Encounter with the Tribals
Duration: 13 nights / 14 days
Destinations Covered: Delhi, Bhubaneshwar, Konark, Puri, Gopalpur on Sea, Rayagada, Jeypore, Vishakhapatnam, Delhi

Orissa Tribe

Day 1: Abroad Delhi
Meeting assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel.
(CHECK-IN TIME 12 NOON)
Overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Delhi - Bhubaneshwar
Transfer to airport in time to connect flight for Bhubaneshwar.

Arrive Bhubaneswar.Meet on arrival and transfer to Hotel.

Afternoon city tour-Bhubaneswar is Orissa's capital, and home to many important Hindu and Jain pilgrimage sites. Visit the most important temples-Lingaraj, Mukteswar, Parasurameswar and Rajarani.

Overnight at Hotel.

Day 3: Bhubaneshwar
Full day visit to Ratnagiri Lalitagiri Udayagiri Buddhist complex.
Overnight at hotel.

Orissa Tribe

Day 4: Bhubaneshwar - Konark - Puri
Drive to Puri enroute visiting the colourful Pipli village famous for applieque works and Konarak Sun Temple. Arrive Puri and check into hotel.

Afternoon visit Puri one of the most holiest places in the country-visit Puri Jagannath Temple from Raghunathan Library and also visit the local bazaar.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 5: Puri
Full day visit of Puri visiting the stone carving and pattachitra paintings villages.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 6: Puri - Gopalpur on Sea
Drive to Gopalpur on sea - 235kms & 5 hours drive ex Puri-enroute visitng the larget breackish water lake in the country-spreading over 1200 sqkms.It is winter that Chilka really comes to life,the great lake then become the largest bird sanctuary in India as migratory birds from distant lands as Siberia make it to the lake-short cruise.PM. Arrive Gopalpur on sea and check into hotel.

Overnight at hotel.

Tribe, Orissa

Day 7: Gopalpur on Sea - Rayagada
Drive to Rayagada -215kms & 5 hours enroute visiting Taptapani- sulphuric spring, local villages , Saora tribes.pm.Arive Rayagada and check into hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 8: Rayagada - Jeypore
Drive to Chatikona - 40kms each way 1 hr drive.-to visit the colourful weekly tribal market of Dhongria Kondhs. The Kondhs were famous in history for their Meriah Sacrifice-Human sacrifice.The Kondhs are of Dravidian origin.They speak Kui language.They practice elaborate birth,marriage and death rituals.PM.Drive to Jeypore-135kms 3 hr & half hours drive- enroute visiting the Desia Kondhs tribes and villages.Arrive in the evening and check into hotel.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 9: Jeypore
Drive to Onukudelli-90kms each way -2 hours drive- to visit the famous Bonda tribe and their weekly tribal market.Bondas are one of the most primitive tribes and they are termed as the wildest,rudest and possibly the most interesting tribe of Orissa.They call themselves Remo and speak a very difficult Asutro-Asiatic language.They are expert cultivators.PM. Visit the colourlful Gadaba tribes,their village and lifestyles.the Gadaba are animist,worshipping many Gods and Goddesses.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 10: Jeypore
Drive to Kunduli- 1& Half hour drive each way- to visit the weekly tribal market of the Paraja tribes and Sono Gadaba tribes.This is one of the largest weekly market of the area. The language of Paraja tribe is Parji.PM.Visit of the Jagannath Temple and tribal museum.

Overnight at hotel.

Araku Valley, Vishakhapatnam

Day 11: Jeypore - Vishakhapatnam
Drive to Visakhapatham- 240kms and 6 hrs drive via Araku Valley and enroute visiting the Gupteswar and Bora Caves.

Arrive in the evening and check into hotel.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 12: Vishakhapatnam
Drive to Simachalam 40kms to visit the famous Vishnu Temple.

Evening free.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 13: Vishakhapatnam - Delhi
Departure transfer to Airport in time to connect flight for Delhi.

Meeting assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel.

Ovenight at hotel.

Day 14: Delhi - Abroad
Transfer to international airport in time to connect flight for your onward flight.
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Pushkar Fair with Rajasthan
Duration: 15 nights / 16 days
Destinations Covered: Delhi, Mandawa, Bikaner, Gajner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Narlai, Pushkar, Jaipur, Agra, Delhi

Qutub Minar, Delhi

Day 1: Abroad - Delhi
Arrive at Delhi International airport.
On arrival in Delhi, the guest will be met by our representative and transferred to hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Delhi
This morning you will be taken to visit Old Delhi - the former centre of Moghul Power, Old Delhi offers ancient monuments, narrow streets and bustling bazaars. Drive past the Red Fort, built in 1648 and board the 'rickshaw ride' for a unique experience from the Red Fort, through "Chandni Chowk" or Silver Street, experiencing the sights and sounds of this very busy avenue heading west from the Fort. Later visit the Jamia Masjid, the greatest mosque in India and completed in 1658 by Shah Jahan who also built the Taj Mahal, and the Raj Ghat, the simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

Afternoon sightseeing tour of New Delhi ? drive past the stately government buildings of the British Era designed by Lutyens, including the India Gate & the Presidential Palace. Continue onto the beautiful Humayuns tomb of the Mughal era & predecessor of the world famous Taj Mahal. End the tour at the towering minaret of Qutab Minar.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3: Delhi - Mandawa
Morning drive to Mandawa (250 km)

Upon arrival in Mandawa - check into the hotel.

