A VIP Experience at the Jaipur Literary Festival 2016 with Steppes Travel 

18 January 2016 

Steppes Travel is delighted to offer guests exclusive VIP access to one of the world's greatest literary festivals in Jaipur January 2016.  For literary lovers, this is a one-off opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the world's most renowned authors, and a privileged chance to meet historian, author and founder of the Festival, William Dalrymple, over a very special and intimate dinner at the beautiful Samode Haveli, exclusive only to guests of Steppes Travel.  Steppes Travel's ten-day adventure will also include highlights of the area and behind the scenes access at Jaipur's 18th Vintage and Classic Car Rally. 

Founded by William Dalrymple and Namita Gokhale in 2006, when just 18 authors attended, the Jaipur Literary Festival is now regarded as a cultural catalyst within India and around the world, exposing audiences to a constant flow of interactive thoughts and ideas in a vibrant festival.  From Nobel Laureates to local language writers, Man Booker prize winners to debut novelists, this annual event brings together over 240 of the most remarkable, witty, sensitive and brilliant authors for five days of readings, debates and discussions at the beautiful Diggi Palace in central Jaipur.  

As a VIP, Steppes Travel's guests will be able to frequent exclusive lunches and dinners with speakers and authors, enjoy daily evening concerts by musicians such as Patti Smith and PJ Harvey as well as attend the highly sought-after Writers Ball, hosted by Mita Kapur, founder and CEO of Siyahi, India's leading literary consultancy.   2016's line up including the likes of British novelist and screenwriter, Ian McEwan; Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Michael Cunningham; and political theorist Noam Chomsky.  

In between visits to the Jaipur Literature Festival, there will be the opportunity to explore both the well known monuments of the city as well as discover some of the secrets of the city.   Accompanied by one of Steppes Travel's local guides, explore Jaipur's famous Amber Fort and City Palace, take part in The Aarti ceremony at Birla Temple, a ritual involving lighting and waving oil lamps to awake and invoke the deity, and enjoy a guided tour of the city's bazaars and food markets.

Outside the city, and in contrast to the energy of the Festival, guests are invited to experience a slow paced and relaxing elephant safari in the original Aravalli forests, trekking through villages, agricultural fields, hills and ancient monuments.  The day will finish with a barbecue at Dera Amer camp with a backdrop of medieval temples lit by flame torches to create a sensational atmosphere.

In addition to the great Literary Festival, there is Jaipur's 18th Vintage and Classic Car Rally, which by chance will happen the same weekend. The Rally brings together leading vintage car collectors and owners from all over India and is a wonderfully colourful event. Steppes Travel has teamed up with partners to provide exclusive access and behind the scenes involvement with the opportunity to ride in one of the classic cars in the rally running from Taj Jai Mahal Palace. 

Steppes Travel's 10-day 'Invitation to Jaipur Literary Festival' departs on 18 January 2016 and is a wonderful combination of literature, culture and music with classic cars, polo and all the colour and festivity India brings with it.  The trip costs from £2,745 per person including VIP Entrance to the Jaipur Literature Festival, internal flights, transfers, accommodation on a B&B basis, sightseeing with private guide

For further press information please contact: Cedar Tree Public Relations Ltd

Frangelica Flook frangelica.flook@cedartreepr.com

Henrietta Quicke henrietta.quicke@cedartreepr.com

T: +44 (0) 20 7978 4534 M: +44 (0) 7747 606 898

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