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See our Activity Level Guidelines to check if this holiday is right for you.
See our Activity Level Guidelines to check if this holiday is right for you.
Immerse yourself in Rajasthan, known as the Land of Kings for its countless palaces, forts and monuments to warriors past. On this culture-packed adventure, we visit the imposing forts of Jodhpur and Jaipur, which bear testament to the battles that once raged here, visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, and search Ranthambore National Park for another regal resident: the elusive Bengal tiger.
The departure starting in Delhi on 14 November 2026 includes a visit to the Pushkar Fair. Read the Colours of Rajasthan – Pushkar Festival itinerary for more details.
Begin your adventure in pulsating Delhi. It’s a city split in two, with historic Old Delhi in the north and the nation’s capital, New Delhi, in the south. Today has been left free, allowing you time to settle into the trip.
Around 6pm, we gather as a group to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome by arranging a group dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Want more time in Delhi? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative
Accommodation: Rockland Hotel (or similar)
Visit the walled city of Old Delhi this morning. It’s crowded, full of activities and still influenced by the great Mughals who once ruled from the ramparts of the majestic Red Fort. Navigating the city, we visit the 17th-century Jama Mosque, the largest mosque in India; Rajghat, a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi; India Gate; and vast colonial buildings. In the afternoon, we transfer (approximately six hours) to Ranthambore National Park.
Accommodation: Raj Palace Resort (or similar)
Today we take two game drives in Ranthambore National Park. The reserve was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1957 and in 1974 became part of Project Tiger. After initial success, poaching has drastically reduced the tiger population. However, Ranthambore is still considered one of the best places to spot wild tigers and many of our groups over the last few years have seen the elusive predator. Ranthambore is also home to a great variety of other wildlife, including several species of monkey, deer, crocodile and birdlife.
During the game drives, each vehicle is joined by a Forest Guard, a requirement by the local authorities. The Forest Guards are part of a national park initiative to generate employment for the nearby villages. They are skilled spotters and trackers so, though their English is sometimes very limited, they greatly improve the experience.
Accommodation: Raj Palace Resort (or similar)
Leave Ranthambore and drive (approximately four hours) to Bundi, a delightful town on the Aravali foothills. It is best known for its palaces and the beautifully decorated stepwells that were used to collect water during the monsoon centuries ago. Visit Bundi Fort in the afternoon, one of the most beautiful palaces in India and home to outstanding miniature paintings portraying the history of the palace and its royal family. The fort is high on a hill overlooking Bundi and its Krishna blue stonewashed houses.
Accommodation: Ishwari Niwas Hotel (or similar)
Set off on our five-hour (145mi/235km) journey to the lakeside city of Udaipur. Known as the Pearl of Rajasthan, the City of Sunrise and Venice of the East, Udaipur is a beautiful place regarded by both Indians and visitors as the most romantic city in India.
Accommodation: Paras Mahal Hotel (or similar)
On the east side of Lake Pichola, the main palace commands an unsurpassed view across the shimmering lake to the dusty Aravalli Hills.
The lake has two islands, each with a palace to rival that on the mainland. Jag Mandir and Jag Nivas (the latter is now the Lake Palace Hotel) rise out of their own reflections in the lake waters. Udaipur is surrounded by a massive bastion with five gates and dominating the town is the City Palace of the Maharana. The sumptuous apartments are decorated with multi-coloured mosaics, elaborate mirror work and inlaid tiles; half of these can be visited as the current Maharaja still occupies the rest of the palace. Spend the morning visiting the City Palace and Jagdish Temple, with a huge black-stone image of Jagannath, an aspect of Lord Vishnu. If time allows, it may be possible to visit the gardens of Gulab Bag or take a boat trip on the lake. The afternoon is free to enjoy this evocative city.
Accommodation: Paras Mahal Hotel (or similar)
Taking the scenic road out of Udaipur, we head to the blue city of Jodhpur, where the houses were painted blue to distinguish them as those of Brahmins. It was founded by the Rajput chief Roa Jodha and was formerly the capital of the Marwar state. The city is surrounded by a wall almost 6mi (10km) in circumference and is dominated by the massive fort that stands on a rocky hill commanding the surrounding desert.
