- Explore the majestic state of Rajasthan with a small group and expert tour leader
- See the unforgettable Taj Mahal at sunrise, the most beautiful time to visit
- Maximize your chances of spotting a tiger in Ranthambore National Park with two game drives
- Discover the lesser-known Bundi, a fairytale town on the Aravali foothills
- Explore the lakeside city of Udaipur, nicknamed the Venice of the East
![Colours of Rajasthan](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_80,f_auto,c_lfill,x_w_mul_0.49,y_h_mul_0.27,g_xy_center,w_360,h_270/exodus-web/2015/09/Delhi-culture.jpeg)
Colours of Rajasthan
Reviews
Add your own reviewArchitecture Trip and Success with the Tigers
Firstly we had one of the best tiger viewings our guide had seen in awhile. It carried a fresh kill right infront of our truck in the morning and in the afternoon we found a small family of tigers and we watched them Eat and play just a stones throw away from us. This trip takes in so much Beautiful Architecture. Of course there is the Taj Mahal but other less known forts are very impressive, very detailed and much more preserved than I was expecting. I do wish it had more time inside the cities to see more ‘real life’ india. We were bused from hotel door to fort entrance a lot which is the easiest way and probably the best in the heat but you do feel like you miss whats going on around. I would have liked more time to weave the small streets of Jodhpur with the Blue houses and to experience ‘markets’ rather than rest-stop giftshops. This trip was very busy but we covered a lot of areas and you cant help the distance required to get to each one. Bus journeys were long but roads are improving and times are getting quicker. There are plenty of stops, if you are someone who doesnt need to stop these can feel frustrating or like the journeys are longer than necessary but its a group tour and there are always others that appreciate the rest stop – and you have to think of the driver. Meals in hotels were reasonable but restaurants and especially some lunch stops were more expensive than you would expect for India as they were touristy but its probably better than getting unwell, this trip is too busy to be risking that.
Most Inspirational Moment
The tiger viewing in Ranthambore has to be the best thing, it was so special and knowing that sightings are not guaranteed made it even more a highlight. The Taj Mahal, i had always been keen to see it but I struggled to peel myself away from it - it was stunning - not just the building but just how its presented and there is something about it that does feel so special when you are there - we had fab weather too!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our Guide Manoj was so knowledgeable, extremally passionate about working for Exodus and being a guide. Had a good sense of humour. There is a lot of information to take in and it can be difficult to understand some things but he was very patient and happy to re-explain. Very organised and professional but he did walk quick, if you want to keep taking photos you will be doing a lot of catching up!
Advice for Potential Travellers
You have to go on this expecting the unexpected otherwise you wont enjoy. You have to go with the flow and just accept the country you are in is probably like nowhere you have been before. Be flexible. Expect things in the hotels to not always work - wifi, hairdryer etc. You are not in hotels long enough to worry about its facilities just take them for what they are otherwise its not the right tour for you and you will let little details ruin your holiday. Binoculars for Ranthambore or a camera with a good zoom! Also there are so many different birds in India! Atm withdrawals are the best for cash, most places take card but not everywhere and sometimes the guide will arrange things and you pay him so some cash is needed. Places of worship are only the official places you need to have shoulders and knees covered but it was more comfortable as a women to just have trousers/long skirts on everywhere. Easy shoes to get on and off at temples and socks if you dont want to be bare foot. Take cards/books/download movies - there is a lot of bus time
Lots to see but definitely not leisurely!
Fitting in an impressive amount of places, although it is a lot of driving we had a fantastic driver. Really enjoyed the sites, and finished off with the breathtaking Taj Mahal.
Most Inspirational Moment
Aside from the Taj Mahal…the lakes of Udaipur at sunset are absolutely stunning. As well as experiencing Holi festival in Jaipur was a really great experience.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Got us through the trip, however other members of our group had to look out for slower members of the group. Sent my sister and I to a jewellery shop that didn’t stock the item we had asked him where the best place to buy it was. Although we appreciated the help he seemed disinterested when members of the tour asked questions. It also felt like he had a very close relationship with the owners of the restaurants we ate at and many were low quality with poor service which led to us walking out of one much to his discomfort.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Requires meticulous packing and organisation due to the amount of moving around. Be aware of what prices you are paying as were paying 2x to as much as x6 local rates and on at least one occasion were given a different tourist menu with English pricing. I would also recommend getting a SIM card although advised we didn’t need one by our tour leader, the long bus journeys and non or low - quality wifi at the hotels certainly warranted one.
