Detail
Itinerary
Day 01 Delhi
Arrival at Delhi
Compass representative will meet and assist
you at the international airport ad transfer
you to the hotel.
DELHI, the capital of kingdoms
and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with
a fascinating blend of the past and the present.
Delhi is a perfect introduction to the composite
culture of an ancient land and a window to the
kaleidoscope - that is India.
Overnight will be at Delhi.
Day 02 Delhi
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Start with the sightseeing of
Old Delhi.
The tour will begin with a visit to
Raj
Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma
Gandhi; enjoy the tour of
Red Fort which
has been restored largely in the last few years.
The magnificent Red Fort, overlooking the river
Jamuna was built during the years 1638 - 48
when the Moghul Empire was at its peak.
Take the
bicycle rickshaw continuing
to the
Jama Masjid, one of
Asia’s largest mosques. People stream
in and out of the mosque continuously and the
presence of a nearby bazaar means that the area
is rarely quiet.
Visit the GANDHI SAMADHI where the great leader
is remembered by his country.
Drive to
New Delhi, which reflects
the legacy the British left behind. The division
between New and Old Delhi is the division between
the capitals of the British and the Mughals
respectively. The division in the walled city
and New Delhi also marks the division in the
life-styles. The walled city is all tradition
where one will be able to glean a past life-style
in all its facets, colours and spells. New Delhi
in contrast, is a city trying to live up to
the best of 21st century standards.
Imperial Delhi will include the
Qutub
Minar, the tallest stone tower in India
and the
Humayun’s Tomb
which is one of the great monuments of Delhi.
There is a saying that this monument was the
inspiration for the Taj Mahal hence it is a
must to see this place and enjoy the architecture.
Visit the LOTUS TEMPLE of the BAHAI sect which
represents the modern architecture of India.
The tour also includes a drive past the imposing
India Gate, the
Parliament
building and the
Rastrapathi
Bhawan, the President’s residence.
End the tour and return to the hotel. Relax
in the evening.
Overnight will be in Delhi.
Day 03: Delhi –
Amritsar
By Train
Train Number
: 2029
Train Name
: Amritsar Shatabdi Express
Departure
: 0720 hrs
Arrival
: 1315 hrs
Compass representative will transfer you to
the railway station as per the train timings
to Amritsar.
Breakfast will be on board.
Reach Amritsar. Meet and assist at the station
and transfer to the Hotel.
Amritsar, home to the Golden Temple is one of
the most ancient and fascinating cities of India.
It is an important seat of Sikh history and
culture. Being the gateway for travellers coming
to India on the overland route from central
Asia it soon became the centre of various commercial
activities. There are various historical and
religious sites - see Amritsar City Map. The
most famous of them all in the Golden Temple
which was founded by the fourth Guru of Sikhs,
Guru Ramdas and completed by his successor Guru
Arjan Dev. There are a number of cotton, woollen
and art silk textile factories besides other
industries dealing with electric goods, sewing
machines, auto parts, carpets. The milk processing
plant at Verka about 6 kms from the center is
the second biggest project of its kind in the
country. Amritsar is India’s leading exporter
of goods to the Middle-East, leading distribution
centre of dry fruits, tea and condiments. It
is also a shopper’s paradise and a gourmet’s
delight. Amritsar is the world’s leading
centre of Punjabi publications.
Proceed for the sightseeing.
Golden Temple: Sri Harmandir
Sahib, also know as the Golden Temple in
Amritsar
is the holiest shrine of the Sikh religion.
Also known as the Shri Darbar Sahib, it is in
the center of the old part of Amritsar. The
Golden Temple sits on a rectangular platform,
surrounded by a pool of water called the Amrit
Sarovar from which the City is named. The entrance
to the Golden Temple complex is through an ornate
archway with intricate inlay work. Verses from
the Granth Sahib are inscribed on the doorway.
The main north entrance is under a Victorian
clock tower. Known as the Darshani Deori, the
entrance is up a flight of steps and down again
to the temple and holy tank. The temple is a
two storey marble structure reached by a causeway
known as Guru’s Bridge. The lower storey
is in white marble with the walls decorated
with inlaid flower and animal motifs in the
pietradura style of the Taj Mahal. The architecture
of the golden temple is a blend of the Hindu
and Muslim styles. The temple building has four
entrances instead of the usual single entry.
