Rajasthan in 30 days

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Departure from Paris, arrival in the late evening.

  

  Arrival in Delhi, welcome at the airport by your driver, who is waiting for you with your personal car. Transfer and check-in at BB Villasam. Guest rooms at our residence for a French-speaking welcome… Raghu, Véronique, and Chealsy will receive you.

• day 2

  Delhi

  

  Then, departure for the visit of the capital of several Indian empires. Delhi was an important city, located on the ancient trade routes between the northwest and the plains of the Ganges. The Mughals established their capital there in the part of the city now known as Old Delhi. At the beginning of the 20th century, during the British Raj, a new city was built to the south of the old city and was made the capital of the British Empire in India in 1911. In 1947, independent India confirmed New Delhi as the capital of the new country. Opposite the Red Fort stands the Jama Masjid, a huge red sandstone mosque, built between 1644 and 1658 next to Chandni Chowk, the main artery where the pulse of Old Delhi, the former Shahjahanabad, beats. Next, visit the India Gate, the Rashtrapati Bhavan (Presidential Palace) and the Qutub Minar. Then, return to the guesthouse for the night.

• day 3

  Delhi - Churu

  

  After breakfast, you set out on the road to Churu. Churu is located in the Shekhawati region. Most of the havelis in Shekhawati date from the 19th or early 20th century. The expansion of the British Empire led to the disappearance of traditional trade routes, but brought fortune to the Marwari merchants. The Marwaris, whose fortune was already assured, began their migration as early as 1820. In just a few decades, the Marwaris, whose business policy was to sell very large quantities, managed to accumulate considerable fortunes and, by the end of the 19th century, they held a monopoly on trade in most major cities. It was after a large part of their community left Shekhawati that the Marwaris had numerous buildings called havelis erected and decorated in the villages where their families still lived. These last constructions reached palatial dimensions and served as a canvas for a wild pictorial proliferation. Upon arrival, check-in at the Malji Ka Kamra hotel. Heritage hotel with a very eccentric façade and rooms with kitsch decor.

• day 4

  Churu - Siyana

  

  By the immense citadel of Junagarh, with its palace adorned with 17th and 18th-century paintings, the Junagarh fort is one of the famous landmarks of Bikaner that attracts the attention of tourists. Built during the period from 1588 to 1593 by Raja Raj Singh, a general in the army of the Mughal emperor Akbar, the fort has 37 bastions, a moat, and two entrances. Then, drive towards Siyana… On the way, visit Deshnok, the Temple of Rats… Check-in at BB Siyana Sojourn. Dinner and overnight stay.

• day 5

  Siyana, immersion in the desert

  

  Nights in Dhani The Dhani is accommodation that is as close as possible to the dwelling huts of desert communities. Our Dhani is located near a family, but you will not interfere with their privacy, and they will not disturb yours. The Dhani has 2 separate rooms, equipped with charpois, made more comfortable by the addition of cotton mattresses. Electrical outlets and a minimum of lighting are provided, so you can charge your batteries/phones. Strictly vegetarian meals. Bio-toilet set back from the Dhani, and a minimum of water for minimalist washing. The Dhani accommodation is a DESERT LIFE EXPERIENCE, as close as possible to what the locals live. Showering is possible at Siyana Sojourn, your program is planned to allow you to do so.

• day 6

  Siyana, immersion in the desert

  

  Continuation of the immersion in the desert.

