- Rickshaw Ride in Old Delhi
- Visit to Mandawa Fort & Havelis
- Visit to Junagarh Fort and Lal Garh Palace
- Hi-Tea in Desert During Sunset in Dunes
- Visit to Bishnoi Villages near Jodhpur
- Private Boat Cruise in Lake Pichola
- Visit to The Taj Mahal
16 Day Tour Colourful Rajasthan
Tour Code: IN17
Price From
$3,799
Typically | $4,299 |
Overview
Note:
As flight times, hotels, logistical services and days of travel can be subject to availability and modifications beyond our control, if cancellations or delays should occur, we will make a conscientious effort to secure alternative arrangements of similar value to those in our booking agreement.
Day by Day Itinerary
Delhi – Mandawa – Bikaner – Jaisalmer – Jodphur – Udaipur – Jaipur – Agra - Delhi
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Australia
Delhi
Upon your arrival in Delhi, our representative will greet you at Delhi International Airport and escort you to a waiting vehicle for transfer to your hotel.
After checking into your hotel & room allocation, the rest of your day/night is yours at leisure – free to roam and explore this amazing city & your hotels services.
Delhi is the capital city of India and is regarded as the heart of the nation. The city is popular for its enriched culture and heritage. The city hosts some famous historical monuments and is developing with the passing of time. Delhi is made up of about 15 cities, spanning the period from the 11th to 20th centuries.
Delhi is made up of about 15 cities, spanning the period from the 11th to 20th centuries. There is little left of the early cities. Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad) and New Delhi, the two most recent cities and the heart of modern Delhi, are relatively intact. Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in 1650 switched the Mughal capital from Agra to Delhi. In 1911 King George V announced the transfer of the capital from Calcutta to Delhi.
Meals: inflight
Accommodation: Overnight in Delhi
Day 2: Delhi
After breakfast, please be ready in the lobby of the hotel in preparation for a full day
of touring. Enjoy a tour of Old Delhi, set in striking contrast to New Delhi. Here are very narrow streets with unregulated traffic of all kinds (where might is always right). Visit the Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque) opposite the Red Fort is the largest mosque in India & one of the greatest examples of the architectural extravaganza of the Mughal era.
We then enjoy a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk (Silver Square), the main shopping street, and a legacy of the Mughal era. Pass through the spice market and discover examples of authentic Indian street food. Then we give you the opportunity to choose your own lunch.
Afterwards, we visit Humayun’s Tomb, India’s first garden-tomb, built in 1570 to honor Humayun, the second Mughal Emperor of India. Later, visit Qutub Minar – a tall tower, built to call the devout for prayer at an adjoining mosque.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Delhi
Day 3: Delhi
Mandawa
After breakfast & check-out, we embark on the next part of our journey – Mandawa.
Mandawa is the most happening village of entire Shekhawati, it was an earliest place which made to the Shekhawati tourism map. Maharao Shardul Singh Ji of Jhunjhunu gave this area to his Son Thakur Nawal Singh, who also founded Nawalgarh. Thakur Nawal Singh built the fort at Mandawa in 1755AD.
Later in the afternoon, you will get to visit Mandawa Fort, counted amongst the most beautiful forts in Rajasthan. It reflects the royalty, magnificence and splendour of the bygone period. The Mandawa fort has painted archways that are decorated with interesting forms of paintings of Lord Krishna along with his cowherds. We also visit the Havelis – There are many havelis in Mandawa. The Binsidhar Newatia Haveli is one of the famous haveli known for its curious paintings. Inside the haveli, there are many beautiful and lively paintings.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Mandawa
Day 4: Mandawa
Bikaner
After breakfast & check-on, we continue our overland journey to Bikaner.
Bikaner is a fortified desert city on the caravan routes which originate from Africa and West Asia. The fort, founded by Raja Rai Singh and one of the best preserved in Rajasthan, is noted for its harmonious design, giving it an air of graceful dignity. 37 palaces are housed inside the fort, and many of these are lavishly decorated. This afternoon visit Junagarh Fort the fort was originally called Chintamani and was renamed Junagarh or “Old Fort” in the early 20th century when the ruling family moved to Lalgarh Palace outside the fort limits. The modern city of Bikaner has developed around the fort. The fort complex was built under the supervision of Karan Chand, the Prime Minister of Raja Rai Singh, the sixth ruler of Bikaner, who ruled from 1571 to 1611 AD. We also pay a visit to Lalgarh Palace in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Bikaner
Day 5: Bikaner
Jaisalmer
After breakfast & check-out we continue our journey to Jaisalmer.