It’s a seven-hour drive there, but to break up the journey we visit the 15th-century Jain temple at Ranakpur. The main temple, beautifully carved from marble, is dedicated to Adinath and has 29 halls supported by 1,444 pillars, each delicately carved with a different design.
Accommodation: Shree Ram International Hotel (or similar)
First thing, we visit Mehrangarh Fort for a great view of the blue houses. The fort itself looks massive from the outside but inside there is an impressive collection of finely carved sandstone screens and lattice windows, and the palaces themselves are very finely decorated.
We then walk through the spice market, before having the rest of the day free to explore the city. Options include visiting Mandore Garden, known for its collection of impressive cenotaphs dedicated to the rulers of Jodhpur.
Accommodation: Shree Ram International Hotel (or similar)
Pushkar Fair departure (14 November 2026): The itinerary for this departure is slightly amended. Read the Colours of Rajasthan – Pushkar Festival (2026) itinerary for more details.
This morning, we transfer (six hours) to the lakeside pilgrimage town of Pushkar. There’s time for sightseeing this afternoon. In the town centre is the holy Pushkar Lake, which is surrounded by several temples, including a Bramha temple said to be the only one in the world dedicated to this deity. A dip in the lake waters and worship at the Bramha temple ensure salvation.
Accommodation: Hotel Dera Masuda (or similar)
Enjoy time at leisure this morning to explore Pushkar. Roam the narrow streets hunting for souvenirs or take a stroll to the lake and watch the local people start their day. In the afternoon, we drive (approximately three hours) to Jaipur, an attractive city of broad avenues, built of sandstone and painted pink at a later stage.
Accommodation: Hotel 7 Apple (or similar)
We start as the sun rises, heading out for a dawn walking tour led by a local guide as the Pink City wakes. See the local people start their day and the rituals that take place in early morning markets and small temples. We visit different chowkris (blocks) within the walled city, with the chance to interact with different artisans.
Returning to the hotel for breakfast and some time to refresh, we head out again mid-morning for a city tour led by a local guide. Visit the highlights, including one of the most intriguing sights in India, the observatory of Jai Singh. This is an assembly of immense astronomical instruments. We also see the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds, and the splendid Amber Palace, rising above a lake outside the city.
Accommodation: Hotel 7 Apple (or similar)
Transfer to Agra (approximately 4hr 30min), visiting Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted royal city of Emperor Akbar, on the way. This impressive and well-preserved citadel became his capital in 1571, after the blessing of a local Moslem holy man correctly predicted the birth of a longed-for son, his successor Jehangir. The mosque, designed to hold 10,000 worshippers, the palaces, residences and halls of audience, are constructed of decorative red sandstone. But this magnificence only lasted 14 years; Akbar left Fatehpur Sikri in 1584 to secure his outlying territories, leaving this city much as we see it today.
This afternoon, we visit the imposing Red Fort of Akbar (Agra Fort), whose mighty sandstone walls enclose the beautiful white-marble Pearl Mosque and the palaces, halls, courtyards and fountains of his sons and successors, Jehangir and Shah Jahan.
Accommodation: Hotel Sun Ring (or similar)
Wake early to visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, when the white-marble exterior is illuminated by the soft early light, the crowds are smaller and the birds chatter among themselves. After admiring it from the outside, we head inside, with a chance to explore the beautiful inner chambers and mausoleum, while our tour leader shares the history of this New World Wonder.
Following breakfast, we begin on our journey (approximately four to five hours) back to Delhi, stopping on the outskirts of Agra to visit and support Wildlife SOS. Their work is dedicated to rescuing and caring for sloth bears and elephants. At the Agra Elephant Conservation and Care Centre, we meet an education officer to learn about their vital work and commitment to rehabilitating abused elephants and advocating for their conservation through public awareness campaigns. We tour the centre and see some of the rescued elephants and hear their stories.
After this informative visit, we resume our drive to Delhi and check into our hotel. It’s your last night together so the tour leader can help to arrange a group dinner.
