Deserts Camel Safaris

The village itself is self-sufficient; they have their local bazaar and a village temple with a village deity in it. - the deity is supreme and responsible for anything and everything that effect the day to day life of the natives. The only other God that comes a close second to their village deity are members of the royal family who inhabit the palaces, forts and castles that dominate their village. The feudal respect for the rulers has been retained over several generations. Time seems to have come to a standstill here. The experience is like traveling through a living museum. The Tour is a photographer’s paradise offering innumerable opportunities to capture virgin lifestyle images unchanged for centuries. Finally, the distances between destinations are very small. This not only cuts out the travel time, but encourages people to have time in hand to explore the country side on the way at their own pace. You would have an opportunity to interact with the locals, visit villages and tribal homes etc. You could do all this and more without worrying about loosing time on journeys. Also, we believe that the sights and experiences that come up on way to a destination are more fascinating and natural compared to the destination itself.

Of Course the crowning Glory of the tour is the Taj Mahal – the most photographed monument in the world…A fitting climax to our back street adventures in Rajasthan

Day 01: Arrival / Delhi

Late night arrival. Meeting and assistance upon arrival as our representatives welcome you and escort you to your car.

Whilst the room keys and check-in is organized, our representative would introduce the tour to you and hand over the documents to you.

Welcome to India, or as we say ‘atithi devo bhava’ (the guest is an incarnation of God). Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you!

Overnight at Hotel Crowne Plaza, Mayur Vihar (Superior Room)
Day 02: Delhi / Jaisalmer (Delhi Jaisalmer Express – 1735 / 1140 Hrs)*

After breakfast, we proceed on a guided tour of New Delhi, Visiting such sights as, Humayun’s Tomb (1586), the Qutab Minar 72 meters high and one of the most perfect towers in the Persian world. The Iron Pillar which has survived the vagaries of weather for over 1500 years. Continue with a drive through Embassy area, the Government buildings (1921-1930) and Connaught Place, the heart and main shopping district of the capital. We will also visit India Gate.

Later we cross the city and into the walled gates of the Old city with visits to the Jamma Mosque (1650) and drive through the fabled area of Chandni Chowk (aptly translates to Moonlight Square) where the throngs of shoppers and vendors meet in the oldest area of Delhi. Visit the Raj Ghat and nearby ghats where the founder of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi and thereafter Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi were cremated.

The highlight of this tour would be a ride on cycle rickshaws. Now these are 3-wheel cycles with a sofa seat at the back. The Rickshawalla (Rickshaw driver) sits on a small cushion in the front and two passengers on the sofa seat behind. This is a remarkable way to explore and picture the hustle and bustle as well as the colour of the narrow winding streets bursting with people and pavement shops selling wares of all description - including a laughing set of dentures. The ride would be accompanied by peals of laughter both from the passengers as well as the onlookers.

Following the tour, transfer to the train station to board your overnight train to Jaisalmer

Overnight aboard First Class Air-Conditioned Sleeper Accommodation
Day 03: Arrival / Jaisalmer

Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer to Hotel Gulaal

Rest of the day is at leisure. We suggest you walk along the old city to explore traditional and typical Jaisalmer. The havelis (mansions) in a beautiful state of preservation are a fascinating sight.

Overnight at Hotel Gulaal (Deluxe Room))
Day 04: Jaisalmer / Khuri / Jaisalmer (50 Kms – One Way) (01 hrs Drive)

Morning, we visit the residential portions of the fort where one third of the population of the old city lives. The design of houses remains, as they were a couple of century’s back and so is the lifestyle of people occupying them. This is because most of the families continue to work for generations for the rural (though only titular now) hence there is a sense of continuity. The houses are arranged in narrow lanes and have small windows from where the shy child or the girl peeps. This is the city believed to be the home of the most handsome men and women in Rajasthan.

Afternoon, we will drive on an excursion to the fascinating desert village dunes of K huri, located near sand dunes for another 'Indian experience', and, a memory to be treasured. The friendly locals would invite you into their simple homes, little mud houses with earthen floors, no electricity or running water. The women walk two kilometers to the well & carry the water home on their heads. Life is very primitive here restricted to basic activities centered around the little mud hut. The rough terrain here does not support cultivation, hence the entire village work as causal labourers in road works or community projects. Inspite of their poverty and hard life the people are very friendly and seem to be aware that they are proud owners of very expressive and beautiful faces. In the evening we explore the dessert on camel back. Against the backdrop of the setting sun and the huge expanse of the dessert the camels with their long shadows would be excellent pictures. The stillness of the dessert, the clear sky, local Rajasthani music and the general atmosphere, make the place a very romantic experience.

