Group: Maximum 20. Most participants are from the Netherlands. Maximum of 4 North American Participants. Dutch tour leader (logistics coordinator, not a lecturer) who will address the group in Dutch and then in English.

Delhi, Bikaner

Day 1    Depart US
Day 2    Arrival Delhi
Day 3    Delhi, night train to Bikaner
Day 4    Bikaner

The journey starts in the capital of India: Delhi. After a short stay in this hectic capital city we will take the night train to Bikaner. After an early morning arrival in Bikaner, you will have the entire day to explore this impressive desert city that is situated along the old caravan route. The old part of the city is walled in. Contributing to its atmosphere are the colorfully dressed, proud Rajasthani, the many markets, temples and haveli’s and the residences of the wealthy merchants. The main attraction of Bikaner is the Junagarh fort, with its almost one thousand yard long settlement wall, made of red sandstone. Right next to this fort lays our first small ‘palace’ for the night, an 18th century aristocratic haveli, formerly inhabited by a brother of the maharaja. From Bikaner you also have the opportunity to visit the Karni Mata Temple in Deshnoke, better known as therat temple. If you are afraid of rats, since there are many dozens of these little ”holy” animals scurrying around here, then this temple may not be the best place for you to visit!

Bikaner, Jaisalmer

Day 5     Bikaner- Jaisalmer
Day 6     Jaisalmer

The drive from Bikaner to Jaisalmer leads directly through the Thar Desert. As you near Jaisalmer you see the city emerge from the desert like a mirage. Jaisalmer is one of the most impressive cities in India. Built on a rock in the middle of the desert, this is a city where past and present literally meet. Walking through the narrow streets of the fort you imagine yourself in a world where Rajputs and maharajas reign. In the old city you are once again back in the busy bustle of present day Indian life. The beautiful havelis in Jaisalmer, made from golden yellow sandstone and adorned with rich sculptures display the good taste of the traders that lived here. In addition, there are several old Jain temples that are well worth visiting. At the end of the day, a walk through the city when the setting sun bathes everything in a warm golden glow is unforgettable.

Jaisalmer, Luni

Day 7     Jaisalmer- Jodhpur- Luni
Day 8     Luni

From Jaisalmer we continue our tour through Rajasthan to Jodhpur, the still busy trade city with the impressive Mehrangarh Fort. Jodhpur, like Jaisalmer, is historically seen as a center of trade. This city however has succeeded in keeping this function in modern-day India. Nowadays this city is, after Jaipur, the largest city in Rajasthan. In Jodhpur you can visit, besides the impressive Mehrangarh Fort, several temples and palaces. From the fort you have a nice view on the “blue quarter”, where the Brahmans live. In addition, the old city with the market recognizable by its clock tower definitely deserves a visit. Here you can satisfy all of your shopping desires at the many bazaars, including the Sadar Bazaar. In the many often tiny, dark shops and workplaces, the attractive Rajasthan handwork products are traditionally hand made. We don’t spend the night in Jodhpur itself, but in Luni, located close by, where a 19th century fort offers us shelter. This fort, according to regional tradition entirely carved from red sandstone, with its many courtyards, water mills and complicated facades, and offers a welcome contrast to the busy cities.

Luni, Udaipur, Bambora

Day 9       Luni- Udaipur
Day 10    Udaipur
Day 11    Udaipur- Bassi

On the way to Udaipur, we will make a stop at the colossal Jain Temple of Ranakpur. This 15th century temple counts an impressive 1444 beautifully sculptured columns. After a beautiful bus ride through a mountainous region we arrive in Udaipur: “City of the Sunrise”, a city with a medieval feel situated around the Pichola and the Fateh Sagar lakes. In Udaipur there is much to please the eye; the old city with innumerable small streets, colorful markets and shops and all kinds of temples draws attention, but also the breathtaking City Palace and the fairy-tale like Lake Palace that is built on an island in the middle of the lake. There is a nice view of the city from the islands in Lake Pichola or Lake Fateh Sagar, which you can reach by rowboat. Our accommodation also offers a magnificent view of the city and the lake.  After our time in Udaipur we travel northwards to the area of Chittorgarh where we spend the night in the Bassi Fort. This spectacular fort dating back to the 16th Century is beautifully located in the hills.    

Bassi , Roopangarh, Jaipur

Day 12    Bassi- Roopangarh
Day 13    Roopangarh- Jaipur
Day 14    Jaipur

We continue our tour by way of the town of Kishangarh, where we make a short stop on our way to the capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur. Our accommodation in the village of Roop is a former “pleasure palace” of the maharaja. Jaipur owes her nickname ‘Pink City’ to the fact that prior to the visit of a British prince the maharaja at the time ordered all houses and buildings in the city to be painted pink. In those days the color pink was considered to be the color of hospitality. In the heart of the city you find the royal palace, now a museum, and the well-preserved 18th century observatory. The Hawa Mahal, or the Palace of the Winds, with its 1000 richly decorated windows, is the most characteristic building of Jaipur. This building should definitely be on your list of sights to visit. You can make interesting excursions to the Amber Fort, situated about 6 1/2 miles outside of the city, or the more closely situated Nahagarh Fort. The night we spend in Jaipur can rightfully be called royal: here we stay in a former palace with a wonderful garden, swimming pool and a roof terrace with a view.  Those who wish can take an organized camel tour from outside of Jaipur.

Jaipur, Bharatpur, Agra, Delhi

Day 15    Jaipur- Bharatpur
Day 16    Bharatpur- Agra- Delhi
Day 17    Delhi – Arrival US

From Jaipur we continue our tour to Agra, where you can find the famous Taj Mahal. Continuing on through Rajasthan we visit Bharatpur, where nature lovers can visit the Keoladeo Bird Reservation. This is a National Park where throughout the year more than 300 bird species can be viewed. Our accommodation here is a beautiful palace, with Mogul as well as Rajput influences. From Bharatpur and this last palace on our tour, we travel via Agra to Delhi and start the journey back home. Agra is the city with the world famous Taj Mahal: the mausoleum for Mumtaz, the wife of Mogul Ruler, Sjah Jahan. A visit to this spectacular structure of India completes our tour. You will board the plane back to the United States with a trove of lasting impressions.