The Royal Desert Drive, Rajasthan Trip Style: Road Trip (Self Drive) Route: Delhi Jaipur - Khimsar Jaisalmer Udaipur Pushkar Delhi Duration: 8 nights/9 days Trip Date: 12 th Dec 15 20 th Dec 15 Introduction Ever wondered what it would be like, to drive through landscapes so vast that you have nothing but camels, sand and the local tribes for company? To discover a race that has endured the harshness of a desert and yet has evolved with remarkable warmth and hospitality in their culture. As you drive through the countryside in Rajasthan, discover pure luxury in ancient palaces and Forts with nature trails to take your breath away! In the world of smart phones and satellites be prepared to fall off the radar and fall in love with this majestic land of Kings and Fables. Enjoy Camel & Jeep Safaris, visit the mystical bazaars, and explore vibrant Galleries and museums while savoring the rich local cuisine. Experience the flamboyance and indulgence of Royalty at Khimsar & Pushkar. Visit cities dotted with lakes and reflecting Golden hues at Udaipur & Jaisalmer. Say Khamaghani or Greetings to a local and get ready for the drive of a lifetime. Highlights Amer Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal (Jaipur) Black Buck Sanctuary, The Royal Garage, Khimsar Jaisalmer Fort, Sam Sand dune Camps, Gadisar Lake (Jaisalmer) Pichola Lake, Jag Mandir, City Palace, Monsoon Palace, Saheliyon ki Bari (Udaipur) The Brahma Temple (Pushkar) Activities Elephant Ride (Amer Fort, Jaipur) Camel & Jeep Safari (Khimsar, Jaisalmer) Boat Rides (Udaipur) Spa Therapy (Pushkar) Folk Dance & Music Cultural Programs Souvenir Shopping Nature Trails
Day 1 12 th Dec 15 Delhi Jaipur (280 km/5hrs) We will all get together early in the morning and hit the road towards Rajasthan at 7:00 am to reach Jaipur by noon. On your first drive, you will get to meet your fellow travellers, get used to driving in a convoy and enjoy the chitter chatter over your personal radio sets. Reach Jaipur by afternoon and after a lavish lunch we are ready to explore! We take a city tour to soak in the various heritage sights brimming in the pink city. In the evening we can rejoice in the company of the Rajasthani Folk Music and Dance troupe and end the day with a Grand dinner at the Hotel. Retire in anticipation of the next day s surprise. Day 2 13 th Dec 15 Jaipur Khimsar (280 kms/6 hrs) After a sumptuous but early breakfast and checkout, we start the drive through stark and virgin desert landscapes and arrive at the Khimsar Fort & Dunes where we experience royal Rajput hospitality, personally overseen by the family, on a grand and elegant scale. We try to reach by noon and after checkin and a refreshing lunch take a look at the vast collection of Vintage Cars owned and displayed by the Royal Family at The Royal Garage gleaming and immaculate! In the evening enjoy dinner and a cultural program at the Fort. Day 3 14 th Dec 15 Khimsar Today we start the day with a view of the sunrise against the fort and then proceed for a wildlife tour to a Black buck Sanctuary 16 km away from Khimsar Fort. Keep your cameras ready as you sight herds of Black Buck, Chinkara and blue bull Antelope. Evening Tea & Snacks will be taken at the Sandune Resort that is famous for a fantastic view of sunset followed by a royal dinner at the hotel. Day 4 15 th Dec 15 Khimsar Jaisalmer (290 kms/ 6 hrs) Start driving through the long and lonely stretches of the Mighty Thar Desert and witness sublime desert landscapes as we cross Pokhran, Test site for India s first underground nuclear weapon detonation to arrive at Jaisalmer by lunchtime. Jaisalmer is known as the Golden City of India because of the yellow sandstone used in the city s architecture and yellow sand giving it a goldenish glow. The Jaisalmer Fort is lit up in the evenings and is a truly marvelous sight to watch. Dinner is at the hotel.
