Designers of Discerning Holidays
Designers of Discerning Holidays
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Escorted from Auckland. Mesmerising, memorable, colourful, chaotic. India is a melting pot of fascinating cultures and history, iconic architecture, spicy aromas, wonderful warm people. Many highlights including Pushkar Camel Fair and Diwali Celebrations.
Day 01 (11th Nov) Delhi
Early morning arrival in to Delhi Airport where our local guide will meet us.
After departing the airport, our first stop will be for breakfast and a freshen up before visiting the first of many amazing monuments – Humayun’s Tomb. The tomb and surrounding monuments date back to the early 1500s and was the first garden tomb in India, the first structure to use red sandstone on a grand scale, and is a UNESCO Heritage site.
We then take a drive past the Govt Buildings (President’s house and Secretariat Houses) and have a photo stop at India Gate before arriving at our hotel. Afternoon at leisure before our Welcome Dinner this evening.
Accommodation: The Claridges or similar 4*
Day 02 (12th Nov) Delhi | Varanasi
This morning we drive to bustling Old Delhi, past the Red Fort to visit the Jama Mosque, India’s largest mosque and one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan, who also commissioned the Taj Mahal. We then venture in to the energetic market of Chandni Chowk. A thrilling rickshaw ride will whizz us down narrow lanes deep in to the colourful chaos of old city where we disembark and take a stroll through the largest spice bazaar in Asia. Watch wily men with gnarled hands and strong backs, load and unload spices of different colours, aroma and flavours.
We visit Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial (Raj Ghat) and a beautiful richly decorated Sikh Temple. Within the temple, is a voluntary group cooking for thousands of devotees. At both places you will come away with a wonderful feeling of inner peace.
Transfer to Delhi airport to board flight to Varanasi.
Accommodation: Radisson or similar 4*
Day 03 (13th Nov) Varanasi
Rise very early this morning to see the beauty of the rising sun as we gently glide along the Ganges by boat. Witness the early morning Hindi rituals, thousands of people taking a bath in the holy river and offering flowers and water to the Sun God.
After breakfast, we drive out of Varanasi to visit Sarnath. Explore the deer park where Gautama Buddha first imparted knowledge regarding Dharma and Karma. The intricate art of silk weaving will be observed in a nearby village and you will no doubt come away with some souvenirs.
This evening, enjoy a walking tour through the oldest and most famous narrow lanes of Varanasi, past the endless human panorama - pilgrims, worshippers, sadhus, children selling flowers and floating lights. On the famous Ghats of the Ganges we’ll find a spot to watch the incredible Aarti Ceremony which is part of the evening pooja (prayers). During the ceremony deepas (oil lamps) are offered to Mother Ganga with thanks and devotion for the light of the sun and for her divine light. As the fire ceremony takes place, bells are rung and chanting and singing provide a fascinating, magical and spiritual conclusion to the day’s end.
Day 04 (14th Nov) Varanasi | Agra
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and board flight to Agra.
Agra is renowned for marble and all around the city you will spot gorgeous marble inlay work. We start our exploration with a visit to the Agra Fort – one of the grandest forts in India. Later visit Mehtab Bagh – the gardens located on the banks of the Yamuna River where you will have your first view of the Taj Mahal. We end the day with Diwali celebrations (fire crackers and Indian sweets are guaranteed!)
Accommodation: Trident Hotel or similar 4*
Day 05 (15th Nov) Agra | Ranthambore
Up early for the much-anticipated visit to the Taj Mahal. Harsh will give you tips on how to capture this brilliant monument as the sun rises and starts to kiss different aspects of the building making it shimmer and sparkle. You are taken to the best photography and viewing sites to make sure your experience of visiting the Taj Mahal is as fulfilling as possible. There will be plenty of time to wander at leisure to explore all the impressive buildings within the complex and to go inside the Taj and get up close to the intricate marble inlay and architecture of one of the most photographed buildings in the world.
We then return to our hotel for breakfast before checking out and driving to Bharatpur (approx 1.5 hours) where we board a train bound for Ranthambore (approx 3 hours).
Accommodation: Ranthambore Regency Hotel or similar 4*
Day 06 (16th Nov) Ranthambore National Park
Early morning safari drive where we travel by open-air jeep deep in to the former hunting grounds of the royals. Our eyes are peeled on the rich green jungle searching for the bright orange colours of the majestic Bengal tiger. The Park is also home to leopards, marsh crocodiles and many birds. The game drive will last for around 3 hours, after which we return to the hotel for breakfast. You can then relax by the pool until late afternoon when we head out for another wildlife drive.
