Unexplored Rajasthan - 9d/8n

Meal Codes: B=Breakfast; L=Lunch & D=Dinner

DAY 01: ARRIVE DELHI BY INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
DELHI – SAMODE BY ROAD (225 KMS/4 HRS)

Arrive Delhi International Airport.

If you are travelling on an e-Visa, please ensure you are carrying a hardcopy of the approval with you. Please proceed to the e-Visa counters at the end of the Immigration Hall. You will clear immigration and be met immediately by our travel representative as you exit customs.

Our Representative will assist you with your transfer to Samode & with check in at your hotel. The standard check in time at hotels in India is 1400 hrs.

Depart for Samode and check in at your hotel.

Exclusive and discreet, Samode Palace plays host to royalty, celebrities, artists, and discerning travellers. Awaken to the quiet dawn or have a cocktail on the terrace garden to the accompaniment of folk musicians. Run your fingers across the intricate story of an ancient mural on an uneven wall. Emerge from a gentle healing massage at the spa, or perhaps just sink into the lavish bed in your room. Samode Palace weaves its magic on you.

OVERNIGHT AT SAMODE PALACE HOTEL IN A DELUXE ROOM.

DAY 02: SAMODE-JAIPUR-SAMODE (42 KMS EA WAY/1 HR EA WAY) (B)

Breakfast in the hotel before your day excursion to Jaipur city.

Jaipur was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II and is the first well planned city of India and located in the desert. The city, which once had been the capital of the royalty, is now the capital city of Rajasthan. The very structure of Jaipur resembles the taste of the Rajput’s and the Royal families. Present day Jaipur is the major business centre for the natives of Rajasthan with all the requisites of a metropolitan city.

Your tour of Jaipur includes:

Amber Fort – A UNESCO World Heritage Site, situated at top of the rugged Aravali hills 11 km north of the city, the fort is a magnificent example of Rajput architecture. We ascend to the fort on Elephant’s back and return in our own vehicle. Pronounced ‘Amber’ and meaning ‘High’, this wraithlike fort – palace beautifully illustrates Rajput artistry in the faded shades of the reddish pink. Amber was once the ancient capital of the Jaipur state.

Continue your sightseeing of Jaipur city visiting Hawa Mahal – Palace of Winds. This five-storied building which looks out over the main street of the old city is one of Jaipur’s major landmarks. This is a stunning example of the Rajput artistry with its pink, semi-octagonal and delicately honey combed and stone windows. Originally Hawa Mahal was built to enable the ladies of the royal families to watch the daily life and processions of the city.

Jantar Mantar – The Observatory built by Raja Jai Singh in1728. An excellent example of marvellous precision, where each construction has a specific purpose to measure the position of stars, altitudes and azimuths or calculating eclipses. The most striking instrument is the Sun Dial, which is 90 feet high.

City Palace Museum – A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture, where part of the palace is still the house of the former Maharaja of Jaipur. Visit the various galleries displaying the armoury, clothes, and paintings of the Rajput clan.

A tour of Jaipur is not complete without the opportunity for shopping. Jaipur is known as a shopper’s paradise famous for jewellery, handicrafts, carpets, blue pottery, and textiles.

Return to Samode late afternoon.

OVERNIGHT AT SAMODE PALACE HOTEL IN A DELUXE ROOM.

DAY 03: SAMODE – DEOGARH BY ROAD (310 KMS/6 HRS) (B)
Breakfast in the hotel before departure for Deogarh. Check in at Deogarh Mahal Hotel on arrival.

Deogarh Mahal, also known as Deogarh Palace, is a historical palace with a magnificent heritage that showcases the architectural grandeur and cultural richness of the region. Deogarh Mahal is renowned for its impressive architecture, which blends Rajputana and Mughal styles. The palace features ornate carvings, intricate frescoes, majestic domes, and beautiful courtyards. The interiors are adorned with exquisite mirror work, stained glass windows, and detailed murals, depicting scenes from mythology, history, and everyday life.

In the afternoon a village walk in Deogarh can be a delightful and immersive experience, allowing you to explore the rural life, traditions, and culture of Rajasthan.

In the evening enjoy bird watching along with the hotel guide. There are beautiful lakes around Deogarh, full of many migratory birds i.e., Saras crane, White throated kingfisher, pied kingfisher, black headed ibis, geese etc.

