Compare Rajasthan Adventure by Intrepid Travel vs Indias Palace on Wheels by Great Rail Journeys

Day 1 Delhi

Namaste! Welcome to Delhi. India's capital is an exciting city with abundant historical sites, museums, and bazaars. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask reception where it will take place, and make sure you’ve got your insurance info and next of kin details to pass on to your leader. If you arrive with time to spare, rejoice! There’s so much to do in Delhi and we won’t have time to cover it all on this trip. Perhaps visit the palatial Humayun's Tomb, the towering and intricately carved 12th-century Qutub Minar or the historic Red Fort.

Day 2 Delhi - Train to Jaisalmer

Ah, Delhi in the morning. It’s chaotic, sure, but the energy is invigorating. Set off early, transfer to the train station and mentally prepare yourself for the 19-hour, journey ahead. Local vendors will board with various goods along the way, but it’s a good idea to bring some of your own food for the journey too. Riding the rails in India is an experience you’ll never forget.

Day 3 Jaisalmer

Pack a small overnight bag – it’s safari time. Head into the dunes of the Thar Desert in a jeep. Meet your guides, who will get a fire going to cook a traditional Rajasthani dinner while you relax and watch the sunset. You’ll be able to buy bottled water and soft drinks tonight, but there are no facilities like running water. Because of this, we recommend you bring hand sanitiser and other toiletries. Toilets are a simple long-drop style. Stretch out under a star-studded sky and spot constellations as you drift to sleep.

Day 4 Jaisalmer to Jodhpur

Journey back to Jaisalmer this morning and take a walking tour of the city to learn the history of the ornate sandstone buildings. Later, explore at your own pace. Perhaps wander among the intricately carved statues of the Jain Temples or visit the Folklore Museum to learn more about Rajasthani culture. With its imposing parapets and towers, the Old Town is full of steep stonewalls that lead to various havelis. These private mansions once homed Jaisalmer’s nobility and resemble small palaces. In the afternoon board your train to Jodhpur, reaching Jodhpur in the evening, it’s an approximately 6 hour train ride. 

Day 5 Jodhpur

Answer the call of (arguably) the nation’s best lassi and most striking vistas today in Jodhpur. See the ancient fort towering over thousands of cobalt-blue buildings. Get your bearings on a walking tour around the Old City and visit Sadar Bazaar, one of the oldest markets in India. Stroll through spice and vegetable stalls, past juice sellers, and sari peddlers and maybe give your haggling skills a road test. The rest of the day is free, so perhaps grab one of the lassis we mentioned and pound the pavement in search of a dal baati. This dal and bread dish doesn’t sound too exciting, but this delicious meal is a Rajasthani classic for a reason.

Day 6 Nimaj

India be can be an intense place to travel. Seek a little peace and quiet today in rural Rajasthan. Take a two-hour drive to the tiny town of Nimaj. A relaxed and quiet place, Nimaj is the opposite of a tourist trap and the perfect place to spend a day unwinding. Take a walking tour of the town with your leader, then spend the afternoon and evening as you please. Perhaps chat with the locals and learn more about their day to day life, take a stroll or relax with a book under the shade of a tree.

Day 7 Jaipur

Hit the road and make tracks for Jaipur. Arrive and jump on an auto-rickshaw to the hotel, drop off your luggage, and set out on a short tour of Jaipur. A city bathed in pink, Jaipur is full of elegant buildings and delightful bazaars. The honeycomb-esque Palace of the Winds, constructed from red and pink sandstone, is a highlight of the guided walk today. After the tour, maybe follow the crowds to the markets and shop for artisan goods and semi-precious stones. Tonight, visit yet another opulent pink building, this time in the form of a cinema. The iconic Raj Mandir Cinema plays Bollywood blockbusters and tonight you’ll get to see one of these great tales unfold before your eyes.

