Overview
Recapture some of the romance and adventure of India’s golden age with a journey through the colorful landscapes of the fabled “Land of Kings”…
From the bustling streets of Delhi, where you will be visit an old Haveli for a Mughlai meal, you’ll travel first to the city of Agra. Here you will have an opportunity to soak up the grand architecture of the Mughal age and walk through a farming community to a unique sunset viewpoint of the Taj Mahal, before continuing to Ranthambore, to go tiger tracking. From here, we head on an off-the-beaten-track to the lesser-known city of Bundi, where you walk in the village, see the extensive step wells, before arriving in the rural village of Bijaipur, to see a quieter side of Rajasthan. We visit The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and have lunch there, before arriving at Udaipur, the lakefront city.
We’ll be staying a night at a family castle at Ravla Bhenswara, where you’ll visit the Tribal community and from there continue towards Thar desert, where you’ll experience luxury camping on dunes. Continuing to Jodhpur, you’ll have a guided heritage walk through the town, visit the beautiful Mehrangarh fort & learn about Rajasthani cuisine at a cooking class, before flying back to Delhi, the next day.
Highlights
- Discover the atmospheric town of Bundi with its narrow alleys, stunning city palace & Step wells.
- Get off the beaten track in rural Rajasthan as you visit villages and meet with local communities.
- Search for tigers during game drives in Ranthambore National Park.
- Experience the Culture & heritage of India through a classical dance performance at Udaipur
- Stay in Castle Bijaipur and visit surrounding villages, a local school and a farm.
- Support local communities on a guided walk to a special sunset viewpoint of the Taj Mahal.
Itinerary
You'll be met on arrival at IGI airport. Transfer to your hotel in central Delhi.
Rest of the morning is at leisure, giving you the chance to take in the sights and sounds of bustling Delhi.
Later in the afternoon, we will take a short tuk tuk ride to Sunder Nursery, a 16th century Mughal garden, now restored by Agha Khan trust. This Heritage park consists of 90 acres of beautiful garden, Mughal monuments & diverse Flora & Fauna. We’ll have a walk inside the park that would end at a local café.
Overnight in the hotel.
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel
This morning you will drive to Agra, where on arrival you will have lunch at the empowering Sheroes Hangout Café, an establishment which supports women who have been victims of acid attacks and are fighting to stop acid attacks in India.
We’ll visit the mighty Agra Fort, a vast riverside complex comprised of exquisite palaces and mosques. From here we’ll take a Mughal heritage walk through the farming community of Kachhpura, led by a trained specialist guide. The walk ends with some refreshments on the rooftop of a local home where you can enjoy watching the sunset and catch a glimpse of the beautiful Taj Mahal across the river in the far distance.
ACCOMMODATION: Homestay
DRIVE DISTANCE: 240 km
FAQs
This non-strenuous trip is suitable for anyone in reasonable health, but It’s is a busy and active itinerary with lots to see & explore. Driving time is kept to a minimum and is not normally longer than five hours. You should be prepared for some early starts. The rural roads are not properly tarred and the drive can be bumpy and longer at few places.
As bustling as it is colorful, India can be an overwhelming destination, but it rewards you with cultural, gastronomic and historic delights. To fully immerse yourself in this magnificent country, its best approached with an open mind.
Our accommodation is chosen based on location and authenticity. We use a variety of accommodation in this trip to North India. In Delhi you’ll stay at a 4* star, Agra accommodation will be at a homestay. Luxury camping with ensuite bathrooms at Manvar, Jungle Lodge at Ranthambhore & Heritage hotels at rest of the destinations.
The best time to visit Rajasthan is from October to March, when temperatures are at their best, with warm days and cool nights.
Oct & Nov: Autumn sets in during these months & the temperatures are warm during the day & pleasant for the night.
December & January: During winter, temperatures can get quite cold in Delhi and the north, especially at night. Hotels in some regions may not have adequate heating. In these months you may like to bring thermals for sleeping and a warm jacket for mornings and evenings. Fog can delay trains travelling throughout this region.
Feb & March: Spring brings along colorful vistas to our overland journey. Temperature starts to rise reaching mid-thirties during day time.
This is a fully escorted tour, meaning that you will be met on arrival by your women tour leader, who will remain with you for the duration of your trip. You will also be joined by local guides in each of the cities which you visit, ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times.
During the course of your trip, overland journey will be in a private Coach/ Tempo traveller, depending on the size of the group. At Ranthambore, you’ll be driven in 4X4 canters for Jeep safaris. Train journey to Ranthambore will be in a chair car coach. Open Jeep safari (4X4) at Bhenswara. Vehicles with seatbelts are provided throughout the trip.
For better or worse, tipping is an accepted part of tourism in India. We follow a tipping system on all Group Tours. It involves guests contributing to a kitty which is handed over to the tour leader at the beginning of the tour. The tips are distributed for the services everyday on the guest’s behalf. This avoids the need for individual tipping daily throughout your trip.
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