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Our Tour Experts 
Heroes and Heroines Stay in Heritage Properties
Stay in magnificent forts, havelis and palaces for the most authentic experience of Rajasthan.
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Our Team Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
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Our Tour Experts We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
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Heroes and Heroines The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.
Forts and Palaces of Rajasthan
This holiday idea has been specially created to take in the highlights the Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra and Jaipur) and also take you further into the heart of Rajasthan to explore other royal cities and rural retreats in this region of India.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
1
2Visit Rural Villages
Spend time wandering through the villages and meet local families.
3Explore the Royal Cities
Dominated by magnificent royal palaces and dominating forts, each city is a thrill to visit.
4Experience the Jawai Leopards
Get up close and personal with the leopards at Jawai.
Why we like it
We challenge you to find any other destination which packs the cultural punch of Rajasthan whilst at the same time treating you like royalty and creating some incredibly magical moments. This bespoke journey promises Rajput hospitality at its best, with expert resident guides to bring a greater depth to each experience that is specially curated with you in mind. Your dedicated chauffeur will drive you safely throughout your journey and we’ve included some heavenly places for you to rest your head at the end of each day.
Included as Standard
Airport VIP meet and greet, a bottle of wine on arrival, a spa treatment, a dedicated member of our team available 24/7, an upgrade at one of your chosen hotels and cars with Wi-Fi connectivity.
Day 1
Delhi
Day 2
Delhi
Day 3
Agra
Day 4
Agra - Bharatpur - Jaipur
Day 5
Jaipur
Day 6
Jaipur - Nimaj
Day 7
Nimaj
Day 8
Nimaj - Jodhpur
Day 9
Jodhpur
Day 10
Jodhpur - Jawai
Day 11
Jawai
Day 12
Jawai - Udaipur
Day 13
Udaipur
Day 14
Udaipur - Delhi
Day 1
Delhi
Experience the colourful day to day life of a city inhabited by over 16 million people
Day 2
Delhi
Day 3
Agra
The city’s wondrous sights make it completely unmissable. The magnificence of the Taj takes a hold. Dominated by magnificent royal palaces and dominating forts, each city is a thrill to visit.
Day 4
Agra - Bharatpur - Jaipur
Day 5
Jaipur
Known as the ‘Pink City’ due to the pale red wash that coats its buildings, the magnificent city of Jaipur lies on an apex of the popular ‘Golden Triangle’ route.
Day 6
Jaipur - Nimaj
Day 7
Nimaj
Day 8
Nimaj - Jodhpur
Day 9
Jodhpur
Dominated by magnificent royal palaces and dominating forts, Jodhpur is a thrill to visit.
Day 10
Jodhpur - Jawai
Day 11
Jawai
Experience the unique behaviour of the Jawai leopards
Day 12
Jawai - Udaipur
Day 13
Udaipur
Often referred to as the ‘Venice of the East’, the city is famed for the temples and palaces that fill its historic centre and add a dash of splendour to its tranquil lakeside.
Day 14
Udaipur - Delhi
More details
India's Golden Triangle
India’s Golden Triangle comprises of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, three of the most visited cities, all connected by excellent roads, internal flights and rail links. For a first time visitor to India, this is a good place to start, dubbed “golden” for a very good reason due to its extraordinary wealth of cultural and historical sights.
India’s capital Delhi is a sprawling metropolis, the old and the modern vying for attention, both offering unforgettable scenes and experiences. Agra is best known for the most beautiful monument to love, The Taj Mahal which adorns the banks of the Yamuna River. Jaipur is Rajasthan’s capital and home to some of Asia’s best markets, hotels and historical monuments. Jaipur is then your stepping off point into the rest of this magnificent state.
Read More
Spend Time in Rural Rajasthan
The antithesis to the cities, venturing out into rural Rajasthan brings peace, solitude (yes this is possible in India!) and far-reaching views across pristine countryside and farmland, dotted with quaint villages and dusty towns. As the melee of the sound of horns, traffic and people fade in the distance, it is replaced with birds song, children laughing, cowbells and the local temple’s call to prayer. Spending some time in the rural parts of Rajasthan allows time to change the pace of your trip and reflect on what you’ve experienced so far. There are plenty of heritage properties where you can stay and visit local farming communities to gain an understanding of a slower, more simple way of life. Some of our favourite places to stay are Chhatra Sagar and Shahpura Bagh.
The Blue City of Jodhpur
One of our favourite Rajasthani cities is the majestic city of Jodhpur, once a key member of the powerful Rajput alliance of principalities. The mighty Mehrangarh Fort epitomises this power and towers over the city, standing upon a steep-sided plateau and dominating the city skyline. The views from the top are superb.
Lying beneath the fort, Jodhpur’s old city is a maze of medieval streets, littered with glittering blue houses. Traditionally built to denote the homes of members of the highest caste, it is these colourful structures that have led to Jodhpur being known as the ‘Blue City’. Jodphur’s old city is easy to wander around although, with the gentle guidance of our resident expert, you are sure to get much more out of your stay here.
