Sat 14 Aug:
Depart Christchurch 1050
Arrive Singapore 1745
Depart Singapore 2000
Arrive Mumbai 2305
We will be met and transferred to a retreat in the hills surrounding Pune for a 7 night Ayurvedic Detox and Cleanse with a full consultation with a doctor and 2 sessions per day, 2 yoga sessions per day and specially prepared food for your type. Share twin accommodation with private facs.
Sat 21 Aug:
Transfer to Osho Ashram in Pune where we will stay for 6 nights with
time to explore the many meditations and dance and everything on offer in this meditation retreat. We will have a day shopping and a visit to a sacred site and meetings in evening and a dinner together. Paru knows Pune like the back of her hand. Amazing shopping, 2nd hand sari markets and great restaurants." Anyone want to continue ayurveda with top doctor can do or maybe join a famous yoga teacher's
class.
Fri 27 Aug:
We will be taken by mini bus to Mumbai to fly to Udaipur. Arrival at Udaipur Airport. Udaipur is called the romantic city of Rajasthan. A city built around shimmering, clear, blue water lakes which reflect the green hills of the Aravali ranges. Arrival in Udaipur in the afternoon. The rest of the day at leisure
Sat 28 Aug: Udaipur
Today we visit Udaipur, also known as the city of sunrise. We start our sightseeing with the visit of Sahelion-Ki-Bari. This Garden of the Maids of Honour is well laid out with extensive lawns and shady walks. After the visit of Garden of Maids we visit a Museum of folk art. This museum has a rich collection of Folk dresses, ornaments, puppets, masks, dolls, folk musical instruments and paintings on display. After a break we proceed further to visit the City Palace, the biggest Palace in India, where 4 generations of Maharajas added their contribution, is so carefully planned and integrated with the original buildings that it is difficult to believe that it was not conceived as a whole. The museum of the palace includes the beautiful peacock mosaic and miniature wall paintings of Indian mythology. Today we have an opportunity to visit a traditional painting school and see the famous miniature paintings done. In the evening we have a Boat ride on the lake Pichola. The famous Lake Palace of Udaipur was the summer residence of the former rulers. The James bond Film Octopussy was shot here and made this palace more known in the west.
Sun 29 Aug Udaipur – Pushkar (about 300 kms)
Today we leave Udaipur and drive to Pushkar. Pushkar being one of the most religious places for Hindus has the atmosphere of an ancient religious town. In the evening arrival in Pushkar.
Mon 30 Aug: Pushkar
Today we will visit the only Temple Of God Brahma is in Pushkar thus making Pushkar an important pilgrimage city for Hindus. Pushkar has become famous in the world due to its Pushkar Festival which takes place in the month of November when the whole of Pushkar is transformed into a spectacular fair ground where thousands of pilgrims come to bath in the holy water of Pushkar Lake and the biggest cattle and camel markets take place here where Farmers, breeders and camel traders buy and sell.
Tue 31 Aug: Pushkar – Jaipur (about 145 km)
Today we drive to the Pink City, Jaipur. This city owes its name, foundations and careful planning to the great warrior and astronomer, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and famous for its handicrafts and precious and semiprecious stones.
Meet with a Yoga Teacher – also visit temple
Wed 1 Sep Jaipur
After breakfast we drive to the ancient capital of Amber, laying 11 km. away from Jaipur. Amber was the ancient capital of Kachhawaha dynasty for 6 centuries before it was moved to newly created Jaipur. We will ascend to the Palace Fortress on the back of an Elephant. Enroute to Amber we will visit the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), built in 1799 AD, it contains 953 small casements with each having its own balcony. The windows enabled cool air to circulate and the ladies to watch processions below without being seen. In the afternoon we visit the City Palace that is still the formal residence of the royal family, built in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. In the museum of the City Palace. We visit the private collection of the Jaipur Maharajas. We continue to Jantar Mantar, a stone observatory, and the largest of Jai Singh's five remarkable observatories. Its complex instruments reveal us the secrets of medieval Indian astronomy. Later we have a walk through the colourful Bazaar of Jaipur and visit a factory to see the famous block printing work being done since centuries in Jaipur. In the evening we drive through the new city of Jaipur and visit "Laxmi Narayan Mandir", a Hindu temple made out of white marble. We might have an opportunity here to observe a prayer ceremony. Today we have dinner with a presentation of Indian music and dance
Thurs 2 Sep Jaipur – Fatehpur Sikri - Agra (about 260 km)
Today we leave Rajasthan, the biggest state in India and drive through a series of fields, small towns and villages in direction of Agra. Enroute we make a stop and visit Fatehpur Sikri, which was once an imperial capital frozen in time, constructed by Akbar the Great in the 16th century. This wonderful city constructed by red sand stones was abandoned as abruptly as it had been built. It has been generally stated that it was due to failing in the water supply. In the evening arrive in Agra. Rest of the day at leisure
Fri 3 Sep: Agra
The construction of this massive structure began in 1565 under Akbar's reign and continued till the time of his grandson's reign, Shah Jahan who built the impressive imperial quarters and mosque. After the visit of Agra Fort we proceed to visit the most beautiful monument of India, the Taj Mahal, an enduring monument to love, with a continually fulfilling beauty. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between 1631-52, as a tomb and memorial to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal (Jewel of the Palace), who died at the age of 39 giving birth to her 14th child. We spend enough time at Taj Mahal to take this impressive memory home. After the visit of Taj Mahal we have a look at the famous fine marble inlay work which is still being done in Agra by the descendants of the families of builders and artists of the Taj Mahal.
Sat 4 Sep: Agra - Delhi
Today after having breakfast drive from Agra to Delhi International Airport for the onwards journey.
Depart Delhi 2325
Sun 5 Sep: Arrive Singapore 0735
A hotel room in the airport will be booked for 6 hrs.
Depart Singapore 1940
Mon 6 Sep: Arrive Christchurch 0920
Cost will be $6,500 based on minimum of 6 people. This includes
Allow approx $30 per day for rest of itinerary (14 days) $420
Extra costs involved will be Visa and Insurance approx $200
Cost is based on share twin rooms – single room on request
Deposit $500
Any enquiries contact Paru journeyessence@hotmail.com