Detail of decorated gateway, Amber fort, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Forts and Palaces of Rajasthan

  • TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAY IDEA

Duration

14 Days

Prices Start from

£6,595pp(ex. flights)

Picture India in your mind’s eye and there’s a strong chance you will think of Rajasthan. From Agra to Jaipur and Jodhpur, few places in the world pack such a powerful, cultural punch with festivals, architecture, people and food all combining to produce a heady concoction.

Begin with the legendary Taj Mahal before taking a deep dive into Rajasthan. Including the regions most vibrant cities this holiday also takes time to visit some of the lesser-known rural areas, as well as the leopards of Jawai. Expert guides will provide depth and insight to bespoke experiences before delivering you to accommodation with a real sense of place.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

Taj Mahal, Agra, India 1

Royal Cities

Dominated by magnificent royal palaces and forts, Rajasthani cities are a thrill to visit.

Female Leopard, Jawai, India 2

Leopard Sightings

For reliable sightings of leopards, the Jawai hills rarely fail to deliver.

Rajasthani Woman, Rajasthan, India 3

Rural Rajasthan

Explore quiet villages, spot birdlife and meet the rural communities of Rajasthan.

Royal Spa Boat, Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, India 4

Heritage Properties

Stay in magnificent forts, havelis and palaces that typify Rajasthan’s heritage.

Explore our suggested itinerary

  • Day 1

    Delhi (The Leela Palace)

  • Day 2

    Delhi (The Leela Palace)

  • Day 3

    Delhi - Agra (ITC Mughal)

  • Day 4

    Agra - Bharatpur - Jaipur (Jobner Bagh Hotel)

  • Day 5

    Jaipur (Jobner Bagh Hotel)

  • Day 6

    Jaipur - Nimaj (RAAS Chhatrasagar)

  • Day 7

    Nimaj (RAAS Chhatrasagar)

  • Day 8

    Nimaj - Jodhpur (RAAS Jodhpur)

  • Day 9

    Jodhpur (RAAS Jodhpur)

  • Day 10

    Jodhpur - Jawai (SUJAN Jawai)

  • Day 11

    Jawai (SUJAN Jawai)

  • Day 12

    Jawai - Udaipur (Taj Lake Palace)

  • Day 13

    Udaipur (Taj Lake Palace)

  • Day 14

    Udaipur - Delhi

Day 1

Delhi (The Leela Palace)

Arrive in Delhi and transfer to your accommodation.

Day 2

Delhi (The Leela Palace)

Join a private guide for full day to explore Delhi showcasing the cities rich cultural heritage.

Day 3

Delhi - Agra (ITC Mughal)

Journey south for around four hours to the city of Agra, Check into your hotel before an evening visit to Mehtab Bagh for your first view of the Taj Mahal.

Day 4

Agra - Bharatpur - Jaipur (Jobner Bagh Hotel)

An early rise to see the Taj Mahal at sunrise. After breakfast depart for Jaipur, a journey of approximately five to six hours, stopping en route to explore the abandoned Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri. Continue onto Jaipur and check into your accommodation.

Day 5

Jaipur (Jobner Bagh Hotel)

Spend the day exploring the magnificent city of Jaipur which lies on an apex of the ‘Golden Triangle’ route and known as the ‘Pink City’ due to the pale red wash that coats its buildings. Explore the Amber fort, many palaces and atmospheric bazaars.

Day 6

Jaipur - Nimaj (RAAS Chhatrasagar)

Drive around four and a half hours to Nimaj and check into your tented camp accommodation.

Day 7

Nimaj (RAAS Chhatrasagar)

Accompanied by one of the knowledgeable naturalists, explore the farm, local temples and meet the villagers. Take a dawn stroll around the lake, or an evening jeep drive through the grasslands, spotting bird species and herds of blue bull.

Day 8

Nimaj - Jodhpur (RAAS Jodhpur)

Travel around two hours west to the city of Jodhpur. For a truly special experience we can arrange access to the Mehrangarh Fort at night when it closes to the public and the sun is setting.

Day 9

Jodhpur (RAAS Jodhpur)

Dominated by striking blue buildings and the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur sits on the edge of the Thar desert and is an exciting city to explore with the help of a local guide. Take a walking tour and enjoy lunch with a local family.

Day 10

Jodhpur - Jawai (SUJAN Jawai)

Transfer around two and a half hours south to Jawai and your camp for the next few nights. Head out for an evening wilderness drive.

Day 11

Jawai (SUJAN Jawai)

Embark on morning and evening wilderness drives to track leopard and meet the charismatic herdsmen of the Rabari community who share this landscape.

Day 12

Jawai - Udaipur (Taj Lake Palace)

After a final wilderness drive travel around three hours to Udaipur and your spectacular lakeside accommodation.

Day 13

Udaipur (Taj Lake Palace)

With our resident expert explore the City Palace, and the Lake Palace – appearing to float on the lake’s surface this palace featured in the 1983 James Bond film, ‘Octopussy’, as the character’s lair. Relax in one of the lakeside cafes and restaurants to watch local life play out.