This is symbolic of the openness of Sikhism
and indicates that followers of all faiths are
allowed inside. The walls within are decorated
with carved wooden panels and elaborate inlay
work in silver and gold. The Adi Granth, compiled
by Guru Arjan Dev, rests on a throne beneath
a jewel-encrusted canopy. Priests conduct continuous
recitation of verses from the holy book in 3-hour
shifts. A complete reading of the text stakes
48 hours. The original copy of the Guru Granth
Sahib is kept under pink shroud in the, Golden
Temple during the day and at around 10 p.m.
each day is ceremoniously returned to the Akal
Takht (Sikh Parliament) building. The morning
processional ceremony takes place at 4 a.m.
in summer and at 5 a.m. in winter, when Sri
Guru Granth Sahib is bought from Akal takhat
Sahib in a procession to the Sanctum Sanctorum,
which is washed with milk. The Akal Takht, next
to the Golden Temple, is the seat of the Shiromani
Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, the religious
governing body of the Sikhs. The building of
the Akal Takht was begun by Guru Arjan Dev and
completed in 1609 by Guru Hargobind. If
you miss the early morning or evening processions,
the palanquin that bears the Adi Granth can
be seen in the treasury room on the first floor
of the Akal Takht. The palanquin is set with
precious stones and has silver poles and a gold
canopy.
Overnight stay will be in Amritsar.
Day 04 Amritsar
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel. Proceed for the
sightseeing tour.
Summer place of Maharaja Ranjit Singh:
Is situated in the middle of a beautiful garden
called Ram Bagh. This garden is laid out on
the pattern of Shalimar Bagh at Lahore. Only
its architecturally unique ´Darshani deorhi´
has remained intact. A museum after the name
of the Maharaja is set up here displaying oil
paintings, miniatures, coins, abd weapons relating
to the Sikh period.
JALIAN WALA BAGH: Amritsar
Massacre: This place noted for its most notorious
massacre under British rule. It is 400 meters
north of the Golden Temple. The British General
Dyer was the Lieutenant Governor of the province
in 1919. He banned all meetings and demonstrations
led by Indians against the economical set back
by World War I. On 13 April 1919, pilgrims poured
into Amritsar to celebrate the Baisakhi festival,
a holiday in the Sikh calendar. In the afternoon
thousands of people gathered at Jallian Wala
Bagh to celebrate the Baisakhi. This ground
surrounded by high walls on all sides has only
a narrow alley for access. General Dyer personally
led the troops to the sight and ordered his
men to open fire without any warning. It resulted
in the death of 379 and injured more than 1200.
India was outraged by Dyer’s massacre.
Gandhiji called for a nation wide strike and
started the Non-cooperation Movement, which
became an important mile stone in the struggle
for India’s Independence. Today this ground
has been changed to a park and it has a pleasant
garden. There is a narrow path between the houses
which leads to the lawn of the park. At the
entrance there is a memorial plaque which recounts
the history. There is a well on the north side
in which many people who tried to escape from
the bullets were drowned, and remnants of walls
have been preserved to show the bullet holes.
At the east end of the garden there is a large
memorial built in memory of those who died here.
Wagha Border: The international
border between India and Pakistan. The pomp
and pageantry of the Beating Retreat and the
Change of Guard within handshaking distance
of the Indian and Pakistani forces makes for
a most charming spectacle.
Overnight stay will be in Amritsar.
Day 05Amritsar –
Delhi – Agra
By Train
Train Number
: 2014
Train Name
: Shatabdi Express
Departure
: 0510 hrs
Arrival
: 1105 hrs
Delhi – Agra
By Road
201 km / 04 hr
Compass representative will transfer you to
the railway station as per the train timings
to Delhi.
Breakfast will be on board. Reach Delhi and
drive to Agra.
On your way, visit the famous monument at SIKNDRA.
SIKANDRA – This beautifully
maintained monument is where EMPEROR AKBAR was
buried. It is a very low profile monument but
it has one of the most awe – inspiring
tombs. It is surreal how one of the greatest
emperors has been put to rest. The manicured
lawns has spotted and other varieties of deer
roaming in them. Named after the Afghan ruler
Sikander Lodi, Sikandra is the final resting
place of Emperor Akbar. The Emperor began the
construction of his own garden mausoleum during
his lifetime. However, the construction was
completed by his son Jahangir in 1613. An impressive
marble - inlaid gateway leads to the spacious
four - tiered monument which is crowned by a
white marble cenotaph and screen. What is interesting
is that the structure imbibes the best of Hindu,
Christian, Islamic, Buddhist, Jain motifs, signifying
the new religion started by Akbar – the
DEEN E ILAHI.
Reach and check in at hotel.
AGRA: Two great Mughal monarchs,
Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little
village of Agra into a befitting second capital
of the Mughal Empire - giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat
{seat of the Emperor}. Today a visitor to Agra
is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices,
of red sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys
and quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm
that this favorite city of the Mughals still
retains. It is not surprising, that modern Agra
still reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously.
A walk down the narrow bustling streets of the
city will introduce the visitor to the wafting
aroma of Mughlai cuisine.
Overnight will be at Agra.
Day 06 Agra –
Bharatpur
By Road
55 km / 01 hr
Proceed
for day sightseeing of Agra after breakfast.
