Resplendent Rajasthan – £1,799

THE FULL ITINERARY

 DAY 4:

TO THE TAJ!

All aboard this morning! You’ll take the Shatabdi Express to Agra, accompanied by our guide. Take a tuk tuk to your hotel in Agra, the ITC Mughal. The first trip today will be an excursion to the incredible Taj Mahal, erected over 22 years in white marble by Shah Jahan in honour of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. You will have ample time to explore this magnificent monument – don’t forget to get a close-up of the marble inlay work. Next, make your way to Agra Fort, a sprawling complex of palaces, courtyards, gardens, pavilions and mosques. Finally take in the sunset from Mehtab Bagh, where there is a stunning view of the Taj Mahal from across the river.

Inclusions:

• Travel by train to Agra
• Visit the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort
• Take in an unforgettable sunset over the Taj from Mehtab Bagh
• Breakfast
• Twin/Double Room at the ITC Mughal

 DAY 5:

THE PINK CITY

Take an early morning tuk tuk back to the railway station for your train to Jaipur. On arrival, jump into an E-Rickshaw, a faster and cleaner alternative to a traditional tuk tuk. Your first visit today will be the City Palace, the current residence of the royal family of Jaipur. Discover beautifully painted doorways, exquisite paintings, armoury, art, jewellery and textiles. Afterwards, explore the bazaars of Old Jaipur on foot where you can witness skilled artisans create India’s finest arts and crafts, and perhaps purchase a prized piece for yourself. Meet the locals and sample some of the city’s culinary delights including samosa kachori, kulfi and lassi. Your home for the next two nights is the Dera Mandawa, a beautifully constructed boutique hotel in the traditional Jaipuri style.

Inclusions:

• Travel by train to Jaipur
• Explore the City Palace and the bazaars of Old Jaipur
• Sample local delicacies
• Breakfast
• Twin/Double Room at Dera Mandawa

 DAY 6:

AMBER FORT AND FOOD

Take a tuk tuk to Amber Fort, Jaipur’s most iconic fortress. Perched on top of a hillock, the fort was constructed to be impregnable with the battlements surrounding it. Overlooking the Maota Lake and sprawling over the hills, it really is a phenomenal sight. You’ll explore palaces, gardens and courtyards, intricately decorated with lattices and colourful frescoes. You will take a local jeep ride to and from the base of the Fort. Return to the Dera Mandawa where you’ll roll up your sleeves for a hands-on cooking session, learning about traditional Rajasthani cuisine before enjoying dinner with the owners of the hotel. Take home the recipes which you can easily replicate at home!

Inclusions:

• Visit Amber Fort, travelling by tuk tuk and local jeep
• Learn to cook traditional Rajasthani food
• Breakfast and dinner
• Twin/Double Room at Dera Mandawa

 DAY 7:

GIVING BACK IN JODHPUR

Take a train to Jodhpur where you’ll then take a local tuk tuk to your home for the next four nights, the RAAS Jodhpur. Overlooked by the Merangarh Fort, the views especially at night are breathtaking. There’s some time to settle in and relax before meeting the women of the Sambhali Trust, an NGO focused on the development and empowerment of marginalised women in Rajasthan. Over the next three days you will volunteer here, as well as take engaging excursions in and around Jodhpur. Enjoy a cup of tea with the women before returning to your hotel.

Inclusions:

• Travel by train to Jodhpur
• Orientation at the Sambhali Trust
• Breakfast
• Twin/Double Room at RAAS Jodhpur

 DAY 8:

SHOPPING AND COOKING LIKE A LOCAL

Start your day with a visit to Sadar Bazaar. On the way, make a stop at the 100 year old Clock Tower, major city landmark. At the bazaar, you’ll explore labyrinthine shops selling vegetables, spices, textiles, silver and handicrafts. Here, learn to bargain like a local – every transaction is negotiated! Pick up fresh vegetables, spices and other ingredients which you’ll then take to the women of the Sambhali Trust, where you’ll help them to prepare lunch. Afterwards, engage in sewing and embroidery work, aiding the women in finishing their handmade products.

Inclusions:

• Hunt for bargains and learn to barter in Sadar Bazaar
• Cooking like a local with the Sambhali Trust
• Working with local women to create handicrafts
• Breakfast
• Twin/Double Room at RAAS Jodhpur

 DAY 9:

MEHRANGARH FORT

You’re in for a treat today. Start off with a visit to Jaswant Thada, built in the 19^th century. This cenotaph is a royal mausoleum and a classic example of Rajputana architecture. Next, head to Mehrangarh Fort. Built in the 15^th century, this fort is considered to be the most formidable and magnificent in all of Rajasthan. You’ll see many styles of architecture, constructed over an incredible 500 years, and priceless relics of the Jodhpur Royal Family housed in the museum.

