Rajasthan with Village, Jungle & Desert Safari
more_vert
Introduction
Regarded as a ride on the sands of time,the state of Rajasthan is home to the chivalrous Rajputs, and its battle-scarred heritage is ingrained with pride and tradition. India's quintessential land of medieval forts, palaces and tigers, and kaleidoscopic festivals, Rajasthan really is the jewel in India's crown.
Far Horizon takes you on a journey through the villages, jungles and desert of Rajasthan along with the visit to the architectural wonders of Delhi- the foundation of Mughal Empire, Agra, Majesty of the Taj and Mumbai, the cosmopolitan hub of India. Immerse yourself into the varied hues of villages and golden-sand deserts. You will be astounded by the zeal with which Rajasthani people live their life. People of Rajasthan are as colourful as the state itself; they are very fun-loving, talkative, devoutly religious and friendly. Their gentle and generous nature will make you feel at home and special as they take pride in entertaining their guests.
Tour Highlights
- A wonderful tour & safari covering Delhi, Agra, Gadoli in the Aravalis, Tigers at Ranthambhor, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jamba in the Thar Desert & Mumbai
- Explore the villges in the Aravali Hills, Tigers and other wildlife, Tribals in the Thar Desert
- Unesco World Heritage Sites at Delhi, Agra, Jaipur & Jodhpur
- Sunrise Visit of Taj Mahal
- Unique accommodation at a village retreat and on-top of a sand dune in the heart of the Thar Desert
- Prices on request
Destinations Covered
Delhi
The City of GloryDelhi is said to be one of the oldest existing cities in the world, along with Jerusalem and Varanasi. It is the Capital Territory of India and a modern-day citadel that's dotted with ancient monuments.
History and Culture
Legend estimates it to be over 5,000 years old. Over the millennia, Delhi is said to have been built and destroyed 11 times. The oldest alleged incarnation of the city shows up in the Indian mythological epic Mahabharata as Indraprastha.
Agra
The Majesty of the TajAgra is the city of the Taj Mahal, in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Agra has three UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort in the city and Fatehpur Sikri on the outskirts of Agra. There are also many other buildings and tombs from Agra's days of glory as the capital of the Mughal Empire.
Gadoli, Aravali Hills
The Classical Indian Village in the Golden TriangleSet in the heart of India and nestled amidst the Aravalis, Gadoli village is located in the rural countryside of Rajasthan. One can easily move around on camels or by camel carts. Marvel at the beautiful scenery and potentially spot some of the desert wildlife. The vibrant culture and rich heritage of this place draws innumerable tourists from across the globe.Tucked away within a valley inside the Aravali Hills, home to the community of Meena Tribals, the joy and spirit of rustic life is palpable on the lively faces of the village folks.
Ranthambore
The Great Wildlife Adventure
Jaipur
The Pink CityJaipur is the largest city in Rajasthan and was built in the eighteenth century by Sawai Jai Singh as India's first planned city. Jaipur is a major tourist attraction amongst Indian as well as international travellers. Jaipur is often called the Pink City in reference to its distinctly colored buildings, which were originally painted this color to imitate the red sandstone architecture of Mughal cities. The present earthy red color originates from repainting of the buildings undertaken for a visit by the Prince of Wales in 1876.
Jodhpur
A Rhapsody in BlueLocated on the foothills of a sandstone hillock, the city of Jodhpur seems like an oasis in the vast desert. The city is known by three names as the "Sun City" for the bright, sunny weather it enjoys all year. It is also referred to as the "Blue City" due to the vivid blue-painted houses around the Mehrangarh Fort.
Jamba, Thar Desert
The Serene Desert LandscapeIn the distant reaches and vast expanse of the Thar Desert, far off the beaten tourist trail is the unique village called Jamba. It is located in Phalodi Tehsil of Jodhpur district in Rajasthan, India. This is a perfect place to get away from the big cities and enjoy the solitude of the desert life.
Mumbai
The City of DreamsIndia’s largest port, its commercial and industrial center, as well as fashion capital and heart of Bollywood (India’s thriving movie industry), Mumbai is an endlessly fascinating hive of activity. A jumble of captivating contradictions, grand colonial architecture rubs shoulders with chaotic bazaars, trendy restaurants, exclusive boutiques, slums and shanty towns, all interspersed with beautiful, tropical palm trees. A shopper’s haven, this bustling cosmopolitan metropolis offers anything from pavement stalls and ancient markets to glitzy malls and designer outlets.
