Discovery, Wildlife & Adventure - Exodus Discovery, Wildlife & Adventure 2012/2013 (page 129)

Jodhpur Southern Asia � India India � 16 days Classic Rajasthan DiscoverIndia'sdesertstateof Rajasthaninstyle;usingexclusive heritagehotelsweexplorethe gatewaycityofDelhi,areenthralled bythemagnificentTajMahalat sunriseanddelveintothehistoryof themanyextravagantfortsand palacestheregionhastooffer. AteveryturnIndiabombardsthe senses-oneminuteit'sfullspeed aheadaswetakeanexcitingjeep safarithroughdesertcountryside, experienceatrainridewiththe localsorslipintooneofthemany colourfulbazaars,whilethenext we'llseekoutcalmserenityby visitingtheholytownofPushkar andtheMehrangarhfortatJodhpur. Thisistheperfectrecipeforafirst timevisitortoIndia;exotic ingredients,gentlycombinedwitha pinchofluxury,andservedinasmall groupwithexpertlocalguides. Trip Details from �2199 Cycling through Rajasthan Explore India's colourful desert state by bike Flight Inc. India � 16 days from �1799 Flight Inc. Comfortable exploration of enchanting Rajasthan, the Land of Maharajas Trip Code: AIP Profile: travel by private air-conditioned bus, internal flight, jeep, boat and train. Group: normally 8 to 16, plus leader, driver and local guides for sightseeing. Accommodation: 14 nights comfortable hotels, all en suite, many with swimming pools and excellent facilities. Food: all breakfasts included. Itinerary: Day 1 Depart London. 2 Arrive Delhi; afternoon sightseeing around Delhi. 3 Drive to Agra; en route visit a bear rescue centre. 4 Sunrise visit to Taj Mahal and then Agra Fort; afternoon free. 5 Drive to Jaipur, the capital of colourful Rajasthan, via Fatehpur Sikri. 6 Full day sightseeing including Amber Fort and City Palace. 7 To the holy city of Pushkar; visit Brahma Temple and Aarti ceremony on the ghats. 8 Visit local school; drive to Khimsar in the Thar desert. 9 Early morning jeep safari; afternoon free to explore Khimsar. 10 To Jodhpur via Mandore gardens; afternoon visit Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada. 11 Drive to Deogarh; afternoon free. 12 Take a train ride through rural Rajasthan with local villagers; late afternoon bird-watching walk. 13 To Udaipur; late afternoon boat ride on Lake Pichola. 14 Morning sightseeing including the City Palace; afternoon free. 15 Fly to Delhi; afternoon sightseeing. 16 Fly to London. Land Only Duration: 15 days, start Delhi day 2, end Delhi day 16. Start Flight Land End Inc. Only Start Flight Land End Inc. Only Rajasthanhaslandscapesvaryingfromgreenrollinghillstobarrendeserts. Thewholestateisdottedwithdramaticfortresses,remindersoftheRajputs andtheirwarriorpast,whileawayfromthedesertthecountrysideisa patchworkofvillagesandsmalltownswherewecanseethetimelessnessof ruralIndia.Cyclingistheperfectwaytoexplore,withsomevehicleassistance tocoverthelongerdistances.FromJodhpurourjourneytakesusfirsttothe beautifullakesidecityofUdaipur,andontotheholytownofPushkar.Leaving thedesertscenerybehindweridetoJaipur,atownoverlookedbythesplendid hilltopAmberPalace.WealsovisitSariskaNationalPark,beautifullylocatedand hometoanabundanceofwildlife,andfinishwiththemagnificentTajMahal. Trip Details of Udaipur. 6 Cycle tour of the ancient Hindu capital of Udaipur and its surroundings including City Palace and Jagdish Temple. 7 Ride on secluded backroads to the fort of Kumbhalgarh. 8 Ride/drive to the holy town of Pushkar on backroads; optional walk to the hilltop temple for sunset. 9 Ride/drive to Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan, via rural villages and Rupnagar. 10 Cycle sightseeing tour of Jaipur, including the City Palace, the observatory of Jai Singh and the Palace of the Winds. 11 Ride/drive to Sariska N.P. via Pratap Garh. 12 Morning and evening game drives. 13 Ride/drive to Bharatpur N.P., renowned for its fantastic bird sanctuary. 14 Early morning explore bird sanctuary by bike; late morning cycle to Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted royal city; transfer to Agra. 15 Visit Red Fort and Taj Mahal; transfer to Delhi; evening free. 16 Fly to London. Land Only Duration: 15 days, start Delhi day 2, end Delhi day 16. Start Flight Land End Inc. Only Start Flight Land End Inc. Only 14 Jan 29 Jan 2199 1599 11 Feb 26 Feb 2299 1659 31 Mar 15 Apr 2299 1659 2012 Trip Code: MIJ Profile: 11 days cycling on surfaced roads, average 70km/day. 100% vehicle support. No technical riding experience necessary. Reasonable fitness required. India can be very hot. Group: normally 8 to 16, plus leader and local guides. Accommodation: 13 nights comfortable hotels, all en suite, 1 overnight air-conditioned sleeper train. We use a combination of tourist class and 3-star category hotels, some with swimming pools. Food: all breakfasts, 4 lunches and 1 dinner included. Itinerary: Day 1 Depart London. 2 Arrive Delhi; transfer to hotel. 3 Morning cycle tour of quieter parts of New Delhi; afternoon sightseeing tour of Old Delhi; overnight train to Jodhpur. 4 Arrive Jodhpur; free morning then afternoon city cycle tour including Mehrangarh Fort. 5 Ride/drive to Udaipur via 15th century Jagdish Temple at Ranakpur; cycle towards stunning lakeside town 10 Feb 25 Feb 1799 1179 09 Mar 24 Mar 1799 1179 05 Oct 20 Oct 1849 1229 19 Oct 03 Nov 1849 1229 11 Jan 26 Jan 1869 1249 08 Feb 23 Feb 1899 1249 2012 02 Nov 17 Nov 1849 1229 18 Nov* 03 Dec 1939 1299 07 Dec 22 Dec 1799 1199 21 Dec 05 Jan 2249 1249 22 Feb 09 Mar 1899 1249 08 Mar 23 Mar 1899 1249 13 Oct 28 Oct 2399 1799 17 Nov* 02 Dec 2399 1799 15 Dec 30 Dec 2839 1839 23 Mar 07 Apr 2499 1839 12 Jan 27 Jan 2439 1839 2013 2013 09 Feb 24 Feb 2439 1839 Datesandpricescorrectattimeofpublication (seepage11).Pricesare�Sterlingperperson. � Optional single supplement �800 � *Pushkar Festival departure � Insurance �86 Datesandpricescorrectattimeofpublication (seepage11).Pricesare�Sterlingperperson. � Optional single supplement �330 (not available on sleeper trains) � *Pushkar Festival departure - see Trip Notes � Trips between March and October use an air-conditioned vehicle � Bike hire India: Firefox Target mountain bikes with front suspension �100, paid on booking � Insurance �86 For up-to-date prices and availability call 0845 863 9606 or visit www.exodus.co.uk 129