Forts and Palaces of Rajasthan – India 2024
Celebrate Holi festival in Rajasthan

India! there really is no where on the planet quite like it, you cannot help but be astonished. Fabulous wealth, and grinding poverty, sit side by side, your emotions will be all over the place. The country is also vast, you could spend a lifetime visiting and never see it all. On this trip we get to explore just a small part, but one rich in "Forts and Palaces" and amazing history. India is so full-on that for me its essential to have a nice place to retreat to in the evening, freshen up, and  enjoy an evening meal and we have chosen some lovely hotels for you to do just that in. Also with our own private air conditioned vehicle, we can cover the distances between cities in relative comfort, escaping the heat of the midday. On this trip we will have a driver, helper, local guide and Richard all there to make the trip run as smoothly as possible.  So take the plunge and dive into the sensory overload which is India.

 
20th March - Arrive Delhi. (2 night stay)
Meet & Greet upon arrival in Delhi and transfer to our hotel. 
(Welcome evening meal hosted by Richard)
 
21st March - Delhi
Full day city tour of Delhi visiting: -  Laxmi Narayan Temple,
President House, Parliament House, Lotus Temple  (Bahai Temple) Humayun's Tomb,  Qutab Minar, Red Fort, Jama Masjid,  Raj Ghat. 
(Breakfast, Dinner)
 
22nd March - Delhi - Agra
(Drive 204 km - Approx.4hr)
We leave after breakfast for Agra - the city of the Taj - Located at a distance of 204 km south of Delhi,
Agra is the single most famous tourist destination of India. Situated on the west bank of River Yamuna, Agra is a part of the great Northern Indian plains. The architectural splendor of the city is reflected in the glorious monuments of medieval India built by great Mughals. 
Upon Arrival we check-in at the Hotel, before a visit to Agra Fort. Later we visit the Taj Mahal from the back entrance, the best place to see the sunset. 
(Breakfast, Dinner)

23rd March -  Agra – Bharatpur. 
(Drive 56km/1hr)
Early morning sunrise visit to Taj Mahal means "Crown Palace" the most well preserved and architecturally beautiful tomb in the world. It is best described by the English poet, Sir Edwin Arnold, as "Not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passions of an emperor’s love wrought in living stones." 

Later we head onto Bharatpur via Fatehpur Sikri, the "Deserted city" After reaching Bharatpur we visit some local sightseeing like Lohagarh Fort, and have a rickshaw ride at Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary and Government Museum, before an evening check into our hotel.
(Breakfast, Dinner)
 
24th March -  Bharatpur - Jaipur (2 night stay)
Via Abhaneri stepwell (Drive 256 km - Approx.5hr)
Today we head to Jaipur, va a visit to Abhaneri stepwell. Chand Baori Abhaneri is a village in the Dausa district of Rajasthan state in India. The city is now in ruins, constructed in AD 800 Chand Baori consists of 3,500 narrow steps over 13 stories. It extends approximately 30 m (100ft) into the ground, making it one of the deepest and largest step-wells in India. Chand Baori has been used as a filming location for a number of films such as Bhoomi, The Fall, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, The Dark Knight Rises and Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. 
(Breakfast, Dinner)
 
25th March - Jaipur (Morning celebrate Holi Festival)
Holi is an ancient Hindu tradition and also one of the most popular festivals in Hinduism. It celebrates the eternal and divine love of Radha Krishna. The day also signifies the triumph of good over evil, as it commemorates the victory of Lord Vishnu as Narasimha Narayana over Hiranyakashipu.

In the morning we join in and celebrate the Holi festival. Later proceeding for a city tour of Jaipur, Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Amber Fort Palace, Jal Mahal.
In the evening we have a cultural event, with turban demonstration, cooking dinner and gastronomy class.
(Breakfast & Cultural Dinner evening)
 
26th March - Jaipur – Pushkar
(Drive 140 km, Approx.2.5hr)
Wake up early morning and after breakfast drive to Pushkar. After hotel check in our guide will escort us through the narrow streets of the main bazar in Pushkar, covering the popular pilgrimage site Brahma Temple, and Pushkar Lake. 
(Breakfast, Dinner)

27th March - Pushkar- Udaipur (2 night stay) 
Via Sardargarh (Drive 270 km/5hr)
Today we head towards Udaipur (City of lakes), often known as the most romantic city in Rajasthan. On the way we will be visiting Sardargarh Fort, which is now converted into a beautiful grand deluxe hotel where will be having Lunch and a tour.. 
(Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)

28th March - Udaipur
After breakfast in the morning, we visit the City Palace Museum, that is located in Fateh Prakash Palace, Saheliyo Ki Bari, beautiful Lake Pichola and Fateh Sagar Lakes, Monsson Palace and Jag Mandir Island. Evening sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola is one the best experiences in Udaipur.
Evening at leisure, for dinner one can explore various lakeside casual/fine dining restaurants.
(Breakfast)