Detailed Itinerary
- Day 1 Arrive Delhi
-
Day 2
Delhi
Delhi
Today morning proceed to explore the Old Delhi.
On the tour of “Old Delhi” you will head out to explore this exotic locale with its narrow dirt roads, myriads of people and inexpensive and colorful bazaars that keep alive the traditional workmanship for which Delhi has always been famous. Drive past the Red Fort, and visit the Jama Masjid, one of the largest Muslim mosques in India.
A bicycle rickshaw would take you into the heart of Chandni Chowk (the silver square - so named because of the silver merchants).
Drive past India Gate, a 42-metre archway built in memory of Indian soldiers killed during the First World War and Rashtrapati Bhawan, built in the early 20th century as the Imperial residence of the Viceroy. Today, it is the official residence of the President of India.
We then drive to the outskirts of New Delhi to explore the Qutub Minar, on the way our guide will point out the Raj-era architecture in the city centre, including the renowned India Gate and Edwin Landseer Lutyens’ and Herbert Baker’s monumental governmental building on Raisina Hill.
Qutub Minar, a victory minaret built by the first invading Persian, Qutub-ud-din, a millennium ago in South Delhi. One of Delhi’s most visited and striking monuments, the 72-meter (230 feet) high tower which majestically over the wide plains of Delhi. It is a victory tower built by the slave king Qutubuddin Aibak and later completed by his successor Iltutmish.
Overnight at the hotel (B)
-
Day 3
Delhi – Agra
Agra
After breakfast, check-out and drive to Agra.
On arrival, check-in to the hotel.
Visit the imposing Red Fort of Agra (also known as Agra Fort). A creative, architectural, and strategic masterpiece, the Fort is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. In a cruel twist, Emperor Shah Jahan, builder of the Taj Mahal and whose grandfather built the original Fort and who also assumed the throne himself, was imprisoned here at the end of his life by his own son – in a room looking out on the Taj Mahal across the river.
Overnight at the hotel (B)
-
Day 4
Agra - Gadoli
Gadoli, Aravali Hills
This morning, savour a travel highlight as you embark on a tour of the Taj Mahal, the magnificent tomb of white marble built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz, who had implored her husband to build a monument symbolizing their undying love for each other. Some 20,000 labourers and artisans from around the world spent 22 years constructing what became Mumtaz’s mausoleum, which was begun in 1632.
Along with its exquisite symmetry, the Taj features striking examples of pietra dura, a decorative art in which craftsmen embed precisely cut semi-precious stones in marble to form dazzling patterns.
Return to the hotel for breakfast and check-out.
This morning we embark on the four-hour drive to Gadoli, en-route we stop at the village of Abhaneri to witness an architectural marvel: the Chand Baori step well. To overcome the perpetual issue of water scarcity during summer months, inhabitants of northern India began constructing unique step wells in the 6th century CE to collect this precious resource. An estimated 3,000 of these baori once gave villagers multiple routes of access to the pools of water below and provided a gathering place with respite from the heat. The 9th-century ruler King Chand built this astounding structure – one of India’s largest and most visually arresting – with 3,500 symmetrical steps descending three of its sides 13 stories to the 100-foot-deep well. Ruins of an elaborately sculpted temple dedicated to Harshat Mata, Goddess of Joy and Happiness, stand opposite the step well. After visiting this marvellous site that has attracted directors to shoot scenes for films such as “The Fall” and “The Dark Knight Rises”
Continue drive to Kalakho and check-in to the the Clement Village Retreat. The Retreat offers a welcome break from the regular tourist visits to monuments, museums and market places and the hustle and bustle of the crowded cities and move towards the pristine and untouched lives of the real people of the land. The villages visited are tucked away within a valley inside the Aravalli Hills, where a community of the Meena Tribals are living. The joy and spirit of rustic life is palpable in the lively faces of the village folks. Here, in many ways, time has stood still and globalization has had little impact.
Tonight we enjoy dinner accompanied by a local folk dance performance.
