Rajasthan Camel Safari

Places one can visit : Delhi, Mandawa, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Jaipur.

Duration : 16 Nights / 17 Days

The largest state in India, Rajasthan's climate can be divided into four seasons i.e. summer, monsoon, post-monsoon and winter. Temperatures vary depending on the season and the region you plan to visit, but by and large you can visit the state any time of year and find something new to do each time.

Summers in Rajasthan last from April to June and are particularly harsh with temperatures rising up to 48°C during the day. That being said, if you do plan to visit Rajasthan in the summer, head to places like Mount Abu, Kumbhalgarh or Ranakpur. The weather here is pleasant and the views offered are breathtaking. For other cities, the weather is optimal in the early evenings for roaming around outside in the early mornings and late evenings, and it is advisable to stay indoors otherwise.

Monsoon is a far more pleasant experience, the temperatures tend to drop across the state and the rain showers transform the arid landscape of Rajasthan. July to September is a particularly good time to visit if you wish to avoid the crowds you'd usually find during peak tourist season. Bundi, the lake city of Udaipur and the Keoladeo National Park are picturesque and are a must visit if you plan to travel to Rajasthan during the Monsoon.

The temperatures continue to drop once the monsoon has passed, and come October winter sets in that lasts till March. During December and January, there can be a severe variation in temperatures during the day and the night. In fact, temperatures are known to drop as low as 0°C and below. This is the best time to visit Rajasthan as the desert sun is not as intense and the days are pleasant. Most of the festivals held in winter are planned as tourist attractions, with visitors coming in from different parts of the world.

Rajasthan has a wide range of climatic variations with extremes of hot and cold in the desert areas, and relatively moderate climate in the hilly areas of the south. In Jaisalmer the summer temperatures could go up to 47° C and down to minus 1° C in winter! On an average day temperatures reach a high of 44°/46° C in the peak of summer, in May, June and July but fortunately the evenings are cooler and there is a palpable drop in night temperatures. Similarly, the winter temperatures can go lower than 0° C.

Day 1: Delhi

Arrival at Indra Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. There you will be greeted by out represented and therefore escorted to the hotel. All the formalities of check in the hotel are taken care by our agent. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 2: Delhi Sightseeing

Enjoy the typical Indian breakfast at the hotel and then head towards entire day sightseeing of Old and New Delhi. Visit Red Fort a huge colossal built in red stone, just opposite the fort lies famous Jama Masjid, take a rickshaw ride through the narrow streets of old Delhi and visit 400 years old Chandni Chowk and its sub-bazaars like Dariba, Kinari Bazaar, you will be absolutely bewitched at the colorful market and endless variety of items on display. It is also one of the leading export market to the other countries. Also visit Crematory of Mahatma Gandhi and pay your homage. After lunch visit Birla Temple, Parliament House, Presidential House, India Gate, Government buildings and Qutab Minar. Have a break at India Gate and luxuriate in its green lawns, in evening the area is thronged with visitors, enjoy the sight of colorful people, balloon seller and other vendors. There is a welcome dinner organized at Village Restaurant Bistro with Indian cultural dances, enjoy the evening. Return hotel for overnight stay.

Day 3: Delhi- Mandawa

Morning after breakfast drive to Mandawa, enjoy the sight of rural villages of Rajasthan through your journey. On arrival check in the Hotel Castle Mandawa. Relax for some time, afternoon visit the 150 to 200 year old carved and designed havelies (Palatial houses) painted with the natural colors constructed in the lanes of the village. Also enjoy the sights of day to day village life, intermix with locals and watch camels wondering nonchalantly here and there in the village. Overnight at Hotel

Day 4: Mandawa- Bikaner

Arrive to Bikaner in the morning, the Desert City of Rajasthan. Check in the hotel. Take a ride on the "ship of the desert ", the camel and visit the Camel Breeding farms, you will be surprised to know that the city holds the charm of one of the best breeding camels in the world. Afternoon visit Junagarh Fort founded in year 1593 by Raja Rai Singh and also Lallgarh Palace and Fort Museun- all these are most captivating sights. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 5: Bikaner- Khimsar

After breakfast leave for Khimsar -600 years old Deshnok Rat temple, There you will be wonder-struck at the sight that, besides the other deity the rats are also worshipped. Continue your drive to Khimsar, a small village founded by 24th Jain Profit Mahavira, 500 years BC. Arrive at the Hotel Royal Castle, a 15th century Khimsar Fort. After lunch camel safari will be organized to visit local villages, wild life and ravishing sun set on sand dunes. Return Hotel for overnight.