The Remarkable Leopards of Jawai
The haunting beauty of the Jawai hills contains the highest density of leopards in India and is the best place to sight leopards in the day time. The unique behaviour of the Jawai leopards reveals leopards living together and peacefully with local communities.
Stay at the luxurious Sujan Jawai Leopard Camp who works tirelessly with local communities in conservation efforts to protect the leopard population and help reduce human/animal conflict. During your stay, take a wilderness drive in search of these remarkable leopards, walk around the lake to view crocodiles and migratory birdlife, horse ride accompanied by a guide for a couple of hours, cycle ride across the beautiful landscape or enjoy a field day out to walk in the footsteps of the Rabari herdsmen.
Udaipur and the Floating Lake Palace
One of Rajasthan’s least frenetic cities, Udaipur sits beside the calm waters of Lake Pichola with the tree-dusted ridges of the Aravali Hills rising up around the city. Often referred to as the ‘Venice of the East’, the city is famed for the temples and palaces, which fill its historic centre and add a dash of splendour to its tranquil lakeside.
Spend three nights here to allow enough time to see everything and spend time simply relaxing at the end of your tour. With our resident expert explore the City Palace, which adorns the lake’s eastern shore, and the Lake Palace, which appears to float on the lake’s surface. The latter of these featured in the 1983 James Bond film, ‘Octopussy’, as the character’s lair. Visit little lakeside cafes and restaurants and watch local life play out.
Trip Extension Options
Venture into the Thar Desert to discover Jaisalmer. Known as the ‘golden city’ Jaisalmer is as far west as you can drive before hitting the Pakistani border. The fort of Jaisalmer appears to rise up out of the desert landscape, evoking images of camel-train trade routes and desert mystery. Much of the fort is still inhabited and fascinating to explore. Concealed inside are magnificent havelis carved out of golden sandstone.
Yearning to see a tiger? Why not include a visit to Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, easily included on a route through Rajasthan. With excellent sightings and a growing tiger population, there is a very good chance you will see these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat.
Accommodation
Below you can see some of the wonderful places we have recommended for this journey.
Samode Haveli £££££
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Forts and Palaces
The townhouse of the Samode family lies at the heart of Jaipur. It is a real find with fabulous frescoes and large gardens allowing you to forget that you are in one of the city’s busiest streets. As with Samode Palace, the bedrooms are scattered around the rambling building and are superbly decorated. The huge swimming pool is one of Jaipur’s finest and is a draw in itself.
Let’s chat
A note on price
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
This Itinerary
Price
From $5,569 Per person
When to travel
India in January
January is a very popular time to travel to India, due to mild temperatures and very little rainfall. The climate varies across India from snow in the Northern States to the Southern regions experiencing daily sunshine – perfect for an escape to Kerala’s beaches.
India in February
During peak season, February is an ideal month to travel to India, experiencing all regions of the country from Rajasthan in the North to Karnataka in the South.
India in March
Temperatures begin to rise with March typically being the last month of the peak season. A significant month for religious, Hindu festivals, March can become busy in some regions however also a perfect time to travel to experience Indian culture and wildlife.
India in April
With temperatures starting to rise, regions in Northern India start to become more accessible with excellent opportunities to discover hiking trails and the wildlife of these regions. Temperatures can sometimes exceed 40°C, with high levels of humidity in Southern India.
India in May
From May to September, Monsoon rains affect the North and Central states of India with daily rainfall and thunderstorms. During the Monsoon season, it is best to experience high altitude regions and avoid beach resorts.
India in June
Most regions of India will experience the Monsoon season in June alongside high daily temperatures and high levels of humidity. Whilst, not a popular time to travel, experience the mountainous regions as opposed to Central India to experience slightly cooler temperatures at the start of the month.
India in July
At the peak of the Monsoon season, most of the country experiences frequent, heavy rainfall. Whilst travel plans may be interrupted due to the climate, it is a great time to visit India to experience the national parks and the great outdoors.
India in August
As the Monsoon continues, the climate is very similar to that of June and July. Whilst not a suitable time to travel to India’s Southern beaches, other Northern Regions are popular with locals for hiking and outdoor pursuits.
India in September
As the final month of the Monsoon season, rainfall will be less frequent with the occasional sunny spell showcasing the lush, green vegetation that has flourished during the heavy rains.
India in October
As the monsoon rains have finished, humidity levels remain high and the peak travel season begins. During the month of October, there are lots of religious festivals, including Diwali, where some regions may become busier with domestic tourists.
India in November
As one of the best times to visit the country, November brings comfortable temperatures for sightseeing with the monsoon rains dying out from October. As the temperatures drop, however, Northern India and the Himalayas will become less accessible.
India in December
In December, temperatures and climate will be dependant on the region. In the Southern States, India will see a pleasant and mild climate, ideal for sightseeing, whereas, in Northern India and mountainous regions, snow and cold temperatures are likely.
Exploration. Inspiration
Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. A curiosity of the world and of you, and your passions. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?
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