AYURVEDA AND SPA TOUR

" Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity ".

Maharajas & Maharanis , are not just names and titles but it is the way life was once lived in grand style . Apart from adminitring strong and prosperous Kingdoms , life would be celebrated to full by patronizing art , culture , cuisine and at the same time taking care of the actual well being both physically & spiritually . The whole some existence of health and age was what was given the importance . Rajasthan - the most colourful region of India - is rich in its history and old traditions . The forts , Palaces , Museums , friendly people are a window to its vibrant and turbulent past . You will be taken back in the medieval times while experiencing the lively bazaars and authentic villages .

The focus of this specially tailor made holiday is good health , sound mind and a healed soul . We have integrated guided visits to historical places , bird watching , meeting rural people , walking in the hills and a rejuvenating retreat to enjoy the best of Spa , Yoga & Ayurveda at the most beautiful Fort of Devigarh - with a stunning location overlooking the Aravalli hills .

Duration : 13 Days
Best time : October to Mid March
Highlights : Forts , Palaces , Colourful village life & Day treks in Aravalli Hills
Focus : Taj Mahal , Ayurveda & Spa
Destination: Delhi-Agra-Bharatpur-Deveigarh-Jaipur-Udaipur

Day 1 : Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi from your home country by Midnight , Upon arrival traditional Garland welcome , assistance and transfer to the pre booked hotel . New Delhi , India's capital and fastest growing large city stands on the west bank of the Yamuna River at the narrowest point between the Aravalli hills and the Himalaya , for over 2,000 years Delhi has commanded the strategically vital route from the Northwest frontier to the agriculturally rich Ganga planes . Great Mughal buildings remain : Humayun's Tomb , the towering Qutub Minar , majestic Red Fort and unique Jama Masjid are among the most spectacular remnants of a great Muslim dynasty . In the triumphant late colonial architecture of British - built New Delhi , India's capital buildings testify to the city's renewed strategic importance . O/n Hotel
Afternoon we start sightseeing of these monuments in Old & New Delhi. O/n Hotel.
Note : Red Fort remains closed on Mondays

Day 2 : Delhi - Agra
Morning after breakfast drive to Agra ( About 210 Kms / 05 hrs ) , check into the hotel. Afternoon we visit India's most celebrated monument the Taj Mahal, built as a monument of eternal love by Shah Jahan to the bride Mumtaz, the Taj Mahal looks amazingly graveful from almost any angle. It was built over a period of 20 years by 20,000 laborers and craftsmen and displays superb craftsmanship. The close up details of the Taj Mahal is as exquisite as the overall architectural design, with semi-precious stones and beautiful patterns covering the marble surface. RED Fort, Akbar began Agra Fort in 1565, with additions of the citadel being made through to the time of Akbar's grandson, Shah Jahan (Kind of the World). The forts have fine views of the Taj across the River Yamuna, and consists of Deewani - Aam(hall of public ordinances) and Deewan- Khass (the hall of Private ordinances), it also has a nice grape garden, beautiful fountain ways.Evening free, to relax by the pool. O/n Hotel
Note : Taj Mahal remains closed on every Friday

Day 3 : Agra - Bharatpur
Morning after breakfast drive to Bharatpur (about 60kms/02hrs), enroute visit to Fatehpur Sikri, visit the Palace complex built to commemorate the birth of Mughal Emperor Akbar's first child. Proceed to Bharatpur, check into the hotel. Afternoon visit the Bird Santuary also known as Keoladeo National Park on cycle rickshaws. Located on the confluence of Gambhir and Banganga rivers and spread over 29 km of shallow lakes and woodlands, Keoladeo National Park provides shelter to over 300 avian species, particularly during winter when the resident numbers multiply as a result of migrants. The freshwater swamp with the picturesque Kadam trees, stands of Acacia and profuse aquatic vegetation, is a habitat of various living organisms, which serve as food for the different species of animals. In the beautiful old orchard garden we will do a light Yoga & breathing session starting with a talk about this ancient Indian discipline of living life in balance . O/n Hotel.

