Dates March 1st to 14th 2016.
India-2016:Culinary-Culture-Yoga-Ayurveda-Tiger-Safari
1st March Arrival Day
13th:Departure Evening.
Flights from the US need to leave on 29th Feb,and will get in late 0n the 1st March, or early am of the 2cnd March
Group space maybe held out of San Francisco,so we can have a uniform arrival time.
Flights from South Africa leaving on the 1st March, get in early am on the 2nd March.
If you leave on the 29th Feb, you get in early am on the 1st March.
From Stephen,who designed this tour.
I designed this trip from my experiences in India to give the first time visitor to India,a focused ie Northern India smorgasbord experience.
From Culinary to Ayurveda,the iconic Delhi Gate and the Taj Mahal,to a visit on the wild side for a Tiger Safari.
When we are in Delhi,and Jaipur,for those that want to participate,we will source local Yoga classes,so we can experience how yoga is taught over in India.
Its a Yoga/Ayurveda,combined with Culture,Culinary,Nature,People and Places- A Northern India Adventure.
We will experience travel in India via rail,coach,local air flights,a Rickshaw ride in Old Delhi,and by foot,thereby giving you a full experience of how the locals live.
We will visit local Markets,local restaurants,and immerse ourselves into an array of experiences.
Part of the tour is partly unstructured,with free time in Rishikesh.
I will familiarize everyone with the area by a group walk about,its not a very large area,so you can experience what you like while in Rishikesh.
Everyone will receive and experience 3 Ayurveda treatments at a local Ayurveda Clinic.
All culinary experiences ie when we go to a restaurant when its pre included in the tour price,and or the cooking demonstration that are included,are based on Vegetarian meals.
Its a dynamic trip that goes deep into the Culture/Places/People of India.
For rates,please inquire from the person who sent you this link.
Outline Itinerary
| Days | Sector |
| Day 1 | Arrive Delhi |
| Day 2 | Delhi |
| Day 3 | Delhi |
| Day 4 | Delhi / Agra |
| Day 5 | Agra/Fatehpur Sikri/ Ranthambhore |
| Day 6 | Ranthambhore |
| Day 7 | Ranthambhore/ Jaipur |
| Day 8 | Jaipur |
| Day 09 | Jaipur/ Delhi/ Dehradun/Rishikesh |
| Day 10 | Rishikesh |
| Day 11 | Rishikesh |
| Day 12 | Rishikesh |
| Day 13 | Rishikesh/ Dehradun/ Delhi Departure |
Inclusive of:
• Accommodation on twin share basis at above mentioned hotels.
• Daily breakfast at the hotels.
All meals will be provided at Ranthambhore Bagh and as mentioned in the program.
• Gourmet Desire cooking demonstration with by Spice/Vegetable Market Tour followed by lunch (4-5 hours).
• Dinner at Evergreen Restaurant in Delhi and Narain Niwas with Folk dance & music in Jaipur as per program.
• Arrival & Departure transfers in private AC chauffeur driven vehicle as per group size (Mini/Large Coach).
• Assistance at airport arrival and departures.
• Sightseeing tours as mentioned in the itinerary.
• Services of accompanying English speaking escort from Day 01 till Day 09.
• Monument entrance fee (one visit only).
• Morning and evening game drive by private Jeep at Ranthambhore national Park.
. Domestic flight tickets.
• Two bottles of water (Indian brand) per person per day during journeys.
• Rickshaw ride in Old Delhi.
• Sound & Light show at Amber Fort.
• Train tickets from Bharatpur to Ranthambhore by Air-conditioned chair car class.
• All presently applicable taxes.
In Rishikeh every group participant will receive 3 Ayurveda treatments ie abhayanga massage + steam+ shirodhara.
As well also included is a 1 to 1.5 hour discussion on Ayurveda with a local doctor,and we will visit a local Ayurveda chemist,where we will talk with the chemist about different Ayurveda products,how they are produced,where they produced,and some common popular products and their benefits.
