Classic Rajasthan

15 Days | Explore classic Rajasthan on an adventurous tour through northern India

4.9 out of 5 based on 448 reviews submitted.
Explorer
Rail
From
CHF  1,077

The enchanting northern state of Rajasthan is awash with all the colours of India. On our classic adventure, we discover the fierce history of massive forts and the opulence and splendour of Maharajahs' palaces. Stroll markets, search for the elusive Bengal tiger, enjoy a shared meal with a family in Pushkar, and soak up the culture of the local people. This is truly the essence of Rajasthan.

Trip overview

Map of Classic Rajasthan including India
Start
Delhi, India
Finish
Delhi, India
Theme
Explorer, Rail
Destinations
India
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
HHSC
This trip generates 52 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • This is our most popular trip to Rajasthan and one of the top-selling trips in our entire range. Opulent, whimsical, and endlessly fascinating – Rajasthan will no doubt capture your imagination and your heart too.
  • Don't worry if you find the idea of travelling to India daunting at first - your local leader will be on hand to give you all the insider info to help you have a memorable experience of this captivating, but sometimes challenging, country.
  • Walk past hills, shimmering lakes, and marble palaces of Udaipur – India’s most romantic city and one of our favourites. 
  • Keep your adrenaline charged with an evening tiger-spotting safari among the lakes and jungles of one of India's best known national parks - Ranthambhore.
  • Visit our local friends in their home on the border of sacred Pushkar Lake and the evocative Thar Desert. Share a meal together and gain insight into local life.
  • Could any visit to India be complete without a visit to the Taj Mahal? Here's what you need to know about your visit: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/taj-mahal-travel-guide/
  • Soak in India’s changing landscapes on a trip that uses rail travel. By choosing trains to get around, you’ll be giving yourself the best opportunity for local interaction, at a more relaxed pace.
  • 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.

Is this trip right for you?
  • We include some key sights in each destination as well as aim to provide some free time for you to make your own discoveries. Past travellers have found that some research before they travel on what they are most interested in seeing and doing has allowed them to maximise their time in each place.
  • While there is no guarantee you will see a tiger during your safari in Ranthambhore, you may have a chance to see a variety of other wildlife, including hyenas, jackals, deer, langurs, marsh crocodiles, wild boars, and birdlife.
  • Make sure your luggage is light and compact enough to be able to carry it up and down multiple flights of stairs (ie. in train stations, hotels without elevators).
  • There are a number of long travel days on this trip. Some journeys take between six to eight hours, but are a great opportunity to get to know locals, fellow travellers, and the diverse scenery. We are covering a lot of this vast country during the trip, so the journey is all part of the India experience.
  • It’s important to prepare for hot sticky temperatures during the day and cooler climates in the evening, particularly in the desert. Layers are one of the best ways to tackle this disparity in weather. We visit a number of temples on this trip, which requires a certain level of modesty. Please bring clothes that cover the arms and pants/skirts that go past the knees. A light scarf is also a good idea for covering shoulders and arms when it’s hot.

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2023 - 31 December 2024

Itinerary

Map of Classic Rajasthan including India

Inclusions

Meals

3 breakfasts, 3 dinners

Transport

Auto rickshaw, Bus, Cycle rickshaw, Jeep, Metro, Private vehicle, Shuttle Bus, Taxi, Train, Van

Accommodation

Permanent tent (1 night), Heritage Property (3 nights), Hotel (10 nights)

Activities
  • Delhi - Leader-led Old Delhi walking & rickshaw tour
  • Delhi - Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple)
  • Delhi - Visit to the Jama Masjid Mosque
  • Agra - Taj Mahal
  • Agra - Agra Fort
  • Agra - Red Fort guided tour
  • Madhogarh - Leader-led village walk
  • Madhogarh - Dinner at Fort Madhogarh
  • Jaipur - Amber Fort
  • Jaipur - Leader-led walking & market tour
  • Ranthambhore National Park - Evening wildlife safari
  • Bundi - Stepwell
  • Bundi - Bundi Palace
  • Bundi - Market visit & Chai tasting
  • Bijaipur - Countryside jeep safari
  • Udaipur - Leader-led walking tour
  • Udaipur - City Palace
  • Pushkar - Leader-led walking tour
  • Pushkar - Home-cooked Dinner
Optional activities
  • Delhi - Qutub Minar - INR600
  • Delhi - Humayun's Tomb - INR600
  • Old Red Fort - INR600
  • Agra - Additional entries to Taj Mahal - INR1300
  • Jaipur - City Palace - INR1000
  • Jaipur - Jantar Mantar Observatory - INR200
  • Jaipur - Bollywood Movie at Raj Mandir Cinema - INR400
  • Jaipur - Balloon Safari - USD280
  • Jaipur - Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Wind) - INR200
  • Bijaipur - Henna tattoo - INR150
  • Udaipur - Cultural performance - INR250
  • Udaipur - Lake boat ride - INR500
  • Pushkar - Sunrise at Savitri Temple - Free

Dates and availability

Loading trip dates and availabilities...

Important notes

1. We require a scanned copy of your passport bio page at the time of booking to secure a permit for your Ranthambhore National Park visit. Authorities at Ranthambhore NP follow a strict booking process whereby permits are issued on a first come first serve basis. If we do not receive correct passport details in time we cannot guarantee you on the tiger safari.
2. This trip travels back to Delhi on the afternoon of day 14 arriving into the capital around 11 pm. Please do not book departure flights out until at least 4 am on day 15 to allow for delays
3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
4. The Pushkar Camel Fair is held in late October and early November. Please see the 'Climate and seasonal information' section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
5. Hot air balloon flights are operated by Sky Waltz in Jaipur. Flights operate from September 1st to April 30th and last approximately 60 mins. Return transfers, tea and coffee plus light refreshments, and a certificate of flight are included in the cost. You can register your interest and pay your tour leader at your joining meeting on day 1 of your trip. Payment must be made by cash in either INR/AUD/USD/GBP only and is USD 280pp (subject to change). Flights are subject to availability and weather conditions (tickets are fully refundable in case of bad weather).
6. Due to animal welfare concerns, we no longer include camel riding on this itinerary.
7. Please provide your full name exactly as it appears on your passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport. Fees may apply for adding or amending details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases, you will be required to cover the cost of issuing a new ticket.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 448 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

Filter by rating

Andrew · Traveled October 2024
Review submitted 14 Oct 2024

Terence · Traveled October 2024
Review submitted 14 Oct 2024

Nicole · Traveled October 2024
Review submitted 17 Oct 2024

Anne · Traveled September 2024
Review submitted 13 Oct 2024

Annie · Traveled September 2024
Review submitted 13 Oct 2024
Classic Rajasthan
From
CHF  1,077