Solo travel trips for Women, destination India

India - Best of Rajasthan

India is a feast for the senses! Think India and you think of colourful saris, delicious spicy food, sacred cows, sensual smells, rickshaws, and chaotic yet irresistible markets packed with fantastic handmade treasures. Think Rajasthan and you think of romantic deserts, camels sauntering across golden dunes, exotic men in colourful turbans, princely palaces and temples, all with a backdrop of wonderful mystical charm. Rajasthan is a fairytale land full of rich treasures - vibrant, colourful, magic and exotic – no wonder travelers love it.

Indian Highlights

• Visit India's only live-in fort - the golden fort of Jaiselmer – you'll discover great bargains in its narrow alleyways!
• See the amazing white marble Taj Mahal for yourself
• Experience local traditions: get an elegant henna design on your hands, learn to drape a sari, and even how to cook Indian food!
• Shop til you drop: buy beautiful inlaid marble in Agra, wonderful gems and jewels in Jaipur, beautiful textiles and linen in Sanganer, paintings and silver in Udaipur, mirrored patchwork in Jaisalmer . . .
• Dine with an Indian family in their home
• Visit the fabled cities of Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur complete with fairytale-like palaces, forts and temples from the time of the Raj
• Cycle rickshaw ride through the crowded streets in the old city of Jaipur
• Take a jungle safari into the spectacular Ranthambore National Park - test your luck with the tiger . . .
• Tribal village safari: visit families and see their way of living, and enjoy a picnic lunch in the oasis
• Take a camel safari into the desert. Overnight in tents in the romance of the desert
• Relax with an Ayurvedic body massage and spa experience

Trip Itinerary

Day 1, Delhi

Welcome to India! Today is arrival day – you will be picked up and taken to our hotel to freshen up. We squeeze in some sight seeing today: the beautiful Humanyun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar (the highest stone tower in India, built 1192), and the Lotus Temple of the Bahia faith. In the evening we visit Dilli haat (handicraft market place) to enjoy the ambience, and maybe even get beautiful henna paintings on our hands.

Meals - D

Day 2, Delhi to Agra

After an early breakfast we drive to Agra. Today we visit the infamous white marble Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. The Taj Mahal is a marvel of Mughal architecture. The Agra Fort, built by the great Emperor Akbar in 1565 A.D., is a masterpiece of design and construction. Within the fort are a number of exquisite buildings, including the Moti Masjid, Diwan-e-Am, Diwan-e-Khas, Sheesh Mahal and Musamman Burj, where Emperor Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb and spent the last years of his life with a view over the Taj Mahal where his beloved wife lay buried. Agra is also famous for its inlaid marble work, and thus we include a visit to a marble cutting unit.

Meals - B,L,D

Day 3, Agra to Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri

Today we head for Jaipur gateway to the desert state of Rajasthan. We stop enroute in the red sandstone ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri. This town was built by the Mughal Emperor, Akbar. He had planned this city as his capital but shortage of water compelled him to abandon the city. Fatehpur Sikri is one of the finest examples of Indo Mughal architecture. We arrive in Jaipur late in the afternoon. Jaipur is a colourful bustling, chaotic and exciting city with forts, palaces, markets and exotic locals! It is known as the Pink City because of the colour of the stone used exclusively in the walled old city.

Meals - B, L, D

Day 4, Jaipur

Today’s highlights include riding elephants to visit Amer Fort, as well as a visit to the impressive City Palace and observatory. There will be time in the afternoon for some fantastic shopping (gems and clothes). Jaipur’s bazaars sell embroidered leather shoes, blue pottery, tie-died scarves and other exotic wares. This evening we dine with an Indian family.

Meals - B, L, D

Day 5, Jaipur to Ranthambore

Next stop: Ranthambore, visiting Sanganer enroute. Sanganer is renowned for its crafts and block-printed textiles. It manufactures supreme quality handmade papers and hand-printed textiles by using units of block and screen printers. Traditional small floral prints are the specialty of Sanganer block printers. An ideal place to shop for home linens - bedcovers etc. We arrive in Ranthambore in the evening. Tonight we dine and overnight at our resort.

