Marieke's Art of Living

Pre and Post Touring Suggestions:

Other than a day or two extra in Delhi before Tours commence, we strongly urge first-time guests to India who wish to include additional excursions, to add them on at the end of the Tour. marieke's Art of Living will make all arrangements for you expertly.

Taj Mahal, the most extravagant monument built for love, is usually high on everyone's list. Allow an additional night.
Two extra days is preferable as this will allow a more leisurely pace to also include Fatephur Sikri, 40kms west of Agra. Fatephur Sikri was built by Akbar in the late 16th C as the splendid capital of the Mughal Empire and then abandoned shortly after, but the deserted city stands as testament to a glorious and enlightened empire. Other attractions include the massive red sandstone Agra Fort, the exquisite jewel-like precursor to the Taj Mahal, Itmad-ud-Daulah, and a plethora of shopping bazaars.
Whilst the city is being increasingly visited and has become quite maddening, refuge can be sought in one of our three recommended hotels:
Amarvilas the exceptional, newly opened, dazzlingly luxurious Oberoi (all rooms with Taj view) built in the style of a Mughal Palace. (Superior Deluxe Rooms have small terraces). A most worthwhile destination in itself!
Taj View (rooms with a distant view of the Taj).
Mughal Sheraton (rooms with mid view of the Taj).

Bharatpur and Keoladeo Ghana National Park, a World Heritage listed bird sanctuary with over 350 species. Even non bird watchers have ranked this one of their most serene experiences in India.
May be done in conjunction with Agra. Allow an extra day.

Ranthambore National Park,
Rajasthan's prime Project Tiger conservation effort, with February being one of the best months for sighting tigers.
Wildlife safaris are undertaken in open jeeps. Allow at least one night and two full days, and at least three game drives. May be done by road from Jaipur and before Agra.
The accommodation of choice is Vanyavilas, Oberoi's newest jungle camp with 25 luxuriously appointed air-conditioned tents in 20 acres of scenic forest.
The alternative is Sher Bagh, a fantastic new campsite decorated with immense good tase, in a lovely setting with good cuisine.

Varansai and Khajuraho

Situated on the west banks of the Ganga (Ganges), Varanasi (Benares) is India's holiest city, a site for millions of pilgrims, a great centre of Sanskrit learning, exquisite silk saris and one of the most fascinating experiences that India offers. 10kms away is Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon, a place of immense peace and reflection. Khajuraho, a sublimely peaceful, rural and unspoiled town is home to 25 remaining temples built by the Chandela dynasty in 9th and 10th C.
The unparalleled temple sculptures (often erotic) are in excellent condition.
Allow at least three days to combine these two cities, easily reached from Delhi by Jet Airways flights.

Kanha National Park + Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserves

The lush sal and bamboo forests, grassy meadows and ravines of Kanha provided inspiration to Rudyard Kipling for his famous novel "Jungle Book".

Game drives are on elephants and by jeeps.Former guests who have been still dream of returning and reported excellent sightings.
Allow at least 4 days.
This is best reached from Bombay (Mumbai) or Delhi via Nagpur.

ANANDA SPA in the HIMALAYAS at RISHIKESH

If complete rejuvenation of body, mind and soul is your idea of heaven, then this holistic, luxurious spa is without peer. In the lush grounds of an old maharaja's palace, surrounded by the Himalayan foothills, sits this purpose built sanctuary in which ayurvedic, yoga and Western spa treatments are integrated. Highly recommended from personal experience, this blissful, peaceful paradise offers a serene sense of wellness, with gorgeous balconied rooms overlooking the Ganges River and plains, a heated swimming pool with mountain views, solicitous staff and the fascinating holy city of Rishikesh that can be visited 20 kms below your lofty perch. Reached by express train, four hours from Delhi, a 3 night/4 day package is suggested as the way to savour this restorative experience.

AMANBAGH Alwar Region reachable from Jaipur

After four visits, I highly recommend this sumptuous spoil for the end of your trip. One of the loveliest and newest Aman resorts it bespeaks elegance, tranquility, serenity and sits quite “isolated” in a beautiful region of Rajasthan. Be at rest or avail yourself of any of the many interesting excursions available on and off the property through very attractive countryside.

Preferred suites are the Terrace Haveli rooms which are capacious, understated and elegantly appointed, affording great privacy.

A plethora of outdoor activities are within the immediate vicinity of Amanbagh, including cycling and trekking, horseback, donkey and camelback rides, as well as sunset elephant rides to the nearby Madar Baba Ki Chattri for spectacular 360-degree views of the surrounding area. Rowing or sailing on Ajabgarh Lake during the months of August until February can also be arranged. Of particular interest are tours to traditional Meena villages. Unique to the region, the Meena are a minority race who have settled over the centuries in the nearby hidden valleys. Renowned for their colourful dress, jewellery and crafts, the Meena have retained their traditional lifestyle that embraces few hints of modernity. Visit: Ajabgarh Fort, The Bhangarh of great archaeological importance, Satimata Dham a collection of temples whose name is derived from the Sanskrit word, Dham, meaning “Meditation Palace for Sages and the Holy.” As the most sacred pilgrimage site for the people from Alwar, its sanctity is matched only by Pushkar and Mount Abu, Mansarover Lake a birdwatcher's paradise from October to February and Sariska Nature and Game Sanctuary

Travel+Leisure magazine's Second Annual Design Awards has named Amanbagh the "Best Resort".

SOUKYA HOLISITIC HEALTH RESORT at BANGALORE

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

An exceptional and unique Health resort established by Dr. Isaac Mathai on 30 acres outside the city of Bangalore, this establishment has a rare purity of purpose in offering treatments that are both rejuvenating and/or therapeutic: combining ancient Ayurvedic therapies of the very highest order, naturopathy, homeopathy and diet.

Exceptional personalized consultation, very well qualified practitioners, solicitous staff, organic vegetarian cuisine, all combine to create an astounding restorative and or therapeutic program. Fruit and vegetables are organically grown on the property. Capacious tranquil rooms come with a private enclosed garden courtyard. Purpose-built treatment rooms with outstanding housekeeping. Allow at least 5 extra days to obtain maximum benefits.