Tour includes Delhi – Udaipur – Jaipur – Agra – Rishikesh – Corbett NP – Nainital – Bhimtal – Srinagar – Gulmarg
15 nights – 16 days (groups of 8+ ESCORTED)

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Call Michelle 0411 617 517 on or email: michelle@culturalsafaris.com.au

Itinerary  2011

 

Friday Mar 18th DEPARTURE
Meet at airport for midday flight to India’s capital, arriving late evening, transfer to hotel.

Saturday 19th DELHI S/S – FLT TO UDAIPUR
After an informational during breakfast, we tour Delhi before our afternoon flight to Udaipur –Queen of the lakes & the state’s most beautiful town. Evening walk around its cobblestone winding streets watching locals prepare the pyres for tonight’s burning of “evil Holika”; we’ll be part of the neighborhood’s festivities – authentic viewing!…BD

Sunday 20th HAPPY HOLI!!!
Festival of spring, colour, friendship, a most joyous occasion… wear something casual and be prepared to play the game, mingle with the happy locals. No one will mind, today is a day for carefree frivolity, games and laughter!! The most fun you’ve had in a long time. Afternoon stroll along the waterways soaking in the ambience this town is famous for…BD

Monday 21st UDAIPUR S/S - FLT TO JAIPUR
Enjoy the romance of Udaipur & Palace of the Mewars, longest reigning dynasty in the world, before our afternoon flight to the capital of Rajasthan, with ample time for the kind of shopping that would tempt even the most stoic among us. There is so much to see & do in this gem-cutting capital; silver, gold, fabrics, precious stones, clothes, wall hangings, elephants, camels & colour everywhere …BD

Tuesday 22nd AMER FORT - HALF DAY S/S
A real treat to wake in this splendid abode before our morning ascent on elephant’s back to the state’s most famous fort, followed by an afternoon visit to the city’s sights. An opportunity to visit the charity vocational centre, cultural safaris supports …BD

Wednesday 23rd FATEHPUR SIKRI - AGRA - DELHI
We drive via the perfectly preserved city of Fatehpur Sikri, to an afternoon arrival in Agra, home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The architectural splendor of its mausoleums, fort and palace, are a vivid reminder of the opulence of the Mughal Empire. An inimitable poem in white marble, built over a period of 22 years, by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1630, for his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. TAJ MAHAL, the most symmetrical building in the world, the epitome of love, renders itself to our cameras as sunset exhibits it in various hues. Evening train ride to Delhi, transfer to hotel ...BD

Thursday 24th DELHI - RISHIKESH (230 kms)
A comfortable drive to Rishikesh, the capital of yoga, via sacred Haridwar. Our hotel is on the banks of the GANGES, holiest of holy rivers! We visit temples, cross bridges, join holy men in prayer, hear chants echoing in the valley as night falls & the devotees perform aarti. It is a sight filled with awe as candles shimmer in the breeze & travel downstream….BD

Friday 25th RISHIKESH – CORBETT ( 240 kms)
Morning departure for Corbett National Park & our jungle lodge from where, we embark on the evening “safari”. Enjoy a walk by the river, followed by long drinks around the fire with elephants’ silhouettes in the background. An evening filled with anticipation for the wildlife lovers as we gather around the campfire to hear others’ tales of big cat sightings… BLD

Saturday 26th CORBETT NP – NAINITAL – BHIMTAL (100 kms)
We return from the morning’s safari to a sumptuous breakfast before the midday drive to our lake retreat, via the gem of Uttarakhand, Nainital. We enjoy a stroll in the promenade surrounded by dramatic cliffs portrayed in the calm lake. One hour’s drive & we are in a most serene, romantic idyllic hotel surrounded by wildlife & lake. Resident owls, deer, leopard & large variety of birds. It is impossible to stay indoors when so much beauty abounds, so come sing by the fireplace ... BD

Sunday 27th NAUKUCHIYATAL
Fancy a morning’s paddle or would you rather lay back & be serenaded by the sound of the oarsmen? You are surrounded by nature, unspoiled, serene, scented by spring blooms, vegetable gardens & authentic village life. If it is action you seek, paragliding, horse riding, fishing, canoeing, swimming, trekking, cooking classes are available. Then again you may like to sip tea under the bougainvillea gazing at the lake & taking in the fresh country air, your choice…BD

