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Indian Culture

From palaces to jungle homes, luxury hotels to tribal farm stays this trip will give you a taste of India's cultural diversity. Go on safari in search of the elusive tigers, spend time with the locals as they show you around their jungles and their farms, explore ancient cities untouched by the passing years, ride on an elephant to the Amber Fort and on a horse through the beautiful Deogarh countryside.

Day 1 - New Delhi
Welcome on arrival at New Delhi’s international airport. Day at leisure after hotel check in. In the evening attend the fascinating sound and light show at the Red Fort. (B, D)

Day 2 - Agra
Drive to Agra and check in. Guided sightseeing of Agra Fort, Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri. (B, D)

Day 3 - Ranthambhore
After sunrise drive towards rear of the Taj Mahal (with river in front) for rare views of the great monument across the fields. While returning you’ll also walk across an old iron bridge which handles virtually every kind of vehicular, human and animal traffic. Drive towards Ranthambhore and after checking in take a post lunch afternoon jungle safari. You will be provided an exclusive 4 WD open jeep with expert naturalist for tracking the varied wildlife giving you the very best chance to catch a glimpse of the tigers in this National Park. Return back by evening. (B, L, D)

Day 4 - Ranthambhore
Day to be spent in taking two jungle safaris- one in the early morning hours and the other one after 2 PM. During the day those interested may also join in the challenging climb to the massive old fort for spectacular views of the jungle all around. (B, L, D)

Day 5 - Bundi
After taking an early morning jungle safari drive to Bundi. Bundi is one city in Rajasthan which clearly seems to be still living in medieval times. Here you can spend your day wandering around in the town, visiting its beautiful step wells, old bazaars and havelis. Later, you will be taken on a guided walk to the Garh Palace to see the great Bundi Murals. Bundi murals are considered to be the finest murals in the world on theme of Lord Krishna. From wherever you look at it the Garh Palace is the most striking and imposing fort of Rajasthan. You can also ascend the Taragarh Fort perched on top of the hill. (B, D)

Day 6 - Teekhi Magri
Driving through the densest tribal habitations of Rajasthan you will reach a small tribal hamlet located on the edge of Sitamata wildlife sanctuary. Here you will stay in the jungle home of Thakur Digvijay Singh. Mr. Singh and his graceful wife are perfect hosts - entertaining you with home made food; great stories of the past and an evening spent by the campfire. Mr. Singh enjoys a tremendous reputation among the local tribal communities as he will personally help you in understanding their lifestyle and customs. He will even take you to the late night congregation of Meena tribesmen at their places of worship where their priests cure the ailments through extra sensory perceptions (ESP). In the night hours, if possible, leopard sightings will be arranged. (B, L, D)

Day 7 - Teekhi Magri
After breakfast drive in Mr. Singh’s vintage World War II American jeep to the site of prehistoric rock engravings (this trip requires includes some fairly hard trekking) and the jungle. You will also be visiting the village school, tribal houses, pond for bird watching, opium fields (in season) and an old tree where flying foxes live. Watch corn or maize breads baked on tree leaves (a system employed for baking in the old hunting days) and the process of making the local liquor - mahuwa. Also enjoy the freshwater fish items prepared by Mrs. Singh herself. (B, L, D)

Day 8 - Deogarh
Drive to Deogarh and check in to Deogarh Mahal. Deogarh Mahal is one of the most charming palace hotels of India. Stay in a beautifully appointed room. For the day you can either enjoy a fascinating train ride to Kali Ghati (a ride with local people through beautiful landscapes on an old meter gauge railway) or take a horse safari in the surrounding countryside (beautiful marwari horses used). In the evening take a stroll around the town of Deogarh. The town with its bazaars is very colourful and is the principal market for the surrounding rural and tribal population. The sights and smells will certainly fill all your senses. Dinner at the Palace. (B, D)

Day 9 - Jaipur
Drive to Jaipur and on arrival check in. Day free for relaxation. Visit an ethnic resort for local Rajasthani dinner. (B, D)

Day 10 - Jaipur
Day sightseeing of the City Palace Complex and Amber Fort (including an elephant ride to the fort). In the evening take a stroll in the old lanes and bazaars where local artists produce and sell their crafts. (B, D)

Day 11- Bagar
Drive to the beautiful Samode Palace and have a memorable lunch in the palace (option at extra cost). Samode Palace has one of the best preserved mirror rooms in the world. Then drive to Bagar, a small town in the Shekhawati region which seems to have completely frozen in time since its heydays of the 19th century. Stay in the old haveli of this town in the well appointed heritage rooms. Later during the day, visit the beautiful old pained havelis of the town on a walking tour. (B, D)

Day 12 - Nehron ki Dhani
After breakfast check out and drive to Nawalgarh. Nawalgarh is a very historic old town having beautiful frescoed havelis lined along its streets; even the public school is run in a mansion full of paintings (probably among the most beautiful schools in the world). Explore the town and its havelis on bicycles or on camels. Driving through sand dunes and barren landscape reach Mandawa where you will be served a traditional Rajasthani lunch in an old haveli. Post lunch drive to a typical Rajasthani village where you’ll stay in a farmland (tented accommodation). Here, in the village you will meet robust men and strong (and always smiling) women in colourful dresses always engaged in farming. Join in with them and learn a few Indian farming techniques, chat with the host family and even learn cooking in simple rural kitchen. (B, L, D)

Day 13 - Neemrana
After breakfast and some time at leisure drive to Neemrana Fort. Neemrana Fort is a classic example in India of heritage conservation and reuse. This 15th century fort spread over nine levels on the slope of a hill was in ruins when it was taken over for conservation and careful renovation. Today, this fort has 48 unique rooms, each having its own passage way, stairway, unique décor and even its own unique name. This is a boutique hotel where from time to time noted people from the field of arts from all over India stay and perform. The hotel is perfect for spending your last day in India where you will have time to relax and chat while sitting on its several terraces and watching the sun go down, take massages in the spa and enjoy a memorable dinner by lotus pool. (B, D)

Day 14 - Departure
Day free till the time of departure. Drive to New Delhi’s international airport to board your flight back home (2 hours drive). The tour ends.

Small group departures of this itinerary run throughout the year and it can also be run as a tailor-made trip to suit your requirements.

Price: From £1050 on twin sharing basis