18 to 35s Real Rajasthan - 16 Days

Namaste! Welcome to India. Your adventure begins in Delhi, the nation’s capital, with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, why not hit the streets and try and get into the flow of Delhi life. If you’re a history buff, there’s the 14th-century Humayun's Tomb or 11th-century Qutb Minar to explore. There’s also the former residence of royal families and British soldiers – the mighty Red Fort. After your meeting, why not get to know your fellow travellers over an optional group dinner. Ask your leader where to find local favourites like butter chicken or dal makhani (a rich black lentil dish) or head out to explore the nightlife.

Head out on a walking tour around the commercial heart of Delhi, visiting the busy Chandni Chowk market and Connaught Place along the way. Explore Old Delhi on a bicycle rickshaw to get closer to the action. You’ll visit Sheeshganj Gurudwara – one of the oldest and most iconic Sikh temples in Delhi. Try your hand at making chapatis (wholewheat flatbreads) in the community kitchen. This shrine is visited by devotees regularly, and everyone is welcome here, regardless of their religion or gender. Tonight, you’re in for a quintessential Indian travel experience – hop aboard an overnight train to Bikaner.

This morning, you’ll arrive in the fortified town of Bikaner – a city in Rajasthan that bears vestiges of its opulent past through its many palaces and forts built of red sandstone. When you arrive, head out on an orientation walk with your leader. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to relax or explore the city more in-depth – maybe head out on a tuk-tuk tour of the Old City. Keep an eye out for delicious street food like bhujia (a crispy chickpea snack) or tuck into a thali tonight for dinner – this classic meal consists of up to 10 different dishes including dal (lentil curry), chutney, pickle and roti.

Today, you have free time to explore at your own pace – it's highly recommended you head to the Junagarh Fort if you haven’t already! This is one of the best-preserved forts in Rajasthan. You could stop for a refreshing Chunilal sharbat (a sweet cordial prepared with fruit or flower petals) along the way. Tonight, rejoin your group for a fun cooking demonstration with a local family. Watch how they prepare chai and roll chapati (Indian flatbread) and have a go yourself! Learn about the significance of aloe vera – a delicacy in this region – and chat to the local women as they teach you some tips and tricks to take home. After, you’ll all enjoy dinner together.

This morning, take a train to the yellow sandstone citadel of Jaisalmer. When you arrive in this ‘living fort’, you’ll have free time to rest and recharge. Later, head out on an orientation walk with your leader through the snaking alleyways, filled with markets and intricately carved houses. Then, maybe ask your leader for their favourite local places to eat and try some tasty dishes for dinner.

Spend today exploring the desert oasis of Jaisalmer – a medieval trading centre that sort of looks like a giant sandcastle. This afternoon, pack your essentials in an overnight bag, then hop in a 4WD to ride out to tonight’s camp. Traverse the sweeping dunes of the Thar Desert, then help set up camp while the guides get the fire 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 tonight!

Wake up at the crack of dawn 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 4WD and return to the city. Enjoy some free time to explore at your own pace before jumping on a train to the famous blue city of Jodphur. You’ll spend tonight in a family-run homestay right in the heart of the old town.

Today you’re free to explore at your own pace. Maybe 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 stalls and vendors selling sari materials. Whatever you’re into, you’ll probably be able to grab it here – there are carts selling everything from Bollywood soundtracks to armfuls of sparkling bangles. And don’t miss the street snacks! From the chaos of the market, maybe head to the Mehrangarh Fort, which sits up on a hill looking over the town. Take in the 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.

Today, you’ll head off the beaten path to Khinwara for a heritage homestay experience. Watch the landscape transition from the desert to the lakes of Udaipur. At your homestay, you’ll have free time to settle in and relax, chat with your hosts or maybe head out on an optional drive to a local farm where you can wander the grounds, then meet with the family for chai and cookies, getting an authentic insight into local life.

Say goodbye to your hosts before travelling to Udaipur this morning – there’s no doubt this place lives up to its rep as India’s most romantic city. Full of rolling hills, white marble palaces and scenic lakes, Udaipur is a place where artists, dancers and musicians perfect their craft. There are also great shopping opportunities – miniature paintings are a local speciality if you’re looking for a souvenir. Walk around town to get your bearings, then explore Udaipur's twisting alleys filled with silver, shoes, bags, leather goods and paintings. The rest of the afternoon is free to maybe head out on the water for a sunset boat ride on Pichola Lake, seeing Lake Palace and Jagmandir Island as the sun goes down. After, why not have dinner on a rooftop overlooking the lake.

Today, enjoy loads of free time to explore Udaipur. You could check out the City Palace, one of the largest royal palaces in India, and see the remarkable treasures within, from vivid murals to antiques and royal utensils. Feeling peckish? Why not join a hands-on cooking class and spend a half-day learning the secrets of Indian cuisine. With lessons on traditional preparation and cooking techniques, you'll whip up a full Indian meal in no time.

Travel to the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur by train early this morning – 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 the city’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 museums and four ornate courtyard gates. Tonight, you might want to experience the cinema like never before with an extravagant Bollywood blockbuster at the stylish Raj Mandir Cinema – these flicks usually have 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 today, 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 fried snack 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. The Taj Mahal will exceed all your expectations as you see the light shimmering off its white marble surface. Take your time soaking up the sight of this architectural marvel, learn all about its history from a local guide and make sure to grab your iconic photo. 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 sunrise and see the iconic structure in a new light. Then, you’ll hop on a train back to Delhi. When you arrive, you’re free to rest and recharge or head out for some delicious local eats. Tonight, why not grab a drink with your group and cheers to a trip well-travelled.

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 ahead of time.