From CAD 3,042 Was CAD 3,380
Guarantee
Small Group
Light
Rating
(20 reviews)
Experience Overview
Colourful and chaotic, vibrant, and romantic – welcome to Rajasthan. Explore India’s captivating northwest on this 15-day tour, taking in immense desert cities, the treasures of the maharajah, and forts with fascinating histories. Marvel at the grandeur of the Taj Mahal in Agra, camp under the stars in the Thar Desert and immerse yourself in romantic Jodhpur. This tour doesn’t just cover Rajasthan’s many bucket-list-worthy sites but it also immerses you in the thrum of daily life through village walks, market explorations and plenty of memorable meals. Add a touch of comfort and some very special heritage property accommodation for a true Rajasthani travel adventure.
Highlights
- You may have seen hundreds of photos of it already but laying eyes on the Taj Mahal for yourself during a guided tour is bound to leave a deep impression.
- From hitting up a local cinema for a Bollywood movie to desert camping – this trip will show you Rajasthan from every angle.
- In addition to your local leader, connect with local guides at historical sites and upon arrival in cities to add unmatched regional knowledge to your experience.
- Enjoy two home-cooked meals with local families and sample Jain cuisine at a temple while sharing local culture, stories and traditions with new friends.
- Taste the snack highlights of Jaipur and get to know your female driver on a tour with the eco-friendly Pink City Rickshaw Company, a non-profit providing employment and economic independence to women from low-income households.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Positive Change for Marine Life. Donations help them to nurture ocean health with community-led conservation initiatives that inspire coastal restoration, sustainable fishing practices and waste-management.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2073
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Comfortable
Transport: Auto rickshaw,Plane,Private vehicle,Train
Guide Language: English
Supplier Code: HHKR
Starts: Delhi, India
Finishes: Delhi, India
Duration: 15 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating:
Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (14), Lunch (3), Dinner (3)Accommodation: Camping (with facilities) (1 night),Heritage Property (1 night),Hotel (12 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 3042 (CAD 203 /day)
Itinerary
Namaste! Welcome to India. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive in Delhi with time to spare, perhaps pay a visit to the World Heritage-listed Humayun's Tomb or the 12th-century Qutub Minar. After meeting your leader and fellow travellers, you may like to join the group for an optional dinner at a local restaurant.
Included Activities:
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Today you will travel by air-conditioned train to the Mughal city of Agra. After arriving, meet your local guide who will show you around two Agra icons. First, visit the spectacular Taj Mahal. Take in the beauty of this 17th-century masterpiece of white marble set amid beautiful formal gardens. Next, visit the nearby Agra Fort, a huge complex built originally as a military structure of red sandstone by Emperor Akbar in 1565. In your free time, perhaps enjoy a drink or meal at Sheroes Hangout, a social enterprise that employs women affected by acid attacks.
Included Activities:
- Agra - Taj Mahal
- Agra - Agra Fort
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Today you will rise early and leave via private vehicle for Jaipur. Your first stop is the deserted Mughal kingdom of Fatehpur Sikri. Built during the reign of Emperor Akbar, it was abandoned shortly after his death due to a lack of available water. With a local guide, tour the stunning mosque, Jama Masjid, striking a lovely pose within the settlement, combining Persian and Hindu aesthetics. See its staggering 54-metre-high main entrance called Buland Darwaza (Gate of Victory) which commemorates Akbar’s great victory in Gujarat. Arrive this afternoon in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan and said to be one of the most pedestrian friendly cities in India. Meet your local guide to put that to the test among bustling, brightly-coloured bazaars filled with hand-crafted textiles, folk art, and semi-precious stones. Here, traditionally dressed Rajput men wearing colourful turbans and sporting magnificent moustaches will make their way through crowded streets packed with cars, camel carts, rickshaws, trucks, and bicycles.
