18 Days Itinerary programe from London to India, Rajasthan back to London

18 Days Itinerary Programe from

 LONDON to INDIA and back to LONDON

Day 1  – Day 18 in Year 2011

DAY - 1                                                 DEPART LONDON

Depart London Heathrow Terminal 5 by British Airways flight BA 257 at 1525 hours

DAY - 2                                                 ARRIVE DELHI (GURGAON)

Arrive Delhi International airport Terminal 3 at 0455 hours

On arrival transfer to The Leela Kempinski Hotel, in Gurgaon for breakfast (on direct payment) 

Later transfer to Delhi International airport Terminal 3 to board JetLite flight

Flight S2 255 for Delhi – Kochi (1230 / 1550)

Morning transfer to Mumbai domestic airport to board Kingfisher Red Airlines flight

Flight IT 3162 for Mumbai – Udaipur (1135 / 1300)

On arrival in Udaipur check in at The Oberoi Udaivilas Hotel (Premier Lake View Room) 

Hotel check in 1400 hours

Rest of the day at leisure

Overnight at hotel

DAY -  3 & 4                                          UDAIPUR

Morning sightseeing tour of Udaipur city

Rest of the day at leisure with car and driver at disposal; no guide

Overnight at hotel

DAY -  5                                                UDAIPUR – RANAKPUR – JODHPUR    

Morning transfer by road to Jodhpur enroute visiting Ranakpur Jain temples (approximately 06 hours and 30 minutes drive including stops) Temples open for foreigners from 1200 hours–1600 hours; driver to pick up local guide subject to availability

On arrival check in at Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace Hotel (Palace Room)

Overnight at hotel

DAY -  6                                                JODHPUR    

Morning visit Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada and spice market

Rest of the day at leisure with car and driver at disposal, no guide

Overnight at hotel

DAY -  7                                                JODHPUR – JAIPUR      

Morning at leisure

Hotel check out 1200 hours

Later transfer to Jodhpur Airport to board Kingfisher Red Airlines flight

Flight IT 4302 for Jodhpur – Jaipur (1640 / 1740)

On arrival transfer to Taj Rambagh Palace Hotel (Palace Room)

Overnight at hotel

DAY - 8                                                 JAIPUR

Morning excursion to Amber Fort with an elephant ride up the hill and descend by jeep

Rest of the day at leisure with car and driver at disposal; no guide

1700 Hours: Complimentary Champagne walking tour at hotel

 (organized by hotel for resident guests)

Overnight at hotel

DAY - 9                                                 JAIPUR

Morning sightseeing tour of Jaipur city

Rest of the day at leisure with car and driver at disposal; no guide

                                                            Overnight at hotel

DAY – 10                                              JAIPUR – RANTHAMBORE  

Morning transfer by road to Ranthambore (approximately 03 hours and 30 minutes drive)

On arrival check in at Oberoi Vanyavilas Hotel (Luxury Tent)

Hotel check in 1400 hours

Afternoon game viewing in Ranthambore National Park by shared jeep

                                                            Overnight at hotel

DAY – 11                                              RANTHAMBORE  

Early morning and afternoon game viewings in Ranthambore National Park by shared jeep

                                                            Overnight at hotel

DAY -  12                                              RANTHAMBORE – SAWAI MADHOPUR – BHARATPUR – FATEHPUR SIKRI – AGRA  

Early morning game viewing in Ranthambore National Park by shared jeep

Later transfer by road to Sawai Madhopur railway station to board train to Bharatpur

Train Golden Temple Mail for Sawai Madhopur – Bharatpur (1230 / 1458)

On arrival transfer by road to Agra enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri (approximately 03 hours and 30 minutes drive including stops)

On arrival check in at The Oberoi Amarvilas Hotel (Premier Room with Balcony)

Rest of the day at leisure

Overnight at hotel

DAY – 13 & 14                                       AGRA

Morning visit Taj Mahal

After breakfast visit Agra Fort and Itmad-ud-daulah

Rest of the day at leisure

Overnight at hotel

DAY - 15                                               AGRA – DELHI

Late morning transfer by road to Delhi (approximately 04 hours and 30 drive)

On arrival transfer to The Imperial Hotel (Heritage Room)

Hotel check on 1400 hours

Rest of the day at leisure

                                                           Overnight at hotel

DAY -  16                                              DELHI

Morning sightseeing tour of Old Delhi

                                                            Overnight at hotel

DAY -  17                                                          DELHI

Morning sightseeing tour of New Delhi

Room reserved till late night departure

Late evening transfer to Delhi International airport Terminal 3 to board British Airways flight

