Rajasthan Experience





Discover romantic, colourful cities set among pristine desert dunes in India
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. Check out the grandeur of the Taj Mahal in Agra, camp under the stars in the Thar Desert and immerse yourself in romantic Jodhpur. This trip 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.
4.9
221 reviewsStart: Delhi, India
End: Delhi, India
- Duration
- 15 days
- Group size
- 1 to 12
- Minimum age
- 15 years old
- Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time
Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time
Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities
Premium: Our best accommodation, exclusive inclusions and our most experienced leaders
- Comfort
- Theme
Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
- Explorer
- 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
Why you'll love this trip
- Lay your eyes on the Taj Mahal during a guided tour that’s bound to leave a deep impression.
- Visit a local cinema for a Bollywood movie and go camping in the desert – this trip will show you Rajasthan from every angle.
- 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.
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025
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.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
- Delhi - Humayun's Tomb - INR600
- Delhi - Qutub Minar - INR600
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
The arrival transfer is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through Intrepid. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 14 days prior to travel, as we may not be able to confirm a request made within 14 days of travel.
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.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Agra - Taj Mahal
- Agra - Agra Fort
Today’s train travel time is approximately 3 hours.
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.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Fatehpur Sikri - Guided tour
- Jaipur - Walking tour with a local guide
Driving time today is approximately 5 hours.
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.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Jaipur - Bollywood Movie at Raj Mandir Cinema
- Jaipur - Amber Fort
- Jaipur - Pink City Rickshaw Food Tour
- Jaipur - Balloon Safari - USD280
The balloon 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 can be made by credit card or cash in either INR/AUD/USD/GBP. Flights are subject to availability and weather conditions (tickets are fully refundable in case of bad weather).
Say goodbye to Jaipur this morning and travel to the city of Udaipur in the Aravalli hills. You’ll pass through small towns, rural stretches and hilly terrain on the way. You’ll drive by fields of camels and cattle and the occasional palace or fort peeking out of a hilltop in the distance. This evening, take a boat ride across Pichola Lake, the largest body of water in Udaipur, to get a totally different view of this charming townscape.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Udaipur - Lake Pichola boat ride
Your travel time today will be approximately 6-7 hours.
Explore the atmospheric laneways of Udaipur with your leader this morning. 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. The rest of the evening is free to explore or rest at your own pace.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Udaipur - Leader-led walking tour
- Udaipur - City Palace
- Udaipur - Ayurvedic Massage - INR1200
From Udaipur, you'll travel through the beautiful hamlet of Ranakpur on your way to Jodhpur. 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. From here, you’ll continue your journey to Jodhpur and in the evening, you’ll have free time to stroll around the Mandore gardens, which is also a home for ancient royal cenotaphs.
- Heritage Property (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Ranakpur - Jain Temples
Your travel time today will be approximately 8 hours.
This morning, visit the colossal Mehrangarh Fort with a local guide. This 15th century fort sits 125 metres above the city. Inside the walls, you’ll see intricate carvings and expansive courtyards, but don’t forget to look out over the expansive views from the fort’s ramparts. After, walk around the blue city of Jodhpur – Rajasthan's second-largest city. Jodhpur is filled with antique shops and, according to many locals, has the best lassi in the country. This evening, sit down for a vegetarian dinner with a local family to learn more about the cuisine, the area and the people who call it home.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Jodhpur - Meherangarh Fort
Today’s travel time is approximately 7 hours.
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.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Jaisalmer - Walking tour with a local guide
- Jaisalmer - Folklore Museum - INR500
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
Wake up this morning and continue exploring the immense Jaisalmer fort with the group. Within the fort itself is a maze of houses, temples, shops and restaurants, not to mention some 3000 permanent residents. Track down some Rajasthani fabrics, look at the facades of the Patwa ki Haveli and Salim Singh-ki Haveli. This afternoon, join a local family for a Thali lunch before you forge deeper into the Thar Desert on a desert camp safari. Drive through the dunes to a campsite with spectacular views where you’ll sit down for a traditional Rajasthani dinner as the sun sets and spend the evening around a campfire.
- Glamping Tent (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Thar Desert - Desert camping with dinner
Your travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours.
Emerge from the desert this morning and travel 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. Then, have lunch at Kheechan, known for its migratory birds like the eurasian crane. In the evening, you'll venture out for an auto rickshaw ride through the town and its market to enjoy some tea, samosas and Indian treats, and iconic sharbat from Chunni lal. Sitting down in a restaurant might be nice at times, but tonight you’ll take an evening local street food tour for dinner to get an authentic taste of the town.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Bikaner - Tuk-Tuk ride with snacks
Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.
Visit the massive 16th century Junagarh Fort with a local guide this morning to learn about its impressive history then leave Bikaner to head to Mandawa – a remote town in the centre of the region. Mandawa is an old trading post between the Middle East and China known for its forts and havelis that offer a glimpse into the cultural and social hotspot this place used to be. When you arrive in town, you’ll check into your resort with time to rest or grab lunch, relax by the pool or visit the spa.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Bikaner - Junagarh Fort
- Mandawa - Leader-led orientation walk
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.