Day 4 : Bharatpur - Jaipur
Early morning time for some stretching exercises .

After breakfast drive to Jaipur (about 175kms/ 04hrs), the picturesque capital of Rajasthan . Check into the hotel. Jaipur displays a remarkable harmony and architectural splendor, the ancient heart of the Pink City still beats in its fairy-tale palaces, rugged fortresses perched on barren hills and broad avenues that dot the entire city. Afternoon visit City Palace, still inhabited by Jai Singh's descendants is a superb fusion of Rajput and Mughal architecture. A city within a city, it includes the Govind Deo Temple, the Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory and the Maharaja's museum with his personal collection of weaponry, miniature paintings, royal attire and jewellery. On the periphery of the Palace stands the Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, an elaborate pink sandstone façade behind which the ladies of the court used to watch the daily goings on in the street below. O/n Hotel.

Day 5 : Jaipur - Udaipur ( Fly ) - Devigarh
Early morning transfer to the Jaipur Airport to board Jet Airways flight ( 07.15/08.10 hrs ) to Udaipur . Upon arrival in Udaipur straight transfer about 30kms to the Resort in Devigarh . Check into the hotel , rest of the day free to relax . Sunset we do our orientation , understand and practice breathing yoga style , followed by a gentle massage of Ayurveda . O/n Hotel
Tucked away in the age-old Aravali hills of Rajasthan, the 18th century Devi Garh Fort Palace, in the village of Delwara commands one of the three main passes into the valley of Udaipur . Devi Garh stands, quite literally, in two worlds: the traditional and the modern. Its ambience is an eclectic mix of skillfully crafted designs, old and new, functional and purely aesthetic. Local materials like marble and semi-precious stones have been used in contemporary designs to create an elegant beauty. Personalized service complemented by a wide range of modern facilities goes towards making Devi Garh a comfortable and attractive retreat

Day 6 : Devigarh
The fort, surrounded by lush green fields and mountains on three sides, overlooks the village of Delwara and is close to the temples of Eklingji and Nagda. The combination of a traditional Rajasthani village, the towering fort and the temples, makes for an interesting mix . Morning spiritual prayers , meditation followed by stretching exercises and Yoga . Enjoy your healthy organic breakfast . A full day to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings or the pool side . Indulge in beauty treatments , ayurveda massages and spa .O/n Hotel

Day 7 : Devigarh
Devi Garh, away from the stress of the city, is a perfect place to optimize Yoga , Meditation & Ayurveda which soothe your body, stimulate your mind and strengthen your spirit.
Combined with the gymnasium, steam, sauna, jacuzzi, and beauty parlour, Devigarh offer something more profound Ayurvedic therapies. They have different kinds of therapies ranging from relaxing massages to complex treatments. For the renewal of energies, one needs an environment of total harmony to reach inner peace. The calming effects of the white rooms is further enhanced by experiencing Yoga (control on the body, breath and mind) and Dhyana (meditation) on the ramparts of the Palace, at the time of sunrise.
Experience your day with Ayurveda and Meditation . O/n Hotel

Day 8 : Devigarh - Ghanerao - Bagh Ka Bagh ( 3hrs walk )
Morning stretching , breathing & stretching excersies . After breakfast we start our day with a short drive (80kms /02 hrs ) through the beautiful Aravali hills to Ghanerao a small charming town, away from the touristic paths. Here there are cenothaps and an old stepwell, and wandering around in the narrow streets will give us the feeling that time has stopped . From here our trail takes us through the Arravalis . Our 4 hours walk through the dry dhok forest, bushes and isolated villages follows mostly a well worn trail with gradual ascents and descents. There is a variety of birdlife here, and we may see a Nilgay, or even Indian Gazal . After 3 hours of walking we reach the Maharaja's hunting lodge, which is our home for the night. Here there is no electricity and only a minimum of comfort but the sounds of the jungle, and the campfire make it an unforgettable experience. O/n Guest House

