Get off-the-beaten track with a tour of hidden Rajasthan, perfect for a second-time trip to India. Explore the rural heartlands that many skip on their first experience of India.
You might well have been to India before and loved it, yet skirted through Rajasthan just seeing the highlights and want to return and see the parts you missed. This is of course possible, and we can weave together an itinerary reflecting exactly what you want to see on a second-time without repeating the places you saw before. This suggested itinerary is only an idea to start the ideas flowing. It takes you into the rural heartlands of Rajasthan, far away from other tourists and into the villages that have very much been unchanged by time. Just sit back, and let the charm of rural Rajasthan come to the fore. This sample itinerary takes you from Delhi down to Chambal, just south of Agra (you can stop at the Taj Mahal en route as nobody get’s tired of seeing it twice!). Head off on a boat safari, or to the remote temples of Bateshwar. Drive south and to the fort at Ramathra, now a superb heritage hotel. Take a walk through the local village, and maybe take a boat out on the nearby lake. You’ll then work you way to Bundi, a town with an impressive fort, but few tourists visit. Continue to Shahpura, an area of immense beauty and will offer the chance to explore the local villages and farms. Continue to Deogarh, and a stop at the luxury homestay of Dev Shree. Take a local train (quite the experience), and explore the surrounding countryside. Finally end at Devi Garh for a superlative finish in an 18th century fort palace, just outside of Udaipur.
| £2815 |
|---|
| Days | Location | Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1-2 | Delhi | The Manor The Manor |
| Day 3-4 | Chambal | Chambal Safari Chambal Safari |
| Day 5-6 | Ramathra | Ramathra Fort Ramathra Fort |
| Day 7 | Bundi | Bundi Vilas Bundi Vilas |
| Day 8-9 | Shahpura | Shahpura Bagh Shahpura Bagh |
| Day 10-11 | Deogarh | Dev Shree Dev Shree |
| Day 12-13 | Delwara | Devi Garh Fort Palace Devi Garh Fort Palace |
| Day 14 | Fly Home |
Arrive in Delhi and spend two days exploring the city. This might be your second-time or more to Delhi, and we will tailor an itinerary which takes you to new and interesting places. We can take you on an immersive walking tour of Old Delhi, going a little bit more in depth than you would have done on a previous visit.
Take the train to Agra, and you can stop off and see the Taj Mahal and the city with a private guide before continuing to Chambal. Here you have the option of heading off on a variety of experiences, whether you want to focus on the wildlife and birdlife, or maybe go on some more cultural activities such as seeing the Bateshwar Temples on the Yamuna River.
Start your drive into rural Rajasthan, stopping for a two-night stay at Ramathra Fort. Spend your afternoon exploring the local village. The following day, opt for a longer jeep safari into the rural delights surrounding Ramathra.
Drive west, really feeling like you are getting a far way off-the-beaten track into rural Rajasthan. Pass through the interest town of Tonk, where you find Rajasthan’s finest mosque. Continue to Bundi where you stay in an old haveli, almost in the ramparts of the fort. Spend the afternoon walking through the old streets, with the added happiness you’ll see almost no other tourists. Retreat back to the roof terrace for a glass of this or that.
Drive to Shahpura, again located in rural Rajasthan. Drive off in jeeps through traditional villages to the ruling family’s farm.
On your second day at Shahpura, start by exploring the markets in the town. You’ll sit with the Joshis and watch a traditional Phad, a painting depicting mythology and history, come to life. Explore the many goods on sale in the marketplace. Get a leather mojari, or local footwear, made to your size. Visit Dhikhola which is a small, quaint village with a fort. You’ll visit Ram Dwara where you find an ancient temple and traditional step-well. f you feel like a walk, take a 45-minute trek to a famous tribal temple on top of a nearby hill. Every Saturday and Sunday, tribal communities come from miles around to worship their tribal deities. Legend has it, that all your wishes and dreams will be granted if you make it to the temple on top of the hill. So fervent is the devotion, that many pilgrims make this trek barefoot.
You’ll drive to Deogarh for a stay at Dev Shree, a delightful luxury homestay. In the late afternoon, take a quick stroll through the village known for its potters. You’ll then head off on jeeps for to see the farmers bringing in their cattle after a long day and seeing an interesting Shiva Shrine. End on the lake for sunset and drinks.
Today you’ll take a traditional rural train from Phulad to Khamblighat, seeing the amazing local scenery as you go. On the way back, stop at a traditional tea-stall to meet the locals before seeing the impressive Gokul Fort.
Drive to Delwara, a village located about 40 minutes north of Udaipur. After such an interesting tour, it might be worth staying somewhere special, so why not consider Devi Garh Fort Palace. On your second day here, you can either explore Udaipur (although we know you might have seen it already), or head off to more remote sites in the area. The Eklingji and Nagda are close by, and if you like temple architecture are a must. The Shrinathji Temple in Nathdwara is about 45 minutes away. If you like forts and history, a trip to Haldighati or Chittorgarh could be an option.
Today, fly from Udaipur to either Mumbai or Delhi, or we can extend your tour with further destinations in India and beyond.
The Manor is a luxury boutique hotel tucked away in the swish district of Friend’s Colony in southern Delhi, offering just 14 rooms.
The Manor is a luxury boutique hotel tucked away in the swish district of Friend’s Colony in southern Delhi, offering just 14 rooms.
Chambal Safari Lodge is a small eco-lodge located close to Agra offering a blend of wildlife and cultural experiences in this untouched corner of India.
Chambal Safari Lodge is a small eco-lodge located close to Agra offering a blend of wildlife and cultural experiences in this untouched corner of India.
Far from the madding crowd, the intimate 350-year old Ramathra Fort provides a wonderful glimpse into the unspoilt charm of rural Rajasthan.
Far from the madding crowd, the intimate 350-year old Ramathra Fort provides a wonderful glimpse into the unspoilt charm of rural Rajasthan.
Bundi Vilas is a traditional haveli located in the off-the-beaten track town of Bundi in rural Rajasthan in India, and offers just seven simple rooms.
Bundi Vilas is a traditional haveli located in the off-the-beaten track town of Bundi in rural Rajasthan in India, and offers just seven simple rooms.
Shahpura Bagh is a delightful boutique rural located mid-way between Jaipur and Udaipur offering the chance to get truly off-the-beaten track in rural Rajasthan for a night or two.
Shahpura Bagh is a delightful boutique rural located mid-way between Jaipur and Udaipur offering the chance to get truly off-the-beaten track in rural Rajasthan for a night or two.
Dev Shree is quite possibly the definitive example of the luxury homestay in India; a gorgeous rural residence located near the sleepy village of Deogarh in Rajasthan.
Dev Shree is quite possibly the definitive example of the luxury homestay in India; a gorgeous rural residence located near the sleepy village of Deogarh in Rajasthan.
Devi Garh Fort Palace is simply spell-binding; an 18th century fort with chic, stylish and contemporary minimalist interiors giving it the ultimate blend of old and new.
Devi Garh Fort Palace is simply spell-binding; an 18th century fort with chic, stylish and contemporary minimalist interiors giving it the ultimate blend of old and new.
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We arrange totally bespoke trips and design an itinerary that is designed around you. You may have seen a suggested itinerary that we can base your plans around, or we can start with a blank sheet and paper and design something from scratch. You can leave a phone number and suggest a time to call you back, and we can also arrange to do this during the evenings or at weekends if you are busy during the daytime. We can also meet up with you in you fancy a coffee and are based in and around London.