DAY – 18                                                          DELHI – LONDON  

Depart Delhi by British Airways flight BA 143, departing Delhi at 0330 hours and arriving London Heathrow Terminal 5 at 0715 hours 

* * * End of Tour * * *

Agent Contact Details: 

Udaipur

Ms. Sameera S. Ms. Nayna Singh Sameera Travels Rajasthan The Oberoi Vilas Road, H.D.Magari, Udaipur – 313 001

Tel:       +91 294 2430499 /              +91 9460352419 Fax:      +91 294 2430499 E-mail:  sameeratravel@gmail.com After office hours Mr. Ali Syed Mobile:            +91 9460352419

Travel portals enhance offline services to grow customer base

Monday, Mar07, 2011, 6:06 PM

New Delhi, Mar 7 (PTI) Online travel service providers, such as Yatra, Makemytrip and Travelmasti, are strengthening offline offerings to make people who do not have access to credit cards avail of their services, as they look to expand consumer base.

Yatra today announced launch of a new ''Cash on Delivery'' (COD) service that enables the consumers to make bookings online or through a call centre and make payment in cash.

Similarly, while Travelmasti is looking to double the number of retail outlets in the next two years, Makemytrip has recently launched a new mobile application to give consumers an additional platform.

"We are positive that this initiative (COD) will help us gain popularity with customers who have limited access to credit or debit cards or are reluctant to use them," Yatra.com Chief Customer Experience Officer Sonia Mehta told PTI.

Yatra.com has launched the service in Delhi, NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Pune and Chennai.

"Three months from now, it will be rolled out in 14 new markets. With the new COD service, we are looking at a 5-7 per cent increase in out total offline business," Mehta added.

She said the offline business (that includes bookings made at the exclusive 34 Yatra retail outlets and through the call centres) currently contributes 20 per cent of the total sales but did not share absolute revenue figures.

The firm is offering COD payment option on international air travel and any holiday booking free of cost to customers.

Similarly, rival Makemytrip has also started COD service in Delhi and Mumbai.

"We have started offering cash on delivery for air ticket. As of today, this service is available in Delhi and Mumbai but will be soon expanded to rest of the country," Makemytrip Co-Founder and COO Keyur Joshi said.

Besides, the company is also using mobile telephony as another touch point. "We recently launched our exclusive application for BlackBerry mobile devices. Users can make instant booking by using this application," Joshi added.

On the other hand, another player Travelmasti that began operations in 2003 is also expanding its retail reach.

"We intend to double the number of lounges in the next two years. We are also considering introduction of COD services for consumers," Travelmasti CEO Saghan Aggarwal said.

The firm currently operates 24 lounges to book tickets offline.

He said the company has also struck partnership with leading private sector banks in the country for customers to make direct payments.

"Offline services account for almost 60 per cent of the total business," Aggarwal said without disclosing revenues. PTI VJR RKL

Kuoni buys Gullivers Travel to boost online business

Ma 7, 2011 2:45am EST

* To finance deal through debt, cash, rights issue
* Kuoni to pay 8.4 x Gulliver 2010 EBITDA

 ZURICH, March 7(Reuters) - Swiss travel group Kuoni (KUNN.S) said on Monday it had agreed to buy online travel services company Gullivers Travel Associates for $720 million, expanding its available online travel services.

Kuoni said it would use available cash resources, new long-term debt facilities, and equity raised through a discounted share offering to finance the acquisition from privately-held, New York-based Travelport.


"In acquiring GTA, Kuoni is investing in one of the fastest-growing business segments within the tourism industry," said Kuoni Chief Executive Peter Rothwell in a statement.

Kuoni said it had secured credit facilities of 600 million Swiss francs ($648.2 million), and would look to raise around 250 million francs in the rights offering.

"A real game changing acquisition for the company and we expect the market to react generally positively. The price looks reason able and it strengthens the company's destination management business", Jon Cox, analyst at Kepler Capital Markets, said.

Gullivers Travel 2010 net revenue totalled $294 million, a 10 percent rise on the previous year, while adjusted operating profit surged 42 percent to $84 million.

The transaction price, which includes $15 million in net cash, is at a multiple of 8.4 times Gullivers Travel 2010 operating earnings.