TAJ MAHAL - Little needs to
be said about this architectural wonder which
is always the soul raison-de-etre for every
tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah Jahan,
the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful
wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years
to be completed and was designed, and planned
by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its
stunning design balance and perfect symmetry,
the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant
domes, intricately carved screens and some of
the best inlay work ever seen.
AGRA FORT –The red sandstone
structure is surrounded by chahar-bagh, a four-square
formal garden. Built by the famed Mughal emperor
Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort is predominantly
of red sandstone. Ensconced within is
the picture perfect Pearl Mosque, which is a
major tourist attraction. It lies on the bend
of the river Yamuna, almost in the heart of
the town. Akbar built it as his citadel over
the years 1563-73 in the finest architectural
style. It has imposing gates and walls of red
sandstone and a moat.
Drive to Bharatpur en-route visiting Fatehpur
Sikri.
Fatehpur Sikri is 37 km west
of Agra. Jajal-ud-din-Muhammad Akbar, Humanyun's
son, accessed the throne at the tender age of
14. While hunting around Sikri his curiosity
was aroused by the songs of some minstrels about
the celebrated Khwaja -Mu'inu'd-din Chisti,
the founder of the Chisti order of SUFIS. Akbar,
who was without a male heir heard about Saint
Salim Chisti and visited him in the year 1568,
the saint blessed him with 3 sons and in gratitude
Akbar ordered the great mosque of Fatehpur Sikri,
built under his supervision. As a mark of respect
to the saint, Akbar shifted his capital to Fatehpur
Sikri and built various secular buildings like
the Diwan -I-Am, Diwan-I-Khas, Jodhabai palace,
Birbal's house, Marian's house and the Panchmahal.
Reach
Bharatpur by early evening.
One of the finest bird parks in the world, Bharatpur
Bird Sanctuary (Keoladeo Ghana National Park)
is a reserve that offers protection to faunal
species as well. Nesting indigenous water- birds
as well as migratory water birds and waterside
birds, this sanctuary is also inhabited by Sambar,
Chital, Nilgai and Boar The major attractions
of tourists visiting the park are the numerous
migratory birds, who come from as far away as
Siberia and Central Asia and spend their winters
in Bharatpur, before returning to their breeding
grounds. Migratory birds at Bharatpur bird sanctuary
include, several species of Cranes, Pelicans,
Geese, Ducks, Eagles, Hawks, Shanks, Stints,
Wagtails, Warblers, Wheatears, Flycatchers,
Buntings, Larks and Pipits, etc.
Take a walk in the evening of the outskirts
trying to see some nesting bird species endemic
to this particular park.
Overnight stay will be in Bharatpur.
Day 07 Bharatpur –
Jaipur
By Road 176 km / 03
hr
Take an early morning rickshaw ride in the park
after a hot breakfast.
Freshen up and drive to beautiful Pink City
of Jaipur.
Reach and check into the hotel. Relax.
Jaipur is the capital of the state of Rajasthan
a romantic realm of resplendent palaces, mighty
fortresses and regal Maharajahs that lies in
the western deserts and is an utterly unique
part of India. Proudly belonging to the KSHATRIYA
warrior caste and fiercely independent, the
Rajput princes made fearsome foes. However,
many of them realized that to maintain their
wealth and authority locally, it was expedient
to proclaim allegiance to the central power.
Thus, many enjoyed a privileged position under
the Mughal emperors and also the British Raj
that followed.
The bustling Rajasthan capital of Jaipur takes
its name from its venerated founder Jai Singh
II, who was given the title Sawai Maharaja by
the Mughal. Literally translated this would
mean ’one and a quarter’, suggesting
that the Mughal thought this emperor to be more
valuable than just ‘one’. Jaipur
is known as the ’Pink City’ on account
of the distinctive colour of its buildings.
This did not, however, form part of the original
plan, but dates back to 1856, when the city
was given a wash of pink in honor of a State
Visit from Prince Albert.
This evening, visit the Birla Temple to learn
more about the fascinating religious life of
Jaipur. The marble structure, built as recently
as 1985, houses ornate statues including one
of Lakshmi (goddess of Wealth and Beauty) and
Narayan dressed in gaudy robes, representing
a Hindu vision of heavenly luxury. Carvings
in the temple and on pillars supporting the
covered walkways include images of the Hindu
pantheon, as well as Jesus, the Blessed Virgin
Mary and St Francis of Assisi. Your visit will
coincide with the AARTI Ceremony, which involves
oil lamps being lit and waved, in order to awake
and invoke the deity. Enjoy the experience and
spend night at Jaipur.
Overnight will be in Jaipur.
Day 08 Jaipur
Breakfast will be at Hotel.
Proceed for a morning excursion to Amber Fort
after breakfast. Elephant ride ascent to the
fort.
AMBER FORT PALACE – Amber
is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace.
Its construction was started by Man Singh I
in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai
Singh I. Its forbidding exterior belies
an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of
Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate expression.
