A FESTIVAL TOUR OF RAJASTHAN

A FESTIVAL TOUR OF RAJASTHAN

22 Days / 21 Nights

Delhi – Jaipur – Agra – Orchha – Khajuraho – Varanasi – Amritsar – Mandawa – Bikaner – Jaisalmer – Jodhpur – Udaipur – Pushkar – GHS – Delhi

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Duration 22 Days
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Nights 22 Days
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Starting From Delhi
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Ending At Delhi
Discover The Journey

Tour Introduction

This grand 22-day journey combines the classic monuments of North India with some of Rajasthan‘s most vibrant living festivals and its quieter, lesser-travelled corners. Beginning in Delhi, the tour sweeps through Jaipur in time for the colourful Elephant Festival and Holi, on to the Taj Mahal at Agra, the temples of Khajuraho, the sacred ghats of Varanasi, and the Golden Temple at Amritsar. From there the journey turns into the heart of Rajasthan – the frescoed havelis of Mandawa, the desert forts of Bikaner and Jaisalmer, the blue city of Jodhpur, the lakes of Udaipur, and the holy town of Pushkar – before concluding with an authentic rural homestay experience at the village of GHS, timed to coincide with the Gangaur festival, and a final guided tour of Delhi before departure.

Highlights of the Tour

01

Witness the vibrant Elephant Festival in Jaipur, with its decorated elephants, elephant polo and elephant dance

02

Celebrate the colours of Holi in Jaipur

03

Explore Amber Fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar and Hawa Mahal in Jaipur

04

Watch the sunrise over the Taj Mahal and visit Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri

05

Discover the UNESCO World Heritage temples of Khajuraho, with a stop at Orchha en route

06

Experience Varanasi's Ganga Aarti ceremony, a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges, and an excursion to Sarnath

07

Visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar and witness the Beating Retreat ceremony at the Wagah Border

08

Admire the frescoed havelis of Shekhawati at Mandawa

09

Visit the Camel Breeding Farm and the famous Karni Mata (rat) Temple near Bikaner

10

Explore Jaisalmer's golden fort and havelis, followed by a sunset camel ride and folk dinner at the Sam sand dunes

11

Visit the majestic Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur

12

Enjoy a boat ride on Lake Pichola and a guided city tour of Udaipur, visiting the Ranakpur Jain temples en route

13

Visit the holy Pushkar Lake and Lord Brahma Temple

14

Live an authentic rural experience at GHS village, including local family meals and, where timing allows, the Gangaur festival

15

Conclude with a guided tour of Delhi – Qutub Minar, India Gate, Humayun's Tomb, Rashtrapati Bhawan and Jama Masjid

Your Journey

Daily Itinerary

Follow the journey day by day and discover what each destination has to offer.

