurants, swimming pool and spa.
The rooms face either the Delhi Golf club where you can usually spot peacocks or the Moghul Emperor Monument Humayun’s Tomb.
(Alternatvie hotel is the Imperial)

Day 2, Monday, 5 January 2009 Delhi

After breakfast a full day’s sightseeing of Old and New Delhi.

The Old Delhi or Shah Jahanabad was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the first half of the 17th Century. This old city is a dense network of narrow alleys and tightly packed markets, bazaars and houses. We visit from outside the largest of the Delhi’s monuments the Red Fort, or Lal Qila, whose thick red sandstone walls, bulging with the turrets and bastions, rise above a wide dry moat in the Northeast corner of the original city of Sahanajanabad. Cycle-rickshaw will convey you to Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque, designed by the eminent architect Shah Jahan, and built by a workforce of 5000 between 1644 and 1656. Also visit the Kinari Bazaar:a colourful street set on Chandini Chowk, and connected to the main road by Dariba Kalan, “the street of incomparable pearls”, which is the centre for the jewellers. The shops in Kinari Bazaar overflow with bright wedding finery.

New Delhi - The modern area of Central New Delhi, with its wide tree-lined avenues and solid colonial buildings, has been the seat of the central government since 1931. At this hub the royal mall, Rajpath, runs from the palatial Rashtrapati Bhawan, in the east, to the India Gate war memorial, in the west. Rashtrapati Bhavan is the former Viceregal Lodge, now the official residence of Indian’s President. It is the best example of Lutyen’s expansive, imperialist vision, built- of red sandstone in the India-Saracenic (eastern baroque) style. It is a masterpiece of symmetry, discipline, silhouette and harmony. (It was one irreverently described as ‘a British matron in fancy dress). Covering 330 acres of Raisina Hill, it is a huge place. Northeast of the Viceroy’s house is the Council House, now Sansad Bhavan. Baker designed this and Lutyens suggested that it be circular (173 m diameter).
Visit the foundations of Lal Kot, established in the eight century by the Tomara Rajputs, and developed in the 12th century by the Chauhans, the first monuments of Muslim India, now know as the Qutab Minar Complex, in the well tended grounds.
Overnight The Oberoi

Day 3, Tuesday, 6 January 2009 Delhi/Jodhpur / Manvar

Morning transfer to airport for flight to Jodhpur
Jet Airways 9W 3311 – 1205 / 1325 hrs
Assistance on arrival and drive 2.5 hrs to Manvar Desert Camp.

Manvar Desert Camp: Manvar is located in the heart of the gently rolling sand dune belt of Rajasthan, midway between, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. It captures the luxurious nostalgia of a bygone age of the Maharaja's Safari and Shikar (Hunting) camps. Each tent has a verandah, bedroom and a bathroom with shower. A blazing Campfire is the focal point in the evening entertainment programme with cocktails and rhythms of the Thar-music.

Evening sunset camel safari. Later dinner with folk entertainment.
Overnight Camp.

Day 4, Wednesday, 7 January 2009 Manvar

Morning Jeep safari to desert villages. Optional early morning excursion to Khichan.

Khichan is one of the most spectacular avian sights and sounds you can experience, as the village has been selected by migrating Demoiselle Cranes passing their winter months in India, and thousands of them land at dawn to feed on grain. The little town is remarkable for its abandoned stone carved havelis, giving the atmosphere of a surreal film set.
Return to the Camp for breakfast. Later this morning enjoy a jeep safari to nearby villages where you can interact with the locals and observe how people survive in the desert and utilize all manner of local resources to build their houses, fence their flocks and make their blankets.
This Afternoon is at leisure. Late dinner with folk entertainment
Overnight Camp

Day 5, Thursday, 8 January 2009 Manvar / Jodhpur

After breakfast drive 2.5 hrs to Jodhpur. On arrival check into Balsamand Lake Palace.

Jodhpur is on the eastern fringe of the Thar Desert and serves as the gateway to the wonderland of sand dunes and shrubs, rocky terrain and thorny trees. Rao Jodha established the Rathore Dynasty in Jodhpur in 1459 AD. The spectacular Mehrangarh Fort was hewn out of the rocks and the city of Jodhpur emerged out of the sands of the Thar Desert to form the flourishing kingdom of Marwar, encompassing some 36,000 square miles and strategically placed on the trade route between Delhi and the Middle East. It was also a flourishing trading centre of wood, cattle, camels, salt and agricultural crops. The past, in fact, is never very far behind in Jodhpur where palaces, forts, temples and other elegant monuments of architectural and historical worth vie with each other for attention.
Afternoon city sightseeing of Jodhpur city.