Accommodation: Rockland Hotel (or similar)
The adventure ends after breakfast and we begin our return journeys home. Alternatively, if you’d like to spend a bit more time exploring this magnificent city, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
Saturday 21 Mar 2026 to Friday 03 Apr 2026
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
Usually £ 1649
Now £ 1519
Saturday 04 Apr 2026 to Friday 17 Apr 2026
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
Usually £ 1649
Now £ 1519
Saturday 10 Oct 2026 to Friday 23 Oct 2026
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1519 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 379 deposit
Saturday 24 Oct 2026 to Friday 06 Nov 2026
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1519 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 379 deposit
'Led by Mayank Khamesra - Exodus Tour Leader Awards 2025 - Overall Winner'
Saturday 07 Nov 2026 to Friday 20 Nov 2026
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1519 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 379 deposit
Tuesday 15 Dec 2026 to Monday 28 Dec 2026
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1619 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 404 deposit
Saturday 09 Jan 2027 to Friday 22 Jan 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1619 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 404 deposit
Saturday 23 Jan 2027 to Friday 05 Feb 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1619 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 404 deposit
Saturday 06 Feb 2027 to Friday 19 Feb 2027
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1619 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 404 deposit
'Led by Mayank Khamesra - Exodus Tour Leader Awards 2025 - Overall Winner'
Saturday 13 Feb 2027 to Friday 26 Feb 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1619 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 404 deposit
Saturday 20 Feb 2027 to Friday 05 Mar 2027
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1619 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 404 deposit
'Led by Mayank Khamesra - Exodus Tour Leader Awards 2025 - Overall Winner'
Saturday 27 Feb 2027 to Friday 12 Mar 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1619 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 404 deposit
Saturday 06 Mar 2027 to Friday 19 Mar 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1619 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 404 deposit
Wednesday 17 Mar 2027 to Tuesday 30 Mar 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1619 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 404 deposit
Saturday 20 Mar 2027 to Friday 02 Apr 2027
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1619 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 404 deposit
Saturday 27 Mar 2027 to Friday 09 Apr 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1619 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 404 deposit
Saturday 03 Apr 2027 to Friday 16 Apr 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1619 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 404 deposit
Saturday 02 Oct 2027 to Friday 15 Oct 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1619 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 404 deposit
Saturday 09 Oct 2027 to Friday 22 Oct 2027
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1619 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 404 deposit
Saturday 16 Oct 2027 to Friday 29 Oct 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1619 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 404 deposit
Wednesday 20 Oct 2027 to Tuesday 02 Nov 2027
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1619 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 404 deposit
Saturday 30 Oct 2027 to Friday 12 Nov 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1619 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 404 deposit
Saturday 13 Nov 2027 to Friday 26 Nov 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1619 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 404 deposit
Saturday 27 Nov 2027 to Friday 10 Dec 2027
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1619 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 404 deposit
Tuesday 14 Dec 2027 to Monday 27 Dec 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 1769 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 442 deposit
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View Details
On this adventure through Rajasthan, we spend 13 nights in hotels. The accommodations typically used can be found on the day-to-day itinerary. However, below are a few of the notable hotels on this trip.
Bundi: Ishwari Niwas Hotel (night 4)
Stay in a haveli (mansion) turned heritage hotel. It provides 24 rooms with traditional Bundi décor around an open courtyard with seating. There’s also a multi-cuisine restaurant, which specialises in Rajasthani dishes. The 100-year-old building, constructed during the reign of Maharao Raja Ishwari Singh, is close to the Bundi Palace and other historic attractions.
Udaipur: Paras Mahal Hotel (nights 5-6)
Relax in green gardens overlooking the Aravalli Hills when you stay at the Paras Mahal. Find further chilled moments at the Urvashi Bar, an ideal gathering spot for the group, or with a splash in the pool. It’s also close to the main attractions in Udaipur: the City Palace and Lake Pichola.
Jodhpur: Shree Ram International Hotel (nights 7-8)
There’s plenty to recommend the Shree Ram, most notably a sprawling green garden with plenty of space to wander and relax. There’s also an outdoor pool for a quick dip plus a café-bar stocked with wines, cocktails and more. Elsewhere, there’s The Basil restaurant, serving a variety of cuisines.
Worth knowing
This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.
