Maharaja Retreat Tour

Day 01 : Arrive Delhi
On arrival you will be met by our representative and transferred to hotel where we will be holding rooms on ready occupancy basis, and as you step into the hotel you will be having the first experience of Indian warmth & hospitality, elegant ladies in traditional local costumes greet you with garlands and perform the "aarti" ceremony. After having your forehead anointed with the traditional red "Tikka", relax with a non - alcoholic welcome drink. Rest of the night to be spent at hotel

Day 02 : Delhi
In the morning have your breakfast and be ready to explore the capital of kingdoms and empires. Now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past & present. In the first half of sightseeing trip you will visit Qutub minar, Humayun Tomb, India gate, drive past parliament area & Government buildings. Have your lunch, and relax rest of the day. Overnight to be spent at hotel.

Day 03 : Delhi - Agra
Today morning we will, after a wake up call, commence drive to Agra enroute visiting Sikandara. On arrival "Chobedars" (gate keepers) usher guests to the Lobby of the hotel where Hostess clad in silken flowing dresses welcome the guests with flowers and "ittar" (perfume) in traditional style. After check in, a few hours to relax and lunch. In the afternoon visit Red Fort, The Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula and shop for some time.

In the evening we have for you a Magical Mughal night: where guests with traditional "Pagris" (turbans) and " Chunnis" (scarfs) are welcomed with a shower of rose petals and "ittar" (perfume). Traditionally attired attendants serve a sumptuous meal in Silver Thalis (plates) on "bajot" (low tables) to guests seated on mattress. Overnight at hotel.

Day 04 : Agra
At dawn you will be taken to enjoy the spectacular view of the Majestic Taj Mahal, also enjoy typical ride at Rickshaw up to Taj Mahal. Visit local Bazaar (market) where you have collections of spectacular work on marble. In the evening we will organize for you a Village fair Theme: A village setting is created with bamboo huts, benches and stalls, villagers mingle with guests and display their traditional skills such as doll making, puppet making, pottery "pichwai" paintings and other crafts. Entertainments with Monkey show, a palmist, a snake charmer and a performance with dummy horse dancers and singers. Overnight to be spent at hotel.

Day 05 : Agra - Jaipur
This morning we will proceed further to Jaipur enroute visiting old deserted town of Fatehpur Sikri. Upon arrival check in into hotel where we have for you Maharaja's welcome, a stunning tableau of decorated camels and Elephants unfolds before you on the lawns of the palace-hotel. Ladies in Rajasthani costumes perform the traditional garlanding, "aarti" and "tikka" ceremonies while the music of the Shehnai welcomes you, afterwards relax with welcome drink. Afternoon is kept purposely free so as to provide you with some time to walk around and have a feeling of city atmosphere which by itself is simply fabulous. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 06 : Jaipur
After breakfast an excursion to Amer Fort where sheer pleasure of a joy ride on an Elephant is there for you. Explore the majestic fort on the back of Elephant. In the afternoon enjoy half-day city tour covering Hawa Mahal, Royal Observatory, Nawab Sahab - Ki - Haveli, City Palace, Johari Bazaar. In the evening we have for you RAJPUT WEDDING: a traditional Rajput Wedding where the group members participate as the "baraat" (the bridegroom's family and friends who form the wedding party) A festive buffet meal, music folk dances and a few rituals would be performed during the party. Overnight at hotel.

Day 07 : Jaipur - Samode
After breakfast we will depart for Samode, on entering the village decorated camels are awaiting there, your access to the palace would be on the carts along with local musicians and amidst cobbled streets of the village. On arrival in the fully lit palace you will receive a traditional welcome by village elders garlanding them and the village belles full of local attire showering rose petals at the group. Check into hotel. Relax for some time and then join Cocktail arranged at Sheesh Mahal and the cultural extravaganza at Durbar hall. Have your dinner being served while local dancers and musicians entertain and spend your night at hotel.

Day 08 : Samode - Mandawa
Morning free at the palace or walk up to the fort. Enjoy camel ride to explore the rural lifestyle. Later in the day drive to Mandawa. Check into the desert Resort. Traditional welcome and check in into hotel. Evening enjoy Gala bar-be-cue with camp fire and pegs, to add to dimensions of the starry night there will be sweet music played by the desert dwellers. A totally unforgettable experience. Overnight to be spent at hotel.