Meharangarh Fort spreads over five kilometres on a hill. It houses a palace intricately adorned with long carved panels and latticed windows exquisitely wrought from red sandstone. It also has a museum with a rich collection of palanquins, howdahs, royal cradles, miniature paintings of various schools, folk music instruments, costumes and impressive armoury.

Umaid Bhawan Palace is the only 20th century palace in the India. It is the largest ever private residence in the world and an astounding example of extant Art Deco. Part of it has been converted into a luxurious hotel by the visionary present and the 40th Maharaja of Jodhpur, Gaj Singh II who has restored and renovated many of the regal properties so they could flourish into the 21st century.

Overnight Balsamand Lake Palace.

Balsamand Lake Palace: Only 5 kilometers north of the city limits of Jodhpur, on the Mandore Road, is the Balsamand Lake Palace, overlooking the still, clear Balsamand Lake. Built in red sandstone employing the typical ornate Rajput architectural style, it was initially conceived as the summer residence of the Jodhpur Maharajahs.
The lake itself, artificially created in the 13th century as a water reservoir that supplied drinking water to the city - now complements the lush green lawns and staggered, terraced gardens of the property.
This old royal retreat has now been fitted with all modern amenities which however do not take away from the old world charm of the property.

Day 6, Friday, 9 January 2009 Jodhpur / Jaipur

This morning after breakfast drive to Jaipur via Ajmer, the town famous for its Mayo College, a school built for the royal princes and the “Eton” of north India. On arrival check into Jai Mahal Palace

Jaipur, or the City of Victory, was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Jaipur is a marvellous synthesis of architectural influences - Hindu, Jain, Mughal. It is a well planned city of yore, built from rose-coloured terra cotta. - that has given it the name ‘Pink City’.
The bazaars teem with people, camels, horses and a multitude of varied vehicles, while around them loom the magnificent palaces and buildings.

Although most tourists visit Jaipur to view its grand monuments, nonetheless there are as many who come to shop. The list of things available is endless, but the more popular items on the agenda of a visitor to the city are jewellery, textiles and saris, goods made of marble, wood, stone, lac, clay, metal and leather. The city has, for long, been a traditional centre of the finest of jewellery bedecked with both precious and semi-precious stones, enameling of gold in green, red and white, the favourite colours of the Mughals, which was introduced by Raja Man Singh. The city is known the world over for diamond and emerald cutting.

Afternoon sightseeing - We visit City Palace and its Museum ( a part of the Palace still remains the residence of the Jaipur royal family), the Jantar Mantar, an 18th century observatory, and the legendary Hawa Mahal ( Palace of the Winds ).

Overnight Jai Mahal Palace.
Jai Mahal Palace : The Jai Mahal Palace (literally, the Palace of Victory) was built in the 18th Century by Hargovind Natani, a powerful chief of the Jaipur forces. Constructed in a typical palace style with high domes, chattaris and cupolas with intricate lattice work done in the Rajasthani tradition, it was taken over by the Taj Group in early 80’s . The Palace has been painstakingly restored to its former glory. The L shaped palace has most of the rooms overlooking a beautiful garden which replicates an 18th century garden laid out by Mughal Emperor.
The Interiors have been done tastefully with a lot of attention to detail. The suites are elegant and luxurious and have very interesting 19th century imprints of Rajput architecture by Sir Swinton Jacob. Other interesting features in the palace are old crystal mirrors, chandeliers, miniature paintings and tapestries, stained glass panels, and marble inlay work.

Day 7, Saturday, 10 January 2009 Jaipur

This morning visit Amber Fort or browse the shops and fascinating bazaars of the Old City.
Amber was the ancient capital of the region. Now a deserted complex, it however still recalls its heydays in the majestic ramparts rising steeply along the contoured hillsides. Here elephants still carry visitors in stately splendours to the main Palace, through unusually high gateways, obviously designed to accommodate this archaic mode of transport. Afternoon at leisure

Vicki and Di will also offer their guests a range of activities today that they may opt to enoy.

Evening Dinner Party: The Last of the Raj
Overnight Jai Mahal Palace.