An architectural gem in the dramatic setting of the Thar Desert, Jaisalmer was built in the 12th century by Prince Jaisal on a busy and flourishing caravan route. The wealth acquired by early settlers allowed later generations to build splendid palaces, thereby creating a town of astonishing beauty in inhospitable surroundings. Many of the settlement’s finest yellow sandstone buildings date from the 16th – 19th centuries, and the town’s intricate alleyways are adorned by beautiful havelis, intricately carved mansions commissioned by Jaisalmer’s mercantile and ministerial elite.
After checking in you may wish to take a walk through the ‘downtown’ area, explore the back alleys and numerous markets.
Balance of the day at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Jaisalmer
Day 6: Jaisalmer
This morning, after breakfast, meet us in the lobby for a day sightseeing in Jaisalmer.
Today, visit the Jaisalmer Fort; a living urban centre, with about 3000 people residing within its walls. It is honeycombed with narrow winding lanes, lined with houses and temples – along with a large number of handicraft shops, guesthouses and restaurants. Also visit, Patwaon Ki Haveli which is an interesting piece of Architecture and is the most important among the havelis in Jaisalmer. In Jaisalmer, Patwas were very rich traders along the old silk route.
This evening we take a Camel Safari in the Sam or Khuri village followed by High Tea. The journey takes you through the well-kept secrets of the desert – from nocturnal shades of the sun to ever changing colors of the vast sea of shimmering sand and barren land.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Jaisalmer
Day 7: Jaisalmer
Jodhpur
After breakfast & check-out, we will meet in the lobby for your overland transfer to Jodhpur.
Jodhpur, the second largest city of Rajasthan, was once the capital of the Marwar state. It was founded in 1459 A.D. by Rao Jodha-chief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs who claimed to be descendants of Rama – hero of the epic ‘Ramayana’. Jodhpur has a number of historical attractions and colourful markets which specialize in antiques. During the British Raj, the state of Jodhpur was the largest in Rajputana, by land area. Jodhpur prospered under the British Raj. Its merchants, the Marwaris, flourished endlessly. They came to occupy a dominant position in trade throughout India.
The rest of your day is free to relax & explore your hotel & surrounds.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Jodhpur
Day 8: Jodhpur
After breakfast, please be ready in the lobby for your day of touring.
We begin with a visit to the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort. ‘Mehrangarh’, meaning the Majestic Fort is one of the largest forts in India. Located at the center of the city the fort spreads over 3 miles. The magnificent fort was originally started by Rao Jodha in 1459. Most of the fort which stands today dates from the period of Jaswant Singh (1638-78). The fort houses some of the most intricately adorned palaces with exquisitely carved panels, latticed windows and brilliant stained glass.
This afternoon, enjoy a Jeep Safari where you will have the opportunity to witness rural tribal groups going about their daily lives, followed by lunch. Visit the adjoining villages where you will see weavers, potters and the tribal shepherds, the Bishnois. The Bhishnois were the protectors of nature for five centuries and arguably the world’s first ecologists, responsible for the survival of species such as the blackbuck antelope: the semi-nomadic Raika shepherds of Marwar whose brilliant crimson and marigold costumes would put modern designers to shame; and the Paliwals and the Meghwals, the farmers and weavers.
The remainder of your day is at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Jodhpur
Day 9: Jodhpur
Udaipur
After breakfast & check-out we continue our amazing journey to Udaipur.
En route visit the Ranakpur Jain Temples. Renowned for some of the most marvellous carved temples in Amber stone, Ranakpur is one of the five holy places of the community. These temples were created in the 15th century A..D. during the reign of Rana Kumbha and are enclosed with a wall. The central ‘Chaumukh’ or four faced temple is dedicated to the venerated the Tirthankara Rishabhji. Open on all four sides, it enshrines the four faces image of Adinath. Sprawling over 48,000 sq. feet, the temple is an astounding creation with 29 halls and 1,444 pillars – all distinctly carved. Afterwards, we continue our drive to Udaipur, a cool oasis in the heart of Rajasthan. It is probably the most romantic city in a state where every city has some romantic or exotic tale to tell.