Day 09 : Mandawa - Delhi
Morning visit havelis & beautiful frescoes, an overview of Thar desert would simply add to your joy. Drive back to Delhi. On arrival check in into hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10 : Delhi
Have your breakfast, check out from the hotel and take a short trip to Old Delhi covering Jama Masjid, Red fort, Gandhi memorial, shopping etc. Then drive to a countryside farm in the evening on the outskirts of Delhi for a gala farewell dinner along the poolside. Later transfer to International Airport for flight back home.

Jaipur Safari

Camel safaris
Camel, the much-famed ship of the desert has a rolling gait that may be a little uncomfortable in the beginning but you soon get adapted to it, as you understand its rhythm. You may chose from the option of camelback or camel-carts and it can be customized according to your choice. You may choose the number of days of the safari and also the routes on which you want to travel. You have to sit astride on a saddle mounted across the camel's hump, which makes a comfortable seat for you and the professional Raikas (the camel keepers) are there for your help. It is fun to travel through the vast arid desert land with these camel keepers dressed in as colorful and traditional costumes as the women whom you pass by on your way. It is amazing how these people know their way well instinctively where almost everything just seem to merge into one and can travel for days with the help of the position of the stars in the sky, which is like a compass for them.

Generally, 30 to 40 km is covered in a day in a camel safari and it is advisable to travel in the mornings and evenings and during the winter season and the scorching sun and hot desert winds can give you sunburns and heat strokes. It is advisable to wear clothes covering your body fully and wear a headgear, preferably, a local turban or sola-topee and drink lots of water to save from the ill-effects of the heat and dehydration and attract more smiles from the warm rural people that may wave at you as you pass by them. Camel Safari is most popular in the Sam sand sunes near Jaisalmer while the Shekhawati belt, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Pushkar and Nagaur are not far behind.

Elephant safaris

The camel may be the most common transport of the desert people and horses may be swift and agile but elephants have always gained favor with the imperial rulers of Rajasthan who rode the massive bulk with an air of majesty that only comes with the position of power. A howdah ( a large seat on the back of the elephant lined with soft silk cushions for comfort) and a chhatra (a ceremonial umbrella) added to the grandeur of the rulers. Feel the same pride as the you ride through the architectural wonders of the beautiful cities or watch the wildlife of Rajasthan perched atop the huge but friendly elephants. Elephant safaris often require many attendants for the regal beast along with the mahouts (the elephant-trainers) and are, thus, the most lavish of all the above-mentioned safaris.

Jeep safaris
Riding in the open jeeps as a part of a jeep safari is much different experience from hiring an open taxi to commute between two places. More popular in winters, when sun is pleasanter and winds are cool and sometimes chilly, jeep safari takes you on an exploration of destinations that are not so well known but not any less majestic. Off the sands and sometimes off the roads, it is an enchanting experience to travel Rajasthan with a whole new perspective through the most romantic city of Udaipur and the thick forests of uneven terrain of Mewar. Rocks and hills surprise you in this desert land while the tribal areas, rural life and ruined forts and sacred temples all captivate you with an ethereal beauty of their own. You may travel through the Shekhawati belt and wonder at the painted towns huddled together in the arid scraggy desert surrounded by nothing but sand for miles and miles. The pace can be chosen according to your tastes and health and you may also chose to have brief periods of rest in some of the most exotic heritage hotels that have become an integral part of the tourism industry because of their old-worldly charm blended together with the high-tech conveniences and amenities to suit the needs of the tourists.

Horse safaris

Horses have always been the favorite among the warrior-class of Rajputs. Though, the camels are most suitable of all the species for roaming in a desert land but cavalry of Rajasthan was certainly not neglected or trivialized in the least. Thakurs bred special horses at their thikanas (refined homes) and kept ready the best horsemen to serve their kings in the time of need. The native Marwari horses are hardy and agile and are still considered one of the worlds best breeds of horses. The other notable breeds of horses that have served here are the Kathiawadi and Sindhi. The routes covered in these Horse safaris pass through villages, ruined historical monuments, forts and temples and are much fun along with the heritage hotels on the way where you camp for relaxation and to have some exotic meal and perhaps a little snooze. Depending on your affinity to the horses, you may chose to trot or canter through the beautiful trails of the state and add a little more fun to it by wearing the traditional riding gear that consists of much-famed Jodhpuri breeches, hat and boots. The best options for Horse safaris can be found in Shikarbadi at Udaipur, Anokhi village near Jaipur and Aodhi near Kumbhalgarh and Ghanerao.