At the foot of the hill you will mount your
caparisoned elephant for the slow but steady
climb up to the main gate, making your entrance
in the time honoured fashion. The Fort, completed
in the early 18th century, took over 100 years
to build and now, although deserted, offers
a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of
the Moghul ruling families.
Continue sightseeing.
CITY PALACE – A delightful
blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture,
the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of
the area in the walled city. It houses
the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and
the City Palace Museum.
JANTAR MANTAR – This
is the largest and the best preserved of the
five observatories built by Jai Singh II in
different parts of the country. This observatory
consisting of outsized astronomical instruments
is still in use.
HAWA MAHAL – The ornamental
facade of this "Palace of Winds" is
a prominent landmark in Jaipur. It is
a five-storey structure of sandstone plastered
pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate
balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows.
Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was
a royal grandstand for the palace women.
This afternoon is free for you to relax, shop
or explore independently. Shopping is superb
in Jaipur, particularly for gold and silver
jewellery, pottery, tie-dye materials, silk,
saris, wooden handicrafts and carpets.
Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day 09 Jaipur –
Jodhpur
By Road 342 km / 06
hr
Enjoy early breakfast in the hotel.
Proceed for Jodhpur. Reach and check in at Hotel.
Set at the edge of the THAR Desert, the imperial
city of
Jodhpur echoes with
tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert.
Once the capital of the Marwar state, it was
founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha-chief of the
RATHORE clan of Rajputs who claimed to be descendants
of Rama - the epic hero of the RAMAYANA. It
is also referred as the
Blue City,
due to the indigo tinge of the whitewashed houses
around the Mehrangarh Fort (the old city). The
blue houses were originally for Brahmins but
non-Brahmins soon joined in, as the colour was
said to deflect the heat and keep mosquitoes
away. Jodhpur lies near the geographic center
of Rajasthan state, which makes it a convenient
base for travel in a region much frequented
by tourists. The old city of Jodhpur is surrounded
by a thick stone wall. The wall has six huge
gates called Nagauri gate, Merati gate, Sojati
gate, Jalori gate, Siwanchi gate and Chand pol.
Drive to the BISHNOI VILLAGES for a short jeep
safari.
Visit the BISHNOI VILLAGES and have a rare glimpse
into the rich culture and true essence of India.
This village is inhabited by the Bishnoi community.
They are staunch believers in the sanctity of
plant and animal life. Villages are marked by
Khejri trees and deer which thrive. Memorable
moments of the great desert landscape fascinates
one while driving along the countryside
Overnight stay will be in Jodhpur.
Day 10
Jodhpur
Breakfast will be at Hotel. Enjoy the sightseeing
tour of the city.
Mehrangarh Fort: Situated on
a steep hill, Mehrangarh fort is one of the
largest forts in India. The beauty and the grandeur
of numerous palaces in the fort narrates a saga
of hard sandstones yielding to the chisels of
skilled Jodhpuri sculptures. Mehrangarh Fort,
spreading over 5 km on a perpendicular hill
and looking down 125 meters, presents a majestic
view on city horizon. It was built on advice
of a saint in 1459 to establish an impregnable
head-quarter. This Fort is one of the best in
India with its exquisitely latticed windows,
carved panels, elaborately adorned windows and
walls of Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal.
A collection of musical instruments, palanquins,
royal costumes, furniture and the cannons on
the fort's ramparts are well preserved.
Jaswant Thada:
Close
to the fort complex, lies Jaswant Thada. This
19th century royal cenotaph built in white marble
in commemoration of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II
and three other cenotaphs, stand nearby. The
cenotaph of Maharaja Jaswant Singh holds the
rare portraits of the rulers and Maharajas of
Jodhpur. A visit inside the cenotaphs, with
some villagers of the region, would bring forward
the reverence they still hold for their brave
kings.
Umaid Bhawan Palace: The romantic
looking Umaid Bhawan Palace was actually built
with the purpose of giving employment to the
people of Jodhpur during a long drawn famine.
The royal family of Jodhpur still lives in a
part of the palace.Another part of the palace
houses a well-maintained museum, displaying
an amazing array of items belonging to the Maharaja
and the royal family - weapons, antiques &
fascinating clocks, crockery and trophies
Overnight stay will be at Hotel.
Day 11 Jodhpur –
Ranakpur – Narlai:
By Road 160 km / 04
hr
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel. Proceed to Ranakpur.
Enjoy sightseeing.
The
RANAKPUR TEMPLES, dating
back to the 15th century have 200 pillars, none
of which are alike, support its 29 halls. The
Temple abounds with intricate friezes and sculptures.
Includes visits to two more Jain temples and
the Temple of the Sun God with its erotic sculptures.
After lunch proceed to Narlai. Reach and check
in to the hotel.