Keep this evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Udaipur
Day 10: Udaipur
This morning, meet us in the lobby for a full day discovery tour of Udaipur.
Set out on a boat ride on Lake Pichola (subject to water levels). There is no more delightful way to see this city. While boating in Lake Pichola, you will see the City Palace and its crenelated walls, draped gracefully along a high ridge. We then visit the City Palace, the largest palace complex in Rajasthan. Though it is a conglomeration of buildings built by successive rulers, it manages to retain a surprising uniformity of design and affords fine views of the lake and the city from upper terraces.
In the afternoon, we visit Jagadish temple which enshrines a black stone image of Lord Vishnu and his vehicle – a might bird called Garuda in a brass image. The temple is a very fine example of Indo-Aryan art. The temple is still in use and is visited by colourfully dressed pilgrims.
Your evening is at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Udaipur
Day 11: Udaipur
Jaipur
After breakfast & check-out, we say goodbye to Udaipur & continue our Rajasthani Discovery to Jaipur.
Enroute, take a stop at Pushkar for lunch – where you can choose your cuisine.
Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan province. Everywhere you will see the monuments of its Mughal rulers. Jaipur is one of the main centers for shopping in India especially with regard to textiles, jewellery, stones carpets, etc.
Enjoy day at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Jaipur
Day 12: Jaipur
This morning after breakfast, be prepared in lobby of the hotel at 09:00 AM for the sightseeing tour of Jaipur.
We visit the Amber fort, which lies 7 km to the north of Jaipur. This mighty fort combines massive defences with delicate artistic details and is often a highlight of Jaipur. The fort stands at the top of a high ridge and Elephants & Jeeps transport visitors up to the main courtyard. Also, we will take a tour the famous City Palace, which is the official residence of the Maharajah (King) of Jaipur. The palace is centrally located and takes around 2 hours to fully explore all the staterooms, museums and art exhibitions. (Can you spot the Maharajah??) We also visit the solar observatory, next to the city palace, Jantar Mantar; and enjoy a brief stop at the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of Winds, a tall facade of almost one thousand windows, behind which royal ladies once took the air in privacy.
Keep remainder of the day at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Jaipur
Day 13: Jaipur
Agra
After a leisurely breakfast & check-out, we move to the next exciting city on our Rajasthani Discovery. Today we travel to the home of the most famous tour attraction in India!! Agra….
At the time of the Mughals, in the 16th & 17th centuries, Agra was the capital of the grand Mughal Empire. During this period the city became a leading centre of art, science, commerce and culture.
This afternoon we take you on a visually feast – a sunset visit to the Taj Mahal.
We then return to our hotel, where the rest of the night is yours to explore the city and your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Agra
Day 14: Agra
Delhi
After a leisurely breakfast & check-out, we move to the next exciting city on our Rajasthani Discovery. Today we make our way back to India’s capital – Delhi.
On the way, we will visit the Agra Fort. The Fort was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty till 1638, when the capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi. Enjoy the beautiful view of Taj Mahal from the fort, where Shah Jahan was a captured prisoner by his son.
After arriving into Delhi & checking in to your hotel, the rest of your day is free to relax & even catch up on some shopping & different cuisines. Ask you tour guide for some suggestions
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Overnight in Delhi
Day 15: Delhi
Australia
After a leisurely breakfast & check-out, we unfortunately have to say “alavida” or “sahaa” (goodbye until we meet again) to the Land of the Maharajahs.
After breakfast & check out, be prepared in lobby of the hotel for your transfer to Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Meals: Breakfast, infight meals
Accommodation: N/A
Day 16: Arrive Australia
Today you will arrive back home!! AVG would love to see you join us again for your next journey!! We hoped you enjoyed our discovery journey.
Meals: inflight meals
Accommodation: N/A
What's included
- Meeting & Assistance on Arrival / Departure at Airport and Hotel
- Arrival, departure Transfers, Sightseeing & excursions as per itinerary using air-conditioned Micro-Mini Coach / Mini Coach / Large Coach
- Accommodation in hotels mentioned for 14 nights with breakfast only
- English Speaking Tour Guide
- Rickshaw Ride in Chandni Chowk
- Visit to Mandawa Forts and Havelis
- Hi-Tea in Desert during sunset near Jaisalmer
- Visit to Bishnoi Villages near Jodhpur
- Private Boat Cruise in Lake Pichola
- City tour of Jaipur
- Visit to Taj Mahal & Agra Fort
- Entrances at the monuments as per the program
- Unlimited mineral water in the vehicle
- Emergency Contact List
- All applicable taxes.
