Rajasthan
Cost: $8,980Single Supplement: $2,440
Price Includes:
Accommodation on twin sharing basis as per the hotels mentioned in the itinerary:Delhi - Hotel Imperial
Jodhpur - Balsamand Palace
Nimaj - Chhatra Sagar Camp
Shahpura - Shahpura Bagh
Devigarh - Devigarh Palace
Udaipur - Lake Palace Hotel
Jaipur - Raj Vilas
All meals from breakfast on Day 2 till Lunch at Jaipur before departure; Welcome cocktails at Delhi on Day 1; Dinner at Dakshin Restaurant at Delhi; Services of Marieke Brugman, Tour Escort for the entire tour; Services of Mr. Durga Singh as accompanying English Guide for the entire tour; Sightseeing as per the itinerary and all cooking classes; Airport / Hotel / Railway station transfer as per the itinerary; Air-conditioned transport as per the enclosed itinerary; Entrances to the monuments of tourist interest as per the itinerary; Elephant safari with BBQ dinner arranged by Dera Amer; All cooking sessions and lectures on Indian Spices; Portage and most tips; All currently applicable taxes
Not Included:
Travel insurance.
Any Airfare (Mentioned separately);
Any expenses of personal nature such as Hard/Soft drinks, Laundry, Phone/Fax calls, etc.;
Airport departure tax applicable at the time of departure from India;
Any item not mentioned in the Quote includes section;
Any optional activities / excursions or extras other than those specified;
Single room or sole occupancy costs supplements;
Airfare Jaipur/Delhi if this mode of transport is selected;
Personal service tips and gratuities;
Tips for driver and guide
30 Oct-11 Nov, 2010
Tour de Forks in assocoation with Marieke's Art of Living presents Cooking with the RAJ: A Discovery of North Indian Culture & Cuisines: 13 Days/12 Nights with superb chefs and home cooks in some of Rajasthan's most
luxurious properties. This tour shares with you the cultural history, rich nuances, immense variety and magic of Rajasthani culture and cuisine in a mix of days that includes excursions, discussions, hands-on classes, demonstrations, market visits, and special dinners.
There is also plenty of opportunity for wonderful sightseeing, shopping and local interaction.
The Tour will be hosted by Marieke Brugman. A highly regarded chef and teacher, talented presenter and passionate educator in her own right, Marieke has developed an intimate and compelling relationship with India and has befriended many stunning cooks and amassed a portfolio of treasured recipes that reflect the traditions of private estates to the skills of professional chefs, from the rustic to the grandly noble. There could be no more unique an opportunity to understand the connection between culture and cuisine in this astounding country.
Welcome to India. To mystery. To enchantment. To unsurpassable beauty. To ravishing colour and light. To timelessness. To a kaleidoscope of cultures, religions and landscapes. To a richness of humanity. To exotic splendour. Where a thousand lifestyles breathe as one nation. A fascinating tapestry of languages, customs and beliefs. So varied that it may take a lifetime to imbibe its true essence. It is a whole continent in a country, as large and varied as Europe.
Of all her states, Rajasthan is perhaps the most tribally diverse, artistically decorative, architecturally magnificent and regal in India.
HIGHLIGHTS
Cocktails "at home" in Delhi with the Jodhpur Royal family, Rani Chandresh Kumari, a politician;
A night at Lake Palace Hotel with a royal barge "Gangaur" party on Lake Pichola, with time to explore the famed white marble city of Udaipur;
A unique introduction to Karan cuisine with the of a scion of the Bedla clan who will share the priceless culinary tradition of his family.
Two nights at Devigarh Palace with hands-on cooking classes with their Executive Chef exploring spices, the cuisines from the four corners of India and Ayurvedic dietary principles. A further two nights at the very special, luxurious tented camp of Chhatra Sagar at Nimaj where the family manage their own organic farm which provides superior produce for delectable cuisine. Two nights in Jaipur at Rajvilas with an elephant picnic safari, vists in a private home and time to explore this fascinating city.
Tribal and folk entertainments in splendid heritage properties.
A Special Note: Non-Cooking School partners are warmly welcomed to join this tour. During classes and demonstrations, you will have the option of a wonderful variety of cultural excursions to sites of great interest assisted by private guides and drivers.