We really appreciate Surinder’s review, and are glad she enjoyed the sites she visited on her trip to India with us. We’re sorry that a couple of aspects gave her cause for disappointment, though.
Many restaurants in India have different rates for local Indian people than they do for foreign tourists, particularly tour groups. This is particular true for restaurants which cater towards tourists, which are generally those recommended by our tour leaders, as they have good hygiene ratings. This is similarly why we don’t include trying local street food, as while our clients are free to do this in their own time, it is simply not something we would recommend given that it could lead to a very upset stomach. We are, however, sorry that some of the establishments Surinder’s group ate at were not to her liking.
Surinder’s tour leader has explained that he recommended a jewellery shop that he was sure was reputable, and regrets that it didn’t stock the item she wanted; he didn’t, however, feel comfortable recommending other nearby stores which he was aware may have stocked fake items.
Surinder’s leader receives very positive feedback from clients overall, so we were regretful to learn that she didn’t have a similar experience with him on this departure. We would mention that clients in Surinder’s group rated her leader at 4.33 out of 5 overall, which is a very good score; however, we have spoken to him about aspects of his performance which could be improved in the future.
We’d like to thank Surinder for detailing her experience, and hope to be able to welcome her back on another Exodus trip when she travels again.
– Sarah Puttnam, Exodus Product Manager
Holi Festival in India
An unforgettable and once in a lifetime experience
Most Inspirational Moment
Holi Festival and visiting the amazing marble Jain temple but also tiger spotting and Rathambore safari plus all of the other amazing site visits - too many to mention...
Thoughts on Group Leader
Gaj was fantastic and looked after all of us very well. Loads of knowledge and a great leader.
Advice for Potential Travellers
A lot of minibus travelling between sites so take your ipad or a book.
A frenetic Kaleidoscope-Delivering some amazing sights.
Travelled with my daughters and partner, largely repeating a backpacking trip of more than a quarter of a century ago ( the roads have dramatically improved) this trip delivers the highlights of Rajasthan plus Agra and (briefly) Delhi in a compact timescale leaving you planning return visits to your favourite sites. The driver and helper were tremendous. unfortunately there were question marks over the quality of a couple of hotels ( Pushkar Jaipur) and the pace of the itinary leaves little time for snagging if a room change is required. The main downside, having experienced previous Exodus trips, was the failure to deliver on engagement with local traders, food providers, food producers, charities outside of the mainstreem tourist economy and the seemingly non optional arrangements for food and additional activities at additional cost. Group visits were to high end carpet, spice and marble suppliers. The train trip form agra to Delhi was somewhat chaotic – porters were hired at Agra but not Delhi leading to a long walk through traffic with cases to our transport.
Most Inspirational Moment
Of course the Taj Mahal (excellent local guide), Udaipur from the water did not disappoint and Bundi was a great surprise package -but the top award has to go to the good natured paint throwing mayhem of the Holi festival in Jaipur!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Opinions varied. IMO did little to promote group cohesion ( group member supported slower members of the party) and he tended to blame his local admin back up for problems. The first night group meal was curiously expensive and It was unclear what the tipping budget covered. Local specialist guides (Bundi Fort , The Taj) however were well informed and added value.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The 1 night stays leave almost no time in which to open and close a suitcase so fanatical attention to packing detail required. Also Insist on interaction with local traders, not just the tourist economy.
We’re delighted to read that John enjoyed many aspects of his return trip to India after a long time away, and that he found some of the sights covered on the tour to be amazing. We regret, though, that he was somewhat disappointed with some areas of the holiday. Regarding the hotels in Pushkar and Jaipur, we have recently changed the hotel in Pushkar and are looking for an alternative to the property in Jaipur, which we’ll be using from October of this year onwards.