In the afternoon, head out to the women’s empowerment and education centre for the children of the Sambhali Trust where you’ll assist long term volunteers and tutors, and enjoy a lunch prepared by the women of the trust. Later, you’ll take part in a hands-on block printing workshop run by the trust, learning to stamp designs on to cotton or silk fabrics.

Inclusions:

• Visits to Jaswant Thada and Mehrangarh Fort
• Assisting the tutors of the Sambhali Trust
• Block printing workshop
• Breakfast
• Twin/Double Room at RAAS Jodhpur

 DAY 10:

MEET INDIA’S ORIGINAL ECO WARRIORS

After breakfast, head out on local jeeps to the Bishnoi villages on the outskirts of Jodhpur. Bishnois are well known lovers of nature and staunch environmentalists. They never harm any animal or fell trees. Wood is collected for burning only once it has fallen to the ground. All Bishnois are vegetarians, and believe in the sanctity of life as laid down by the 15th century Guru Jambeshwar in the form of 29 basic tenets, hence BIS (twenty) and NOI (nine). They further believe their ancestors are reincarnated as black buck deer. Herds of this endangered species can be seen roaming about freely near the Bishnoi villages. Spend some time with the Bishnois to learn about their way of life, and enjoy a freshly home cooked lunch in the house of a Bishnoi family. Next, head back to the Sambhali Trust where there will be a feedback session covering the last three days of volunteering and a final visit to the Empowerment Centre.

Inclusions:

• Visit the Bishnoi Villages
• Enjoy a traditional vegetarian lunch with a Bishnoi family
• Breakfast and lunch
• Twin/Double Room at RAAS Jodhpur

 DAY 11:

ARTISANS OF UDAIPUR

Today you’ll transfer to Udaipur by coach. On arrival, you’ll check into your hotel, the Prem Kunj. A small, boutique hotel, the Prem Kunj is surrounded by hills and has a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. This afternoon, take a tuk tuk to the homes of some of Udaipur’s most talented artisans. You’ll witness the skills of these artisans as they create hand printed textiles, tie-dye, and an artist showcasing the rare art of koftgari – the art of weapon ornamentation with hair-thin precious metal wires.

Inclusions:

• Visit the artisans of Udaipur
• Breakfast
• Twin/Double Room at Prem Kunj

 DAY 12:

UDAIPUR EXPLORATION

Start with a visit City Palace, overlooking Lake Pichola. This sumptuous palace was built in 1725 with filigreed balconies, ornate windows and craftsmanship in glass. The royal palace walls stretch over a mile on the eastern side of the lake. Within the palace is a maze of courtyards, apartments and decorated halls. The rooms are covered with frescoes, displays of royal processions, stone and glass mosaics and ornamental doors and painted windows. Later walk through the old market behind the City Palace past local shops to reach Jagdish Temple. Made in the Indo-Aryan style of architecture, this three-storied temple comprises beautifully carved pillars, decorated ceilings, painted walls and lush halls. Continue to Saheliyon-ki-Bari, located on the banks of Fateh Sagar Lake. This garden was built by Maharana Sangram Singh in 18th century for the ladies of the royal court. This small, quaint ornamental garden with lush green lawns, marble art and fountains. You’ll finish the day with a tranquil boat ride on the waters of Lake Pichola.

Inclusions:

• Explore the City Palace and Jagdish Temple
• Wander through the serene gardens of Saheliyon-ki-Bari
• Take a peaceful boat ride on Lake Pichola
• Breakfast
• Twin/Double Room at Prem Kunj

 DAY 13:

UDAIPUR BY BICYCLE

Jump on a bike to explore the city of Udaipur. You’ll get a peek into the hustle and bustle of city life as you explore the heart of the city, stopping off at various points to visit local craftsmen and artists. Return to the hotel and take in your last moments in Udaipur before transferring to the train station for an overnight train back to Delhi. You’ll take the Mewar Express and share a 4-berth cabin with your fellow travellers.

Inclusions:

• Explore Udaipur by bicycle
• Overnight train to Delhi
• Breakfast and box dinner on the train
• Shared 4-berth cabin on board the Mewar Express

 DAY 14:

DEPARTING DELHI

There’s an early morning arrival into Delhi where you’ll be met on arrival before transferring to Delhi International Airport for your onward flight. If you need a day room or additional overnights just let us know and we can arrange this for you at additional cost.

Inclusions:

• Box breakfast on board the Mewar Express
• Transfer to Delhi International Airport