Adventure holiday in Rajasthan
| country: | India |
| location: | Rajasthan, Golden Triangle in India |
| trip type: | A small group adventure |
| departures: | 2010: 18 Sep, 2 Oct, 9 Oct, 16 Oct, 23 Oct, 30 Oct, 13 Nov, 4 Dec, 11 Dec, 18 Dec, 25 Dec 2011: 19 Jan |
| price: | From £1350 (15 days) excluding flights. We can arrange flights from the UK |
| more info: | Price includes: 14 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 6 dinners - airport transfers on Day 1 & Day 15 (if on group flights) - expert bilingual guide, group medical kit - good quality accommodation in Delhi/Bikaner/Jaisalmer/Jodhpur/Jaipur/Agra - gear pack including sleeping bag and insulated mat - provision of bikes between Jaipur and Agra - provision of camels and support crew during camel ride - group camping equipment during cycle and camel rides - private internal transportation - sightseeing and site entry fees as listed |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
introduction to Adventure holiday in Rajasthan
Experience the real, village India
There is no finer way to appreciate the diversity of life in village India than by cycling and camel riding. We combine both activities with visits to the famous palaces and forts of northern India, including the spectacular Taj Mahal in Agra. We offered our first cycle trip in Rajasthan back in 1978 and today this is still one of our most popular holidays in India.
As we set off in rarely visited regions of Rajasthan's Thar desert, well away from where the standard Rajasthan camel rides take place, we appreciate why this is no ordinary tour of India. Our camel caravan takes us to remote villages and forts while at night our crew and musicians capture the desert atmosphere as they entertain us under the stars.
After three days in the saddle we visit the walled cities of Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and the Pink City of Jaipur before commencing our cycle ride. As we cycle the quieter country roads we adjust to the pace of the buffalo cart and savour a pace of life that is still in harmony with the seasons. If you haven't cycled since your school days don't worry. The roads are flat, the days not unduly strenuous and we provide a backup vehicle for your convenience.
There is no finer way to appreciate the diversity of life in village India than by cycling and camel riding. We combine both activities with visits to the famous palaces and forts of northern India, including the spectacular Taj Mahal in Agra. We offered our first cycle trip in Rajasthan back in 1978 and today this is still one of our most popular holidays in India.
As we set off in rarely visited regions of Rajasthan's Thar desert, well away from where the standard Rajasthan camel rides take place, we appreciate why this is no ordinary tour of India. Our camel caravan takes us to remote villages and forts while at night our crew and musicians capture the desert atmosphere as they entertain us under the stars.
After three days in the saddle we visit the walled cities of Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and the Pink City of Jaipur before commencing our cycle ride. As we cycle the quieter country roads we adjust to the pace of the buffalo cart and savour a pace of life that is still in harmony with the seasons. If you haven't cycled since your school days don't worry. The roads are flat, the days not unduly strenuous and we provide a backup vehicle for your convenience.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Join Delhi: The group briefing will usually be held on the morning of Day 2. |
| Day 2: | Sightseeing In Delhi, overnight train to Bikaner: This morning there will be a group briefing before heading out for the day's sightseeing in Old and New Delhi, including the Red Fort and the Jama Masjid. Later in the afternoon we will transfer to Rewari station, which is 75 kms drive from the hotel, for the overnight train to Bikaner. Travelling on the railways is one of the great experiences of India – our sleeping berths are comfortable and we reserve secure four-berth compartments for our groups. However, travelling on Indian trains is by no means luxurious. No bedding is supplied, so we curl up in our sleeping bags to awake in the morning in the heart of Rajasthan. |
| Day 3: | Arrive Bikaner, transfer to Chemana, commence camel ride (approx. 3 hrs): Upon arrival in Bikaner, we have breakfast before we drive to the village of Chemana to commence our camel ride. The first stage of our journey is to the campsite at Khanag sar. There are a number of small villages on the way as we gradually merge with the pace of the desert. On arrival at camp our crew will unload the camel carts and establish the campsite – tea will be served and washing water made available, and the cooks will prepare the evening meal. After dinner, we gather around the campfire, while the musicians entertain us with folksongs – it won't be long before we join in! |
| Day 4: | Camel ride to Balasar (6–7 hrs): We start early to complete the six to seven hours of riding through desert scrubland. En route we visit some of the more isolated desert villages and the camel men will introduce you to their lifestyle, a world away from the huge forts and palaces that characterise other parts of Rajasthan. The scrubland eventually gives way to rolling desert and we arrive at our campsite at Balasar, ideally set on a sand plateau and close to a small village. |
