| Rajasthan: Palaces & Princes
“God created the
Maharajas in order to give the World a spectacle”.
So wrote Rudyard Kipling in an age
when the Maharajas still exercised political authority over their subjects. Although under
the umbrella of the British Raj, they were still autonomous rulers of much of India until
independence.
Most of these Kings and Princes ruled within an area known as Rajputana and when
India achieved its independence and was set up as a federal republic this area
became the State of Rajasthan.Rajasthan: the land of legend, of chivalry, but above all the land of spectacle.
The state also has a major advantage a profusion of delightful palace both large
and small which have been converted into hotels.
The Chamber of Princes - The Maharajas of India
This tour follows a
route which we feel gives you the best of Rajasthan but as a fitting climax brings you
back to Delhi via Agra home to the incomparable Taj Mahal.
After landing in
Delhi we drive to the Rajasthan border and stay the night at the Neemrana Fort the first
ancient fort of this tour. Then on to Samode, outside Jaipur arguably the most successful
conversion of all, and a magical place to stay.
Travelling into the land of Marwar, which boasts Jodhpur as its capital
we visit the art deco palace known as the Umaid Bhawan and the mighty
Mehrangarh Fort.
The ancient Aravelli Hills wind their way through the state and
provide some delightful landscape scenery. We stop at Kumbulgarh a fort,
which boasts the second longest wall in the world and then to the city
of lakes, Udaipur a state, which never surrendered to the Moslems and
consequently have a special place in the mindset of the proud Rajputs.
Through medieval Kota to
Bharatpur, and thence to Agra and Delhi. This tour is a wonderful introduction to the life
and traditions of this the most colourful part of India. |
Click on the map above for an enlarged view
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