Included Activities:
- Fatehpur Sikri - Guided tour
- Jaipur - Walking tour with a local guide
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Start your day with some free time in Jaipur. If you’re up for it, go for an optional hot air balloon experience over the city, which is a highlight for many travellers. Later, join a local guide and travel out to the stunning medieval Amber Fort not far from the city. This 16th-century marvel is a great example of Rajput architecture. Take your time, as you'll need several hours to explore this massive fortification. Back in Jaipur, continue to indulge in the delights of Indian culture by watching a Bollywood film of action, romance, drama or music (sometimes all rolled into one) at the renowned Raj Mandir Cinema. Then it’s time to do as the locals do and eat your way around the city on a rickshaw tour! The Pink City Rickshaw Co. is a non-for-profit organisation that employs more than 200 women from low-income households in Jaipur. Your first stop is to pick up some kachoris, a delicious fried snack, followed by sweet lassis. Continue to a shop serving kulfis, a popular frozen dessert, before finishing up at an establishment offering cardamom tea, the perfect way to round off the day. If you’re still peckish for dinner, ask your leader for some recommended dining spots.
Included Activities:
- Jaipur - Bollywood Movie at Raj Mandir Cinema
- Jaipur - Amber Fort
- Jaipur - Pink City Rickshaw Food Tour
Optional Activities:
- Jaipur - Balloon Safari (280 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Today you will drive from Jaipur to the Shekhawati region. Mandawa is a remote town in the centre of the region, an old trading outpost between the Middle East and China known for its forts and havelis that offer a glimpse of the the cultural and social hotspot this place used to be. Our lunch stop today will be in Nawalgarh at a local restaurant that will allow you to explore more of the region’s different dishes. On arrival in Mandawa, check into your resort before joining your leader for a walking tour of the town. If time permits later in the day, kick back at the resort’s pool, spa or bar.
Included Activities:
- Mandawa - Leader-led orientation walk
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Enjoy a day of exploring this amazing town, which is often referred to as an outdoor museum. Mandawa is famous for its ornate havelis (private residences). A local guide will lead you on a haveli tour where you'll notice that some are faithfully restored while others are crumbling. The havelis of this particular part of India are recognised around the country for their lavishly painted walls and art. This evening, share a meal of spicy Northern Indian food with your fellow travellers at Castle Mandawa before retiring for the night back at our resort.
Included Activities:
- Mandawa - Guided haveli tour
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Travel into the Thar Desert to the fortified town of Bikaner, which was an important staging post along some of history’s great caravan routes, and thus houses a multitude of bazaars along with an impressive fort and palace. We’ll visit the massive 16th century Junagarh Fort with a local guide to learn about its impressive history. Later this afternoon, visit the museum at the National Camel Research Centre, established to understand and protect these hardworking desert animals. Don’t miss the camel milk parlour where you can try out ice creams and beverages. This evening, we’ll venture out for an auto rickshaw ride through the town and its market to enjoy some tea, samosas and Indian treats.
Included Activities:
- Bikaner - Junagarh Fort
- Bikaner - National Camel Research Centre
- Bikaner - Tuk-Tuk ride with snacks
Accommodation:
- Heritage Property (Number of Nights: 1)
Today forge deeper into the Thar Desert on a desert camp safari. Drive through the dunes to a stunning campsite with spectacular views. Enjoy a traditional Rajasthani dinner as the sun sets and spend the evening around a campfire under a sea of stars before falling asleep to the desert ambiance in your comfortable permanent tent.
Included Activities:
- Thar Desert - Desert camping with dinner
Accommodation:
- Camping (with facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)
Emerge from the desert this morning and travel along a desert road to the yellow sandstone citadel of Jaisalmer. Watch as this ‘living fort’ rears its head in the arid, flat desert. Our local guide will lead you through the snaking alleyways of Jaisalmer, which are filled with markets and intricately carved houses. This evening perhaps ask your leader for their favourite local places to eat.
