The Rajasthan Diaries & The Holy Ganges

13Nights/14Days tour: An Introduction to Northern India.

A one of a kind journey into the land of Kings, exclusively designed for MEN only. Explore the highlights of Northern India including the famous Taj Mahal…some truly experiential & exclusive off the beaten-path destinations…and on to Varanasi, considered the oldest city in the world. Robin, the founder of Serene Journeys, is your resident tour director, curating and looking after every aspect throughout the experience. Robin has specifically handpicked a mix of traditional boutique & heritage accommodations to make your stay even more exciting.

DELHI – JODHPUR – GHANERAO – RANAKPUR – UDAIPUR – EKLINGJI – SHAHPURA – JAIPUR – ABHANERI – FATEHPUR SIKRI – AGRA – VARANASI – DELHI

11^thMar, Wed            Delhi arrival

 Kindly advise your flight details.

VIP meet & greet upon arrival. Please look for Serene Journeys placard at the arrival gate, as you walk out the aerobridge. Our airport rep will walk you through the immigration, baggage carousel and on to your private chauffeur.

Transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure.

With our compliments, indulge in a 60MIN complete relaxation and rejuvenation massage treatment and ease stressed muscles from your travels, by a male therapist. (Depending on availability of the therapist & your time of arrival)

Evening get together over dinner & meet your co-travellers. The first round of toss is on us.

Overnight at hotel (D)

12^thMar, Thu              Delhi

After breakfast, we go on a guided tour of Delhi. We drive past Lutyens New Delhi. Known as ‘Rajpath’ or ’Kings Way’- the wide tree lined avenues served as the capital city for the former British Empire. Among the buildings you drive past are the Secretariat buildings, Parliament House, Presidential Palace (Rashtrapathi Bhawan), and India Gate, a memorial to 82,000 soldiers of the undivided Indian Army who died in the period 1914–21.

Visit to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, the most prominent Sikh house of worship in Delhi, visit Agrasen ki Baori – a 60-meter long and 15-meter wide historical step well. Then visit the great Jama Masjid, the most important mosque in India. Then set off on an exciting rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk, inching your way through a maze of ox carts, cars and the occasional wandering cow, explore the spice markets, jewellery market & the clothes market.

Lunch stop with your guide at Chor Bizarre, serves pan-Indian cuisine. The dining rooms are designed to look like a thieves’ market. Chor Bizarre – A play on the phrase Chor Bazaar, or Thieves’ bazaar…

Continue to the Qutub Minar complex which has many historic monuments. The first mosque in India – The Quwwat-Ul- Islam – built from the dressed and carved stones of demolished temples lies in this complex. It establishes the political victory of Islam in Northern India. The Qutub Minar itself began in 1199 by Qutub ud din Aibak and was completed by his successors.

Rest of the day is at leisure/own activity

Overnight at hotel (B,L)

13^thMar, Fri                Delhi – Jodhpur (by flight)

Tentative flight 1255/1415

Transfer to the airport to board your flight to Jodhpur. Upon arrival, your guide will join you at the airport, and take you on a guided tour of Mehrangarh Fort & Jaswant Thada.

Mehrangarh Fort stands in splendour on a perpendicular cliff, four hundred feet above the sky line of Jodhpur. Burnished red sand stone, imposing, invincible and yet with a strange haunting beauty that beckons and includes Sukh Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal (palace rooms), Jaswant Thada, an imposing marble memorial to well-respected Maharaja of bygone days.

Later check in to the hotel.

Evening is at leisure, own activities.

Overnight at hotel (B)

14^thMar, Sat               Jodhpur – Ghanerao

Morning, your tour director will take you on a stroll around the market, clock tower. Return to the hotel for breakfast.

Drive to Ghanerao. Upon arrival check-in to the hotel. Later go on a village walk. Ghanerao is the only village in India with 33 Step-wells and beautiful quaint temples. Meet the locals & artisans or just sit by one of the step-well and enjoy the moment.

Evening is at leisure.

Overnight at hotel (B)

15^thMar, Sun              Ghanerao – Ranakpur – Udaipur

After breakfast, drive to Ranakpur to visit the stunning Jain temple with intricate carvings. Note shorts are not allowed to enter the temple, so wear appropriate pants accordingly. Audio guided tour.

Later continue to Udaipur. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel.

Afternoon pamper yourself with a spa treatment or indulge in a yoga class.

Overngiht at hotel (B)

16^thMar, Mon            Udaipur

Early breakfast and we go on a full day guided sightseeing tour of Udaipur.

Visit City Palace, a marble complex of palaces and galleries that offers unforgettable views of the lake and its surroundings. Take a private tour of the Crystal Gallery in Fateh Prakesh Palace, and stroll through Sahelion Ki Bari (Garden of the Maids of Honor). Also visit the Vintage and classic car collection museum. Visit Jagdish temple, walk and explore the small lanes around and return to the hotel to freshen up and brief rest.

