Family Adventure in Rajasthan
Bespoke Holiday Itinerary / Experience Tour

An extraordinary family holiday in Rajasthan, perfect for families looking to do something together that they’ll never forget. We’ve left out the Taj (as most children can take or leave it) to concentrate on getting off the beaten track and into rural, timeless India. There are plenty of fascinating famous sights to be discovered, as well as unique experiences and adventures that none of you will forget.

A few highlights:

• Get up close and personal with elephants at a private estate not far outside of the royal city of Jaipur.
• Explore magnificent forts such as the Amber at Jaipur and Mehrangarh in Jodphur, and discover the reason Kipling described these as the work of giants!
• Escape the crowds and discover the peace and tranquillity of rural Rajasthan – staying in a variety of characterful converted castles, ancestral homes and modern luxurious boutique hotels.
• Do an overland safari exploring the Thar Desert and the fascinating social culture and wildlife that has developed in a harsh and inhospitable region.

These really are just a few highlights in what is an extraordinary and action-packed few weeks. Of course, some relaxing, longer stays in superb hotels (with lovely pools) are also included, as well as a peaceful interlude in Udaipur at the end of your trip.

This itinerary works perfectly in late August when the monsoon is generally over, the land is lusher and greener than at other times of the year, and the hotels are priced very reasonably. 

International flights

DAY 1 DEPART THE UK

Depart and fly to Delhi.

DAY 2 DELHI

Arrive in Delhi and transfer to your hotel in the heart of New Delhi. Have the rest of the day to relax and recover from your journey or arrange a tuk tuk tour of the local area that will give you your first glimpse of Indian life.

DAY 3 DELHI

An interesting experience this morning as you explore locally with one of the ex-street kid guides from the Salaam Baalak Trust; they'll give you a brilliant, fun tour of the streets where they grew up, tell you eye-popping stories and provide a fantastic insight into another side of Delhi. The cost of this tour goes directly to the trust for their work helping other street kids.

After lunch you will see both sides of Delhi – the historic city and its modern face. Firstly, Old Delhi is the ancient walled city, capital of the Mughal Empire. Explore by cycle rickshaw and see the formidable Red Fort. Make your way through Chandni Chowk, filled with twisting lanes and crowded bazaars.  Then return to New Delhi by the very modern Delhi Metro system, a marvel of modern engineering in one of the most crowded parts of India.

In the evening we can suggest some superb restaurants for you to try.

DAY 4 DELHI to Jaipur

An early start this morning as you step aboard the Shatabdi Express, to begin the four-hour journey to Jaipur. Travelling by train is integral to the Indian way of life and a holiday can feel incomplete without one of these journeys! The hotel will provide a packed breakfast for you.

On arrival in Jaipur you’ll be met by your guide and taken to your hotel where there will be plenty of time to relax and enjoy a swim.

In the afternoon there is a massive treat in store as you’ll visit Dera Amer – a private estate outside of the city where elephants, rescued from a life of drudgery, are given a home. You’ll have a unique chance to get up close and personal with these magnificent animals.

DAY 5 Jaipur

There is an optional guided walk this morning around the old quarter, exploring in particular the incredible crafts for which this city is world famous. Walking around you will notice Indians coming from far and wide to buy everything they need for their weddings.  Your expert guide is passionate about this hidden side of the city and will take you to the wholesale areas which few tourists reach.

For those more interested in getting their hands dirty, we can include instead (or as well) a trip out to Jaipur’s traditional block printing district where generations of block printers practice their art. The tour of the works finishes with a lesson and a chance to create your own. Fantastic fun for craft-minded children.

After time in the afternoon to relax and enjoy the hotel, we’ve included a dinner at Steam, a restaurant in the Rambagh Palace Hotel located in a restored steam engine with a magical atmosphere and excellent, family friendly cuisine.

 DAY 6 Jaipur

We’ve included a tour today of the main sites for which Jaipur is justly famous – the Amber palace, Palace of the Winds and the Observatory. Your private guide will bring them to life for all of you and you can take as much or as little time as you like.

In the late afternoon there is another extraordinary experience on offer: a visit to a local aristocrat's house for tea and dinner with the family. The highlight of the various activities planned is taking part in the traditional pastime of competitive kite-flying from the rooftops as the sun sets over Jaipur. Magical!

DAY 7 Jaipur to Bijaipur via Bundi

You will be collected this morning for the drive to your next hotel, stopping en route in Bundi, Rajasthan’s best-kept secret. The palaces and forts in this town have a fairytale quality about them and help to create an incredibly picturesque location. The area has remained isolated and independent, with an old world atmosphere and hospitality rarely found in Rajasthan these days. The most striking presence in the town is the magnificent and imposing Garh Palace, previously the home of the former Maharaja.

After lunch, you'll continue onto Bijaipur and the rest of the day can be spent relaxing by the pool and enjoying your converted castle.

DAYs 8-9 Bijaipur

This small corner of rural Rajasthan is an amazing place in which to get a feel for traditional Rajasthan. The town is tiny and feels like a film set, and apart from your fellow guests at the hotel, few tourists venture this far afield. The hotel has excellent facilities so there is plenty to do here, although out and about is where Bijaipur really comes into its own: there are horse and countryside safaris, treks, birdwatching, boating, and fishing.

DAY 10 Bijaipur to Rohet

The drive today is a long but scenic one across the Aravali Mountain range (said to be the world’s oldest mountain range) which cuts across the state.

On arrival, relax and enjoy your beautiful hotel.

DAY 11 Jodphur

As well as being a great place to relax, Rohet is close to Jodphur so today your driver will take you into town to explore the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort. If you see no other fort in India, this is the one not to miss. It is a mind boggling piece of engineering and stunningly beautiful, if imposing close up. There is much else to explore in the old town (nicknames the ‘Blue City’ due to the hue of the plentiful Brahminical houses) too, and an optional flying fox ride for the really brave.  

DAY 12 Rohet

Today you'll take an exhilarating 4x4 drive through a dry riverbed and deep into the rural countryside around Rohet – the edges of the Thar Desert. You will be taken into authentic and unspoilt homes of villagers and other rural communities, giving you an opportunity to interact first hand. You’ll stop for a lovely lunch in a local village, and the simple and healthy local cooking will provide a welcome contrast to the richer cuisine served in hotels.

After lunch, you’ll be dropped off at Mihirgarh for a glorious bit of luxury in the desert. It’s a fantastic small and intimate hotel and will be a treat for everyone.

DAY 13 Mihirgarh to Udaipur

A final drive today will take you to Udaipur, the city of the lake. The laidback pace of Udaipur and the fact that it is easily explored independently on foot make this a fantastic place for a final few nights in India.   

DAYs 14-15 Udaipur

Plenty to see and do around here from exploring the city palace, to learning about miniature paintings, and to eating with a local family. The boat trip on the lake is also a must-do and you will probably find yourselves watching James Bond’s Octopussy to re-live the scenes where they happened!

There are some lovely low-key restaurants and you’ll be sure to enjoy poking around the shops too. The vendors here are less commercially minded than Jaipur at the other end of the state and so the experience of shopping is, shall we say, more relaxed!

DAY 16 Flight home

Today you can spend the day relaxing and enjoying your hotel before heading off to the airport, saying goodbye to your driver and taking the connecting flight home.