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India a
symphony of thousand different cultures, one of the world's oldest
civilizations and home to some of the most glorious dynasties.
Welcome to an enchanted journey that takes you through this land and
its rich history. Explore the bewitching beauty of Gujarat and
Rajasthan, and relive their event-filled past. To make your journey
memorable, we invite you aboard the Royal Orient - the world's most
extraordinary experience on rails. The one week you spend on board,
will recapture the resplendence of the days of kings and queens and
make you feel like royalty.
Day1 Wednesday
Delhi Cantt (The Capital Gateway)
The journey begins fom Delhi every Wednesday evening at 1500 hs from
Delhi Cantonment Railway Station. Guests ae served tea and
dinner on board.
Day
2 Thursday
Chittaurgarh (The City of Valour)
Visit Chittaur, once the pride of the Rajputs has Rajasthan's
noblest yet tragic history. At Chittaur, you will visit the Chittaur
Fort built in the 7th century, sprawling over 700 acres. The
nine-storied watchtower, the 12th century tower of fame and
sculptures of the Jain Pantheon, the Rana Kumbha Palace are all part
of the complex at Chittaur. You will set foot in the cellar where
Rani Padmini and other ladies of the court committed Jauhar (mass
suicide). Visit Zanana Mahal where a mirror reflection of her famed
beauty was shown to Allaudin Khilji, setting off a tragic invasion
that razed Chittaur to the ground. Other historic destinations you
will visit are Meera & Kumbha Shyam Temple - A temple dedicated
to the mystic poetess Meerabai.
The Kalika Mata Temple dedicated to Kali, the fiery goddess of
power. The Jaimal and the Patta palaces.
Udaipur
(The Land of Lakes)
After Chittaur, you will visit Udaipur, the City of Dawn, set amidst
an amphitheatre of low lying mountains, flanked by three lakes and
far-flung plains. Udaipur's streets are lined with gardens, temples
esplanades and palaces, every feature mirrored in the placid waters
of Lake Picchola.
Breathe in Udaipur's ancient splendour, as you stroll among its
Suraj Pol (Sun Gate) Mor Chowk (Peacock Square) and Saheliyon Ki
Bari (Garden of the royal maids).
Day 3 Friday
Mehsana (The Temple of the Sun God)
Today you will
enter Gujarat. Visit Ahmedabad, the capital of the state and one of
the most colourful and exciting destinations in India. In Ahmedabad,
visit the Jumma Masjid, built in 1423, described as the most
beautiful mosques in the East and the Siddi Sayyad Mosque (1571)
with its exquisite windows of pierced stone tracery, an
architectural delight. Visit the Rani Roopmati Mosque, the Sarkhej
Rauza and the Hateesingh Jain Temple built in pure white marble.
The famous Sun Temple stands on a lotus. Built in 1026 AD, the sun
temple at Modhera is one such rare edifice of the Solanki era. The
temple is an imposing structure and is counted among the best
specimens of Indian art and architecture. The main shrine faces the
east and is built so that the rays of the rising sun at equinoxes
would fill the sanctum sanctorum, creating a divine ambience. It is
indeed a feast to the eyes where one can spend hours taking delight
in the beauty of its carvings.
Patan (The Splendour of the Stepwells)
Patan once saw the rise and fall of the great Solanki Rajput
dynasty. It is the home of the famous Patola silk sarees. The
greatest reminder of the golden period of Gujarat under the Solanki
kings is the queen's step well, Raniki Vav, the oldest and grandest
step well of all the 120 step wells built in Gujarat in 1050 AD.
Each step is a procession of marvellous sculptures; layer after
layer created by the master craftsmen of the bygone era at the
height of their creativity.
Day 4 Saturday
Sasngir The
Gir Lions
Gir Forest is not only one of the most important wildlife
sanctuaries in India, but also the only place in the world outside
Africa where the majestic Asiatic lion can be seen in its natural
habitat.
