RAJASTHAN & HOLI FESTIVAL

23 Feb - 12 Mar 2023

Travelling through Rajasthan is like walking through a kaleidoscope, colourful and exotic. Spectacular landscapes, mesmerising forts, glittering palaces and friendly people await you. Deserts, camel trains, vibrant clothes, jewellery and so much more. HOLI is the Hindu Festival of Colours that celebrates the coming of spring. It’s the most colourful and energetic Indian festival, filled with fun and good humour.

Day 1.   Feb 23    ARRIVE DELHI  Namaste and a warm welcome to India! We meet you at the airport and settle you in to your hotel

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Day 2.   Feb 24   DELHI  a colourful hive of energy and activity that will wake up your senses! As you see the sights of India's grand capital, you'll discover a city of contrasts; a modern metropolis merging with Old Delhi's winding streets and bazaars

 

Day 3.   Feb 25   DEHLI to BIKANER - we fly to this vibrant, desert town and stay in an elegant heritage property that will take you back to the days of the British Raj. The Temple of Karni Mata is famous for its mysterious association with rats. More than 20,000 black rats dwell in this temple, they are considered holy. Will you take your shoes off and walk amongst them? 

 

Day 4.  Feb 26    BIKANER to JAISALMER - also known as 'The Golden City', with a rich heritage. We travel by coach to the sand dunes of the Thar desert, magnificent havelis, bewitching palaces and stunning Jain temples make it one of the most visited cities of Rajasthan

 

Day 5.  Feb 27   JAISALMER - the focal point of Jaisalmer is the fort, it rises from the desert like a massive sandcastle. Around 2,500 people reside inside its mighty walls, making it the largest living fort in India and one of the largest in the world

Day 6.   Feb 28  JAISALMER to JODHPUR - we travel by train to Jodhpur. Also known as The Blue City as most dwellings in the old city are shades of blue. The forts, palaces, temples, havelis, spices, fabrics, colours and a booming handicraft industry make this a fascinating city

 

Day 7.   Mar 1  JODHPUR -  the jewel of Jodhpur is the Mehrangarh Fort. It soars above the city and dominates the surrounding plains, appearing majestic and impregnable. So colossal are its proportions that Rudyard Kipling called it ‘the work of giants’

 

Day 8.   Mar 2   JODHPUR to KUMBHALGARH, the Great Wall of India - we travel by road to the second longest wall in the world.

At 38 km long, the Kumbhalgarh Fort is a recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site 

 

 

Day 9.   Mar 3   KUMBHALGARH to UDAIPUR - today we have a two hour drive to one of the most scenic cities in India. Udaipur is also known as the ‘City of Lakes' or 'Venice of the East'

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Day 10.   Mar 4  UDAIPUR  with beautiful palaces and a lake cruise to enchant you, we are sure you'll fall in love with this city 

 

Day 11.  Mar 5  UDAIPUR to DUNGARPUR - after yoga in the garden, we are only a couple of hours drive from one of Rajasthan's best kept secrets... Dungarpur is a delight. The offbeat destination is idea for history lovers, we actually stay overnight in a royal residence.

 

Day 12.   Mar 6  DUNGARPUR to JAIPUR - we have most of the day to explore more of Dungarpur before we board the overnight train to Jaipur 

 

Day 13.  Mar 7   JAIPUR - the overnight train arrives early in 'The Pink City', the capital of Rajasthan. Famous for spectacular landscapes, palaces, forts, handicrafts, exquisite jewellery and art treasures, this city will captivate you with its history, vibrant culture and tradition. Peacocks roam the gardens of our heritage hotel. Dinner and dancing will be at the home of my Jaipur friends

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Day 14.  Mar 8   JAIPUR - HOLI COLOUR FESTIVAL - Holi is the most vibrant and colourful of all Indian festivals. It's filled with fun and frolic!

Holi celebrates the arrival of spring, new beginnings, a celebration of joy and hope

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Day 15.  Mar 9    JAIPUR ​- we visit all the major attractions. There's so much to see - you'll be dazzled by Jaipur's magnificent palaces and forts. Jaipur is also famous for handicrafts, exquisite jewellery and art

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Day 16.  Mar 10    JAIPUR to ABHANERI  -  Abhaneri village has the largest stepwell in the world. Stepwells are unique to India, amazing, huge, sunken stairways that spiral or zigzag to a pool of water as deep as thirteen storey's down into the earth! 

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Day 17.  Mar 11    ABHANERI  to AGRA - today we travel around three hours by road to Agra, home of the magnificent Taj Mahal and one of the finest Red Forts in India

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Day 18.   Mar 12    TAJ MAHAL and return to DEHLI  - you will be moved by the most awe-inspiring monument to love on the planet. Nothing can prepare you for the moment you see the TAJ MAHAL with your own eyes! Then we return to Delhi to farewell India... you return to your corner of the world, heart full, feeling richer with a new perspective on life... where will we meet again?

 

​OR... should you wish to stay on in India, we can help you with further travel arrangements

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Our itinerary is well planned but sometimes we need to ‘go with the flow’, such is the nature of travel in India