Marieke's Art of Living

The Maharaja of Jodhpur's Royal Tented Camps and Exotic Estates of RAJASTHAN 10-23 January 2008

Tour Overview

Mother India, the vast Subcontinent constituting the world's largest democracy, an intriguingly complex religious and cultural tapestry with her great mercantile classes, sprawling bureaucracies and exploding economy, remains for us, even fifteen years after our first visit, one of our most visually memorable and bewitching journeys ever.

For the last thirteen years, our annual escorted tours have won wide acclaim from our guests. Shielded from the more maddening aspects of Indian travel, though none of the local colour, guests are assured of supreme comfort with the opportunity to have all their curiosity and sensibility ignited by the intriguing landscape, humanity, aesthetics and multiple values of this extraordinary and rewarding country. This is a real journey of discovery for the mind and the senses, travelled at a leisurely pace in supreme, often regal comfort.

Tribally rich, improbably colourful and with exclusive use of the Maharaja of Jodhpur's Royal Tented Camps this unique tour allows you to experience the intriguing atmosphere and history from Moghul culture to the faded glory of the Raj.

Exclusive to marieke's Art of Living, the most obscure doors are opened to you enabling you to experience the rarefied elegance and traditions of a by-gone, opulent princely lifestyle, the hospitality of royal families, camel riding, rarely visited natural sanctuaries, exquisite architectural jewels, and rich, delicately scented and spiced cuisine. Indeed, for some of the trip, travel with your own personal cook who has served the royal family wonderful food for some thirty years.
You also have the incomparable erudition and knowledge of esteemed friend and escort throughout the trip, Durga Singh, an aristocratic and proud Rajput.

The Tour begins in Delhi, staying at the the Imperial Hotel, the 5 star hotel in Delhi that most elegantly captures the ambience of the Raj.

Days 2-4
The following day fly to Jodhpur, and transfer to your first Royal Tented Camp which sits amongst the ramparts of imposing Mehrangarh Fort that soars above the washed out blues of the old city. This is camping like no other, with beautiful customised tents, redolent of the Maharaja's Safaris each with a verandah, bedroom and bathroom designed for maximum comfort and the romance enhanced by gorgeous sunsets and a roaring fire lit for each evening's tribal entertainment. You are here three nights to experience the splendidly rich museum collections, the Old City markets as well as the astonishing Umaid Bhawan Palace where you join the celebrations for HH Maharaja of Jodhpur's birthday.

Days 5-7
Travel south by road stopping at Ranakpur, an elaborate confection of white marble and one of one of India's most beautifully conserved Jain temples. Continue through a landscape that has rocky mountain passes followed by verdant paddocks in which oxen still draw Persian waterwheels and brilliant squares of colour shroud women bent in agricultural production.
Descend into the magical city of Udaipur by mid afternoon, just in time to punt across the lake and catch the sun setting over the Lake Palace. An oasis of white marble, soothing lakes and green hills in an otherwise arid region. Your sanctuary will be the recently refurbished Lake Palace hotel. Continue north to the sumptuous DeviGarh, surrounded by the majestic austerity of the Aravali mountains. Redolent of the "Aman style", this is a divine small hotel with wonderful food, fabulous Ayurvedic spa and close to a lively Hindu temple, 8th - 10th Century ruins and lovely walks.

Days 8-11

From Udaipur you journey to the peaceful lakeside setting of Deogarh, an award winning Heritage property we particularly like for its individual cuisine and the hospitality of the Rawat family who specially prepare a uniquely delightful "bush-tucker" picnic in the magic Aravali Mountains.
Continue north to arrive at the ineffably charming, superbly run and picturesquely located Nimaj Chhatra Sagar Tented Camp. This provides a richly colourful rural experience with visits to local villages, a connection to the rhythms and crafts of traditional and self-reliant desert dwellers, the adventure of an easy Camel Safari and evenings spent under the stars with warming fires.

Days 12-13

Drive via Ajmer and the famous “Eton” of North India, Mayo College to arrive at your final destination, the distinctive "Pink City" of Jaipur (pink only since it was painted in 1853 for a visit by Prince Albert). Rajasthan’s capital, this city explodes with a rich architectural heritage of forts, gardens and palaces built by princes and merchants. The old walled city is still a medieval maze offering a cornucopia of jewellery, textiles, gems, traditional blue pottery and myriad artisan wares.
Your last two nights are spent at the elegant Raj Vilas, a tranquil oasis providing a luxurious base from which to visit Amber Fort, the colourful bazaars and any last minute shopping.
A grand party signals farewells.

Day 14

Guests return to Delhi by road for International flights home.
Guests continuing their travels in India will leave from Jaipur under arrangements organized for you by marieke’s Art of Living.

This Tour remains the Copyright of marieke’s Art of Living

Your Guide in India, Durga Singh

Durga Singh ji has been Marieke's treasured guide in Rajasthan the last thirteen years, and our guests regard him for his warmth, humour, profundity, pride and his inimitable skill to illuminate his culture in deep and meaningful ways. As our esteemed friend and incomparable tour leader, he looks forward to welcoming you back to his own princely state.

A proud Rajput, Durga is the son of the late Thakur Bhim Singhji of Mandawa, holding a chiefship under the erstwhile state of Jaipur, and a renowned statesman and former member of Parliament.

An agriculture graduate by qualification, Durga has unqiue flair, vast knowledge, and a kaleidoscope of passionate interests from desert flora and fauna, folk songs and music, cooking, comparative relgious studies to philosophy, a conern for the environemnt, and an interest in organic farming. Our Tours are memroably enlivened by his discussions and illuminations on his complex and very rich culture.

Your Tour Escort

Marieke Brugman has designed, refined and escorted this unique tour for well over a decade as well as leading cultural and gastronomic Tours to other regions of the sub-continent and has developed a lifelong attraction to the exotic and compelling experience that ignites all the senses with the sights, sounds, tastes, smells, festivals, music, bazaars like no other on earth. Indeed, it makes you think about the meaning of life, in ways that you don't, living in the west