Highlights tour to Rajasthan
| country: | India |
| location: | Rajasthan, Golden Triangle in India |
| departures: | 2009: 2 Dec, 16 Dec, 30 Dec 2010: 6 Jan, 13 Jan, 10 Feb, 24 Feb, 10 Mar, 24 Mar, 7 Apr, 21 Apr, 27 Oct, 3 Nov, 24 Nov, 8 Dec |
| price: | From £1590 - £1745 (14 days) excluding flights, based on twin. Single supplement £470. Deluxe option also available - please contact us for details. Maximum group size 15 people. We can arrange flights from the UK from £500 per person including taxes. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Dawn at the Taj Mahal is an experience of a lifetime.
Rajasthan is home to some of the country's most spectacular scenery, impressive sites and hospitable people – experience it all on this 14-day journey. Discover the contrasts of Delhi – from the winding alleys and overflowing markets of the old city to the British colonial air of Connaught Place. In the cities and villages of Rajasthan, explore windswept deserts, maharajas’ palaces, hilltop forts and friendly people. We also experience the wonder of the Taj Mahal and take time out for some wildlife spotting in Ranthambhore National Park. Choose our Deluxe option to experience the luxury of some of India’s most atmospheric.
Price includes: 13 nights hotel accommodation (1 night in a tented camp), all road transport by air conditioned vehicles, all sightseeing as specified (excluding entrance fee on Classic Journeys), Western tour leader (7 or more travellers) and local English-speaking guides throughout, arrival and departure transfers, breakfast daily, 4 lunches and 4 dinners.
Rajasthan is home to some of the country's most spectacular scenery, impressive sites and hospitable people – experience it all on this 14-day journey. Discover the contrasts of Delhi – from the winding alleys and overflowing markets of the old city to the British colonial air of Connaught Place. In the cities and villages of Rajasthan, explore windswept deserts, maharajas’ palaces, hilltop forts and friendly people. We also experience the wonder of the Taj Mahal and take time out for some wildlife spotting in Ranthambhore National Park. Choose our Deluxe option to experience the luxury of some of India’s most atmospheric.
Price includes: 13 nights hotel accommodation (1 night in a tented camp), all road transport by air conditioned vehicles, all sightseeing as specified (excluding entrance fee on Classic Journeys), Western tour leader (7 or more travellers) and local English-speaking guides throughout, arrival and departure transfers, breakfast daily, 4 lunches and 4 dinners.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1-2: | Delhi. Visit sites including Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, the Gandhi Memorial and Humayun’s Tomb. Explore the colourful streets of Old Delhi on an exciting rickshaw ride and enjoy some free time to wander among the boutiques and markets around Connaught Place. Hotel: Oberoi Maidens. |
| Day 3-5: | Agra & Ranthambore National Park. We drive to Agra, home to the Taj Mahal. Visit the Red Fort and see craftsmen in action at a marble inlay workshop and experience the breathtaking Taj at sunrise. En route to Ranthambore National Park we explore the ruined city of Fatehpur Sikri and take a short train ride. Amid the rugged beauty of Ranthambore, embark on game drives in the early morning and late afternoon, the best times to spot wildlife such as sambar, wild boar and, with luck, the Bengal tiger. Hotels: S Mansingh Palace, Fort Nahargarh. |
| Day 6-7: | Jaipur. Discover the sights of the ‘pink city’ including the City Palace and stunning Hawa Mahal or ‘Palace of Winds’. Also venture out to the nearby Amber Fort, situated atop a mountain amid some stark and dramatic landscapes. There is free time to explore the local markets full of carpets, prints and jewellery. Don’t forget to bargain! Classic: Hotel Shahpura House. |
| Day 8-9: | Nimaj & Osian. Descendants of the local Thakur rulers are our hosts for the night at the Nimaj Palace, in a traditional Rajasthan country town. Take in the views from the palace terraces, enjoy tea in the courtyard, or wander the local markets. This evening you will enjoy a cooking demonstration by the palace cooks. From here venture into the Thar Desert, to stay in a stunning tented camp atop a sand dune. Absorb the peaceful desert ambience on a sunset camel ride. Hotels: Nimaj Palace, Osian Camel Camp. |
| Day 10-11: | Jodhpur. From our desert camp, we take a jeep safari to surrounding Bishnoi villages, alive with colour and traditional activities like, pot-making, weaving and farming. In the blue city of Jodhpur, colourful markets full of spices and fabrics, and the impressive Meherangarh Fort await. Hotel: Park Plaza. |
| Day 12-14: | Udaipur. Visit the impressive Ranakpur Jain temples en route to Udaipur, one of the world’s most romantic cities. In Udaipur, take a heritage walk among the ornate cupolas and balconies of the City Palace and absorb the magical atmosphere with a sunset boat ride. There is free time to shop for one of the city’s famed artworks, and wander the city’s narrow streets or lake shore, before your journey ends with a transfer on day 14. Hotel: Udai Kothi. |
small group adventure holiday
These small group journeys have a maximum of 15 like-minded travellers which ensures that all travellers have an amazing overall experience with the destination and that they enjoy the flexibility that comes with the small group dynamic. On this trip you will stay at boutique accommodation with character. Our numbers are discreet enough for us to interact with local families in their homes and meet people in markets, bazaars and temples – something that’s just not possible when you arrive as part of a large tour group. Along with our unique combination of Western tour leader and local English-speaking guide this will ensure an unforgettable travel experience.how this holiday makes a difference
 We believe that travel should entail an exchange of knowledge and perspectives, a sharing of wealth, and a genuine appreciation of India’s beautiful natural environment. This philosophy underpins the heart and soul of our style of travel. We recognise that poorly planned itineraries or poorly informed tourists contribute less to cross-cultural understanding and less to the livelihoods of local people. This journey shows you the highlights of this famed desert state. A stay at Osian Camel Camp is a key feature of this journey - it is situated atop the area’s highest sand dune and has wonderful views over the surrounding area. The camp intensively employs local people and returns tourist revenues to local people during a monthly camel festival. On this journey our local guides are trained to share their knowledge of cultural and other local issues in a balanced, informative way; in this journey alone you are likely to meet several local guides from different areas in India. They share real experiences from their own lives and insights into their family life, influences and beliefs, thus providing our travellers with a deeper understanding of the places they visit. This is what motivates our guides, not shopping commissions. |
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. |