Day 14

Udaipur - Delhi

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Delhi for onward travel.

Our travel experts can tailor this itinerary to suit you.

More Details

Hawa Mahal, Jaipur, India
Hawa Mahal, Jaipur, India

India's Golden Triangle

India’s Golden Triangle comprises of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur – dubbed “golden” for good reason due to the extraordinary wealth of cultural and historical sights found within them. From India’s capital Delhi, a sprawling metropolis, where old and new vie for attention to Agra, best known for the most famous monument to love, the Taj Mahal. Jaipur is Rajasthan’s capital, home to some of Asia’s best markets and known as the pink city.

Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada Mausoleum, Jodhpur, India
Jodhpur, India

The Blue City of Jodhpur

The mighty Mehrangarh Fort dominates the skyline of Jodhpur with superb views from the top of the steep-sided plateau. Lying beneath, 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’. We can arrange an optional experience to visit the Mehrangarh Fort, after it closes to the public and the sun is casting the last of its soft orange rays over the city. Joined by the museum curator, take a private tour through the fort that includes personal stories and anecdotes about the various exhibits and collections.

Sujan Jawai, Rajasthan, India
Sujan Jawai, Safari wilderness drive
Leopard Relaxing,Jawai Sagar, Rajasthan, India
Leopard, Jawai, India

The 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 during daylight hours. Stay at the SUJAN Jawai Leopard Camp where ongoing work between communities aims to protect the leopard population and help reduce human/animal conflict. Take wilderness drives in search of leopards, walk around the lake to view crocodiles and migratory birdlife, horse ride accompanied by a guide, cycle across the beautiful landscape or enjoy a field day out to walk in the footsteps of the Rabari herdsmen.

 

Accommodation

Below you can see some of the wonderful places we have recommended for this journey.

The Leela Palace, Delhi £££££

  • India

This palatial, luxury palace hotel is located at the heart of New Delhi, in close proximity to the city centre, the presidential palace and many of the major historical monuments.

View Property

RAAS Jodhpur £££££

  • India
  • Boutique

RAAS Jodhpur is a glorious little hotel lying at the foot of the mighty Meherangarh Fort in the heart of Jodhpur’s Walled City. It is the only luxury hotel to be based in the old town and the views of the fort, which looms directly above you, are truly spectacular.

View Property

SUJAN Jawai £££££

  • India
  • Tented Camps

SUJAN Jawai offers a luxury camping experience in Rajasthan, located in an area renowned for its leopard population. The camp consists of eight luxury tents, one Family Tented Suite and one Royal Tented Suite, each with space and privacy, in a remote setting ensuring peace and tranquillity. The tents ooze understated elegance and offer ensuite bathrooms with rain shower and contemporary furniture with a splash of scarlet inspired by the Rabari. Each tent has its own private veranda with views of the dramatic wilderness around.

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Taj Lake Palace £££££

  • India

The Lake Palace or Jag Niwas was built in 1754 by Maharana Jagat Singh II, who gave his name to this elegant white building. Now a wonderful heritage hotel, it was originally built as a summer retreat for the royal family. With 85 rooms and suites, cool white marble walls and coloured glass windows make the Lake Palace something of a marble legend as it rises majestically from the waters of Lake Pichola. The setting alone makes for a memorable stay.

View Property

How does this holiday make a positive impact?

Much of RAAS Chhatrasagar’s 1,500 acres was used for agriculture until in 2003, the owners persuaded farmers to help rewild the area. Indigenous species of trees, grasses and shrubs that bovids like, now cover the land and a team of naturalists from the hotel track the health of the flora. Neelgai, wild boar, jackals, foxes, mongooses, and porcupine are all now commonly found in the reserve, as well as over 250 recorded bird species.

In 2018 SUJAN Jawai launched their Mobile Medical Unit which provides free health care to five neighbouring villages. Operating six days a week the van is fully equipped with a driver, doctor and nurse as well as medicines, meaning local communities no longer need to travel long distances to seek basic medical help. By staying here you pay a guest conservation levy which enables this van to operate year round.

Water consumption across RAAS properties has been reduced by around 85% through devices such as aerators that are fitted on taps at all points of usage across their properties. Grey water is recycled for use in gardens and public areas and rainwater is harvested to reduce dependence on public resources.

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Hidden

India: Ranthambore National Park

Once the scene of royal hunting parties, today Ranthambore National Park is one of the best places to see tigers in the wild. Deciduous forests and lakes sit below rocky ridges and the remains of a 10th Century fort, reclaimed by the wilderness provides both shelter for wildlife and a unique beauty to the park.

3 days - Price on request

Male Indian tiger, Ranthambore, India
India

India: Desert forts of Jaisalmer

Venture into the Thar Desert to discover Jaisalmer. Known as the ‘golden city’ Jaisalmer is as far west as you can drive before reaching 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.

3 days - Price on request

Camel Safari, Jaisalmer, India
Jaisalmer, India

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 £6,595 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.

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