We understand that John would have appreciated more interaction with local people and small, local businesses. We would mention that the visits to carpet, spice, and marble vendors John comments on are only offered to clients as optional visits; however, we take John’s point and have raised his suggestion to include more engagement with local people on this tour with our team in India. Similarly, we get John’s disappointment with the cost of food at times. Our leaders arrange group meals and, especially early on in the trip when clients are getting used to the food in India, our groups are taken to restaurants with high hygiene ratings, which do tend to not be local establishments and can cater for tourists. Customers are, however, always free to opt out of group meals if they wish, or organise them amongst the group members themselves.
Regarding the tipping budget, this is outlined in our trip notes, and our leaders carry a tip sheet which lists all the tips they give throughout the trip, and which clients can ask to see at any point during the holiday.
Finally, we were disappointed to note John’s mixed feelings about his tour leader. This is not at all common feedback for us to receive about our leaders in India, and we will follow John’s comments up with our local manager to ensure that all our leaders are providing conscientious, personable support to all members of our groups.
We’re grateful for John for taking the time to leave a review, and hope we’ll be able to welcome him back on another Exodus trip at some point in the future.
– Sarah Puttnam, Exodus Product Manager
Holi and the Taj
This is a fast pace trip, long days travelling but there is a lot to see.
Most Inspirational Moment
The first glimpse of the Taj Mahal was breathtaking, it is jaw dropping beautiful. However I think joining in with the Holi celebrations especially being at the Krishna temple In Jaipur is a memory that will stay with me.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Gaj was an excellent tour guide. Loved that on our travel days he would pick a subject about India ie education, caste system and explain to us how it works in India. Explained clearly with out any information overload as can be the case on some trips.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Good to go with a bit of knowledge on the indian culture. It is a full on fast pace trip, a lot of travelling. some found the climbs at the forts hard going especially in the heat. Get used to the sound of car horns!!
Superb Tour
Interesting and varied trip.
Most Inspirational Moment
seeing a tiger as close as we did.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent - very good English that wasn’t too accented. Able to impart overviews/ info without lecturing . Well organised.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Beware of LOTS of time in the coach and little other free time.
India
Fantastic trip
Most Inspirational Moment
Tai Mahal
Thoughts on Group Leader
Absolutely superb. Knowledgeable, loved and so proud of his country and nothing was too much trouble.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Look at Activity Level very carefully
Fascinating but exhausting
Trip was good but not leisurely as described a lot of sitting on bus driving no leisure time unless took time out of the schedule
Most Inspirational Moment
Taj Mahal
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent took lots of care could not have been better
Advice for Potential Travellers
Study details to make sure not too much involved
Thank you for your review Alison, although we’re sorry you didn’t find the trip to be as leisurely as you had expected While we do mention in our trip notes that this is a busy itinerary, mainly because this region of India offers so much to see and experience in the time frame, we generally note our customers find the pace to be appropriate as shown in the very positive feedback we receive, but do appreciate some customers may prefer more guidance on this aspect of our trips. Should you wish to travel with us again, please don’t hesitate to ask our sales team if you have any specific questions about the tour that are not covered in the trip notes, and we will be more than happy to help.
Sarah Puttnam – Product Manager
Colours of rajasthan trip
Very busy trip with some days of long travel between venues , but plenty of comfort stops / lunch stops along the way Saw many major cultural sites and so much history with associated information provided by Gaj ( leader) or local guides at venues. Some hotels had swimming pools so worth taking your swim gear. A cool down after the day spent in bright sunshine and 40 degree heat was most welcome .
Most Inspirational Moment
Difficult to pick one , obviously the Taj Mahal hugely impressive but then again the history of some forts/ temples/ towns also impressive.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Gaj dealt very well with a challenging individual in the group , whose behaviour ranged from hysterical meltdown ( matching a level usually only seen in a toddler) , general passive /aggressive attitude and comments , who also had an inability to follow simple instructions regarding timekeeping and not wandering off alone - something the rest of the group complied with which then meant we spent ages hanging around waiting for said individual to be retrieved from a cultural building in order for us all to move on . Gaj remained professional , courteous , diplomatic and polite at all times despite some obvious provocation from aforementioned person. Gaj was more than happy to discuss his home nation , culture , history and current problems.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take some sweets/snacks for the minibus. Lunch en route may not happen at specific times so wise to have own supply if peckish. Take swim gear , sun screen and a hat. Go with the flow , enjoy the experiences and food .