Day 9 : Bagh Ka Bagh - Kumbhalgarh ( 4hrs walking)
Early morning stretching & Yoga session in the wild rugged environment .
After breakfast we start our 4hrs trek through the Kumbalgarh Sanctuary , this is where the former hunting area of the Maharaja of Ghanerao starts, a small exkingdom north of Kumbalgarh. Now it has been converted into a wild park under the control of the forest department of India. After 4 hours of walking we reach our comfortable heritage hotel for the night . Late Afternoon we to visit the Kumbalgarh Fort, situated at 1100 M on a nearby hilltop. The fort has a lot of temples, palaces and gardens . It is impressive for its location and the splendid views it commands . O/n Hotel

Day 10 : Kumbhalgarh - Ranakpur ( 6hrs walking )
Start the day with stretching exercises .
After breakfast we start our 6hrs walk from Kumbalgarh to Ranakpur , our trail takes us through the Arravalis, nature is surprisingly different in this part of Rajasthan, with rocky hills and plentiful greenery. In the narrow fertile valleys sugarcane and other staple-foods are cultivated. We will see Persian wheels being used for irrigation. After a picnic lunch we continue our trails , by late afternoon we aim to reach our destination , Ranakpur . Arrive and check into the hotel . Rest of the day free to relax by the pool . O/n Hotel .

Day 11 : Ranakpur - Udaipur
Morning visit Ranakpur , a serene place for meditation and prayers . Ranakpur is one of the five holy Jain sites and a popular pilgrimage centre , it has one of the best known Jain temple complexes in the country .The Adinatha , the most noteworthy of the three main temples here , is dedicated to the first Thirthankar . The sanctuary is symmetrically planned around the central shrine and is within a 100 mtere square raised terrace enclosed in a high wall with 66 subsidiary shrines lining it .The sanctuary with a clustered center tower contains a chaumukha ( four - fold ) marble image of Adinatha . The whole , including the extra ordinary array of engraved pillars ( 1,444 and all different ) , carved ceilings and arches are intricately decorated , often with images of Jain saints , friezes of scenes from their lives and holy sites . The Parsvanatha and Neminath are two smaller Jain temples facing this , the former with a black image of Parsvanatha in the sanctuary and erotic carvings outside . The star - shaped Surya narayana Temple is near by .
Later on proceed to Udaipur ( About 90kms / 2hrs ) , a lovely land around the azure water lakes, hemmed in by the lush hills of Aravalis. A vision in white drenched in romance and beauty. Udaipur is a fascinating blend of sights, sounds and experiences - an inspiration for the imagination of poets, painters and writers. Upon arrival check into the hotel , Late afternoon a boat ride around Lake Pichola offers spectacular views of the city. The City Palace towers over the lake and you will also see the merchant's havelis, temples, the royal hunting lodge and the exquisite Gul Mahal Pavilion on Jag Mandir Island. Having disembarked, continue to the ornamental gardens of the Maids of Honour or Sahelion ki Bari. Evening free to relax. O/n Hotel.

Day 12 : Udaipur - Delhi ( Fly ) - IGI Airport
Morning after breakfast we make a short drive to visit the City Palace, a majestic architectural marvel towering over the lake on a hill surrounded by crenellated walls, it is a conglomeration of courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors, rooms and hanging gardens, comprising many buildings added at different time by various maharajas. Perhaps the most beautiful are the Moti Mahal with its mirror inlay and the Chini ka Chitra Mahal's iridescent tile work. At the nearby, Jagdish Temple, there is an impressively carved image of Lord Vishnu, to whom the temple is dedicated. Afternoon transfer to the domestic airport to board flight ( 13.35 / 15.05 hrs ) to Delhi . Upon arrival you will be transferred to hotel near international airport for wash & change . Later in the night transfer to the International airport to board flight back to your home country .

Day 13 : Delhi - USA
Early morning leave Delhi to your onward destination .