Credit Suisse (CSGN.VX)(CS.N) is acting as financial adviser to Kuoni, and will lead the capital increase.
Tags :  visit Rajasthan, Udaipur tour operater

Plan a Regal Wedding in Udaipur

Sharell Cook

By Sharell Cook, India Travel Guide

Many girls dream about being a princess on their wedding day. If you're one of them, you can't get much closer to living the dream than a wedding in Udaipur at the City Palace Complex, where the Mewar royal family still resides. And who better to organize the wedding than the royal House of Mewar, and the event planners of their HRH Group of Hotels.

The Mewar royal family were the pioneers in the concept of destination weddings in India, and have been at the forefront of organizing these weddings for over a decade. Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur, Chairman and Managing Director of the HRH Group of Hotels, explains that initially there was a great deal of opposition against holding weddings away from home in India. In order to sell the concept of destination weddings, they had to stage mock marriages. Now the bookings are flowing in.

The Zenana Mahal  The City Palace Complex Udaipur Photo by Eternal Mewa

Foreigners have also become very interested in the idea of getting married, royal style, in India. According to Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar, he's been holding regal weddings for foreigners in Udaipur for around seven years now.

So what makes Udaipur such a standout destination for a wedding in India? Foremost is the setting. Known as the city of lakes and palaces, Udaipur really is one of the most romantic places in India. It's not just marketing hype. Udaipur is an incredibly charming city. A lot of this charm comes from its beautiful, regal palace buildings -- and the best bit, you can get married in them!

 

Contemporary wedding venues, they are not. However, their uniqueness and historical importance makes them very sought after. These venues offer couples the opportunity to truly live the royal fairy tale on their wedding day.

Let's take a look at some of the regal venues that are available in Udaipur, for weddings of all sizes:

Udaipur Wedding at Jagmandir Palace 

Jag Mandir is situated on an island in the middle of famous Lake Pichola, in Udaipur. It was built in the 17th century and used as.. visit... http://rajasthanroyalweddingplanner.blogspot.com/2011/02/plan-regal-wedding-in-udaipur.html?spref=fb

 

Tourist hot spots like Kashmir, Shimla, Goa and Udaipur are witnessing a boom in their business to get 5 Lacs more visitors this season

NEW DELHI: Hotels in states like Kashmir, Shimla, Goa and Udaipur are witnessing a boom in their business, as over five lakh tourists are expected to visit these destinations in this holiday season, an industry chamber study has said.

"Owing to the improved economic situation in the country the hospitality industry is recording a massive business boom during the New Year festive season," the Assocham survey said.

Besides domestic tourists, many foreign tourists are visiting India to escape from the freezing weather conditions in western countries, especially in Europe, it said.

The study said that the upsurge in the number of tourists has increased hotel tariffs by 35-40 per cent this year compared to the last year.

The chamber has surveyed 3,500 respondents in 10 major states including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.

Of the total respondents surveyed, majority of them said that they prefer to visit hill stations to enjoy the snowfall, 35 per cent of them opted to visit coastal regions of Goa, Kerala and Pudducherry and rest 10 per cent chose to visit Ooty, Mahabaleshwar and Jaipur.

India Travel News by PTI,28Dec,2010

Luxury Train on Sikh Pilgrimage sold Out

From Wednesday, 80 passengers will begin a pilgrimage to Sikh shrines across North India aboard the Deccan Odyssey luxury train.

Called 'A spiritual journey to the Guru's abode', the sold-out vacation aboard the luxury train, includes visits to the five Sikh 'Takhts' or temporal seats as well as trips to historical and tourist spots in Delhi, Amritsar, Jaipur, Agra and Patna, says an IANS report.

The luxury pilgrimage onboard the Deccan Odyssey, which costs between Rs. 2,10,000 to Rs. 4,50,000 per person, also includes performances by Raagis, Sikh hymn singers and traditional performances. One highlight is spending New Year's Day at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

Calling the pilgrimage onboard on the Deccan Odyssey a 'once in a lifetime opportunity, Sajive Trehan, CEO of The Luxury Holidays said that the trip on the luxury train had a "mix of passengers from the US, Canada, Germany, France and a few from India also."

Courtsey news via Luxpresso.com by TEAM LUXE,Dec 27th 2010.