Day 1 Delhi
On arrival in Delhi you will be met at the airport and transferred to the Imperial Hotel, the 5 star hotel in Delhi that most elegantly captures the ambience of the Raj. An evening cocktail reception allows you to meet Rani Chandresh the Jodhpur Royal princess and beloved politician, our esteemed Rajput guide Thakur Durga Singh and your fellow travellers.
(For those arriving in Delhi ahead of the group, (and this we can highly recommend to guests), there is much to see and do in the capital city of independent India. Seven cities have existed here since the 10th C, ruled over by Rajputs, Turks, Afghans, Mughals and the British. Delhi is two cities in one -the Old Delhi of the Mughals, created by Shah Jahan and still a conglomerate of medieval palaces, forts, mosques and bazaars; and the New Delhi built by the British, an elegant metropolis of broad avenues, stately homes and landscaped gardens. We will assist guests wishing to explore this chaotic and fascinating city with its multi-layered history, grand monuments, the remarkable Chadni Chowk in Old Delhi whose narrow alleys remain unchanged since medieval times, and its treasure trove of shopping.
Note: For guests arriving earlier, we make all your arrangements including transfers, accommodation, and a car/driver-guide for private sightseeing.
Day 2 Delhi
After breakfast enjoy a tour of Old and New Delhi's highlights and landmarks.
After lunch there is some free time for shopping and we provide extensive notes to assist your decision about which precincts to visit.
Tonight, reconvene for a wonderful South Indian banquet. Overnight Imperial Hotel (BLD)
Day 3 Delhi/Jodhpur
This morning, fly to Jodhpur, the former capital of the Marwar Kingdom.
On arrival check into your Palace Suites at Balsamand - a charming red sandstone palace constructed in 1114 AD overlooking the huge Balsamand Lake teeming with bird life. This is an oasis in the otherwise bustling "blue city". Built essentially as a gateway and summer playground for the Jodhpur Royal Family where the Maharaja stabled his horses, it has been used by the royal family for picnics and parties and has capacious, manicured gardens and a lovely swimming pool. A few years ago it was restored into a unique small hotel with nine suites in traditional Raj style.
This afternoon explore the fascinating bazaars and spice shops of the Old City. Marieke will escort you to one of her favourite shopping sprees in India: an atypical tumble down emporium groaning floor to ceiling with a cornucopia of Indian textiles, pashminas and shawls. This evening enjoy a Gala dinner with special folk entertainment. Hansraji has been resident chef with the Jodhpur Royal family all his life, just as his father before him and is a wonderful cook who has worked on the royal train as well as escorting hunting parties in the desert. We will request him to prepare some really unique dishes peculiar to this formerly princely state. Overnight Balsamand Palace. (BLD)
Day 4 Jodhpur/Nimaj
This morning visit the imposing Mehrangarh Fort, housing a palace intricately adorned with latticed windows exquisitely wrought from red sandstone, it also has a museum with a rich collection of palanquins, howdahs, royal cradles, miniature paintings of various schools, folk music instruments, costumes and impressive armoury.
Cross town to Ratan Vilas, home of Maharaja Ratan Singh of Raoti, a keen horse lover and one of the greatest Polo players of his times. The villa continues to be the home of his grandson, Maharaja Bharat Singh and his family. There will be a special cooking demonstration by the lady of the house who has been a close friend to the mother of the Maharaja of Jodhpur and is custodian over many family recipes.
A selection of royal dishes will be served for lunch.
After lunch, drive 2 hours to Nimaj to stay at Chhatra Sagar, a divine, lakeside Royal tented camp. Neither a fairy-tale palace, nor an impregnable fortress imbued with legends of love and bravery but 13 sumptuous royal tents facing a lake bordered by lush green fields and vast grazing pastures - greenery in the heart of Rajasthan. Your abode for the next two nights, this is a tranquil haven with fabulous bird life and exceptional and elegant hospitality and some of the best food in Rajasthan. Untouched in the last 100 years, you will experience a traditional lifestyle with a camel safari and visits to a silver and gold smith workshop where traditional tribal jewellery is made, a black-smith, the village cobbler & tanner who makes traditional leather shoes, and also the village potter. As well as atmospheric evening bombfires and entertainment there will also be hands-on classes conducted by the women of the household who specialise in particularly delicate and light cuisine, much of it harvested from their own organic farm. One of the family retainers still has mastery of misri roti, an exceptionally delicate Indian style buttery shortbread finished with saffron and gold leaf. Overnight Chhatra Sagar Camp (BLD)
Day 5 Nimaj
This morning after breakfast enjoy a hands on cooking class.
