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Rajasthan Tribal Tour
offered by supplier M16759 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 23
day(s)
Group Size: 2
- 50
people
Destination(s):
India
Specialty Categories:
Cultural Journey
Season: January - December
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: Yes
Minimum Per Person Price: 1000 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 2000 US Dollar (USD)
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The Aran invasion, represented by horse-drawn chariots and superior bows and arrows, seems to have tyrannized tribal migrations to the south and the east. Pushed into the natural hideouts-forests and the ancient and craggy Aravalli ranges, the Bhil and Mina tribes survived more easily. The northern, nomadic ethnic intrusions continued into Rajasthan. They were represented by the Sakas, Kusanas, Abhiras, Hunas and more. Quite a large number of these invaders are now covered by the blanket term Rajput whose royal lineage stood upon the ruins of the Gurjara-Pratihara empire. All too naturally, the warrior-invaders fitted the Aryan martial caste of Kshatriyas which in time came to be divided into 36 Rajput clans.
Bhils - the bowmen of Rajasthan. The generic term which describes their tribe apparently derives its name from bil, meaning bow, which describes their original talent and strength. History corroborates the legends which tell of the Bhil superiority in archery.From the Mahabharatha emerges Eklavya, a Bhil who surpassed the skill of Arjuna only to be repressed by the comand of his guru. The Ramayana tells of Valia, the Bhil bandit who reformed with the blessings of saraswati, the goddess of learning, to become valmiki, the renowned poet-sage.
Minas - the militant defenders. The Minas are not just Rajasthan's largest tribal group-they are also the most widely spread. In the north, they inhabit the Jaipur-Sikar belt of Shekawati, continuing into Alwar district. The Mina tribes usually have at all, athletic build with sharp features, large eyes, thick lips and a light brown complexion.
Gaduliya Lohars - the nomadic blacksmiths. The Gaduliya Lohars derive their beautiful bullock carts, or gadis that have taken them wandering from their original land, Mewar, to different parts of India.Legend has it that they were committed to fight on behalf of Rana Prathap who battled bravely against the Mugul Emperor, Akbar when Maharana Prathap was ousted from Chittaur and he fought the historic battle of Haldighati, the Gaduliya Lohars were a clean of warring Rajputs who swore to enter the Merwar stronghold of Chittaur only after the victory of their Maharana.
Garasias - the 'fallen' Rajputs. According to the legend,the Garasia tribals are descended from the chauhan Rajputs of Jalore in south-west Rajasthan. Some six centuries ago, after defeat in a battle, they fled to the hills, where they mingled their blood,their myths and rituals with the local Bhil tribals, to become a distinct group. The Garasias have an interesting custom of marriage through elopement which usually takes place on the occasion of the annual gaur fair held during the full moon of March-April. The Garasis celebrate 'nyat', a feast of honor, for their dead which is performed only on Mondays and a stone memorial called 'sura' is erected after the cremation.
Sahariyas - the jungle dwellers. The Sahariyas possibly derive their name from 'sher' or juncle in Persian. Although they are belived to be an offshoot of the Bhils, they supposedly earned this name from the Muslim ruler of Shahbad, since they had chosen to make their ho0me in the juncle hideouts of the Shahbad district of Kota, and in the neibhouring regions of Jhalawar, Sawai, Madhopur, Durgarpur and Udaipur.
Damors - the migrated tribe. The small l community of Damours seems to have moved northwards from their original home in Gujarat to settle in Dungarpur and Udaipur districts.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Delhi - Samode. Drive from Delhi to Samode, to stay at its palace or garden retreat. The village settlement is picturesque.
Day 2: Samode - Nawalgarh. Drive to Nawalgarh in the heart of the Shekhawati region. Arrival in Nawalgarh & Transfer to Hotel. Afternoon, explore surrounding towns and villages with their painted havelis and temples. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 3: Nawalgarh - Khimsar. Drive to Khimsar, Arrival in Khimsar & Transfer to Hotel. Afternoon Visit the village around it is settled at the base of sand dunes where there are blackbuck visible on short jeep safaris. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 4: Khimsar - Jaisalmer. Drive to Jaisalmer, the charming fortified settlement in the heart of the desert. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 5: Jaisalmer - Pokhran. Explore Jaisalmer on foot. Cut off from civilization for centuries, this is one of the last known citadels where the 21st century has made few intrusions, and a wide variety of crafts are still practiced. Afternoon, drive to Pokaran to stay at its fort. Pottery, and decorations for camels are made here. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 6: Pokhran - Jodhpur. Drive to Jodhpur, with sightseeing in the afternoon. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 7: Jodhpur - Mandore - Rohet. Visit Mandore, and then continue to Rohet with charming fort where you will stay. In afternoon, a jeep safari to the surrounding Rabari and Bishnoi villages. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 8: Rohet - Daspan. Drive to Daspan village where the fertile fields grow bountiful crops, and the village is known for its embroidered shoes. There are also some families that make bows and arrows in the Bhil style. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 9: Daspan. Continue into farming country, to Siyana. Visit the stable of Marwari horses. Overnight at Farm House.
Day 10: Daspan - Sirohi. Across the flat, irrigated lands of Sirohi, drive to Leopard's Lair at Bera. There is a large settlement of Rabaris in the vicinity. These migrants move around, but this permanent settlement has well-kept, clean homes.
Day 11: Sirohi - Ranakpur. Drive to Ranakpur with its 16th century temples. Stay at Maharani Bagh in the midst of an orchard, and with Geraisa dancers performing in the evening. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 12: Ranakpur - Devigarh. Drive to Devigarh to stay at the Mahal or Palace. Spend evening at the lakeside farmhouse of a local chieftain. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 13: Devigarh - Udaipur. Drive to Udaipur, stay at a choice of deluxe palace hotels. Sightseeing. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 14: Udaipur - Dungarpur. Drive to Dungarpur with its Bhil villages all around. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 15: Dungarpur - Chittaurgarh Fort - Bijaipur. Drive via Chittaurgarh Fort to Bijaipur, the base for the Mina tribes. The village is located beside a lake. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 16: Bijapur - Kota. Drive to Kota, stay at Umed Bhawan, Brijraj Bhawan or Sukhdam Niwas. Local sightseeing. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 17: Kota - Bundi. Drive to Bundi for sightseeing of fort, and Raniji ki Baori stepwell. Continue to Rajmahal, a 300-year-old palace with the village named after it. The palace overlooks the river below. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 18: Bundi - Pachewar. Drive to Pachewar village and its restored fort or Garh. Flourishing agricultural practices, toy makers and a blue pottery kiln. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 19: Pachewar - Jaipur. Drive to Jaipur, and sightseeing there. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 20: Jaipur - Bhandarej. Drive to Bhandarej. The village has a lovely setting beside a lake, and Meena settlements around it. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 21: Bhandrej - Karauli. Drive ro Karauli, known for its pink stone quarries, and and Kaila Devi temple. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 22: Karauli - Bharatpur. Drive to Bharatpur. Visit bird sanctuary, and visit the old fort with its incredibly invincible mud bastions. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 23: Delhi. Depart from Agra or Delhi. Tour ends.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
India
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