Real Rajasthan

Namaste! Welcome to India. Your adventure begins in Delhi – the capital territory of India – with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, why not hit the streets and try and get into the Delhi flow of life? If you’re a history buff, there’s the 14th-century Humayun's Tomb or 11th-century Qutub Minar to explore. There’s also the former residence of royal families and British soldiers – the mighty Red Fort.  After your meeting, maybe continue the introductions over an optional group dinner. Ask your leader for local favourites for a plate of chicken tikka masala or vegetarian curry (with naan bread, obviously) or head out to explore the nightlife.

Rise and shine nice and early this morning as you embark on an epic journey through the heart of India, trading the hustle and bustle of Delhi for the enchanting desert landscapes of Jaisalmer. You'll spend most of today travelling and will arrive into Jaisalmer late this evening. Today is a great opportunity to get to know your new travel mates over a game of cards and trade stories with the locals. Train travel in India isn't a luxury express; it's a gritty, authentic adventure. Grab a seat, enjoy the ever-changing views, and roll into Jaisalmer with a story to tell and a newfound appreciation for the vastness of India. All aboard!

Spend today exploring the amazing desert oasis of Jaisalmer – a former medieval trading centre that sort of looks like a giant sandcastle. This afternoon, chuck your essentials in an overnight bag, then hop in a jeep to ride out to tonight’s camp in style – preferably with a scarf wrapped around your face. Traverse the sweeping dunes of the Thar Desert as you say thanks to your driver. Then, help set up camp while the guides get the fire started and ready for your vegetarian campfire feast, which includes chapati, dal, rice and veggies. You’ll be sleeping out in the open tonight, with mattresses, pillows, sheets and blankets provided. There’s no need for a tent – you wouldn’t want to miss the incredible starry sky! (D)

The crack of dawn is your wake-up call this morning – don’t worry, it's worth it! You'll soon see that not much can match up to a desert sunrise. After a simple breakfast and a morning display of light and colour, climb back into your jeep and return to the city. Jaisalmer is a centre for nomadic tribespeople who come to trade in the narrow alleys. Enjoy some free time when you arrive to explore at your own pace. Maybe visit the Jaisalmer Folklore Museum – on the banks of Garsisar Lake in the Mehar Bagh Garden, its wide variety of exhibits offers a great experience. (B)

Enjoy a free day to explore Jaisalmer further. Discover the city’s twisted alleys, full of markets and ornately carved houses. Track down some dazzling Rajasthani fabrics to spice up your wardrobe, marvel at the spectacular facades of the Patwa ki Haveli and Salim Singh-ki-Haveli, or maybe just get walking in the maze of paths and soak up the atmosphere. After a big day of exploring, find a good spot on one of the fort's 99 bastions and watch the sunset into the desert.

Travel by train across the desert to one of Rajasthan's largest cities – Jodhpur. Today's a long travel day, so ensure you’ve got your playlists and road trip games primed and a good book ready. Jodhpur is known for its antique shops and the best lassi in India, so there’s plenty to look forward to. When you arrive, maybe head out for a pyaaz kachori (a fried pastry with spicy onion filling) or some shahi samosas.

This morning, get ready to bargain at Sadar Bazaar – one of the oldest markets in India. Built around a clock tower, it’s packed with spice and vegetable markets, juice sellers and sari materials. Whatever you’re into, you’ll probably be able to grab it here – there are numerous vendors with carts selling everything from Bollywood soundtracks to armfuls of sparkling bangles. And don’t miss the street snacks! From the chaos of the market, head to the colossal Mehrangarh Fort, which sits up on a hill looking over the town. Take in the great views from its ramparts, which dominate the city's skyline. This is probably the best preserved of all of Rajasthan’s hundreds of forts and gives you a great idea of what life would’ve been like as a royal. Then, head to the nearby Bishnoi villages for your unique homestay experience – this is home to a peaceful nature-loving community, and no trip to this region is complete without experiencing the fascinating traditions of the tribespeople of rural Rajasthan.

Chat away with the locals on a bus to Udaipur this morning – there’s no doubt that this place lives up to its rep as India’s most romantic city. Rolling hills, white marble palaces and lakes come together beautifully, and it’s a place where artists, dancers and musicians perfect their craft. The shopping is also superb, with miniature paintings the speciality, if you’re looking for a souvenir. When you hop off the bus, walk around town to get your bearings. Explore Udaipur's twisting alleys filled with silver, shoes, bags, leather goods and paintings. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore how you wish.