OVERNIGHT AT DEOGARH MAHAL HOTEL IN A STANDARD ROOM.

DAY 04: DEOGARH – ROHET BY ROAD (115 KMS/3 HRS) (B)
Breakfast in the hotel

Depart for the small village of Rohet and check in at Rohet Garh, a charming, family-run fort with a homely atmosphere and traditional Rajasthani style. This 375 year old fortified desert home, of the descendants of the Rathore’s, lies on the banks of a small lake teeming with birdlife just south of Jodhpur city. The Singh family still reside here and run the hotel, restored in traditional Rajput style, filled with historic trophies and delightful details. Enter through painted gates into a rambling, low rise building which has various wings surrounding grassy courtyards and a landscaped garden, as well as plenty of breezy verandas and private retreats. The welcoming central courtyard, with its garden and bougainvillea, has been completely restored with marble floors, a traditional arched veranda, and a small marble fountain in the lawn.

This afternoon you will be taken on a village safari, a cultural experience showcasing the best of the land and all that this region has to offer. From the warm and hospitable people to their various customs and ceremonies, the local crafts and the abundant wildlife, guests have the rare privilege of being welcomed into people’s homes and interacting with them.

Meet the ‘Premier ecologists of the world’, the Bishnoi people, who have protected nature for more than 500 years and are responsible for the very survival of species like the Black Buck antelope (India’s most beautiful antelope and a rare and protected species today). They share a beautiful relationship with this special animal, wherein the antelope stays close to Bishnoi habitation, never leaving it, and displays complete trust in the Bishnoi people. Guests also meet the Raikas (shepherds), with their glorious costumes, and the Paliwal and Meghwal (the Brahmin farmers and weavers).

This unique tour is made possible solely because of the hotel host family’s special relationship with the local people, which allows rare access into every home visited, where guests are welcomed as their very own.

OVERNIGHT AT ROHETGARH HOTEL IN A SUPER-DELUXE ROOM.

DAY 05: ROHET-JODHPUR-ROHET (approx 40 KMS EA WAY/ 45 MINS EA WAY) (B)

Breakfast in the hotel before your day excursion to Jodhpur city.

Jodhpur was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha, a chief of the Rajput clan known as the Rathores, and the city grew out of the profits of opium, sandalwood, dates, and copper. The Rathore kingdom was once known as Marwa (the Land of Death), but today its moustached men are happier about smiling for the camera.

Your day excursion to Jodhpur features:

Mehrangarh Fort which lies at the outskirts of Jodhpur city, is located atop a 125 m high hill. This magnificent fort is the most majestic, and one of the largest forts in India. Its construction originally was started (c.1459) by Rao Jodha, founder of Jodhpur, however, most of the existing fort dates from the period of Jaswant Singh (1638-78). The walls of the fort are up to 36 m high and 21 m wide. The Fort Museum houses an exquisite collection of Palanquins, Howdahs, Royal Cradles, Miniature Paintings, Musical instruments, Costumes and Furniture. The ramparts of Mehrangarh Fort provide not only excellently preserved cannon, but also a breath-taking view of the city.

Jaswant Thada
A white marble memorial built in 1899 in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. The monument, in its entirety, is built out of intricately carved sheets of marble. These stones are extremely thin and polished so that they emit a warm glow when the sun’s rays dance across their surface. Within this cenotaph, there are also two more tombs.

Also visit the local market, a very colourful and interesting stroll, before returning to your hotel.

OVERNIGHT AT ROHETGARH HOTEL IN A SUPER-DELUXE ROOM.

DAY 06: ROHET – NARLAI BY ROAD (110 KMS/2+ HRS) (B)

Breakfast in the hotel

Depart for Narlai and check in at Rawla Narlai hotel. Enjoy some leisure time at the hotel before and after lunch.

This unique gem is tucked away amidst the Aravali mountain range beckoning guests from far and wide. This 17th century ‘Country Manor’ has been painstakingly restored to its original magnificence and caters to an exclusive clientele in its resurrected avatar of an uber-chic boutique getaway.

Late this afternoon, visit the local village. Enjoy a village walking tour of Narlai which includes its main temples, meeting the friendly people of the village, visiting their homes and get to learn a little about their local culture and way of life. PLANT A TREE and be a part of the village conservation project.

OVERNIGHT AT RAWLA NARLAI HOTEL IN A GRAND HERITAGE ROOM.

