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
DAY 01
DEPARTURE DELHI AT 1500 hrs
Spend the evening savouring the luxurious ambience aboard
the Royal Orient while you embark on your journey through one of the
world's oldest civilizations, its mystic cultures and colourful customs
will overwhelm you and transport you into a different era.
DAY 02
ARRIVE CHITTORGARH AT: 0530 HRS
DEPARTURE CHITTORGARH AT : 0900
hrs
ARRIVE UDAIPUR AT : 1215 hrs
DEPARTURE UDAIPUR AT: 1215 hrs
CHITTORGARH
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
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 03
ARRIVE MEHSANA AT : 0415 hrs
DEPARTURE MEHSANA AT : 1115 hrs
ARRIVE AHEMEDABAD AT : 1245 hrs
DEPARTURE AHMEDABAD AT : 2015 hrs
AHMEDABAD
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.
MODHERA:
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
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 04
ARRIVE SASANGIR AT: 0800 hrs
DEPARTURE SASANGIR AT: 1115 hrs
ARRIVE DELWADA AT : 1430 hrs
DEPARTURE DELWADA AT : 2000 hrs
SASAN GIR FOREST
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
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
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 05
ARRIVE PALITANA AT : 0745 hrs
DEPARTURE PALITANA AT : 1200 hrs
ARRIVE SARKHEJ AT : 1745 hrs
DEPARTURE SARKHEJ AT : 2230 hrs
PALITANA
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
SARKHEJ
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 06
ARRIVE UDAIPUR AT : 0715 hrs
DEPARTURE UDAIPUR AT : 2000 hrs
RANAKPUR
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 07
ARRIVE JAIPUR AT : 0750
hrs
DEPARTURE JAIPUR AT : 2155 hrs
JAIPUR
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 08
ARRIVE DELHI AT 0700 hrs
Journey back to Delhi
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