Pace: This is a fast-paced cultural trip, packed with the highlights of Rajasthan. It is not overly demanding, but some days can be busy and long, particularly where travelling is combined with sightseeing.
Journeys: The roads are generally pretty good, but traffic and/or road damage after the monsoon can sometimes slow us down. We travel mainly on comparatively quiet roads for at least half the journey. Longer distances are covered by private bus and should take around six to seven hours; however, delays are possible and journey times can increase. This trip does involve a lot of time on the road; however, this gives you the perfect opportunity to see the diversity of one of India’s most colourful states.
Weather: It can be quite hot and dusty (except December to February) and the bustle of the Indian cities can be tiring.
Monuments: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for the conservation of many monuments in India, including the Taj Mahal, and very occasionally this may mean that work is taking place at sites visited on this trip. The ASI schedule is never published so it is not possible to forewarn when work is taking place.
Festivals – Holi and Diwali: Some departures coincide with the festivals of Holi and Diwali. These can be quite local celebrations within communities and families and are not necessarily marked to the same extent throughout the country. We seek opportunities to see the festivities; however, we cannot guarantee what may or may not be going on in the area visited during the trip.
Holi celebrations typically involve people throwing coloured powders and water at each other and smearing powder on each other’s faces. This tends to be done in local communities and families so it is not always possible to be involved though you may see the colourful results of this boisterous festival left on the streets. During Holi, local monuments and markets close, so departures over Holi have a slight adjustment to the itinerary. Where possible, you will be offered a cultural experience with local musicians and dancers performing plus an opportunity to play with colours, dance, and enjoy food and drinks. You can also purchase locally the traditional white kurta outfit to look the part and avoid getting your own clothes covered in the coloured powders.
During Diwali, the festival of lights to mark the start of the Hindu New Year, people may illuminate their houses and shops and sometimes celebrate on the streets with fireworks. Lasting up to five days, it is difficult for us to predict what may be going on in the areas visited on our trips during Diwali. Where something is happening, we will endeavour to see how our groups can witness the festivities.
Pushkar Fair: Some departures are in Pushkar during the fair. These have a slightly amended schedule. See the itinerary here.
Start hotel: Rockland Hotel, B207, Outer Ring Rd, Block B, Chittaranjan Park, New Delhi, Delhi 110019
Phone: +91 11 4272 2222
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing around 6pm.
Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)
The start hotel is approximately 30 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Exodus provides free departure transfers for all customers to Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) from the end hotel. Please ensure you provide your flight details at least two weeks prior to arrival to secure your airport transfer.
Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.
To avoid possible problems at immigration, make sure your passport is valid for a minimum of 180 days at the time of entry into India.
Travellers from the UK, US, CA and EU normally need a visa to enter India. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/india
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/india
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/india/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/India.html
Travellers eligible for an e-visa, which includes those from the UK, US, CA and EU, can apply at www.indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html.
For more information on applying for your Indian Visa, including details required for your start hotel and local reference contacts, please click on this link: Indian Visa Information.
New Digital Arrival Card
Travellers from the UK, US, EU and Canada must also complete a Digital Arrival Card. This can be filled online up to 72 hours before arrival via the official Indian visa website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/. This is separate from the Indian e-visa process and this remains the same. Physical cards will remain at the arrival airport until 1 April 2026, at which point the Digital Arrival Card will be made mandatory.
Where meals are not supplied, our tour leaders always encourage people to try local restaurants and street-food vendors − allow at least 1,400-2,400 Indian rupees (approximately US$20-US$35) per day for lunch and dinner. In Jaipur, Udaipur and Delhi, you can even see how food and drink, such as samosa (mashed potato snacks), jalebe (Indian doughnuts) and lassi (yoghurt drink), are made. In most towns, there is a good selection of restaurants and a choice between Indian and Western-style food. If you are vegetarian, India is probably one of the best destinations to visit. Tea and soft drinks are very cheap. A (large) bottle of beer is approximately 300-400 rupees (approximately US$4-US$5). Mineral water is available in the bus in large containers. Please bring a water bottle with you to refill. Please note, service in restaurants can be quite slow.
