Colours of Rajasthan - Puskhar Festival

 For those who are on the flight inclusive package we land in Delhi and
transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free. Land only please make
your way to our start hotel.  Your leader will leave details of your welcome
meeting time in the hotel reception.  (Delhi sightseeing is on day 12)

Today we will transfer to Agra (approx. 5 hrs drive) and in the afternoon
visit the imposing Red Fort of Akbar, whose mighty sandstone walls enclose
the beautiful white marble Pearl Mosque and the palaces, halls, courtyards
and fountains of his sons and successors, Jehangir and Shah Jahan.

A very early start to see the incredible spectacle of the sunrise over the
Taj Mahal. The Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife,
Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631, built the beautiful white marble Taj Mahal.
The Taj is serenely beautiful and never fails to amaze a first time visitor;
the white marble exterior changes colour according to the position of the sun
during the day and is matched by the rich interior detail. After our visit
it's time to leave Agra and drive to Ranthambore National Park. On the way we
visit Fatehpur Sikri which is the Emperor Akbar's deserted royal city. This
impressive and well-preserved citadel became his capital in 1571, after the
blessing of a local Moslem holy man correctly predicted the birth of a
longed-for son, his successor the Emperor Jehangir. The mosque, designed to
hold ten thousand worshippers, the palaces, residences and halls of audience
are all made of decorative red sandstone. But this magnificence only lasted
14 years, as in 1584 Akbar left Fatehpur Sikri to secure his outlying
territories, leaving this city much as we see it today - in perfect
condition. This is another very full but rewarding day (approx. 7/8 hrs
drive).

Today is more relaxed as we take two game drives into Ranthambore National
Park. The reserve was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1957 and in 1974
became part of Project Tiger. Sadly, after initial success, poaching has
drastically reduced the tiger population. However, Ranthambore is still
considered one of the best places to spot tigers in the wild and many Exodus
groups over the last few years have seen the elusive predator. Tiger aside,
Ranthambore is also home to a great variety of wildlife such as several
species of monkey, deer, crocodile, birdlife, and together with the scenery,
make the visit well worth it.

Today we leave Ranthambore and drive to Bundi. Bundi is a delightful town,
with a rustic setting, that stands on the foothills of the Azavali Mountains.
Bundi is especially famous for its palaces and the beautifully decorated
stepwells that back in the 15th and 18th century were used to collect water
during the monsoon season. In the afternoon we visit the Bundi Fort, arguably
one of the most beautiful palaces in India, home to outstanding miniature
paintings portraying the history of the palace and its royal family. The fort
is set high on a hill overlooking Bundi and its Krishna blue stonewashed
houses. (Approx. 4 hrs drive)

Today we set off on our 145 mile journey to Udaipur. Known as 'The Pearl of
Rajasthan', the 'City of Sunrise' and 'Venice of the East', Udaipur is a
beautiful place regarded by both Indians and travellers as the most romantic
city in India. (Approx. 5 hrs drive)

Situated on the east side of Lake Pichola, the main palace commands an
unsurpassed view across the shimmering lake to the dusty Aravalli Hills with
the luxurious Lake Palace hotel adding to the scene. Lake Pichola has two
islands, each with a palace to rival that on the mainland; Jag Mandir and Jag
Nivas (the latter is now the Lake Palace Hotel) rise out of their own
reflections in the waters of the lake. Udaipur is surrounded by a massive
bastion with five gates and dominating the town is the City Palace of the
Maharana. The sumptuous apartments are decorated with multi-coloured mosaics,
elaborate mirror work and inlaid tiles; half of these can be visited as the
current Maharaja still occupies the rest of the palace. We spend the morning
visiting the City Palace and Jagdish Temple, with a huge black stone image of
Jagannath, an aspect of Lord Vishnu. If time allows it may be possible to
visit the gardens of Gulab Bag or take a boat trip on the lake. The afternoon
is free to enjoy this evocative city.

Today we have an early start and head to Pushkar, pilgrimage town and home to
the annual Pushkar Camel Fair. Steeped in mysticism and surrounded by the
desert this little town is a holy site on the fringes of a lake. This is a
great place to relax and soak up the atmosphere. The drive will be approx.
6-7 hrs in total.
*Full-service camping *

Full day to enjoy the colourful spectacle of one of Asia's most vibrant
festivals. The normally peaceful oasis is transformed into a bustling meeting
place when the tranquil desert becomes a colourful blanket of camels, fires
and tents with stall holders, musicians and comedians plying their wears amid
the high-spirited festivities.

*Full-service camping*

In the morning we do some sightseeing; in the centre of town is holy Pushkar
lake surrounded by a number of temples including the famous Bramha temple
said to be the only temple in the world dedicated to this deity. A dip in the
waters of Pushkar Lake and worship at Bramha temple ensure salvation. In the
afternoon we drive to Jaipur. (Approx. 3 hrs drive)
*Standard Hotel*

A day of sightseeing. The 'Pink City' of Jaipur is one of the most attractive
and colourful cities in India. Rajah Jai Singh decided to abandon his nearby
fortress and palace at Amber in 1727 and laid out a planned city of broad
avenues, built of sandstone and painted pink at a later stage. In the centre
of Jaipur is the City Palace, formerly the residence of the Maharaja, it is
now a fine museum containing rare manuscripts, paintings, royal garments and
weapons. Close to the palace is one of the most intriguing sights of India,
the observatory of Jai Singh. This is an assembly of immense astronomical
instruments made of marble and brass set in a pleasant garden. We will also
see Jaipur's impressive landmark, the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds. A
few miles from the main city is the splendid Amber Palace, rising above a
lake. The imposing hilltop fort contains large courtyards and interiors with
fine decorations including inlaid alabaster panels and a Chamber of Mirrors.
Jaipur is a centre of many handicrafts, such as durries (woven rugs),
carpets, printed cloth, semi-precious stones, leatherwear etc.; it will be
difficult to leave a workshop without buying anything!
*Standard Hotel*

Today we take an early morning express train back to Delhi. (approx. 4 ½
hours) In the afternoon we visit the walled city of Old Delhi; crowded, full
of activities and still influenced by the great Mughals who once ruled from
the ramparts of the majestic Red Fort. We visit Jama Mosque - built in 17th
century and the largest mosque in India and Rajghat - the memorial to Mahatma
Gandhi. We will also see India Gate and the vast colonial buildings as we
navigate around the city.

*Standard Hotel*

Those on the flight inclusive package will depart for London this morning for
the daytime flight back to London; Land Only arrangements will finish after
check-out from the hotel.
**