Village India, Village Tours in India, Villages and Trible, Village and Tribes India.

WANDER THROUGH VILLAGES

Review:
This trip offers a unique opportunity to experience traditional village life through colorful Indian States of Rajasthan and Gujarat. To enlighten the sense of personal involvement and achievements, we include a camel safari around the little known low lands of the “Rann of Kutch”. Finally, we spend full day to discover the sites of metropolitan city of Bombay.

Ref:

WTV.

Duration:
19 Days
Season:
Round The Year

Itinerary:
Delhi - Fatehpur Sikri - Samode - Nawalgarh - Bikaner - Pokran - Jaisalmer - Barmer - Badrajun - Mount Abu - Bhuj - Kutch - Bombay

DAY 01.   ARRIVE DELHI
Morning arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel. Afternoon combined guided tour of Old and New Delhi includes Jammia Masjid Mosque, Cycle rickshaw ride through Chandni chowk, Red Fort, drive through India Gate and Parliament house, Qutab Minar and Humayuns Tomb.

DAY 02.   DELHI – FATEH PUR SIKRI                                 Drive 238 Km 6 Hrs.
Morning drive to Agra, en-route visit Mathura the birthplace of Lord Krishna and the tomb of Emperor Akbar at Sikandra. Arrive Agra and explore the marble wonder “Taj Mahal” and the Agra Fort built by Emperor Akbar as his citadel over the years 1565 – 73. Continue the drive to Fatehpur Sikri, the abandoned city of Akbar, arrive, explore the city and check in at hotel.

DAY 03.   FATEH PUR SIKRI – JAIPUR - SAMODE                 Drive 242 Km 6 Hrs.
Morning depart and drive to Samode, en-route visit 11km. short of Jaipur the former capital Amber, up hill elephant ride to admire the massive gateways, courts, stairways and pillared pavilions / palaces. Continue to Jaipur and explore City palace, Observatory (Jantar Mantar), Hawah Mahal (Palace of winds) and bustling Bazaar. Evening drive to Samode, arrive and check in at hotel for overnight stay.

DAY 04.   SAMODE – NAWALGARH                                 Drive 185 Km 4 Hrs.                      Morning after breakfast a brief visit of Samodee village and drive to Nawalgarh, one of the most picturesque town in the Shekhawati region, arrive and check in at a Palace, partly converted into hotel. rest of the day to explore the village and fresco painted havelies of rich merchants who have migrated to metropolitan cities for better business prospectus.

DAY 05.   NAWALGARH – BIKANER                                Drive 240 Km 5 Hrs.
Morning depart and drive towards Bikaner, en-route explore ethnic villages. Arrive and check in at hotel. Afternoon explore Junagad Fort built by Raja Jai Singh (1571-1611), camel breeding center, Karni Mata Temple (28 Km), this temple is famous for the legends of rats which are venerated here, popularly known as rat temple.

DAY 06.   BIKANER – POKRAN                                         Drive 228 Km 5 Hrs.
Morning depart and drive to Pokran, arrive and check-in at Fort Pokran, partially converted into hotel, the Royal family also lives there. Evening explore the fort and village.

DAY 07.   POKRAN – JAISALMER                   Drive 110 Km 2 Hrs.
Morning short drive to Jaisalmer, arrive and check-in a hotel.   Afternoon discover Jaisalmer’s intricately carved havellies (houses of rich business man ) and the Fort where a large number of population still live.

DAY 08.   IN JAISALMER
Full day village safari by Jeeps to remote villages and the abandoned Kuldhar.

DAY 09.   JAISALMER – BARMER                   Drive 153 Km 2 Hrs.
Morning drive to Barmer, en-route visit wood focil park and typical local villages. Arrive and check – in hotel. Barmer, a small desert town is famous for its wooden carved furniture and hand block printing.

DAY 10.   BARMER – BADRAJUN                    Drive 300 Km Prox. 7 Hrs.
Morning depart a day long drive to Badrajun, overnight stay at Fortress converted partly into guest house, where the Royal family also reside. Evening visit the village.

DAY 11.   BADRAJUN – MOUNT ABU                        Drive 200 Km prox. 4 Hrs.
Morning depart and drive to Mount Abu, a hill station famous for Dilwara Jain Temples. Arrive and check in a hotel for two nights. Rest of the day at leisure.

DAY 12.   IN MOUNT ABU
Located at about 4000' above sea level, Mount Abu is a stronghold of Jainism and consequently a sacred place of pilgrimage. Dilwara temples are composed of pure white marble and famed far and wide for their intricate carvings and virtuoso architecture. Other sites includes Gaumukh temple, Achalgarh fort, lake and the village. Full day to explore the sites.

DAY 13.   MOUNT ABU – BHUJ                         Drive 438 Km
Morning drive and enter into state of Gujarat, Arrive Bhuj (a region believed to had already advanced settlements by 3000 BC.) check in at hotel.

DAY 14 to 16.   SAFARI                                                                                                               Morning explore Bhuj, and continue for village safari around Kutch, to discover little known villages of Rann of Kutch. Overnight stay at a guesthouse or camp.

DAY 17.   SAFARI – BHUJ – BOMBAY Fly
Return to Bhuj airport and fly Bombay, for two nights. Arrive and transfer to hotel.

DAY 18.   IN BOMBAY
Full day to explore the city and boat trip across the harbor to the famous rock - cut temples of Elephanta Island subject to availability of steamer.

DAY 19.   DEPARTURE
Transfer to airport for homeward flight.