During October/November and February/March/April, the days are normally warm to hot and nights cool or mild. Humidity is very low with little or no rain. Evenings in Delhi can be surprisingly cool. It gets very cold in the early mornings and evenings in December and January and warm clothes are essential. Fog is also a real possibility during this period. Please note, night-time temperatures in Delhi can be very cold and only a little above freezing in December and January.
As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.
We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.
This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.
You’ll also find Thriving Nature, Thriving People moments across our trips. These experiences are often a highlight of your adventure, while also benefiting the natural world or local communities.
On this trip, we:
In addition, we support tiger conservation through our Foundation’s Tiger Habitat Project.
A wonderful two weeks in exciting, chaotic, stimulating Rajasthan. A perfect cure for the winter blues. This trip is very busy but ensures some wonderful experiences.
Lots of inspiring moments including first view of beautiful Taj Mahal, witnessing ceremony in Jaipur temple, the magnificent
Firstly we had one of the best tiger viewings our guide had seen in awhile. It carried a fresh kill right infront of our truck in the morning and in the afternoon we found a small family of tigers and we watched them Eat and play just a stones throw away from us. This trip takes in so much Beautiful Architecture. Of course there is the Taj Mahal but other less known forts are very impressive, very detailed and much more preserved than I was expecting. I do wish it had more time inside the cities to see more 'real life' india. We were bused from hotel door to fort entrance a lot which is the easiest way and probably the best in the heat but you do feel like you miss whats going on around. I would have liked more time to weave the small streets of Jodhpur with the Blue houses and to experience 'markets' rather than rest-stop giftshops. This trip was very busy but we covered a lot of areas and you cant help the distance required to get to each one. Bus journeys were long but roads are improving and times are getting quicker. There are plenty of stops, if you are someone who doesnt need to stop these can feel frustrating or like the journeys are longer than necessary but its a group tour and there are always others that appreciate the rest stop - and you have to think of the driver. Meals in hotels were reasonable but restaurants and especially some lunch stops were more expensive than you would expect for India as they were touristy but its probably better than getting unwell, this trip is too busy to be risking that.
The tiger viewing in Ranthambore has to be the best thing, it was so special and knowing that sightings are not guaranteed made it even more a highlight. The Taj Mahal, i had always been keen to see it but I struggled to peel myself away from it - it was stunning - not just the building but just how its presented and there is something about it that does feel so special when you are there - we had fab weather too!
Our Guide Manoj was so knowledgeable, extremally passionate about working for Exodus and being a guide. Had a good sense of humour. There is a lot of information to take in and it can be difficult to understand some things but he was very patient and happy to re-explain. Very organised and professional but he did walk quick, if you want to keep taking photos you will be doing a lot of catching up!
You have to go on this expecting the unexpected otherwise you wont enjoy. You have to go with the flow and just accept the country you are in is probably like nowhere you have been before. Be flexible. Expect things in the hotels to not always work - wifi, hairdryer etc. You are not in hotels long enough to worry about its facilities just take them for what they are otherwise its not the right tour for you and you will let little details ruin your holiday. Binoculars for Ranthambore or a camera with a good zoom! Also there are so many different birds in India! Atm withdrawals are the best for cash, most places take card but not everywhere and sometimes the guide will arrange things and you pay him so some cash is needed. Places of worship are only the official places you need to have shoulders and knees covered but it was more comfortable as a women to just have trousers/long skirts on everywhere. Easy shoes to get on and off at temples and socks if you dont want to be bare foot. Take cards/books/download movies - there is a lot of bus time
If internet access regularly is important to you , get an indian sim card at the airport arrivals hall. Expect queues and a long process though and if the transfer bus cant wait for you it might resolve in you getting a taxi to the hotel. I think outside airport its hard if you are not a resident. Wifi is available but cannot be relied on/can be weak/not everyone could connect.
Fitting in an impressive amount of places, although it is a lot of driving we had a fantastic driver. Really enjoyed the sites, and finished off with the breathtaking Taj Mahal.
Aside from the Taj Mahal…the lakes of Udaipur at sunset are absolutely stunning. As well as experiencing Holi festival in Jaipur was a really great experience.