Overnight at The Clement Village Retreat (B, L, D)
- Day 5 Gadoli
- Day 6 Gadoli - Ranthambore
- Day 7 Ranthambore
- Day 8 Ranthambore – Jaipur
-
Day 9
Jaipur
Jaipur
Full day sightseeing of Jaipur including a visit to the Amber Fort and a photo stop at the Palace of the Winds, the Hawa Mahal in the morning. Visit Amber Fort a UNESCO World Heritage site built by the Kachhawah Rajputs as their capital from 1037 to 1728 and considered the pinnacle of Rajput architecture. We tour the unoccupied citadel this morning, to admire the fresco-covered portal, the impressive room of mirrors, walls of jewel-encrusted marble, and the royal apartments offering beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding valleys.
We continue on to Jantar Mantar, the incredible open-air Royal Observatory (ca. 1728) housing oversized astronomical instruments and a UNESCO World Heritage site; and City Palace, former residence of the Maharajas of Jaipur, built in the shape of the city itself and now converted to a museum that houses the rulers’ magnificent art collections.
Overnight at the hotel (B)
- Day 10 Jaipur – Jodhpur
-
Day 11
Jodhpur – Jamba
Jamba, Thar Desert
Today you will explore the city’s beautiful palace Mehrangarh Fort has been in existence since 1459 and is one of the most astounding constructions and architectural marvels. The towering building has extremely high walls and gates, and the closer it is explored, the smaller you begin to feel! Inside the fort is a network of courtyards and palaces, (including a museum that houses a splendid collection of items from the Maharajas), salvaged to display their long history of warding off attackers.
The Jaswant Thada is an absolutely calming and soothing building to lay your eyes upon. Constructed entirely of a milky-white marble, the whimsical essence of this memorial can be felt by all. The sheets of marble used to create this astounding marvel were all hand carved into fabulous walls and domes. A warm glow surrounds the polished rock, emitting a sunny and pleasant atmosphere.
Thereafter, we drive approximately three hours and head into the hinterland to a region known as Jamba, the stronghold of the fascinating Bishnoi tribes. All Bishnois follow the 29 (bis-noi) tenets laid down by the 15th-century guru Jambeshwar, affectionately known as “Jamba-ji.” They fervently believe in the sanctity of animal and plant life so wildlife finds a natural sanctuary around their villages.
You will spend two nights at the private the Clement Dune Retreat. This is an exclusive property, set atop a 130' high sand dune with panoramic views of the Thar Desert. The Resort features exquisite examples of traditional Rajasthani architecture used throughout, with stonework and carvings using local design and sustainable materials and, most importantly, utilizing the skills of local craftsmen. It has individual deluxe cottages, a swimming pool and beautiful restaurant.
This evening the musician and dancers from nearby villages will come to dance away the evening.
Overnight at the Clement Dune Retreat (B, D)
-
Day 12
Jamba
Jamba, Thar Desert
After breakfast, go 4 wheeling cross-country on dirt and sand roads to continue your exploration of “Jamba-ji’s” land. These excursions introduce you to traditional Rajasthani hospitality, as well as giving you a chance to witness rural Rajasthani life up close. The villages are built with painted adobe walls, and village life continues unaffected by the big cities nearby.
Bishnoi villages are immaculate, scrubbed daily by brightly clad women who are weighted down by silver jewellery and festooned with bangles right up to the length of their arms. By contrast, their tall men dress entirely in white, their large turbans loosely swathed around dark skinned, weathered faces.
Return to the retreat for lunch.
Evening is at leisure.
Overnight at the Clement Dune Retreat (B, L, D)
- Day 13 Jamba
- Day 14 Jamba – Jodhpur & flight to Mumbai
-
Day 15
Mumbai
Mumbai
After breakfast, we begin at the waterfront Gateway of India monument, an impressive 85-feet high arch built by the British in 1924 to serve as a ceremonial entrance to the country. When India gained its independence in 1948, the last British battalion formally passed through the Gateway.
From here take a boat to visit the Elephanta caves which are declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 6th century A.D. It was the Portuguese who named the caves after the statue of an elephant which is seen close to the landing area. These caves were carved out from a single rock. The most striking statue of Trimurti, Shiva in the three moods as the Creator, the Destroyer and the Preserver is a masterpiece by itself.
Return to the city and visit the Prince of Wales Museum. Founded in the early years of the 20th century, it houses approximately 50,000 exhibits of ancient Indian history as well as objects from foreign lands, categorized primarily into three sections: Art, Archaeology and Natural History. The Museum houses Indus Valley Civilization artefacts, and other relics from ancient India. (Closed on Mondays and national holidays).
Overnight at the hotel (B)
- Day 16 Departure