Spend the day exploring this amazing town, which is often referred to as an outdoor museum and is famous for its ornate havelis. 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.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Mandawa - Guided haveli tour
After breakfast, leave the countryside behind and get back to the beating rhythm of Delhi. When you arrive, you’re free to rest and recharge. You might like to get together with your group for a special dinner to celebrate your adventure – your leader will have some great recommendations on local spots to eat.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
Your travel time today will be approximately 5-6 hours.
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).
- Breakfast
Inclusions and activities
14 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
Auto rickshaw, Private vehicle, Train
Glamping (with facilities) (1 night), Heritage Property (1 night), Hotel (12 nights)
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
- Agra - Taj Mahal
- Agra - Agra Fort
- Fatehpur Sikri - Guided tour
- Jaipur - Walking tour with a local guide
- Jaipur - Bollywood Movie at Raj Mandir Cinema
- Jaipur - Amber Fort
- Jaipur - Pink City Rickshaw Food Tour
- Udaipur - Lake Pichola boat ride
- Udaipur - Leader-led walking tour
- Udaipur - City Palace
- Ranakpur - Jain Temples
- Jodhpur - Meherangarh Fort
- Jaisalmer - Walking tour with a local guide
- Thar Desert - Desert camping with dinner
- Bikaner - Tuk-Tuk ride with snacks
- Bikaner - Junagarh Fort
- Mandawa - Leader-led orientation walk
- Mandawa - Guided haveli tour
- Delhi - Humayun's Tomb - INR600
- Delhi - Qutub Minar - INR600
- Jaipur - Balloon Safari - USD280
- Udaipur - Ayurvedic Massage - INR1200
- Jaisalmer - Folklore Museum - INR500
This trip generates 71 kg of CO2-e per person per day
Learn more about our climate commitment.
When you travel with us, The Intrepid Foundation gives you more opportunities to support important causes in destinations you visit.
Before you book you should know
- In order to see as much as possible in the vast north of India, this trip involves some long travel days. We use a variety of transport to get around, from train to private vehicles and auto-rickshaws. Packing light will make moving around easier!
- Don’t underestimate the weather at any time of year in India. In the summer months, heat can be extreme. In winter months, some travellers have been surprised at the cool of the evenings. A hat, sunscreen, and clothing that can be layered will serve you well year-round.
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
ACCOMMODATION
The hotel accommodation on this trip is in air-conditioned rooms. Some areas of India experience daily load shedding. This is where the power may be turned off at certain times of the day and usually occurs for a few hours in the early afternoon. Most hotel properties have a restaurant or cafe serving local meals. Many restaurants and hotels do not serve alcohol for religious reasons or due to local laws.
SHOWERS:
Showers at some hotels only have hot water at peak times (usually morning and evening). Outside of these times, you may need to speak to reception to obtain hot water.
WIFI:
Generally, WiFi is available in most parts of India and at most of the accommodation we use. Sometimes it's free in the room, other times only available in reception or public areas. A general rule of thumb is the more expensive the hotel, the higher charge for WiFi access. Your group leader or local representative can assist locally in accessing the internet.
ISSUES:
If you have any issues with your room, please speak to the hotel and your group leader or local representative right away rather than your travel agent so that the problem can be addressed without delay.
CAMPING IN THE THAR DESERT:
We stay in permanent tents for our stay in the Thar Desert. Tents have beds, with all bedding provided and an attached bathroom, generally with cold water only.
Bloomroom Karol Bagh
17A/32, Gurudwara Rd, near Decor World, Block 10, WEA, Karol Bagh
Delhi
110005
INDIA
Instructions
Delhi's Indira Gandhi's International Airport is approximately 15km from Karol Bagh. One of the biggest airports in the world, it can be quite chaotic and can take some time to process your visa and collect your luggage.
Intrepid offer a pre-arranged transfer service option. Enquire with your agent and advise your flight arrival details at least 14 days prior to your trip departure. If you have purchased an arrival transfer you will be met in the arrivals hall after clearing customs, your representative with sign board will be standing near the Costa Coffee next to gate no 5. Please ask them to confirm your name.
Please do not exit the gates, Costa coffee is just before the exit gate no.5.
If you have any problems and cannot locate our representative, or if your flight is delayed please call the following 24 hour number:
+91-9911 97 2636
If you do not have a mobile phone, there are public phones next to Costa Coffee. Calls cost 1 rupee per minute
Failing the above please take a taxi to the hotel (using the instructions below) and advise your group leader. When you walk out of the exit door, you will easily be able to spot popular metered taxi counters such as Meru Cabs/Mega Cabs or Easy Cabs, show them your drop location and pay them as per the meter once you get to your hotel.
Taxi's from the airport to our starting point hotel take approx 1 hour and costs between INR 500 - 600 (prepaid traffic police booths).
IMPORTANT: Please avoid taxi touts who tell you that they have a metered taxi parked outside the airport. Previous passengers have complained that they have been charged hefty amount for the transfers.
The Delhi metro is another option from the airport. Trains depart between approx 5am and 11:30pm, the trip takes approx. 45 mins and costs around INR100. Please refer to the metro map for lines, changes and directions to Karol Bagh where most of our hotels are located. http://delhimetrorail.info/delhi-metro-map
Check in time at hotel is 12 midday.
Dates and prices
Important notes
1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 10 (Thar Desert) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for flight and entrance tickets. 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 new tickets.
4. This trip includes a domestic flight as indicated on the trip map. The luggage allowance is 15kg for check in luggage and 7kg for carry on.
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.
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