Meals - B, L, D

Day 6, Ranthambore to Udaipur

Nestled at the foot of the Aravalli hills, 10 km from the town of Sawai Madhopur, Ranthambore National Park is one of the prime examples of Project Tiger's conservation efforts. Ranthambore is home to crocodile-filled lakes, birdlife, leopards and tigers. We partake in an early morning safari to Ranthambore National Park, followed by breakfast, some relaxation at our resort, lunch, and then an afternoon safari to see what game we can find. This evening we transfer to the railway station to board our overnight train bound for Udaipur.

Meals - B, L, D

Day 7, Udaipur

Udaipur is the Venice of the East, set on Lake Pichola, and full of seductive charm. Rajasthan's "White City", is mostly known for it fabulous floating Lake Palace, set like a white pearl in the shimmering waters of the lake. Our sight-seeing today includes Rajasthan’s largest palace, the City Palace, and the fantastically carved Jagdish temple. In the afternoon we walk through the fascinating shopping streets, where you will see everything from silver jewellery to wonderful textiles.

Meals - B, L, D

Day 8, Udaipur

Time for some time out! Today is your free day to relax, or do some more exploring of this fascinating city on your own.

Meals - B

Day 9, Udaipur to Ranakpur to Luni

We continue our journey through Rajastan this morning. Enroute we visit the Ranakpur Jain Temple, built during the reign of the liberal and gifted monarch Rana Kumbha in the 15th century. There are four subsidiary shrines, 24 pillared halls and domes supported by 1,444 columns all of which are intricately carved, no two being alike. Tonight we stay in Luni, about 35 kms from Jodhpur. Luni is a charming village that reflects the royal past of Rajasthan. The artisans inhabiting the village are still pursuing their ancestral professions of fashioning metal, clay or wood into intricate forms. The village itself is a quiet, unassuming place. Luni is a mirror image of the nearby desert - always peaceful, yet so vast and mysterious.

Meals - B, L, D

Day 10, Luni

We start the day with a half-day village safari by jeep. We visit traditional villages to see local handicrafts being made – we see shoemakers, pottery, men and women in traditional attire. We enjoy a picnic lunch and return to the hotel. This evening we have an Indian cooking class to learn the secrets of making great Indian food!

Meals - B, L, D

Day 11, Luni to Jodhpur to Jaisalmer

On today's agenda is the Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada white marble memorial, and Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur. Jodhpur is a bustling walled city near the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, and is known for its impressive, dominating Mehrangarh fort. Founded by Rao Jodha, this city is called the Blue City for the blue painted walls of the houses in the town. The magnificent Umaid Bhawan Palace is a landmark that is a must see in Jodhpur. We arrive in Jaiselmer in the early evening.

Meals - B, L, D

Day 12, Jaisalmer

Welcome to Jaiselmer, the exotic golden city of desert dreams! Jaisalmer is an important center for handicrafts in Rajasthan. Sandstone carvings and block printed fabrics made here find their way across the world. The carved mansions and Jain temples of Jaisalmer are amazing.

Today we spend the whole day in and around Jaiselmer, visiting the yellow sandstone Fort set on Trikuta hill, Gadi Sagar Tank with it's temples and shrines, and some Havelis (ornate residences)… and of course there is always time for a little retail therapy!

Meals - B, L, D

Day 13, Jaisalmer to Manvar Desert Camp

After breakfast we drive to our desert camp 175 kms away. Here we freshen up, have lunch and then partake in a camel safari (1 hour) on the dunes. Back at the desert camp we overnight in Swiss tents. This evening we enjoy a cultural evening, a campfire dinner and Rajasthani folk dance.

Meals - B, L, D

Day 14, Desert Camp to Jodhpur - overnight train to Delhi

We start the day with a village and dunes safari before heading on to Jodhpur. We have a late lunch in Jodhpur and then transfer to the railway station to board our overnight train leaving at 7.30pm for Delhi.

Meals - B, L, D

Day 15, Delhi

We arrive in Delhi early in the morning and transfer to our hotel. Later in the day we visit the Ayurveda & Spa centre to enjoy a much-deserved ayurvedic massage and spa, a great way to unwind after our busy trip. This evening we enjoy a farewell dinner together.

Meals - B, L, D

Day 16, Delhi

What a fantastic trip it has been! Loaded with great memories, sadly it is time to leave. Transfer to the airport to fly back home.

Meals - B

Next trip to be advised . . . . .

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