Not Included:
• Cost of any optional/additional activities.
• Hotel early check in / Late check out.
• International Airfares.
• Indian Visa.
• Any meals unless mentioned.
• Travel and Health insurance.
• Any drinks,other than whats pre included with any meals.
• All international /domestic airport taxes.
• Overweight luggage • Personal expenses – mineral water, telephone calls, laundry, etc.
• Tips & gratuities.
• Camera Fees.
• Lunches / dinner for Foreign Tour unless mentioned in inclusions.
• Other services/activities which are not listed in inclusive column.
Note regarding Meals:
When its a meal is your own account that means its not included as part of the tour rate,and it’s for your own expense.
Day 01: Arrive Delhi
On arrival at the international airport,proceed to immigration clearance after disembarking.
Thereafter collect baggage from the baggage carousel and walk to the arrivals lounge after clearing customs.
You will be greeted by our guide with a placard bearing your name on it.
He will assist you with your luggage and transfer you to the hotel.
Room will be held so that you have accommodation on immediate occupancy.
Time to sleep and get over jet lag.
Overnight at the Hotel Justa greater Kailash – Superior Room
Day 02: Delhi
After breakfast at the hotel we depart for a full day guided city tour visiting both Old and New Delhi.
Your private guided tour of the capital today highlights the remarkable contrast between Old and New Delhi.
Your excursion includes:
- Vijay Chowk vantage point for grand sweep of British Raj Era Buildings
- Old Delhi focus will be on the magnificence of Jami Masjid (1656); Red Fort (1639)
- Chandni Chowk with its busy hive of lanes that you will tour on Cycle Rickshaw.
After lunch at local restaurant in Old Delhi,(Own Account) you will be visiting Humayun’s Tomb (1565) first Mughal garden tomb and inspiration for several later monuments such as the incomparable Taj Mahal and The Qutb Minar (1193) tower.
Later you will be visiting Janpath Market,one of the oldest markets of New Delhi with establishment of some boutiques dating back to 1950.
Breakfast:Justa Greter Kailash.
Lunch/Dinner:Local Restaurant/hotel (Own Account).
Dinner at Evergreen Restaurant included.
Overnight at the hotel.
For those want to join in,we could do a spontaneous visit to the Shrine of a Sufi teacher,to listen to the chanting of songs of love and devotion.
Day 03: Delhi
Breakfast at the hotel
Experience a cooking demonstration at a local home.
Your host invites you to experience,explore and relish the culinary and cultural heritage of the capital city of India that is Delhi.
Start your day with an Indian cooking lesson and lunch,followed by a visit to a spice market with your host.
Later enjoy shopping at Khan Market.
Earlier in the tour we visited the budget Jan Path market. Today we go to the opposite to the popular Khan Market.
It has a variety of shops ranging from bookshops to Ethnic garments shop,from shops selling household appliances to sports wear and pet shops can be found here.Not leaving out the foodies and the ones who enjoy their drinks, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Khan Market is almost in the heart of the city,close to India Gate.
Breakfast:Justa Greter Kailash
Lunch:Included
Dinner:Local Restaurant/hotel (Own Account)
Overnight at the hotel
Day 04: Delhi / Vrindavan
Early Morning after breakfast drive to Vrindavan.
It is a hub of Bhakti Yoga,the yoga of love and devotion,
- Today we join with a local guide to explore 2 well known temples,well known for their incredible architecture,attention to detail and ambiance.
- As well we will visit the studio of a local sculptor.
- Experience a evening prayer ceremony.
- Possibly we will hold a evening yoga class.
- Listen to some local music at a local restaurant.
- We will visit a temple where you will experience 24 hour singing of song’s of devotion.
Last but not least,we leave some time to enjoy our unique lodging for the night.
Today will be a full day of focused experiences around the theme of the search for greater Consciousness,and how others in the world walk that path.
Overnight at the Krishna Balaram Mandir or similair.
