Desert Festival of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

Welcome to incredible India! Upon your arrival at the airport in Delhi, our representative will greet you and escort you to the hotel. After checking into your hotel, spend the rest of your day at your leisure exploring the local area and relaxing at the hotel. Our friendly guide and hotel staff will be on hand should you need restaurant recommendations or general provisions.

Transfer to the airport for an early morning flight to Udaipur. The city was founded in 1559 and was the capital of the Mewar kingdom. On arrival we will transfer to our hotel in the old city, overlooking the stunning Lake Pichola. Udaipur, also known as the ‘City of Lakes’, is one of India’s most picturesque cities. There’s no doubt you’ll enjoy this relaxing, seductive city.

In the afternoon we will take an orientation walk and explore the beautiful lane ways of the old city. In the evening we will go to Bagore-ki-Haveli, near Gangaur Ghat in the heart of the old city, to watch a traditional Rajasthani dance performance. After the dance performance we will enjoy dinner at a roof top restaurant overlooking Lake Pichola and the City Palace. Relax and enjoy the sweeping views and wonder at the many treasures housed inside.

Explore this beautiful city with a visit to the massive City Palace with its many splendorous rooms and take a glimpse into the opulence of the era of Maharajahs. Lavish palaces surround the city, the most famous being The Lake Palace, which covers an entire island and was featured in the James Bond film Octopussy. Take a leisurely stroll around the old city and enjoy shopping for unique Rajasthani handicrafts or visit one of the many quaint cafes that dot the atmospheric lane ways.

In the late afternoon we will gather to board our boat for a late afternoon cruise around Lake Pichola followed by sunset cocktails on Jagmandir Island Palace.

After an early breakfast we will leave for Khempur. We will check into our hotel – “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” to stay right where the film was shot. Spend the late afternoon strolling through this small village and sampling some of the local life.

After breakfast we will bid farewell to Khempur and drive to Jodhpur. Once we arrive we will check in to our accommodation and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing.

Jodhpur is known as the “Blue City” owing to the many blue houses that dot the landscape. It also boasts as its backdrop the impressive Mehrangarh Fort, one of the largest in India. Why not head to Sadar Bazaar, one of the oldest markets in India, for handicrafts and antiques. The diversity of what’s on offer is impressive, as are the colourful surrounds.

Enjoy breakfast before heading up to the Mehrangarh Fort, perched on a hill overlooking Jodhpur, to take in the sweeping views of the city below.

You can either have the late afternoon free to relax or attend a cooking class at a local family’s house. Try cooking with traditional Indian spices and see if you can taste the difference!

After breakfast we will drive to Jaisalmer (approximately 4 hours), travelling through the sparse desert landscape that makes up this North Indian state. Enjoy the drive as we pass full buses, colourful trucks and even camels! We will check into our hotel by early afternoon and the rest of the day is at your leisure to explore the fort area (the old city) of Jaisalmer. It is believed to be one of the very few “living forts” in the world, as around a quarter of the old city’s population still resides within the forts walls.

Today you will celebrate the Desert Festival of Jaisalamer.

Desert Festival of Jaisalmer is a colorful festival held in February every year. You will get to see Cultural events, camel races, turban tying competitions etc. Not exciting enough! Attend the contests to judge the man with the best moustache. Everything is exotic in the Desert festival, amidst the golden sands of the Thar Desert. With a final musical performance by folk singers under the moonlit sky at the dunes in Sam, just outside Jaisalmer, the festival comes to its end. The rich culture of the region is on display during this three daylong extravaganza.

Later, you will have the full Thar Desert experience, with a jeep safari and then a camel ride over the rolling sand dunes. Take the opportunity to snap some stunning sunset photos and to simply soak up the desert atmosphere.

In the morning you will have the opportunity to go for a camel ride into the desert before we head back to Jaisalmer by jeep. After lunch you will have time to experience more of the walled city in Jaisalmer. Explore this charming honey coloured town and discover its intricate havelis (mansions), hidden temples and delicious Rajasthani cuisine.

After a leisurely breakfast and some last minute souvenir shopping take a flight back to Delhi. We will transfer to our hotel and have a brief rest. In the afternoon we will head out to Janpath, one of the main markets in central Delhi. Tonight we will enjoy a farewell dinner at a restaurant specialising in Indian cuisine.

Today is your last day in India. Enjoy breakfast and check out of your hotel before we head out to explore the sights of Delhi. Firstly we’ll admire the sights of Old Delhi – the magnificent Jama Masjid (India’s largest mosque) and the impressive Red Fort, constructed in 1638. We will also visit Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. As we continue to weave our way to New Delhi, we will pass British era landmarks such as India Gate, Rajpath, the President’s House, Parliament House & the Government Secretariat Buildings.

Later in the day you will transfer to the international airport for your flight home. Thank you for travelling with Ekno Travels and we hope to see you again soon!