Rural Heartlands of Southern Rajasthan

Our tour features the following locations

DELHI: The largest mosque, the biggest temple, honky auto-rickshaws; it’s easy to distinguish Delhi. The city has been at the centre of the Indian civilisation for centuries and a major seat of power ever since the Mughals built their capital here. Modern Delhi presents a mix of colonial-era architecture, Mughal forts, and mausoleums, ancient bazaars, glitzy malls and world-class restaurants. It often feels overwhelming, but given a chance, it always grows onto you. Be sure to visit Humayun’s Tomb, a 16th-century Mughal wonder inspired by the iconic Taj Mahal and Lodi Gardens, the best spot for sunsets in Delhi. There’s also the Hauz Khas Village, a throbbing hub that gained popularity with its Open Nights when those narrow alleys are transformed into cultural wonders, adorned with lights and decorated with streamers. There really is no better place to discover Delhi’s rich culture and mingle with its locals.

NEEMRANA: Neemrana is a beautiful heritage hotel, emerging out of the blue as a towering symbol of vitality in the heart of bareness. A great fortress, bathed in the jewel-encrusted rays of the Rajasthani sun, stands tall between two emerald-green mountains, echoing the richness of Rajput tradition.

KESROLI: This delightful, small, seven-turreted fort dates back to the 14^th century and sits in the open countryside, encircled by a distant ring of hills.  It is a short, solid structure with massive walls and ramparts which one can walk along or sit and watch the sunset over a quiet drink.  Inside is a pretty garden surrounded by beautifully decorated and original rooms which abound with Rajput furniture and fabrics.

RANTHAMBORE NP: Considered to be one of the best national parks in India to see the Bengal tiger in its natural habitat, and ideally accessed either by train from Delhi or fits in nicely during a Golden Triangle tour between Agra and Jaipur. Ranthambore National Park presents a secluded oasis full of tropical dry deciduous forests and some of the most beautiful creatures you’ll ever see. Other sightings include leopard, jackal, Indian wolf, sloth bear, fox, blue bull antelope, sambar deer, chital, langur, crocodiles and an incredible variety of birds. Safaris are restricted to the mornings and evenings, so you have enough time to explore the surrounding area, visit 10th-century fortresses, discover abandoned settlements or simply enjoy the amenities offered by your luxury resort. Don’t forget to capture vivid images of your experiences, for Ranthambore is also considered to be a photographer’s dream. It presents incredible wildlife sightings, offers luxurious accommodation and also has adequate internal transportation facilities. The Tigers sighted here have found their ways to several books and movies as having the countless ruins and structures surrounding the park.

BUNDI: It takes mere moments to get attracted to Bundi’s charm. Shielded by the outcrops of the Vindhya Range, this is a place of immense natural beauty. It remains untouched by modern development and offers enriching glimpses into India’s rich yet simple past. Bundi flourished as a capital of the Hadachauhan Kingdom in the 1200s, and this led to the creation of numerous royal houses, a grand palace, stunning murals, picturesque bazaars, mammoth water tanks and exquisite carvings. Those crumbling havelis might be slowly losing their old-world charm, but they still narrate tales of their former glory. Bundi’s populace believes in keeping things simple, focusing on enjoying and leading a fulfilling and enriched life, proud of what it’s managed to achieve. And this feeling of accomplishment shines through its blue coloured houses, beautiful traditions and friendly people.

BHILWARA: A trip into Bhilwara reveals the town’s rich multi-cultural vibrancy and its fascinating arts and crafts tradition. Sit with the Joshis and watch a traditional Phad, a painting depicting mythology and history comes to life. Visit Ram Dwara, the revered ancient temple. The old city palace reveals the integration of Rajput & Mughal traditions in architecture while the geometrical symmetry of the baoli (step well) inspires a serenity that lingers.

BIJAIPUR: The Bhils tribe inhabit this area. They are believed to be fine archers and in fact, Bhil bowmen even found a reference in the great epics Mahabharata and Ramayan. The Bhils were originally food gatherers, however, with the passage of time they have taken up small-scale agriculture, city residence, and employment.

DHARYIWAD: Dhariyawad is 120 km away from Udaipur, Rajasthan and is surrounded by sub-tropical forests. It is famous for the rich presence of tribal bhils. Fort Dhariyawad was constructed by the second son of Maharana Pratap which is now a heritage hotel. A 16th-century splendour, the Fort Dhariyawad, was constructed at the behest of Sahasmal, the second son of Maharana Pratap- the greatest warrior of the Mewar region.

DUNGARPUR: Dungarpur is as beautiful a place as any. It is a traditional Rajasthani excursion, one that takes you deep into that beautiful culture, introduces you to an untouched village and brings you closer to folk music and traditional dances. A trip to Dungarpur is characterised by the stunning Juna Mahal, a seven-storied wonder full of miniature paintings, intricate mirror work, and frescoes. Nature lovers are sure to have a blast at the Sitamata Wildlife Sanctuary, known for sightings of leopards, spotted deer, sambhar and giant flying squirrel. Most tourists visiting Dungarpur tend to stay at the Udai Bilas Palace, one of the premier palace hotels in the country with a great collection of classic cars. The palace grounds are among the top places to see migratory birds, and sightings of white painted storks, peafowl, grey hornbill and egrets are quite common. There are a few ancient ruins in the vicinity such as the 8th-century Arthuna temple and the 14th-century Rishabdeo temple that are worth exploring. The latter is particularly impressive, boasting of a semi-precious stone studded idol and stunning carvings.

UDAIPUR: Udaipur is considered to be the most romantic destination in India, and no matter how much you hear about this legendary city, it always manages to leave you stunned and speechless. The glittery Lake Pichola is as beautiful as they get and those temples, grand palaces, shimmering Havelis and colourful streets set the scene for one of the most memorable holidays of your life. You’d remember some of its sights from the 007 movie Octopussy when our hero swims up to a heavenly palace in the midst of an incredibly romantic lake. You’d expect a city so popular to lose its charm, but Udaipur holds onto its magic, that sense of mystery surrounding its monuments and palaces and the sense of tranquillity that simple boat rides on the lake are bound to offer. Udaipur also enjoys a lively arts scene, exciting shopping and delightful countryside destinations that promise memorable day tours.

MUMBAI: A stay in Mumbai is not included in this tour, you will fly home from this international airport. Speak to us about extending your tour by an extra night to enable sightseeing of the city. Mumbai the city of dreams. One of the best and most cosmopolitan cities of Asia. The commercial lifeline of India. Home to Bollywood, the second largest film industry in the world. A place where some of the biggest slums share the area with sprawling metropolises. The epicentre for fashion and Indian wine. A trip to Mumbai is everything you’d expect from a major metropolis, yet so much more. It’s a humbling experience, to say the least. But it’s also fascinating, edgy and exciting. Those colonial-era relics, incredible bazaars, hidden wine cafes and enclaves of peace and serenity really do have a way of putting you at ease.