• day 7

  Siyana - Jaisalmer

  

  Breakfast at the hotel Visit of Sonar Quila or Golden Fort. It was built in yellow stone, which, at certain times of the day, gives it the golden reflections of the Thar desert that it overlooks. This fort is one of the two oldest in Rajasthan. It rises to 76 meters high and is reinforced by imposing crenellated walls 9 meters high, surrounding the fort over 5 km. 99 bastions have been built on the ramparts, allowing surveillance of comings and goings in the desert as far as the eye can see. The fort was, on many occasions, besieged by the Mughals in particular. The city was wealthy due to the passage of trade caravans taking the route between India and the Arab world. The architecture adopted a mix of Rajput and Mughal styles, according to the reconstructions. Four monumental gates provide access: Akshya Pol, Suraj Pol, Ganesh Pol, and Hawa Pol, all sculpted. Many wells were dug in the fort to ensure a regular source of water in the city. The fort houses several remarkable monuments such as the Royal Palace, "Raj Mahal," and the Jain temples. Then visit Patwon-Ki Haveli, one of the largest havelis (noble houses) in the city. Located in a small alley of the main city of Jaisalmer, Patwon Ki Haveli was built by Guman Chand Patwa and his five sons. Guman Chand was a famous merchant of his time, a dealer in gold, brocade, and silver. There are five massive suites in Patwon Ki Haveli, beautifully decorated. The magnificent frescoes on the walls offer a glimpse of daily life of the time. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 8

  Jaisalmer - Jodhpur

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Then, drive to Jodhpur. Visit of the blue city (Jodhpur) and the Mehrangarh Fort, one of the largest forts in India, which overlooks the city. You will visit the Jaswant Thada, a superb marble cenotaph of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Visit of Jaswant Thada, a royal cenotaph in white marble. It was built in honor of Maharaja Jaswant Singh. A few rare portraits of the former rulers of Jodhpur are also displayed here. Later, visit of the Mehrangarh Fort, one of the most beautiful in Rajasthan. It is located on a 150 m high hill and was built in 1459 by Rao Jodha, the chief of the Rathore clan, when he moved his capital from Mandore. Additions were made over time by the following rulers. The marks of cannonballs from past battles are still clearly visible on the second gate of the fortress.

• day 9

  Jodhpur - Ahore

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Free time in the bazaars, or departure by road... The villages follow one another... Towards Ahore, which is located on the banks of the Jawai river, surrounded by the Aravalli hills. We invite you to experience life at the heart of an aristocratic family from the Marwar region. The establishment offers only 6 rooms with personalized service.

• day 10

  Ahore - Gulabganj

  

  Departure by road through the countryside. Go to meet a village of a Raikas community. Breakfast, sharing with the Raika. The Raika are united with nature by a mystical bond. In India, it is sometimes said that they live on the border of two worlds: between civilization and wild nature, between the world of men and that of spirits. For these breeders of camels and small ruminants, animals are synonymous with subsistence. But they are also the pillar of a culture where every form of life is religiously respected, where the animal is considered equal to man and where the gods are worshipped daily. For generations, Raika herders have been able to travel hundreds of kilometers each year, searching for pastures to feed their livestock. For the few who continue these traditions, nomadism today is much more than an ancestral way of life. It has become a vital necessity, as modernity tightens its grip around them. Then continue towards Gulabganj... ARAVALIS FARM GULAB GANJ: ANOTHER DIMENSION, OUT OF TIME In the very heart of Rajasthan Breathe, settle down, find peace and serenity in a place of striking beauty and in an almost wild setting. Impossible to find in India unless you are in a protected natural area? Boring, some would say... Not so sure... India may be dynamic, noisy, exhausting, but it has nevertheless preserved places where harmony and tranquility are a golden rule. It is a gem of this kind that we invite you to discover, which, in its simplicity, nevertheless has everything you need to keep you busy. In Gulabganj, about twenty kilometers from Gujarat and roughly halfway between Jodhpur and Ahmedabad, stands the Aravalis Farm. A place that, in the heart of raw rural India, will let you experience unique and particularly pleasant moments. A complete contrast with everything a tourist can see daily in the country. After hours of noisy road, under the heat and jolts, you only wait for the arrival, and what an arrival! As soon as you pass through the gate of this residence, you find yourself in another world. Is teleportation being developed? One thing is certain, through an efficient layout of the land, the owners immediately make you feel an atmosphere of serenity more than welcome after a long journey. With a magical turn, you exchange the countryside littered with waste and dilapidated houses for the one you've always dreamed of: green, peaceful, and beautiful! The hosts, a lovely small family, present for three generations on the premises, know how to welcome foreign visitors and never stop showing it. You will stay in beautiful spacious rooms with living areas in an authentic atmosphere, perfectly suited to the setting. Each of the 4 rooms is equipped with two beds or a double bed, all the necessary electronics, and a nice bathroom. An ideal place to retreat and enjoy a few days of rest and relaxation far from the Indian urban madness. Sitting comfortably on a bench or at a table, a book in hand, listening to the sounds of animals or walking through the surrounding fields, you can easily spend the day there as you feel so good. Not wanting to move is also due to the excellent cuisine, inspired by local dishes, not spicy if you wish, which will be served to you on site in a lovely little garden. You will beg them to stop serving you and it will be difficult, because it is really good! The icing on the cake, a second farm is located not far away, with 4 additional rooms for large groups of visitors and a very beautiful swimming pool! A rare place of relaxation with unparalleled quality of service and comfort. On your next trip through Rajasthan, do not miss this little-known address and enjoy the hospitality of rural Rajasthani India. Continue your meetings with Raika tribes...

