Havelis, Camels & Desert Trails

7 – 18 October, 2024

Delhi – Mandawa – Bikaner – Jaisalmer – Manvar desert camp – Kaner Botanical resort – Jodhpur – Delhi

SEE BELOW FOR TOUR DETAILS

Overview

• Delhi ( Novotel Aerocity – 5 star hotel – Standard room )
• Mandawa ( The Legacy – Heritage Haveli hotel – Deluxe room )
• Bikaner ( Narendra Bhawan – Boutique heritage hotel – Deluxe room )
• Jaisalmer ( Fort Rajwada – Heritage hotel – Palace room )
• Manvar ( Manvar tented camp – Deluxe tent )
• Kaner ( Kaner Retreat – Deluxe villa – Standard villa )
• Jodhpur ( Ratan Vilas – Heritage hotel – Superior room )

PRE TOUR EXTENSION – VARANASI
• Varanasi ( Taj Ganges hotel – 5 star hotel – Deluxe room )

POST TOUR EXTENSION – TAJ MAHAL & OLD DELHI
• Jaipur ( Samode Haveli – heritage hotel – Deluxe room )
• Agra ( Taj View – 5 star hotel – Deluxe room )
• Delhi ( Dharampura Haveli – Heritage haveli hotel – Deluxe room )

Trip Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival / Delhi  VIP meet & greet service at airport. Transfer and arrive at airport hotel. Rest of day and evening at leisure. Overnight at the Novotel Aerocity.

Day 2

Delhi / Mandawa Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to train station for train ride into the Shekhawati region and the town of Churu. Upon arrival drive to Mandawa and check in to Heritage Haveli hotel. High Tea on arrival. Late afternoon, heritage walk of Mandawa. Cultural show and dinner at hotel. Overnight at The Legacy.

Day 3

Mandawa Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to nearby Nawalgarh for heritage walk to see the towns famous abandoned or ornate Haveli’s. Return to hotel for lunch. Afternoon at leisure. Local vendors to come to hotel and set up stalls for private shopping opportunity, as well as henna session for the ladies! Dinner at your hotel. Overnight at the The Legacy.

Day 4

Mandawa / Bikaner Breakfast at the hotel. Drive into the heart of the Shekhawati region, Bikaner, and check in to Boutique Heritage hotel. Free time for lunch. Late afternoon visit Junagarh Fort. Dinner at hotel. Overnight at Narendra Bhawan.

Day 5

Bikaner Breakfast at the hotel. Mid-morning, enjoy a city tour, including a visit to the local markets and Haveli’s. High Tea at Heritage Palace hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at Narendra Bhawan.

Day 6

Bikaner/ Jaisalmer Breakfast at the hotel. Drive deep into the Thar Desert to the last ‘living’ Fortified town in Rajasthan, Jaisalmer. Lunch enroute. Upon arrival check in to Heritage hotel. Rest of day at leisure. Dinner at hotel. Overnight at Fort Rajwada Palace.

Day 7

Jaisalmer Breakfast at the hotel. Morning heritage walk around Jaisalmer Fort. Free for lunch and afternoon at leisure. Late afternoon set off to the nearby sand dunes on a jeep drive. Sundowners and dinner in the dunes. Overnight at Fort Rajwada.

Day 8

Jaisalmer/ Manvar Breakfast at hotel. Continue your exploration of the Thar desert as you drive to your tented camp in the sand dunes for the night. Lunch enroute. Afternoon at leisure in camp before late afternoon jeep safari to the local villages and sand dunes. Sundowners and return to camp for cultural show and dinner. Overnight at Manvar tented camp. 

Day 9

Manvar / Kaner Breakfast at camp. Drive to India’s first desert Botanical Garden Retreat. Check in to the Retreat. Enjoy a special Mediterranean organic lunch. Late afternoon you will do a Botanical Garden walk.  Overnight at Kaner Retreat.