Tiger, tiger...
A non stop tour of the heart of India; Forts and temples, wildlife and culture. Long days and pleasant evenings. By the third day out of Delhi, we had seen the sunset over the Taj Mahal from the Midnight Garden, walked on the beautiful white marble of that iconic building in the early morning, watched wildlife waking in the Ranthambore National park and spent a privileged hour in the company of Ritthi, a magnificent female tiger. In the days to come we walked through ruined temples, deserted forts, lovely little towns and sampled the cuisine and traditional ceremonies and explored the back streets of Rajasthan.
Most Inspirational Moment
Two moments stand out for me. The first was spending more than an hour in the company of Ritthi, a large female tiger as she dozed in the sun no more that 30m from me before stalking (and not catching) two spotted deer. And then watching as she stalked and caught a wild boar. The second was when our guide, Naveen, arranged with our hotel manager in Bundi for us to watch the celebrations and ceremonies in honour of Hanuman, the monkey faced god, whose birthday it was. Bundi is one of those rare places that haven’t been adversely affected by tourism and as we watched from the side of the street we were made welcome and then became a focus of attention for those in the procession. I think I appear in more selfies than I took photos. And all the while we felt safe and comfortable.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Naveen is an excellent guide and leader. His briefings were clear and concise and any questions were quickly answered. He made sure that the group was ok at all times. As we approached each town we had a full explanation of any options and activities. At the historical sites he made sure we understood the restrictions on bags, food, and the dress codes required for respect and tradition in advance. The act that sums up his attention to us happened at the airport when the group flight people were leaving. Having dropped us off, he waited at the barriers to make sure we all got through the initial security checks for entry to the airport before leaving himself. Mention must be made of Vijay, our driver. He was a calm and quiet character who was more than capable of dealing with all the traffic conditions we encountered during the trip. For the longer journeys I was sat at the front of the bus and despite oncoming traffic in our lane, desperate overtaking by cars and trucks and one memorable moment as a lorry rushed towards us in our lane, I had confidence that Vijay could deal with it all. When I return to India, I would choose Naveen as my guide and Vijay as my driver.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Many of the days are long as there is a lot to do. We travelled in April and temperatures were reaching 35c+. In the forts and temples, there was a lack of breeze and the heat reflected off the stonework. Exodus trip notes are pretty accurate; in those temperatures you need to drink plenty and dress accordingly. In many historical sites bags are either not allowed or are subject to long security checks. Most sites forbid any food to be taken in. Religious sites require you to take off your shoes. Those in our group who weren’t wearing socks regretted it as the stone floors got very, very hot in the afternoon sun. A spare pair of socks would be a good idea for those visits. For the game drives a mobile phone will not do the wildlife justice. If you don’t bring a camera with some kind of telephoto lens, a pair of lightweight binoculars will help with watching the birds and smaller mammals. Expect to be hassled by street vendors. It’s not personal or aggressive and the best way I found of dealing with it was to politely say no/shake the head and then ignore them. It can be hard when they persist, but they soon get the message and move on to the next person. I saw people engage in conversation and regret it as the hassle continued for minutes. I saw very few beggars and the advice is to donate to registered charities rather than someone who approaches you on the street. Walking in the narrow streets can be intimidating but the traffic is not trying to hit you and the horns are there to let you know someone is approaching, not to rebuke you. Be aware of the traffic, watch how the locals deal with it, don’t do anything unexpected and you’ll be fine.
Start
Finish
Availability
Land Only Trip Price
Optional Single Supplement
Sunday Saturday
13 Oct 2024 12 Oct 2024
Friday Friday
25 Oct 2024 25 Oct 2024
Availability
Sold Out
Land Only Trip Price 1 800 €
Optional Single Supplement +354 €
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and is now fully booked, although we may have people holding spaces without payment. Please contact our Sales team for further information.
