Rajasthan Insight Tour

Travel to some of Rajasthan’s most enchanting cities. In the walled desert city of Jaisalmer you’ll have ample time to explore the traffic free streets (almost unique in India) and take a camel safari into the desert. There’s also time to relax in the laid back oasis town of Pushkar and visit the fantastic Meherangarh Fort in Jodhpur, one of the most impressive in India.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Maximum Group Size: 17
Arrival Transfer: Airport transfer to hotel day 1
Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of local guides
Transport: Private coach, train
Activities: Walking, camel safari, optional jeep safari
Accommodation: 12 nights simple hotels, 2 nights heritage hotel, 1 night tented camp
Meals: No meals. Allow US$10-15 per day
Entrance Fees: Not included. Allow US$60 for all sites listed as part of the itinerary
Local Payment: Must be paid in cash on day 1 of your tour

PUSHKAR FAIR NOTES: An amended itinerary will operate for Pushkar Fair departures. See dossier for details.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Fabulous heritage hotels
• Camel safari into the Thar Desert
• Magnificent Meherangarh Fort in Jodhpur
• Pink City of Jaipur
• Volunteer in Chandelao Village

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 1, DELHI: Arrive in Delhi and transfer to hotel.

Day 2, AGRA: Early morning express train to Agra and transfer to hotel. Afternoon guided tour of the Taj Mahal, reputedly the most beautiful building in the world.

Day 3, JAIPUR: Drive to Jaipur via the former Moghul capital of Fatehpur Sikri.

Day 4, JAIPUR: Morning orientation tour of Jaipur. In the afternoon we visit the magnificent Amber Fort, perched on a hilltop outside town.

Day 5, PUSHKAR: Drive to Pushkar, a desert oasis on a holy lake. Afternoon at leisure to explore the lakeside with its many holy men, pilgrims and temples.

Day 6, KHEJARLA: Travel to Fort Khejarla, residence of the former ruling family who will be your hosts.

Day 7, CHANDELAO: Drive to the small heritage hotel of Chandelao Garh. Afternoon optional jeep safari to the villages near Chandelao where we will see local craftsmen at work.

Day 8, CAMEL SAFARI: We drive into a remote part of the Thar Desert to start our camel safari. We spend the night in a beautiful tented camp.

Day 9, JAISALMER: Cross the desert to the fortress city of Jaisalmer. Within the fortress walls the cobbled streets are strewn with palaces, mansions of rich merchants (havelis), and Jain temples that were built between the 12th and 15th centuries.

Day 10, JAISALMER: A free day to explore this amazing city with its medieval atmosphere.

Day 11, JODHPUR: Continue to Jodhpur. Afternoon visit to the impressive Meherangarh Fort, with fantastic views across this blue city.

Day 12, UDAIPUR: Drive via the magnificent Jain temples of Ranakpur to the beautiful lake city of Udaipur.

Day 13, UDAIPUR: Morning tour of Udaipur. Afternoon at leisure to seek out a bargain in the markets or relax in a friendly café overlooking the lake.

Day 14, AHMEDABAD: We travel to Ahmedabad, a city with ancient monuments displaying a unique mix of Hindu and Muslim architecture.

Day 15, MUMBAI (BOMBAY): Express train to Mumbai. Remainder of the day at leisure.

Day 16, MUMBAI (BOMBAY): Tour ends

DEPARTURE DATES

TRAVEL STYLE

You love the sometimes tough but ultimately rewarding nature of adventure travel and you want to spend more time enjoying every experience rather than wasting time on travel arrangements.

Maximum Group Size - 18: You love the whole concept of travel. Getting there is as much fun as being there and you love using public transport, local restaurants and small family run hotels where you get the best chance to really get under the skin of a destination. You love the sometimes tough but ultimately rewarding nature of adventure travel and you love spending more time enjoying every experience rather than wasting time on travel arrangements.
Included: All accommodation (usually twin share but occasionally multi share), transportation
Not included: Most meals, entrance fees
Single Supplement: Not available. [Read more about Imaginative Traveller travel styles]