Itinerary

Days 1 - 2 ~ Delhi

Rickshaw ride

Arrive in vibrant and bustling Delhi and transfer to your hotel. Explore Delhi’s main sites including the Red Fort, Gandhi’s memorial and the Jama Masjid, Delhi’s impressive mosque. Later, admire the Lutyens architecture of India Gate as well as the huge Sikh temple of Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. Enjoy an exhilarating rickshaw ride through the narrow and colourful lanes of Old Delhi before a little time at leisure to explore Connaught Place and its environs.

Day 3 ~ Agra & Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal

Travel by road to Agra, home to the world’s most famous monument to love, the Taj Mahal. Explore Agra including the impressive Fort on the banks of the Yamuna River and visit a workshop to learn about the painstakingly intricate marble inlay work that was done to decorate the Taj. Rise early the following day to see the Taj at sunrise, bathed in the pinkish dawn light and a sight you are never likely to forget.

Days 4 - 5 ~ Ranthambore National Park

Continue onto the famous national park of Ranthambore by road and by train, visiting the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri en route. Explore the beautiful park with its lush jungle foliage by vehicle at dawn and dusk, the best times for spotting the many types of wildlife which live here. If you are lucky, you may spot one of India’s last remaining tigers.

Days 6 - 7 ~ Jaipur

Palace of the Winds

Explore the famous “Pink City” of Jaipur with its distinctive dusky painted buildings. With an afternoon city tour, you will be able to explore the City Palace as well as the famous Palace of Winds façade with some free time for purchasing some traditional Rajasthani handicrafts. Visit the imposing Amber Fort and the city’s Observatory built by Jai Singh, famed for his intelligence.

Days 8 - 9 ~ Pushkar and Osian

Pushkar Lake

Visit the holy city of Pushkar, centred around a picturesque lake and surrounded by colourful buildings. Explore one of the only temples in the world dedicated to Brahma and soak up the atmosphere as colourful ‘saddhus’ or holy men wander the streets and pilgrims bathe on the sacred ghats. We head on to Osian and to the fantastic camel camp, located on top of the area’s highest sand dune and an incredible base for exploring the area by camel and by jeep.

Days 10 - 12 ~ Jodhpur

Meherangarh Fort, Jodhpur

Drive to Jodhpur, one of Rajasthan’s most famous and lively cities. Often referred to as the ‘Blue City’, Jodhpur’s roofs are painted in this vibrant colour making for a great photo opportunity when viewed from the top of the impressive Meherangarh Fort which dominates the city’s skyline. After exploring the fort itself, visit the lively bazaar before enjoying a fun cookery lesson at the former royal residence of Rohetgarh, just outside Jodhpur. Enjoy some free time for shopping or relaxing before transferring to the airport for your onward travel – perhaps onto Southern India for our Spice of the South tour.

Checklist & How we Travel

Inclusions:
• 11 nights deluxe hotel accommodation
• All road transport in modern air-conditioned vehicles
• All sightseeing as specified, including entrance fees
• Arrival transfer on day of tour commencement and departure transfer on day of tour completion
• Breakfast daily, three lunches and six dinners
• Western tour leader based on a minimum of seven people
• Local English-speaking guides throughout.

Notes: Arrival and departure transfers on the days of tour commencement and conclusion are included in tour price. If you require a transfer outside these days you will need to book and pay for additional transfers.

GETTING AROUND: We try to ensure that all accommodation and transport on all of our journeys is of a high standard, safe, and clean and comfortable. While there are several four to five hour road trips on this tour, we use comfortable and spacious mini-buses or coasters. We travel for two hours by train from Bharatpur to Sawaimadhopur (near Ranthambore National Park). The trains are comfortable, fan-cooled and with reclining softs seats. We also enjoy a short camel trek and a jeep safari.

WHERE WE STAY: We use some of the best and most fabulous accommodation in all of Asia; luxury, history and an unmistakable Indian style. In Delhi, we use the Imperial, a refined and elegant option with a central location. In Agra we use the Taj View Agra, in Ranthambore we use the colourful Taj Sawaimadhopur, in Jaipur we use the fantastic Rambagh Palace, a former maharajah's residence. This is an old property and not all rooms are of the same size or shape. In Pushkar we use the Pushkar Palace overlooking the lake. In Osian we stay at the luxury tented camp - tents are fan-cooled and simple but it is an unforgettable experience. In Jodhpur, we stay in the Umaid Bhawan, another opulent and luxurious palace. Most of the hotels we use have swimming pools, TVs and well-appointed rooms.

WHAT WE EAT: At Travel Indochina we are keen to provide as wide an array of culinary opportunities as possible, in both local and some very special easting establishments. Tour leaders will always be on hand to provide you with a number of options, no matter what your inclination. Tour leaders also frequently join you for meals, revealing some of their favourite dishes. Don’t forget that we do not usually include meals (except breakfast) in the price of your tour. This is to allow you flexibility when choosing what you would like to eat. There is a wide range of delicious food in India, a country which is famous for many culinary delights. Main courses at good restaurants are generally 10 USD to 12USD. Well-known dishes worth sampling include lentil dahl, tasty naan breads, one of the many famous types of curry such as dopiaza (less spicy) or tandoori. Southern Indian food tends to be more spicy with delicious prawn and coconut curries or delicious biryani. If you are not sure what to try, try a thali - a large plate which contains small portions of several different dishes. For desert, try tasty gulab jamul if you have a sweet tooth.

Tour Q&A

Q: I’ve never travelled on a group tour before. Is group travel for me?
A: Our deluxe Small Group Journeys are not conventional group tours. You will be travelling with a maximum of 15 travellers, staying in some of Asia’s finest and most atmospheric hotels whilst immersing yourself in the culture and everyday lives of the people. They are designed to provide you with a good balance of personal discovery and group activity with like-minded travellers – and an enjoyable, memorable holiday. We shun mass tourism and all of its trappings – and we believe our signature style of travel will appeal to those who want a total experience of their chosen destination.