Evening we will return to our hotel in Jaisalmer

Overnight at Hotel Gulaal (Deluxe Room)
Day 05: Jaisalmer / Jodhpur (286 Kms) (05 Hrs Drive)

After breakfast, we will drive to Jodhpur

Upon arrival, check into hotel Ratan Vilas. Built in 1920, by Maharaj Ratan Singhji of Raoti who was a keen horse lover and one of the greatest polo players of his time, Ratan Vilas with its imposing but delicately carved exterior and simple yet comfortable interiors, is a genuine heritage edifice in a sylvan setting

After rest & relaxation, we would ride horse carriages to the Clock Tower Bazaar. This is one of India’s largest and most colourful wholesale markets especially with respect to clothes, fabrics, spices, vegetables etc. It is a fantastic experience to walk through the place observing and photographing this incredible spectacle of vibrant lifestyles and incredible colours.

Overnight at Ratan Vilas – a Heritage Hotel (Superior Room)
Day 06: Jodhpur

After breakfast, proceed on a guided tour of Jodhpur. Our tour includes the massive fort. In olden days this must have been impregnable since its rocky base is scraped straight down making it nearly impossible to ascend. Once inside, royal palaces abound with fascinating history and priceless jewels, on to the armoury and Jaswant Tara - the Royal Crematorium.

Rest of the day is at leisure for independent activities. Jodhpur is a veritable shopper's paradise with entire streets and localities in the walled city devoted to single commodities. The city is famous for bandhani and lahariya, block printed textiles, silver jewellery, antique furniture, wood and metal handicrafts. Carpets and durries can be found on the Umaid Bhawan Palace road. Jodhpur is home to many talented and skilled craftsmen like textile dyers, metal engravers and die-makers and probably the last of the tailors of the classic Jodhpur breeches

Overnight at Ratan Vilas – a Heritage Hotel (Superior Room)
Day 07: Jodhpur / Pushkar (184 Kms) (04 Hrs Drive)

After breakfast we drive to Pushkar

Upon arrival in Pushkar, check in to Ananta Spa & Resort.

Afternoon, we will walk through this amazingly fascinating religious town. According to legend, the origin of Pushkar dates back to the time when Lord Brahma was on his way in search of a tranquil land to perform a ‘Yagna’. A lotus fell from the hand of the Lord into this valley. A lake sprang up on this spot and was dedicated to him. A Brahma temple located here which is supposed to be the only temple dedicated to this God, is a popular place of pilgrimage. It would be fascinating to walk along the maze of narrow lanes and streets.

Overnight at Ananta Spa & Resort (Deluxe Room)
Day 08: Pushkar / Nokha (193 Kms)(03 ½ Hrs Drive)

After breakfast, we drive to Nokha (60 kms short of Bikaner). Upon arrival a hot lunch is served to you. Your camels await you as you proceed on a safari of 5 Kms to Dawa

Overnight at Kaku Village (Tented Accommodation)
Day 09: Nokha / Bhadla (52 Kms) (01 Hrs Drive)

After breakfast, we proceed to explore the desert as our camel safari progresses through remote desert country (25 kms).

Overnight in Tented Accommodation
Day 10: Bhadla / Jaipur (321 Kms)(06 Hrs Drive)

After breakfast, we will drive to Jaipur

Upon arrival check into to the Shahpura House. The Traditional Rajput architect, a mixture of Mughal and Indian, a facade with domes and frescoes. The House is a very fine example of Shekhawati frescos and architecture. Conceived as a traditional Indian palace, The Shahpura House showcases the rich heritage of the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan with its rambling courtyards, gentle rippling fountains, reflecting pools and gardens. Interiors embellished with decorative domes, hand painted frescoes, intricate mirror work and beautifully crafted artifacts create an ambience of regal splendour. The family portraits, which add to the charm of this family hotel where tradition still runs strong

After rest & relaxation, we explore the unending shopping options of Jaipur along with our Guide. An essential starting point for Rajasthan craftwork is block making and block printing and we will be exploring the process from start to finish in some of the popular stores here. The opportunity also exists here to tailor make outfits to your design and size.