Afternoon visit the town, a painted arched gateway adorned with Lord Krishna and his cows leads to the bazaar. You can wander through the streets where mansions of rich merchants are adorned with elaborate & lively frescoes, cataloging the life, habits/fashions of the Marwari community and onto Fatehpur & Laxmangarh completing the tour of Shekhawati region.

Overnight at the hotel.

Gajner Palace, Bikaner

Day 4: Mandawa - Bikaner - Gajner
Morning drive to Gajner (230 km), en route visit Bikaner

Bikaner - this desert town in the north of the state was founded in 1488 by Roa Bikaji, a descendant of the founder of Jodhpur, Jodhaji. Visit the Junagarh Fort constructed between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Jai Singh, a general in the Moghul Emperor Akbar's army.

Thereafter continue drive to Gajner and check into the hotel.

Gajner Palace is an incomparable "Jewel in the Thar Desert" built on the embankment of a lake by His Late Highness Maharaja Ganga Singhji of Bikaner. During winter even now, this palace with its beautiful lake and surrounded wooded areas become the home of different species of migratory birds, most renowned amongst them being the Imperial Sand Grouse. Endangered Antelopes like Black Bucks, Nilgais, Chinkaras and other animals like the Wild Boar roam freely in this area which is now a preserved sanctuary.

Rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the surrounding areas of the Palace.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: Gajner - Jaisalmer
Morning drive to Jaisalmer (280 km).

Upon arrival in Jaisalmer - check into the hotel

Late afternoon visit the Sand Dunes and a camel ride to view the sunset, as the sky is set on fire and Rajasthani folk musicians play haunting tunes. It can be an unforgettable experience.

Overnight at hotel.

Jaisalmer Fort

Day 6: Jaisalmer
Morning visit the city's magnificent havelis or merchant's houses, each richly decorated and carved from golden yellow sandstone - Patwon-ki-haveli (House of the Brocade Merchants) is the largest and most elaborate of the famous havelis of Jaisalmer. The Nathmalji-ki-haveli (The Mansion of Nathmalji), the last of the great havelis was built in the late 19th century. End the morning with a visit to Gadisar Lake - the large natural oasis that attracted Rawal Jaisal to this site.

Late afternoon enjoy Camel ride to visit the Royal Cenotaphs of the Rawals in Barra bagh where the rural were cremated. This is also the best place from which to watch the spectacular desert sunset, and photograph the fort.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 7: Jaisalmer - Jodhpur
Morning drive to Jodhpur (280 km).

Upon arrival in Jodhpur - check into the hotel.

Afternoon City tour of Jodhpur - the largest city in Rajasthan after Jaipur, Jodhpur stands at the edge of the Thar Desert. It was founded by Rao Jodha. Chief of the Rajput clan known as Rathores and the Rathore kingdom was once known as Marwar - the Land of Death. The tour includes Meherangarh Fort - one of the most impressive & formidable in the whole of fort-studded Rajasthan is situated on a high natural rock bluff and from which you can look down on the wonderful panorama of the bustling city below, Jaswant Thada - the Royal Cenotaphs.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 8: Jodhpur - Udaipur
Morning drive to Udaipur (260 km), en route visit Ranakpur Jain temples.

Jain Temple, Ranakpur

RANAKPUR - the most magnificent 15th century Jain temples situated in the deep secluded valley of the Aravalli Hills. Though over 500 years old, the temples here are superbly preserved in a near-perfect condition. In the centre is the main "Chaumukha temple" dedicated ot Adinath. The most distinctive features are the 29 halls supported by 1444 pillars, of which no two are exactly alike. Every conceivable surface is carved and every corner and angle is engraved with Jain images. Includes visit to two more Jain temples and the Temple of the Sun God with its erotic sculptures.

Thereafter continue drive to Udaipur.

Upon arrival in Udaipur - check into the hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 9: Udaipur - Narlai
Morning City tour of Udaipur, one of India's most romantic cities and famed for its lovely palaces and lakes. Begin by visiting the City Palace and wandering through its beautiful rooms and apartments, then continue on to the Garden of Maidens "Sahelion-ki-bari" and the Folk Art Museum, to view the interesting collection of puppets & paintings.

