Ladakh Water Mill – Milling Tsampa

Ladakh is India’s slice of Tibet. It lies in the extreme north west of India, bordering Tibet to the north and Pakistan to the west. Geographically it is north of the principal chain of the High Himalayas, thus for the most part in the rain shadow, hence relatively little rain penetrates from the monsoonal cycle to the south though violent storms, cloud bursts and flash floods do take place especially at the beginning of the rainy season south of the Himalayas.

Video features barley water mill, milling tsampa. Ingeniously set to grind only few grains at a time, the water mill is located in an isolated and desolate landscape of high altitude desert, far away from a nearest house.

Rajasthan hotels

Following are some of the hotels we recommend to use on our popular RUSTIC RAJASTHAN itinerary

Delhi: Imperial Hotel
www.theimperialindia.com/
Imperial room

Agra: ITC Mughal Sheraton
www.itcwelcomgroup.in
Mughal Chamber

Samode: Samode Palace
www.samode.com/
Deluxe room

Jaipur: Hotel Devi Ratn
www.deviresorts.in
Executive suite

Jodhpur: Hotel Raas
www.raasjodhpur.com
Luxury Room

Nimaj Chhtrasagar Camp
chhatrasagar.com/
Deluxe Tent

Deogarh: Deogarh Mahal
www.deogarhmahal.com/
Deluxe room

Udaipur: Taj Lake Palace
www.tajhotels.com/
Luxury room

Demonstrations and road blocks create access problems Agra to Jaipur & Agra to Sawaimadhopur (Ranthambore)

Over the course of the last nearly 10 days there have been road blocks on the Agra / Sawaimadhopur and Agra / Jaipur routes due to an agitation by the local community of Gujjars who are protesting for an increase in India’s Government job quota for their community. The agitation started Sunday December 19 when their community people blocked the rail tracks which then extended to the National Highway 11 which connects Agra / Jaipur, Agra / Sawaimadhoupur / Ranthambore etc.

The trains on that line are still not operating. Therefore any clients traveling to or from Sawaimadhopur (en route to Ranthambore National Park) would not be able to take the trains. For this reason we are operating on alternate routes for travel between Agra and Jaipur and v.v. as well as Agra/Sawaimadhopur.

We are sending Cars as follows:
Agra – Jaipur route: Agra – Fatehpur Sikri – Bharatpur – Mahua – Balahedi – Abhaneri – Sikandra – Dausa – Jaipur. Total distance 285 Km, approx. 07 Hrs (Jaipur to Agra & Agra to Jaipur). This route allows us to bypass the troubled area where the road is blocked. The extra distance is only 35 Kms, leading through villages following single lane road.

We are sending our ACC Coaches as per the following Route:
i) Agra – Jaipur (Agra – Fatehpur Sikri – Bharatpur – Deeg – Alwar – Jaipur); Total 320Km/07Hrs (Jaipur to Agra & Agra to Jaipur)
“alternatively”
ii) Agra – Jaipur (Agra – Fatehpur Sikri – Bharatpur – Nadbai – Khelndi – Rajgarh – Bandiqui – Sikandra – Jaipur); Total 325 Km/07 Hrs (Jaipur to Agra & Agra to Jaipur).

We assess current situation & the day of closure in various towns by Gujjar community is taken in to account, and than only one of the two routes above is suggested. In both of these routes almost 90 minutes of extra driving time is required with almost 70 Kms extra is involved.

Goa extension, 3 nights, 4 days

This package can be added at the front end of your Kerala itinerary or at the tail end of your Classic Rajasthan itinerary ending in Udaipur, connecting to Goa via Mumbai.

Day-1 Cochin or Mumbai to Goa.
Meals Included: Breakfast.
Reach Goa Airport ex Mumbai or Cochin. On arrival you will be met by our representative outside the airport and transferred to the Hotel. Check-In. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Goa.