Got us through the trip, however other members of our group had to look out for slower members of the group. Sent my sister and I to a jewellery shop that didn’t stock the item we had asked him where the best place to buy it was. Although we appreciated the help he seemed disinterested when members of the tour asked questions. It also felt like he had a very close relationship with the owners of the restaurants we ate at and many were low quality with poor service which led to us walking out of one much to his discomfort.
Requires meticulous packing and organisation due to the amount of moving around. Be aware of what prices you are paying as were paying 2x to as much as x6 local rates and on at least one occasion were given a different tourist menu with English pricing. I would also recommend getting a SIM card although advised we didn’t need one by our tour leader, the long bus journeys and non or low - quality wifi at the hotels certainly warranted one.
Would have been nice to try traditional street food and perhaps see how it is made. Unfortunately, I feel we saw a watered down version of Indian culture and we were “protected” from the local economy. We were taken to a high priced marble artisan and a rug store but got very little free time to explore for ourselves.
We really appreciate Surinder’s review, and are glad she enjoyed the sites she visited on her trip to India with us. We’re sorry that a couple of aspects gave her cause for disappointment, though. Many restaurants in India have different rates for local Indian people than they do for foreign tourists, particularly tour groups. This is particular true for restaurants which cater towards tourists, which are generally those recommended by our tour leaders, as they have good hygiene ratings. This is similarly why we don’t include trying local street food, as while our clients are free to do this in their own time, it is simply not something we would recommend given that it could lead to a very upset stomach. We are, however, sorry that some of the establishments Surinder’s group ate at were not to her liking. Surinder’s tour leader has explained that he recommended a jewellery shop that he was sure was reputable, and regrets that it didn’t stock the item she wanted; he didn’t, however, feel comfortable recommending other nearby stores which he was aware may have stocked fake items. Surinder’s leader receives very positive feedback from clients overall, so we were regretful to learn that she didn’t have a similar experience with him on this departure. We would mention that clients in Surinder’s group rated her leader at 4.33 out of 5 overall, which is a very good score; however, we have spoken to him about aspects of his performance which could be improved in the future. We’d like to thank Surinder for detailing her experience, and hope to be able to welcome her back on another Exodus trip when she travels again. - Sarah Puttnam, Exodus Product Manager
An unforgettable and once in a lifetime experience
Holi Festival and visiting the amazing marble Jain temple but also tiger spotting and Rathambore safari plus all of the other amazing site visits - too many to mention...
Gaj was fantastic and looked after all of us very well. Loads of knowledge and a great leader.
A lot of minibus travelling between sites so take your ipad or a book.
Travelled with my daughters and partner, largely repeating a backpacking trip of more than a quarter of a century ago ( the roads have dramatically improved) this trip delivers the highlights of Rajasthan plus Agra and (briefly) Delhi in a compact timescale leaving you planning return visits to your favourite sites. The driver and helper were tremendous. unfortunately there were question marks over the quality of a couple of hotels ( Pushkar Jaipur) and the pace of the itinary leaves little time for snagging if a room change is required. The main downside, having experienced previous Exodus trips, was the failure to deliver on engagement with local traders, food providers, food producers, charities outside of the mainstreem tourist economy and the seemingly non optional arrangements for food and additional activities at additional cost. Group visits were to high end carpet, spice and marble suppliers. The train trip form agra to Delhi was somewhat chaotic - porters were hired at Agra but not Delhi leading to a long walk through traffic with cases to our transport.
Of course the Taj Mahal (excellent local guide), Udaipur from the water did not disappoint and Bundi was a great surprise package -but the top award has to go to the good natured paint throwing mayhem of the Holi festival in Jaipur!
Opinions varied. IMO did little to promote group cohesion ( group member supported slower members of the party) and he tended to blame his local admin back up for problems. The first night group meal was curiously expensive and It was unclear what the tipping budget covered. Local specialist guides (Bundi Fort , The Taj) however were well informed and added value.
The 1 night stays leave almost no time in which to open and close a suitcase so fanatical attention to packing detail required. Also Insist on interaction with local traders, not just the tourist economy.
Hotel Wi-Fi availability is variable and with the number of hours on the road it's probably worth considering purchasing a local SIM card.