TAGS: group tour booking, travel, luxury trains, luxury vacations, Deccan Odyssey

3,000 tourists stranded for 12 hrs near Manali in Himachal Pradesh on the new year eve

MANALI/SHIMLA: It was definitely not a good New Year's eve for around 3,000 tourists traveling in 400 cars to Manali to ring in 2011. They were left stranded for nearly 12 hours and remained confined in their vehicles at three places, only 10km before Manali, with heavy snowfall blocking the highway during the night at Rangri, Aluground and 18 Mile.
Also, the unusually heavy snow in the tribal belt of Kinnaur kept 90 tourists trapped at Kalpa, about 200km from Shimla, which till evening received about 5 feet of snow. All the tourists were from West Bengal, most of them from Kolkata.
An aged woman from Ghaziabad, Mrutani Kashyap, said her family did not have enough warm clothes and their car had no heater. "I thought we would freeze to death. This was the longest night I've ever spent," she said.
Many tourists arranged for some firewood and celebrated New Year in advance with loud music and dance.

The Delhi-Manali national highway was cleared for traffic by 2pm on Friday, but the sleet made it slippery and dangerous to drive on. Manali SDM Rajeshwar Goel said the highway has been restored up to Manali and all tourists were safe. SDO Naresh Thakur said from Peo over phone: "The road to Kalpa can only be opened after it stops snowing. With 3 feet of snow at Peo, it would take about a day or two to cut through the snow to reach Kalpa."


Courtsey News via Times of India by Suresh Sharma & Ravinder Makhaik,TNN, Jan 1, 2011, 02.48am IST

Tags:snowfall in Himachal,New Year's eve,Manali,Kinnaur,Himachal Pradesh

Hostels Worldwide Online Bookings, Ratings and Reviews, Search over25000 hostesl in more than 180 countries

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Christian Places of worship Church in Jaipur, Church in Udaipur, Church in Jodhpur

How I find a church in Rajasthan. Who and where catolic churches offer services to celebrated Christmas.

These are few questions asked by many tourist in Rajasthan. Here is a list to find nearest Chruch for celebrate Christmas in Rajasthan.

Christian Places of worship in Jaipur: Church in Jaipur
Roman Catholic Church Ghat Gate, Jaipur
All Saint's Church, Church Road, Jaipur
St. Andrew's Church, Opp. Chandpole Near Janana Hospital Catholic Church
St. Xavier School, B.D. Road.
St. Thomas Orthodox Syrian Church, Ajmer Road, Jaipur
St. Thomas Apostle Church, Mansarover, Jaipur
New Apostolic Church, 8/A, Nimal Path, Ajmer Road. 2393396 Jaipur

Christian Churches in Udaipur
Church Of God In India, 3 Khada Kua, Behind St Greg Sen Sr School University Rd City Udaipur Pincode 313001 Rajsthan India Phone No +91 294 - 2410407, 2410439
Bishops House Church (Catholic), St.Paul's School, Near Alipura ,Udaipur Rajasthan Phone no.:+91 294 2524825
Church of North India (Protestant) Udaipur Rajasthan Phone no.: +91 294 2422743

Pentecostal Church, Udaipur Rajasthan Phone no.:+91 294 2431287
Catholic Church, Udaipur Rajasthan Phone no.: +91 294 - 2415825
Shepherd Memorial Church, Chetak Circle, Udaipur Rajasthan

Christian Churches in Jodhpur
Indian Church of Christ, Chitambaram Hall, Stanley Girls High school, Jodhpur

Shri Nathji Natdhwara Temple Darshan, Mangla, Shringar, Gwal, Rajbhog, Utthapan, Bhog, Aarti, Shayan.

Darshan Mangla

This is the first darshan of the day. The name Mangla underlines auspiciousness of beginning the day with a glimpse of lord. In winter this darshan takes place before sunrise, while in summer, it is later.
During Mangla darshan, the main doors of the sanctum are kept closed and are only opened after the customary initial rituals. This ensures that the drowsy divine child is not startled by large crowds rushing in to see him. It also accords with the mood of the darshan, which is bala bhava, the feelings of a parent concerned about a child's well - being another idea underlying the closed doors is that the svarupa should not be tempted to play with his young companions as opening doors might tempt him to run out!
In summer, Shrinathji is clad simply in an adbandha, a light dhoti. In winter, he keeps warm with a quilted coat. His flute is not placed in his hand, for it is felt that if he were to play it early in the morning, everyone would be enchanted and all work would come to a standstill! Arti is offered to Shrinathji during this darshana. This ritual banishes the evil spirits which hover around in the darkness of the night, seeking to cause harm. This morning darshana is dedicated to the memory of paramandadas, one of the asthachhapa poets. The kiratans Sung at this time are in one of the classical morning ragas - Lalita, Bhairava or Vibhasa.

