Northern India tour
| country: | India |
| location: | Rajasthan, The Golden Triangle |
| trip type: | A small group adventure |
| departures: | 2008: 9 Aug, 23 Aug, 6 Sep, 20 Sep, 4 Oct, 18 Oct, 1 Nov, 15 Nov, 29 Nov, 20 Dec 2009: 3 Jan, 17 Jan, 31 Jan, 14 Feb, 28 Feb, 14 Mar, 28 Mar, 8 Aug, 22 Aug, 5 Sep, 19 Sep, 3 Oct, 17 Oct, 31 Oct, 14 Nov, 28 Nov, 12 Dec |
| price: | From £999 (21 days) excluding flights. Local payment US $330. We can arrange flights from the UK. *Special offer* just £1712 inc Gulf Air flights from Heathrow - 23 Aug departure - quote 'rt.com' |
the amazing things you'll be doing
This fascinating journey visits the major highlights of India such as Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur but it also includes some of the most fabulous castles, forts and palaces of Rajasthan.
We head off the beaten track which gives you the chance to see how life continues in India’s villages. Our nights are spent at a number of exquisite heritage hotels which vary from luxurious Maharaja’s palaces and lavish tented camps to more simple but equally atmospheric old buildings. It is not difficult to see why this is our favourite tour of India.
We head off the beaten track which gives you the chance to see how life continues in India’s villages. Our nights are spent at a number of exquisite heritage hotels which vary from luxurious Maharaja’s palaces and lavish tented camps to more simple but equally atmospheric old buildings. It is not difficult to see why this is our favourite tour of India.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Delhi: Arrive and transfer to hotel. Afternoon city tour of Delhi. |
| Day 2: | Pachewar: Early morning express train to Jaipur. From here we continue by road to the small village of Pachewar where we stay in the lovely 300-year-old fort with its massive ramparts and large gardens. (B) |
| Day 3: | Pachewar: Full day to explore. (B) |
| Day 4: | Bundi: Drive to Bundi which has one of the most magnificent forts in Rajasthan, famous for its delicate miniatures. Overnight in a haveli, an old merchant’s house. (B) |
| Day 5: | Bijaipur: Drive to Bijaipur where we stay the night in the Castle Bijaipur. (B) |
| Day 6: | Khempur: Visit Chittaurgarh, probably India’s greatest medieval fort, perched in a dramatic city-top setting. We then continue to Ravla Khempur, a lovely heritage hotel set amidst well manicured lawns. Guests have the option of exploring Khempur’s surroundings on horseback. (B) |
| Day 7: | Udaipur: Drive to the lake city of Udaipur where we stay in a haveli on Lake Pichola. (B) |
| Day 8: | Udaipur: Morning tour of this beautiful lakeside city. Afternoon at leisure. (B) |
| Day 9: | Narlai: Drive via the formidable Kumbhalgarh fort to Narlai, a small town overlooking a giant 90m single rock of granite, dotted with caves and temples. We stay in a former hunting lodge. (B) |
| Day 10: | Jodhpur: Morning walk to historic temples in and around Narlai, followed by a visit to the superb Jain temples of Ranakpur. Afternoon drive to Jodhpur. (B) |
| Day 11: | Jodhpur: Morning visit to the impressive Meherangarh Fort with magnificent views over the blue city. Afternoon at leisure. (B) |
| Day 12: | Khejarla: We continue to Fort Khejarla, residence of the former ruling family who will be your hosts. Driving through the dusty and sleepy village of Khejarla, there is no hint that a stunning fort awaits until we reach the main entrance. A large garden contains many old trees and flowering bougainvillea and looks up to a quaint combination of a defensive fort and a delicately carved palace. (B) |
| Day 13: | Chandelao: Just an hour’s drive away is the small village of Chandelao. Here you will find no other tourists, and the place therefore offers a great chance to the see village life, interact with the local community, and to learn about the art, culture and heritage of Rajasthan. (B) |
| Day 14: | Jojawar: Our next stop is Rawla Jojawar. Recently renovated, this small and welcoming heritage hotel is an ideal place for both relaxing and discovering the unspoilt town of Jojawar. There is the chance to take an optional village safari by jeep, or a unique ‘train safari’, where we can board a local train for a short but scenic journey through the nearby hills. (B) |
| Day 15: | Deogarh: Not far from Jojawar is the pleasant and little frequented town of Deogarh. The narrow bazaar road, with good textiles and silver jewellery shops, winds its way up to the top of the hill where you find the beautifully renovated 17th century Deogarh Mahal Palace. We stay in beautiful deluxe tents on a lake near Deogarh. (B) |
| Day 16: | Pushkar: Drive to Pushkar, a desert oasis on a holy lake. Afternoon at leisure in Pushkar with its many holy men, pilgrims and temples. You may also like to take a hike into the surrounding hills. (B) |
| Day 17: | Jaipur: Drive to the Pink City of Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. We stay two nights in a charming hotel built in traditional Rajasthani style in a quiet residential area. (B) |
| Day 18: | Jaipur: Morning city tour. Afternoon at leisure. (B) |
| Day 19: | Agra: Drive via the superb Moghul remains of Fatehpur Sikri to Agra. (B) |
| Day 20: | Delhi: Morning visit to the Taj Mahal. Evening express train to Delhi. (B) |
| Day 21: | Delhi: Tour ends. (B) |
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 2007 Virgin Holidays 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
Spread across the erstwhile princely state of Rajasthan are a large number of smaller forts, palaces, castles, aristocratic homes and havelis that were once home to families that ruled over India. With the passage of time many of these magnificent properties were in danger of falling to ruin as the erstwhile royal families were unable to maintain their homes. With their recent conversion into hotels, the former royal residences have acquired a new lease of life. By staying in these heritage hotels we help to ensure that these properties continue to be maintained in a befitting manner, and that a way of living that was losing ground to the 21st century, has been preserved for a little while longer.
As much as the families, the family retainers whose ancestors once served within these royal homes, have continued to find employment. And a slice of history that would otherwise have been irretrievably lost, continues to survive. With one major difference: You too can now be a part of it!