View Trip NotesWednesday Tuesday
23 Oct 2024 22 Oct 2024
Monday Monday
04 Nov 2024 04 Nov 2024
Availability
Sold Out
Land Only Trip Price 1 800 €
Optional Single Supplement
+354 €
Available upon Request
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and is now fully booked, although we may have people holding spaces without payment. Please contact our Sales team for further information.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
27 Oct 2024 26 Oct 2024
Friday Friday
08 Nov 2024 08 Nov 2024
Availability
Guaranteed (Available)
Land Only Trip Price Usually 1 678 €Now 1 380 €Saving 298 € Usually 2 758 €Now Saving 298 €
Optional Single Supplement +354 €
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This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesTuesday Monday
05 Nov 2024 04 Nov 2024
Sunday Sunday
17 Nov 2024 17 Nov 2024
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Land Only Trip Price 1 860 €
Optional Single Supplement +456 €
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and is now fully booked, although we may have people holding spaces without payment. Please contact our Sales team for further information.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
10 Nov 2024 09 Nov 2024
Friday Friday
22 Nov 2024 22 Nov 2024
Availability
Guaranteed (On Request)
Land Only Trip Price 1 800 €
Optional Single Supplement +354 €
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead but there are only 1 space left. Do not delay your booking!
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
17 Nov 2024 16 Nov 2024
Friday Friday
29 Nov 2024 29 Nov 2024
Availability
Guaranteed (Limited)
Land Only Trip Price 1 800 €
Optional Single Supplement
+354 €
Available upon Request
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
24 Nov 2024 23 Nov 2024
Friday Friday
06 Dec 2024 06 Dec 2024
Availability
Guaranteed (Available)
Land Only Trip Price 1 800 €
Optional Single Supplement
+354 €
Available upon Request
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
15 Dec 2024 14 Dec 2024
Friday Friday
27 Dec 2024 27 Dec 2024
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Land Only Trip Price 1 680 € Book with 420 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement
+354 €
Available upon Request
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This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
26 Jan 2025 25 Jan 2025
Friday Friday
07 Feb 2025 07 Feb 2025
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Available
Land Only Trip Price 1 740 € Book with 435 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +396 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
09 Feb 2025 08 Feb 2025
Friday Friday
21 Feb 2025 21 Feb 2025
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Guaranteed (Available)
Land Only Trip Price 1 740 € Book with 435 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +396 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
23 Feb 2025 22 Feb 2025
Friday Friday
07 Mar 2025 07 Mar 2025
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Available
Land Only Trip Price 1 740 € Book with 435 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +396 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesThursday Wednesday
06 Mar 2025 05 Mar 2025
Tuesday Tuesday
18 Mar 2025 18 Mar 2025
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Land Only Trip Price 1 920 € Book with 480 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +396 €
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This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
16 Mar 2025 15 Mar 2025
Friday Friday
28 Mar 2025 28 Mar 2025
Availability
Available
Land Only Trip Price 1 740 € Book with 435 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +396 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
23 Mar 2025 22 Mar 2025
Friday Friday
04 Apr 2025 04 Apr 2025
Availability
Guaranteed (Available)
Land Only Trip Price 1 800 € Book with 450 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +396 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
30 Mar 2025 29 Mar 2025
Friday Friday
11 Apr 2025 11 Apr 2025
Availability
Available
Land Only Trip Price 1 800 € Book with 450 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +396 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
06 Apr 2025 05 Apr 2025
Friday Friday
18 Apr 2025 18 Apr 2025
Availability
Guaranteed (Available)
Land Only Trip Price 1 800 € Book with 450 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +396 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
13 Apr 2025 12 Apr 2025
Friday Friday
25 Apr 2025 25 Apr 2025
Availability
Available
Land Only Trip Price 1 800 € Book with 450 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +396 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesWould you like to include flights with your booking?
- ATOL protected
- Competitive flight prices
- Full refunds in the event of FCDO cancellations or major disruption at your UK departure airport
- Specialist support to rearrange flights and transfers
- Regional flights available from many UK airports
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