This morning, after an early breakfast, walk
into the village of Narlai. As many of the villagers
prepare to leave for their day’s work
in the fields by mid-morning, walk through its
narrow lanes just as the village is coming to
life. It is a very authentic experience and
our reception is very special where our presence
is not considered one of a visitor but of a
cherished guest. Narlai is very untouched by
modernization and visitors are rare. Visit an
active Hindu Temple and also one of the many
examples of Jain Temples in this village.
Towards the end of the visit reach the village
school, where you’ll visit with the students
in different classrooms and take part in a short
lesson.
Evening enjoy the OPIUM CEREMONY. Overnight
stay will be in Narlai.
Day 12 Narlai –
Kumbhalgarh - Udaipur:
By Road 140 km / 03
hr
Breakfast will be at Hotel.
Proceed to Udaipur en-route visit Kumbhalgarh.
Cradled in the cluster of thirteen mountain
peaks of the Aravalli ranges, the formidable
medieval citadel- Kumbalgarh stands a wary sentinel
to the past glory. Rising from a prominent ridge,
1914 metres high from the sea level, the fort
was built in 15th century AD by Maharana Kumbha
(1419-63 AD) and is the principal fortification
after Chittaurgarh, lying 90 km north-west of
Udaipur.
The massive fort, encompassed by a 36-km long
wall, has seven majestic gates and seven ramparts,
one within the other. Rounded bastions and high
watchtowers strengthen the crenellated walls
of the fort making it an impregnable structure.
Reach Udaipur and check in at hotel.
The city of Dawn, Udaipur is a lovely land around
the azure lake, hemmed in by the lush hills
of the ARAVALLIS. A vision in white drenched
in romance and beauty, Udaipur is a fascinating
blend of sights, sound and experiences and inspiration
for the imagination of poets, painters and writers.
Its kaleidoscope of fairy-tale palaces, lakes,
temples, gardens and narrow lanes strewn with
stalls, carry the flavor of a heroic past, epitomizing
valor and chivalry. Their reflection in the
placid waters of the LAKE PICHOLA is an enticing
sight.
Udaipur is the jewel of MEWAR – a kingdom
ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1200 Years.
Proceed for Evening Motor launch cruise on the
placid waters of Lake Pichola. From the boat
you will be able to view the city of Udaipur
as it rises majestically above the lake in the
middle of the Rajasthan desert. Also visit the
Jag Mandir Palace - the other island palace
in the middle of the lake. Spend some time at
the Jag Mandir Palace.
Overnight will be at Udaipur.
Day 13 Udaipur:
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed for sightseeing tour of Udaipur, stopping
first at City Palace.
City Palace: Standing on the
east bank of lake Pichola, is a massive series
of palaces built at different times from 1559
A.D. Thebalconiesof the palace provide panoramic
views of "Jag Niwas" (the world wide
famous Lake palace hotel), Jag Mandir on one
side and on the other the city of Udaipur. Its
main entrance is through the triple-arched gate
- the Tripolia, built in 1725. The way now leads
to a series of courtyards, overlapping parations,
terraces, corridors and gardens - a harmonic
profusion hard to describe. There is a Suraj
Gokhda, where the maharanas of Mewar presented
themselves in the times of trouble to the people
to restore confidence. The Mor-chowk (Peacock
courtyard), gets its name from the vivid mosaics
in glass decorating its walls. The chini chitrashala
is noteworthy while a series of wall paintings
of KRISHNA are on display in Bhim Vilas. There
are numerous other palaces such as Dilkhush
mahal, Sheesh mahal, Moti mahal and Krishna
vilas - in memory of a princess of striking
beauty who poisoned herself to avert a bloody
battle for her hand by rival princess. Now the
palace contains many antique articles, paintings,
decorative furniture and utensils and attracts
thousands of visitors every day.
Here you will marvel at rooms with mirrored
walls and ivory doors, colored glass windows
and inlaid marble balconies and the Peacock
Courtyard.
Saheliyon ki Bari: Maharana
Sangram singh builds this in the mid 18th century.
The 'garden of the maidens' brings to mind the
lifestyle of the ladies of the court. The delightful
gardens appear discreet and in impeccable taste.
There are four pools with dainty kiosks, and
all around are flowerbeds, lawns, pools and
fountains protected by a series of walls and
shady trees. The Foundation of the Sahelion
ki bari functions solely by water pressure and
no pumps are used. The garden has a lotus pool,
a sitting room decorated with paintings and
glass mosaics. The whole ambiences is flavored
by the nostalgia of those beautiful bells enjoying
themselves in a lavish aura.
Bagore ki Haveli:
This
is a very congenial old building built right
on the waterfront of Lake Pichola at Gangori
Ghat. Amir Chand Badwa, the Prime Minister of
Mewar built it in the eighteenth century. The
palace has over hundred rooms and some very
interesting display of costumes and modern art.
The glass and mirror in the interiors of the
Haveli delicate work and well preserved too.