Monday 28th BHIMTAL – DELHI (320 kms)
We drive back via Mooradabad(brass capital), farmland & villages to an evening arrival, with time for shopping….BD

Tuesday 29th FLIGHT TO SRINAGAR
Flight over the snow capped Himalayas to an afternoon arrival. How does one describe the emotions, thoughts, awe, at being in “Paradise on earth”, surrounded by mountains mirrored on still lakes? Look around your abode on board this hand-carved picture perfect houseboat, smell the flowers in the lounge, enjoy kawa tea with freshly baked donuts, served on the deck of your floating palace. Take a drive to local gardens before we return to a sumptuous traditional home cooked meal and tales of yesteryear by our hosts... BLD

Wednesday 30th GULMARG
Draw your curtains aside, for there are very few sights in this world to rival the view from your window this morning; it is all quiet, still and magnificence is doubled as nature reflects on Nagin lake. Take time to absorb the energy and inspiration one such wakening brings. Yes you are in the summer playground of the Raj and no, it is not a dream! Savour breakfast before we depart for the highest golf course in the world and India’s ski slopes…BLD

Thursday 31st SRINAGAR CITY TOUR
Today choose to unwind in most tranquil surrounds on your own “cushioned” verandah, a book, your thoughts, questions at to why you hadn't discovered this cathartic way of life earlier? Possible cooking class. Buy some flowers from the flower seller’s shikara, enjoy afternoon tea and the rich Kashmiri cuisine, insatiably breath in the pure mountain air in an attempt to take it with you. Take a shikara ride on Dal lake visiting the “floating city” with its many shops, or you may like to make your way to “Rozabal” (Christ’s tomb) nearby... BLD

Friday 1st April SRINAGAR – DELHI- DEPARTURE
Your morning is free to go back to yesterday’s haunts, discover new ones or just simply admire! Our midday flight brings us to Delhi where you take in more sights before evening transfer to airport. As with all wonderful experiences this one is now drawing to an end, join me as we bid farewell to this hospitable, fascinating land.. BLD

Saturday 2nd ARRIVAL
Can hardly wait to open my suitcases!
 

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RECOMMENDED EXTENSIONS
Delhi – Khajuraho – Varanasi – Delhi (by air)
Delhi – Shimla – Kullu/Manali – Kasauli - Delhi (by train/car)

SOME OF OUR MANY ITINERARY SUGGESTIONS

INDIA NEPAL BHUTAN
Delhi – Agra – Khajuraho – Varanasi – Kathmandu – Paro – Thimpu – Bagdogra – Kolkata
15 nights / 16 days

TROPICS TO HIMALAYAS
Tamil Nadu – Pondicherry – Kerala – Mumbai – Rajasthan – Agra – Delhi – Uttarakhand
22 nights / 23 days

SPICES & AYURVEDA
12 nights / 13 days
Thiruvananthapuram – Allepey – Kumarakom – Periyar – Munnar – Cochin

RAJASTHAN GOA BANGALORE
12 nights / 13 days
Delhi – Agra – Jaipur – Udaipur – Mumbai – Goa – Bangalore

TAJ & KASHMIR
10 nights / 11 days
Delhi – Srinagar – Gulmarg – (Leh/Ladakh – Nubra) -Jaipur – Ranthambore – Agra

CAMEL SAFARIS
17 nights / 18 days
Delhi – Mandawa – Bikaner – Jodhpur – Jaisalmer – Udaipur – Bundi – Ranthambore – Bharatpur – Agra


Small special interest groups, festival, shopping, trekking, gardening, cooking, fishing, golf, rail tickets, car hire, volunteering programs ….

PHONE: Sydney 0411617517 India 001191 9871690092
WEBSITE www.culturalsafaris.com.au EMAIL: michelle@culturalsafaris.com.au

International airfares issued by Jetset - we recommend & use Singapore airlines
Cultural safaris is a proud supporter of the www.i-indiaproject.org.au which empowers India’s street children through education & vocational training, to lead productive lives.

TOUR INCLUSIONS

Superior hotels 

All sightseeing as per itinerary

Sumptuous breakfasts 

A/C transportation

Hotel & services taxes

Some lunches & diners

Jaipur elephant ride 

Wildlife safari 

Entrance fees to monuments

Local English speaking guides

Meet & assist on arrivals/departures

All transfers

Domestic airfares

Kerala/Kashmir houseboats with private valet

Fully escorted by professional tour director*

See our booking form for  further conditions/requirements.