HAVELI DIWALI AND PUSHKAR FAIR

Join us for a luxury small group journey on less travelled routes, visiting the Golden Temple of Amritsar, following the old trade routes of the camel caravans to Bikaner, the desert citadel of Jaisalmer and the majestic fort and walled city of Jodhpur. Discover the landscapes and culture of the Thar Desert in out-of-the-way destinations and join us for Diwali celebrations in a beautiful old painted haveli as you journey through centuries of Rajasthani culture to the iconic Pushkar Fair.

Offering a warm welcome and stylish travel, our longer Haveli Diwali tour is an ideal introduction to India if you like to get away from the crowds.

On the Haveli Diwali tour you will travel as part of a small group. Prices are based on two people sharing; if you are travelling on your own and would like help finding someone to share with, please enquire.

This is one of our most popular tours with a limited number of places, so early booking is recommended.

DATES

2019: Monday 21 October to Thursday 7 November 2019                Available

TOUR ITINERARY

TOUR PRICE from $4388* based on two sharing.  What's included>
TOUR EXTENSIONS You may extend to include the Taj Mahal and Golden Triangle or any other destinations in India on request.  See details >
	DAY 1 DELHI  On arrival, transfer to New Delhi's renowned Oberoi hotel for a warm welcome and an opportunity to meet fellow travellers.
	DAY 2 AMRITSAR (Golden Temple)  Take the Shatabdi Express train to Amritsar. Afternoon at leisure before an evening visit to the Golden Temple. All faiths are welcomed. Visit community kitchens which feed thousands daily and witness temple rituals as the Guru Granth Sahib, Holy Book of the Sikhs, is carried to the inner chamber for the night. Two night stay at the Hyatt hotel.
	DAY 3 AMRITSAR  Return to the Golden Temple as morning light plays on the waters. Join pilgrims in community services, serving tea, clearing utensils or preparing food, or explore lively bazaars nearby. After lunch, drive to Wagah for the evening ceremony at the border between India and Pakistan. Amritsar is renowned for its food, with speciality stalls and markets. Evening visit to one of the most famous old restaurants for a traditional Amritsari dinner.
	DAY 4 PATIALA  Drive to the former princely state of Patiala. See the Qila Mubarak, Darbar Hall, Sheesh Mahal (mirror palace) and Moti Bagh Palace, and the street tailors, who shelter from the sun and rain under umbrellas. Stay overnight at the 19th century Baradari Palace.
	DAY 5 MUKUNDGARH  Drive through rural villages to reach Mukundgarh, in Rajasthan’s fascinating Shekhawati region, for a three night stay in our beautifully restored, painted merchant haveli.
	DAY 6 MUKUNDGARH  Take a walk in the village. Meet families engaged in bandhej tie-and-dye work, visit the library and Lakshmanirayan temple and ride in a tuk-tuk to see everyone preparing for the festival. Later, help us shop for Diwali and decorate the haveli with lights for the celebrations.
	DAY 7 MUKUNDGARH  Happy Diwali!  Visit Lakshmangarh and Fatehpur or Nawalgarh to see beautiful frescoed havelis then drive back to Mukundgarh for the Diwali rituals and a traditional celebratory haveli dinner.
	DAY 8 BIKANER  Drive to Bikaner, one of the great trading posts of the old caravan routes. Stay at stylish Narendra Bhawan, a former palace.
	DAY 9 BIKANER  As well as one of the finest forts of Rajasthan there's a fascinating bazaar, merchant havelis, temples and museums and the National Research Centre on Camel.
	DAY 10 JAISALMER  Follow the old trade route across the desert to Jaisalmer to stay for three nights at Suryagarh.
	DAY 11 JAISALMER  Three night stay at Suryagarh.
	DAY 12 JAISALMER  Three night stay at Suryagarh.
	DAY 13 JODHPUR  Drive to Jodhpur, visiting a local temple on the way. Your day is at leisure to explore the blue city and shop in the colorful bazaars around the clocktower. Two night stay at RAAS Jodhpur.
	DAY 14 JODHPUR  A morning tour of the spectacular Mehrangarh Fort and the royal cenotaphs of Jaswant Thada. In the afternoon you may join us on a trip to the Osiyan Jain temples.
	DAY 15 PUSHKAR  Drive to Pushkar for a three night stay in our luxury tents at Camp Bliss. Rest of the day at leisure.
	DAY 16 PUSHKAR  Visit the fair to see camel herds, horses and traders arriving. The early days of the fair are less crowded but with plenty to see. Visit Pushkar Lake and the Brahma Temple and walk in the bazaars.
	DAY 17 PUSHKAR  You may hike up to Savitri Temple in the morning to take in spectacular views over the fair. Day in the fair. You may opt for a camel cart or hot air balloon ride in the morning or evening.
	DAY 18 PUSHKAR  Morning free to relax or make a last visit to the fair before checking out from Camp Bliss ready for departure for Delhi or your next destination.
WHAT'S INCLUDED  Prices from $4388* are based on two people sharing in a group of six people (single room occupancy at additional cost). If you are travelling on your own and would like help finding someone to share with, please contact us.
Tour cost includes: Stay at proposed hotels in double/twin occupancy room • Breakfast and dinner during the entire tour; breakfast, lunch and dinner during stay at Camp Bliss, Pushkar  • Transportation in AC Toyota Innova or Tempo Traveller • Entrance to monuments • Guided sightseeing in Amritsar, Shekhawati, Bikaner and Jodhpur • Train fare in AC Executive class for Delhi-Amritsar sector • Fuel and transport taxes • Assistance at all arrival and departure points. Tour cost excludes: Personal expenses such as tips, laundry, telephone bills, beverages, mineral water during hotel stays, etc • Extra meals • International air fare • Any optional, suggested or unspecified activities • Visa fees • Insurance and Mediclaim.
*Prices are subject to change and are only guaranteed once the booking is confirmed and the deposit payment is received. Prices do not include international air fares or suggested or optional activities.

	DAY 18 JAIPUR  After breakfast drive to the Pink City, Jaipur, for a two night stay. Your day is free to visit the Pink City bazaars. In the evening drive up to Nahargarh Fort, high above the city with views over the illuminations of Jaipur.
	DAY 19 JAIPUR  A day of guided sightseeing around the City Palace complex and Amber Fort. In the evening visit a farmhouse for a Rajasthani dinner.
	DAY 20 AGRA  Drive towards Agra visiting the 1000-year-old Abhaneri Stepwell on the way. Afternoon tour of Fatehpur Sikri, the abandoned citadel of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. Evening at leisure. Overnight stay in Agra.
	DAY 21 AGRA — DELHI  Sunrise guided tour of Taj Mahal. Later visit the historical Agra Fort before transferring to Delhi for a two night stay.
	DAY 22 DELHI  Daylong sightseeing of Old Delhi (Shahajahanabad) and Lutyen’s Delhi (New Delhi). Evening free to shop around the hub of New Delhi, Connaught Place.
	DAY 23 DELHI  Transfer to New Delhi international airport for departure to your onward destination.