Real Rajasthan

16 Days | Discover delicious curries, desert skies and a decadent Wonder of the World

4.9 out of 5 based on 50 reviews submitted.
18 to 35s
From
EUR €506
View dates and book
This trip is for 18 to 35 year olds

If you’re looking for an authentic slice of the real Rajasthan, this epic 16-day adventure through India is all you could ask for. Camp under the starry night sky in between desert sand dunes, explore Jodhpur’s markets, learn how to cook your new favourite dishes with a cooking class in Bikaner, traverse Jaipur’s temples and witness the Taj Mahal in the morning light – you can tick this Wonder of the World off the bucket list! With all of this and more, India will definitely exceed all expectations. Get ready for tasty feeds, chaotic streets and enough sensory stimulation to last a lifetime.

Trip overview

Map of Real Rajasthan including India
Start
Delhi, India
Finish
Delhi, India
Theme
18 to 35s
Destinations
India
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Basix
Ages
Min 18 - Max 35
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
HHYJ
This trip generates 53 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.
Bucket list destinations

Tick off all the popular spots and enjoy unique local experiences

Great value

Affordable trips with the freedom to choose how you spend your time

Meaningful experiences

Connect to the places you go and the communities at the heart of every Intrepid experience


Why you'll love this trip
  • Prepare yourself for one very memorable night out in the Thar Desert, where you’ll share a feast at sunset and bunk down to camp between the sand dunes under a blanket of desert stars.
  • Witness one of the Seven Wonders of the World – the Taj Mahal. Take your time here, taking in the majesty of this manmade wonder and learn all there is to know from a local guide.
  • Visit a local family in Bikaner for a cooking demonstration of regional delights, like chai and chapati. As you get to know the woman and her daughters, you’ll pick up some tips and tricks, try them out for yourself, then sit down for dinner together.
  • Get an insight into local, rural life at your homestay in Khinwara – life here is slow paced, so this is the perfect chance to stop and take a moment to relax.
  • See Delhi from a new perspective on a bicycle rickshaw ride through the chaotic streets of this epic city. Take in the beauty of Jama Masjid and rub shoulders with the locals in Sheeshganj Gurudwara, where all are welcome despite religion, caste or gender.

Is this trip right for you?
  • This trip is built for travellers who like a mix of free time and included activities. As such, there will be loads of opportunities to tailor your trip how you like. Please consider spending money for optional sightseeing (including transport to and from sights) and any activities you want to do.
  • You’ll cover a lot of distance in this vast country, which involves some long bus and train rides. Sleeper trains are also a great way to travel long distances while still getting maximum time in each place. Beds are padded berths with sheets, pillow and blanket provided (although some people prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet). You may be in the same carriage with locals of the same or opposite gender. For your own security, take a lock for your hand luggage. Read about what it's like travelling on overnight trains in India, and around the world, here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/overnight-train-travel-around-the-world/

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2023 - 31 December 2024

Map of Real Rajasthan including India

Inclusions

Meals

1 breakfast, 3 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Public bus, Overnight sleeper train, Train, Cycle rickshaw

Accommodation

Hotel (5 nights), Overnight Train (1 night), Guesthouse (1 night), Camping (basic facilities) (1 night), Homestay (3 nights), Heritage Property (4 nights)

Activities
  • Delhi - Visit to the Jama Masjid Mosque
  • Delhi - Leader-led Old Delhi walking & rickshaw tour
  • Delhi - Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple)
  • Bikaner - Leader-led walking tour
  • Bikaner - Cooking Demonstration
  • Jaisalmer - Leader-led walking tour
  • Thar Desert - Overnight Desert Camp
  • Jodhpur - Leader-led walking tour
  • Khinwara - Heritage Homestay
  • Udaipur - Leader-led walking tour
  • Jaipur - Leader-led walking & market tour
  • Jaipur - Amber Fort
  • Agra - Taj Mahal
Add on activities
  • Delhi - Humayun's Tomb - INR600
  • Delhi - Qutub Minar - INR600
  • Delhi - Red Fort - INR600
  • Bikaner - Junagarh Fort - INR300
  • Jaisalmer - Folklore Museum - INR10
  • Jodhpur - Meherangarh Fort Elevator - INR50
  • Jodhpur - Meherangarh Fort - INR600
  • Jodhpur - Bishnoi villages day trip - INR750
  • Khinwara - Local Farm Visit - INR500
  • Udaipur - Lake Pichola boat ride - INR600
  • Udaipur - City Palace - INR300
  • Udaipur - Cooking class - INR600
  • Jaipur - Bollywood Movie at Raj Mandir Cinema - INR400
  • Jaipur - City Palace - INR1000
  • Jaipur - Balloon Safari - USD280
  • Jaipur - Bollywood Dance Class - INR500
  • Agra - Agra Fort - INR650

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 2 (Overnight train) and Day 6 (Camping) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Hot air balloon flights are operated by Sky Waltz in Jaipur. Flights operate from September 1st to April 30th and last approximately 60 mins. Return transfers, tea and coffee plus light refreshments and a certificate of flight are included in the cost. You can register your interest and pay your tour leader at your joining meeting on day 1 of your trip. Payment must be made by cash in either INR/AUD/USD/GBP only. Flights are subject to availability and weather conditions (tickets are fully refundable in case of bad weather).
3. Please provide your full name exactly as it appears on your passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport. Fees may apply for adding or amending details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases, you will be required to cover the cost of issuing a new ticket.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 50 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Laura · Traveled August 2024
Wow! What an incredible trip! I’m so pleased that I signed up for this tour and highly recommend it. I cannot imagine navigating India as a woman alone, or even with my husband! The tour removed the logistical stresses from us and helped me to relax and feel a lot safer than I would have done otherwise. It meant that the trip was more enjoyable as I could focus my energy on just enjoying and taking in all the experiences. It felt like the most efficient way of seeing everything. It was seamless. Our tour leader, Surya, was exceptional. Outstanding in every way and went above and beyond every day. I couldn’t recommend him as a leader more highly! Incredible experience.
Review submitted 31 Aug 2024

Oliver · Traveled August 2024
Intrepid provided a terrific and detailed tour of India at an amazing price. Our tour guide surya was terrific and this has been a wonderful l start to my gap year.
Review submitted 27 Aug 2024

Merralisa · Traveled August 2024
This trip was such a wonderful experience. Surya (Sunny) was such a breath of fresh air and I am so thankful I went on this trip. I learnt so much and I can’t wait to do this tour again!
Review submitted 26 Aug 2024

Jack · Traveled August 2024
I was very anxious when I booked this tour but knowing what I know now I had nothing to worry about. Trust me…book it! If you get Surya as your guide, rest assured you are in the best hands. The places I visited and the friends I made have created such a memorable travel experience for me and I will definitely be booking another Intrepid trip soon!
Review submitted 27 Aug 2024

Samuel · Traveled August 2024
An Intrepid tour is a fantastic way of exploring countries that may be difficult to navigate, such as India. Intrepid and Surya, our fantastic and inimitable leader, managed the ‘where’, ‘what’ and ‘how’ of so much, enabling us to focus on discovery and have fun. I previously self-navigated on a 6 week tour of India with a friend but learned and had so much more fun on this tour suggested by my wife, largely due to our fantastic and eponymously radiant tour leader, Surya (Sunny!)
Review submitted 31 Aug 2024
Real Rajasthan
From
EUR €506