RAJASTHAN VILLAGE & CULTURE TOUR

Duration : 19 Nights / 20 Days.
Destinations : Delhi - Alsisar - Nehal Village - Alsisar - Bikaner - Jaisalmer - Manvar - Jodhpur - Ranakpur - Udaipur - Pushkar - Jaipur - Agra - Delhi.

Day 1: Arrive Delhi
On arrival in Delhi, our representative will be there to receive you at the airport and transfer you to your pre-booked hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 2: Delhi sightseeing
Morning after breakfast, Delhi city sightseeing. Visit Old Delhi, Rajghat (Memorial of Mahatma Gandhi) after Jama Masjid (Mosque) after Rickshaw ride old Delhi (Optional) Chandni chock old market area. After drive to New Delhi, visit Humayun's tomb, India gate, Rajpath, President house, Parliament building, after Bangla Sahib Sikh temple, Birla temple and Qutab Miner (The land mark of the city) after back to hotel and overnight at hotel Delhi.

Day 03 Delhi
After breakfast we continue our tour of Delhi starting at the famous Qutab Minar, which stands at over 70 meters high with a base of 14.32 meters in diameter. Built in the 12th /13th C, the red sandstone tower is the one of the earliest examples of Indo-Islamic architecture. Followed by visit to Lotus Temple, Humayun's tomb and Raj Ghat the memorial to the father of our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.

Day 04 Delhi / Alsisar (Drive: 250 km)
An interesting day as we move into the rural  the real India. Driving westwards, make our way to Alsisar to get the feel of the authentic flavor of rural Rajasthan. Alsisar provides visitors with a true depiction of village life. The region is home to historical forts, castles and beautiful frescoes. Known as an open air gallery, Shekhawati has the highest concentration of frescoes in the world. We explore all this before retiring into our hotel, which will be our base for the next three days as we do voluntary work. Overnight: Alsisar Mahal Hotel in Alsisar.

Day 05 Alsisar / Neshal Village (Volunteering)
The next two days is an immersion into rural Indian life, people and culture. We spend time to help the villagers by joining in painting the local school and village activities. At this point we get to develop friendship and help them converse in English and plant trees in the surrounding area, adding a sense of serenity to the environment allowing for an ideal for learning. We return to Alsisar for our overnight.

Day 06 Alsisar
We spend our second day in Neshal completing our community services. As the time comes to bid farewell to the many friends, we are invited to a simple village goodbye ceremony joined by the local students, teachers and village elders.

Day 07 Alsisar / Bikaner (Via Deshnok) (Drive: 250 km)
We drive to Bikaner; the once busy trade stop for merchants traveling to Central Asia. We stop at Deshnok and visit the Karni Mata Temple. Famous for rats that run freely and fearlessly throughout the temple, pilgrims from far and wide come to offer sweets as a holy gesture. In the afternoon, we enjoy a tour of the city, visiting a fort and a camel-breeding farm.
Overnight: Lallgahh Palace hotel in Bikaner.

Day 08 Bikaner / Jaisalmer (Drive: 330 km)
As we drive through Rajasthan's colourful and rural roads, we find ourselves at Jaisalmer. Also known as the 'Golden City', Jaisalmer sits on bed of sandstone, crowned by a fort with several Jain temples. We stop for breakfast at the grand and opulent Gajner Palace, formerly a hunting lodge for the region's royalty. At the heart of the Thar Desert, we experience for a few moments, the lifestyle of, the residents of Jaisalmer.
Overnight: The Gateway Hotel Rawal Kot in Jaisalmer.

Day 09 Jaisalmer
Almost 900 years old, Jaisalmer was a major post on the trade route across the forbidding Thar Desert. With its golden crenellated walls and narrow streets lined with exquisite mansions, Jaisalmer's private residences are decorated with beautifully carved facades and perforated screens. Our Jaisalmer experience starts with visits to some of the most colourful and striking havelis (private residences) followed by Gadi Sagar Tank, the fort and Jain Temples.
At midday we drive to the village of Kanoi and begin our camel safari. Riding through the sand dunes just as merchants did during the medieval times. As the sky darkens, we watch the sun slowly fall deeper into the horizon, as we enjoy traditional folk dance and a delicious meal! We leave a part of the desert behind and drive back to our hotel.

Day 10 Jaisalmer/ Manvar (Drive: 180 km)
Today, we drive to the Manwar Desert Camp. An ideal place to experience desert life, village people and the unique beauty that the glittering sun and golden sands offer. Hidden deep in the Thar Desert, this campsite was once the luxurious rest installed by the Mughal Emperor, Jahangir. Our day at Manvar includes a jeep safari through the Thar Desert. Once the sun has set, we sit around a campfire and enjoy the workings of local musicians and dancers. Overnight: Manvar Desert Camp.

