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
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.
