Day 1 – Welcome to Delhi
When you arrive in Delhi our local representative will be waiting for you at the airport. In the hustle and bustle of India’s largest airport, a sign with your name on it is a welcome sight. You’ll be transferred directly to a comfortable hotel, that’s well located on a quiet street in New Delhi. Touching down amidst the commotion of Delhi can be something of a culture shock, so we’ve left the rest of the day free for you to settle in and get used to the assault on the senses!
Day 2 – Explore Old Delhi with a local
Today we’ll arrange a guide in the morning and together you will explore Old Delhi. You’ll travel like the locals, taking the metro, an auto-rickshaw and a cycle-rickshaw. This way, you’ll get to know the real Delhi. You’ll visit Jama Masjid Mosque – India’s largest mosque – and the UNESCO-listed Red Fort. You’ll pass through the busy narrow streets of Chandni Chowk, the heart of the Old Town. The tour ends at modern Connaught Place, where you can plan your free afternoon with a lunch break in one of the restaurants.
Day 3 – The pink city of Jaipur
Time to swap capital cities as you depart Delhi and travel 5 hours to Jaipur, which is the capital of the state of Rajasthan. Jaipur is also known as the ‘pink city’ because many of the buildings are painted in pink-orange tones. It’s a jumble of colours, camel carts and elephants, temples, forts and palaces. You’ll stay in a friendly, family-run hotel with lots of character and Rajasthani style. Enjoy the peace and quiet of your surroundings and cool off with a dip in the hotel pool.
Day 4 – Explore Jaipur
Today, you’ll set off on a private guided tour to discover Jaipur’s highlights. You’ll visit the grand City Palace, the ancient Observatory, and the famous Palace of the Winds (Hawa Mahal). You’ll also visit Amber Fort – an impressive hilltop citadel of red sandstone and white marble. One of the fort’s highlights is the mirror palace, where thousands of tiny mirrors form a glittering mosaic.
If you’re feeling active, or want to spend another day in Jaipur, we can arrange a guided bike tour through the narrow streets, stopping for a traditional meal with a local family. Or if you love Indian food and want to try your hand at cooking a traditional meal, we can book an authentic, hands-on cooking class in the home of a local lady. Ask your Travel Specialist for more details.
Day 5 – Mystical Pushkar
Today, you’ll leave Jaipur and head for the pilgrimage town of Pushkar (approximately 3.5 hours). This small, friendly town is built around a holy lake and you’ll see pilgrims performing their ritual ablutions and pujas on the ghats leading down to the water. It’s an easy place to stroll around. We recommend wandering through the winding alleys and stopping for a masala chai in one of the cafes (many of which have rooftop terraces overlooking the lake). You may also wish to visit the Brahma Temple, which is the only Brahma temple in India and an important destination for Hindu pilgrims. You’ll spend the night in a former palace, that’s been converted into a boutique hotel and offers amazing views across the lake.
Day 6 – Rural Rajasthan: Chandelao
This morning, you’ll travel into the countryside, to the village of Chandelao, where it seems as if time has stood still. You will be staying in a 300-year-old fort in the middle of the village, that has been carefully renovated into a boutique property. The rooms are simple, but comfortable and fit in with the village atmosphere. The owner grew up here and is heavily involved in the surrounding villages, employing women from the neighbourhood.
Day 7 – Jeep tour of the countryside
After breakfast you’ll take a guided jeep tour to explore the local countryside and nearby villages. It’s a great insight into local life, and the villagers are happy to meet you. You’ll see women balancing large pots of water on their heads, pass by schools and clay huts. A stop will be made at a pottery where you’ll have the chance to try your hand at creating a pot of your own. It’s not as easy as it looks!
We’ve not planned anything else for your stay in Chandelao. There’s plenty of space at the fort for relaxing and a swimming pool. Or take a stroll into the village.