| Day 5: | Camel ride to Jamba (6 hrs): Today we travel to the town of Jamba. The desert scenery changes once again – from rolling dunesto more undulating terrain – and if, towards the end of the day, the pace of the camels increases, itis because they sense they are on their way home. Jamba is the home of our camel men and we can be assured of a warm welcome. The villagers will join us until late in the evening as we celebrate our last night in the desert. |
| Day 6: | Transfer to walled city of Jaisalmer: There will be a further opportunity to visit Jamba this morning before we board our bus for the short drive to Jaisalmer. The afternoon is free to wander the bustling bazaar located within the fort. |
| Day 7: | In Jaisalmer: We have a full day to explore the ancient walled city of Jaisalmer. We visit Jaisalmer Fort and the Jain temples, which contain many intricate carvings. We also explore the 'Havelis', the mansions of the wealthy merchants who made their fortunes at a time when Jaisalmer was on the old trade route between the Arabian Sea and the markets of Central India. |
| Day 8: | Drive to Jodphur: With an early start we can reach Jodhpur by lunchtime to allow a free afternoon to visit Meherangarh Fort. Situated on a 125-m-high hill, the fort is the most impressive in Rajasthan. It includes a complex of palaces and museums that reflect the rich cultural history of the region. From the upper ramparts of the fort, we will have 360 degree views of the entire city. |
| Day 9-10: | Jaipur: The famed 'Pink City' of Jaipur is the capital of the state of Rajasthan. The city was founded by Maharaja Jai Singh in the early 18th century, when he moved from Amber to this new site on the plains. We reach Jaipur in the afternoon giving us the rest of the day to explore the city. We continue our program of sightseeing in Jaipur on day 10, visiting the Hawa Mahal, the City Palace and the Jantar Mantar; the remarkable observatory that reflects Jai Singh's passion for astronomy. There is also the Old City with its bazaars and the Hawa Mahal (the Palace of the Winds), originally built as part of the City Palace complex to allow the ladies of the royal household to watch everyday life in the city without being observed. |
| Day 11: | Commence cycling: Jaipur to farm camp (50km): Departing through the outlying settlements of Jaipur and with the Amber Fort as our backdrop, we commence the bike section of the trip. Instruction and bike adjustment will take place at this point of time. We then progress along the Ramgargh road, one of the quieter veins leading out of Jaipur. This twists through small farming settlements, where we provide endless entertainment to the villagers who are intrigued at the notion of westerners riding bikes through India. By lunch we arrive at Ramgarh Lake and enjoy a lunch respite under a huge Banyan tree. After lunch we cycle on to our camp spot; in a true rural setting, with small rudimentary dwellings and endless fields of various crops. At night the camp will be established and tea will be prepared, with plenty of time for a wash and a visit to the local village before the evening meal is served. |
| Day 12: | Farm house to Sariska Park (52km): We continue riding through timeless India, with lush flowering mustard plantations flanked by overhanging willow trees, before reaching the gates to the Sariska Tiger Reserve. After a drink stop we continue on to our camp inside the park where we will have lunch. This was once home to a significant population of tigers, until a few season ago, when poaching reduced numbers. However there are many other animals in the park, and the atmosphere and natural surrounds make the visit very much worthwhile. Our camp overnight will be in the grounds of the Sariska Tiger Camp. |
| Day 13: | Cycle to Rajgarh (38km). Drive to Bharatpur camp (90km): We ride through a number of small villages to Rajgarh where we stop for lunch. After lunch we continue cycling another 15km before boarding the bus for the journey to Bharatpur via Mahua arriving at our camp in the premises of the Swaraj Resort. |
| Day 14: | Bharatpur to Fatehpur Sikri and Agra (54km): Today we cycle to the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary where we will enjoy a packed lunch. Our bikes provide a wonderful mode of transport to move around and explore the park, where swamplandsprovide habitats for hundreds of bird species. We leave our bikes behind and then travel in our vehicle for about 20km to Fatehpur Sikri, to explore Akbar's deserted capital, before continuing on to Agra. |
| Day 15: | In Agra, then drive to Delhi, trip concludes: In the early morning we have a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, Shah Jahan's mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. We continue to Agra Fort, a fitting testimony to the Great Moghuls – Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan – during the era when Agra was the capital of the Moghul empire. From the Red Fort we'll have more views of the Taj Mahal before driving back to Delhi that afternoon where our trip concludes. |
traveller reviews for Adventure holiday in Rajasthan