  • Morning: board the Amritsar Mail (train no. 13005), departing approx. 09:27
  • Overnight on board the train (optional alternative: fly to Delhi and continue by Shatabdi Express to Amritsar)
  • Drive to Jaipur (265 km / approx. 6 hours); check in at hotel for 3 nights
  • Evening participation in the Elephant Festival, featuring Elephant Polo and Elephant Dance
  • The festival opens with a colourful procession of elephants adorned with vibrant colours, jhools (saddle cloths) and ornate jewellery, including anklets on the female elephants
  • Enjoy the sprinkling of ‘gulaal’ (coloured powder), prizes for the most beautifully decorated elephant, and featured events including elephant polo, elephant race, and a tug-of-war between an elephant and a team of men and women
  • Day free to celebrate the colour festival of Holi with gulaal, music and dance
  • Morning full-day guided tour of Amber Fort
  • Later, visit the City Palace, Jantar Mantar and Hawa Mahal
  • Drive to Agra (265 km / approx. 6 hours), visiting Fatehpur Sikri en route
  • On arrival, check in at hotel for 1 night
  • Later, visit Agra Fort
  • Early visit to the Taj Mahal at sunrise
  • After breakfast, transfer to Agra Cantt station to board the Taj Express (train no. 12280), departing approx. 10:15 and arriving Jhansi approx. 13:40
  • On arrival, drive to Khajuraho, visiting Orchha en route
  • Check in at hotel for 2 nights
  • Full-day guided tour of the Khajuraho Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Also visit the Western Group of Temples
  • Afternoon transfer to Khajuraho airport for a flight to Varanasi (flight 9W 724, departing approx. 13:25, arriving approx. 14:15)
  • On arrival, check in at hotel for 2 nights
  • After a brief refreshment, excursion tour to Sarnath, covering the Buddhist temple, Dhamekh Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa and the archaeological museum
  • Evening: attend the popular Ganga Maha Aarti ceremony, held daily at approx. 7:00 pm and one of Varanasi’s prime attractions
  • Early morning boat ride on the holy River Ganges
  • After breakfast, temple tour of the city
  • Evening: walk through the local Varanasi market
  • Morning flight to Amritsar
  • Arrive Amritsar by train at approx. 08:55; welcome by representative and transfer to hotel for 1 night
  • After refreshment, city tour covering the Golden Temple, the Amrit Sarovar Lake, and the Akal Takht
  • Visit Jallianwala Bagh
  • Evening: drive approx. 30 km to the Attari–Wagah Border for the Beating Retreat ceremony – a choreographed change-of-guard drill and troop retreat at sundown that draws cheering crowds on both sides of the border
  • Early morning transfer to Amritsar railway station to board the train for Delhi
  • On arrival in Delhi, drive to Mandawa (280 km / approx. 6 hours); check in at hotel for 1 night
  • Rest of the day at leisure
  • Morning: half-day guided tour of the Shekhawati region, known for the exquisite frescoes adorning its havelis
  • Drive to Bikaner (180 km / approx. 4 hours), visiting the Camel Breeding Farm and Karni Mata Temple (famous for its sacred rats) en route
  • Morning: guided Tonga (horse-cart) ride through the old city of Bikaner, visiting the old painted havelis and Junagarh Fort
  • Drive to Jaisalmer (330 km / approx. 6 hours); check in at hotel for 1 night
  • Morning: guided tour of the old city of Jaisalmer, including Jaisalmer Fort, Salim Singh Haveli, Patwon ki Haveli, Gadsisar Lake and the Jain temples
  • Evening: drive to Sam (40 km) and check in at a desert camp for 1 night
  • Enjoy a camel ride on the Sam sand dunes at sunset, followed by dinner with folk dance
  • Morning: drive to Jodhpur (285 km / approx. 6 hours); on arrival, check in at hotel
  • Later, half-day sightseeing tour of Jodhpur, including Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada and Mandore Garden
  • Morning: drive to Udaipur (275 km / approx. 6 hours), visiting the Ranakpur Jain temples en route
  • On arrival, check in at hotel for 2 nights
  • Morning: guided city tour covering the City Palace, Bharatiya Lok Kala Museum, Sahelion ki Bari (Garden of the Maids of Honour), Gulab Bagh (Rose Garden) and the Jagdish Temple
  • Enjoy a boat ride on Lake Pichola
  • Morning: drive to Pushkar (290 km / approx. 5 hours); on arrival, check in at hotel for 1 night
  • Half-day sightseeing tour of Pushkar, covering the holy Pushkar Lake, the ghats, and the Lord Brahma Temple
  • Morning: drive to the village of GHS – Garh Himmatsingh (290 km / approx. 6 hours), located on the eastern edge of Rajasthan, an off-the-beaten-path destination
  • On arrival, check in at hotel/homestay for 2 nights
  • Enjoy lunch with a local family
  • Afternoon: explore the village of Garh Himmatsingh, including the potter’s house, the Panchayat Bhawan (village head office), the girls’ and boys’ schools, and the local bazaar – an opportunity for genuine rural interaction with the villagers
  • Enjoy dinner with the royal family
  • Morning: soak up the atmosphere of the countryside by walking through the village and observing daily rural activities
  • Where timing allows, enjoy the opportunity to participate in the Gangaur festival, held in honour of Goddess Gauri and celebrated across Rajasthan – with clay and painted wooden images of Isar and Gauri, mehandi (henna) on the hands and feet of local women, and unmarried girls carrying ‘Ghudlias’ (lit earthen pots) while collecting songs and offerings
  • Enjoy lunch and dinner with the family
  • Morning: drive to Delhi (265 km / approx. 6 hours)
  • Guided tour of Delhi, covering Qutub Minar, India Gate (War Memorial Arch), Humayun’s Tomb, Rashtrapati Bhawan and the Jama Masjid
  • After refreshment, transfer to Delhi International Airport for the onward flight
Route Your Journey Map
Places You'll Discover