Day 8 – Jaisalmer: Golden city in the sands
Continue your journey through Rajasthan to the desert town of Jaisalmer, which is also known as the ‘Golden City’ due to its sandstone construction. Soaring from the desert, in the centre of the towering walls, is the imposing Jaisalmer Fort that’s built of sandstone and resembles a giant sandcastle. We’ll arrange a guided tour through the tangle of narrow streets so you can get your bearings. You’ll be staying for two nights in a cosy haveli in the atmospheric old town, but in between these nights we have a unique and memorable overnight experience planned …
Days 9 & 10 – Camping with camels
Jaisalmer is surrounded by the Thar Desert, which is best explored in local style, by camel. And for the ultimate desert experience you will camp amongst the sands. You’ll be driven to the edge of the desert by jeep, where you swap your mode of transport to a camel. Perched high on your camel’s back, you’ll slowly plod through the desert past tiny villages with clay huts, giving you a glimpse of Rajasthani desert life. In the afternoon the ‘camel men’ will set up your basic tented camp and prepare a traditional meal. Climb up to the top of a sand dune to see the sun set as the desert slowly turns from orange to deep blue. After a night under the stars you’ll climb back on your camel for another desert ride, before being transferred back to Jaisalmer for another night.
Day 11 – The blue city of Jodhpur
The next stop on your ultimate tour of Rajasthan is Jodhpur – around 6 hours drive from Jaisalmer. Jodhpur is also known as the ‘Blue City’ due to the blue painted, Brahmin-owned houses found in the old town. Towering above the town is the dramatic Mehrangarh Fort, one of the most impressive Mughal forts in India. You’ll stay in a traditional Rajasthani-style haveli, with plenty of character. In the evening, we recommend dinner at one of the city’s rooftop restaurants for magical sunset views over the city and fort.
Day 12 – Discover Mehrangarh Fort
Today we’ll arrange for a guided tour of the impressive Mehrangarh Fort. Inside, you’ll find beautifully carved courtyards, intricate lattice windows, and palaces filled with royal treasures. The fort’s museum tells stories of Jodhpur’s royal past, while the ramparts offer some of the best views of the city’s famous blue houses. The rest of your day is free to explore independently. Stroll through the lively Sardar Market by the clock tower, stopping for a famous makhania lassi. Head to the marble cenotaphs of Jaswant Thada or Toorji ka Jhalra, the beautifully restored stepwell.
Days 13 & 14 – Stay in a Maharajah Palace
There are magnificent Maharaja palaces all over Rajasthan. Many have been converted into hotels and for the next two nights you’ll stay in a Rickshaw favourite – Deogarh Mahal. Nestled in the Rajasthan countryside, around 3 hours drive from Jodhpur, is the small town of Deogarh, where you’ll be warmly welcomed into the palace hotel. This historic Maharaja’s palace is over 200 years old and each room is individually decorated in colonial style, with antique furnishings and artwork. Although the hotel is grand, don’t expect the luxury and mod-cons of a 5-star hotel.
The following day you’ll take a local train (that dates back to the 1930s) and embark on a two-hour journey through hilly landscapes and small villages where you’ll witness everyday scenes of rural life. It’s also a great way to meet the locals – you’ll inevitably grab the attention of the other local passengers, some of whom may want to practice their English. The rest of your time is your own. You can stroll through the narrow streets of Deogarh, where you’re likely to encounter sari-clad women, sacred cows and ox carts. Or relax in your palatial surroundings, take a dip in the pool, treat yourself to a massage, and soak up the view from the roof terrace.
Day 15 – Romantic Udaipur
It’s time to say goodbye to the palace hotel and head to Udaipur, one of the most romantic cities in India, set around a mirror-like lake surrounded by green hills. You’ll spend two nights here, staying in a traditional haveli with a roof terrace that looks out across Lake Pichola. It’s easy to wander around Udaipur yourself, visiting the City Palace and the Jagdish Temple, and you’ll have plenty of time to do this. In the evening, relax on a rooftop terrace with something cold to drink and watch the sun set.