Day 8 Jaipur

For many travellers, a hot air balloon ride over the ‘Pink City’ is one of the highlights of their trip. Ballooning can be done on the morning of Day six between September and June. For additional information, please see the important notes section of Essential Trip Information. If you’re afraid of heights, or just don’t fancy a float, maybe check out the Royal City Palace or one of the five quirky astronomical observatories built by Jaipur’s founder. Later this afternoon, visit the Amber Fort. Set on a hilltop overlooking Maota Lake, the fort is a superb example of Rajput architecture. Entering the glittering Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors) is also something you won’t soon forget.

Day 9 Agra

Head east to Agra in a public vehicle, stopping en route to see the breathtaking imperial gate of Fatehpur Sikri. Rich in Mughal heritage, Agra is a city of gardens, temples, and open rooftops. Even if you’ve never heard of it, you’ll probably recognise its most famous attraction – the Taj Mahal. See this awesome monument upon arrival, taking in the splendour of the white marble mausoleum built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his wife Mumtaz. The rest of the day is free to explore the city. An amazing local social enterprise, Sheroes Hangout, is located about 10-minutes from the Taj Mahal and is an excellent place to stop for a cold drink, coffee, or light meal while you are here. The initiative is part of the Stop Acid Attacks campaign and staffed by survivors.

Day 10 Delhi

Return to Delhi by train. Freshen up at the hotel and set off on the city’s modern metro system to explore the sights and sounds of Old Delhi on a guided walking tour. They really don’t make traffic jams like this anywhere else, and you’ll see what it’s like as you inch your way through the streets around Chandni Chowk marketplace in a traditional cycle rickshaw. Visit Jama Masjid, Delhi's oldest and India’s largest mosque, and then stop by the Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) to learn about the Sikh beliefs and practices. India can be a pretty crazy place, and it’s likely you’ve formed some new friendships with your fellow travellers. Maybe head out tonight for one last meal together and say your goodbyes before the trip comes to an end tomorrow.

Day 11 Delhi

There are no activities planned for the final day and you're able to depart the accommodation at any time after you check out at midday. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel. If you decide to stay an extra couple of days in Delhi, consider getting involved in an Urban Adventure. Find out more at urbanadventures.com/destination/delhi-tours.

DAYS 1-2
FLY TO DELHI
We depart London Heathrow for our overnight flight to the Indian capital, Delhi. On arrival in the late-morning of Day 2, we transfer to the 5-Star ITC Maurya Hotel for a two-night stay, in the heart of New Delhi close to diplomatic missions, shops and historical landmarks.
INCLUDES:Day 2 - DinnerScheduled flights

DAY 3
SIGHTSEEING IN DELHI
Today is devoted to a fascinating sightseeing tour covering the ancient streets, temples and colourful markets of Old Delhi as well as the leafy avenues and colonial architecture of New Delhi. Our tour includes India Gate, Raj Ghat, the Parliament House, Humayan's tomb and Qutub Minar. We also visit Jama Masjib, India's largest mosque, and pass the vast Red Fort, constructed by the Moghuls in the 17th century.
INCLUDES:Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerTour of Delhi

DAY 4
THE TOY TRAIN TO SHIMLA
We leave Delhi on the Shatabdi Express to Kalka. Here we board the scheduled service of the narrow-gauge Toy Train, recently awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, which takes us on a journey into the Shivalik mountain range to Shimla at over 7,000 ft (those customers who wish so can make this part of the journey by private car). Shimla was chosen by the British as their retreat from the summer heat, and many of the town's building remain very British in style. We spend three nights at the 5-Star Oberoi Cecil Hotel.
INCLUDES:Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerToy Train to Shimla

DAYS 5-6
SHIMLA
On Day 5 we explore Shimla by jeep and see sights such as the Viceregal Lodge, a striking 19th century Elizabethan-style mansion. After lunch, we take a leisurely stroll along the Mall to the town's Gaiety Theatre, the Victorian-Gothic Christ Church and Scandal Point. A jeep is available if you would prefer not to walk during the afternoon. Day 6 is free for you to explore Shimla at your leisure.
INCLUDES:Day 5 - Breakfast, DinnerDay 5 - Tour of ShimlaDay 6 - Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7
RETURN TO DELHI
We leave Shimla in the morning and travel by road, for the journey back down the mountains through stunning scenery to Kalka. Here we join the Shatabdi Express to Delhi, for another night at the ITC Maurya Hotel.
INCLUDES:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8
DELHI AND THE PALACE ON WHEELS
Today you are free in Delhi until mid-afternoon, when we transfer to our hotel train, the Palace on Wheels, for an enchanting journey through the bygone eras of the Maharajas. We have time to settle into our comfortable cabins before we enjoy dinner together in the restaurant car as the train heads into the night.
INCLUDES:Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerPalace on Wheels