After a delectable lunch explore the local countryside, the farm, and the nearby traditional villages by jeep, camel or bullock cart or on foot.
In the evening relax with pre prandials around a large fire with light folk entertainment and dinner.
Overnight Chhatra Sagar Camp. (BLD)
Day 6 Nimaj/Shapura
After breakfast drive 3+ hrs to Shahpura Bagh.
After a delightful welcome lunch you are free to explore the surrounding areas on your own.
Legend has it that, in the early 1900's, Rajadhiraj Nahar Singh, the tremendous "foodie" of Shahpura, mortgaged the family's private property and jewels to bring water to his people.
Today, the lakes he created form the heart of a verdant wetland refuge - historic, picturesque, tranquil- an idyllic setting where man and nature have come to understand each other. He also left a legacy of family heirloom recipes.
The haveli has been gorgeously restored to provide 10 wonderful en suite rooms with delightful furnishings in a large acreage of forest, manicured lawns, with a pool.
Overnight Shahpura Bagh (BLD)
Day 7 Nimaj/Shapura
A superb hostess, Maya who in every way epitomizes a modern Indian woman with strong allegiances to traditional values, oversees the Shapura household. A bevy of family aunties help supervise the kitchens of exceptional cuisine and bring touches from other regions of India to the table, such as the sweet undertones of Gujarati food.
Today enjoy a hands on class based on open wood/charcoal fire stoves-style cooking typical of the local villagers who cook at home in terracotta pots. Savour some royal game dishes using chicken and lamb. The meal will be served for lunch.
This afternoon there will be time to explore the local village, take bicycles out to the old fort, wander around the lakes or relax in the gardens and hear wonderful stories of the family history affectionately told by the current family patriarch.
Overnight Shahpura Bagh. (BLD)Day 8 Shapura/Delwara
This morning drive 4 hours to Delwara and check into your place suite at Devi Garh. Devi Garh is one of India's most spectacular heritage properties - a stunning 18th C Fort whose architects, Nareen Gupta and Gautan Bhatia have retained all the romance and splendour of the original complex, but installed an utterly modern and unique interior. The brilliant young designer, Rajiv Saini has utilised the Indian aesthetic of white marble, limestone plaster, precious stones and mughal patterns to create luxurious, contemporary suites.
Lunch will be offered in the style of an Indian hawkers street stall allowing you to taste and sample the huge and delicious variety of typical Indian snacks from the delightful terrace decorated with bright silk cushions and charpoys.
This afternoon visit the lively nearby Hindu temple of Eklinji with your guide Durga, or avail yourself of the hotel's many pleasures: a lovely pool, a health club, a stunning boutique of tasteful clothes and home wares or Ayurvedic treatments and massage.
Overnight Devi Garh Palace. (BLD)
Day 9 Delwara-Devigarh Palace
The energetic or early risers may wish to join Marieke for a stroll through the village and farm hamlets or a gentle yoga session.
After breakfast, enjoy another hands-on class to which we will invite local village women to lead you through the intricacies of the Indian breads repertoire (chapati, naan, paratha, roti, saag roti, puris etc.), as well as savoury dishes from the chef. The dishes will cover the four corners of India as well as Ayurvedic principles of eating utilizing ingredients from the hotel's organic garden, and might include bhindi (okra), Hyderabadi Murg, Avadhi Korma, Dal Makhni, and Sweet Halwa.
Guests not cooking will relish exploring the environs: the nearby village stepwell, or the lanes where local farmers are tending their crops and herds, or a trek to a hill top temple.
Tonight you will be treated to a wonderful thali meal served on silver salvers.
Overnight Devi Garh Palace. (BLD)
Day 10 Delwara/Udaipur
This morning drive 1 hour south to descend into the magical city Udaipur, where you will be transferred by boat to the Lake Palace Hotel. Recently refurbished, the new décor befits the splendour and history of this hotel. A floating confection of white marble, the Lake Palace enjoys one of the world's best addresses with views to the sandstone City palace. A most romantic city, Udaipur is set in the Girwa valley amidst the Aravalli hills in south Rajasthan, and built around the lovely Lake Pichola. Udaipur has inevitably been dubbed the 'Venice of the East'. Founded in 1568, the city, set within green hills, is a harmonious Indian blend of whitewashed buildings, white marble palaces, placid blue lakes with lakeside gardens, temples and havelis (traditional mansions). It boasts an enviable artistic heritage, a proud reputation for performing arts that have helped make it an oasis of civilization and colour.