I will never forget cycling down some of the quiet back country lanes of Rajasthan -children running across fields of yellow mustard flowers to greet you as you bicycle past - pausing in a small village to meet the people. (more)
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places. highly commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2006 First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society. Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
how this holiday makes a difference
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Environment:
The natural landscapes we explore are some of the richest, often most challenging, yet at the same time some of the most fragile environments on earth. With education, experienced leadership and appropriate equipment and techniques, it is possible to travel responsibly through these regions. For us, it is critically important that such wilderness travel experiences do not diminish the natural values of the environment. On this trip we invite you to experience the essence of this amazing destination with its staggering diversity of cultures, flora, fauna and breathtaking landscapes whilst simultaneously minimising the negative effects such tourism can have. All travellers are provided with our award-winning 20 page Responsible Travel Booklet which outlines our environmental guidelines and practices and will provide you will clear details on how you can play a vital part in reducing your impact on the fragile environments and cultures around the world. Our environmental sustainable principles: True sustainability is a guiding aspect in all aspects of our business planning and operations. Specifically our tour operations should be managed in a way where the natural and cultural values of the host region are undiminished in the long-term. Where possible, we engage in partnerships with local environmental groups and/or land managers to actively campaign for conservation or promote environmental protection and/or rehabilitation. Our Responsible Travel Guidebook: Our philosophy since 1975 has been to leave only footprints and take only photographs. To reiterate this, every customer who travels with us receives a copy of our award-winning Responsible Travel guidebook. This detailed book outlines our environmentally sustainable principles, and outlines how each customer can minimize their impact while travelling. Global Warming and Carbon Balancing: The root cause of Global Warming is society's dependence on emission creating fossil fuel. Planting trees is not going to reverse this trend or cancel our carbon emissions very quickly or effectively. We believe the way to reduce these dependencies is to create clean energy production. Therefore, we support renewable energy projects like wind and solar power, and we are aligned with Climate Friendly, the gold standard setter in effective, meaningful action addressing climate change. So, while we believe that tree planting can play a small role in greenhouse gas abatement, we have gone the extra mile in promoting a longer term solution. Is this cheap? No. Is it responsible? Absolutely! Community: We endeavour to create the necessary circumstances to ensure we have a positive effect on the communities who welcome is warmly into their villages and most wonderfully often into their homes. With our team of local guides and escorts and by using local accommodation we are privileged to enjoy a special relationship and mutual understanding with our hosts and their environs. Wherever possible we contribute actively and financially to local community projects whether it be to extend the longevity of traditional customs, to preserve traditional ways of life, supporting education schemes or helping to develop environmental initiatives. Our responsible travel principles: Our company aims to maximise the positive benefits of tourism for host communities. This includes training and employment of local staff, using local suppliers and assisting in the development of sustainable local businesses. We actively minimise the negative effects that tourism can have by ensuring that tourism does not divert resources away from local communities or drive up prices on local resources. We provide opportunities for real cultural exchange, where locals and visitors alike can share and learn from each other in an environment of mutual respect. We contribute to the welfare of the host community. This is epitomised in our Community Project Travel program where we organise for our travellers to spend time in disadvantaged villages upgrading basic facilities such as health, education and water access. We strive to educate our travellers about the destination and its local cultures as well as providing guidelines on appropriate behaviour to minimise impact. No local payments policy: Local cash payments are becoming increasingly popular with many operators in the adventure travel industry. This policy seems to benefit the tour operators more than the local economies or the travellers, as it avoids local taxes and transfers the costs and risks of cash handling onto the travellers. In accordance with our Responsible Travel practices, we have chosen a policy of not asking for such payments. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |
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