Breakfast:Justa Greter Kailash
Lunch/Dinner: Own Account.
Day 05: Agra-Taj Mahal
Possibly an early morning yoga class.
Travel to Agra, which is about a 90minute to 2hr drive.
Early morning visit to the Taj Mahal.
Lunch will be at a local restaurant (Own Account)
Thereafter arrival check in to the hotel.
We have another visit to the Taj scheduled for the early evening,with a private guided tour to experience the wonderful effects caused by the reflections of the setting Sun in front of the Taj Mahal.
I have added this in for those wanting to maybe capture that amazing sunset photo of the Taj(weather dependent)
Part of the afternoon can be free to catch up with some rest,or we will do some of the local markets/ sites around Agra.
We will not be out for to long as we still have the late afternoon return to the Taj Mahal.
Dinner will be at a local restaurant. Own Account.
Overnight at the hotel The Grand Imperial – Deluxe Room.
Breakfast: Justa Greter Kailash.
Lunch/Dinner: Own Account.
Day 6: Agra / Fatehpur Sikri / Ranthambhore
Early am yoga anyone?
After breakfast at the hotel,transfer to Bharatpur railway station to board train for Ranthambhore
En route guided visit to Fatehpur Sikri (City of Victory).
Outlined by imposing gateways and well-defined private and public areas,the city of Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar in 1570, in honor of the Sufi saint,Salim Chisti. Its a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lunch Own Account
Kota Jan Shatabdi Express at 1550 hrs / 1802 hrs – Air-conditioned chair car carriage.
Upon arrival at Sawai Madhopur railway station transfer to the hotel.
Breakfast:Agra Hotel.
Lunch Own Account.
Dinner:Ranthambhore Bagh
Overnight at the hotel Ranthambhore Bagh – Standard Room
Day 07: Ranthambhore
Return to lodge/hotel for breakfast.
After tea or coffee in lodge/hotel, we will depart on a game drive in private jeeps accompanied by a local park naturalist.
Return to lodge/hotel after sunset.
Option exists for those who want to do some bird watching in between the game drives,this can also be arranged.
Breakfast:Ranthambhore Bagh.
Lunch:Ranthambhore Bagh.
Dinner:Ranthambhore Bagh.
Overnight at the Lodge.
Day 08: Ranthambhore / Jaipur 160 Kms/ 3 hrs drive
Early am yoga anyone?
Morning visit the Surwal Lake for bird watching by jeeps with a local naturalist.
Return to the hotel for breakfast.
Later drive to Jaipur,upon arrival check in at the hotel.
Evening light and sound show at the Amber Fort followed by dinner at Narain Niwas Palace with Folk Dance and Music.
Recipes served at Narain Niwas Palace are original recipes collected by Thakur Amar Singh Ji during his life time. Most recipes will not be found anywhere else.
These are made in complete supervision of the family members – all culminating in a once-in-a-lifetime experience for each of our guests.
Since 1863,the family of Kanota takes pride in continuing the centuries old tradition of following the original secret recipe in the same traditional way.
Breakfast:Ranthambhore Bagh.
Lunch:Local Restaurant/ hotel Own Account.
Dinner:Narain Niwas Palace.
Overnight at the Hotel Alsisar Haveli – Standard Room.
Day 09: Jaipur
After breakfast at the hotel,full day guided tour of the city.
In the morning take an excursion to the hill top Fort Palace of Amber.
It offers a panoramic view of the moated lake and historical old town at the base of the hill.
Time permitting, you may have opportunity ride up to the fort on the back of an elephant.(own account).
In the afternoon we will visit:
- City Palace Museum (a part of the Palace still remains the residence of the Jaipur royal family)
- The Jantar Mantar – an 18th century observatory
- The legendary Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds)
Breakfast:Hotel
Lunch:Local Restaurant/ hotel Own Account.
Dinner:LMB/ Chokhi Dhani Own Account.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10: Jaipur / Delhi/ Dehradun/Rishikesh
Image:Ganga river,part of the Himalaya foothills,and the area across the river is part of Laxman Jhula.