Day 07 (17th Nov) Ranthambore | Jaipur
After breakfast, drive to Jaipur. Whilst driving in India can sometimes be slow, you can guarantee there is plenty to watch out the window – it is like a continuous crazy movie! The rest of the day is at leisure. Accommodation: Shahpura House or similar Heritage Hotel
Day 08 (18st Nov) Jaipur
Our day starts with a photo stop at Hawa Mahal known as the Palace of Wind and hear all about its intriguing legends and history.
We continue to the Amber Fort also known as Amer Palace. This is a fabulous place to wander about the different courtyards and view the architecture, which is a fusion of Rajput (Hindu) and Mughal (Islamic) styles. The handsome pillars and delicate floral designs in the Hall or Mirrors is particularly gorgeous.
Enroute back to the city we have a photo stop at Jal Mahal, the Water Palace.
After lunch, it’s on to the principal residence of Jaipur’s present ruling family, the City Palace. We allow plenty of time for exploring the museums - full of ancient weaponry, art, exquisite royal attire and jewellery.
Later visit Jantar Mantar. This UNESCO World heritage site will amaze you with its astronomical and astrological tools used by researchers of ancient India.
This evening, enjoy “Hi Tea” at a café opposite to the Hawa Mahal - a great way to conclude the day witnessing this fabulous structure as its 953 windows begin to glitter as dusk gathers.
Day 09 (19nd Nov) Jaipur | Pushkar
We set off early this morning to visit the Milk Market which will be buzzing with milk sellers, dressed in their traditional white dhotis and kurtas.
Afterwards sit back and relax and watch that continual colourful movie out the coach window as we drive through to the sacred Hindi city of Pushkar (approx 3.5 hour drive).
Accommodation: Deluxe tents with ensuite bathroom
Pushkar Fair
Late this afternoon we head in to the fair grounds to revel in the festivities – your head will be swivelling frantically, as every which way you look is an amazing spectacle!
Thousands of camels, horses and cattle, along with their owners, camp in the sand dunes. Brisk trade goes on day and night, deals made and animals exchanged. It is a gathering of men with large colourful turbans, women wrapped in gorgeous saris and exquisite jewellery, and children dressed in beautiful traditional attire.
Back to camp for a performance from Kalbelia gypsies followed by Dinner.
Day 10 (20rd Nov) Pushkar
Early morning visit to Pushkar Fairground – a photographer’s delight. Capture herds of camels coming over the dunes as the sunrises creating fantastic silhouettes.
Watch the camp come to life, fires lit, tea brewed, smoke drifts lazily out of mouths as pipes are puffed, chapatis are slapped in to shape, kids run amuck, camels are led to water troughs, stallions prance down the street, camels are carefully clipped and then gaily dressed for dancing competitions.
Return to camp for breakfast and a rest.
After lunch return to Pushkar where we will visit the Brahma temple as well as Pushkar Lake where thousands of people bath and worship every day. You might then choose to stay in the town and do some shopping or return to the Fairground for sunset.
Day 11 (21th Nov) Pushkar | Deogarh
Last opportunity to get your fill of the action packed Fairground with an early morning visit (or you may prefer to have a sleep in). After breakfast, we have another fascinating drive through to Deogargh (approx 4 hours).
Along the way you will spot flashes of colour as we pass locals dressed in colourful saris and turbans working in the fields, women baking dung paddies, drawing water from wells and carrying water pots seemingly effortlessly on their heads.
After the craziness of the cities and fair, you will find the pace of Deogarh rather pleasant. We are staying in a 17th century mahal (palace) now converted to a heritage hotel. The Maharaja and Maharani also live here. The village is right outside the mahal and you are free to explore at leisure, before our jeep safari into the countryside in the late afternoon.
Accommodation: Deogargh Palace or similar Heritage hotel
Day 12 (22th Nov) Deogarh | Jodhpur (140 Kms/ 3.5 hrs)
This morning’s mode of transport is a rural train running on a 1930’s British track. The train traverses the Aravali Hills and jungles through tunnels and bridges. Enjoy the mesmeric and eye popping scenery, mingle with the locals and countless monkeys that greet you enroute. Our coach driver will meet us after a few hours and we drive on to The Blue City of Jodhpur.
From the roof top restaurant of our hotel you can see the imposing Mehrangarh Fort – a stunning backdrop to view as the sun sets.
Accommodation: Pal Haveli or similar Heritage hotel
Day 13 (23th Nov) Jodhpur
Optional sunrise walking tour up a nearby hill to capture the panoramic view of Mehrangarh Fort and the old city of Jodhpur – totally worth the early wake up call!
After breakfast, we’re off on a busy day, first visiting cloth dyers known as ‘Rangrez’. This place is renowned for Tie-Dye or Bandhej, a prevalent conventional craft of Rajasthan. You are free to wander around and watch the colour dying process that gives unique designs to dresses.