Day 6: Khimsar- Oscian- Jaisalmer

Morning leave for Jaisalmer, en-route visit the 7th century Mahavira Jain Temple and 2000 years old Jija Mata Temple at Oscian village, the architectural splendor of these temples continues to enthrall you. Continue your drive to Jaisalmer, founded by Rawal Jaisal in 1156 AD. Jaisalmer was the main caravan route from Far East to the Middle East in the bygone era, arrive and check in at Hotel for overnight stay.

Day 7: Jaisalmer Sightseeing

Morning your day trip start with sightseeing tour to the Jaisalmer Fort raising 80m above plains and Jain Temples of 12th to 15th century within the premises of the fort, a worth watching sight. To your surprise still approximately 5000 people are living inside the fort. From the Fort Palace, enjoy the panoramic view of a golden city as the sunrays fall on the yellow sandstone buildings of Jaisalmer. Afternoon take a camel safari to Badabagh the site of royal cenotaphs of the former rulers of Jaisalmer. Visit a typical Rajasthani village.
Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 8: Jaisalmer Visit to Havelis

Take a camel safari and visit the beautiful "havelis" (mansions) of 12th -15th centuries. These virtual art museums were the residence of the rich traders and merchants. Passing through the narrow streets reach the magnificent Patwon Ki Haveli and Nath Ji Mal Ki Haveli, Jaisalmer Haveli, you will be spellbound by intricately designed latticed windows, blue roof and rows of peacocks beneath the arched balconies. Later in afternoon visit the Gadisar Lake and enjoy a boat cruiser in the blue waters, it will offer you some more memorable panorama.

Day 9: Jaisalmer Visit to Manak Chowk

Morning after breakfast visit the Manak Chowk - the main shopping hub of the city. You will be beguiled with narrow lanes dotted with famous "havelis", temples, undisturbed cattle's chewing cud, Rajasthani folk, dressed in their native styles, women with bright veils-silver jewelry and men with colorful turbans on their heads. This town with population of 40,000 is a definite walking city and will transport you back in time. Enjoy shopping some of the specialties of Jaisalmer- tie-dyed veils, silver jewelry. Shop some of the handcrafts like Puppets of Jaisalmer, famous throughout the world. For fair dealings and prices try out various government-run Khadi Gramodyog famous for any kind of handicraft items and textiles. Evenings, enjoy the recreational activities at the hotel, indulge in swimming, sports activities or just relax in the bar with the drink of your choice. Over night at the hotel.

Day 10: Jaisalmer Visit Jain Tempes/Sam Sand Dune

Morning holds much excitement for you, visit the 3 splendidly carved Jain temples inside the Sonar Quila. The palace inside this fortification abode a museum showcasing a rich collection of robes and artifacts from the royal family of Jaisalmer. Enjoy the intricate carving of the temple with paintings displaying the Jain Thrithankars (Gods) The whole environ is so peaceful and sacred that you feel like spending more time there. After lunch go for an excursion to Sam Sand Dune -42km, after reaching the Sam/Khuri Village, you embark upon a camel safari and rides to reach the sunset point on the dunes to see the sunset. Whole panorama creates a delightful mirage, definitely a photographer's ecstasy. For the night your stay is arranged in a unique accommodation- mud huts. In the evening the performance of the local artists and musicians will definitely mesmerize you.