Important Sightseeing

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Delhi

Qutub Minar, India Gate, Humayun's Tomb, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Jama Masjid

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Jaipur

Amber Fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, Elephant Festival, Holi Festival

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Agra

Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri

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Orchha

en route stop to Khajuraho

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Khajuraho

UNESCO World Heritage Temples and the Western Group of Temples

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Varanasi

Ganga Aarti, Ganges Boat Ride, Sarnath (Buddhist Temple, Dhamekh Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, Archaeological Museum)

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Amritsar

Golden Temple, Amrit Sarovar Lake, Akal Takht, Jallianwala Bagh, Wagah Border Ceremony

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Mandawa

Shekhawati frescoed havelis

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Bikaner

Camel Breeding Farm, Karni Mata Temple, Junagarh Fort, old city havelis

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Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer Fort, Salim Singh Haveli, Patwon ki Haveli, Gadsisar Lake, Jain Temples

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Sam

Sand dunes camel ride and desert camp

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Jodhpur

Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, Mandore Garden

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Udaipur

Ranakpur Jain Temples (en route), City Palace, Bharatiya Lok Kala Museum, Sahelion ki Bari, Gulab Bagh, Jagdish Temple, Lake Pichola

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Pushkar

Pushkar Lake, Ghats, Lord Brahma Temple

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GHS (Garh Himmatsingh)

Village life, potter's house, Panchayat Bhawan, local schools and bazaar, Gangaur Festival

Stay In Comfort

Your Hotels On Tour

City Nights Category 1 Category 2 Category 3
Delhi 01 Hotel Hans Jaypee Siddharth -
Jaipur 03 Mandawa Haveli / Alsisar Haveli - -
Agra 01 Jaypee Palace Jaypee Palace -
Varanasi 02 Surya Clarks -
Overnight Train (Varanasi–Amritsar) 01 Train no. 2562 (2040 / 0840 hrs) - -
Mandawa 01 Castle Mandawa / Radhika Haveli Laxmi Niwas Palace -
Bikaner 01 Maharaja Ganga Mahal Rawalkot -
Jaisalmer 01 Mahadev Palace - -
Sam (Jaisalmer desert camp) 01 Smart Desert Camp - -
Jodhpur 01 Devi Bhawan Fateh Niwas / The Ummed -
Udaipur 02 Amar Kothi Anantha Spa & Resort -
Pushkar 01 Jagat Palace - -
GHS 02 Homestay - -
i
Special Note

Note: Night counts above reflect the tour operator's hotel sheet. The day-by-day itinerary in this document (22 Days / 21 Nights) is the authoritative reference for length of stay at each destination.

✓
Included In Your Journey

Inclusions

  • ✓

    Room accommodation with breakfast

  • ✓

    Private air-conditioned vehicle (Toyota Innova or similar)

  • ✓

    Monument entrance fees

  • ✓

    Monument entrance fees

  • ✓

    Dinner with the royal family at the village (GHS)

  • ✓

    Assistance upon arrival and departure

  • ✓

    Camel ride at Sam sand dunes

  • ✓

    Dinner at the desert camp

  • ✓

    Boat ride at Udaipur (Lake Pichola) and Varanasi (River Ganges)

  • ✓

    Train fare: Delhi to Varanasi and Jhansi to Agra sectors

  • ✓

    Guided train safari at Deogarh

  • ✓

    Jeep safari (2-sharing) through Ranthambore National Park

  • ✓

    All applicable government taxes

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