I arrived a day early to catch my breath and to meet with our local tour operator, Exotic Journeys, to review the tour and meet the guide, Mr. Rao, who would be accompanying our group on the main tour.
Our group gathered at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Delhi on the next morning for a full day of touring followed by our welcome dinner. Our National Geographic Expert, Robin Conningham, of Durham University, UK, would provide our travelers with insights into the cities, temples and forts we would be touring in the coming two weeks. Here are just a few shots of people and places we visited.
If you are interested in booking a National Geographic Expedition like this one go to:
http://www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com/expeditions/india-train-tour/detail
Humayuns Tomb - Delhi
Gandhi Smriti - Delhi
India Gate - Dehli
Musician at Jai Mahal Hotel - Jaipur
Sewing machine repair shop - Jaipur
Breakfast on the Palace on Wheels just for our 4 cabins in the Bundi train car
Lake Palace Hotel - Udaipur
Jaisalmer
Shivaratri celebration at Hindu Temple - Bharatpur
Bar car on POW during lecture/slideshow
At the end of the main tour I traveled with a group of 9 people to the cities of Khajuraho and Varanasi. We toured the Unesco World Heritage sites of the temples in Khajuraho, visited Saranath and took row boat tours on the Ganges river to see the cremation ceremonies, ritual bathing and an evening Arti, a traditional Hindu ritual.
Temple from the 10th century - Khajuraho
Famous for carvings depicting people in ecstasy!
The flags let you know that this temple is used for services by locals - Khajuraho
Crowds of tourists and pilgrims on the river Ganges
Cremations go on day and night - Varanasi
A Saddhu, one who has given up all his worldly possessions to lead an ascetic, spiritual life
Sunrise over the Ganges
India can be a remarkable place to visit if you have patience and stamina! I am looking forward to my return to India next October aboard the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels!
