Ultimate Rajasthan

Itinerary

Itinerary:
Delhi - Jaipur - Pushkar - Chandelao - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Deogarh - Udaipur - Bundi - Ranthambore - Agra (Taj Mahal) - Delhi
Duration:
22 days / 21 nights (flexible)
Price:
From £ 2,799.- per person (excluding flights)

As the name suggests, this roundtrip is the ultimate journey through India's northern state of Rajasthan. You'll visit the pink, blue and golden cities, and also venture into rural Rajasthan where traditional village life continues. You'll search for tigers at sunrise, and watch the sunset over sand dunes; take a local train through the countryside and travel by camel into the desert; wonder at majestic palaces and imposing forts. Prepare to immerse yourself into the real heart of India.

Days 1-3 – Welcome to Delhi

When you arrive in Delhi our local representative will be waiting for you at the airport. In the hustle and bustle of India’s largest airport, a sign with your name on it is a welcome sight. You’ll be transferred directly to a comfortable hotel, that’s well located on a quiet street in New Delhi. Touching down amidst the commotion of Delhi can be something of a culture shock, so we’ve left the rest of the day free for you to settle in and get used to the assault on the senses!

The following day we’ll arrange a guide in the morning and together you will explore Old Delhi. You’ll travel like the locals, taking the metro, an auto-rickshaw and a cycle-rickshaw. This way, you’ll get to know the real Delhi. During the morning you’ll visit Jama Masjid Mosque and the Red Fort and pass through the narrow streets of Chandni Chowk, the heart of the Old Town. The tour ends at modern Connaught Place, where you can plan your free afternoon with a lunch break in one of the restaurants.

Days 3-5 – Jaipur: the Pink City

Time to swap capital cities as you depart Delhi and travel 5 hours to Jaipur, which is the capital of the state of Rajasthan. Jaipur is also known as the ‘pink city’ because many of the buildings are painted in pink-orange tones. It’s a jumble of colours, camel carts and elephants, temples, forts and palaces.

You’ll stay in a friendly, family-run hotel with lots of character and Rajasthani style. Enjoy the peace and quiet of your surroundings and cool off with a dip in the hotel pool. The following day we’ll arrange a guided tour of this remarkable city, including a visit of the magnificent Amber Fort that’s perched high on a hilltop overlooking the city and surrounding rugged hills.

Today, you’ll leave Jaipur and head for the pilgrimage town of Pushkar (approximately 3.5 hours). This small, friendly town is built around a holy lake and you’ll see pilgrims performing their ritual ablutions and pujas on the ghats leading down to the water. It’s an easy place to stroll around. We recommend wandering through the winding alleys and stopping for a masala chai in one of the cafes (many of which have rooftop terraces overlooking the lake). You may also wish to visit the Brahma Temple, which is the only Brahma temple in India and an important destination for Hindu pilgrims. You’ll spend the night in a former palace, that’s been converted into a boutique hotel and offers amazing views across the lake.

Days 6-8 – Chandelao: Water pots & saris

This morning, you’ll travel into the countryside, to the village of Chandelao, where it seems as if time has stood still. You will be staying in a 300-year-old fort in the middle of the village, that has been carefully renovated into a boutique property. The rooms are simple, but comfortable and fit in with the village atmosphere. The owner grew up here and is heavily involved in the surrounding villages, employing women from the neighbourhood.

The next morning you’ll take a guided jeep tour to explore the local countryside and nearby villages. It’s a great insight into local life, and the villagers are happy to meet you. You’ll see women balancing large pots of water on their heads, pass by schools and clay huts. A stop will be made at a pottery where you’ll have the chance to try your hand at creating a pot of your own. It’s not as easy as it looks! The rest of your stay in Chandelao is free. There’s plenty of space at the fort for relaxing and a swimming pool. Or stroll into the village.

Continue your journey through Rajasthan to the desert town of Jaisalmer, which is also known as the ‘Golden City’ due to its sandstone construction. Soaring from the desert, in the centre of the towering walls, is the imposing Jaisalmer Fort that’s built of sandstone and resembles a giant sandcastle. We’ll arrange a guided tour through the tangle of narrow streets so you can get your bearings.

You’ll be staying for two nights in a cosy haveli in the atmospheric old town, but in between these nights we have a unique and memorable overnight experience planned …

Camping with camels

Jaisalmer is surrounded by the Thar Desert, which is best explored in local style, by camel. And for the ultimate desert experience you will camp amongst the sands. You’ll be driven to the edge of the desert by jeep, where you swap your mode of transport to a camel. Perched high on your camel’s back, you’ll slowly plod through the desert past tiny villages with clay huts, giving you a glimpse of Rajasthani desert life. In the afternoon the ‘camel men’ will set up your basic tented camp and prepare a traditional meal. Climb up to the top of a sand dune to see the sun set as the desert slowly turns from orange to deep blue. After a night under the stars you’ll climb back on your camel for another desert ride, before being transferred back to Jaisalmer for another night.