Day 10

Kaner / Jodhpur This morning, visit a camel farm and learn about them from Shepherds & have a chance to drink fresh camel milk. Check out and drive to Olive Grove farm for a special brunch. Drive to the ‘Blue City’ of Jodhpur and check in to Heritage hotel. Time at leisure. Late afternoon, enjoy a heritage walk followed by a Street food and Spice tour of the Old city and market area. Overnight at Ratan Vilas.

Day 11

Jodhpur Breakfast at hotel. This morning, visit the imposing Mehrangarh Fort and walk through the colourful backstreets of the Blue city. Free for lunch and time at leisure. Late afternoon drive to nearby organic farm for tour and farewell degustation dinner. Overnight at Ratan Vilas.

Day 12

Jodhpur/ Delhi / Departure Breakfast at hotel. Day at leisure until early afternoon transfer to domestic airport for flight to Delhi. Transfer to the International terminal for your return flight home. VIP departure assistance at airport.

VARANASI pre tour EXTENSION
3 Days /2 Nights

Varanasi Extension A visit to the holy city of Varanasi are a must for any Indian neophyte. Take a sunrise stroll along the river to see the morning fire ceremonies or a wooden boat ride at sunset. Arrive in Varanasi, the spiritual capital of India. This sacred, soulful, spectacular city is one of the most colourful and fascinating places on earth. Your journey here will live within your soul forever. This extension will take in the highlights of the sacred river Ganges and the life which surrounds it in this captivating, timeless and magical city. Visit ‘Sarnath Stupa’ museum, the place where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma – Buddha's 'School of Smile' and in the evening time witness the Aarti Ganges Ceremony. Dawn boat ride along the historic River Ganges. Then explore the city on a ghat and bazaar tour.

Day 1

Arrival / Delhi VIP meet & greet service at airport. Transfer to the hotel. Rest of the evening at your leisure. Overnight at the Novotel Aerocity hotel.

Day 2

Delhi / Varanasi Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Delhi Airport to board local flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival at Varanasi visit Sarnath Stupa & museum. Lunch at Local café. Check in to your luxury heritage hotel located on the banks of the Ganges River. Afternoon visit to nearby Ghats. Ghats in Varanasi are riverfront steps leading to the banks of the River Ganges. The city has 88 ghats. Most of the ghats are bathing and puja ceremony ghats, while two ghats, Manikarnika and Harishchandra, are used exclusively as cremation sites. Witness evening ‘Aarti Fire Ceremony’ at the famous ghat. Overnight at the Taj Ganges hotel.

Day 3

Varanasi / Delhi Early morning boat ride along the river from a Ghat. Breakfast at the hotel. Free time to explore local markets and this ancient city. Transfer to Varanasi Airport to board local flight to Delhi. Upon arrival at Delhi airport, pickup and transfer to The Imperial hotel to join the TOUR.

TAJ MAHAL & OLD DELHI post tour EXTENSION
4 Days /3 Nights

Taj Mahal Sunset at the iconic Taj Mahal, the world’s most iconic and beautiful building, is truly one of the wonders of the world. The Taj was designated a World Heritage Site in 1983 and looks nearly as immaculate today as when it was first constructed. It is very much part of what makes ‘Incredible India’ incredible. Continue to Delhi, and stay in a lovingly restored Haveli, now a heritage hotel, located in amongst the back streets of the very atmospheric and ancient Old Delhi. Enjoy Heritage walk and Rickshaw ride, visit Sikh temple and its community kitchen serving 10,000 free meals a day! Time to explore the local markets and feast on some of the city’s best food.

Day 1

Jodhpur/ Jaipur Breakfast at hotel. Drive to the ‘Pink city’ of Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. Packed lunch. Upon arrival check in to Heritage hotel.  Rest of day and evening at leisure. Overnight at Samode Haveli.

Day 2

Jaipur Breakfast at the hotel. This morning visit Amer Fort, then enjoy a Pink city auto-rickshaw ride, run by a local women’s co-op, to help create job opportunities and improve the lives for their families. Time at leisure to explore the local markets. Late afternoon, visit local farm, home to resident rescue elephants. Spend time with them. Bush dinner under the stars. Overnight at Samode Haveli.

