Rajasthan Unearthed & Diwali Festival

16 – 30 Oct, 2027

Delhi – Agra  – Jaipur – Ajmer– Jodhpur – Narlai – Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – Udaipur – Delhi

SEE BELOW FOR TOUR DETAILS

Overview

• Delhi ( Roseate House – 4 ½ star hotel – Deluxe Room )
• Agra ( Grande Mercure – 4 ½ star hotel – Superior Room )
• Jaipur ( Shahpura house – Heritage hotel – Deluxe room )
• Ajmer ( IHCL Pratap Mahal – 4 star hotel – Superior room with sit out )
• Jodhpur ( Ratan Vilas – Heritage hotel – Courtyard room )
• Narlai ( Rawla Narlai – Heritage hotel – Luxury Grand Heritage room )
• Khempur ( Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – Heritage hotel – Standard room )
• Udaipur ( Amet Haveli – Heritage Haveli hotel – Lake facing superior room )

Trip Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival / Delhi  VIP meet & greet service at airport. Transfer and arrive at Roseate House.

Day 2

Delhi Breakfast at the hotel. Morning visit Old Delhi and enjoy a rickshaw ride at Chandni chowk. Visit to New Delhi India gate, government buildings and Bangla Sahib Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) and its communal kitchen. Welcome lunch at local Indian restaurant. Overnight at Roseate house.

Day 3

Delhi / Agra Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal. Check in to your hotel. Free time for lunch. This afternoon visit Agra Fort and get your first glimpse of the Taj Mahal in the distance. Return to hotel. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at Grande Mercure.

Day 4

Agra / Jaipur (Kukas Valley) Rise early for sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal. Return to hotel for breakfast. Check out and drive to Jaipur and check in to your Heritage hotel. Rest of afternoon at your leisure or shopping at local markets. Overnight at Shahpura House.

Day 5

Jaipur Breakfast at hotel. Enjoy a ‘Pink City’ auto rickshaw ride around the city. Free time for shopping and to explore the local markets. Overnight at Shahpura House.

Day 6

Jaipur Breakfast at the hotel. Morning visit to the Amber Fort, built by Raja Man Singh in the 16th-century. Then continue on to visit the impressive Hawa Mahal, constructed of red and pink sandstone. Free time for lunch followed by leisure time for shopping in the local textile markets and bazaars. Late afternoon visit to nearby Wilderness camp, home to rescue elephants. Spend time with them and enjoy a Bush dinner under the stars. Return to hotel. Overnight at Shahpura House.

Day 7

Jaipur / Ajmer Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Ajmer and check in to your hotel. This afternoon enjoy sightseeing in the nearby town of Pushkar. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at Pratap Mahal.

Day 8

Ajmer / Jodhpur Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Jodhpur, known as the ‘Blue city’ and check in to your Heritage hotel. Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure to explore and shop at the nearby markets. Free time for dinner. Overnight at the Ratan Vilas.

Day 9

Jodhpur Breakfast time. Early morning visit to Mehrangarh Fort. Jodphur’s signature powder-blue buildings are scattered about the majestic Fort. Heritage walk to explore the Old Town of Rajasthan's bustling ‘Blue city’. Afternoon at your leisure. Overnight at Ratan Vilas.

Day 10

Jodhpur/ Narlai Breakfast time. Depart for rural village of Narlai. Upon arrival check in to Heritage hotel. Free for lunch. Afternoon at your leisure. Dinner at the impressive ancient Stepwell. Overnight at Rawla Narlai.

Day 11

Narlai Early morning leopard jeep Safari. Return to hotel for breakfast. Mid morning, enjoy a local village walk with staff from the hotel. Time at your leisure, then late afternoon drive to a nearby lake for bird watching. Return to hotel for dinner. Overnight at Rawla Narlai.

Day 12

Narlai / Best Exotic Marigold hotel Early morning leopard Safari on a private jeep drive. Return to hotel for breakfast. Depart and drive 1hr to the famous Ranakpur Jain Temple, built in the 15th-century and carved in exquisite detail. Stop for lunch in the middle of the surrounding jungle. Afterwards continue drive to the village of Khempur. Check in to ‘The Best Exotic Marigold hotel’. Drinks and movie night accompanied by a specially prepared home-cooked dinner. Overnight at Best Exotic Marigold hotel.

Day 13

Best Exotic Marigold hotel / Udaipur Breakfast at the hotel. Followed by a lively cricket match with the locals or a village walk. Then drive 1.5hrs to the lake city of Udaipur. Explore local markets, buzzing with Diwali celebrations and activities. Check in to your Heritage hotel, located on the banks of Pichola Lake. Late afternoon, enjoy a Sunset boat ride on the lake. Enjoy the evening at your leisure. Overnight at Amet Haveli Hotel.

Day 14

Udaipur Breakfast time. Then time to further explore Udaipur. Visit the City Palace, Rajasthan's largest Palace where the Royal family still lives. Enter the gates, built wide enough for an elephant to pass through, when the palace was constructed back in the mid-1500s. Afterwards, explore local markets, enjoy a fun James Bond style tuk tuk ride and lunch at Lakeside cafe. Return to hotel for some leisure time. This evening you will celebrate DIWALI with the locals and enjoy a very special Festive Dinner. Overnight at Amet Haveli Hotel.

Day 15

Udaipur / Delhi / Departure Breakfast time and morning at your leisure. Transfer to airport for afternoon flight from Udaipur to Delhi. On arrival connect to international flight for departure with VIP airport assistance.

VARANASI pre tour EXTENSION
3 Days /2 Nights

Varanasi Extension Three days in 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

Delhi / Varanasi Transfer to Delhi Airport to board flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival at Varanasi airport, transfer to your luxury heritage hotel. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure to explore this ancient city. Witness evening ‘Aarti Fire Ceremony’ at the famous ghat. Overnight at the Hotel Brijrama Palace.

Day 2

Varanasi Early morning boat ride along the river from a Ghat. 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. Later visit Sarnath Stupa. Lunch at Local café and then explore local markets. Overnight at the Hotel Brijrama Palace.

Day 3

Varanasi / Delhi Breakfast time. Morning at your leisure. Around noon transfer to Varanasi Airport to board flight to Delhi. Upon arrival at Delhi airport, pickup and transfer to Hotel Maidens to join the TOUR.

MUMBAI post tour EXTENSION
3 Days /2 Nights

Mumbai formerly Bombay, is the gateway to India and it is big. A thriving metropolis of colour and sounds, full of dreamers, labourers, starlets, artists, fisherfolk and lots of people, an estimated 14 million. Home to the ‘Bollywood’ film industry, named for ‘Bombay’ and ‘Hollywood’. The genre mixes action, comedy, romance, drama and melodrama along with musical numbers. Some of Asia’s biggest slums can be found here; as well as the world’s most expensive homes to ‘crorepatis’ (or millionaires), along with the largest tropical forest in an urban zone. Formerly, the base for the British East India Company, a colonial and trade influence remains. Mumbai is India’s financial powerhouse, fashion epicentre and a pulse point of different religions. This city truly is pulsating with life and full of vibrancy. The heart of the city contains some of the grandest colonial-era architecture on the planet, but explore a little more and you’ll uncover unique bazaars, hidden temples, hipster enclaves and India’s premier restaurants and nightlife.

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.

15 Days /14 Nights
On Request ( twin share per person )*
On Request ( single supplement )*
Locally escorted small group tour
( Based on 6 passengers )

Spaces are based on minimum 6 passengers 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

MUMBAI post tour EXTENSION
3 Days /2 Night
On Request ( twin share per person )
On Request ( single supplement )
Private tour