Day 11 Manvar /Jodhpur / Rohet Garh (Drive: 160 km)
We continue our journey through Rajasthan to Jodhpur. Its desert sun reflects on the whitewashed homes that carry a deep and beautiful indigo tinge, resulting in the nickname the Blue City .We visit the Mehrangarh Fort which at a height of 400 feet is one of the largest in the nation. The fort encompasses a series of courtyards and palaces with deep terracotta latticed work. We travel some 40 km and arrive at Rohet to embark on a horse safari through the village. With some of the finest stables in the country, Rohet is home to sensitive and beautiful stallions that allow for an enjoyable ride. Overnight: Rohet Garh Hotel

Day 12 Rohet Garh / Ranakpur / Udaipur (Drive: 280 km)
Our journey to the world-renowned city of Udaipur takes us through this culturally rich and diverse state as we drive near the Aravalli Mountain Range and stop to explore the historic city of Ranakpur. Rakakpur draws many locals and tourists to visit the well-known 15th C Jain Temple. Inside, you find 24-pillared halls and eighty domes supported by over 400 columns. We make our way to Udaipur where we visit the City Palace. A combination of European and Chinese architecture, the palace is a series of grand royal mansions with courtyards, gardens and glass mosaics, sitting on the edge of Pichola Lake. We continue our excursion with a visit to Saheliyon Ke Bari or the Garden of Maids and the folklore museum. We end our day with a boat ride as the moon's image reflects on the beautiful lake. Overnight: Radisson Hotel in Udaipur.

Day 13 Udaipur / Pushkar (Drive: 280 km)
Today is another highlight as we make our way to Pushkar. Situated on a beautiful lake, Pushkar is a holy and religious site for Hindus. Also famous for its annual fair, many residents of surrounding villages and towns make their way across the desert in hopes of turning camels into much needed cash. At night, the annual fair brings on a carnival flavour bringing together the city residents and the many visitors. As we walk by we see queues of shy Rajput women dressed in beautiful colourful saris, waiting their turn for a ride on the ferris wheel. As the sun sets, the campfire begins and the bright stars call for an evening meal. Enjoy a free day and take the opportunity to meet and interact with local Rajputs on this very special occasion.
Overnight: Royal Desert Camp Pushkar.

Day 14 Pushkar
Today we spend a full day at the Camel Fair. One of the nation's biggest livestock fairs, the Camel Fair draws many from all over north-west India to participate in the buying, selling and negotiating of prized animals. With dancers in the street and skilled artisans selling their goods, the Camel Fair is a jamboree of colour and excitement.

Day 15 Pushkar /Jaipur (Drive: 140 Km)
We bid Farwell to Pushkar and take a scenic drive to Rajasthan's capital city of Jaipur. We are received warmly at our hotel and enjoy the balance of the day to loiter around the colourful bazaars. This is the famous Pink City. Overnight: Country Inn Suite in Jaipur.

Day 16 Jaipur
A royal experience awaits us as we take an elephant ride up to the majestic Amber Palace, an ideal reflection of 17thC Rajput architecture. Built with white marble and red sandstone, the palace mirrors a beautiful image on the waters of Mahotha Lake. At the steps of a building is a true depiction of the local talent of brass inlay, l and stone setting, which is so evident in Jaipur's historic buildings. The Hawa Mahal, Palace of Winds, stands tall as one of the most beautiful structures in Jaipur. As we walk through the palace, we travel back into time and picture the ladies of the royal harem staring into the city from behind the intricately carved facade. Evening is free to enjoy shopping at the bazaars of Jaipur.

Day 17 Jaipur / Fatehpur Sikri / Agra
Today we drive to the former great Mughal Capital and visit to the World Heritage Site of Fatehpur Sikri. Built by Mughal King, Akbar the Great in 1640, the city is a superb example of Mughal architecture, as it stands perfectly preserved in the desert. We continue the day with a look at the mausoleum of the Sufi mystic, Salim Chisty. Waving goodbye to this historically rich city and we anxiously drive to our next destination. Agra! On arrival we are taken to the world famous Taj Majal as we watch its towers glisten under Agra's full moon! A day and night never to be forgotten.
Overnight:The Gateway Hotel in Agra.

Day 18 Agra
Our morning begins with a tour of India's most famous landmark, the Taj Mahal (WHS). Built by Shah Jehan, the Taj Mahal is a depiction of the king's love for his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Carved from white marble and inlaid with semi-precious stones, the Taj Mahal is also the site of Shah Jehan's resting place. We continue our tour of Agra with a visit to the Agra Fort (WHS). Also known as the Red Fort of Agra, it is the site of Shah Jehan's imprisonment by his son, Aurangzeb. In the evening we experience Agra's rich cultural heritage as we watch the Mohabatten Taj, a Dance Drama Show at Kalakriti.

Day 19 Agra / Delhi (Drive: 220 km)
After check out at 12.pm we make our way back to Delhi. Reflecting on our beautiful journey from the nation's capital to the physical depiction of its most cherished love story, we will remember India for the unique experience it had to offer.
In Delhi, Overnight stay in Hotel

Day 20 Delhi / Home