Day 3

Jaipur / Agra Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Agra, home to the famous Taj Mahal. Upon arrival check in to hotel and time at leisure before heading off late afternoon to Agra Red Fort. Overnight at Taj View hotel.

Day 4

Agra / Delhi Early rise this morning as you visit the Taj Mahal for sunrise. Return to hotel for breakfast. Check out and drive to Delhi International Airport for your return flight home. VIP departure assistance at airport.

Prepare for your trip

 India is everything, and more, all at once.

It's a sensory potpourri; a visual explosion of bright saris, lumbering cows, marigolds, incense, spices and bursts of sunlight - where you're guaranteed to craft your very own Darjeeling Limited experience.

As for the language, Hindi isn't spoken by everyone in India - in fact there are more than 20 languages spoken throughout the country and English tends to serve as a common one.

A few Hindi phrases will definitely help along the way: "Namaskar" (hello), "shukriya" (thank you), "aap kaise hai" (how are you), "kitna hai" (how much) and "naam kya hai" (what's your name), may come in handy on your trip.

As for money, you'll be dealing in Indian rupees - there are about 55 rupees to each Aussie dollar. Credit cards are widely accepted, but make sure you know all your pin codes as signing has been phased out around the country.

WHERE TO SHOP

Rajasthan is famous for its colourful embroidered textiles, clothing, homewares, gemstones, silver & gold jewellery, pottery, carpets and durrie rugs, antiques and furniture. As well as miniature paintings, papier mache puppets and embroidered leather shoes.

To buy precious and semi-precious gemstones head to the "pink city" of Jaipur, where gorgeous blue-glazed pottery is also made. Jodhpur holds a treasure trove of shopping bounty.

Marble wares inspired by the Taj Mahal, some of them exquisitely detailed and inlaid with semi-precious stones, can be sourced in Agra, while Varanasi is a popular place to pick up silk and saris.

Delhi is globally recognised for quality and very affordable pricing across a variety of goods.

Mumbai take your pick of jewellery, Sarees or block-printed fabric, Art and of course Retro Bollywood posters and postcards.

Goa is well known for its beautiful variety of decorative Azulejos Tiles. cashew nuts and spices, coconut decor, beachwear, bags and accessories. As well as a variety of hats and musical instruments.

Kerala is known for oils and essence. The best and purest forms of oils and essence are found here. Kochi’s options to shop almost rivals its obsession with food. Pick up an array of packaged spices on offer, such as cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, nutmeg, tamarind, cloves and bay leaves… let the wafting aromas guide you there.

In Cochin there are many varieties of cotton clothes and silk emporiums... you can’t leave without buying at least one traditional saree. Along with colourful bead handicrafts, brass bangles, metal mirrors, silver and gold jewellery.

Always a trade destination, from tradtional merchants to hip, young designers who create modern, fresh styles and fashion.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

All tours include domestic flights, accommodation, transport, air conditioned mini coach with refreshments, sightseeing entrance fees, special tour events and activities, local guides, most meals and tipping (includes: baggage at airport, bell boys at hotel, any activities, paid meals, driver and his assistant and accompanying local guide). Prices may be subject to currency fluctuation or surcharges.

As part of a conscious initiative to reduce the use of single use plastic bottles, TIKKA TOURS ground operator now provides alternatives to plastic bottled water. Re-usable metal water bottles with re-filling facility are part of our guest’s vehicles.

TOUR PRICE

12 Days /11 Nights
$9,475 ( twin share per person )*
$2,200 ( single supplement )*
Fully small group tour
( Based on 8–12 passengers )

*EARLY BIRD DEAL – To receive the special Early Bird discount of $500 per person, the booking and deposit must be made by 31st March, 2024

Spaces are limited (8-12 passengers only) so hurry to secure a seat on this fully escorted, highly personalised luxury India experience!

VARANASI pre tour EXTENSION
3 Days /2 Nights
On request ( twin share per person )
On request ( single supplement )
Private tour ( Based on min 2 passengers )

TAJ MAHAL & OLD DELHI post tour EXTENSION
4 Days /3 Nights
$2,920 (twin share per person )
On request ( single supplement )
Private tour ( Based on min 2 passengers )