Backroads of Rajasthan

Day 1-2: Delhi

Day one is an arrival day and no activities are planned, so you may arrive at any time. If you are arriving early, please check the noticeboard in the foyer of the hotel for suggestions of things to see and do in Delhi. A pre-departure meeting takes place this evening at the hotel. Please also check the noticeboard for details of this meeting and for any other messages from your tour leader. Please also bring your passport and travel insurance documents to the meeting. Afterwards we have the opportunity to go out for an optional group dinner. The next day, we explore Delhi, with the markets at Chandi Chowk and the famous Connaught Place being popular options. In the evening, we catch the overnight train to Bikaner.

Day 3-4: Camel Safari - Bikaner

We arrive into Bikaner early in the morning and transfer to our hotel. There we can buy some breakfast before driving to Himmatasar - the starting point for our camel ride. We ride for around two hours to our lunch point and then on to the main Dunes of Raisar, to hopefully witness a beautiful sunset. We then continue to our overnight camp, where small tents are provided. Alternatively we can simply sleep under the star-filled sky. After breakfast the next morning, we return to Bikaner. Bikaner is a medieval trading town with the imposing Junagarh Fort at its centre. A visit to the fort is included in our tour.

Day 5-6: Jaisalmer

We take a local train to Jaisalmer, an ancient trading town that resembles a scene from the classic story, 'One Thousand and One Nights'. Its inhabitants still live in the narrow paved streets and alleyways within the town’s ancient fort. Jaisalmer is a great place to simply wander round and absorb its surreal ambience. The merchants and wealthy families of Rajasthan built magnificent homes or 'havelis' and some of the finest examples can be found here. We savour the unique lifestyle of this ancient city on a walking tour to the fort and 'havelis'. Our host is the owner of the palace at Tordi. He is a direct descendant of the feudal lord who built the palace in the 16th century. The accommodation has unforgettable ambience and charm and really makes the visit to Tordi a special highlight.

Day 7-8: Jodhpur

We take the morning bus to the beautiful ‘blue city’, Jodhpur. The city is dominated by the imposing Meherangarh Fort, which sits atop a sheer rocky ridge overlooking the surrounds. We explore the famous and historic ‘blue city’ and stroll through the bubbling Sadar Market.

Day 9-10: Jaipur

This morning we travel to Jaipur - the vibrant and colourful capital of Rajasthan. Here, traditionally dressed Rajput men wearing colourful turbans and sporting magnificent moustaches make their way through crowded streets packed with cars, camel carts, rickshaws, trucks and bicycles. On our second day in Jaipur we travel 11 kilometres out to the stunning medieval Amber Fort. This fort was built in 1592 by Maharaja Man Singh and is a superb example of Rajput architecture. Several hours are needed to explore this huge fortification. Our guide will also take us to the Old Bazaar and Hawa Mahal, better known as The Palace of the Wind. This five-storey façade with its pink, honeycombed sandstone windows is one of Jaipur's best-known landmarks. On the evening of Day 6 we take the overnight sleeper train to Bikaner.

Day 11-12: Tordi Garh

One of the features of a Gecko’s trip through Rajasthan is visits to small, out of the way villages. Tordi Garh is a small town that we have identified is a true ‘off the beaten track’ experience. We travel by jeep through beautiful countryside to Tordi. Very few travelers have even heard of Tordi and even fewer visit it, because it’s hard to get to on your own. We explore the village, meeting potters, visiting an old village temple, walking though markets and meeting families on the way. Ruined temples and a fortress lie further afield and we enjoy a visit to these sites. Our host is the owner of the palace at Tordi. He is a direct descendant of the feudal lord who built the palace in the 16th century. The accommodation has unforgettable ambience and charm and really makes the visit to Tordi a special highlight.

Day 13-14: Agra - Taj Mahal

Jeeps and local bus take us to Agra, home to India’s most famous site, the majestic Taj Mahal. Here we include a visit to this amazing 17th century marble mausoleum, which Emperor Shah Jahan built as a monument to the memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died whilst giving birth. The emperor himself was subsequently overthrown and imprisoned by his son and oversaw the construction of this magnificent monument whilst incarcerated in Agra Fort. Upon his death, Shah Jehan was also entombed in the Taj Mahal next to his beloved wife. Our tour leader will also give us the option of visiting Agra Fort (please see refer to 'Optional Excursion' section below for approximate cost). On day 14, we return to Delhi, arriving in the afternoon.

Day 15: Delhi

Our trip ends today around breakfast time. If you wish to stay on in Delhi, please pre-book your post-tour accommodation before you commence your travels. Delhi has many interesting museums and monuments. If you are interested in historical and cultural matters, it is recommended that you to extend your stay and visit some of these places. Humayun's Tomb and Safdarjang's Tomb are other great examples of Mughal architecture and design. Hauz Khas Village is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of downtown - a chic artistic enclave set right next to the remnants of a historical site.

Tour Grade: Culture

Whether you’re taking in man’s greatest works at places like Petra or Angkor Wat, experiencing grand set-pieces like the Trans-Mongolian Railway or trying your hand at regional specialities like tango in Buenos Aires, getting to grips with local cultures is what travel’s all about. A few tips from a local guide and a sense of adventure are pretty much all you need. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to get the lowdown on high Tibet among Lhasa’s magisterial temples; follow up Delhi’s eye-popping bustle with a fix of its fiery food; and mix manic markets and Incan masterpieces in Peru.