After lunch, visit Mehrangarh Fort, one of the grandest forts in India. This impregnable fort rises perpendicular on a rocky hill above the city and is still run by the Jodphur royal family. We stroll at leisure through the buildings which are packed with legends and history dating back to 1459.
At Jaswant Thada, we’ll marvel at the architecture and beautiful jalis (carved-marble lattice screens) of the cenotaph and cremation grounds of the royal family of Marwar. Stroll around the pretty gardens and lake and soak up the serenity.
By late afternoon, we’ll be exploring hidden nooks and crannies in the Blue city and around the Clock Tower market to capture daily life of local people. We will venture deep in to the laneways of the city with its maze of brightly painted blue homes. The play of light in the passageways, the exotic architecture, colourful local dress and dramatic backdrop of the imposing Mehrangarh Fort provide an abundance of photographic opportunities.
Day 14 (24th Nov) Jodhpur | Jaisalmer
It is a big drive (approx 5 hours) through to Jaisalmer today but we’re rewarded with many crazy “only in India” scenes enroute. We head straight into the Sam sand dunes to our camp.
Witnessing the sunset in the heart of the Thar Desert, riding a camel across golden dunes and star gazing are surreal experiences not to be missed in the world’s 18th largest subtropical desert.
This evening is the traditional tribal Kalbeliya dance with dinner.
Accommodation: Deluxe tents with ensuite bathroom
Day 15 (25th Nov) Golden City of Jaisalmer
This morning we visit a traditional village with mud and thatched houses. We’ll have a chance to chat to the tribal locals as they go about their daily activities.
By afternoon, we’ll be in Jaisalmer exploring the busy markets of Hanuman Chowk. Locals can be found in their traditional attires haggling hard around vegetable carts.
Take a walking tour in the alleyways of the grand Jaisalmer Fort - one of the very few "living forts" in the world - with around 2000 families residing within the fort. With its 800-year history, there is certainly some tales to tell. You will be surprised to see the invitation cards of marriages and auspicious celebrations painted on the walls of the houses. Visit centuries old havelis (houses) and Jain temples. The havelis are famous for their architecture, beautiful balconies, archways and gateways. Hawkers and vendors display puppets and colourful turbans and veils, letting the colours of Jaisalmer come alive in contrast to the sandy hues that dominate most of the town.
Enjoy our last dinner in Rajasthan in a roof top café inside Jaisalmer Fort.
Accommodation: Nachana Haveli or similar Heritage hotel
Day 16 (26th Nov) Jaisalmer | Mumbai
For early risers, we invite you on a sunrise visit to picturesque Gadsisar Lake with its attractively carved Chhatris, shrines and monuments. After breakfast, transfer to airport for flight to Mumbai
On arrival in Mumbai we head straight in to the thick of this bustling city for a walking tour of the famous Crawford Market (a wholesale market in a historic Gothic style building) and Chor Bazaar (known as Thieves Market). By now your bargaining skills should be pretty sharp!
It’s our last night in India and that calls for a grand finale dinner.
Accommodation: Ambassador Hotel or similar 4*
Day 17 (27th Nov) Mumbai | end
Our last day of sightseeing starts at the Gateway of India overlooking the Mumbai Harbour. We then drive past the Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus, a UNESCO world heritage site and beautiful example of Victorian-Gothic style architecture from a by-gone era.
Unique to Mumbai is a dabbawala (food delivery person). There are over 5000 dabbawalas in the city distributing some 200,000 meals by bicycle and train. The lunchboxes are collected from the clients’ home in the morning, delivered to the workplace, then returned empty in the afternoon. It is the most efficient delivery system in the world and seeing the dabbawalas in action is a spectacle – Uber Eats have nothing on these guys! The 2013 Bollywood film The Lunchbox is based on the dabbawala service (well worth watching).
Another unique feature of Mumbai is the dhobi - a traditional laundryman, who will collect your dirty linen, wash it, and return it neatly pressed to your doorstep. The laundries are called "ghats” and we will visit the most famous – Dhobi Ghat where around 200 dhobis and their families work together.
We end the day in Mumbai’s beating heart - Dharavi Slum. Dharavi houses over one million people and its industries have an annual turnover of approx US$665 million. Our walking tour introduces us to a way of living that is astounding – photography is not permitted in the slum.
We have a couple of rooms booked at an Airport Hotel so that we can freshen up and finalise packing, before having dinner. Our flight home is late this evening.
PRICE
NZ$6675 per person twin share (option to twin share with same gender may be available)
NZ$2020 single supplement
Price in NZ$ and subject to change until confirmed and paid in full.
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