• Walk the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk Bazaar in Old Delhi
• Experience the sights and sounds of rural Rajasthan
• Discover the Blue City of Jodhpur
• Visit the temple town of Pushkar
• Explore the bejewelled palaces of Jaipur

 

The Havelis and Homestays in Rajasthan private luxury journey take you off the beaten track and combines the colourful cities of Rajasthan with some of its most charming and authentic rural homestays. Begin in India’s cosmopolitan capital Delhi where you will enjoy the contrasts of the city, from souk-like bazaars to tree-lined colonial avenues. Then, go off the beaten track to little-known Bundi, with its charming labyrinth of lanes, bazaars and ethereal hilltop palace, followed by Chittorgarh, the largest fort complex in India. Continue your rural adventure with Jojowar, where you can discover local life or take a trip to the exquisite Jain temples of Ranakpur. Continue to medieval Jodhpur, a rhapsody in blue and home to mighty Mehrangarh Fort, then head to the temple town of Pushkar. Your Havelis and Homestays in Rajasthan tour concludes in the bejewelled ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur with its splendid architecture and fabulous shopping before heading back to Delhi.

 

Day 1

ARRIVE IN DELHI (STAY AT THE CLARIDGES)

Your luxury private journey through India begins on arrival in Delhi, where you will be met by a member of our team at the airport and chauffeured to The Claridges, an elegant five-storey property, which features classic contemporary interiors, a lovely pool and four excellent restaurants. Spend the afternoon, going for a stroll through verdant Lodi Gardens or exploring the enticing boutiques of Khan Market.

 

Day 2

 DELHI 

Discover the myriad of sights in Old and New Delhi including the 17th- century Jama Masjid, Qutb Minar and Humayun’s Tomb which is thought to have inspired the Taj Mahal. Finish the day with an exciting cycle-rickshaw ride through the bustling alleyways of Chandni Chowk’s souk-like bazaars, including Khari Baoli, Asia’s largest spice market. Other highlights include India Gate, Connaught Place and the Lotus Temple.

 

Day 3

DELHI TO BUNDI (STAY AT HADOTI PALACE OR ISHWARI NIWAS)

This morning, board a train from Delhi to Kota. The journey will take roughly five hours – and gives a wonderful insight into daily local life in the subcontinent. Upon arrival, you will be chauffeured to Bundi, about 55km from Kota, and check into your hotel. Choose between Hadoti Palace, which features colonial architecture and fantastic views of Taragarh Fort or Ishwari Niwas, a charming haveli with 24 rooms around a courtyard.

 

Day 4

 BUNDI

Today, you will explore Bundi, a fascinating town of Brahmin-blue houses with a temple at every turn. Start with gigantic 16th-century Taragarh Fort with its huge reservoirs carved out of solid rock. Continue to Bundi Palace, home to a series of exquisite murals before visiting Chaurasi khambon ki Chhatri, an 84-pillared cenotaph constructed in 1683 by the Maharaja of Bundi. Finish the day at Rani Ji Ki Baori, the most magnificent of the town’s 50 stepwells.

 

Day 5

 BUNDI TO CHITTORGARH (STAY AT CASTLE BIJAIPUR)

After breakfast, depart for Chittorgarh, a scenic three-hour drive through rural Rajasthan. Upon arrival in Chittorgarh, the largest fort complex in India, check into your hotel, Castle Bijaipur, built in the 16th century and surrounded by forest. The castle is still home to the ruling family who run it not as a hotel but as a home which gives a fascinating insight into traditional Rajput hospitality.

 

Day 6

 CHITTORGARH TO JOJAWAR (STAY AT RAWLA JOJAWAR)

This morning, you will continue off the beaten track as you are driven to Rawla Jojawar. Set amidst the Aravalli hills, this garrison fort-turned-heritage hotel was once a major principality of the Royal House of Marwar. Spend the afternoon soaking up the sights and sounds of rural Rajasthan (the hotel also has a beautiful pool) or take a trip to the beautiful 15th-century milk-white marble Jain temples of Ranakpur.

 

Day 7

JOJAWAR TO JODHPUR (STAY AT AJIT BHAWAN)

Start today with a train ride through luscious forests on the local meter gauge train, which offers beautiful views. The best part of the ride though is talking to the locals and your fellow passengers. In the afternoon, you will be driven to the Blue City of Jodhpur. Check into your hotel, Ajit Bhawan, one of India’s first heritage hotels, which was formerly the palace of the Maharaja of Jodhpur’s younger brother and is now a charming place to stay. 

 

Day 8

JODHPUR

Spend the day exploring the best of Jodhpur. Weave your way with a private guide through the tangle of winding, colourful, medieval streets before visiting the mighty Mehrangarh Fort, an architectural masterpiece that towers over the city. Along the way, pick up some souvenirs from the shops and bazaars which sell everything from spices and saris to trumpets and temple decorations.

 

Day 9

 JODHPUR TO PUSHKAR (STAY AT TAJ GATEWAY, PRATAP PALACE OR THE GREENHOUSE RESORT)

Today, you will be driven to the temple town of Pushkar. Go in November and you will catch the extraordinary Pushkar Camel Fair. However, there is still plenty to explore including the holy lake, its many ghats and the rare Brahma temple. Stay in peaceful boutique hotel Green House Resort. Or, there’s Pratap Mahal, surrounded by the Aravalli hills, from which you can explore Ajmer, including colonial Mayo College and the Sufi shrine of Dargah Sharif.

 

Day 10

 DELHI PUSHKAR TO JAIPUR (STAY AT SAMODE PALACE)

Your next stop is Rajasthan’s vibrant capital Jaipur, just a few picturesque hours away. Upon arrival, check into Samode Palace. Still run by the same family that reigned over 45 surrounding villages in princely times, this 16th-century palace is nestled in the ancient Aravalli hills with striking wall murals, atmospheric rooms, an infinity pool, and excellent food. Spend the rest of your day at leisure.

 

Day 11

 JAIPUR

This morning, make your way on elephant back to the splendid 17th-century Amber Fort. Continue to another mighty fort, Jaigarh, which has reservoirs, a puppet theatre and the world’s largest wheeled cannon. Finish with a visit to the extraordinary pink-painted ‘Palace of the Winds’ Hawa Mahal before browsing some of the fabulous bazaars, which are brilliant for snapping up exquisite jewellery, beautiful clothing and great souvenirs.

 

Day 12

JAIPUR

Start today with the impressive City Palace, a striking blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture, with a complex of courtyards, gardens and buildings. Continue with a trip to UNESCO World Heritage Site Jantar Mantar, an observatory built in 1728 for measuring the heavens. Finish with the sacred Galta monkey temple. Spend the evening with the resident elephants of luxury camp Dera Amer in the Aravalli hills.

 

Day 13

 JAIPUR TO DELHI (STAY AT THE CLARIDGES)

Today, you have the option of visiting the block printing village of Sanganer, whose textiles are renowned all over India and abroad for their hand-printed goods, delicate designs and bright colours. See for yourself the way in which they prepare the textiles and get a peek into the rustic life of the workers. Alternatively, spend your day at leisure in Jaipur. In the evening, you will catch a flight to Delhi.

 

Day 14

FINISH IN DELHI

Today, your luxury private journey ends. Transfer to Delhi airport in time for your onward flight.

This tour is purely a suggested itinerary for what your trip to India could include. Treat our Offbeat Rajasthan tour as inspiration. Each trip designed by Rajasthan Tours is created uniquely for you, working to your budget and interests with an absolute commitment to quality.