Rajasthan & The North Tours & Holidays

Small Group Tours & Tailor-Made Holidays

RAJASTHAN & THE NORTH HOLIDAYS AND TOURS

Rajasthan and the north of India – a region also incorporating Gujarat, Delhi and Agra – simply bursts with life and vitality, beauty and colour, unrivalled architecture and fine traditions of hospitality.

Rajasthan is home to theRajput warrior caste who variously claim descent from the sun, the moon and the flames of the sacrificial fire. Over the centuries theRajputs have developed a highly evolved code of chivalry and honour similar to that of the European medieval knights. ...

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Group tours

Travel with a small group of like-minded people on one of our award-winning group tours

TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAYS

The tours below are suggested itineraries, one of our experts will be happy to tailor a trip to suit your tastes and budget.

SUGGESTED ITINERARIES

HIGHLIGHTS OF RAJASTHAN & THE NORTH

BEST EXPERIENCES

Please see below a selection of the best experiences.

Spot a Bengal tiger on safari

Spot a Bengal tiger on safari

Explore the wilderness of Ranthambore National Park in a jeep, accompanied by a naturalist. Not only home to the elusive Bengal tiger, there is plenty more wildlife and habitat to keep you busy right through to the most spectacular sunset.

Help empower female rickshaw drivers

Help empower female rickshaw drivers

Delve into daily life in Jaipur on this sunrise tour with Pink City Rickshaw, a company empowering women from low-income households to take on a male-dominant industry. Your female driver will take you through flower markets, temples, old city and more.

Admire the stunning Taj Mahal

Admire the stunning Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is considered one of the greatest achievements of Indo-Islamic architecture, and no matter how many times you have seen images of this spectacular edifice nothing can prepare you for its sheer magnificence.

Take a walk with former street kids

Take a walk with former street kids

Journey through the bylanes of New Delhi Railway Station during this fascinating walking tour, led by former street children. Your guide will share their personal story of survival, culminating in a visit to the very shelter that provides safety and support

Cruise the 'city of lakes' at sunset

Cruise the 'city of lakes' at sunset

This picturesque boat ride on Lake Pichola is a great way to admire the old city of Udaipur from afar, as you pass by the picturesque ghats and the monumental lakeside facade of the City Palace.

Jump on board a local train

Jump on board a local train

Made famous by Rudyard Kipling's classic tale, The Man Who Would Be King, this wonderful two-hour train journey takes you high up through the spectacular Khamli Ghats and onto the central Aravali plateau, in the company of locals

Get a 150-year-old camera portrait

Get a 150-year-old camera portrait

Make sure to look out for the renowned photographer Tikam Chand as you pass the Palace of the Winds - here on Jaipur's busy streets you can have your portrait taken with a 150-year-old camera, the most beautiful and original souvenir you could ever ask for. 

Discover the blue city of Jodhpur

Discover the blue city of Jodhpur

Wander through Jodhpur's old city and get lost in the magical blue backstreets which are filled with hidden temples and colourful markets, praying pandits and delicious Jodhpuri lassis.

TOP PLACES TO VISIT

Agra

Agra is the city that possesses the most photographed building in Asia, the sublime Taj Mahal. This most famous Mughal monument was constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in child birth. For twenty two years 20,000…

Amritsar

Amritsar derives its name from Amrit Sarovar, the holy tank that surrounds the fabulous Golden Temple. Located in the heart of the city, the temple complex is surrounded by a maze of narrow lanes, or katras, that house one of the busiest markets in India. But…

Bikaner

Bikaner is the state known for its sweets, its wool production and for having the largest camel farm in the country. The city of Bikaner started as a small town founded in 1486 and has become one of the largest cities in Rajasthan. With a collection of imposing…

Delhi

Capital of India, of the British Raj and the Mughal empire, Delhi, is a fascinating place to explore, bursting with centuries of colourful history, of old imperial splendour and modern mayhem. There are forts, mosques, and imperial palaces at every corner of…

Gujarat

Gujarat is one of India’s most diverse states, with a distinctive culture, a landscape that ranges from an fertile plains to an Arabian Sea coastline, and from tidal marshland to salt plains, as well as the island of Diu. Despite a wealth of attractions, it…

Jaipur

Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is named after Maharaja Jai Singh II; founder of the city, warrior and astronomer. It's no surprise then that attractions for the visitor here include fortresses, palaces and the Jantar Mantar - his ancient astronomical…

Jaisalmer

This fortified medieval town on the edge of the Great Thar Desert is quite simply one of the treasures of India. Dubbed 'the Golden City' because of the colour imparted on its sandstone ramparts by the setting sun, to see it rising from the desert like a giant…

Jodhpur

Rajasthan's second city was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodhaji, chief of the Rathore Rajputs who ruled over Marwar. Jodhpur was to become one of Rajputana's wealthiest cities, due to its position on the Delhi-Gujarat trade route and the fact that it was protected…

Lucknow

Lucknow, popularly known as the city of Nawabs, is a wonderful, open, airy city, with wide boulevards and a sense of order sometimes missing from the craziness of the bigger cities. There are a plethora of sights to enjoy and much from the British Raj era to…

Ranthambore

Ranthambore National Park is one of the biggest and most renowned national parks in Northern India. The park is located in the Sawai Madhopur district of south-eastern Rajasthan, which is about 130 km from Jaipur. Originally one of the famous hunting grounds of…

Udaipur

If you were to ask the staff of Wild Frontiers - many of whom have spent a considerable amount of time in India - which was their favourite town on the Subcontinent, you would almost certainly receive the answer, Udaipur. As romantic as any city on earth - with…

OUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO STAY

From luxury accommodation to small guesthouses, browse our pick of the country’s best places to stay below.

