India: from Rajasthan to the Taj Mahal




India: from Rajasthan to the Taj Mahal
The trip in a nutshell
Travelling in India means coming to terms with oneself: no country in the world confronts us with so many differences - cultural, social, economic, and spiritual. This trip to India is an on-the-road tour of the Rajasthan region in the north of the country, discovering forts carved into the rock, ancient temples and colourful cities. We are in the land of the Maharajas, a vast territory rich in ancient legends and millenary traditions: we will travel from New Delhi to the blue city of Jodhpur, from the peace of Pushkar Lake to the teeming chaos of Delhi's markets, from the timeless beauty of the Taj Mahal to Jaipur's Amber Fort.
We start in New Delhi, the noisy and overpopulated capital, which will be a strong first impact with Indian culture. But let's not get too accustomed to the traffic and the horns, because we're quickly moving towards a place of calm and peace: the enchanting Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the modern world, the treasure of Agra, which will leave us astonished and breathless - especially if we can admire its splendour at dawn, which is the best time to enjoy this magical place. Here we will realise how India is a land of enormous contrast between wealth and poverty - we started our journey on the streets of New Delhi and through the alleys of its slums, today we are walking in the shadow of a white marble colossus. Our journey in northern India does not end here: we then proceed to Jaipur, the pink city where only leaping unicorns are missing to make everything even more magical; then it is the turn of Pushkar, with its lake, ghats and the only temple in the world dedicated to the God Brahma; and finally, there is Jodhpur, where we visit mausoleums and fortresses. This journey will bring us face to face with a reality very different from the one we live in our everyday lives and we will return home changed to the core. India is like that: it gets under your skin and never leaves.
Trip type
360º - it's our great classic that allows you to discover the destination in all its aspects. We recommend packing a backpack rather than a suitcase as there will be lots of moving around.
Physical rating
MODERATE - this itinerary may involve hiking or other activities that require a moderate amount of physical effort. Be prepared for some potential long transfers and early wake up calls!
Entry requirements
Please visit your country's official government website to find out the necessary requirements for entering the country of destination.
Arrival and departure
This trip will begin and end in New Dehli. Aim to arrive on the first day by 5pm - on the last day you are free to leave whenever!
What's included
8 nights accommodation in shared rooms with private bathroom
All breakfasts from day 2 to day 9
Minivan with driver from day 2 to day 8
Delhi Rickshaw City tour on day 2
Typical Indian dinner with cooking show in Jaipur on day 4
A fun and spicy cooking class with dinner included to discover the secrets of Indian cuisine on day 7
Domestic flight from Jodhpur to Delhi on day 8
Travel Coordinator services
Free cancellation with 100% refund up to 31 days before departure
Itinerary
Welcome to India!
Check-in: our adventure starts in Delhi
Roundtrip flights or transportation to reach the destination are not included in the package, so you can decide from where and when you want to leave! This gives you complete freedom of choice to adjust your travel itinerary to your needs.
Check-in at the hotel in New Delhi. The initial impact can be disorienting, between the humid heat and the convulsive traffic of the city... but at least we get an immediate taste of India as we get to know each other! Let's also immediately try Indian cuisine, which is for strong stomachs: let's go easy on the spices for the moment, perhaps we can try rice and curry, one of the many typical flavours we'll try during out trip.
Included: overnight stay
Not included: airport transfer, food and drinks
Exploring Old Delhi and on the road to Agra
Into the real India
We wake up early this morning: we have many things to do and see, so we don't want to waste any time! We explore the ancient city also known as Shahjahanabad - you can call it the old city, and that's fine too! We start at the Jama Masjd Mosque, pass by the Red Fort, and even admire a Sikh Temple - and who knows, maybe we'll have time to stop and eat right there! It will be the perfect time to get acquainted with Indian cuisine in the most authentic way possible - but we try not to fill our bellies right away because we will soon have to get back on the road to Agra, the final stop on this first day.
Tonight a truly local experience awaits us: we will sleep in a Haveli! Haveli are Indian townhouses converted into guest houses - the Indian version of a bed and breakfasts. It will be a unique opportunity to be the guest of a local family and live like them for a night.
Included: overnight stay in a Haveli, breakfast, Rickshaw City Tour, minivan with driver
Money Pot: admission fees where applicable
Not Included: food and drinks
One of the seven wonders of the world: the Taj Mahal
Down at the Taj Mahal
It is still dark outside and we are already waiting: we are in the presence of one of the seven wonders of the modern world, the majestic Taj Mahal, the true treasure of Agra. Visiting it at this time of the morning, with the sun rising on the horizon and the light mist descending on the white marble will be a moment we will never forget. We enjoy these moments and breathe in the magic of this surreal place of eternal beauty.