The next stop on your ultimate tour of Rajasthan is Jodhpur – around 6 hours drive from Jaisalmer. Jodhpur is also known as the ‘Blue City’ due to the blue painted, Brahmin-owned houses found in the old town. Towering above the town is the dramatic Mehrangarh Fort, one of the most impressive Mughal forts in India. During your two-night stay in Jodhpur we’ll arrange a guided tour of the fort. The rest of your time is free to wander around the maze of narrow alleyways, passing the blue-hued buildings and bustling bazaars.

There are magnificent Maharaja palaces all over Rajasthan. Many have been converted into hotels and for the next two nights you’ll stay in a Rickshaw favourite – Deogarh Mahal. Nestled in the Rajasthan countryside, around 3 hours drive from Jodhpur, is the small town of Deogarh, where you’ll be warmly welcomed into the palace hotel. This historic Maharaja’s palace is over 200 years old and each room is individually decorated in colonial style, with antique furnishings and artwork. Although the hotel is grand, don’t expect the luxury and mod-cons of a 5-star hotel.

The following day you’ll take a local train (that dates back to the 1930s) and embark on a two-hour journey through hilly landscapes and small villages where you’ll witness everyday scenes of rural life. It’s also a great way to meet the locals – you’ll inevitably grab the attention of the other local passengers, some of whom may want to practice their English. The rest of your time is your own. You can stroll through the narrow streets of Deogarh, where you’re likely to encounter sari-clad women, sacred cows and ox carts. Or relax in your palatial surroundings, take a dip in the pool, treat yourself to a massage, and soak up the view from the roof terrace.

It’s time to say goodbye to the palace hotel and head to Udaipur, one of the most romantic cities in India, set around a mirror-like lake surrounded by green hills. You’ll spend two nights here, staying in a traditional haveli with a roof terrace that looks out across Lake Pichola. During your stay we’ll arrange a boat trip on the calm waters of the lake so you can view the historical architecture of Udaipur from a different angle. It’s easy to wander around Udaipur yourself, visiting the City Palace and the Jagdish Temple, and you’ll have plenty of time to do this. Most visitors to Udaipur don’t venture beyond the city, but at Rickshaw we want to take you away from the tourist hotspots, so we’ll organise a cycling excursion that heads out of the city. 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, and the occasional small hill, particularly around the scenic Tiger Lake.

The next stage of your Rajasthan journey takes you to Bundi – one of the best-preserved towns in Rajasthan. The buildings are painted in Brahim-blue and there are more than 50 baoris (stepwells) to explore. These ancient baoris were designed to store water for drinking, washing and religious bathing. Be sure to visit Rani Ki Bauri, the Queen’s Stepwell. Built in 1499 to commemorate the queen’s deceased husband, this is one of the most beautiful baoris, with its marble carvings of Hindu deities. You’ll be staying in a small haveli in the old town, with the Garh Palace and the Taragarh Fort as your backdrop. Head up to the rooftop terrace for a 360-degree view and watch the sunset with a drink in hand. It’s the perfect spot!

Now for something totally different as you head away from Rajasthan’s villages and cities to Ranthambore National Park – one of the most scenic national parks in northern India and one of the best places in the world to spot tigers in the wild. You’ll be staying in a comfortable resort in Sawai Madhopur, the town next to the national park. When you’re not on safari you can relax in the gardens and refresh with a dip in the pool. In the late afternoon, your local guide will take you to Ranthambore Fort, a massive structure full of chattering monkeys and bright green parrots. From the fort’s hilltop location, you have an impressive view of the national park.

The second day of your stay is all about wildlife spotting. Your first safari of the day begins at sunrise. The cool early morning hours are a good time to spot the park’s residents. Keep your eyes peeled for tigers, wild boar, sloth bears, monkeys and Indian gazelles. You will return to your accommodation in the late morning and can enjoy a hearty late breakfast. There will be time to relax before a second, late afternoon safari. During the safaris you will be accompanied by experienced guides from the region who know the signs to spot of nearby animals and will have interesting stories to tell about the national park.

After breakfast, depart Ranthambore and drive to Agra – home of the iconic Taj Mahal. You’ll be staying overnight in a comfortable homestay, that’s conveniently close to the Taj Mahal. In the afternoon you’ll visit some of Agra’s historic monuments with a guide. Included in the tour is Agra Fort, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most impressive Mughal forts in the country, Itmad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb, a.k.a the Baby Taj, and the gardens of Mehtab Bagh. The next morning, we recommend getting up extra early so that you’re at the Taj Mahal before the tourist crowds. This world-famous, marble mausoleum was built by Shah Jahan out of love for his deceased wife. A real wonder of the world, it will take your breath away.

Days 21-22 – Back to Delhi and departure

After visiting the Taj Mahal by yourselves, your driver will be waiting to transfer you back to Delhi (approximately 4 hours). You’ll be staying in the hotel you stayed in right at the beginning of this trip. The following day, we’ll arrange a transfer to the airport in time for your flight home.