Rajasthan Desert Safari (10 Nights / 11 Days)

Delhi

Best Places to Eat in Delhi:

Unplugged Courtyard (Connaught Place, cost for 2 Rs. 1600, 011 33107701); Karim's (Jama Masjid, Rs. 800 for 2 people, 011 23264981); Paranthe Wali Gali (Chandni Chowk, Pocket friendly street food); Bishan Swaroop (Chandni Chowk, cost for 2 Rs. 50), Kulcha King (Connaught Place, cost for a meal Rs. 70 to Rs. 100); Kake Di Hatti (Chandni Chow, cost for 2 Rs. 400, 098109 09754); 

Jaipur

What to Buy and Where to Buy in Jaipur during your Rajasthan Tour: Jaipur is very famous for handicrafts, precious and semi-precious stones, jewellery, sandalwood carvings, etc.

• Visit Johri Bazar for buying beautiful gold, kundan jewellery, Jaipuri quilts, Sarees and don’t forget to bargain here. (Timing 10 am to 11 pm, open all days)
• At Tripolia Bazar shop for lac bangles, carpets featuring Indo-Heratic designs, etc. (Timing 10 am to 7 pm, Sunday closed)
• Bapu Bazar is one of the best bargain markets to explore the colours of Jaipur. Here you can buy traditional items like mojari shoes, handicrafts, Rajasthani souvenirs, camel leather products, etc. (Timing 10.30 am to 7.30 pm, open all days)
• Nehru Bazar is famous for authentic Rajasthani crafts. You can look for Rajasthani jootis, perfumers, trinkets and readymade garments. (Timing 10.30 am to 7.30 pm, open all days)
• Other markets like Kishanpol Bazar, Chandpole Bazar, Badi Chopad’s main market, etc.
• Shop branded stuff at Gaurav Tower, World Trade Park, MGF Metropolitan Mall.

All You Need to Know about Chokhi Dhani, Jaipur

• Located: 12 km (Tonk road)
• Best known for: Rajasthani culture and food
• Dining rates: Regular Non-AC: Rs. 600 for adult and Rs. 350 for child; AC dining rates: Rs. 800 for adult and Rs. 500 for child; For multi cuisines buffet: Rs. 999 for adult and Rs. 750 for child
• Dining timings: 5 pm to 11 pm
• Must try food: Rajasthani food like dal bati churma, malpua, jalebi, gate ka saag, sangari, royal meet cuisines prepared in desi ghee, etc
• What not to miss: Folk dance, music and live entertainment giving you the purest feeling of being on Rajasthan tour

Travelling in Jaipur

• For budget travellers: State buses, schedules are available online, (Non-AC buses will cost anywhere from Rs. 100 to 500, AC buses will cost little more)

• Must try rides for fun: Your Rajasthan tour is incomplete without Camel ride, Horse ride, Tonga Ride and Elephant ride.

Pushkar

Few Tips When You Visit Ajmer Sharif Dargah

• Do not carry cameras. They are not allowed. Mobile phones are allowed
• Avoid carrying handbags
• This is a crowded place, so avoid wearing snatch-able jewellery
• Offerings like a flower basket, holy threads and Incense sticks costs between Rs 50 – 150
• Chaddar for the mazar will cost somewhere between Rs. 250 to 1100 depending on size and quality
•  For ladies, remember to carry a scarf or a dupatta to cover your head  and for men, carry a cap
• Carry minimum cash around Rs. 1500 to 2000
• Best time to visit is early morning and late evenings
• A khadim (guide), available for Rs. 250 to 500. Look for them at flower selling shops.

Best Places to Eat in Pushkar:

• Honey & Spice (Laxmi Market, off Sadar Bazaar, Cost per person Rs. 90 to 340, 09413247156)
• Om Shiva Garden Restaurant (Jaipur Ghat Street, Buffet cost per person Rs. 80, 145 277 2305)
• Hotel Pushkar Heritage (Panch Kund Road, 094143 00125)
• Moon Dance (Town Centre, Choti Basti, Cost for two Rs. 60, 145-2772606)
• Sunset Café (Near Pushkar Lake, Choti Basti, Cost for two Rs. 150, 145 2772382)
• Little Italy (Panchkund Road, Pushkar Ho, Rs. 300 for meal of two, 145-2772366)

Udaipur

Offbeat Things to Do in Udaipur:

• Your Rajasthan holiday package must include an old city cycle tour in Udaipur starting from Ganesh Ghati and coming back. Cover streets of old city and get familiar with the history of City of Lakes, Forts, Palaces, Temples and Gardens. Explore Jagdish Chowk, Clock Tower, Bada Bazar, Vegetable and spice market and Lake Pichola in the same sequence. This activity takes around 3 hours. It will cost you around Rs. 1500.
• Take a short helicopter joyride in Udaipur which is a 30 minute activity. The ride starts from the airport and gives you amazing view of the city of lakes. Cost person is around Rs. 4500.
• Take a private charter ride starting from airport and enjoy the view of majestic lakes below you. It is a 45 minutes activity and cost Rs. 13,000 per adult. Don’t forget to click some amazing shots from the height.
• Explore the real heritage city and its architectural wonders by going for a heritage walk. It is a 6 hours activity and costs you around Rs. 1400 per person. You can hire a guide who will take you through City Palace, Lake Pichola and Jag Mandir which are situated right in middle of the lake.