We’re delighted to read that John enjoyed many aspects of his return trip to India after a long time away, and that he found some of the sights covered on the tour to be amazing. We regret, though, that he was somewhat disappointed with some areas of the holiday. Regarding the hotels in Pushkar and Jaipur, we have recently changed the hotel in Pushkar and are looking for an alternative to the property in Jaipur, which we’ll be using from October of this year onwards. We understand that John would have appreciated more interaction with local people and small, local businesses. We would mention that the visits to carpet, spice, and marble vendors John comments on are only offered to clients as optional visits; however, we take John’s point and have raised his suggestion to include more engagement with local people on this tour with our team in India. Similarly, we get John’s disappointment with the cost of food at times. Our leaders arrange group meals and, especially early on in the trip when clients are getting used to the food in India, our groups are taken to restaurants with high hygiene ratings, which do tend to not be local establishments and can cater for tourists. Customers are, however, always free to opt out of group meals if they wish, or organise them amongst the group members themselves. Regarding the tipping budget, this is outlined in our trip notes, and our leaders carry a tip sheet which lists all the tips they give throughout the trip, and which clients can ask to see at any point during the holiday. Finally, we were disappointed to note John’s mixed feelings about his tour leader. This is not at all common feedback for us to receive about our leaders in India, and we will follow John’s comments up with our local manager to ensure that all our leaders are providing conscientious, personable support to all members of our groups. We’re grateful for John for taking the time to leave a review, and hope we’ll be able to welcome him back on another Exodus trip at some point in the future. - Sarah Puttnam, Exodus Product Manager
This is a fast pace trip, long days travelling but there is a lot to see.
The first glimpse of the Taj Mahal was breathtaking, it is jaw dropping beautiful. However I think joining in with the Holi celebrations especially being at the Krishna temple In Jaipur is a memory that will stay with me.
Gaj was an excellent tour guide. Loved that on our travel days he would pick a subject about India ie education, caste system and explain to us how it works in India. Explained clearly with out any information overload as can be the case on some trips.
Good to go with a bit of knowledge on the indian culture. It is a full on fast pace trip, a lot of travelling. some found the climbs at the forts hard going especially in the heat. Get used to the sound of car horns!!
On the whole a good trip, a lot to see. I think trip could benefit from another day/night in Jodhpur. Personally I think of all the exodus trips I have done the accommodation on this one was below average especially in Delhi, Bundi, Jaipur and Pushkar. I seemed to repeatedly get rooms with either no window or frosted out glass. Wish exodus would put a stop to the visits to the factory outlets they are overpriced and unnecessary. Maybe spend more time on less touristy visits, enjoy some street food etc I also felt the trip to the Taj Mahal was too rushed, 10 minutes to wander round ourselves was not enough time, we were only going back to the hotel to hang around for 3 hours so loads of time.
Interesting and varied trip.
seeing a tiger as close as we did.
Excellent - very good English that wasn’t too accented. Able to impart overviews/ info without lecturing . Well organised.
Beware of LOTS of time in the coach and little other free time.
Fantastic trip
Tai Mahal
Absolutely superb. Knowledgeable, loved and so proud of his country and nothing was too much trouble.
Look at Activity Level very carefully
The level on this trip was leisurely but lots of steps and hilly entrances to buildings. Two of our group really struggled. Needs to be clearer in the Activity Level description. Hotels in Dehli and Puska poor. These need to be improved. Bus - some seat belts and air conditioning vents didn’t work.
Trip was good but not leisurely as described a lot of sitting on bus driving no leisure time unless took time out of the schedule
Taj Mahal
Excellent took lots of care could not have been better
Study details to make sure not too much involved
Most basics very good food hotels etc but poor planning
Thank you for your review Alison, although we’re sorry you didn’t find the trip to be as leisurely as you had expected While we do mention in our trip notes that this is a busy itinerary, mainly because this region of India offers so much to see and experience in the time frame, we generally note our customers find the pace to be appropriate as shown in the very positive feedback we receive, but do appreciate some customers may prefer more guidance on this aspect of our trips. Should you wish to travel with us again, please don’t hesitate to ask our sales team if you have any specific questions about the tour that are not covered in the trip notes, and we will be more than happy to help. Sarah Puttnam - Product Manager
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