Day-2 In Goa.
Meals Included: Breakfast.
After breakfast this morning you’ll proceed on a tour of Old Goa and Panjim. The tour starts with a drive to Dona Paula, an idyllic spot, which overlooks Goa’s magnificent harbor of Marmagoa. From here we proceed to Panjim via Miramar Beach. In the year 1843, the Portuguese court in Lisbon by a Royal decree made Panjim the new capital of Goa, which was till then a fishing village. Panjim till today captures the charm with typical Portuguese type of houses and villas spread along the river Mandovi. Notable amongst the classic structures in Panjim are Panjim Church, Palacio Patriarcal (Bishop’s Palace) and Palacio Idalcao (the present Secretariat), built by Adil Shah in 1492. The tour then proceeds to Old Goa, which was once the old Capital of Goa. Visit the Basilica of Bom Jesus where the incorruptible remains of St. Francis Xavier are kept in a silver casket entombed in a marble mausoleum in the Florentine style. Overnight in Goa.

Day-3 In Goa.
Meals Included: Breakfast.
Today will be at your leisure in Goa. Overnight.

Day-4 Goa / Mumbai.
Meals Included: Breakfast.
The morning will be at your leisure after breakfast. You’ll be transferred in time to the Dabolim Airport. Check-In for your onward flight to Mumbai.

Classic Rajasthan

Rather than returning back to Delhi, Classic Rajasthan tour can be combined with an extension to Mumbai, Goa or Kerala.

Day – 1 Delhi / Agra
Meals Included: Breakfast.
After breakfast this morning you will proceed on the 4 hour drive to Agra. On reaching Agra you will check-in at your hotel. Agra is globally renowned as the city of the Taj Mahal. But this royal Mughal City has, in addition to the legendary Taj, many other monuments that epitomize the high point of Mughal architecture.

After lunch you’ll tour the Agra Fort, built and added to between the 16th and 17th Centuries by successive rulers of the Mughal Dynasty. The Fort ramparts were raised by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar, Emperor Jehangir built rose-red palaces, courts and gardens and Shahajahan embellished it with marble mosques, palaces and pavilions of gem-inlaid white marble. Later this afternoon you’ll visit the Tomb of Itmad ud Daulah, built by Nur-Jehan, the empress of Mughal Emperor Jehangir. End the day at Mehtab Bagh to enjoy sunset views of the Taj Mahal. Return to Hotel. Free for Dinner. Overnight.

Day – 2 Agra / Fatehpur Sikri / Jaipur
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch.
At dawn you’ll visit the Taj Mahal the most extravagant monument, ever built for love. This wonder in white marble was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in memory of his wife Mumtaz in the year 1631. It took 22 years and 20000 craftsmen and laborers from India and Central to complete the construction of this historic tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, the chosen one of Emperor Shah Jehan.
Return to hotel and breakfast. You’ll then transfer to Fatehpur Sikri. Visit the 16th century capital of the Mughal rulers abandoned due to water scarcity in the area. You’ll then continue to Bharatpur and have Lunch at the LAXMI VILAS PALACE and then commence your drive to Jaipur. On reaching you’ll check-into your hotel. Overnight in Jaipur.

Day – 3 Jaipur
Meals Included: Breakfast.
Jaipur, popularly known as the Pink City of Rajasthan, is the capital of this state. The kingdom of Jaipur was originally known as Amber, which was also the name of it’s ancient capital, situated 7 miles away.

Amber Fort is superbly located and protected by wild Aravali Hills on all sides. Originally built in the 11th Century, it was extended by Raja Mansingh 1 in the late 16th Century. Its history can be traced backed to the 12th century.

In 1720’s Sawai Jai Singh II, began to build the new city of Jaipur. The city turned out to be an astonishing well-planned one based on the ancient Hindu treatise on architecture, the Shilpa Shastra. The sprawling City Palace was an integral part of Raja Sawai Jai Singh II’s new city of Jaipur. Today it’s a museum that displays some of the finest collection of paintings, costumes, carpets and armory of that period.

Nearby is the ornate Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). It is a delightfully idiosyncratic five-tier composition of arches and balconies. The Jaipur astronomical observatory built by Raja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1827 is an amazing monument.