Day 8, Sunday, 11 January 2009 Jaipur

Day free for independent activities. Transport at disposal.
A special lunch party today includes an Elephant polo match.
Overnight Jai Mahal Palace.

Day 9, Monday, 12 January 2009 Jaipur / Agra

After breakfast drive 5 hrs to Agra en route visiting Fatehpur SIkri

The romance of the world’s most famous building Taj Mahal, still astonishes in its power and beauty. In addition to the Taj Mahal, Agra houses the other two great monuments the Red Fort and nearby abandoned city Fatehpur Sikri.

Agra was the seat of the imperial Mughal court during the 16th and 17th Centuries, before the capital was shifted to Delhi. It flourished under the patronage of emperor Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan, attracting artisans from Persia and Central Asia and also other parts of India, who built luxurious forts, palaces, gardens and mausoleums.

After Shan Jahan’s son Aurangzeb gradual disintegration of the Mughal empire started, the city passed from invader to another before the British took charge in the 19th century. The British Governor General Lord Curzon did a lot to restore the damages inflicted on Agra’s forts and palaces by raiders and vandals.

Today Agra is a crowded city and some of the Moghul buildings are irrevocably scarred. Other monuments, however, are strewn like pearls in ashes, evoking the glorious period in Indian history when Agra was the centre of the Moghul empire, and the empire itself was the focus of political, cultural, and artistic evolution. With large number of domestic and international tourist traffic numerous crafts and service industries have flourished here – hotels and transport, carpets, pietra dura work in marble, zari embroidery and leather. Visitors are often subjected to a barrage of high power selling at monument entrances. Despite it all, the experience is still unmissable.
On arrival stay at Hotel Taj View
Spend the evening at leisure.

Overnight Hotel Taj View
The tranquil Taj View Hotel, nestled amidst 9 acres of landscaped gardens, offers a view of the World Heritage Site, the Taj Mahal from most of its rooms. The hotel is 1.5 kms from the Taj Mahal. It is also close to Agra’s famous marble-inlay craft, carpet and jewellery shops and shoe factories.

Day 10, Tuesday, 13 January 2009 Agra / Delhi / Departure

Early morning visit to Taj Mahal at sunrise. After breakfast city sightseeing of Agra city.
Visit the Agra Fort on the Western bank of the River Yamuna, This magnificent fort dominates the centre of the city. The Taj Mahal - To the Poet Tagore it was “a tear on the face of eternity”, a building to echo the cry “I have not forgotten, I have not forgotten, O beloved”. It time permits visit I’timad-ud-Daulah – It is a tomb built for Ghiyas Beg, a Persian who had obtained service in Akbar’s court, and his wife. He received the title of I’timad-ud-Daulah (Pillar of Government).

Later drive 5 hrs to Delhi airport for flight to onward destination.
OR Join Di for her South India Journey

Indicative Tour Cost ***

When 4 to 6 pax travelling together
USD 3950 per person on twin sharing basis

When 7 to 10 pax travelling together
USD 3650 per person on twin sharing basis

Additional Single Supplement
USD 1475 per person

Airfare economy class per person
USD 195 - Delhi / Jodhpur - Jet Airways

Airfare business class per person
USD 255 - Delhi / Jodhpur - Jet Airways

** The above airfares are presently applicable. Any increase will be additional to the above given price.

*** The above cost is a estimate. Incase is high percentage of change in foreign exchange the cost will be revised as all Indian hotels now change in India rupees.

INCLUSIONS
Accommodation in a double room as per the itinerary given below
Delhi – Hotel The Oberoi – Premier Room
Manvar – Manvar Desert Camp – Tents
Jodhpur – Balsamanad Palace – Suites
Jaipur – Jai Mahal Palace – Luxury Room
Agra – Hotel Taj View – Superior Taj Facing Room

Daily breakfast in hotel.
All meals at Manvar Desert Camp
Arrival / Departure transfer to and from airport / hotel
Transport by chauffeur drive air-conditioned Tempo Traveler for 04 to 06 persons & Mini Coach for 7 & above pax.
Services of English speaking Monument guides as per the itinerary
Entrances to monuments of tourists interest as per the itinerary
All presently applicable taxes.

EXCLUSIONS:
Any Airfare
Travel insurance
Expenses of personal nature like drinks, telephone calls, laundry
Any meals unless specified
Any item which has not been highlighted under inclusions
Any optional activities / excursions or extras other than those specified.
Tips at restaurants, hotels, drivers, guides, escort, airports