We also explore one of the chief attractions of Jaipur - its jewelry, which offers a variety that ranges from chunky tribal jewelry to enameled gold to modern diamond jewelry. Kundan (art of stone setting) and enamel jewelry has been a specialty of Rajasthan, particularly that of Jaipur. The stones are embossed into decorative shapes & patterns and embellished with delicate enamel ornamentation in the champeve (raised field) technique. Jaipur is well known for its gold and silver enameling. Colorful bangles made of lac and set with semiprecious stones make an inexpensive buy. The craftsmen take great pains to embed the hundreds of stones into the lac. The skilled gem-cutters of Jaipur carve enchanting little animals and birds from rock, crystal, jade, smoky topaz and amethyst. Intaglio beads & buttons and crystal scent bottles are also available.

Overnight at Shahpura House (Suite Room)
Day 11: Jaipur

This morning we visit Amber Fort, the former capital of the royal Jaipurs. Few fail to be moved by the dramatic Rajput grandeur of this hilltop fortress-palace 11 km north of Jaipur. Set on the dry wrinkled Aravali Hills, and surrounded by fortified battlements, the palace straddles two sepia-hued tundra hills overlooking Maota Lake, and its sprawling crenellated walls lattice the surrounding hills.

We will ride up to this hilltop palace on a caparisoned, painted elephant, passing through the ancient main gate where Maharajas of Jaipur have entered for four hundred years. Our guide will elaborate on the history of this architectural masterpiece with its mirror-studded alcoves, dazzling mosaics and water-cooled swings that delight today’s visitors as they did their former royal residents.

We shall visit the Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds, a five-storied structure of pink sandstone with semi-octagonal and delicately honeycombed windows overlooking the main street of the old city. It was built in 1799 so that veiled royal women could peer down unseen by the world through its 593 stone screens.

Later in the afternoon, we proceed on a tour Of the City Palace & Observatory. The City Palace in the heart of the old city is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The palace lies in the heart of the city and occupies the whole central grid. The fortified wall has seven gates and was built for protection from invading armies and animals that lived in jungles, which surrounded the wall that time. Next, we visit the Solar Observatory - an astronomical treasure house, with solar device that give accurate predictions till date.

We also visit the temple of Govind Dev Ji . It is one of the most sacred and famous tourist destinations in India. The temple is located in the City Palace complex, of Jaipur.  The idol of Govind Dev Ji is strikingly beautiful for its complete resemblance with Lord Krishna, and the temple is placed between Chandra Mahal and Badal Mahal in the City Palace complex. Every day, various 'Aartis' and 'Prasad' or 'Bhogs' are offered at the temple, at seven different times

Overnight at Shahpura House (Suite Room)
Day 12: Jaipur / Fatehpur Sikri / Agra (245 Kms) (05 Hrs Drive)

After breakfast, we drive to Agra stopping at deserted capital city of Fatehpur Sikri. This abandoned capital of the Mughals is a perfectly preserved city at the height of the empire’s splendour. The city divided into religious and secular parts has interesting well-sculpted buildings. From here we continue riding to Agra.

Upon arrival, check into Hotel Radisson

Evening, we will visit to Mehtab Bagh. The Moonlight Garden was an extension of the Taj Mahal Garden - on the other side of the river. In 1652 Aurangzeb wrote to his father telling of a visit to 'the blessed tomb' and commenting that 'the Mahtab Garden was completely inundated and has lost its charm, but soon it will regain its verdancy. The octagonal pool and the pavilion around it are in splendid condition.' The Mahtab Bagh was lost under the mud but re-excavated in the 1990s. Originally, the garden was planted with fragrant flowers and used in the cool of the night as a place from which to view the Taj Mahal reflected in the octagonal pool and in the river

Overnight at Hotel Radisson (Superior Room)
Day 13: Agra / Delhi (205 Kms) (04 Hrs Drive) (Taj Mahal is closed on Friday) / Departure

Agra is the city of the Taj Mahal, perhaps the most photographed monument in the world. However, there is a degree of enigma about the Taj. Once you hear about a building so much and once you see so many pictures of a building your expectations are real high; and this is the enigma about the Taj Mahal. No matter how many pictures you have seen or no matter how high your expectations are the Taj never lets you down - the unparalleled glory and beauty of the building surpasses beyond all human imaginations. At sunrise we visit one of the greatest sights of one’s lifetime - Taj Mahal. A dawn visit to the fabled Taj Mahal to witness the magical effects caused by the reflections of the changing colours of the rising Sun on this brilliant white marble building. Later we return back to our hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast, we ride to the massive Agra Fort. The elegant buildings inside reflect an interesting synthesis of Hindu and Central Asian architectural styles. Built by Emperor Akbar, the maze of the courtyards, mosques & private chambers of the fort echo the story of the Mughal Empire

Later, we will drive to Delhi along one of the India’s finest freeways.

Transfer to the International airport to board your onward flight

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