It also preserves a fine example of Mewar Painting
on the walls of Queen's Chamber. The two peacocks
made from small pieces of colored glasses are
fine examples of glasswork. After the death
Badwa the building became the property of Mewar
State. It came to be occupied by Maharana Shakti
Singh of Bagore who built the palace of the
three arches also in 1878 and it acquired its
name of Bagore-ki-haveli, the house of Bagore.
After independence the structure lay in neglect
until 1986 when it housed the West Zone Cultural
centre.
Jagdish Temple:
The
temple is situated in the middle of the city.
The temple of Jagannath Rai, now called Jagdish-ji,
is a major monument and should be seen carefully.
Raised on a tall terrace and completed in 1651,
it is a tribute alike to the tenacity of its
builders and the resilence of the art tradition
it represents. It attaches a double storeyed
Mandapa (hall) to a double - storied, saandhara
(that having a covered ambulatory) sanctum.
The mandapa has another storey tucked within
its pyramidal samavarna (bell - roof) while
the hollow clustered spire over the sanctum
contains two more, non - functional stories.
Lanes taking off from many of the sheharpanah
(city wall) converge on the Jagdish Temple and
walking leisurely through them brings you face
with the many layers of the cultural palimpsest
that Udaipur is. It was built by Maharana Jagat
Singh Ist in 1651 A.D.
Overnight stay will be at Udaipur.
Day 14 Udaipur –
Pushkar
By Road 219 km / 05
hr
Proceed for Pushkar after breakfast at the hotel.
Amongst the grandeur of Rajasthan, discover
a unique gem - Pushkar. Lord Brahma - The creator
of the world in a search for his abode on earth,
performed the supremely spiritual
VEDIC
YAGNA at Pushkar. It is thus the site
of the only Brahma Temple in the world. The
place is a mellow, serene and bewitching little
town which attracts those in search of some
respite from the tumult of India. Pushkar is
right on the edge of the desert and is only
11 km from Ajmer but separated from it by Nag
Pahar – the snake mountain.
The town clings to the side of the small Pushkar
Lake with its many bathing ghats and temples.
For Hindus, Puhskar is a very important pilgrimage
centre and you'll see plenty of Sadhus (individuals
on a spiritual search).
Pushkar boasts temples, though few are as ancient
as you might expect at such an important pilgrimage
site, since many were deserted by Aurangzeb
and subsequently rebuilt. The most famous is
the
Brahma Temple, said to
be one of the few temples in the world dedicated
to this deity. It's marked by red spire, and
over the entrance gateway is the hans, or goose
symbol, of Brahma, who is said to have personally
chosen Pushkar as its site.
Blessed with cultural blends, it is the venue
for the famous Pushkar Fair, with people coming
from all over Asia to buy and sell cattle of
breeds from across the world. A city of Pilgrimage
from time immemorial with over 500 temples and
Ghats Pushkar begets a legacy of timeless architectural
heritage. Pushkar radiates an ambience of peace
and spirituality that casts a lure to visit
again and again. The Pushkar fair is amongst
the largest cattle fairs in the world and amongst
the oldest cities in India, with references
in mythology and the Mahabharat.
There are 52 bathing Ghats, which are linked
to the lunar calendar, enclose the lake. Each
Ghat has its own miraculous qualities and powers
of healing and this city of temples has over
500 temples built over different eras with varied
architectural styles. It is also often referred
to as the rose garden of Rajasthan - the essence
of the famous Pushkar rose is exported the world
over.
Spend evening visiting the GHATS and the local
market.
Overnight will be at PUSHKAR.
Day 15 Pushkar –
Delhi
By Train
Train Number
: 2016
Train Name
: Shatabdi Express
Departure
: 1550 hrs
Arrival
: 2240 hrs
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel. Relax for the
first half of the day.
Proceed to the railway station as per the train
timings to Delhi.
Reach Delhi. Meet and assist at the station
and transfer to the Hotel.
Overnight stay will be at Delhi.
Day 16 Departure from
Delhi
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel.
After the check out proceed for sopping which
is very exciting at Delhi.
Later enjoy the FAREWELL DINNER before you proceed
to the international airport as per the flight
timings with the sweet memories of INDIA..
What cultural considerations should one take
care of while touring in India?
India has a very traditional and religious society.
Its cultures and customs are very different
to western cultural ideas. We ask you as guests
in this amazing country to respond to these
sometimes-bizarre differences with sensitivity
and respect.
We do request you to dress conservatively -
both men and women should wear clothing that
covers knees and shoulders (when visiting mosques
and temples). Nudity is totally taboo, when
swimming please do wear a swimsuit.
Try to avoid any public display of affection.
When entering mosques, temples and places of
religious worship or private homes - please
remove your shoes. Many Hindu temples are not
open to non-Hindus. Always ask permission before
entering. Mosques may have limited visiting
times for non-Muslims.