Drive to Narlai (130 kms)

Upon arrival in Narlai - check into the hotel.

Narlai - a royal hunting retreat, between Jodhpur and Udaipur is an enchanting new destination. Situated amidst dramatic boulders and ancient temples, the Rawla lies at a foothill of a stupendous 350 - foot single rock granite hill. Maharaj and Rani Swaroop Singh and their sons oversaw the careful restoration of this 15th century home of Marwar nobility. The ambience is a special blend of aesthetics and comfort that envelope the senses.

Later visit the surrounding region including temples where a miraculous flame has burnt for centuries producing saffron instead of soot! Wishes made here, it is said, come true.

Overnight at hotel.

Narlai, Ranakpur

Day 10: Narlai - Pushkar
Morning drive to Pushkar (280 km)

Pushkar - is famous for its colourful annual fair during kartik poornima (full moon) in the November each year. At this time this otherwise peaceful and gentle village on the banks of holy Pushkar take is thrown into colourful confusion when the desert tribes and camel caravans meet to trade cattle, camels, goat, sheep, clothes, jewellery and spices beside the sacred Pushkar Lake and to perform their rituals in its waters, to the accompaniment of temple & folk music. Upto 200000 traders and 50000 cattle pour into town, along with numerous festooned camels and colourful pilgrims. After 10 hectic days of livestock dealing, camel racing and colourful festivities, everybody goes for a big holy dip in the lake on the night of the full moon. (Kartik Purnima).

Upon arrival in Pushkar - check into the Royal Camp captures the luxurious nostalgia of a bygone age of the Maharaja's Safari and Shikar camps, combined with innovative design demonstrating many of the skills and crafts of Marwar. The camp consists of tents, each with verandah, bedroom and bathroom. There is a large dining tent serving the best of Rajasthani cuisine and a large open reception tent with seating areas. The campfire is the focal point for the evening entertainment programme with cocktails & rhythms of the Thar-music, dancing, magicians, puppet shows, jugglers, flaming torches & camel parades.

Afternoon City tour of Pushkar - 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.

Overnight at Camp.

Pushkar Fair

Day 11: Pushkar
Full day at the fair. Built as 'an explosion of fun, frolic, games and laughter', the fair provides some wonderful photographic opportunities and is a rare change to see Rajasthani women decked out in all their traditional jewellery, dress and finery. Temple music wafts through the night, as the fires die down and the Rajasthani melodies played on the stringed ek-tara come to a close. On the night of the full moon, the pilgrims bathe by moonlight, then send marigold and rose petals floating across the lake on green plate-like leaves. It is worth getting up early to see the camels and tribes rousing themselves in the pink of the dawn desert light.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 12: Pushkar - Jaipur
Late morning drive to Jaipur (150 km)

Upon arrival in Jaipur - check into the hotel.

Afternoon tour of the City - "The Pink City" is spectacularly set within surrounding rugged hills, dotted with ancient ruined fortresses. Your tour will include the imposing City Palace, still home to the Maharaja although several of the rooms are now open to the public. Many antiques and artefacts belonging to the ruling family are housed here, including a collection of weaponry. You will also visit the Hawa Mahal "Palace of the Winds", and the open-air Jantar Mantar Observatory to see the vast astronomical instruments. Enjoy a stroll through the colourful bazaar before returning to your hotel.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 13: Jaipur
Morning tour of the impressive Amber Fort, situated on a ridge just outside Jaipur City. 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.

Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.

Taj Mahal, Agra

Day 14: Jaipur - Agra
Morning drive to Agra (221 km), en route visit Fatehpur Sikri.

Fatehpur Sikri the deserted, red sandstone city that was built by Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the 16th century. Also visit the Bulund Darwaza the largest gateway in the world.

Thereafter continue drive to Agra.
Upon arrival in Agra - check into the hotel.

Afternoon visit Red Fort & the famous Taj Mahal.

Red Fort - lies on the bend of the river Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. It was built by Akbar 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.

Taj Mahal -This most famous Moghul monument was constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal "the lady of the Taj". It has been described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love, for the emperor was heartbroken when Mumtaz died after 17 years of marriage, during the birth of her 14th child.The central structure has four small domes surrounding the huge, central dome. Above the tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan are false tombs, a common practice in Indian mausoleums. (Taj Mahal is closed on Friday).

Stay at pristine Taj Mahal for sunset, to see this true Wonder of the world in gentle late afternoon light.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 15: Agra - Delhi
Late morning drive to Delhi (203 km)

Upon arrival in Delhi.

Later in late evening transfer to International airport for flight back to home.

Day 16: Delhi - Abroad
Depart Delhi
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