Day 1

Delhi – Chittorgarh: The tour starts at our joining hotel in Delhi where we will have rooms available for a wash and change. After lunch we visit the new town before going to the Old Town and taking a wander from the Red Fort, down Chandi Chowk – the old town’s main thoroughfare – through the narrow alleyways of Shahjahanabad, to emerge at the beautiful Jama Masjid Mosque, before returning to Connaught Place. After an early dinner we will transfer to Nizamuddin Railway Station to catch the night train to Chittorgarh. Overnight Train (L, D)

Day 2

Chittorgarh – Castle Bijaipur: Arriving Chittorgarh at 06.30am, we transfer to Hotel Pratap Palace where we can wash, change and have breakfast. We then drive on towards Castle Bijaipur, en route visiting Chittorgarh Fort and local villages. Our great friend Rao Narendra Singh, the Prince of Bijaipur and our host, used to rule over 90 villages in the area and so has a great knowledge of the people and their ways and he will hopefully be there to personally introduce us to the customs of the region. Crossing the valleys of the Vindhyanchal Range, we reach Bijaipur in time for lunch where a royal welcome awaits the group. Bijaipur is a charming village and is the centre for the surrounding villages for their daily needs. We stay at Castle Bijaipur, a 17th century fort, which is now a heritage hotel. In the late afternoon we can enjoy a cooking lesson or go for a walk… or just relax after the rigours of the journey. Castle Bijaipur (B, L, D)

Day 3

Bijaipur: Today will be a real highlight as we visit the village of the Gujjar milkman tribe, where we will spend the much of the day learning about the culture and activities of this vital tribe. We will watch them milking, help in turning the milk into lassi and have a traditional lunch served on a banana leaf plate. In the afternoon we will relax with them before enjoying a traditional opium ceremony in the village. On the way back to the castle we will visit another farmers’ village. The evening will be free at the castle. Castle Bijaipur (B, L, D)

Day 4

Bijaipur: Remembering this is a holiday, this morning will be free to enjoy the activities at Castle Bijaipur like horse riding, cycling, massage, swimming etc. At around noon we will visit the local school that Wild Frontiers supports to spend some time with the children and to see how a local rural education establishment works. Nearby is an area that Wild Frontiers has reserved for tree planting, where each member of the group can plant a tree of their choice, to help with reforesting the area. In the afternoon we will visit one of Narendra’s farms for drinks before returning to the castle for dinner. Castle Bijaipur (B, L, D)

Day 5

Bijaipur – Athana – Pangarh Lotus Lake: After breakfast we will depart for Athana, a big village that has a great deal of rural activities and old world charm. Driving through the picturesque Vindhanchal Range, we will see many smaller villages and settlements and witness the farmers going about their daily business. After lunch, we will take a leisurely stroll through the village, visiting the craft workshops (Athana is famous for carpet making) before moving on to visit the hand block printing village of Tarapur. The printers in Tarapur still use 100% natural dyes and prepare colours using techniques that are centuries old. The fabric is also made locally from natural fibres such as cotton, silk and jute. From here we will drive the short distance to Pangarh, 35kms away. Set on the banks of a beautiful lotus lake,surrounded by green hills on all sides, the village of Pangarh is 1000 years old. To this day the villagers hunt fish using spears in the marshy waters of the lake. The lake is famous for its abundance of Lotus flowers; the ancient castle perched on rocky ridge and a 8th century sun worshiping temple. Arriving late afternoon we will take a walk to the nearby ruined fort, and spend the evening out beneath the stars, sleeping in luxury tents. Fixed Camp (B, L, D)

Day 6

Pangarh Lake – Bundi: After an early breakfast we move east towards Bundi, stoping at Begun - an authentic rural Indian town steeped in history. We continue on to the Menal temple complex of the Maurya Dynasty, to view the Khajuraho-style erotic iconography dating back 1000 years. After visiting the temples and having a picnic lunch, we will move on, crossing the biggest sandstone mining area of India. Our next stop will be the old town of Bijoliya, with a small castle and temples that were built in the same period as Menal. Most of the town is still inside the fortress walls that take you back into the 18th century. We will reach Bundi in the evening. Guesthouse (B, L, D)

Day 7

Bundi: In the morning we embark on a tour of the small city of Bundi, seemingly untouched by modernization. Bundi is famous for its bangle makers and brass pottery but the real attraction is the stunning fort and palace, which we will visit at leisure. Afterwards, we will take lunch with a local Brahmin family, a very rare treat as most of the ruling families in Rajasthan are Rajputs, before visiting the bazaar, the Kipling palace, the royal cenotaphs and a few other sites. Guesthouse (B, L, D)

