Holiday in detail

With India being several hours ahead of the UK, most flights arrive next day. Often travellers like to arrive a day or more earlier to relax after the flight and enjoy a tour of Delhi, please see below. We can book extra accommodation for you at a competitive price. Remember we always pick you up free from the airport up to three days before the tour starts.

We will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to our hotel. If you arrive in India a day (or more) earlier, we offer a tour of New and Old Delhi today (£35) that includes Mahatma Gandhi's final home, India Gate, and a rickshaw ride around the old city.

Tonight we invite you to our enjoyable included Welcome Meal (no charge to you). 

We now leave the capital for an altogether different experience in the town of Mandawa - your first medieval desert town. This was was once part of the Silk Route stretching from Afghanistan to the Bay of Bengal. We’ll take you on a guided walk with some free time to explore. Expect traditional women in bright silks and saris, mules or camels along the streets in this traditional setting. 

Later this morning we depart for our drive deeper into the desert. We’ll take you to a small village, where we’ll be given camels and ride into the desert. Tonight we’ll set up camp (with included simple dinner) for a night under the stars. Bring pyjamas as the desert can get cold. Please note, if you are uncomfortable with camping in the desert we can take you to our next Bikaner hotel where you stay two nights at a small extra charge.

This morning we’ll take you on a short drive to Bikaner (partly by camel cart); your first desert city. Bikaner is a lively place and - not for everyone - you may like to join us to visit the Karni Mata temple (around 30km away), a temple devoted to rats. It has been featured on BBC documentaries and covered by your host for Radio 4 and Sir David Attenborough. Later, we’ll also take you to a camel breeding centre to see legions of camels; a mesmerising sight! Late afternoon/early evening you may want to take a stroll in the city's busy centre. Tonight free to enjoy our hotel. There is a restaurant if you'd like to enjoy dinner.

After breakfast we drive to the far west of India, to magical Jaisalmer, bordering Pakistan. It's a medieval city like something from ‘Arabian Nights.' Here, we’ll stay for two nights. 

Free time to explore Jaisalmer at your own pace. Jaisalmer enjoys a wonderful setting with its citadel rising out of the desert. You can enjoy wandering around its medieval alleyways, shop for handicrafts, dine at rooftop restaurants and enjoy sunset over its fortress walls. There are sometimes local operators offering drives over sand dunes in the desert. Please note these activities fall outside of Angel Holidays itinerary and you do so at your own risk. Please ensure you have proper insurance.

Today we drive to the ‘blue city' of Jodhpur. This afternoon (optional and free) we’ll explore the city's dramatic fortress or you may prefer to even zipline around its walls (an extra cost). Please note a local operator offers this and it falls outside of our itinerary - so you do so at your own risk. Later we'll explore the busy spice and traditional markets. 

Evening free. Dining in Jodhpur at a rooftop restaurant, dominated by the fortress which is lit up at night, is a delight. Our hotel will be enjoyable too!

Today we make our drive south and to one of the most romantic cities in India; Udaipur. On route we'll also visit the 'Exotic Marigold Hotel' used for the movies with Judy Dench, Richard Gere etc. Here, we stop for tea and snacks (free to you) and we'll explore a fascinating desert village nearby – largely in the middle of nowhere and little seen by tourists. We then continue to the magical lake city of Udaipur for two nights. This evening, you may like to dine alfresco at one of the many rooftop restaurants overlooking the water.

Today is a rest day. For those who want to join us, we will take on a walk to through the city, along the lake, and an optional tour of the City Palace (no charge extra to you). Afternoon free. You may want to enjoy more of the colourful street markets, a boat over the water and sunset from one of the rooftop restaurants.

Today, we drive northwards and to the holy town of Pushkar. This afternoon (or tomorrow depending on arrival) we'll take you on pleasant walking tour of this ancient town with free time to explore.

This morning more free time to enjoy the unique atmosphere of Pushkar. Holy men (and cows) wander the alleyways, there's interesting shopping, traditional waterside cafes and the spectacle of pilgrims bathing in the sacred water.

Later we take you to Ajmer for our train to the capital of Rajasthan - the pink city of Jaipur. You may wish to prepare for the festival of Holi, by buying colourful vermilion powder and white traditional clothing! We will advise.  

Today we take you on a tour of the city, seeing the Palace of Winds, the City Palace Museum and the Janta Manta observatory (featured on Dan Cruikshank’s ‘Around the world in 80 Treasures’). This trip also includes Amber fort, that lies 10 miles outside the city.

This morning we take you to an authentic location to enjoy the festival of Holi. Prepare for a lot of people and a lot of fun. Holi is one of the biggest festivals in the entire sub-continent! This afternoon we leave Jaipur and head east to Agra for one night, in place to see the Taj Mahal tomorrow.

This morning we will take you on a guided visit to the Taj Mahal with free time to explore this beautiful monument and its surroundings. This afternoon we drive back to Delhi and enjoy our farewell dinner together.

After this incredibly varied journey, today we take you to the airport for your flight back to the UK.

B&B = Bed & Breakfast, HB = Half Board