Day 5 16 th Dec 15 Jaisalmer Start your day with a visit to another world heritage site, Jaisalmer Fort that is one of the largest fortifications in the world! Built in the 10 th Century by a Rajput King this glorious fort stands amidst the sandy expanse of the great Thar Desert. This ancient monument has been designed in yellow sandstone to camouflage itself in the yellow desert thus withstanding various battles over centuries. Consequently, it is also known as the Sonar Quilla or Golden Fort. Remarkably it is still home to around 3000 people residing within its walls. We will return for lunch and rest at the hotel and spend the evening at Sam Dunes Camps for dinner and cultural program. Day 6 17 th Dec 15 Jaisalmer Udaipur (500 kms/8 hrs) Add Romance to adventure as you begin the longest drive of the tour so far towards the most romantic destinations of India lovingly named Venice of the East and The city of Lakes. This is the city where Hollywood celebrities come to pledge eternal love and get married. We ve spent a lot of time on the road today, so just enjoy some much deserved rest at the hotel. Overnight in Udaipur. Day 7 18 th Dec 15 Udaipur Today we have a full day city tour planned for you! We will visit the City Palace, home to the Crystal Gallery, which boasts of an amazing collection of treasures ordered by the Maharaja from England but forgotten for 110 years before it was rediscovered. It also houses the magnificent Durbar Hall, to see the impressive Chandeliers and artifacts at display. In the evening we will take a boat cruise along Lake Pichola and enjoy a sublime view of stately mansions and palaces along the way. Dinner is at the fabulous Jagat Niwas Palace, situated right at the banks of Lake Pichola providing an excellent view of all the Palaces of Udaipur.. Day 8 19 th Dec 15 Udaipur Pushkar (320 kms/6 hours) We start with the rising sun, driving along the meandering roads and reach Pushkar by evening to checkin and take some rest at the hotel. This is our last night together so we will make sure it counts! Come dressed for a grand evening spent in the company of all the fellow participants. Day 9 20 th Dec 15 Pushkar Delhi (400 kms/8 hrs) We have a quick Breakfast and visit the only Brahma temple in the world. After thanking the lord for all our blessings we start the long drive back to the bustling streets of Delhi via the busy NH-8.
Hotel List: Jaipur The Oberoi Trident Khimsar Khimsar Fort & Dunes Jaisalmer Mandir Palace Udaipur - The Oberoi Trident Pushkar Ananta Spa & Resorts Package Cost: INR 75,000/- Per Person Vehicle Hire: We have a wide choice of vehicles that you may hire for Self Drive. Following are the category & Cost of vehicles available as per the Itinerary Category of Vehicle Cost for 9 Days Ford Figo Rs 25,000/- Ford Ecosport/ Nissan Sunny Rs 36,500/- Toyota Innova/Mahindra Socrpio Rs 46,500/- Mahindra Scorpio 4WD Rs 52,000/- Toyota Fortuner)4 WD Rs 80,000/- Mercedes E Class/BMW 5 Series Rs 1,32,500/-
Cost Includes Route Planning and Research. Activities to make the experience truly memorable. Back up team with a crew vehicle equipped with GPS, emergency food supplies and first aid kits. Road books, maps and wireless radio sets for every vehicle. Accommodation all hotels and camps. All Meals Adventures Overland merchandise. State & Toll Taxes Currently applicable taxes and service charges Cost Excludes Self Drive Vehicle Your own international or domestic passenger flights. Meals and drinks not mentioned. Any Safari or Monument visit entry Fees Alcoholic beverages Fuel or any fuel additives. Refundable Security Deposit for each vehicle. Insurance, tips, personal phone calls. Insurance and documentation costs such as travel insurance, visa applications etc. Vehicle servicing, repairs, toll taxes, traffic lines. Any cost arising out of unforeseen circumstances like ill-health, vehicle breakdown or repairs, damage accruing from land blocks, bad weather etc Additional accommodation charges due to unforeseen delays in the journey. Any charges for carrying video camera or still camera. Any hotel, subsistence or other costs incurred prior to the official start date of an expedition and after the official end date of the expedition.
Cancellation Policy 25% of the Tour cost will be charged if the tour cancelled anytime after confirmation till 30 days prior to start date. 50% of the tour cost will be charged as cancellation if tour is cancelled in less than 29-15 days prior to start date. 75% of the tour cost will be charged as cancellation if tour is cancelled in less than 14-08 days prior to start date. 100% of the tour cost will be charged as cancellation if trip is cancelled in less than 07 days prior to start date.