Magical Rajasthan

The tour begins in Delhi on Day 1.

We recommend that you fly to Delhi on the following flights, from London Heathrow.

Air India flight AI166, departs LHR 2145, arrives Delhi 1035 (next day)

Virgin Atlantic VS300, departs LHR 2005, arrives Delhi 0930 (next day).

If you are travelling from another airport, or taking other flights, please ensure they arrive by 1030 on Day 1 of the tour.

Note that International flights are not included in the tour price. We can book flights for you on request.

Arrive in Delhi at 0930 hrs by flight VS300 or by AI166 at 1035 hrs, where, you’ll be met by our representative and the group will transfer to your hotel.

After lunch, in the afternoon we shall start our tour with a visit to the World Heritage site of Qutub Minar, followed by the grandest of early Mughal monuments in India, Humayun’s Tomb.

Today, we marvel at the glory days of Mughals in Old Delhi (Shahjahanbad), starting with an early visit to Jama Masjid, the grand mosque. Climb one of the minarets of the mosque for a truly spectacular bird’s eye view (if open to public)

Enjoy a rickshaw ride through the busy Chandni Chowk markets, where the street food has something for everyone – lip-smacking kebabs, paranthas and mithais.

During the afternoon, you’ll visit a traditional family-owned perfumery to observe the medieval art of making natural perfumes.

Meet a Kabootar-baaz and learn all about the intricacies of the sport of pigeon racing from the rooftops of Old Delhi for a truly unique cultural experience to end your day. Then drive along the wide treelined boulevards of New Delhi.

Around dusk, visit India Gate for an evening walk around India Gate

Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in central Delhi.

After an early breakfast drive to Agra (04.5 hours) via Yamuna Expressway.

Visit Agra Fort, followed by a short walk around old bazaars of Agra and visit to Agra’s grand mosque, Jama Masjid.

To gain insight on Agra’s living arts and distinctive cuisines, see some of Agra’s speciality foods being prepared – the sweet ‘Petha’, the savoury ‘Dal Moth’ (Agra’s tangy version of Bombay mix).

The mausoleum of Itmad-ud-daulah (often called ‘Baby Taj’) is perfectly formed, and profusely decorated in marble inlays.

As evening approaches, visit Mehtab Bagh, a lost Mughal Garden which has gradually been restored and is the best place to watch dusk fall over the Taj Mahal from across the river.

Fall in love with the Taj Mahal at sunrise. An early morning start to beat the crowds is the best way to appreciate its sublime beauty. No matter how many times one has seen the photos, the experience is truly memorable. Watch marble inlay artisans at a marble workshop.

After breakfast back at hotel, drive to Jaipur (5hrs).

Enroute, visit Fatehpur Sikri and Abhaneri Stepwell.

Arrive in Jaipur and check into your hotel.

Enjoy an evening visit to the Birla temple, for evening prayers.

Enjoy a guided city tour of Jaipur, starting with rambling hilltop fort at Amber, which has elegant palaces and gardens inside. The hilltop fort is often ascended by tourists on elephants, a practice that is detrimental to the feet and knees of these gentle giants. Instep Adventures does not include elephant rides, and our group will climb to the fort’s entrance using jeeps.

Then, visit the majestic City Palace, including exclusive tour of the Royal and private apartments, followed by visits to the iconic Hawa Mahal and Jantar Mantar.

Enjoy your dinner at a local speciality restaurant in Jaipur

After breakfast, drive to Bikaner (5hrs).

Check into your hotel and relax.

In the evening, visit the Camel Research centre. Camels have been an integral part of the rural desert life, prized for not just their value as transport, but providers of precious milk. Camel milk has a slightly salty taste, but is considered a superior to cow milk because it is abundant in Vitamins B and C, and minerals such as calcium, iron, zinc and potassium. Don’t miss the chance to taste camel milk ice-cream at the farm shop.

The research centre works to promote awareness among visitors of the camel’s vital role in rural life and economy of Rajasthan, while working behind the scenes on camel husbandry and veterinary science.

Later, enjoy a tonga (horse driven carriage) ride in the old streets of Bikaner. Tongas were a familiar sight across north India right up till the 1960s and 70s, gradually pushed out by the increasing volume of motor vehicles. Today, they are a novel way to explore, evoking a sense of nostalgia that fits well with the old streets of Bikaner.

After breakfast, enjoy a guided visit to Bikaner’s Junagarh Fort and the old city.

Drive to Jaisalmer (6hrs) and check in to your hotel to relax. Enroute, visit to the small village of Keechan to see a successful community conservation initiative for thousands of migrating graceful Demoiselle Cranes.

Optionally, if military history appeals, you can also visit the War Museum located on the outskirts of Jaisalmer.

Arrive in Jaisalmer, check in your hotel and relax for the rest of the day with a nice refreshing drink.

This morning, visit the impossibly romantic Jaisalmer Fort with its ramparts overlooking the vast desert, the Fort Museum and the temples inside the Fort walls, the richly decorated Patwon Haveli and Salim Singh Haveli and other delights of Rajput architecture.

In the evening, drive to Sam Sand Dunes (25 kms) for a short camel ride at Sunset, and enjoy dinner at the Sand Dunes with live traditional music and dance performances.

Return to your hotel in Jaisalmer after dinner.

After breakfast, drive to Jodhpur (6hrs) through rural Rajasthan, where you’re sure to catch glimpses of colourful yet hardy village folk going about their daily lives, herding goats and tending to small farms. The pace of life here is very different.

Check into your hotel in Jodhpur and relax.

If time permits, visit the city’s Clock Tower market in the evening.

After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of the massive Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada.

Later in the day, enjoy a jeep safari to Bishnoi villages around Jodhpur. The Bishnois are a renowned ethnic group, living between Jodhpur and Bikaner, and are passionate conservationists. They regard the deer as sacred and their efforts for the preservation of trees has won them worldwide attention.

Bishnois have sacrificed lives to protect their beloved trees and animals. Today, Bishnoi settlements are a green, fertile oasis in the sands of the Thar, surrounded by forests inhabited by deer and peacocks.

A special treat awaits at dinner, at the roof top restaurant at Pal Haveli, where delicious Thali meals are to be enjoyed along with a mesmerising night views of the lake and city.

After breakfast, drive to Udaipur (5hrs)

Visit Ranakpur’s intricate marble temples enroute. The temples at Ranakpur are surrounded by picturesque hills and stand by the River Maghai. The Surya temple is profusely decorated with sculptures on the exterior, but it is no means the only one, as the whole complex is considered a masterly example of Indian sculptural art.

Arrive Udaipur and check in at your hotel, rest of the day is at leisure.

This morning, enjoy a guided tour of Sahelion Ki Bari (Royal Gardens), the Udaipur City Palace and Jagdish Temple.

In the evening, take a boat ride on Lake Pichola (by shared boat) – subject to availability.

Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in Udaipur, on the banks of Lake Pichola.

A relaxed morning to enjoy the facilities at your hotel, or explore independently.

After lunch, you’ll be transferred to Udaipur airport for your flight back to Delhi (1520-1645).

Arrive in Delhi and drive to your hotel near the airport for a short refresh.

Enjoy a group farewell dinner, recounting and reflecting on experiences with your fellow travellers.

After dinner, the group will be transferred to Delhi Airport at 2200 hrs to bring the tour to an end.

We recommend that you fly back to London on the following early morning flights:

Air India flight AI161, departs Delhi 0245, arrives LHR 0730.

Virgin Atlantic VS303, departs Delhi 0205, arrives LHR 0720.

If you are flying on other flights, and require an extra night’s stay in a hotel, we can arrange the extension for you.