Day 8

Bundi – Sorsan Wildlife Sanctuary - Baran: From Bundi we will move south to Kota from where we travel by boat on a wonderful journey along the River Chambal. Legend has it that the river was born from the blood of sacrificed animals and is therefore cursed. For this reason precious few live along its’ high-sided, sandstone cliff banks making it the perfect place for the regions animals to prosper. Among the wildlife we are likely to see will be crocodiles, blue bull and chikara antelope as well as a huge array of birdlife. After the boat ride we travel on in jeeps to Sorsan Wildlife Sanctuary, taking a game drive around the sanctuary where we hope to spot blackbucks and the rare Godawan, or great Indian Bustard. Our final stop for the day is the rural town of Baran, where we will spend the night in a modern hotel. Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 9

Baran – Jhalawar: This morning we will go to a local village for breakfast and then head on towards Jhalawar. Twelve kilometres before town we will take lunch at the spectacular Gagron Fort, reaching Prithvi Vilas, home of the Maharaja of Jhalawar in the mid afternoon. This evening promises to be a real treat as we get to stay with the Maharaja and his charming wife in their extraordinary home-cum-museum. Prithvi Vilas (B, L, D)

Day 10

Jhalawar: The first time we ran this itinerary we only had one night at Jhalawar - we soon realised that it simply wasn’t enough time! For a start, the palace – the present Maharaja’s grandfather’s former hunting lodge – is so amazing you could easily spend a day just relaxing in the quiet grounds, but the city itself is interesting with a fine palace and library. After lunch we will visit the nearby pilgrimage town of Jhalrapatan, one of the purest towns that remain to be seen in India today. Although being more than 800 years old the town is very well planned, most of it still lying within the city walls that were built to defend against local dacoits and looters. The town has some beautiful temples and a vibrant market. Right outside the city walls are the famous temples of Chandrabhaga. After enjoying this town to the max we visit a local school, sponsored by Wild Frontiers, and then return to Jhalawar. Prithvi Vilas (B, L, D)

Day 11

Jhalawar – Barnagar: After an early breakfast we will continue heading south, exploring the villages of this area known as the Malwa. In the afternoon we visit Ujjain, where we will drop in on the only temple in India dedicated to the alcohol drinking god of death, Kal Bhairav. From here we will drive on to Barnagar, where we will check into Fort Amla, a fine heritage hotel of the local ruling family. The Govt. of India has declared the village of Amla a heritage village. We will enjoy a leisurely stroll through the endearing village. Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 12

Barnagar – Maheshwar: Departing early, this morning we head to Mandu. Started in the 7th century by the local rulers, added to by the Sultans of the 12th century and the Moghuls of the 17th century, this truly awesome collection of forts, palaces and temples is said to be the largest in all Asia. After visiting the fort we will drive the short distance to Maheshwar, a pilgrimage centre on the banks of the River Narmada, famous for its extraordinary fort-like temples. We will spend the evening at the ghats of Maheshwar observing the arti – or puja – when pilgrims chant, pray and place candles to drift along the river. We will stay for two nights at the amazing Fort Ahilya, situated on the banks of the river, where everything – even alcohol, massages and laundry ! – is included. Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 13

Ahilya: We will spend all day at this gorgeous location, from which you might like to visit the local handloom manufacturers of the maheshwari saree, take a stroll through town or travel by boat up the river to visit other villages. This is our last day in rural India, and a perfect opportunity to unwind after the journey, contemplate all that you have seen and enjoy the luxury of this lovely hotel. Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 14

Ahilya – Indore: We will have a relaxing morning and an early lunch, before setting off on the two and a half hours drive to Indore. On arrival in Indore we will check into our hotel, take a stroll around the town, visiting some of the famous sites – including Lalbarg Palace, art and deco museum and the mirror temple – before having our final dinner. Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 15

Indore: This trip ends after breakfast in Indore.(B)

Accommodation: You will experience some of the most characterful and interesting accommodation the subcontinent can offer; from wonderful converted fort hotels, private palaces, old havelis and smart tented camps - you will not be disappointed. However this is still India and in certain forts facilities are sometimes not quite up to a Western standard and therefore patience is occasionally required. On this trip you will also enjoy some of the most magnificent homestays you are ever likely to come across, in private rambling forts. All hotels mentioned in the itinerary are subject to availability and if not available substitutes will be of a similar quality.