• day 11

  Trek Gulabganj - Ranakpur

  

  Discovery trek

• day 12

  Ranakpur - Kumbalgarh Trek

  

  Discovery trek

• day 13

  Kumbalgarh - Udaipur

  

  Breakfast, then a leisurely departure towards Ranakpur. Check-in at the hotel. Visit of the Jain temple in Ranakpur (open to the public at 12:00), dedicated to Adinatha. A light-colored marble is used for the construction of the grand temple. More than 1,444 marble pillars, carved in exquisite detail, support the temple. The pillars are all different and no two are identical. Udaipur, located in the middle of the Aravalli mountain range, is known for its picturesque lakes, earning it the nickname "the city of lakes." It is considered one of the most romantic cities in the world and is known as the "Venice of the East." Udaipur is the second most popular tourist destination in the state of Rajasthan, after Jaipur.

• day 14

  Udaipur

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Visit of the city of Udaipur with a tour of the City Palace – it is one of the architectural wonders of Rajasthan, located on the banks of Lake Pichola. Saheliyon Ki Bari is one of the most beautiful gardens and a major attraction of the city. The garden is famous for its lush lawns, marble sculptures, and fountains. Its name means "Garden of the Maidens." Jagdish Temple – built by Maharana Jagat Singh I in 1651, this temple houses a black stone statue of Lord Vishnu. Enjoy an exotic auto-rickshaw ride through the Udaipur bazaar. Feel like James Bond in these narrow lanes (the James Bond movie "OCTOPUSSY" was filmed here). Evening: Enjoy a shared boat ride on Lake Pichola. The most resplendent sights from the boat are the island palaces. The 17th-century Jagmandir Island is one of the oldest and grandest palaces, legendary as a place of refuge for Prince Khurram (later Emperor Shah Jahan).

• day 15

  Udaipur - Bundi - Raola Khera

  

  After a sumptuous early breakfast, you set off towards Bijaipur via Chittorgarh. Chittorgarh is recognized as one of the old colorful cities of Rajasthan. The forts and palaces of Chittor are glorious tales of bravery and sacrifice in India. It is the land of great martyrs, the Rajputs, who have seen the battlefield up close and have witnessed many deaths on the field of war. The brave Rajputs proved that they preferred to embrace death rather than bow to a foreign power. Thousands of Rajput warriors shed their blood to protect the homeland from enemies who sought to conquer their land. Bundi was the capital of a small Rajput state bearing the same name. The city was founded around 1342 and maintained its independence until it was taken by Akbar. It then came under the control of the Maratha Holkars after the fall of the Mughals. In 1818, the rajas of Bundi allied with the British East India Company and benefited from British protection until independence. They ceased to reign only in 1949 and their state was integrated into the state of Rajasthan. Bundi was the seat of a school of painting, formed in the 17th century, specializing in miniatures and murals.