Included Activities:
- Jaisalmer - Walking tour with a local guide
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Enjoy further time exploring the immense Jaisalmer fort with the group on a guided walking tour this morning. Within the fort itself is a maze of houses, temples, shops and restaurants, not to mention some 3,000 permanent residents. Track down some dazzling Rajasthani fabrics, marvel at the spectacular facades of the Patwa ki Haveli and Salim Singh-ki-Haveli. This afternoon is yours to spend as you’d like. You may wish to simply wander the labyrinthine paths and soak up the atmosphere, or visit the Jaisalmer Folklore Museum on the banks of Garsisar Lake in the Mehar Bagh Garden. As night falls you will join a local family in their home for a delicious thali-style dinner. Tuck into pakoras, vegetable curries, chapatis and a very sweet treat to round out the meal.
Included Activities:
- Jaisalmer - Home-cooked dinner
Optional Activities:
- Jaisalmer - Folklore Museum (500 INR)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Today you drive across the desert to discover Rajasthan's second-largest city, the frenetic Jodhpur. Jodhpur abounds in antique shops and, according to many locals, has the best lassi in India. While you are here you will explore the colossal Mehrangarh Fort with a local guide. This 15th century fort sits 125 metres above the city. Inside the walls, enjoy the intricate carvings and expansive courtyards, but don’t forget to take a look out over the expansive views from the fort’s ramparts.
Included Activities:
- Jodhpur - Meherangarh Fort
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
From Jodhpur, you will travel through the beautiful hamlet of Ranakpur. Ranakpur is the home of a host of beautifully carved white marble Jain temples. These staggering complex temples attract Jain pilgrims from all over India, making Ranakpur one of the most important pilgrim destinations for Jains in India. We enjoy a Jain lunch at a temple today. Jain vegetarian cuisine is noteworthy for not including anything grown underground, to prevent harming small insects and microorganisms and to prevent killing the entire plant, unlike foods harvested from plants that grow above ground. From here you will continue on your journey to gorgeous Udaipur.
Included Activities:
- Ranakpur - Jain Temples
- Ranakpur - Lunch at Jain temple
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Enjoy some time exploring the atmospheric laneways of Udaipur with your leader. Watch out for elephants and cows! You will be joined by a local guide to visit the City Palace while you're here, one of the largest royal palaces in India. This structure took 400 years to build and hosts a range of treasures and antiquities, from vivid murals to royal utensils. Join a local family in their home for a home-cooked lunch, savouring local lentil, potato and paneer dishes. This afternoon, take a boat ride across Pichola Lake, the largest body of water in Udaipur, to get a totally different view of this charming townscape.
Included Activities:
- Udaipur - City Palace
- Udaipur - Lake Pichola boat ride
- Udaipur - Leader-led walking tour
- Udaipur - Home-cooked lunch
Optional Activities:
- Udaipur - Ayurvedic Massage (1200 INR)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
After a free morning, take a flight back to Delhi, arriving late in the afternoon. After checking into your hotel, you may like to join your fellow travellers for an optional farwell dinner or enjoy an evening of free time.
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Your trip comes to an end after breakfast this morning. There are no other activities planned for the day and you can depart the hotel at any point this morning. For those who wish to stay on in Delhi to further explore the city, we are happy to help in booking accommodation (subject to availability).
