Colours of Rajasthan - Puskhar Festival
Colours of Rajasthan - Puskhar Festival
Colours of Rajasthan - Puskhar Festival
13 Days Starting and ending in Delhi
Visiting: Delhi, Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Ranthambore National Park, Bundi, Udaipur, Pushkar, Jaipur
Tour operator:
Tour code:
AIKA
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 16
Physical rating:
Leisurely
Age range:
16 to 99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Rajasthan, the 'Land of Princes’, is full of monuments to its warrior past. The imposing forts of Jodhpur and Jaipur bear testament to the battles that once raged here, whilst the palaces in Udaipur, Fatehpur Sikri and the Taj Mahal offer a softer side to North India's rich history. As well as exploring these historic landmarks we also stay in the charming town of Bundi, exploring its blue alleyways, forts and hillside lake, and every year we run a special departure to visit the world-famous Pushkar Camel Fair.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Delhi; Free Time.
Location: Delhi
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: No Meals
For those who are on the flight inclusive package we land in Delhi and
transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free. Land only please make
your way to our start hotel. Your leader will leave details of your welcome
meeting time in the hotel reception. (Delhi sightseeing is on day 12)
Day 2 : Transfer To Agra; Afternoon Visit The Red Fort.
Location: Agra
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we will transfer to Agra (approx. 5 hrs drive) and in the afternoon
visit the imposing Red Fort of Akbar, whose mighty sandstone walls enclose
the beautiful white marble Pearl Mosque and the palaces, halls, courtyards
and fountains of his sons and successors, Jehangir and Shah Jahan.
Day 3 : Sunrise At The Taj Mahal; To Ranthambore N.P. Via Fatehpur Sikri.
Location: Fatehpur Sikri, Ranthambore National Park
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
A very early start to see the incredible spectacle of the sunrise over the
Taj Mahal. The Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife,
Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631, built the beautiful white marble Taj Mahal.
The Taj is serenely beautiful and never fails to amaze a first time visitor;
the white marble exterior changes colour according to the position of the sun
during the day and is matched by the rich interior detail. After our visit
it's time to leave Agra and drive to Ranthambore National Park. On the way we
visit Fatehpur Sikri which is the Emperor Akbar's deserted royal city. This
impressive and well-preserved citadel became his capital in 1571, after the
blessing of a local Moslem holy man correctly predicted the birth of a
longed-for son, his successor the Emperor Jehangir. The mosque, designed to
hold ten thousand worshippers, the palaces, residences and halls of audience
are all made of decorative red sandstone. But this magnificence only lasted
14 years, as in 1584 Akbar left Fatehpur Sikri to secure his outlying
territories, leaving this city much as we see it today - in perfect
condition. This is another very full but rewarding day (approx. 7/8 hrs
drive).
Day 4 : Morning And Evening Game Drives.
Location: Ranthambore National Park
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is more relaxed as we take two game drives into Ranthambore National
Park. The reserve was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1957 and in 1974
became part of Project Tiger. Sadly, after initial success, poaching has
drastically reduced the tiger population. However, Ranthambore is still
considered one of the best places to spot tigers in the wild and many Exodus
groups over the last few years have seen the elusive predator. Tiger aside,
Ranthambore is also home to a great variety of wildlife such as several
species of monkey, deer, crocodile, birdlife, and together with the scenery,
make the visit well worth it.
Day 5 : To Bundi Nestled Within The Beautiful Aravalli Hills, With Its Picturesque Hillside Lake; Visit Bundi Fort.
Location: Bundi
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we leave Ranthambore and drive to Bundi. Bundi is a delightful town,
with a rustic setting, that stands on the foothills of the Azavali Mountains.
Bundi is especially famous for its palaces and the beautifully decorated
stepwells that back in the 15th and 18th century were used to collect water
during the monsoon season. In the afternoon we visit the Bundi Fort, arguably
one of the most beautiful palaces in India, home to outstanding miniature
paintings portraying the history of the palace and its royal family. The fort
is set high on a hill overlooking Bundi and its Krishna blue stonewashed
houses. (Approx. 4 hrs drive)
Day 6 : To Udaipur.
Location: Udaipur
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we set off on our 145 mile journey to Udaipur. Known as 'The Pearl of
Rajasthan', the 'City of Sunrise' and 'Venice of the East', Udaipur is a
beautiful place regarded by both Indians and travellers as the most romantic
city in India. (Approx. 5 hrs drive)
Day 7 : Full Day To Explore Udaipur Including Visiting The City Palace And Jagdish Temple.
Location: Udaipur
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Situated on the east side of Lake Pichola, the main palace commands an
unsurpassed view across the shimmering lake to the dusty Aravalli Hills with
the luxurious Lake Palace hotel adding to the scene. Lake Pichola has two
islands, each with a palace to rival that on the mainland; Jag Mandir and Jag
Nivas (the latter is now the Lake Palace Hotel) rise out of their own
reflections in the waters of the lake. Udaipur is surrounded by a massive
bastion with five gates and dominating the town is the City Palace of the
Maharana. The sumptuous apartments are decorated with multi-coloured mosaics,
elaborate mirror work and inlaid tiles; half of these can be visited as the
current Maharaja still occupies the rest of the palace. We spend the morning
visiting the City Palace and Jagdish Temple, with a huge black stone image of
Jagannath, an aspect of Lord Vishnu. If time allows it may be possible to
visit the gardens of Gulab Bag or take a boat trip on the lake. The afternoon
is free to enjoy this evocative city.