Early morning transfer to the airport to board the flight for Dehradun via Delhi.
Jet Airways 9W 2250 Depart. at 07:50 hrs Arrive. at 08:55 Hrs.
Arrive Delhi and take connecting flight to Dehradun.
Jet Airways 9W 824 Depart. at 11:10 Hrs Arrive. at 12:10 Hrs.
(Check In for Domestic flights start 1 hour prior to the flight departure)
Upon arrival at Dehradun airport transfer to Rishikesh (20 kms, 1 hour).
Arrival and check in at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
For all you Beatles lovers,we will visit two small villages located close to each other,lying at the foothills of the Himalayan mountains where the clear ,clean Ganges River flows. This area was made famous when the Beatles visited in 1968.
Technically we are not going to the town of Rishikesh,nor did they go to that town.
Its a place with all types of Yoga,Meditation,Restaurants,Bakeries,Shops…where locals and Westerner mingle together.
Day 10,11, 12,13
Here the trip becomes more unstructured.
On our arrival day,I will walk around and show you the 2 areas ie Ram Jhula and Laxman Jhula.
I will point out restaurants,yoga classes,shops,and show you the different interconnected pathways that connect these 2 areas.
We will walk by the the white sandy beach where the Ganges flows out of the Himalayan mountains- clean, clear, crisp and cold, and yes you can swim here. I will show you the forest road, where many of the local sadhus hang out and live in simple organic type surroundings.
All these roads/pathways,are all interconnected,making its easy to explore and participate in what this special Spiritually infused part of India has to offer.
Everyone will be scheduled for a 2hr Ayurveda bodywork experience consisting of 3 different treatments,ie massage, sweat,and oil drops on the forehead.These are pre included in the tour rate.
We will also meet with a local Ayurveda doctor and visit a Ayurveda chemist as we investigate this ancient system of healing.
These 4 days here are intended to give you the space to experience at your pace and at your choice,with only 2 group,and 1 Individual treatment as structured time.
Breakfast will be included daily,leaving you free to enjoy the many restaurants,including a gluten free vegan bakery.
Meals are relatively inexpensive:If you pay IR3 to 400 for a meal,at today’s conversion rate its about $5 to$7.00.
Yoga classes with a dynamite Iyengar trained teacher is IR200 about $4 for a 2 hr class.
There are many different types of yoga classes to choose from.Its a time to explore,expand your horizons,experience something different.
Our lodging will be in a quite area,as parts of this area can be busy at times.
We will be a short 3 minute walk to the Ganges River.
Even though we dont have a lot of structure for this portion of the trip,we can still do group activities together, some options are:
- Everyone gets some picnic take away food,and we go to one of the beach areas to sit,talk, relax, swim, etc.
- Maybe we will have informal spontaneous group talk on Spirituality,Mysticism,Vegetarianism etc
- Possibly we will go as a group to enjoy experience a Indian Classical Dance Class
- or maybe everyone will enjoy to be free from the past structure of the tour,and enjoy the freedom do what they want to do,in a unstructured way.
For our last night together,we will go to one of the local restaurants,for your own account,for our farewell meal.
Day 14: Rishikesh / Dehradun/Delhi Departure
Pick up from hotel in Rishikesh and drive to Dehradun airport to board the flight for Delhi.
Jet Airways 9W 334 Dep. at 15:55 hrs Arr. at 16:55 hrs
(Check In for Domestic flights start 1 hour prior to the flight departure)
Upon arrival in Delhi transfer to local restaurant for dinner,own account (close to the airport / time permitting).
After dinner transfer to International airport to board the flight back home.
(Check In for international flights start 3-4 hours prior to flight departure)
Dinner: Own Account
END OF SERVICES
As there has been a significant rise & fall of Indian Rupee against the US Dollar for the last one year, in case the US dollar falls below 58 against 01 US$ we have to re quote the price.