DAY 9
JAIPUR
Our first stop is the capital of Rajasthan, the Pink City of Jaipur. Sightseeing includes the imposing Palace of the Winds, whose ornate façade once enabled the ladies of the royal court to observe life in the street below whilst remaining in 'purdah.' We also visit the magnificent Amber Fort, one of three hilltop forts, and enjoy lunch in the Palace Hotel. During the night the train continues west.
INCLUDES:Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerTour of JaipurAmber Fort

DAY 10
TIGERS AND CHITTORGARH
We leave the train to visit the Ranthambore National Park, to spot tigers, leopards and other native wildlife before we head to Chittorgarh to see the majestic hilltop fort, the Tower of Victory and the intricate Tower of Fame.
INCLUDES:Breakfast, DinnerRanthambore National ParkChittorgarh Hill Fort

DAYS 11-12
UDAIPUR AND JAISALMER
The Palace on Wheels reaches Udaipur this morning. We leave the train for lunch at a local hotel before taking a cruise on Lake Pichola, sailing around the small island and the Lake Palace Hotel, originally the Palace of the Maharani of Udaipur. On our return to Udaipur we rejoin the train. On Day 12 we arrive in Jaisalmer, a fairytale walled town in the Thar Desert. We explore the narrow, twisting streets of the town centre, see beautiful merchants' houses with intricately carved sandstone façades and enjoy a camel ride into the surrounding desert. We dine together at a local hotel before the train departs for Jodhpur.
INCLUDES:Day 11 - Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerDay 11 - Lake Pichola cruiseDay 12 - Breakfast, DinnerDay 12 - Jaisalmer tour & Camel Ride

DAY 13
JODHPUR
Jodhpur is known as the 'Blue City' due to the hue of the houses within the old walls. During a morning tour we see the impenetrable walls of the Mehrangarh Fort and Palace with fine sandstone carvings. We enjoy lunch in the Palace Hotel and visit Jaswant Thada, a white marble cenotaph. We rejoin the train and journey towards Agra.
INCLUDES:Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerJodhpur tourJaswant Thada visit

DAY 14
AGRA AND THE TAJ MAHAL
After a visit by rickshaw to the Bharatpur bird sanctuary, we rejoin the train and travel to Agra. This afternoon we visit Agra Fort, the majestic red sandstone citadel and the captivating Taj Mahal, the iconic masterpiece in white marble. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1653, for his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal is the world's finest example of Mughal and Persian architecture. We return to the train for our final night on board and a farewell dinner.
INCLUDES:Breakfast, DinnerBharatpur bird sanctuaryAgra FortThe Taj Mahal

DAY 15
THE JOURNEY HOME
We arrive back in Delhi this morning, having completed our magnificent journey on board the Palace on Wheels and transfer to the airport for our flight to London.
INCLUDES:BreakfastScheduled flights

GUEST SPEAKER
RAAJA BHASIN
On Day 4 of our tour, we enjoy a talk from Raaja Bhasin* in Shimla, gaining a detailed insight into the town through its people, history and culture. Known for his unique insight into this region's fascinating heritage, Raaja Bhasin is an acclaimed writer and researcher; most recently serving as a historical consultant on Channel 4's 'Indian Summers' series. Born locally, he is considered an authority on Shimla and the wider area of Himachal Pradesh having written five critically acclaimed books, as well as many articles, stories and even a TedTalk relating to the subject. He has been actively involved in many heritage projects, including the Kalka Shimla Railway line which is the route you will be travelling along. Thanks to the efforts of Raaja and his team, this route was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2008 something that, as we journey through the mountains learning about the distinctive and inspiring engineering that made the line possible, we will soon understand why.
*Selected departures only.