Jaipur is known for its arts and crafts, jewelry, enamel work, hand-printed fabrics and stone sculptures. Wandering through the bazaars of old Jaipur is an experience in itself. They are colorful, noisy and happily chaotic and you can buy anything here.

This morning you’ll visit the Amber Palace with a short ride on caparisoned elephants upto the Fort. You’ll be free for lunch. The afternoon will be dedicated to the visit of the City Palace Museum and the Astronomical Observatory. You’ll be free for Dinner. Overnight in Jaipur.

Day – 4 Jaipur / Pushkar / Jodhpur
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch.
After breakfast you’ll be transferred to the Jaipur Railway Station for a short train ride upto Ajmer. From here you’ll drive to Pushkar a picturesque little temple town and one of the holiest centers of Hinduism. It is the site of an astonishingly colorful camel fair, held every year in during the full moon in November.

Tour the Lake Side and the Brahma temple the most important of all temples at Pushkar and the one of the few temples dedicated to Lord Brahma, considered the creator of this Universe by the Hindus. After lunch at Pushkar, you’ll commence your drive to Jodhpur. On arrival you’ll check-into your hotel. Overnight in Jodhpur.

Day – 5 Jodhpur
Meals: Breakfast
There are many great fortresses all over Rajasthan, but very few can compare with Mehrangarh Fort. Perched on a rocky cliff, it has a commanding view of the surrounding landscape. This Palace complex was first built in the 15th Century and later added to, over the centuries by successive generations of Maharajas. It is one of the most impressive palace complexes in Rajasthan. The museum within the Fort is one of the finest museums in Rajasthan and the best laid out. This morning you’ll proceed on a sightseeing tour of the Mehrangarh Fort.

You’ll be free for lunch.

This afternoon you can browse in the crowded little bazaar shops near the clock tower for Jodhpur’s well known glass bangles, ornamental swords, rugged leather slippers and printed fabrics.

Free for Dinner. Overnight in Jodhpur.

Day – 6 Jodhpur / Ranakpur / Udaipur
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
After breakfast you’ll commence your drive towards Udaipur. You’ll stop at Ranakpur for a visit to the fabulous temples in marble.

Jainism is the religion of the Jinas or Conquerors and was found in the 6th century BC in eastern India. The people of the Jain religion built many beautiful temples, using their position and wealth. The Ranakpur temple dedicated to Adinatha the first prophet of the Jain religion, is a hymn in Marble. What makes it truly remarkable is the intricate carvings that makes for the grand architectural element of these temples.

After sightseeing of the temple you’ll stop for lunch at FATEH BAGH a Heritage hotel located at 15 minutes drive from the temple.

Continue on your drive to Udaipur. On reaching Udaipur you’ll check-Into your hotel.

After some time for rest you’ll transfer to the City Palace to witness a Sound and Light Show.

Free for Dinner. Overnight in Udaipur.

Day – 7 Udaipur
Meals Included: Breakfast.
There’s no place in India, which appeals more to the imagination of poets and painters, travelers and writers, than Udaipur, the lovely lake side capital of Mewar. It’s the most picturesque cities in India, set as it is on three beautiful Lakes and surrounded by hills. The city’s inherent romance and beauty, and its remarkable past, bristling with episodes of heroism and splendor, continue to enthrall the visitor.

Visit the City Palace, a blend of stern Rajput military architecture on the outside and lavish Mughal-inspired decorative art on the inside. The Palace museum contains a wonderful collection of old Rajput weaponry. One of the more unusual moments in the colorful history of Udaipur was when it was used as a location for shooting the James Bond film, Octopussy.

This afternoon will be at leisure to wander in the colorful Bapu Bazaar.

Towards sunset you’ll proceed on a boat ride on Lake Pichola.

Overnight in Udaipur.

Day – 8 Udaipur / Delhi or Mumbai
Meals Included: Breakfast.
Breakfast at Hotel. You’ll be transferred to the Airport for assistance in check-in on the flight to your next destination.