Late afternoon go on a sunset boat cruise on Lake Pichola, stopover Jag Mandir. Then on to Bagore-ki-Haveli to watch the Indian traditional folk dance & puppet shows. We will then take a tuk-tuk to Ambrai, a Rajasthani cuisine restaurant by the lake side setting, overlooking the city palace.

Return to the hotel.

Overnight at hotel (B,D)

17^thMar, Tue              Udaipur – Eklingji – Shahpura

Early breakfast, drive to Udaipur en-route visiting Eklingji, dedicated to the Lord Shiva of the Hindu religion. Initially, the temple was built in 734 A.D. by Bappa Rawal. Since that time, Eklingji has been the ruling deity of Mewar rulers.

Continue to Shahpura. Upon arrival check-in to the hotel & brief rest. Rest by the pool and enjoy a 30 mins Indian champi/head massage.

Late afternoon, we drive to Dikhola village for a quick stroll followed by sundowner.

Home cooked dinner at the hotel with your host.

Overnight at hotel (B,D)

18^thMar, Wed            Shahpura – Jaipur

Morning feel free to stroll around the property walking trail, enjoy a cup of tea by the lake as you watch the morning birds.

Leisurely breakfast and we drive to Jaipur. Upon arrival check in to the hotel.

Rest of the day is at leisure, own activities.

Overnight at hotel (B)

19^thMar, Thu              Jaipur

Early breakfast we go on a guided sightseeing of Amber Fort, the former capital of royal Jaipur. 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 Aravalli 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. 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.

In the afternoon visit the sprawling City Palace, a superb marriage of the Rajput and Mughal styles of architecture. The seven storied Chandra Mahal (Moon Palace) is a sprawling complex with multiple courtyards, public buildings, astronomical observatory and zenana mahals (harems).

From the City Palace you enter the extraordinary “Jantar Mantar”, the astronomical observatory built by Raja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1827. Roughly translated the name means “The Formula of Instruments”. This is one of five observatories he built in northern India.

Then drive though the busy streets for a photography stop at Hawa Mahal, the ornate pink façade an icon of the city. These five storied high “screens” composed of projected windows, balconies protected by fine latticed screens was destined to enable the ladies of the harem to observe the lively street scenes of the city from a position of privacy and from here you continue into the Bazaar of the Old City of Jaipur.

Later come back to the hotel and rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight at hotel (B)

20^thMar, Fri                Jaipur – Abhaneri – Fatehpur Sikri – Agra

Early breakfast and we drive to Agra en-route visiting the stepwell (quick stop) and Fatehpur Sikri (guided).

Chand Baori is a stepwell built over a thousand years ago in the Abhaneri village of Rajasthan. It is one of the largest stepwells in the world and also one of the most beautiful ones. Located in the eastern part of the province of Rajasthan, it was built by King Chanda somewhere in the 9th century.

Fatehpur Sikriwas once the capital of the Mughal Empire. The city boasts of some of the
magnificent monuments of the medieval period. Akbar, the great Mughal Emperor, made it the capital but was later abandoned due to scarcity of water. The buildings at Fatehpur Sikri present a unique blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural styles. Some of the attractions at Fatehpur Sikri are the Panch Mahal, the Buland Darwaza and the Dargah of Sheikh Salim Chisti.

Continue to Agra. Upon arrival check-in to the hotel.

Rest of the day is at leisure, own activity.

Overnight at hotel (B)

21^stMar, Sat               Agra – Varanasi

By flight AI 406/AI405, 1355/1610, 35mins Layover in Khajuraho
(Mon, Wed & Sat only)

Early morning pay your first visit to the masterpiece, Taj Mahal at sunrise. Flawless in its proportions and breathtaking in its beauty, the Taj Mahal looks as though it were painted onto the sky itself — a vision of unrivalled magnificence. (CLOSED FRIDAYs).

Later come back for breakfast and brief rest. Transfer to the airport to board your flight to Varanasi.

Meet & greet upon arrival, transfer to the hotel.

At dusk, head to the banks of the sacred Ganges River to witness the Aarti ceremony. Take in the sounds of chanted prayers and rhythmic drumming as you watch the Hindu priests — holding lanterns to keep the darkness at bay and bid the gods and goddesses a restful slumber.

Overnight at hotel (B)

 22^ndMar, Sun             Varanasi

Rise early for a private sunrise cruise on the Ganges River for a view of the activity along the ghats (stone steps) leading down to the river, where the locals and pilgrims alike cleanse themselves, literally and spiritually. Followed by a visit to Akhara, a traditional gymnasium where Pehalwans (wrestlers) practice Kushti (Indian mud wrestling). There is something inherently sensual about kushti, an ancient form of wrestling practiced in India. (weather dependent)

Later come back for breakfast & brief rest.

We then continue to the nearby Sarnath, a park where Gautama Buddha is said to have given his first sermon 25 centuries ago.

