A truly exquisite and memorable holiday in Rajasthan

Rajasthan 2011

8 - 18 January 2011- Teacher Carol Macartney

5 - 15 March 2011 - Teacher Brigitte Rooney

Costs from £525

Treat yourself to a holiday of a lifetime in the spectacular beauty and richness of Rajasthan.

Standing high on a plateau of the great Vindhychal ranges is the 16th century Castle Bijaipur. Having been occupied by Kings and Queens for centuries, the present Maharaja (a great lover of yoga) has opened the doors of his exquisite castle to the public. The hospitality is so wonderful you are made to feel like a Maharaj yourself from the moment you arrive. Surrounded by villages and breathtaking views of the valley, this really is a very special place.

We will spend eight nights at the castle and two nights in luxurious tents. We will camp (in style) by the lotus lake, amidst the stillness and beauty of the Rajasthan countryside. The rooms are all clean, well maintained and have both the luxury of modern comforts and the elegance of the past. You can share a room or have single accommodation.

There will be two yoga sessions a day. In the morning we will do early morning meditation and pranayama, followed by asanas. This session is 2-3 hours. The evening sessions will depend on the teacher and may vary from restorative yoga postures to technique classes, meditation, pranayama, dancing, singing and chanting. Evening sessions will usually last between 1-2 hours. All sessions are optional.

We may spend a little time during the holiday, whilst staying by the lake, exploring the beauty of silence.

Bijaipur offers an action-packed holiday or a lazy pool-side holiday - the choice is yours.

There are jeep safaris to experience nearby wildlife and bird-life, treks to waterfalls and the surrounding villages, temples and wonderful Marwari horses. You can explore the countryside on day trips to Chittorgarh Fort and the stunning city of Udaipur and there are opportunities for cooking lessons, bicycle rides and table tennis. 

There is no shortage of things to do in and around the castle; even just a stroll into the surrounding village is a feast for the body, mind and soul...talking of which, massages and other treatments are also available.  These are an extra cost, please ask for details.

The hotel itself has a wonderful swimming pool, beautiful gardens to sit in, musicians to entertain you every evening and delicious food with secret recipes that have been in the family for decades.

The rooms are all clean, well maintained and have both the luxury of modern comforts and the elegance of the past. You can share a room or have single accommodation. There are two types of rooms to choose from, both of which are of a high standard. The deluxe rooms are more luxurious; spacious and definitely worth it for those who would like to splash out.