• day 16

  Raola Khera

  

  Installation at Raola Khera Rajasthan Rural Experience: discover the real life of the Indian countryside A unique escape to the heart of rural India: discover the real life of the Indian countryside! Once you arrive in India, it takes very little time to realize the intense activity of the cities. The dreadful traffic, the constant noise, the dirt, the unpleasant smells, and a population swarming at every street corner... Very quickly, you feel the urge to escape, to breathe, and to see a different and less exhausting India. As surprising as it may seem, India is not actually represented by its cities! 80% of its population is still rural and lives in sometimes isolated villages where life is very hard, but where the ingenuity and will to get by leave even the most seasoned travelers speechless. It is in Rajasthan, in one of these remote villages, that we invite you to retreat for a few nights to discover the real India of the countryside, without which the cities would not exist, and to experience the real life of the Indian countryside! Raola Khera: a typical village of the Indian countryside Raola Khera was founded more than 500 years ago by the Rajputs, a warrior people who conquered Rajasthan in the 6th century AD and founded many kingdoms in the region, which remained under their rule until its integration into the new Indian state in 1947. The majority of the local population descends from this people. All the inhabitants practice Hinduism, the majority religion of India, with some 900 million practitioners in the country, including 60 million in Rajasthan alone. Many altars and temples dedicated to a deity have been built throughout the village, and some still date from the founding. Lakshmi, Ganesh, or Saraswati, each deity is prayed to at the appropriate time and according to the needs of the inhabitants: protection for the family, success in business, blessing for learning... the real life of the Indian countryside! The caste system is well established here and some villagers live reclusively in isolated and even more precarious dwellings than those found in the center of Raola Khera. They also do not mix with the other inhabitants of the village. Women most often stay at home to take care of the children and prepare meals. They only go out to work in the fields or to wash clothes at the rudimentary fountains found at the four corners of Raola Khera. Local activities are mainly agricultural. The vast fields around the village are used to grow rice, sorghum, barley, and about ten other cereals. Livestock farming is also significant, almost without equipment: shepherds lead and take care of herds of goats, sheep, cows, chickens, and pigs over great distances through a climate that can be harsh. Thanks to them, the inhabitants benefit from basic food products. From simple tools for the fields to food, almost everything is made by hand or prepared artisanally and locally, with the inhabitants often making do with the meager resources they have. In the village, clay and mud are worked, which are often used for housing. The supply of the village is facilitated by the roads that connect it to the highways a few kilometers away, but it remains very laborious. The roads are very damaged and are rarely maintained; the monsoon season and heavy rains bring their share of damage that can make these roads impassable for some vehicles. Sometimes it takes hours of travel by moped to bring products from the city back to the village. Only one doctor and one veterinarian meet the needs of all the inhabitants and sometimes those of the surrounding villages... the real life of the Indian countryside! Contemplate and participate in the life of an authentic Indian village, far from the overcrowded big cities and crowded monuments, in surprising and high-end comfort: You will be welcomed by Kamal Singh, one of the high authorities of Raola Khera and a descendant of the village founders, who will serve as your guide in the village and will host you in one of our 30 m² guest houses richly furnished and decorated by Véronique and Raghu. Fans, electrical outlets, fitted bathroom, everything is designed so that your stay goes smoothly, in a simple but suitable setting. Meals will be served on site, on the terrace or sheltered from the elements, by Kamal's family. Proud of their heritage, Kamal and the inhabitants will be happy to tell you the history of the village and show you its temples and monuments as well as the rites practiced by the villagers. Take action! Far from being a simple tourist visit, your stay will not only allow you to witness the ingenuity of a people living in precarious conditions, but also to highlight this small village and allow its inhabitants to improve their living conditions. You can participate in the preparation of your dishes by learning to make them by hand. You will be welcomed by the villagers who will show you their daily work and will even have you participate in certain tasks, such as making alcoves decorated with glass, one of the village's craft specialties. The visit to the village will also include its school and you will meet its big-hearted students with emotion, whose determination to succeed will not leave you unmoved. A unique and unforgettable journey to the heart of an India that is never shown, but without which nothing would work. Our Rajasthan Rural Experience does not just guide or show you, it propels you into the reality of the Rajasthan countryside and all the lessons they have to teach us. Original, responsible, curious, participative: become the perfect tourist on an extraordinary journey!