Premium | Boutique Hotel

Haveli Dharampura, Delhi

Originally built in 1887 AD, the haveli in Dharampura, Old Delhi has been transformed into an award-winning heritage hotel. After six, painstaking years of renovation, the property now offers one of…
Luxury | Lodge

Khem Villas, Ranthambore

At Khem Villas, it is common to see jackals, jungle cats, hyenas, desert fox and crocodiles within the 10 acres of surrounding grasslands. The hotel has a series of cottages and tents, each with…
Luxury | Boutique Hotel

Narendra Bhawan, Bikaner

A lavish luxury boutique hotel, Narender Bhawan is the latest addition to Bikaner.This was the former residence of the Maharaja of Bikaner, Narendra Singhji. With art deco design elements, the 82…
Luxury | Boutique Hotel

Raas Jodhpur, Jodhpur

This beautiful old haveli is now a luxury hotel in the heart of Jodhpur's old city. The 150-year-old building was built with Jodhpur's very own 'rose-red' sandstone and has recently been renovated…
Luxury | Boutique Hotel

Samode Haveli, Jaipur

Samode Haveli was converted into a heritage hotel in 1988 after previously being the suburban manor house to the Samode Royal family. The building itself faces north so as to avoid the blistering heat…
Premium | Boutique Hotel

Saraca Lucknow, Lucknow

The Saraca Lucknow is a gorgeous heritage property located in the centre of Lucknow. The pretty white bungalow has been beautifully restored to blend a traditional haveli with the rich 'Ganga-Jamuna'…
Luxury | Hotel

Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur

A private floating palace in the middle of Lake Pichola, the Taj Lake Palace is an opulent marble haven, worthy of its status as best hotel in the area, indeed the state. You enter this beautiful…
Luxury | Hotel

The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra

Rated amongst the leading resorts in the world, The Oberoi Amarvilas offers the best view of the Taj Mahal in Agra. The hotel is located 500 metres from the Taj Mahal and all rooms, suites, the lobby,…

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WHEN TO GO

Travelling through Rajasthan from October to March you will generally experience warm days with plenty of sunshine and mild evenings.

USEFUL INFORMATION

Health and Vaccinations 

There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers India though you should be upto- date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. Malaria is present in some parts of India so we recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments. 

Currency 

In India the official unit of currency is the Indian Rupee (INR).  

To check out the latest exchange rate for the places that you are visiting you can go to www.oanda.com  

 Cultural Sensitivity 

On our tours we frequently interact with local people, each with their own distinct customs and traditions. We therefore ask you to be considerate and to treat them with respect. Your guides will be able to advise you accordingly.   

 In Southern India people are used to foreign visitors, but traditionally clothing is quite modest and so you should bear this in mind when packing for your trip. Vest-style tops should be avoided, and women may find a scarf or shawl useful on occasions to cover their chest and shoulders.  

Kashmiris and Buddhist Ladakhis are modest dressers and therefore while out of the privacy of the houseboats or guesthouses, both sexes should wear a reasonable amount of clothing, covering legs and shoulders. When in Kashmir, visiting the mosques, ladies should cover their heads with headscarves and men should wear trousers and long-sleeved shirts.   

Shoulders and legs should be covered when visiting temples and other important religious sites. Shoes must also be removed when visiting important places in India; it is therefore a good idea to carry a pair of socks with you as the floors can get very hot!  

Important: Please note, in the Tamil Nadu region, men and women must wear traditional Indian attire when visiting temples and religious sites. Your guide will be able to advise you on what is appropriate and where clothing can be purchased.  

Normal summer clothes are fine if visitors appreciate that India is a conservative country and respect local sensibilities. Long t-shirts and shorts are usually acceptable however it is worth noting that women especially can attract unwanted attention and therefore may feel more comfortable wearing longer less revealing attire. We would recommend investing in some light cotton trousers, shirts and lightweight jumpers.  

Language & Religion 

In India, the major language is Hindi, with 17 other official regional languages and English as a common language for all. Religion is mainly Hinduism alongside Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism and Christianity.   

Time 

India is 5.5 hours ahead of GMT.  

A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com  

Food and drink 

One of the great myths about travelling in India is that the food is poor. We are delighted to inform you that on our trips this is definitely not the case. Indeed, many people find the delicious food to be one of the highlights of a visit to India. The food can be quite spicy, so it may be worth asking how hot the dishes are likely to be before purchasing them if you are not a fan of spicy food.   

For the more adventurous eater, India is a never-ending snack. An incredible array of delicious street food is available throughout the country with local delicacies to be found in each state. Ask your guide or driver for their recommendations. Conventional street food safety wisdom is to avoid any raw veg that hasn’t been peeled as it will have been washed in local tap water.  

India is the perfect place for vegetarians, and those with special dietary needs can also generally be catered for easily. Please let us know your requirements as soon as possible so we can make any arrangements to cater for your needs.  

Most alcohol is available but often hard to get hold of and the quality is sometimes questionable. For a decent shot of Scotch at sundown it’s probably best to buy it duty free.  Beer is available throughout most of the country from the restaurants and accommodation venues that we use.  


Most alcohol is available but often hard to get hold of and the quality is sometimes questionable. For a decent shot of Scotch at sundown it’s probably best to buy it duty free.  Beer is available throughout most of the country from the restaurants and accommodation venues that we use.

RAJASTHAN & THE NORTH REVIEWS