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Rhonda - Traveled, March 2024
Well organised trip with variety of experiences. Unfortunately food poisoning affected around half the group despite us only eating at the hotels, included meals and lunch stops.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/02/2024
Sandra - Traveled, March 2024
Excellent first trip to India, Rajasthan is so stunning with the Forts, the karawan cities, haveli houses. Food absolutely stunning! Our guide Parik was amazing and made this trip unforgettable. Will come back to India!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/01/2024
Anna - Traveled, March 2024
A great trip jam-packed with activities to truly get the full Rajasthan experience. Our leader Parikshit took great care of our group, making our experience fun, informative and the whole trip efficiently run.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/31/2024
Stephen - Traveled, March 2024
This trip definitely took me outside of my normal comfort zone, but I am going to recommend to all my friends. Fantastic starter package for becoming a world traveler.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/31/2024
Janine - Traveled, March 2024
I was a single female traveller in early 60s. The trip was amazing. Saw all the must see sites and experiences. The group was able to celebrate Holi which was a highlight. Our leader, Parikshit was really fabulous and significantly contributed to a wonder trip. Taj Mahal did not disappoint. A great trip for a taste of Rajisthan and highly recommend.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/06/2024
Stephen - Traveled, March 2024
I chose Intrepid over other travel groups because the are a social organization that tries to the people in the region where people are touring. My funds are invested back into these communities.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/11/2024
Jennifer - Traveled, March 2024
Great itinerary and loved all the more original things included in the itinerary like meals in family homes, glamping in the desert etc. Also loved the small group numbers with maximum 12 people on each tour. Tour leader was very knowledgeable, easy going and super organised. Will definitely look into future Intrepid tours.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/24/2024
Jim & Vicki - Traveled, March 2024
This was our third Intrepid tour and it did not disappoint us. We love that your holiday is all planned out and you just get up and go each day. Absolutely recommend Intrepid and can't wait to do a few more tours in the future.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/02/2024
Rosetta - Traveled, March 2024
The 15 day Rajasthan Experience was a wonderful experience for a first time traveller to India. I enjoyed every second of the tour, seeing magnificent buildings and beautiful locations. The small tour group was perfect for me and our lovely tour guide made travelling easy and so enjoyable. I'll be booking more Intrepid tours in future.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/01/2024
Teresa - Traveled, March 2024
Jitu our guide made everything easy to relax into. Varied with lots of city tours, visits to historical buildings, artisan shops and private homes. Full on itinerary and food accommodation great. Our first time to India. Excellent. Highly recommend
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/17/2024
Cynthia - Traveled, February 2024
I am a travel agent and chose to do the 'Rajasthan Experience' for my personal holiday. Intrepid Travel fits my style, as it is well-paced, relaxed and informative with great itineraries. I will be recommending Intrepid now that I have experienced one of their tours, and I am already trying to decide which one to do next.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/13/2024
Karl - Traveled, February 2024
A well put together trip that includes all the main sites you'd expect but also lots of other surprising gems that really enhance the experience and understanding of Indian culture. Very leased with the trip and would recommend it highly
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/04/2024
Carol Nami - Traveled, February 2024
Our guide Mahaveer made this interesting trip to a wonderful experience - thank you!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/11/2024
George - Traveled, February 2024
Guide was excellent and very knowledgeable, with a good sense of humour. The trip have a great insight to the area, warts and all. The food was marvellous!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/08/2024
Caroline - Traveled, February 2024
On this tour, you'll learn in-depth about history, religion, and culture in India. The diversity of sites is almost overwhelmingly exciting- you'll visit fascinating, vast, beautiful castles and forts ; spend time in the desert visiting a camel farm and Hindu temples; watch many artists at work. The guide, Kuldeep, is highly competent, kind, attentive and knowledgeable throughout the experience,
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/03/2024
Ruth - Traveled, February 2024
A fantastic trip exploring many incredible world heritage sites across Rajasthan. Great food; no-one got sick in 2 weeks, great cultural experiences, and a great guide who helped us understand Indian history, culture and current affairs. Highly recommended.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/06/2024
Fiona - Traveled, February 2024
Cannot fault Intrepid and our leader Kuldeep for a fantastic experience as well as our driver Paven. Every day was a cultural and gastronomic adventure. We learned so much. Would have appreciated 2 nights in Jodhpur as the time there was too little.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/02/2024
Leanne - Traveled, February 2024
We thoroughly enjoyed the many amazing sights and experiences. Great food and hotels. Excellent tour guide. Friendship and the real India!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/26/2024
Rupert - Traveled, February 2024
This was a fantastic trip: everything you would want in an India tour: forts, castles, temples, cities - but also some incredible surprises. Highly recommended.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/18/2024
Carol - Traveled, February 2024
Wonderful itinerary for my first trip to India. Absolutely loved it and am already planning to return. Impressive sites, interesting history, delicious food, and very welcoming people. Highly recommended.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/19/2024
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