29th March - Udaipur – Jodhpur (2 night stay)
Via Ranakpur. (Drive 290 km/5hr)
In Ranakpur we visit the beautiful sculptured Jain temples, which were created in the 15 the century.
Jodhpur, is located on the eastern fringe of the Thar Desert, it is a doorway to the wonderland of sand dunes, shrubs, rocky terrain and thorny trees. It is the home of the Rathors - the awesome princely state of Rajasthan. The fortified city wall is nearly 10 km in length and has eight gates facing various directions.  Within, stands an imposing fort on a low range of sandstone hills, about 125m above the surrounding plains. Invincible! 
(Breakfast, Dinner)

30th March - Jodhpur
City tour visiting: - Mehrangarh Fort. Still run by the Maharaja of Jodhpur, this Majestic Fort is sprawled across a 125m high hill. This is one of the most impressive and a formidable fort in fort-studded Rajasthan. A winding road from the city 5km below approaches the fort passing through 7 majestic gates. Inside the fort is a series of courtyards and palaces.
Umaid Bhawan Palace, Maharaja Umaid Singhji (who built this palace) was fascinated with western lifestyles so he marshalled the services of a well-known Edwardian architect Henry Vaughan Lanchester, a creditable equal of Edward Lutyens (architect of New Delhi) to construct a three hundred and forty seven roomed Umaid Palace. This was to become India last of
the great palaces and the biggest private residence in the world.
​(Breakfast, Dinner) 

31st March - Jodhpur – Jaisalmer (2 night stay)
(Drive 280 km/5hr)
After breakfast we drive onwards, to the desert city of Jaisalmer.
This evening  we will be having dinner and a cultural dance performance at the desert sand dunes. 
(Breakfast & Cultural Dinner Evening)

1st April - Jaisalmer
The Golden City Jaisalmer. The city has some fabulous Rajasthan forts and palaces. We will visit the stunning Jaisalmer Fort, Salim, Singh ki Haveli, and Patwa Haveli. 
(Breakfast, Dinner)

2nd April :: Jaisalmer – Delhi (Drive/Fly)
Leave after breakfast for Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi, you are free to have leisure time by yourself, or hop on Delhi Metro and do your last minute shopping.
Later in the evening get prepared for our farewell dinner and time to say thank you to our local guide and helpers.
(Breakfast & Farewell Dinner)

3rd April - Delhi – International Airport Drop.
Leave after breakfast to the International airport and catch your onward international flight.

Tour ends with sweet memories…
 
Solo travellers
This trip is a twin share, or pay a single supplement for a room of your own. I will try and match you up with another solo guest of the same sex where posable, but if this cannot be done then a single room rate will be charged.
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20th March - 3rd April 2024.
Starts and finishes in Delhi (DEL)

A 15 day adventure.
Departure timed to celebrate "Holi" in Jaipur.
​
This trip is run by a local operator and will be Co-hosted by Richard and a Gay friendly local guide. OTS has negotiated a special group rate for this OTS tour of India. Register now as its filling up.
 
Min 8 and Max 12 guests, small group trip.
(2 rooms still available)
 
Inclusions:

• 14 nights accommodation bases on twin/double room with private toilet and shower.
• Welcome dinner (hosted by Richard)
• Breakfast on all days.
• 9 included buffet dinners at our hotels.
• Celebrate "Holi" in Jaipur.
• Cooking Dinner + Gastronomy class + cultural evening.
• Old Delhi Rickshaw ride
• Entrance to all the monuments highlighted in itinerary. 
• Cultural Dance + Dinner at Dunes of Jaisalmer
• Lunch at beautiful grand heritage hotel on our way to Udaipur from Pushkar.
• Boat ride at Lake Pichola in Udaipur
• Jeep ride from Amber fort back to our base in Jaipur.
• Local English speaking guide + Richard throughout the tour.
• Transportation in very comfortable, private modern airconditioned coach throughout the tour.
• Domestic flight from Jaisalmer to New Delhi in economy class with luggage restrictions. 15kgs check in and 7kg hand bag allowed (You can buy extra luggage space)
• Mineral water bottle whilst travelling. 
• Farewell dinner in Delhi and goodbye to our great team.

 
Not Included:

• International flights (Unless mentioned).
• Any hard/soft drinks at dinner/lunches provided.
• Local tips, porterage.
• Any wi-fi charges at the hotel, one can pay directly at the hotels at a small surcharge. In general, most of our hotels will allow free wi-fi access.

Please express interest ASAP as this is a small group trip and priority will be given to those that register their interest early.
 
Twin share USD $3600 pp.
Private room + USD $640

Payment can be made in your local currency USD, AUD, GBP, NZD with details sent via email.
​Credit cards Visa and Mastercard accepted at an additional charge.
​Options and methods of payment.

Due to the nature of Adventure travel and the prices of the resources on which it depends, the published price of any trip is subject to change at any time, before or after booking confirmation, up to 60 days before the departure.