Must Do Things in Udaipur on Your Rajasthan Holiday Package:

• Buy ethnic Lehariya sarees which are traditionally made in Udaipur
• Buy wooden handicrafts for home décor
• Dine with a gorgeous view of the lake at Raaj Bagh (Fateh Sagar), Natural Lake View Restaurant (Fateh Sagar), 1559 AD (Fateh Sagar), Raas Leela (Pichola)
• Spend your evening at city palace watching light and sound show
• Explore the Mughal and Rajasthani architecture at City Palace. (Entry fees per person is Rs. 250 for Indian and International tourists, Rs. 500 between 9 to 10 am, Rs. 100 for children; open all day week from 9 am to 5 pm, time required is 1 to 3 hours)
• Must go for Dharohar Dance Show in the Bagore ki Haveli.

Jodhpur

Do Not Miss the Mehrangarh Fort at Sunset Time on Your Rajasthan holiday package

• History of Mehrangarh Fort: Mehrangarh fort was built around 1460 by Rao Jodha, who was the fifteenth Rathore ruler in 1458. After a year of his accession, Jodha was advised to shift his wealth to a safe and secured place, which led the foundation of Mehrangarh fort. Fort is situated 410 feet above the city of Jodhpur and is enclosed with thick walls.
• Entry Points: There are 7 entry gates to the fort. Most famous gates are Jai Pol, Fateh Pol, Dedh Kamgra Pol, Loha Pol
• Look For: Apart from the guided tours, look for multilingual audio tours
• Best time to Visit: October to February 
• Visit Timings: 9 am – 5 pm

Must Eat Places in Jodhpur

• Must try mouthwatering dishes in Jodhpur: Mirchi Bada, Mawa Kachori, Pyaaz Ki Kachori, Besan ki Chakki, Motichoor ke Laddu and Maakhan Vade, Makhaniya Lassi.

• For high end travellers: Raas Haveli (Makrana Mohalia, offers 5 restaurants inside the premises, average cost per person is Rs. 2500 to 3000, 291-2636455)

• For budget travellers: Gypsy Dining Hall (Sardarpura, Cost Rs. 200 to 400 per person, 0291 5103882); Jhankar Choti Haveli (Gulab Sagar, Cost per person Rs. 120 to 500, 09828031291); Garden Restaurant (Panch Batti Circle, Cost per person Rs. 500)

Jaisalmer

Next destination on your Rajasthan Desert Safari package is Jaisalmer, the Golden City.

Must Do Adventure Activities in Jaisalmer

• Desert Camp Safari: Feel the essence of Rajasthan on Desert camp Safari. Discover beautiful locations riding on a camel. Stay in Delux Swiss tents. Enjoy the delicious traditional Rajasthani food.

Tip: Carry warm clothes and your identity cards. Approximate Cost: 4000 for a couple.

• Camel Safari: Enjoy the golden sands on a bumpy back of a camel. Take pictures and make your Rajasthan Desert Safari package memorable. Tip: Wear comfortable footwear; carry sunscreen, sunglasses and hats/caps. Approximate Cost: 2000 per adult.
• Jeep Safari: Move through the isolated sand dunes of the Thar Desert in a thrilling jeep safari. Explore the local culture of the place. Tip: Carry sportswear. Approximate Cost: 800 per adult.
• Quad Biking: Make your trip full of adventure by indulging in some quad biking activity. Explore the trails of jungles and sightseeing with the ride. An adult can choose to drive either 200 CC or 570 CC bike. For kids 50 CC bike is available. Tip: Wear Comfortable footwear. Approximate Cost: 700 per adult.
• Para motoring: YourRajasthan holiday package is incomplete without indulging in para motoring. View Jaisalmer desert from the eyes of an eagle. Tip: Wear comfortable clothes and footwear. Approximate Cost: 2700 per adult.

Not to Miss in Jaisalmer: Street puppet shows, Traditional live music shoes, folk dance, getting clicked in traditional outfits, authentic Rajasthani dishes like dal bati churma, experience the beautiful sunrise and sunset over the dunes, shop for handloom items, colorful kurtas and ghagaras, handicrafts, etc. in local markets.

Jaisalmer Travel Tip

• Best time to visit: Between October to February
• Weather: Days – Little warm, Nights – Extremely cold
• Clothing and footwear: Carry woolen clothes, cotton outfits for adventure activities, sports shoes for plenty of walking, a pair of slippers, caps, sunglasses
• Don’t forget to bargain hard at every shop
• Carry some light snacks
• Always pre book your train tickets / taxis / travel package
• Keep a schedule handy of the opening and closing hours of all the sightseeing / attractions / adventure activities
• Take prior permission of Indian army for visiting places near to Indo-Pak border

Bikaner

Must see places in Bikaner: Junagarh Fort, Gajner Palace, National Research Centre on Camel, Rampuria Haveli, The Royal Cenotaphs, Lalgarh Palace and Museum, Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary, Kote Gate.

Temples to Visit in Bikaner: Shiv Bari Temple, Kodamdeshwar Temple, Shri Laxminath Temple, Prachina Museum, Bhandeshwari Jain Temple, Karni Mata Temple, Bhandasar Jain Temple.