Some detailed information about passport
& visa:
Passport
You must be in possession of a valid passport,
which will not expire for at least six months
after your journey is due to end. It should
have to clear pages for entry and exit stamps
as well as your visa.
A wise precaution is to carry a photocopy of
your passport kept separately, extremely useful
in the event of loss or theft.
Visa
All visitors to India require a visa that must
be obtained from an Indian High Commission or
Consulate. You would need to use two addresses
in India and do let us know for the same as
it is normal to give our company's (COMPASS
INDIA) and our director's address on the same.
For postal applications passports should be
sent by registered post and include a registered
post paid return addressed envelope. Applications
should be on the official visa form available
from a local travel agent. Alternatively in
some countries the form can be downloaded from
the Embassies' official WEBSITE. All applications
should include 3 passport-sized photographs.
Your local travel agent or nearest Embassy will
be able to inform you of the latest application
fee.
Where to shop and how to be sure of the product
& the price? Should we be confident of going
with the guide?
India can be described as a shopper's paradise
with products such as hand-woven rugs, inlaid
marble, semi-precious stone jewelry, silk fabrics,
brassware, etc. India's diversity is expressed
though the creation of master craftspeople.
Each state has a unique handicraft to proudly
reflect the inherited and improved skills to
near perfection. Souvenir shops and art &
craft emporiums are to be found everywhere.
Consult your guidebook or the local guides and
people. Usually the "pavement markets"
do not guarantee the products and they do not
accept credit / debit cards. Genuine products
can only be guaranteed at a government showroom
or branded showroom, i.e. Cottage Industries,
etc.
Shopping can be one of the ways to interact
with a local. For people who like to bargain,
shopping is a true pleasure. For others, fixed
priced stores are a relief. Whatever transaction
you prefer, we hope your purchase that was made
in India, will remind you of your trip.
Yes, the guides do take you to shops and showrooms,
while you are on tour. You can say "no"
when you don't want to visit the shops or not
interested in shopping with a guide. But when
you do visit the store with the guide, you do
not necessarily pay a higher price for a substandard
product. As this is a worldwide phenomenon,
we accept it too with its "blues".
What we have done is, selected a few stores
both privately owned & government owned
but in both cases Government recognized) at
important destinations, where we are sure of
two things;
1) Quality of the product
2) The product if too heavy should be delivered
at your doorstep without any extra cost even
if the extra cost needs to be added to the price
of the product.
As for price, some are fixed price & some
are bargain shops. So go ahead and have FUN!!!
For lists of authorized shops do let us know.
How is one sure of the authenticity / qualification
/ credentials of the guides?
We have a panel of guides with ranks and only
use them, and in most cases they would be satisfactory.
Government licensed guides are always preferred
by Compass India Inc. There are training courses
and exams for the same and chances are less
that you will be unhappy if you go with one.
Their daily rates and wages are Government fixed.
Note that the guide usually is there during
lunch and it is not an obligation to buy him/her
lunch. If there are ever any problems 9The Guide
cannot speak the language well, too fast while
you would like to spend more time at the monuments,
etc. do let us know so that we can change the
guide.
Are the monument entrance fees included in
the tour cost?
The monument entrance fees are usually not
included in the tour cost. It is not a problem
when the same is included but when it is not,
you need to keep small change for the same.
Usually you need to take the tickets yourself
but can request the guide who would be happy
to oblige. We also have detailed lists of monuments
with the entrance fees and camera charges. Do
request us for the same if you want to have
a good idea when the same is not included in
your tour cost.
General Information:
Insurance
While traveling in India it is important that
you obtain good personal travel insurance from
an insurance agent in your country. A suitable
policy will include an unlimited amount for
medical, hospital and additional health associated
costs.
Most policies cover loss of baggage, personal
money (usually limited) delay and curtailment.
Do make sure your policy covers you for unexpected
cancellation of your trip in this unlikely event
you will then be covered for financial cost.
You should carry your insurance policy with
you at all time, preferably in your relevant
details in a separate place, with your passport
photocopy.
Tipping
Tipping is an inherent part of life in India.
It is one of the most effective ways to communicate
how you felt about the service provided. It
is common practice to tip porters, drivers,
wait staff, toilet attendants and guides. It
is not necessary to tip rickshaw drivers. Please
note that you are not obliged to tip and it
is entirely to your discretion. Please refer
to http://www.tipping.org/tips/TipsPageIndia.html
for tipping standards. Please let us know if
you want some guidelines on the same but usually
it is "what you feel is appropriate".
A
general idea would be as follows:
Bellboys: Rs. 10 - 20 (1/4th US$) per bag
Drivers: Rs. 200 (5 US$) per day & Rs.100
(2 US$) per half day
Day Guides: Rs. 250 to 400 (6 - 8 US$)
Restaurants: 5% of the bill amount could be
left.