Day 8 : To The Hindu Pilgrimage Town Of Pushkar.
Location: Pushkar
Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we have an early start and head to Pushkar, pilgrimage town and home to
the annual Pushkar Camel Fair. Steeped in mysticism and surrounded by the
desert this little town is a holy site on the fringes of a lake. This is a
great place to relax and soak up the atmosphere. The drive will be approx.
6-7 hrs in total.
*Full-service camping *
Day 9 : Full Day To Enjoy The Colourful Spectacle Of One Of Asia's Most Vibrant Festivals.
Location: Pushkar
Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Full day to enjoy the colourful spectacle of one of Asia's most vibrant
festivals. The normally peaceful oasis is transformed into a bustling meeting
place when the tranquil desert becomes a colourful blanket of camels, fires
and tents with stall holders, musicians and comedians plying their wears amid
the high-spirited festivities.
*Full-service camping*
Day 10 : Morning Sightseeing; Afternoon Drive To Jaipur.
Location: Jaipur
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
In the morning we do some sightseeing; in the centre of town is holy Pushkar
lake surrounded by a number of temples including the famous Bramha temple
said to be the only temple in the world dedicated to this deity. A dip in the
waters of Pushkar Lake and worship at Bramha temple ensure salvation. In the
afternoon we drive to Jaipur. (Approx. 3 hrs drive)
*Standard Hotel*
Day 11 : Sightseeing In And Around Jaipur; Including The Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, The Observatory And City Palace.
Location: Jaipur
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
A day of sightseeing. The 'Pink City' of Jaipur is one of the most attractive
and colourful cities in India. Rajah Jai Singh decided to abandon his nearby
fortress and palace at Amber in 1727 and laid out a planned city of broad
avenues, built of sandstone and painted pink at a later stage. In the centre
of Jaipur is the City Palace, formerly the residence of the Maharaja, it is
now a fine museum containing rare manuscripts, paintings, royal garments and
weapons. Close to the palace is one of the most intriguing sights of India,
the observatory of Jai Singh. This is an assembly of immense astronomical
instruments made of marble and brass set in a pleasant garden. We will also
see Jaipur's impressive landmark, the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds. A
few miles from the main city is the splendid Amber Palace, rising above a
lake. The imposing hilltop fort contains large courtyards and interiors with
fine decorations including inlaid alabaster panels and a Chamber of Mirrors.
Jaipur is a centre of many handicrafts, such as durries (woven rugs),
carpets, printed cloth, semi-precious stones, leatherwear etc.; it will be
difficult to leave a workshop without buying anything!
*Standard Hotel*
Day 12 : Train Jaipur To Delhi; City Sightseeing
Location: Delhi
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we take an early morning express train back to Delhi. (approx. 4 ½
hours) In the afternoon we visit the walled city of Old Delhi; crowded, full
of activities and still influenced by the great Mughals who once ruled from
the ramparts of the majestic Red Fort. We visit Jama Mosque - built in 17th
century and the largest mosque in India and Rajghat - the memorial to Mahatma
Gandhi. We will also see India Gate and the vast colonial buildings as we
navigate around the city.
*Standard Hotel*
Day 13 : End Delhi.
Location: Delhi
Meals Included: Breakfast
Those on the flight inclusive package will depart for London this morning for
the daytime flight back to London; Land Only arrangements will finish after
check-out from the hotel.
**
What's Included
-
Transfer for group flights
-
All accommodation
-
All breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners included
-
Fully Guided
What's Not Included
-
Single supplement
-
Travel insurance
-
Visas and vaccinations
Food
All breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners included. India is famous for its food and there is ample chance to try various curries such as the familiar tandoori, Biriyani and Rogan Josh. But there are other specialities and Western dishes available too. In addition there are wonderful deserts and excellent beers, soft drinks and Indian specialities such as lassi, a refreshing yoghurt drink. You should allow at least GBP13-15 (approx. USD20-25) per day for lunch and dinner. You can eat out very cheaply in India, but if you go to the more expensive restaurants most of the time, you will spend more than the suggested amount. In most of the towns there is a good choice of restaurants and a choice between Indian and Western style food. If you are a vegetarian, India is probably one of the best destinations to travel to. Tea and soft drinks are very cheap. A (large!) bottle of beer is approx. GBP3 (approx. USD5). Mineral water is available in 20ltr containers in the bus, so please bring a water bottle with you to refill. Please note that service in restaurants can be quite slow.
Accommodation
During this trip, we spend 10 nights in hotels, all with en suite facilities. Accommodation for the two nights in Pushkar will be provided in en suite Swiss cottage tents with attached bathrooms.
Check out our Q&As
-
Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
-
Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
-
Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
-
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.
-
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, our local guides are English speaking.
-
Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
-
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
-
What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
-
Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
Book with Confidence
-
Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
-
Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.