Rajasthan with kids
Itinerary
We've designed this particular trip to fit in with school summer holidays. It's not the best time of the year to visit North India - you can expect high temperatures, with regular showers to clear the air. But you'll be staying in hotels with swimming pools and sightseeing will be planned around the cooler times of the day.
Day 1 – Welcome to India!
On arrival in Delhi you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to recover from your jet lag. You will be staying at a family friendly hotel in New Delhi with spacious rooms and a large swimming pool.
Day 2 – Old Delhi by metro & rickshaw
This morning, with a local guide, hop on the metro for a half-day tour of Old Delhi. Start in the heart of the city and visit the magnificent Jama Masjid mosque, one of the largest in India, and the bustling and colourful Sikh Gurdwara. Then jump in a traditional cycle rickshaw and journey through the maze of narrow streets around Chandni Chowk, a jumble of craft shops, traders, mosques and temples. At one end of this street is the huge Red Fort, at the other is the colourful and aromatic Spice Market, the roof of which offers great views over Old Delhi. Back at the hotel, the rest of your day is at leisure.
Day 3 – Drive to Agra via the Wildlife SOS Bear Rescue Centre
Today you will have about a 3 and a half hour drive to Agra. You’ll stop on the way at the Wildlife SOS Bear Rescue Centre where sloth bears who are injured, orphaned or rescued from the dancing-bear trade are healed and rehabilitated. A 90-minute tour helps you understand the care needed, from the hospital to companionship and even a weaning centre. Lunch is included in the visit.
You then head on to Agra, home to the prestigious Taj Mahal. Built in the 17th century by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb and memorial for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. You’ll stay in a welcoming homestay within walking distance to the Taj gates, making it easy to explore this impressive monument during your free afternoon if you wish.
Day 4 – Sunrise at the Taj, then drive to Jaipur
The best time to appreciate the Taj Mahal is as soon as it opens, before the large coaches of tourists arrive. It’s easy to enjoy the gardens, mausoleum and the mosque without needing a professional guide. Once you have taken it all in, return to your homestay for breakfast. This morning you have a longer driver of around 5 hours to Jaipur. Theer is teh opportunity to break the journey with optional stops along the way, at Fatehpur Sikri, Bharatpur bird sanctuary, and the huge Abhaneri step-well.
Jaipur is one of the most interesting cities in India, with impressive 18th and 19th-century palaces and exotic street life. You will be staying at a comfortable family-run boutique hotel that has a small swimming pool. It is worthwhile spending time in the bazaars packed with carpets, enamelled ornaments and precious stones, among many other arts and crafts.
Day 5 – Visit to Amber Fort & evening culinary experience
This morning you will visit the Amber Fort, a magnificent complex of palaces, halls, pavilions, gardens and temples built over 125 years with excellent views down over the old town of Amer. Return to your hotel for some down time during the heat of the day. In the evening local resident Payal, a keen cook and food blogger will share the secrets of her home cooking. She will take you shopping for the ingredients, and you’ll cook together using Rajasthani recipes and various spices. They are easy to follow and flexible to suit different requirements and the best part is once you have helped prepare the dishes you get to enjoy them for dinner!
Day 6 – Drive to Fort Barli
Depart this morning on a 4 hour drive that takes you to the picturesque village of Barli. This small village is centred around the Barli Fort which dates back to 1675. It has been under its present ownership for sixteen generations, and has recently been renovated as a heritage hotel by the family who own it, with a small number of beautiful rooms, cosy lounges and courtyards. Once you’ve settled in, the rest of the day is free to just relax, use the pool and explore the maze-like castle!
Day 7 – Ox-cart tour of Barli village
Barli offers a good opportunity to enjoy peaceful rural life – by ox-cart! Following a relaxed morning at leisure make your way through the narrow streets, where you will receive a friendly greeting from all the inhabitants, especially the local children. You can see traditional potters and shoe-makers at work, visit a local temple and see the memorials to local rulers. It is a great insight into the traditional lifestyles still followed by people throughout rural India.
Day 8 – Drive to Chandelao
Today there is a 3 hour drive from Barli to the small village of Chandelao. You will be staying at a medieval fortified home that’s been converted into a small, eco-friendly hotel, with a swimming pool. The rooms are traditional yet comfortable, and the Rajasthani food served in the restaurant uses locally sourced ingredients. Like many villages in rural Rajasthan, the inhabitants of Chandelao lead a traditional life, and staying here offers a great opportunity to witness authentic village life and learn about the art, culture and heritage of Rajasthan.
Day 9 – Village jeep tour
Enjoy the morning at leisure, then in the afternoon embark on a village tour by jeep. You will see local craftsmen at work, local women in their traditional outfits fetching water from the wells and visit a Bishnoi family in their home. It’s a great insight into traditional Indian village life.
Day 10 – Drive to Jodhpur & visit Mehrangarh Fort
It’s just a short one hour drive this morning from Chandelao to Jodhpur, the Blue City. You will be staying in a family friendly property with a lovely pool in a peaceful location. Settle in and then head out to explore the narrow alleys and jumble of winding streets that lead to bazaars for textiles, silver and handicrafts. Jodhpur is dominated by the Mehrangarh Fort, which you will visit this afternoon. Accompanied by a local guide you’ll explore the ramparts and take in the superb views over the blue Brahmin houses of the old city.
Day 11 – Camel riding & dinner in the dunes of Osian
The morning is free for you to explore Jodhpur on your own, or just relax. In the late afternoon, you have an excursion to the village of Osian. Upon entering the village, you will be met by the staff and camels of Reggie’s Camel Camp, then start your ride through the majestic dunes of the Thar desert. After an hour’s ride you will reach the camp where you will be offered a pre dinner drink beside the pool, which is perched on a 180-foot sand dune, one of the highest in the desert. This is an excellent spot to watch the sunset, after which you head down to the lodge area to sit around the bonfire and watch traditional Rajasthani musicians and dancers perform, as the chef prepares dinner for you. Afterwards, you return to Jodhpur.
Day 12 – Drive to Udaipur & boat trip on Lake Pichola
Today you will drive through the hills of southern Rajasthan, to Udaipur. On the way you will break the journey to visit the beautiful complex of marble temples at Ranakpur and the Kumbhalgarh Fort, which boasts the second-longest wall in the world after China. Journey on to Udaipur, which is surely Rajasthan’s most picturesque city with its whitewashed houses and narrow, winding alleys. Take a relaxing boat ride on Lake Pichola during sunset and enjoy the reflections of the palace lights on the water as you cruise.
Day 13 – Cycling tour to the villages around Udaipur
Most visitors to Udaipur spend their time in the city and don’t venture beyond. This morning you’ll head out of the city, and away from the tourist hotspots to explore by bike. Within just a few minutes’ cycling from Lake Fateh Sagar in Udaipur, you are in rural India. It’s a pleasant peddle, with minimal traffic on the roads, but you’ll encounter some small hills, particularly around the scenic Tiger Lake. After a morning of exercise, return to the city where you can relax – your accommodation has a swimming pool – or explore the winding alleyways of the city.
Days 14 & 15 – Fly back to Delhi & depart
Your morning is free to relax or enjoy a final stroll around Udaipur. This afternoon you will fly back to Delhi and stay at a comfortable hotel close to the airport, convenient for your flight home tomorrow.
Accommodation