Q: Who will I be travelling with?
A: Our travellers are of all ages and from all walks of life. What they share is a true passion for travel in Asia – a desire to savour the cuisine, meet the people and connect with the lives and cultures of these extraordinary places. Most travel to Asia from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Q: How fit do I have to be to join the tour?
A: The Highlights of Rajasthan is graded Moderate and is suitable for travellers with an average to above average level of fitness and mobility. The tour involves walking, a short train journey and a camel trek. All travellers on our deluxe Small Group Journeys must complete a Fitness Form, which can be downloaded by clicking here. Be sure to pack a positive attitude and a desire to experience Asia and her people first hand. Download the tour dossier for comprehensive information on the Highlights of Rajasthan deluxe journey. Click here for full description of journey grading.

Q: What happens if I’m a single traveller?
A: Our groups are a combination of single travellers, couples and friends. Single travellers must pay a supplement for a single room on our deluxe Small Group Journeys. Whether travelling alone or with a companion, you will go home with a true sense of the country you have visited and, quite possibly, a brand new set of friends.

Q: Can I bring the kids?  
A: The minimum age on all our deluxe Small Group Journeys is 12 years old. For families with younger children, we can create a tailormade and well-paced trip to suit your needs and requirements. The sites, sounds, smells and adventures that Asia has to offer make it an ideal destination for family travel. Click here to see some of our suggested tailormade family itineraries – designed to give your family a true experience of the essence of Asia.

Q: What are the visa requirements?
A: You will need a valid visa in order to enter India. Please obtain your visa before arriving in India as it cannot be obtained on arrival.

Q: What kinds of hotels will I be staying in?
A: Stay in some of India’s finest palaces and hotels that exude history and luxury, many of which were former Maharaja’s residences, including the Imperial in Delhi, the world famous Umaid Bhawan in Jodhpur and the opulent Rambagh Palace in Jaipur. We choose our accommodation on the basis that they too represent the essence of Asia. Our deluxe accommodation will become a real part of your experience, and you are sure to be impressed. Our combination of atmospheric accommodation with cultural engagement will give you a truly memorable holiday experience.

Q: Who will accompany our group?
A: You will be escorted by one of our expert Western tour leaders (minimum seven travellers) as well as an English-speaking local guide – a combination which gives you the highest level of service possible. Our local guides are uniquely placed to share personal insights that simply can’t be provided by outsiders or guidebooks. Our Western leaders call Asia home and have a network of friends and experiences to share with you. They are also able to fully appreciate your interests and needs and ensure these are being met. You will be inspired by their enthusiasm and passion for the region. We believe our combination of local and Western tour leaders provides for the best travel experience. The feedback from our travellers over the years confirms the same.

Q: Are arrival and departure transfers included?
A: Arrival and departure transfers on the days of tour commencement and conclusion are included in the price of the tour. Upon arrival at Delhi airport you will be met by one of our Essence of Asia representatives and transferred to your hotel. If you require a transfer outside these days you will need to book and pay for additional transfers.

Q: What kinds of transport are used on the Highlights of Rajasthan?
A: For road journeys and inner-city touring, air-conditioned cars, mini-buses, or coasters are used. These vehicles are modern, well-maintained, safe vehicles – ideal for small group travel. The tour includes some short jeep safaris (non air-conditioned) and a train journey. There are several long road journeys of four to five hours in duration. The longest is from Ranthambore to Jaipur (five hours).

Q: Are entrance fees included in the tour cost?
A: Yes, entrance fees are included in the cost of all of our deluxe Small Group Journeys.

Q: What type of restaurants and food will be available on tour?
A: Cuisine is an extremely important part of the essence of Asia experience and is a highlight on our deluxe India journeys. Indian cuisine is one of the most popular in the world and deservedly so. We have included some truly memorable dining experiences on our deluxe India Small Group Journeys such as a delicious feast at the atmospheric and unique Dera Amber camp, lit by flaming torches and hosted by a welcoming and aristocratic Rajput family. We eat at quality Indian restaurants and try to only choose restaurants with a high standard of hygiene. Indian restaurants serve a variety of food including curries, dahl, naan bread and meat including beef, and mutton. Vegetarians are catered for in India better than most places in Asia. In larger cities, there is more international cuisine on offer, but food outside of major destinations tends to be Indian in style. However, most hotels and restaurants which cater to the tourist market do not usually make their dishes too spicy. Breakfast is included each day on our tours and is usually a mix of Western buffet and continental style. We do not include all meals in your tour cost, giving you the freedom to taste as much local flavour as and when you desire. Our group leaders have a wealth of knowledge of restaurants from the mainstream to the unusual. Some of the best culinary experiences are found in local eateries, old stalwarts and brand new innovative establishments not found in guidebooks. Let us share them with you.

Q: How much money will I spend per day touring?
A: Approximately $20US per person for day-to-day living. India is a country that offers great value for your money. For around $20US you will be able to buy lunch and dinner at good local restaurants, as well as refreshments during the day. Western restaurants will cost more.

Q: How is your company different to others offering small group travel?
A: We don’t know of any company that offers the combination of well thought out itineraries, atmospheric accommodation, insightful Western and local leaders and value for money. We have had a base in the region for over 13 years ensuring that we keep abreast of the changes in the region and can offer 24-hour support to our travellers. If you’re shopping around, ask about your accommodation, transport and the tour leaders and guides who will take care of you during your journey. Check to see how many nights you will spend in each city. Rather than rushing through a destination, we believe that spending quality time in each place enhances your overall experience. We don’t cut any corners!