|
|
Home > Destinations > Far East > India > Udaipur Extension (Northern India)
Udaipur Extension (Northern India)
Rajasthan, "Land of Kings," has many opulent royal palaces. But none reach so high in classical romanticism as the palace castles of Udaipur. Udaipur is a place of epic chivalry, tragedy, beauty and romance. The region's history could not have been invented, even by the Bard himself. One of the hotels we use is the great Shiv Nawas Palace, which lounges like a brooding Shakespearian king on the shores of Lake Pichola, watching, it would seem, over the vulnerable beauty of the Lake Palace, a brilliant-white jewel perched upon a mid-lake island and clad in translucent marble. Udaipur is simply magnificent. The town itself is very much of its own character; the calm confidence and polite deference of the native inhabitants is often encouragement enough for the traveler to enter into friendships and adventures that expand their horizons. And travel, after all, is all about expanding ones horizons. There are a myriad of things to do and see; from the Palace Museums and a boat trip on Lake Pichola to view Jagdish Temple, or arrange an optional excursion to the famous Chittorgarh Fort where, in high tragedy, hundreds of Rajput women either fought to the death alongside their menfolk or committed suti (suicide by fire) rather than fall into the hands of Akbar's Moghul army (circa 1568 ACE).
 | | | Kids at Udaipur market | |
DAY 1 : SLEEPER TRAIN
After time for an optional dawn safari in Ranthambore Tiger Sanctuary (part of our Temples & Spice itinerary), we return to the hotel for breakfast and to relax. This afternoon we transfer to the railway station and catch the overnight sleeper train to Udaipur, and begin the Udaipur extension. Overnight 1st class AC Sleeper Birth and breakfast. [B]
| |  | | | Udaipur market woman |
DAY 2 : UDAIPUR
On arrival in Udaipur, seat of Rajasthan's wealthiest Maharaja (king), and one of India's truly exquisite cities, we are met and transferred to our hotel. Following a short period to rest, we embark on a full day guided tour of Udaipur. Located on the south bank of Lake Pichola and knick-named the Venice of the East, Udaipur is a calm and exquisitely beautiful city, festooned with architectural masterpieces. Towering above Lake Pichola and sprawling above the lake's Ghats like a protective myth, lies the City Palace, opulent and domineering. Mid-lake, lies the brilliant-white and rather feminine Lake Palace. Throughout the city are scattered exquisitely hand-painted havalis (painted houses), and today on our tour we view them all. We first visit the majestic City Palace Museum then take a boat trip on Lake Pichola to explore Jagdish Temple. Jagdish Temple is located on an island in the east quarter of the lake. The temple contains a large black stone idol of Lord Vishnu in his incarnation as Lord Jaggannath (where the modern word Juggernaught comes from). The main Jagdish Temple structure is situated in the center of four smaller shrines, one in each corner, dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the Sun God, Goddess Shakti and Lord Shiva respectively. The City Palace is famous for its splendid royal apartments and lavish lawns and pavilions, and for its unique architecture. According to traditional custom, the Maharanas' of Udaipur would be weighed in gold and silver at the entrance of the Hati Pol (one of the fortified gates of the city) and the wealth distributed amongst the poor and needy. Evening free. Overnight Hotel Trident Hilton or Shiv Nawas Palace or similar. [B]
 | | | Shiv Nawas Palace from Lake Pichola | |
DAY 3 : UDAIPUR
Today is left entirely at leisure to relax, to roam the calm but thriving market place, to discover the painted havalis and take tea with the friendly local people, or just to stroll round the lake. If you wish, you may arrange through your guide an excursion (not included) to visit Chittorgarh, a famous and legendary city some miles from Udaipur. Lake Pichola is said to have inherited its name from the village of Picholi that flourished on the banks of Lake Pichola circa 1568 ACE. The village is recorded by General Maharaja Udai Singh, who founded Udaipur after the final and total destruction of the Rajputs at Chittorgarh Fort. It is a story famous and tragic, a legendary tale representing the very hight of Indian chivalric tradition in which hundreds of Rajput women doned warrior clothing and fought to the death alongside their husbands and brothers, or through themselves into a mass funeral pyre rather than surrender to the Moguls. The entire Rajput army was annihilated; the final Mohgul consolidation of their dominance of Northern India, which, despite its bloody conclusion ushering in a period of relitive peace and prosperity for all. Overnight Hotel Trident Hilton or Shivnawas Palace or similar. [B]
| |  | | | Turbaned character, Udaipur |
DAY 4 : DELHI
This morning is at leisure in Udaipur until it is time to transfer to the airport for our domestic flight back to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi we are met and transferred to our hotel. (Flight price subject to alteration and quoted separately. See price sheet). Overnight Hotel Park or similar. [B]
DAY 5 : DELHI
Today is at leisure in Delhi for last minute shopping, to explore some of the many sights in Delhi, or to relax in the pool. Overnight Hotel Park or similar. [B]
DAY 6 : DEPART
Transfer to airport. Services end. [B]
| - Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services - |
Days: 6 | Grade: I (click for grades definition) | 2008 Price: From $620 per person. Land cost based on Group Size & Season | GROUP SIZE | 2-3 | 4-5 | 6-7 | 01 Jan-31 Sep | $695 | $650 | $620 | 01 Oct-19 Dec | $780 | $680 | $660 | 20 Dec-05 Jan '08 | $850 | $740 | $720 |
|
| Single Supplement: $390 (click for info) | *Additional Flight Costs: US$180 pp
Prices valid 1 Jan to 31 Dec 2008 - except 20 Dec-05 Jan when premium high season charges apply. | | | 2009 Price: From $660 per person. Land cost based on Group Size & Season | GROUP SIZE | 2-3 | 4-5 | 6-7 | 01-05 Jan | $850 | $740 | $720 | 05 Jan-30 Apr | $780 | $680 | $660 |
|
| Single Supplement: $390 (click for info) | *Additional Flight Costs: US$180 pp
Prices valid 06 Jan to 30 April. | | | | | 2008 Departure Dates | 2009 Departure Dates | | | (Available upon request) | (Available upon request) |
|
| | | Included: Overnight train Ranthambore to Udaipur, airport transfers, accommodations as noted; private vehicle, boat, entrance fees and local guide for Udaipur tour. One domestic flight UDA-DEL (quoted separately). All meals as indicated [B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner]; services of inbound local ground operators and pre-departure services of Wildland Adventures. | | | Not Included: International flights; (domestic Indian flights quoted separately). India visa fees; departure taxes; tips and gratuities; alcoholic beverages and bottled drinks; meals not indicated above; extra costs for optional excursions or services on own or to be paid direct; travel insurance; extra costs due to unanticipated changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance. | | | Trip Notes: This is a typical daily itinerary for the Udaipur extension to the Of Tigers & Palaces itinerary in Northern India. Depending on local conditions, the exact day-to-day itinerary and sites visited may vary. | |
|