- 24/7 on-tour assistance in India
- Any services other than the ones mentioned above
- Any visa fees – contact us for this
- Video Camera / Professional Camera fees at Monuments
- Any extras like Table Drinks, Telephone Calls, Laundry etc or any other items of personal nature
*Actual accommodation may vary due to availability. However, equivalent quality is guaranteed.
Fine Print
Flight Information
Airfare Information
- Airline: Air India, Thai Airlines, Singapore Airlines or similar (20kg for checked baggage per passenger and 7kg hand luggage per passenger, 01-piece check-in baggage each person only
- Some flights will require a minimum of 1 transit (maximum 2).
- All tickets will include 15 kilos checked baggage per person, along with 7 kilos of hand luggage.
- Despite the airlines baggage allowance, we recommend travelling with 15 kilos per person due to restrictions with internal flights (where applicable), as well as coach and train transportation. Also, you will be responsible for handling your luggage at all times as the services of porters is not included. If travelling over this amount, you will be liable for any excess baggage fees enforced by the airline, payable direct.
- Once ticketed, flights are non-refundable. Any changes will be subject to the airline rules and change fees.
- Full names as per passport (including all middle names) are required.
- Any airline schedule changes or cancellations are beyond our control.
- Any airline ‘extras’ such as pre-allocated seating is at your own arrangement (additional charges apply)
Premium Economy or Business Class upgrades
- Business Class upgrade available from an additional $3,000 per person (subject to availability).
Please specify this as a “Anything else we need to know?” when completing your booking and you will be quoted for the additional fare. In the event your selection is unavailable, or that you are dissatisfied with the quote, you will be provided with a full refund.
Important Information
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. Tipping is not compulsory on your trip, but they can make a big difference to locals employed in the tourism industry. If you feel that your guide and driver have done an impeccable job, you can choose to give a gratuity, but this is entirely your decision.
For the services of your guide, it is suggested that you budget for AUD$10-20 per person, per day. Tipping of your driver is also appreciated and we would suggest AUD$5 per person, per day.
As this particular tour does not collect a ‘kitty’, it is entirely up to the individual whether or not you would like to tip locals for the services of things like taxis or when dining at restaurants. In these cases, we suggest you allow 10-20% of the value of the service as a tip. Again, it is not compulsory and entirely up to the individual.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences however any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
$965 per person in addition to the twin share price.
Paired Solo Traveler
Not available.
Triple Share
Upon your request except for cruises
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
We have partnered with SureSave to offer you competitive rates for your travel insurance. You can book comprehensive or budget cover simply to arrange your policy.
Visa & Passport information
It is the traveler’s responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from your intended date of return.
An e-visa is required for entry into India. You will be able to obtain your E-visa when you have your tour documents indicating your date of entry into India, approximately 30 days prior to departure.
Please note, the ETA is limited to 60 days’ validity from the date of arrival.
You can visit https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/Registration to purchase your visa online. The cost is US$80 per person. We can assist you over the phone as best as possible, however cannot submit the application on your behalf.
Please note that the information provided is subject to change at any time. For the most up-to-date information, we recommend visiting https://smartraveller.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx
Tour Documentation
Final documentation, including e-tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size: 6-30 people
Children: Children must be 2 years old or over and share a room with parents at all times. Children are the same price as adults.
Tour Length: The total length of the tour in days includes time spent in flight and is subject to change depending on the flight schedule, please refer to the day by day itinerary for the time spent on land.
How to Extend Your Stay
Some customers like to enhance their holiday by extending their stay before/behind and/or post-tour. $200 per person is applied for trip extension or early arrivals.
If you wish to do so, please follow these steps:
- Follow the “Book Now” prompts, until you reach the “Anything else we need to know?” field
- Here, please specify your preferred flight arrangements and if you require additional accommodation, with the number of nights needed.
- After finalizing your purchase and submitting your booking form, a member of our Reservation team will be in contact with you via email to verify your request.
The additional cost for these land arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice, due 90 days prior to departure, and is strictly subject to availability.
Dates & Prices
Please select your desired travel date below and submit.