Day 16 – Explore Udaipur by bike & boat
Most visitors to Udaipur don’t venture beyond the city, but at Rickshaw we want to take you away from the tourist hotspots, so today we’ll organise a cycling excursion that heads out of the city. Within just a few minutes’ cycling from Lake Fateh Sagar in Udaipur, you are in rural India. It’s a pleasant peddle, with minimal traffic on the roads, and the occasional small hill, particularly around the scenic Tiger Lake.
Late afternoon you’ll take a boat trip on Lake Pichola, giving you a fresh perspective on Udaipur from the water. Glide past ghats where locals gather, the ornate façades of old havelis, and the towering City Palace. You’ll also drift by the famous Lake Palace, Jag Niwas, seemingly floating like a marble dream in the middle of the lake.
Day 17 – Bundi’s ancient baoris
The next stage of your epic journey takes you to Bundi – one of the best-preserved towns in Rajasthan. The buildings are painted in Brahim-blue and there are more than 50 baoris (stepwells) to explore. These ancient baoris were designed to store water for drinking, washing and religious bathing. Be sure to visit Rani Ki Bauri, the Queen’s Stepwell. Built in 1499 to commemorate the queen’s deceased husband, this is one of the most beautiful baoris, with its marble carvings of Hindu deities. You’ll be staying overnight in a small haveli in the old town, with the Garh Palace and the Taragarh Fort as your backdrop. Head up to the rooftop terrace for a 360-degree view and watch the sunset with a drink in hand. It’s the perfect spot!
Day 18 – Ranthambore: Tigers & turrets
Now for something totally different as you head away from Rajasthan’s villages and cities to Ranthambore National Park – one of the most scenic national parks in northern India and one of the best places in the world to spot tigers in the wild. You’ll be staying in a comfortable resort in Sawai Madhopur, the town next to the national park. When you’re not on safari you can relax in the gardens and refresh with a dip in the pool. In the late afternoon, your local guide will take you to Ranthambore Fort, a massive structure full of chattering monkeys and bright green parrots. From the fort’s hilltop location, you have an impressive view of the national park.
Day 19 – Tiger spotting in Ranthambore
Today is all about wildlife spotting. Your first safari of the day begins at sunrise. The cool early morning hours are a good time to spot the park’s residents. Keep your eyes peeled for tigers, wild boar, sloth bears, monkeys and Indian gazelles. You will return to your accommodation in the late morning and can enjoy a hearty late breakfast. There will be time to relax before a second, late afternoon safari. During the safaris you will be accompanied by experienced guides from the region who know the signs to spot of nearby animals and will have interesting stories to tell about the national park.
Day 20 – Travel to Agra
After breakfast, depart Ranthambore and drive to Agra – home of the iconic Taj Mahal. It’s a journey of around 5 hours. On arrival in Agra you’ll be warmly welcomed into the cosy homestay which is your base for the night. We’ve found a handful of wonderful, small, family owned homestays that are less than 10 minutes stroll from the Taj Mahal. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning and the gardens are just the spot to relax.
In the afternoon you’ll visit some of Agra’s historic monuments with a guide. Included in the tour is Agra Fort, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most impressive Mughal forts in the country, Itmad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb, a.k.a the Baby Taj, and the gardens of Mehtab Bagh.
Day 21 – Sunrise at the Taj Mahal, and onto Delhi
The iconic Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan out of love for his deceased wife. It’s no surprise that it’s one of the most visited places in India, so we recommend to get up extra early so that you’re at the Taj Mahal before the tourist crowds. A real wonder of the world, it’s a building that will take your breath away.
Take your time to soak up the magical vibe before returning to your homestay and checking out. Your driver will be waiting to transfer you back to Delhi (approximately 4 hours). You’ll be staying in the hotel you stayed in right at the beginning of this trip.
Day 22 – Depart India
After a 3-week epic India adventure, it’s time to head home. We’ll arrange a transfer to the airport in time for your departure flight.
Accommodation
