DESERT TRADITIONS: SHADES OF INDIA

Four Cities, Four Colours, Four Adventures

In each place you will discover a unique cultural heritage expressed in its architecture, arts and cuisine. You will spend four fabulous days in each location exploring the natural and built environment and delve deeply into the local performing and visual arts including puppetry, dance, textiles, jewellery, pottery and miniature painting. Your journey sits between two festivals beginning with the sparkle of Diwali in Udaipur and ending with a flourish during November’s full moon celebration, Dev Diwali, in Jaipur.

Itinerary: Mumbai, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Jaipur and including Ranthambore Tiger Sanctuary

Your Tour Leader
Carole Douglas is an educator, exhibiting artist and writer with a passion for travel that began in her early 20s in Central America and Mexico. She holds academic qualifications in the arts, education and social ecology and is the founder of DESERT TRADITIONS, a company that works on international projects and organises tours into areas of cultural significance. Carole has been designing and leading tours since 2004. 

DETAILED ITINERARY

Tuesday October 17th     Accommodation: Niranta Airport Transit Hotel 

Fly to Mumbai. 

Wednesday October 18th     Accommodation: Fateh Niwas 

Early departure for Udaipur with Jet Airways 

Highlights: Diwali Celebrations, City Palace and Lake Tours, Bhil village visit, puppet show and cultural event, miniature painting class, Kumbhalgarh Fort.

Built around the edges of shimmering lakes and set against the backdrop of the majestic Aravalli Hills, Udaipur is unmatched in its timeless beauty, royal history and air of romance. The City Palace is unrivalled in its sheer artistry, location and size and local villages offer rare glimpses into traditional rural life!

Sunday October 22nd     Accommodation: Deogarh Mahal 

Early departure for Deogarh by road.

Highlights: Ranakpur Jain Temple, Sadri Camel Camp 

A full day’s spectacular drive up and over the ancient Aravalli ranges, stopping at Ranakpur, the magnificent Jain temple and with ample time to enjoy life at the side of the road – rural farmlands, ancient water works, wildlife, camel camps and local colour. We break our journey to Jaisalmer with an overnight stop at the heritage hotel, Deogarh Mahal managed by the royal family where we are treated with customary Mewari hospitality. 

Monday October 23rd     Accommodation: Fort Rajwada or similar 

Morning departure for Jaisalmer 

Highlights: Fort tour, village visits, dune camel ride, crafts

Golden city of the dunes, Jaisalmer is located on the edge of the vast Thar Desert. The fort is a breath taking sight rising from the dunes like a massive sandcastle. We spend time in Jaisamer’s twisting lanes, visit museums and remote painted villages that offer traditional weaving and embroidery. The region rings of its past – of camel-caravan trade routes, great battles and desert lore. We end our sojourn with cameleers who will take us on a rolling ride into the dunes at sunset.

Friday October 27th     Accommodation: Ratan Vilas 

Morning departure for Jodhpur 

Highlights: Mehrangarh Fort, Blue City tour, visit Bishnoi craft and wildlife villages, Salawas weaving village, Singhasni potter’s village plus a special introduction to Indian art conneissuership.

Strategically located midway between the capital and India’s most industrialized state, Gujarat, Jodhpur benefited from the trade of copper, opium and silks during the pre-colonial period. Its prosperity is reflected in the jewels and costumes displayed by the wealthy Marwari women. Majestic Mehrangarh, the fort that towers over the Blue City, is an architectural gem. During our time in Jodhpur we visit villages where camel wool is woven into intricate rugs and spend an afternoon and evening with Indian arts connoisseur Shanane Davis, who will lead you into the fascinating realms of exquisite arts traditions while will enjoying drinks and a fine local dining experience. We complete our Jodhpur experience with Bishnoi villages and meet those who fiercely protect their natural world.

Sunday October 30th     Accommodation: Ranthambore Regency Hotel 

Depart for Ranthambore Tiger Sanctuary 

Highlights: Morning and afternoon Safaris to spot the elusive and endangered Bengal Tiger

Ranthambore National Park is one of the largest national parks in northern India, covering an area of 392 km² and is renowned for tiger sightings during the months from October to May. Other wild animals include leopard,nilgai, wild boar, sambar, striped hyena, sloth bear, southern plains gray langur, rhesus macaque and chital. The sanctuary supports a wide variety of trees, plants, birds and reptiles, as well as one of the largest banyan trees in India. 

Tuesday November 1st     Accommodation: Alsisar Haveli 

Morning departure for Jaipur
Highlights: Amber Fort, Anokhi Museum, Bagru Indigo printing workshop, Janta Mantar, Village safari, heritage tour, royal dining and great shopping!

Jaipur, Rajasthan’s capital, is an enchanting city steeped in history. Its colourful streets are an eclectic mix of old and new. The traffic plays dodgem as dawdling camels, determined buses, slow moving, impatient cycle-rickshaws,
swarming motorbikes and buzzing auto rickshaws jockey for position. In the midst of the chaos, the glory of Jaipur’s royal past is found in oases of calm. The City Palace continues to house the former royal family, the Jantar Mantar, the royal observatory, maintains its heavenly aspect and the intricate facade of the Hawa Mahal overlooks the bazaar and overlooking the erstwhile princely state is the grandeur of Amber Fort.

Jaipur is also noted for its block printing and beautiful Mughal inspired designs. Driving to Bagru, one of India’s renowned printing and dyeing centres, we pass through traditional rural India where brilliant colours sarees and turbans are a counterpoint to the arid land. 

Saturday November 5th     

After a leisurely farewell lunch we board the early evening flight to Mumbai to connect with homebound flights.