The lion population had dwindled to a mere 15 at the turn of the
century when protection came in the most unexpected way. In 1900 the
Nawab of Junagadh in whose territory most of Gir forest lay invited
Lord Curzon , the viceroy of India for a lion Safari. The viceroy's
impending hunting trip provoked an animal lover to send an indignant
letter to the newspaper. Taking note of this, Lord Curzon not only
cancelled the safari but also advised the Nawab to take measures to
protect the Gir Lion.
Today there are 312 lions in Gir. It also harbours a variety of
animals and birds i.e.Panthers, hyena, Indian Sambar, Chital
(spotted deer), Nilgai, Chinkara and the rare Chowsingha (four
horned antelope).
A crocodile farm has also been developed in Gir, which is one of the
few remaining forests that comprise divergent habitats. With open
scrub areas, dry deciduous and tropical thorn forests, and an
evergreen corridor along the riversides, Gir will truly take your
breath away.
Ahmedpur-Mandvi (A Romantic endezvous)
Unwind at
the resort at Ahmedpur Mandvi with luxurious amenities at your
disposal complemented by warmth and hospitality. Located 12 kms from
the resort is a beautiful virgin beach. There are also a host of
water sports facilities.
Diu (A
Sun, Sand and Sea Getaway)
Across, Ahmedpur Mandvi is the island of Diu, - one of the country's
finest beaches. Another popular place to visit is the Fort of Diu-
an imposing statement of power. It was built over six years from
1535 AD, following a defence alliance between Bahadur Shah, the
Sultan of Gujarat and the Portuguese when the former was attacked by
Humayun, the Mughal emperor. The deep canals flanking the fort, the
giant watch tower (now converted into lighthouse) the gaol, the
cannon, will take you back on to a different era.
Day
5 Sunday
Palitana (The Temple Town)
It is known as the temple city. It is probably India's most
picturesque pilgrim centre of the Jain faith with more than 863
temples built over a period of 900 years. Poets have likened these
temples exquisitely carved in marble to prayers in stone At Palitana
you will visit temples such as The Adinatha, the Chaumukh, the
Kumarpal. With special permission from the temple authorities, you
can also view the fabulous collection of jewels at the oldest temple
built by Kumarpal Solanki.
At Sarkhej, you will visit a village that still lives in the
medieval age. With every tradition, every custom kept intact. You
will enjoy the medieval folk art and visit the utensils museum, a
repository of medieval lifestyle in the region.
Day 6 Monday
Ranakpur (An Excursion from Udaipur)
Located 96 kms from Udaipur, Ranankpur is one of one of the five
main holy places of the Jains. These 500 year old temples are well
preserved till date in almost perfect condition. There are 29 halls,
80 domes, 1444 pillars with intricate carvings The graceful pillars
and the domes of different heights with flat ceiling combine to
produce an excellent effect.
Day 7 Tuesday
Jaipur (The Pink City)
Jaipur is one of the most colourful cities that makes the tapestry
of medieval India mesmerizing to the traveler and the historian
Visit the City Palace, a historical and architectural landmark
renowned for its rich carvings, in-house museum of Rajasthani
dresses and Mughal and Rajput armoury, art gallery featuring rare
astronomical works in Arabic, Persian. Visit the Jantar Mantar, a
fascinating medieval observatory built by tits founder King Sawai
Jaising II. The Hawa Mahal is the most strikingly designed monument
in Jaipur. The five-storied royal complex was built by the poet king
Sawai Pratap Singh to give the royal ladies a vantage view of the
royal processions passing below, while remaining unseen by the
public eye. You will also visit Aamer Palace, and the Shila Mata
Temple while riding on elephants like the Maharajas of a regal era
giving you a taste of the days gone by.
Day 8 Wednesday
Arrival at Delhi Cantonment Railway Station at 0700 hrs. After
traveling through the awesome corridors of history, you are back in
Delhi.
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