Discover the Masala of India: wander through sacred sites,
intricately decorated palaces and streets lined with painted mansions.

Excursion Highlights
Tentative Itinerary
Package Includes
Cancellation Policy
Payment Options

Excursion Highlights 

Rajasthan and Taj Mahal

Welcome to the “Land of Kings” –

Once-impregnable fortresses, fairy-tale palaces and painted mansions are inviting visitors to explore a glorious past, while labyrinth-like bazaars tantalize with their stunning array of colourful fabrics and spices.

 Join the locals in a walk around the holy lake in the white-washed pilgrim town of Pushkar, paint with bright colours on a royal elephant in the pink city of Jaipur, and take a photographic stroll through the blue alleyways of Jodhpur.

Observe how the colours change on the Taj Mahal at sunset time and watch the artisans continue the Mughal art of marble inlay today.

Learn how to tie a Rajasthani turban and witness a glittering Indian wedding.

Try your hand at throwing a pot in a traditional pottery village, prepare a masala tea on a mud stove and be inspired by the skill of a young woman painting a water jug.

Improve your karma by feeding the pigeons in front of an intricately decorated palace gate, circumnavigate the wandering cows while sitting in a bicycle rickshaw, and marvel at the green parrots fluttering by the latticed windows of the Palace of the Winds.

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Tentative Itinerary
   India – Rajasthan & Taj Mahal 2017, Nov 18 – Dec 11 

Day 1 – Saturday, Nov 18: Delhi Airport pick-up and check into hotel.

Day 2 – After a welcome breakfast, visit the National Gallery of Modern Art, the Gandhi Memorial Museum and Qutub Minar in Delhi.

Day 3 – Explore the Friday Mosque and take a rickshaw ride through the Old Delhi bazaar.

Drive to Agra.

Day 4 –Visit Agra Fort and the Sikh temple. Explore the Taj Mahal in the afternoon and enjoy the sunset colours. Observe a marble inlay workshop.

Day 5 – Revisit the Taj Mahal for sunrise (optional). After breakfast, explore the Itmad ud Daula mausoleum and observe the people washing laundry in the river. Excursion to Mehtab Bagh park and enjoy the sunset views on the Taj Mahal from the other side of Yamuna river.

Day 6 – Depart for the Pink City Jaipur, visiting the ancient Mughal capital Fatehpur Sikri en-route. Spend time at the old bazaar, join the locals shopping for spices.

Day 7 – Take a royal elephant ride and visit Amber Fort and a contemporary art gallery. Excursion to Haathi village and paint on an elephant. Explore the Palace of the Winds, Hawa Mahal, and join the locals feeding the pigeons for good karma.

Day 8 – Visit the milk market in the morning. Explore the City Palace and the astronomical observatory Jantar Mantar. Excursion to Sanganer and visit textile block printing, paper making and blue pottery studios. Observe demonstrations of these traditional techniques.

Day 9 – Enjoy a leisurely morning in Jaipur, stroll around the lake or revisit the old city. Drive to Pushkar, taking a look at the pottery markets and the marigold fields en-route.

Day 10 –Visit Brahma temple. Explore the Pushkar bazaar area. Join the locals in a walk around the lake and enjoy a spiritual ceremony.

Day 11 – Excursion to a traditional family pottery. Watch forming, decorating and firing techniques. Enjoy a hand-brewed Masala Chai made by family women.

Day 12 – After breakfast depart for Mandawa. Enjoy an evening stroll near our heritage hotel.

Day 13 – Take a guided walk and admire the painted façades of the Havelis (merchant mansions) in Mandawa. Visit a local pottery. Excursion to Nawalgarh with tour of Havelis and museums.

Day 14 – Excursion to towns in the Shekavati region. Look at more painted façades, enjoy a lunch at Mehensar Castle and visit villages en-route with their adobe houses.

Day 15 – Drive to the desert town of Bikaner and visit Bikaner Fort. Enjoy an evening at our heritage hotel Lallgarh Palace with local musicians and dancers.

Day 16 – Drive to the Blue City of Jodhpur, exploring the ancient palace of Nagaur en-route.

Day 17 – Visit the royal Jaswant Thada memorial and Mehrangarh Fort with its many courtyards, palaces and latticed windows. Explore the blue alleyways of Jodhpur.

Day 18 – Excursion to the Bishnoi area and visit a pottery village. Back in Jodhpur, explore the colourful market around the Clock Tower and shop for spices and crafts. Take an sunset aperitif at a heritage Haveli terrace overlooking the city and the fort.

Day 19 – Excursion to Osian with temple visit. Visit traditional potteries en-route to the desert dunes.

Day 20 – Drive to Udaipur, en-route stopping at the Jain temple complex of Ranakpur.

Day 21 – Explore the City Palace of Udaipur with its beautiful courtyards and gardens. Visit Jagdish Hindu temple and admire its remarkable friezes. Wander through the bustling streets of the Old City and shop for art and crafts. Take a boat ride on Lake Pichola and visit Jag Mandir Island with its exquisite Gul Mahal Pavillion.

Day 22 – Visit Bhartiya Lok Kala Museum with its brilliant folk art collection. Explore the Khush Art Gallery for contemporary art.

Day 23 – Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before being transferred to Udaipur Domestic Airport for a flight back to Delhi. Transfer to hotel and last group dinner.

Day 24 – Transfer to Delhi Airport and departure.

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Package Includes

TOUR PACKAGE INCLUDES:

• 23 Nights accommodation in 4 star, 5 star or heritage properties on a twin sharing basis (single supplement fees apply)
• 23 full buffet breakfasts
• 22 dinners
• On arrival meeting & Assistance by tour representative
• Return airport transfers
• Transportation in an modern air-conditioned vehicle
• Guide full time: Indian, licensed, English speaking
• Sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary
• On-board Ceramic Artist and tour leader
• Domestic airfare: Udaipur to Delhi
• Tips for porters at all hotels
• Rickshaw ride in Delhi
• Shoe covers at the Taj Mahal
• Elephant ride at Amber Fort Jaipur
• Boat ride on Lake Pichola, Udaipur
• English speaking local guides

TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• Meals not mentioned
• Beverages with meals included
• Items of a personal nature
• Tips & gratuities for guide and driver
• Visa fees
• Optional tours
• Camera fees
• Entrance fees to sites not included in itinerary
• Insurance
• International airfare
• Items not mentioned as being included

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Admire the skills and designs of potters and fabric block printers.
Savour colours, spices and exquisite cuisine.  

 Overnight in historic palaces and castles.  

Absorb the ambiance of the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra

 PHOTOS by DENISE OKAN

Cancellation Policy

If you must cancel, the following cancellation fees will apply: 

There is no refund for arriving late or leaving the trip early.

Discovery Art Travel reserves the right to cancel the trip due to low enrolment, or if we feel that the quality of the trip or the safety of travelers would be compromised. In such a case, we will refund all payments received to date, which constitutes full settlement.

 Payment Options

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