RAJASTHAN HIGHLIGHTS - INDIA
more photos | enquiry | availability check
This tour of Rajasthan combines seeing the sights of Agra (Taj Mahal), Jaipur and Delhi with a riding safari on beautiful warm blooded Mawari horses through rural India, staying in very comfortable 4 star hotels throughout.
Rajasthan, the largest state of India, has a rich and colorful history making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Once known as the 'Land of the Kings', the state still retains the glory and richness of those times with its marvelous monuments, colourful traditions and customs. Most of the region is covered by the sandy Thar Desert - good riding terrain. It is culturally rich and reflects the traditional Indian way of life. It also famous for majestic forts, intricately carved temples and decorated havelis, which were built by kings in previous ages. An amazing all round visit to India.
SAMPLE ITINERARY - RAJASTHAN HIGHLIGHTS
Day 1: International Flight / Delhi
Arrive in Delhi late in the evening. Transfer to a good 4 star hotel in the city. Overnight at hotel in New Delhi.
Day 2: Delhi / Train
After a relaxed breakfast a full day is spent sightseeing in Delhi including Jama Masjid Mosque in Old Delhi, which can accommodate upto 20,000 people at a given time and then a walk through the alleys of the 500 year old City, drive past the Presidents Palace, Houses of Parliament, India Gate & a visit to Sikh Temple.
In the evening departure transfer to railway station to catch the overnight train to Jodhpur. You will be booked in air-conditioned IInd class sleeper. Overnight on Train.
Day 3: Train / Jodhpur
Arrive in Jodhpur early morning. You will be met at the railway station and transferred to the hotel. Jodhpur stands at the edge of the Thar Desert and is the largest city in Rajasthan after Jaipur. The city is totally dominated by a massive fort, topping a sheer rocky hill, which rises right in the middle of the town. A half day is spent sightseeing in Jodhpur including the imposing Meherangarh Fort and the Blue City. Overnight, Jodhpur.
Day 4: Jodhpur / Horse Safari
Drive from Jodhpur (2 hrs) to the hamlet of Sodawas. Arrive for Lunch. In the afternoon try out the horses and ride out through open country, past hills and farmland so that both you and your mount get to test each other. (2½ hr ride). Overnight in a country mansion belonging to Thakur Sunder Singh of Sodawas.
Day 5: Horse Safari
You ride through rich fertile farmlands and will see the multifarious use of oxen in ploughing, carting and irrigation. Arrive at an Old Shiva Temple for a picnic Lunch. (3 hr Ride) PM: Ride on and we start getting into low hillocks and open grassland, and by evening we are at an ancient 200 yr old castle in the middle of a small rustic shepherd’s village. The castle has been provided with modern amenities. (3 hr ride) Overnight Kotri Raola.
Day 6: Horse Safari
AM: Ride out past farms and lakes, through rustic hamlets of the Godwar where you see the colourful shepherds-(rabari's) with their sheep, and the farmers working the fields. You will soon arrive at the Muthana bird lake. (3 hr ride) We stop here for a picnic lunch. PM: Ride back to Kotri via a different route (2½ hrs). Overnight Kotri Raola, Kotri.
Day 7: Horse Safari
AM: Ride out past open farmland, to the rocky hills of Narlai. (3 hrs) Lunch. PM: Ride the horses out through scrubland jungle to a farm near Ghanerao. (2 hrs) For those wishing to relax - Climb the Rock of Narad, & visit the many temples in the village. Overnight Rawla Narlai, Narlai.
Day 8: Horse Safari
AM: Drive out by Jeep to the ancient town of Ghanerao, once the capital of Godwar and also the home of your riding escort. Meet your horses and ride out into the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary past tribal garacia villages and farms along the Aravalli. Ride up a steep trail through the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary climbing 2000ft to The Aodhi. (4 hrs ride) Later visit the unconquered Kumbhalgarh Fort, with its huge bastions, 9 gates, and 36 Km of unbroken 20ft thick wall. (circa 15th cent). Overnight in Kumbhalgarh.
Day 9: Horse Safari / Udaipur
After breakfast depart for the city of Lakes, Udaipur (3 hrs drive). Check into the hotel an have the afternoon sightseeing in the City Palace and Princess Garden with your guide. Overnight in Udaipur.
Day 10: Udaipur / Jaipur
Morning departure transfer to catch flight Jaipur. Arrive at Jaipur – the enigmatic pink city of Maharaja’s, where the royal legacy of the past is still depicted in the present. Check into Shahpura House – a very fine example of traditional Rajput architect, a mixture of Mughal and Shekhawati frescos. Afternoon sightseeing tour of the pink city of Jaipur with your guide including Amber Fort -the final ascent to this ancient fort is made in truly royal style on Elephant back (subject to availability) / Jeep ride. At Amber, you will see magnificent palaces with walls covered with mirrored mosaics. A visit to City Palace where the present Maharaja continues to live, Observatory and the five-storey Palace of the winds. Overnight in Jaipur.
Day 11: Jaipur / Fatehpur Sikri / Agra
After breakfast drive to Agra via the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri (World Heritage Site). This is a 500-year-old city built in red sandstone, the deserted, but perfectly preserved sandstone city, built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 but abandoned after only 15 years. After sightseeing of Fatehpur Sikri, drive to the ancient Mughal capital – Agra. On arrival in Agra, check into the hotel and spend the night here.
Day 12: Agra / Delhi
An early start this morning going out to the Taj Mahal to experience the rising sun. This is the most spectacular time to see The Taj Mahal – one of the seven wonders of the world, an exquisite monument of love, remarkable for its perfect proportions was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved consort Mumtaz Mahal, this beautiful mausoleum in pure white marble is an architectural marvel. Return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast visit Agra Fort with an English-speaking guide - a magnificent citadel with marble palaces, ornate alcoves & terrace pavilions. After lunch, drive back to Delhi. Stop for dinner (on your own) at an airport hotel The Radisson. After dinner, departure transfer to the International airport.
Day 13: International Flight
Catch flight back home early morning.
NOTES - RAJASTHAN HIGHLIGHTS
GETTING TO DELHI
As a fully ATOL bonded and registered agency we would be delighted to book your flights for you. If you would like to book your own flights please see our flights page for some options.
The weight limit for this ride is 14 st/198 lb/90 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
Accommodation: twin sharing on bed and breakfast basis except when on Horse Safari, where all meals are included.
Trained marwari / polo horses with uniformed grooms and full saddlery, experienced riding escort from one of the noble houses of Rajasthan, surface transportation by air-conditioned vehicle, English speaking guide for all sightseeing as per the itinerary, monument entrance fees as per the itinerary, train tickets Delhi-Jodhpur by air-conditioned IInd Class Sleeper, elephant ride at Amber Fort is subject to availability failing which Jeeps shall be provided, all applicable taxes.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
International airline tickets, visa fees, meals not specified, drinks (alcoholic and non alcoholic, tips and porters fees if used, expenses of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls & camera fees etc. No services in Delhi on the last day, except for departure transfer.
more photos | enquiry | availability check
