~ India ~
For twenty year Faraway Safaris has run tours in India and we have gained considerable experience in planning wildlife and cultural vacations there as these aspects have always been important parts of our international riding trips.
We have not neglected visits to the well known places like the Taj Mahal, but our riding tours have allowed us to discover some of India’s most fascinating places which are well off normal tourist paths and add zest and interest to your vacation. Exquisite palaces, ancient temples, historical forts and wildlife sanctuaries help make this trip exotic and fascinating. There are remote national parks and forests where tigers still roam and many other species of Indian game animals are abundant. It can be a tremendously exciting adventure to see tigers and other wildlife from the back of an elephant. The variety and abundance of birds attracts ornithologists from all over the world.
You will see the rich, colorful culture of India from many angles and taste its broad range of delicious cuisine at its wholesome best. Your adventure begins at the Imperial Hotel in Delhi, reputed to be one of the top four city hotels in the world. After a tour of the multifaceted Delhi you will journey by air, train, and automobile on a trip designed to capture the essence of this land of paradox and beauty.
In Khanha National Park a cordon of densely wooded hills enclose a large valley inhabited by a diverse miscellany of mammals and birds. Of special interest are various kinds of deer and the magnificent gaur (Indian bison). Kanha is also known as the best place in the world for tiger sightings and approaching them from elephant back is a special thrill. Accommodations are in a small, very charming lodge just outside the park boundary.
From Kanha your trip takes you by overnight train to the incomparable Taj Mahal. A total contrast is the Bharatpur bird sanctuary, a wonder of the natural world. Here one can walk on raised paths along wetlands which shelter 350 species of birds, a third of whom are migrants. The pink city of Jaipur is the next stop, with tours of the fascinating Amber and City Palaces, the observatory, and wonderful shopping opportunities.
You then travel on to Mewar, the picturesque desert region of Rajasthan. Its relative remoteness attracts the genuine traveler keen to explore areas off the beaten track. In Nimaj you relive the splendor of the medieval era, staying in a palace that is a landmark in the distinctive architectural history of Mewar, while a visit to the homes of local shepherds provides a glimpse of rural India. The battle scared walls of the unconquered 15th century fortress of Khimsar remind one of a storied past of warfare, commerce, and trade, but the fort has been converted into a lovely hotel and now serves as a wonderful base for tours of the surrounding Bishnoi villages and for wildlife and camel safaris.
The grand finale is a stay in the lovely Bal Samand Palace on the outskirts of Jodhpur. With a visit to the imposing Mehrangarh Fort, perched high above the city, you can truly appreciate the lifestyle of the maharajas.
~Itineraries~
Specal Indian Exploration Itinerary
Trip Dates: March 5th to March 20th
Price: From $6,500 (based on double occupancy, international airfare not included)
Highlights include: Delhi, Kanha National Park, the Taj Mahal, Jaipur, 1 night on the overnight train, Jaipur, Bharatpur, Nimaj, Khimsar, and Jodhpur. See the detailed itinerary.
India Wildlife and Culture Spectacular Itinerary
Best Times to Visit: November to March
Price: From $6,500 (based on double occupancy, international airfare not included).
Highlights include: 3 nights in Kanha, 2 nights in Jaipur, 1 night on the overnight train, and 1 night each in Delhi, Bharatpur, Nimaj, Khimsar, and Jodhpur. See the detailed itinerary.
Fairs and Festivals Itinerary Details
Trip Dates: Oct 20th – November 3rd 2008
Price: From $6,500 (based on double occupancy, international airfare not included).
Highlights include: Diwali in Delhi, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Bateshwar Cattle Fair, Jaipur, Dundlod Fort, Kuchaman Fort, Pushkar Camel Fair, Ranakpur Jain Temples, Kumbhalgarh Fort, and Udaipur. See the detailed itinerary.
