Of the many festivals in India, Holi, the festival of colours, is the most vibrant and joyous. It is a unique celebration with people taking to the streets to douse each other in coloured powder, or gulal, and literally paint the town red (and pink and blue and green).
Our trip begins with a brief look at the essentials of bustling Delhi. Next, we head to Agra, to marvel at the incomparable Taj Mahal. Then we're off into majestic Rajasthan, where Holi is at its most colourful. The mood at Holi is happy and friendly with visitors welcomed and invited to take part. Palaces, shrines and markets are decorated for the occasion and everyone is dressed up in exotic finery. We'll tour Rajasthan watching the preparations and take in the Holi Festival in the village of Nimaj. Our explorations include the pink city of Jaipur, the blue city of Jodhpur and the delightful village of Narlai. Our trip concludes in Udaipur, the picturesque city on the lake surrounded by the Aravalli Hills.
Accommodation is in very comfortable international style hotels and a choice selection of fine heritage properties including one night in an exotic tented camp amidst the dunes of the Thar Desert. We'll travel by elephant, jeep and our own deluxe coach. We'll learn to prepare a traditional meal, how to wear a sari and a turban and how good karma can truly shape our lives. Experience India at its most colourful with this fully escorted trip, exclusively for Canadian Universities. |
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| FACTS: |
| • | 14-day trip |
| • | Maximum of 18 participants |
| • | Start in Delhi/finish in Udaipur |
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| HIGHLIGHTS: |
| • | Exploring Old Delhi by rickshaw |
| • | Experiencing the desert at the Manvar Desert Camp |
| • | Learning to prepare a thali with our cooks at Narlai Palace |
| • | Visiting schools in Rajasthan |
| • | Counting the camels along the road from Udaipur to Jaipur |
| • | Bollywood movie night in Jaipur |
| • | Bargaining in the bazaars |
| • | Luxuriating in splendid heritage palaces |
| • | Marvelling at the Taj |
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| ITINERARY IN BRIEF: |
| Day 1: |
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Arrive in Delhi |
| Day 2: |
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Delhi |
| Day 3: |
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Agra |
| Day 4: |
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Jaipur |
| Day 5: |
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Jaipur |
| Day 6: |
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Nimaj |
| Day 7: |
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Nimaj - Jodhpur |
| Day 8: |
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Jodhpur |
| Day 9: |
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Manvar Desert Camp |
| Day 10: |
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Narlai |
| Day 11: |
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Narlai |
| Day 12: |
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Udaipur |
| Day 13: |
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Udaipur |
| Day 14: |
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Depart Udaipur |
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