Afternoon, we will then go on a walking tour of the Ganges and explore the streets, which are free from any vehicular traffic. Visit the cremation grounds of Hindus and understand why people want to spend their last days in Varanasi. Witness a stepwell for female fertility during this walking tour. Get up-close with a revered Sitar Player and his family over a cup of tea and local savouries. Witness how bio-degradable statues are made by the Bengali Community. Visit the main Ghat where the Ganges Aarti is performed and visit the place where the famous Indian Epic- Ramcharitmanas was written. Witness the place where Sadhus (Ascetics) live in ‘Juna Akhara’

Overnight at hotel (B)

23^rdMar, Mon            Varanasi – Delhi

Tentative flight 1530/1705

Morning is at leisure/own activity.

Transfer to airport to board your flight to Delhi. Meet & greet upon arrival and transfer to the airport hotel.

Farewell dinner at the hotel. The first round of toss is on us.

Overnight at hotel (B,D)

24^thMar, Tue              Delhi departure

 Kindly advise your flight details.

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

 

HOTELS:

DESTINATIONS	HOTEL
DELHI (2N)	The Claridges (Heritage Style)
JODHPUR (1N)	Haveli Inn Pal (Boutique Heritage)
GHANERAO (1N)	Ghanerao Castle (Heritage Royal Family owned)
UDAIPUR (2N)	Bujra Fort (Heritage Luxury)
SHAHPURA (1N)	Shahpura Bagh (Heritage Royal Family owned)
JAIPUR (2N)	Alsisar Haveli (Heritage)
AGRA (1N)	The Coral Court (Boutique B&B)
VARANASI (2N)	Guleria Kothi (Heritage Boutique)
DELHI (1N)	Aloft Aerocity (Modern Luxury)

 

INCLUSIONS:

• 13 night’s hotel accommodation on Bed & Breakfast basis unless specified.
• Arrival & departure assistance at airport
• VIP meet and greet on arrival in Delhi
• Transportation using an air-conditioned AC 10-seater Maharaja.
• Services of English-speaking local guides as per the program
• FULL-time resident tour director.
• Entrances fee to the monuments as per the program (01-time visit)
• A 60mins massage in Delhi to relax & rejuvenate (time & schedule as per availability of the therapist)
• Welcome dinner in Delhi.
• Lunch at Chor Bizarre
• Village walk in Ghanerao
• Spa treatment / Yoga class in Bujra Fort.
• Sunset boat cruise on lake Pichola, sharing basis.
• Visit to Bagore ki Haveli
• Dinner at Ambrai by the lake.
• Champi head massage in Shahpura Bagh, 30mins.
• Sundowner drinks at Dikhola fort in Shahpura Bagh
• Home cooked dinner with the family in Shahpura Bagh
• Visit Taj Mahal at Sunrise
• Aarti ceremony at dusk in Varanasi
• Sunrise boat cruise in Varanasi & visit to Akhara, Indian mud wrestling
• Walking tour of Ganges
• Farewell dinner
• Domestic flights for sectors Delhi – Jodhpur, Agra – Varanasi, Varanasi – Delhi (economy class)
• All presently applicable taxes

 

COST:

PER PERSON ON TWIN SHARING:     $3998 inclusive taxes

SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT:           $1476

Payment Schedule:

• Deposit Per Person at Time of Booking: 50% (full-payment if within 120 days of departure).
• Final Payment Due: 120 days prior to departure.

Cancellation Fees Per Person:

• 121 days prior to departure or more: 10% of the tour price.
• 120-91 days prior to departure: 20% of the tour price.
• 90-61 days prior to departure: 50% of the tour price.
• 60 days prior to departure or less: 100% of the tour price.

Cancellations must be received in writing.

NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR:

• Travel Insurance; international airfares.
• Costs associated with obtaining passports or entry visas.
• Excess baggage charges; gratuities to local guides / the Resident Tour Director.
• Meals other than those specified in the itinerary; room service, beverages other than those noted in inclusions above.
• Sightseeing not included in the published itinerary; and personal expenses such as laundry, telephone and optional activities (which are subject to availability).

HOTEL CHECK-IN & CHECK-OUT:

Most hotels allow check-in to take place during the mid-afternoon while check-out is expected by noon. Should you wish to have a guaranteed room ready for your immediate check-in upon arrival or late-check-out, it can be arranged for an additional charge.

ROOM UPGRADES/SPECIAL REQUESTS:

Upgrades are available on request at individual hotels. Specific requests such as adjacent or connecting rooms, bedding requests, smoking rooms and special dietary needs should be advised at time of booking. Please note that while every effort will be made to secure a special request, it cannot be guaranteed.

BAGGAGE:

Please note should your journey include internal/domestic flights, your luggage allowance may be less than two (2) pieces of baggage and weight/size restrictions. Standard check-in baggage allowance is 15Kg and additional costs may apply.

TRAVEL INSURANCE:

Travel insurance is not included in the price of the program and is recommended. Please purchase a good Travel Protection Program (which provides cancellation coverage, medical coverage and protection against lost or stolen or damaged luggage)

PHOTOGRAPHY DURING TRAVEL:

SJ reserves the right to take photographs and video during the operation of any tour and to use them for promotional purposes during the program and thereafter. By booking a program with SJ, guests agree to allow their images to be used in such photographs and video. Guests who prefer that their images not be used are asked to identify themselves to their Resident Tour Director at the beginning of their program.