Room boys / Maid : It is not recommended
We Care
In India roads could appear to be pot-holed
and traffic chaotic and hence our guests very
frequently get very worried. We suggest that
you catch up on some sleep or read a book or
even better put on your in-flight eye shades
and doze off. The drivers are well trained and
they are used to these roads. Very seldom (I
must hasten to add that almost none) are any
accidents involving tourist vehicles. The cars
that we use are safe, insured for and routinely
checked. Trains however are much more comfortable
ride-wise but could appear dirty and filthy.
Do carry your dry hand wash and tissue always
while taking train journeys. The flights are
pleasant and service good.
The transport is broadly classified as:
Cars - In India, the mostly used car for
tourists is, the Ambassador. This is one of
the oldest models in the world still being manufactured
and it is still hardy and spacious. We have
always had guests specially requesting for this
car. We have a couple of them in our fleet and
they are almost a year old (2003 end model)
and we use them discreetly as they wear and
tear fast and could be slow and rickety if used
without rest. Other than these two cars we also
use TATA INDIGO which is a small sedan with
good air-conditioning, TATA INDICA which is
a small hatchback and is used for backpackers
on a long trip, TOYOTA QUALIS & INNOVA &
TATA SAFARI which are high SUV type vehicles
seating 4 - 5 people normally but used for couples
also as are very comfortable and MITSUBISHI
LANCERS. On guest's request, the premium cars
that we use are CHEVY OPTRA & TOYOTA COROLLA.
We also use TOYOTA CAMRY, HONDA ACCORD &
MERCEDES (C, E & S) when requested for.
We have recently launched our luxury limousine
which we use only for top end tours as and when
requested.
Flights - There are presently four domestic
airlines in India other than Air India which
also operates some domestic routes. The local
airlines in the order of service and punctuality
are Jet Airways, Sahara Airlines, Indian Airlines
and Deccan Air. Out of all the four Deccan is
to be avoided as they are still facing teething
problems.
Trains - As described above train journeys
could be enjoyable if you have an open mind
and just want to enjoy and experience true India.
The middle class and upper middle class (cliché)
use Indian Railways and it is a way of life
in India. The best trains that could be booked
and we use them where possible are SHATABDI
& RAJDHANI EXPRESS. You could check the
various classes in the following site:
http://www.indiarail.co.uk/class.htm
Travelers Cheques
Thomas Cook or American Express in American
Dollars, Euro or British Sterling are the only
ones that are widely accepted.
Cash
US dollars, Euro and British Sterling are the
best currency to take. The notes need to be
clean, undamaged and if possible the latest
issue.
Credit Card
In major cities Visa, Master and American Express
cards can be used. Please do not rely on your
credit card as a source of finance in small
cities though most of the touristic cities have
a large number of ATMs.
Currency
The unit of currency is Rupee. (1 rupee is equal
to 43US$ / 80GBP£ / 55€ approximately)
Climate
With such a large landmass, India has a wide
range of climates with effects of the altitude
and the sea being very string in certain areas.
North India
April - June : Hot, dry and dusty with temperature
35-42 DEG C
July - August : Hot, Humid and rainy
Sep - Mar : Pleasant days and could get cooler
in the night
South India
April/May & Aug/Sep : Hot and Humid with
average temperature 38 DEG C
June/July/Oct/Nov : Hot and Heavy rains
Dec - Mar : Hot but less humid
Language
India is an area of great linguistic diversity
with over 1500 languages and dialect. People
associated with tourism speak English throughout
the country. The official language is however
Hindi.
Time
India is 5.5 hours ahead of GMT, 6.5 hours behind
New Zealand Standard Time, 4.5 hours behind
Australian Eastern Standard Time and 11.5 hours
ahead of Canadian Eastern Standard Time.
Clothing
For the most of areas, cotton casual clothing
that is light and loose fitting is recommended
for daywear. For trips during Nov-Jan do carry
warm clothes as it is cold during early mornings
and evenings. (Only in Northern India) Carry
a hat during sightseeing to keep off the mid-day
sun and for the evenings a couple of elegant
dresses would be nice to be worn for dinner
at the lovely hotels. You could also wear trousers
and jeans during the day. There is no problem.
Carry a stole or a scarf to cover your head
or feet while at the religious places.
We the people
India 's Population ; 995 Million (1998)
Capital : New Delhi
Ask us
There could be a lot of other questions that
you might have, once you are already in the
process of booking the tour. For instance; payment
methods, cancellation conditions, meet and assist
at the airport, company bank details, previous
reference, etc. and you are welcome to ask them.
It would be our pleasure.
THE ABOVE HAS BEEN COMPILED TO THE BEST OF OUR
KNOWLEDGE. FOR ANY LATEST DEVELOPMENTS OR DETAILED
CLARIFICATIONS, DO FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH
WITH US. YOU CAN ALSO GIVE YOUR SUGGESTIONS
AS TO HOW WE CAN IMPROVE THIS.