Darshan Shringar
The next darshana follows the first by hour and is called shringara. Shrinathji is dressed carefully from head to foot, and a garland of flowers is placed around his neck. A Mukhiya holds a mirror in front of him so that he can satisfy himself that, he is well dressed. This is his play hour like that of any other child, and he is offered dry fruits and sweets representing food brought to him by his beloved gopis. This explains why he is called gopivallabha
It is only after this meal that Shrinathji's flute is placed in his hand, so that he can delight Swamiji - Shri Radha - with the tunes she loves. The ragas sung during this darshana are Ramakali, Gunakali and Bilaval. The poet Nandadas is considered the main singer.

Darshan  Gwal
Third darshana takes place at the hour when the lord takes his cows to pasture. The Mukhiya of the Gaushala (Cowpen) of Nathdwara visits Shrinathji at this time to inform him that all his Cows are well. He is then offered makhan mishri, a light dish with a milk base. The refreshments offered at gwala darshana have to be light, since the lord is believed to have already eaten the comparatively rich foods offered to him by the gopis earlier. Neither flowers nor his flute are shown during this darshana it is assumed that he will be playing with his cowherd friends.

Darshan Rajbhog
The main meal of the day is offered to Shrinathji at Rajabhoga. Vitthalnathji, the son of the founder of Pushti Marga, has planned this as the most elaborate darshana of all. A temple priest ascends to the terrace prior to the darshana and calls out, 'Mala Begi Laiyo!!' (bring the garland quickly). This loud call heard over a wide area, dates back to the time when Shrinathji was at Mount Govardhana. The flower garden of the temple used to be located at Chandra Sarovar, Nathdwara. 'The call for the Garland' is the signal for the darshan to be opened to the crowds waiting to catch a glimpse of the lord. The rhythmic sound of drums is heard, excitement mounts, and the doors are flung open.
Shrinathji is seen in all his regal splendor, holding lotus in one hand and wearing an elaborate garland. Beeda (folded betal leaves containing spices), are placed near him, along with a pitcher of water, his beloved flute, cane to play with Genda (Ball) and a mirror. Fine perfumes are sprinkled over the kalash on the roof, and the air is redolent with its scent.
At the end of this darshana the load retires for three hours. This period is known as Anavasara. Recalling his siestas with Swaminiji in meadows of Vrindavana. The chief kirtanakara of this darshana is Kumbhanadas

Darshan Utthapan
During the afternoon, around 3.30 p.m., Shrinathji is aroused from his nap. A Conch is blown, it is time for him to return home with his Cows. The vina is played followed by kirtana. Surdas, the celebrated blind devotee, mystic and poet, is supposed to be the chief singer of this darshana.

Darshan Bhog
Sixth darshana of the day takes place an hour after Utthapana. A light meal is served to Shrinathji. A Chhadidara stands guard formally dressed in a Pagha (Turban), a Pataka (Sash) and a Gheradar Jama (A Garment with a Flaring Skirt). He holds a staff and wears a golden kada, anklet. The Chhadidara's function is to inform Swaminiji of Shrinathji's arrival, so that she can obtain his darshana and arrange to milk the Cows.
Shrinathji is fanned and a morchhala is waved beside him to remove the possible effects of the evil eye cast while he has been in full view of many people. The main singer for this period is Chaturbhuadas.

Darshan Shayan
Final Darshana of the day commences only after rasoiya boli, when the priest ascends the terrace of the haveli and calls out - Cook, come early the following day. After this, drumming heralds Darshana. Since it is time for Lord to retire, various eatables are offered to Shrinathji. A singer praises lord in his kiratana, which may take form of an expression of a beloved's emotion and is offered to both Shrinathji and Swaminiji. Paan-Beeda (betal leaves with spices) are again offered to him.
As Shrinathji is about to retire for the night, various arrangements have to be made. His bed chameber is readied for him, with a container of food, a pitcher of drinking water and Paan-Beedas. It is supposed that Shri Radha will join him during the night, her garments and jewels too are kept in readiness.
A carpet is spread on the ground leads from the image of Shrinathji to his bed chamber. It is presumed that he will walk on it in his spiritual, subtle form. The wooden platforms places in Doltibari for the devotees to stand on during darshanas are removed. This ensures that Shrinathji does not encounter any obstacles at night. To enjoy his lilas with his beloved gopis, if he desires the canopies stretched over the open courtyards to protect people from the scorching afternoon sun are also removed. This darshana is usually not held for the six months, from Chaitra Shukla 1 to Ashvin Shukla 9, when Shrinathji is suppose to visit Vraja and reveal himself to the Vrajavasis(residents of vraja).
The chief singer of this darshana is Krishanadas

Article courtsey : http://www.nathdwaratemple.org/