• day 17

  Raola Khera - Jaipur

  

  Breakfast, then departure for the city of Jaipur… You can choose to take your time in the countryside, or quickly head to the big city to enjoy its excitement!

• day 18

  Jaipur

  

  Breakfast at the hotel, then departure for the visit of the city of Jaipur. The visit of Jaipur would not be complete without discovering the Amber Fort, the original seat of royal power and one of the most beautiful buildings in Rajasthan. The Amber fortress, since the 12th century, was the citadel of the Kachwahas and remained their capital until Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II transferred it to Jaipur. The Mughal influence is evident in the open pavilions and gardens laid out with canals and fountains. The courtyards are surrounded by luxurious palaces, audience halls, and private apartments decorated with mirrors and mosaics. Stop at Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) to capture this remarkable five-story pink sandstone building. It was built in 1799 by Maharajah Sawai Pratap Singh, and its honeycomb walls were designed to allow the ladies of the royal household to watch the life and processions of the city without being seen. It is a stunning example of Rajput art and remains an excellent place to observe people behind the facades. The upper part offers a breathtaking view of the city. Afternoon: visit of the City Palace. Located in the very heart of the walled city, the palace complex gives an idea of the foresight of Jaipur's founder, Sawai Jai Singh. He left behind some of the city's most imposing and remarkable monuments and foreshadowed its architecture. The palace is a blend of Mughal and Rajasthani architecture, and the royal family still resides in part of the premises. The building now houses the Maharajah Sawai Man Singh II Museum, where a wide range of royal costumes are displayed, including some very precious cashmere shawls, Benaras silk saris, Sanganer prints and embroideries. The clothes of Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh II are also exhibited there and are a highlight of the museum due to their rarity. The observatory: one of the five observatories in India. Built by Sawai Jai Singh, it is one of the largest and best preserved. The king's true passion for astronomy and numerology motivated the construction of this observatory. With the help of skilled workers, he built a collection of complex astronomical instruments carved from stone. Overnight at the hotel or in a guest room.

• day 19

  Jaipur - Agra

  

  Breakfast at the hotel, then departure to Agra. On the way, visit Fatehpur Sikri. An epic in red sandstone, this ancient city is now deserted. Fatehpur Sikri was built by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1564. Later, due to water shortages and unrest in the northwest, Akbar had to abandon this city. Fatehpur Sikri is thus known as the abandoned capital of the Mughal empire. A must-see visit to the Taj Mahal at sunset: The Taj Mahal, literally "Palace of the Crown," is located in Agra, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, on the southern bank of the Yamuna River. In 1631, the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan ordered the construction of a mausoleum in memory of his late wife, who died giving birth to their fourteenth child. The monument was to surpass in beauty everything that had been built until then. In 1648, after 17 years of hard work that ruined the kingdom's finances, the construction of the Taj Mahal was completed. Built on a base of pink sandstone and marble about a hundred meters wide, it rises to a height of 56 meters. It is octagonal in shape, but four of its facades, each 32.5 meters high, are narrower, thus giving the impression of a square building with its corners cut off. Entirely made of white marble and semi-precious stones, the Taj Mahal is surrounded by a garden crossed by canals and decorated with fountains. The Taj Mahal is today the most visited monument in India. Taj Mahal at sunset. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 20

  Agra - Delhi

  

  Breakfast, visit of the Red Fort… Then, return journey to Delhi to have a room before the transfer to the airport for the return flight.

• day 21

  Departure from Delhi

  

  Back to your home