Today, enjoy loads of free time to explore Udaipur. Maybe head out on a half-hour boat ride on the famous Lake Pichola and see marvels like Lake Palace and Jag Mandir Island. You could check out the City Palace, one of the largest royal palaces in India, and see the unbelievable treasures within – from vivid murals to antiques and royal utensils. Feeling peckish? Join the famous Spice Box cooking school and spend a half-day learning the secrets of Indian cuisine. With lessons on preparation and cooking, you'll whip up a full Indian meal in no time!

Hop on a train this morning after breakfast, to the city of Ajmer – maybe chat to the locals as the chai wallahs make their way down the carriages. Then, transfer to a private vehicle to your hotel in Pushkar – one of India’s holiest places (and in such a spiritual country, that’s saying something), Pushkar is a market centre for many of the local village people and a great place to sit back and relax. Head out to explore Pushkar's main bazaar and many side streets with your leader – this is home to some of the cheapest clothes and jewellery in northern India, so if you need a new pair of pants or a gift to bring home, this is the spot! After, walk around the lake, with its bustling ghats and temples, to watch the devout as they worship at the holy waters.

Early risers can make the sunrise hike up the hill to the Savitri Temple this morning, for magical views over the town. There could also be a wonderful steaming glass of chai waiting for you if the chai man is there – certainly well worth the trek! You can also stop at the colourful Brahma Temple – one of the very few existing temples dedicated to the Hindu god Brahma. It’s said that the god has so few places of worship thanks to a curse laid down by Brahma’s consort, Saraswati.

Travel to the Pink City of Jaipur today – the streets of this earthy red town are busy with camels, motorbikes and rickshaws, and you’ll walk past traditionally dressed Rajputs while monkeys climb wires overhead. Haggle to your heart's content in Jaipur's bazaars and backstreets, filled with textiles, semi-precious gems and blue pottery. Drop by one of India’s finest palaces – the Royal City Palace – a gorgeous complex with various courtyard gates, fascinating museums and impressively moustachioed guards. Tonight, you might want to experience the cinema like never before with an extravagant Bollywood blockbuster at the stylish Raj Mandir Cinema – there’s usually romance, drama and music all rolled into one.

For anyone that wants to see the Pink City a bit differently this morning, there’s the option to drift high over Jaipur in a hot air balloon – a highlight for many visitors. With your free time, maybe drop by Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) – the impressive five-storey facade with pink, honeycombed windows make it the most photographed building in the country after the Taj Mahal. Then, head out to the old capital of Amber and explore the hilltop fort complex known as the Amber Fort. The Sheesh Mahal inside the fort is a must-see, as the walls are completely covered in little mirrors and the hall illuminates with the light of a single match! If you like, you can hit the streets for raj kachori chaat (a big fluffy chaat served with chutney, yoghurt, chilli and potato). This afternoon, maybe cool off with a lassi from Lassiwala on MI road – Jaipur's oldest and most famous lassi shop.

Head east by public bus to Agra – home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World. When you arrive, you’ll head to the most iconic sight in India. It doesn’t matter who you are – the Taj Mahal will exceed all your expectations when the morning light shimmers off its white marble surface. Take your time soaking up the majesty of this wonder, learn all about its history from a local guide and make sure to grab your epic Instagram shot. After, maybe jump on a motorised rickshaw to pick out the rest of the city’s monuments, like Akbar's Mausoleum – a beautiful sandstone and marble tomb built for the greatest of the Mughal emperors.

This morning, you might want to return to the Taj Mahal for an incredible sunrise. Then you’ll hop on a train back to Delhi. Head out on a walking tour around the commercial heart of Delhi, visiting Chandni Chowk (Sheeshganj Gurudwara) and Connaught Place along the way.  Explore Old Delhi on a bicycle rickshaw to dig that little bit deeper and visit Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib – one of the oldest and most iconic Sikh shrines in Delhi – and try your hand at making chapatis in the community kitchen. This shrine is visited by devotees regularly, and everyone is welcome here, regardless of their religion or gender. Tonight, why not grab a quiet drink with your group and cheers to a trip well-travelled.

End things on a sweet note this morning with a taste of your new favourite treats – sandesh, rosogolla and chanar payesh. There are no further activities planned for today and your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent.