PUSHKAR WITH KOLAYAT FESTIVAL 12 DAYS
Delhi - Pushkar - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer - Bikaner - Thar Desert - Jodhpur - Delhi

Possibly the most romantic state in India, Rajasthan, famous for its striking desert landscape and colorful festivals, is steeped in tales of chivalry, honor, warriors and royalty. Its legendary cities of Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner are resplendent with stunning forts that bear silent witness to the bravery and might of the Rajput warriors. Opulent palaces of breathtaking grandeur and whimsical charm pay tribute to its regal past and abound with treasures of artistic skills long forgotten. Rajasthan is filled with magnificent palaces and its diversity stretches from the lush green forests to the golden sands of the Thar Desert in the west. Along the way are innumerable forts and palaces, many of which are now charming hotels run by the former ruling families. e have timed our tour to include two of the most amazing festivals in Rajasthan including the famous Pushkar camel festival as well as the Kolayat festival.

ITINERARY & PRICES

Day 1: Nov 10 (Wednesday): Arrive Delhi
Arrive in Delhi. On arrival, you will be welcomed by our representative at Delhi International Airport and transferred to ROYAL PLAZA HOTEL or similar. (Room will be available from 2pm). Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 2: Nov 11(Thursday): Delhi (BLD)
After breakfast enjoy the full day sightseeing of New and Old Delhi. The capital city of modern India, New Delhi is a well laid-out main metropolitan area built by the British when they moved their capital here from Calcutta in 1911. It blends internationalism and tradition, with many interesting museums and art galleries here. We will visit the President’s Palace and India Gate in the Lutyens’ Imperial City. Visit Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar and that pay homage to the mighty Afghan & Mughal Empires. Afternoon head out to explore “Old Delhi” with its narrow dirt roads, its myriad people and inexpensive and colorful bazaars that keep alive the traditional workmanship for which Delhi has always been famous. We will enjoy a Heritage Walk in the heart of Chandini Chowk (the silver square - so named because of the silver merchants). Negotiating alleyways, which seemingly get narrower and narrower we end up at the Jama Masjid, the largest Muslim mosque in India. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 3: Nov 12 (Friday): Delhi - Kishangarh (Flight) - Pushkar (drive 1.5 Hrs) (BLD)
Early morning once again enjoy the walk in the old city. The character of old Delhi is so much different in early morning as we see the whole city slowly wake up. The quietness of the morning is in such a contrast to the hustle and bustle that you experienced last evening. After breakfast, visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, situated in the heart of New Delhi. Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is the most prominent Sikh gurudwara, or Sikh house of worship, in Delhi, known for its association with the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan, and the pool inside its complex, known as the "Sarovar", whose water is considered holy by Sikhs and is known as "Amrit". Later transfer to airport to board the flight to Kishangarh. (Free baggage allowance on this flight is 33lbs and 15lbs hand luggage). On arrival in Kishangarh, drive to Pushkar. Upon arrival, we will check into our Swiss walk-in tents AAGAMAN TENTS. Each of these tents has private attached toilets with running cold water. Hot water will be provided in the morning and evening. There will be proper beds as well as electricity in each tent. We'll enjoy in the amazing spectacle called Pushkar. Thousands of camels, horses and other cattle along with their owners camp in the sand dune. Trade goes brisk and deals are made and animals exchanged. It is an assemblage of men with large colorful turbans, women wrapped in exquisite jewelry from head to toe, and children dressed in colorful, traditional attire. Late in the evening, go for an orientation walk of the festival ground. Overnight at the Camp.

Day 4: Nov 13 (Saturday): Pushkar (BLD)
You will have a full day to photograph Pushkar fair. The fair is initially devoted to the trade of camels, sheep, horses and cows. Their owners, dressed in colorful attire use all of their persuasive skills to sell them at the most competitive prices. The festival also offers the women an opportunity to purchase a huge variety of jewelry items. There are also stalls where colorful clothing is sold as well as tattoo shops, jugglers and fire dancers. As the fair nears its climax, various competitive events are held, such as camel races, musical chairs, and beauty contests. We will also visit the Brahma temple as well as the Pushkar Lake where thousands of people bath every day. (Photography is prohibited at the temple and at the lake).Brahma temple is the only temple in the world where Lord Brahma is worshiped and the main attraction of Pushkar. The temple has a special position in Hindu pantheons. There is life-size four-armed idol of Lord Brahma - the creator in the vestibule. We will do street photography outside the temple. Overnight at the Camp.