Day 11: Jaisalmer Desert Festivity

Morning continue your excursion on camel safari to a typical village of Rajasthan. Enjoy the delicious village lunch - Dal Batti and Churma and proceed to see the agricultural farms in the heart of the desert. Enjoy the great Desert Festival as the Thar Desert around Jaisalmer come alive with the brilliant color, music and laughter. The festival is organized by the travel authorities for tourist entertainment around January-February. You will have the chance to rendezvous the typical Rajasthani men and tall beautiful women dressed in their brightly costumes dancing and singing lingering ballads of valor, romance and tragedy. It is just a fabulous sight, you can be also the part of the show by mixing and dancing with the locals. Capture some of these splendid moments in your video-cam to cherish it through out your life.

Day 12: Jaisalmer Festivity Continues

After a relax morning, continue your participation in the Desert Festival. The high-points of the festival are - snake charmers, puppeteers, acrobats, folk performers that will captivate you through out the day. Camels, the main attraction of the desert plays a leading role. Proud moustache villagers, dressed in their racial best bring their charming camels to participate in the camel dances, camel races, camel polo, the whole environ echoes with cheers and laughter, not to be missed event.
Join the tourist dances and the turban tying competitions, a great fun show. Other attraction of the festival is Mr. Desert competitions, focused around the length of moustaches of the participants, a great event, full of fun and enthusiasm. Over night at the unique accommodation - tents, under the open sky with thousands stars studded on the vast black cloak of sky, the thrill continues with the bonfire and the folk songs and dances.

Day 13: Jaisalmer Visit to Wood Fossil Park

Morning after breakfast visit Wood Fossil Par-17km, the park takes you back to the by gone era of Jurassic period when the whole Thar region was plunged under the sea. It is great sight to watch the 180 million-year-old fossil in- side the park. Try the typical Rajasthani Thali (Food) with non-stop mouth watering dishes. After noon at leisure, feel the golden hue of this magnificent Golden City. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 14: Jaisalmer-Jodhpur

Morning, after breakfast drive to Jodhpur and check in to the hotel. Take up an early morning safari in the desert countryside. Visit the Bishnoi villages, Raika herdsmen, picturesque lakes adorned with birds, potters, weavers, leather craftsmen and wildlife habitats. Spend some time among the villagers, welcome them with candy or sweets from your pocket, they acknowledge it in most hostile way. The magnificent view of the village life will just drive you to a new innocent world far away from the neoteric world of madness. Night at the hotel.

Day 15: Jodhpur Sightseeing

Morning start your day trip by visiting the majestic Mehrangarh Fort crowned on the hilltop at a height of 125m. Enjoy some of the splendid palaces with remarkably engraved array and pergola windows or balconies inside the fort premises. After this, visit Umaid Bhawan Palace of 20th century, you will be surprised to know that the palace is still the residence of erstwhile rulers of Jodhpur, the part of the palace is converted as a heritage hotel and part is preserve as a museum. Later visit to Jaswant Thada a clump of royal monument contrived in white marble housing the portraits of various Jodhpur rulers will definitely charge your imaginations.
Evenings at leisure overnight at the hotel.

Day 16: Jodhpur-Jaipur

Morning drive to the "Pink City" of Jaipur. On arrival, check in to Hotel Rambagh Palace. You will be taken to a sightseeing tour of the pink city. Catch exalted sights of the Jantar Mantar an astrological observatory, the City palace Museum and the Hawa Mahal (palace of winds) for royal ladies to watch daily processions and life down the street. In afternoon visit Amer Fort on elephant's back up to the fort. Capture some of the splendid views of the Jaipur City from the fort premises. Evening at leisure, go for shopping some tie and dye work, artifacts and mirror/embroidery veils and skirts that are famous through out the world. Enjoy the typical Rajasthani cuisine at famous Choki Dani- a real taste of Rajasthan. Afterwards check in at the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 17: Jaipur- Delhi

Morning start your journey back to Delhi City. On arrival proceed to hotel. After a farewell dinner at the hotel, transfer to airport for your home destination.