'City of Joy' + Ancient India - JLF Pre Tour 10 Days

Kolkata, the former capital of the British Raj is regarded as India’s intellectual, artistic and cultural capital. Although poverty is certainly apparent, the self-made middle class drives the city's core machinery, a nascent hipster culture thrives among its millennial residents and its dapper Bengali gentry frequent grand, old colonial-era clubs.
The Penthouse stands as a discreet, elegant boutique residence in the heart of historic Kolkata, showcasing spectacular views of all her iconic landmarks. A distinguished hotel near Park Street, this penthouse offers an unparalleled blend of luxury and history, known for its exquisite collection of antique Bengal colonial furniture and artworks.

A full day's sightseeing on foot.
Start at the ghats for the Flower Market then continue to Kumartuli, a Potters colony.
Part of the city's charm is its multicultural character, with mosques, churches, synagogues and temples – Hindu, Jain and Chinese. Kolkata’s history is a rich blend that encompasses the stories of the Muslims, Armenians, Portuguese, French, Danish, English and Chinese, who have all contributed to the city’s great past and vibrant present.

Bengal is famed for its textiles such as batik work and Tassar silk weaving in villages way north of Kolkata.
Most regarded and collected are Kantha work, Bengal’s ancient embroidery tradition dating back to the 8th century where the process is a means of storytelling.
And Jamdani, a muslin, often referred to as “woven air or moonshine”, traditionally woven on a handloom where the motifs are woven by the discontinuous weft technique. Today visit some of the atliers where these skills are practised.

After arriving in Vijaynagar, visit The Place Hampi Museum that was conceived and curated by Australians, Jeffrey Shaw and Sarah Kenderdine, and forms part of an extensive new arts and cultural precinct called the Kaladham Cultural Centre. This museum brings together research documents by the art historian Dr. George Michell and his archaeological collaborator Dr. John Fritz and extensive photographic records of Hampi made by the architectural photographer John Gollings.

Guided full day exploring the austere, grandiose site of Hampi that was the last capital of the last great Hindu Kingdom of Vijayanagar (1136-1565), from the Deccan Plateau to the tip of the Peninsula, spread over an area of 26 sq. kms. Its fabulously rich princes built Dravidian temples and palaces which won the admiration of travellers between the 14th and 16th centuries. Conquered by the Deccan Muslim confederacy in 1565, the city was pillaged over a period of six months before being abandoned.
The terrain is dominated by rocky hills and the mighty Tungabhadra River which flows through this rugged landscape.

Return to the wondrous site of Hampi and later enjoy a fun ride in a coracle on the Tungabhadra River.
There is also time to enjoy your hotel's many amenities. Located just 4km from the ruins of the historical site, its ornate architecture, landscaped gardens and opulent interiors and regal chambers, this luxurious boutique resort has been designed to mirror the famed palaces and distinctive splendour of the Vijayanagara Empire.

A longish travel day to reach Aurangabad, the gateway to the famous rock cut UNESCO World Heritage Buddhist caves of Ellora and Ajanta.
The city, originally known as Khadki, was founded by Malik Ambar (ʿAnbar) in 1610. After the fall of the Nizam Shāhī dynasty in 1633, the city came under Mughal rule. It was later renamed Aurangabad after it became the headquarters of Aurangzeb during his viceroyalty over the Deccan.
You stay the next three nights at the city's best hotel that is set amidst lush, landscaped gardens, providing a tranquil retreat in the heart of the city, thoughtfully designed to blend traditional Indian elements with contemporary sophistication.

An hour's drive to the Ellora Caves - These 34 monasteries and temples, extending over more than 2 km, were dug side by side in the wall of a high basalt cliff. Ellora, with its uninterrupted sequence of monuments dating from A.D. 600 to 1000, brings the civilization of ancient India to life. Not only is the Ellora complex a unique artistic creation and a technological exploit but, with its sanctuaries devoted to Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism, it illustrates the spirit of tolerance that was characteristic of ancient India.
Photo by Sanjay Indiresh: https://www.pexels.com/photo/monks-sitting-on-the-ground-of-an-old-monastery-4882670/

Two hour drive across the Deccan plateau to reach Ajanta Caves - 30 spellbinding Buddhist prayer halls and monasteries carved, as if by sorcery, into a horseshoe-shaped rock face in a mountainous region of India’s Maharashtra, were ‘discovered’ by accident in 1819. Unknown for more than 1,000 years except to wild animals, insects, flood waters, prodigious foliage and perhaps the local Bhil people, this magnificent work of art, architecture and contemplation, was abandoned by those who created it as long ago as AD 500.

Today is an early departure to fly to Delhi from where you might wish to go elsewhere with our expert arrangements, or connect to your international flight or take the connection to Jaipur to join the Jaipur Literary Festival program.
(Aurangabad / Delhi / Jaipur / Air India Fly via Delhi 0740/0935 or 1120/1215 - or drive from Delhi)

Guests continuing with Marieke for the Jaipur Literary festival will be driven 4 hours on a new highway to Jaipur where you will check into your deluxe room at the incomparably charming boutique hotel LaaLee – your home the next six nights.