DAY 07: NARLAI – UDAIPUR BY ROAD (105 KMS/2+ HRS) (B)

Breakfast in the hotel.

Drive to Udaipur, en-route visiting Ranakpur.

Ranakpur is in the mountain ranges of the Pali district of Rajasthan. The Ranakpur Jain Temple complex was built during the reign of the liberal and gifted monarch Rana Kumbha in the 15th century. An enormous basement covers 48,000 sq. feet. There are four subsidiary shrines, a twenty-four pillared hall, and more than 1400 exquisitely carved pillars that support the temple. This is one of the finest examples of all the Jain Temples.

Continue your drive to Udaipur and check in at your hotel. Take the remainder of the day at leisure.

UDAIPUR was the capital of the Rajpur kingdom of Mewar, ruled by the Sisodia clan. The founder of Udaipur was Rana Udai Singh. The ancient capital of Mewar was Nagda, located on the Banas River northeast of Udaipur. Legend has it that Maharana Udai Singh came upon a hermit while hunting in the foothills of the Aravalli Range. The hermit blessed the king and asked him to build a palace on the spot and it would be well protected. Udai Singh established a residence there. In 1568 the Mughal emperor Akbar captured Chittorgarh, and Udai Singh moved the capital to the site of his residence, which became the city of Udaipur. As the Mughal empire weakened, the Sisodia ranas, and later maharanas, reasserted their independence and recaptured most of Mewar except the fort of Chittorgarh. Udaipur remained the capital of the state, which became a princely state of British India in 1818. After India’s Independence in 1947, the Maharaja of Udaipur acceded to the Government of India, and Mewar was integrated into India’s Rajasthan state. 

OVERNIGHT AT THE CHUNDA PALACE HOTEL IN A PALACE ROOM.

DAY 08: UDAIPUR (B)

Breakfast in the hotel.

Depart for your half day sightseeing tour of Udaipur visiting:

City Palace – standing on the east bank of Lake Pichola is a massive series of palaces built at different times from 1559. The balconies of the palace provide panoramic views of “Jag Niwas” (the Lake Palace Hotel), Jag Mandir on one side and on the other side of 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, terraces, corridors and gardens. There is a Suraj Gokhda (balcony of the sun), 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 mosaics in glass decorating its walls. The Chinese Painting Exhibition 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 – built in the memory of a princess of striking beauty who poisoned herself to avert a bloody battle for her hand by rival princes. Now the palace contains many antique articles, paintings, decorative furniture, and utensils.

Saheliyon ki Bari (garden) was laid for a group of forty-eight young women attendants who accompanied a princess to Udaipur as part of her dowry. The garden set below the embankment of the Fateh Sagar Lake has lotus pools, marble pavilions and elephant-shaped fountains. These fountains are fed by the water of the lake gushing through ducts specially carved for the purpose.

Lunch Recommendation (lunch cost is at your own expense):
The nearby Royal Repast is a speciality restaurant, and which aims to link and reconcile food with history and heritage.

The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure until your Lake Pichola excursion.

In the late afternoon, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Pichola and visit the Jag Mandir Palace, built on an on island in the lake. The palace, built of granite and marble, covers four acres, and includes the Borra Mahal, Khas Mahal and the courts, gardens, and fountains.

The picturesque boat ride on Lake Pichola not only provides the best scenic view of the lake and the mountains in the city, but also presents some of the most important historical monuments dotted along the lakeside or submerged within the lake. Beginning with the monumental lakeside facade of the City Palace, the boat ride moves to the picturesque ghats with their distinctive steps, still used by the locals. The lakeside is lined with the havelis of the nobles, most prominent being the Bagore ki Haveli. The Gangaur Ghat with the triple arched Tripolia stands as a magnificent piece of architecture at the end of Bagore ki Haveli.

OVERNIGHT AT THE CHUNDA PALACE HOTEL IN A PALACE ROOM.

DAY 09: UDAIPUR – DELHI BY DOMESTIC FLIGHT (extra airfare cost to be advised) (B)
DEPART – DELHI BY INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT

Breakfast in the hotel.

Depart for Udaipur Airport in time to connect with your flight to Delhi.

Upon arrival change terminals from Domestic to International in time to connect to your onward international flight.

Alternatively stay on in Delhi for a few days on one of our extension packages.

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