Colours of Rajasthan

• 12 nights in hotels
• Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
• Travel by air-conditioned private bus and train
•  Holi, Diwali and Pushkar festival departures available

During October/November and February/March/April, the days are normally warm to hot and nights cool or mild. Humidity is very low with little or no rain. Evenings in Delhi can be surprisingly cool. It gets very cold in the early mornings and evenings in December and January and warm clothes are essential. Fog is also a real possibility during this period. Please note, night-time temperatures in Delhi can be very cold and only a little above freezing in December and January.

This trip has been rated Activity Level 1 (Leisurely).

This is very much a cultural trip but fast paced and jam-packed with many of the highlights in Rajasthan. The tour is not overly demanding, but some days can be busy and long, particularly where travelling is combined with sightseeing. You won't have a lot of downtime on this trip that packs in so many of the sights Rajasthan has to offer!

The roads are generally pretty good, but local traffic and/or road damage after the monsoon can sometimes slow us down. We travel mainly on comparatively quiet roads for at least half the journey. In Ranthambore National Park, tiger spotting is from a large open truck called a canter. Longer distances are covered by private bus and should take around six to seven hours; however, delays are possible and journey times can increase. At times it can be quite hot and dusty (except December to February) and the bustle of the Indian cities can be tiring. This trip does involve a lot of time on the road; however, this gives you the perfect opportunity to see the diversity of one of India’s most colourful states.

Please note, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for the conservation of many monuments in India, including the Taj Mahal, and very occasionally this may mean that work is taking place at sites visited on this trip. The ASI schedule is never published so it is not possible to forewarn our clients of when work will be taking place.

Festivals – Holi and Diwali

Some departures may coincide with the festivals of Holi and Diwali. These can be quite local celebrations within communities and families and are not necessarily marked to the same extent throughout the country. We will endeavour to seek out possible opportunities to see the festivities; however, we cannot guarantee what may or may not be going on in the area visited during the trip.

Holi celebrations typically involve people throwing coloured powders and water at each other and smearing powder on each other’s faces. This tends to be done in local communities and families so it is not always possible to be involved though you may see the colourful results of this boisterous festival left on the streets. During Holi, local monuments and markets will close so departures over Holi Festival will have a slight adjustment to the itinerary. Where possible, you will be offered a cultural experience with local musicians and dancers performing as well as an opportunity to play with colours, dance, and enjoy drinks and food. You can also purchase locally the traditional white kurta outfit to look the part and avoid getting your own clothes covered in the coloured powders.

During Diwali, the festival of lights to mark the start of the Hindu New Year, people may illuminate their houses and shops and sometimes celebrate on the streets with fireworks. Lasting up to five days, it is difficult for us to predict what may be going on in the areas visited on our trips during Diwali. Where something is happening, we will endeavour to see how our groups can witness the festivities.

Pushkar Camel Fair

Some departures will be in Pushkar during the festival. These are marked on the website with a slightly amended itinerary. You will have two nights in Pushkar (one night replacing a stay in Jodhpur).