After lunch at Shiv Niwas Palace, there will be some sightseeing in and around the famed City Palace complex, with some time for later afternoon ambling though the bazaars. In regal style, an especially glamorous "floating" cocktail party is arranged on the Gangaur boat with special Mewari snacks or we may dine in the fine dining restaurant at the hotel. (BLD)
Day 11 Udaipur/Jaipur
This morning is an early departure after breakfast to catch the flight to Jaipur.
Known as the "Pink City", (pink only since it was painted in 1853 for a visit by Prince Albert), Jaipur is a marvellous synthesis of Hindu, Jain and Mughal influenced architecture. All around the magnificent palaces and buildings are bazaars teeming with people, camels, horses, and shopping here is a lot of fun, and the jewellery particularly interesting. Amber, once the capital is now a deserted complex of majestic ramparts.
There will be a chance to wander around fascinating Jaipur, ride elephants at Amber Fort and conduct any last minute shopping.
Two nights will be spent at the incomparable Raj Vilas, possibly the loveliest of Oberoi's boutique resorts. It sits as an oasis in luxuriantly manicured grounds with exotic water features, heated swimming pool, pavilions and the original haveli devoted to spa treatments.
This afternoon, a lunch with the Begum of Loharu ( a brilliant and utterly innovative free-spirited cook and effervescent hostess) or in the city before a walk through the spice and pickle markets of the old city, with time for some retail therapy.
Jaipur is indeed a shopper's paradise, specially for its jewellery, (with both precious and semi-precious stones, enamelling of gold in green, red and white), textiles and saris, goods made of marble, wood, stone, lac, clay, metal and leather.
(BLD)
Day 12 Jaipur-Raj Vilas
Today's program includes the option to visit Dera Mandawa the Jaipur home of your host Durga Singh to learn the making of Indian sweets such as rosgollahs, barfi, sandesh, gulab jamun, chanda kala, or time at leisure or for last minute shopping.
This evening we have arranged a private farewell banquet in the loveliest sylvan setting just outside the city. You will be welcomed by caparisoned elephant and Manganiars, male troupes of hereditary professional musicians hailing from the far desert regions, whose music has been supported by wealthy landlords and aristocrats for generations.
indeed a shopper's paradise, specially for its jewellery, (with both precious and semi-precious stones, enamelling of gold in green, red and white), textiles and saris, goods made of marble, wood, stone, lac, clay, metal and leather.
(BLD)
Day 13 Jaipur/Delhi/International departures
This morning enjoy a leisurely substantial brunch at the hotel.
Later drive 4 to 5 hrs to Delhi airport for flight to onward destination.
Alternatively, at small additional expense and depending on your international departure guests may choose to fly back to Delhi to meet their international connection.
Jet Airways 9W 3326 - 1830 / 1930 hrs
Kingfisher Airlines IT 4313 - 1900 / 2000 hrs
Assistance will be provided on arrival at domestic airport for transfer to international airport for flights to onward destination.
Your tour leader, Marieke Brugman has designed, refined and escorted this unique tour for well over a decade as well as leading cultural and gastronomic Tours to other regions of the sub-continent. She has developed a lifelong attraction to the exotic and compelling experience that ignites all the senses with the sights, sounds, tastes, smells, festivals, music, bazaars like no other on earth. Indeed, it makes you think about the meaning of life, in ways that you don't, living in the west.
Your Tour Guide and Escort, Thakur Durga Singhji is an exceptional guide and host. A proud, aristocratic Rajput, Durga brings his culture and country vibrantly alive. A rare Renaissance man with interests as diverse as philosophy, religion, contemporary politics, farming, tribal culture, music and poetry. Durga sports not only a grand moustache but also a wonderful sense of humour. A marvellous and engaging raconteur, his insights will leave a lasting impression and cement new friendships.
Your Tour Guide and Escort, Thakur Durga Singhji is an exceptional guide and host. A proud, aristocratic Rajput, Durga brings his culture and country vibrantly alive. A rare Renaissance man with interests as diverse as philosophy, religion, contemporary politics, farming, tribal culture, music and poetry. Durga sports not only a grand moustache but also a wonderful sense of humour. A marvellous and engaging raconteur, his insights will leave a lasting impression and cement new friendships.
Home | About | Press | Events | Associations | Links | Register | Contact
Contents copyright ©