Flight tickets are not included. Our travel experts will gladly help you find the cheapest flights. The price above is based on 2 adults traveling together. The price is a from-price and varies with the date. See the exact price when selecting date.
What's included?

Duration

16 days

Starts in

New Delhi

Ends in

Mumbai

Group size

Rajasthan is undoubtedly the most colourful part of India; despite being such a harsh arid area that culminates in the Thar Desert. It's the juxtaposition of the deep orange and browns of the desert with the iridescent reds, yellows, blues and greens of the saris, dhotis, and turbans that create such a vibrant atmosphere. Add in the spectacle of the multi coloured spice market, spectacular sunsets over blood orange desert sands, the vivid deep blues of Jodphur town houses, and the mirror whites of Udaipur and you get a feel for what awaits the traveller in Rajasthan.This trip takes us through the great cities of Rajasthan, through the deserts and beyond to some of India's hidden gems and none more so than the Ghost City of Mandu; yes, its way off the beaten track and takes a long time to get there, but that's why so few folks visit. Add to this the great sites and cave temples of Ellora and Ajanta and you have an amazing trip. Above all its about rural India and village life…. Oh and, of course, Mumbai and Bollywood!

Explore the backstreets and alleyways of bustling Delhi

Witness the holy rats in the Karni Mata rat temple near Bikaner

Explore Jaisalmer and all its fascintating sites

Overnight Rajasthan camel safari into the Thar Desert

Explore the blue city of Jodhpur and the mighty Mehrangarh fort

Overnight in a community guesthouse to experience true Indian hospitality

Visit and support the Sambhali Trust near Jodhpur

Discover the stunning white city of Udaipur

Visit an extensive hill-top fort from the Mughal era at Mandu

Explore the Buddhist, Jain and Hindu Caves and templed of Ellora and Ajanta

Explore chaotic and fascinating Mumbai

A great trip to show the depth of rural India and village life. The pace is relaxed with a good number of 2 or 3 night stays but also some long rural drives where road conditions are not the best. But if you are after an authentic Indian journey; you really can't go far wrong with this trip. Many small hotels and hostels with some camping including in the desert.

Itinerary

Border Information: If joining the trip in Delhi, you will most likely enter India at Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (IATA code: DEL).Today is a free day to explore Delhi. There will be an important group meeting at 6:00pm - please look for a note from your tour leader when you arrive at the hotel giving more details about this meeting.Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Delhi before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Delhi.

Today we start our journey with a full day drive to the city of Bikaner.In Bikaner we will either stay in a local hotel or camp at an eco-lodge a short distance outside the city.

Today we continue our journey with a drive to the ancient Rajasthani city of Jaisalmer, stopping at the Karni Mata (Rat Temple) for an included visit en route.

We will have free time this morning to explore the sights of Jaisalmer. In the late afternoon we will head out on an included camel safari into the Thar Desert - exploring the desert with local Rajasthani camel drivers is the most authentic way to experience the area!Tonight we will camp out on the outskirts of the desert, sleeping under the stars.

This morning we will return to Jaisalmer from our camel safari. The rest of the day will be free to relax or explore more of Jaisalmer and the surrounding area.

This morning we will drive from Jaisalmer to another famous Rajasthani city, Jodhpur. En route to Jodhpur we will make an included visit to the Sambhali Trust project (a charitable project that works for the empowerment of women and girls in Rajasthan), where we will learn about the efforts of the project and make a group donation from the kitty.After our visit we will make our way to our accommodation, rooms that have been set up by local families in their own homes for visitors. We will be splitting up into 2 or 3 small groups for our community guesthouses.

After breakfast we will have an included visit to the Mehrangarh Fort and palace. The afternoon is then free to explore this wonderful city independently.

After breakfast we set off for our drive to Udaipur, visiting the Jain Temple at Ranakpur en route. We will have 3 nights in Udaipur, giving us plenty of time to discover this amazing, romantic Rajasthani city.

On these 2 days we will have free time to explore the sites in and around Udaipur, take part in some optional activities, and relax on one of the many roof-top terraces in the city.

We have a 2nd full day in Udaipur to give us plenty of time to discover this amazing, romantic Rajasthan city and relax on one of the many roof-top terraces

Leaving Udaipur, we will be joined by a local cook who will accompany us during the next few days as we travel through Ajanta and Ellora.Today will mostly be spent travelling to Mandu via the backroads of rural Rajasthan. We will be off the tourist trail here and tonight we will camp or stay in a local hotel.

Today we will visit Mandu, an extensive and largely abandoned hill-top fort from the Mughal era. We will then spend the afternoon driving to our camping spot near Kharwand Dam, en route towards Ajanta.

Today we complete the drive to Ajanta, arriving in the afternoon. We will visit the complex of 29 ancient Buddhist temples cut into the rock face. We will find a basic camp nearby or continue onto Ellora depending on time.

Today we will drive a short distance to Ellora where we will have an included visit to the ancient Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves - a set of a small temples in the rock face dating from the 6th to 11th Centuries CE. We will camp in the grounds of a hotel tonight.

Setting off early today, we will say goodbye to our local cook and drive to the bustling city of Mumbai.

Border Information: If you are leaving in Mumbai, you will most likely exit India from Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (IATA code: BOM).Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Mumbai. Please note there is no accommodation included on the trip tonight - please contact your sales agent if you are interested in booking extra nights of accommodation in order to fully explore and take part in some of the optional activities listed below.

Summary

Witness the holy rats in the Karni Mata rat temple near Bikaner

Trek into the Thar Desert on an overnight camel safari with Rajasthani camel drivers

Visit and support the Dragoman-supported Sambhali Trust near Jodhpur and see the excellent work they do to provide local women and girls with education and vocational skills

Explore the blue city of Jodhpur and the mighty Meherangarh fort

Visit to Ranakpur Jain marble temple

Visit the tomb of Hoshang Shah, the first Muslim leader of Mandu - the tomb itself is India's first marble building and one of the most refined examples of Afghan-syle architecture in the country

Visit to the Jahaz Mahal (the Ship Palace) - the most famous building in Mandu

Visit the deserted hilltop ghost city of Mandu

Take a guided visit around the incredible Buddhist rock caves and paintings of Ajanta some dating back as far as the 2nd century BCE

Guided visit to the Buddhist Hindu and Jain rock-cut temples and monasteries of Ellora

Comfortable Hotel 2 nights
Basic Hotel 7 nights
Guesthouse 2 nights
Camping 2 nights
Camping without facilities 2 nights

Overland Expedition Vehicle, Camel

Breakfasts x 6, Lunches x 4, Dinner x 6

Book a flight

{{ cardSlider.label }}

{{ card.title }}

{{ card.title }}

{{ cardLists.others.label }}

Help

{{ cardSlider.label }}

Help

Still didn't find what you were searching for?

Rajasthan & Rajput Explorer

Rajasthan & Rajput Explorer