Day 5: Nov 14 (Sunday): Pushkar - Jodhpur (drive 04-05 Hrs) (BLD)
Again you will have half day to photograph Pushkar fair. Afternoon, drive to Jodhpur, the second largest city in Rajasthan & has landscape dominated by the massive Mehrangarh Fort topping a sheer rocky ridge. On arrival, transfer to INDANA PALACE or similar. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 6: Nov 15 (Monday): Jodhpur (BLD)
After breakfast, visit the Mehrangarh Fort (Majestic Fort), one of the most impressive & formidable structures anywhere in India. Built by Rao Jodha, this 5km long Fort is on a 125m high hill & has some magnificent palaces with marvelously carved panels latticed window. We also visit Jaswant Thada, a cluster of royal cenotaphs in white marble built in the year 1899 AD in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Within the main cenotaph are the portraits of various Jodhpur rulers. It is an architectural landmark of Jodhpur. Late afternoon walking tour of the “Old Blue City” as well as the medieval bazaars of Jodhpur. So named because of the blue indigo used in the white wash of the houses, this area of Jodhpur is a delight for the photographers. You will also enjoy a hi-tea here atop a local house as you admire the blue city and the fortress. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 7: Nov 16 (Tuesday): Jodhpur - Jaisalmer (drive 6 Hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Jaisalmer for 06 hours. On arrival, check-in at RAWALKOT HOTEL or similar. Jaisalmer founded in the year 1156 by Bhatti Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal. Often described as Golden City & rising from the heart of the Thar Desert like a golden mirage the commanding Fort etched in yellow sandstone, dominates the amber-hued city with its entire awesome splendor. Later, we will drive out to Bada Bagh where the royal family members were cremated. Later watch and photograph sunset on the Jaisalmer fort. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 8: Nov 17 (Wednesday): Jaisalmer (BLD)
After breakfast, visit the old town of Jaisalmer & visit Jaisalmer Fort, built in the year 1156 by Rawal Jaisal. Perched on 80m high hill, housing the entire township within its ramparts, the golden hued Fort is standing like a sentinel in the bleak desert landscape. It is the only "Living Fort" in India & within its ramparts has an enchanting cow-web of narrow lanes dotted with some lovely Havelis (Mansions), Palaces & beautifully sculptured Jain Temples of the 12th-15th century AD & of course skilled artisans & ubiquitous camels. We also visit magnificent Patwon Ki Haveli in the heart of the town. It was built by the rich merchant Guman Chand Patwa & his sons, whose business stretched between Afghanistan & China. It is the most elaborate & magnificent of all the Jaisalmer Havelis & is virtually the showpiece of Jaisalmer's legendary architectural wealth. The carving on stone far surpasses in beauty the work on brocade & gold. Afternoon is free to wander around the lanes and by lanes of this city. Later we drive down 40 km away from Jaisalmer to Khuri to take the Camel ride on the Sand Dunes of Khuri while the sun is setting down. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 9: Nov 18 (Thursday): Jaisalmer - Bikaner (drive 6 Hrs) (BLD)
In the morning we'll have a sunrise shoot of the Gadisar Lake. After breakfast proceed to Bikaner. On arrival, check in at GAJNER PALACE or similar. An oasis town among scrub and sand dunes, Bikaner was founded by Rao Bika in 1488. It was once an important staging post on the great caravan trade routes and constituted a major centre of learning and wool trading the walled city retains a medieval air and sandstone architecture. The Junagadh fort is one of the best preserved in the country, with intricate murals and magnificent stone carvings. Late afternoon visit the Junagadh Fort, which is unusual, because other major forts of Rajasthan were built on hilltops, but this fort is built on the desert plain, surrounded by a moat. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 10: Nov 19 (Friday): Bikaner - Kolayat - Thar Desert (Dechu) (drive 4 Hrs) (BLD)
Early morning drive to witness the ritual bathing at the Ghats at the Kolayat temple. Thousands of holy-men and local tribesmen gather here to take the ritual bath. This day is the day of Kartik Purnima, the most holy time for an auspicious dip in the water. Later drive to Thar Desert (Dechu). On arrival, check-in to the camp - SAMSARA CAMP. Thar Desert (Dechu) is an ideal base to explore Indian desert life, culture, wildlife and landscape of breathtaking beauty. Within Dechu’s timeless horizons, you will find yourself one with nature. Late afternoon 4WD jeep safari to see the desert life up close. We will visit the villages of various tribes like the camel herders, the shoe makers, the weavers, the potters. This is an experience to see the rural India. Overnight at the Camp.

Day 11: Nov 20 (Saturday): Thar Desert (Dechu) - Jodhpur (drive 3 Hrs) - Delhi (Flight) (BLD)
Morning we will again do a 4WD jeep safari to visit the more villages in the middle of the Desert. Later, drive to Jodhpur and transfer to the airport to board the flight to Delhi (Free baggage allowance on this flight is 33lbs and 15lbs hand luggage). On arrival in Delhi, transfer to PRIDE HOTEL or similar. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 12: Nov 21 (Sunday): Depart Delhi
Today transfer to the Delhi International airport to board the flight for onward journey/back to home. (Rooms will be booked till 12:00 Hrs on this day)

Prices - Upon request.
Coach class internal airfare is extra as applicable

Optional services:
Accompanying tour escort charges; Upon request.

INCLUSIONS

Double room on sharing basis.
Meals as mentioned above. (Start with the breakfast on day 02 and end with the dinner on day 11)
All transfers and sightseeing by air-conditioned vehicles (03 Person in 01 Car) and by Mini van for 04-07 person, Mini bus for 08-10 Person.
Service of English speaking local guide with excellent knowledge.
Entrances to the monuments as per the program.
01 Camel ride on the sand dunes of Khuri Desert near Jaisalmer.
02 Jeep safaris in the Thar Desert.
Bottled water in the vehicle during sightseeing and drives.
EXCLUSIONS
• Any accompanying tour escort (quoted separately),
• Any airfare (quoted separately), Personal expenses, International airfare, Visa fees
• Customary gratitude to your guide and driver