We return to the hotel to recover from the early riser (and the excitement!) and then visit the Red Fort of Agra, another must-see here in the city, with its intricate architecture and impressive panoramic views, frescoed rooms, gardens with gilded pavilions and a few cute little monkeys passing through. Before lunch, however, we must get back on the road: the road to Jaipur is long but with a good playlist you will see that the journey will become a pleasure!
Included: overnight stay, breakfast, local guide in Agra, minivan with driver
Money Pot: admission fees where applicable
Not Included: food and drinks
The Pink City of Jaipur
Discoverung Jaipur
We'll have the full day dedicated to exploring Jaipur, known as the Pink City, the capital of Rajasthan. The facades of the houses are built of pink sandstone (hence, the nickname), and it appears to be surrounded by walls on which seven gates open. We will start with a visit to the Amber Fort: once on top, we will walk through the wonderful complex of courtyards and halls. On our itinerary, we will not fail to see the Hawa Mahal, a spectacular palace resembling a beehive, the City Palace, a complex of palaces and courtyards in Rajput style, and the spectacular Albert Hall.
After refreshments (we walked quite a bit without realising it!) we'll visit Jantar Mantar, the city's astronomical observatory built in 1700 - it will be interesting to discover the instruments used then! We then take a stroll through the market in search of spices and fine fabrics: we haggle to secure the most beautiful ones! Tonight, we have a crackling dinner to look forward to: we dine on typical Indian dishes - of course - but watch a curious cooking show. We are looking forward to it!
Included: overnight stay, breakfast, local guide in Jaipur, minivan with driver, dinner with cooking show
Money Pot: admission fees where applicable
Not included: food and drinks
On the road to Pushkar
A long journey
Another early morning: we have to face a transfer to Pushkar, in the heart of Rajasthan. This small town, a Hindu pilgrimage destination, has a very special charm: walking through its streets we'll hear the regular rhythm of prayers and sacred chants, but it is not only the ear that will be enraptured, the eyes will be too! We join the Hindu pilgrims who walk along the lake and descend the steps of the many ghats to bathe in its waters, respectfully witnessing this spiritual and sacred moment.
A special sunset
We also explore the bazaar - let's get ready to quickly learn how to haggle with the Indians! It will be the perfect time to buy some local handicrafts, especially fabrics, incense and perfumes - but let's try not to fill up the rucksack immediately, we are only halfway through the trip!
The day continues and we still have one last mission to tackle: ascent to the Savitri Temple! From there, the sunset is something exceptional - and we are ready to enjoy it to the full!
Included: overnight stay, breakfast, local guide in Pushkar, minivan with driver
Money Pot: admission fees where applicable
Not included: food and drinks
Pushkar and Jodhpur
Free time
No need to set an alarm this morning! We will be free and we will have time to enjoy the atmosphere of Pushkar. Shopping, rejuvenating massage or yoga class: everyone is free to choose what they like best! We then say goodbye to Pushkar and set off for Jodhpur, our next and last stop - the hours in our minivan will be long but this is the last transfer of the trip and we wanted to end it the right way! Don't forget to bring some snacks - they will definitely come in handy. We arrive in Jodhpur in the late afternoon, just in time to enjoy the view of the city's illuminated houses.
Included: overnight stay, breakfast, minivan with driver
Money Pot: admission fees where applicable
Not included: food and drinks
Cooking class and Jodhpur, the blue city
Fortresses, white marble and blue houses
After breakfast, we begin to explore the city: we are surrounded by huge fortifications and indigo-coloured buildings that make this place almost surreal. We visit the Jaswanth Thada, the white marble mausoleum reminiscent of the Taj Mahal - peace and tranquillity are breathed in here too, with its gardens, pond and sculptures depicting the rulers of Jodhpur who now rest here in marble tombs.
We then climb up to Mehrangarh, the fort that towers majestically above the town - it is one of the most distinctive buildings in India, seeming to rise directly from the rock and its decorations are incomparable, still intact despite the signs of time passed. We then return to town to find a little place to have lunch!
Feeling spicy?
Let's get ready for this afternoon: it's local cooking! The chapati will have no more secrets for us and we will be able to recognise every spice used to create the famous masala... chilli pepper is included, of course, but this time we will decide how much of it we use. The important thing is to put in the effort because we will only dine on what we cook!
Included: overnight stay, breakfast, local guide in Jodhpur, cooking class with dinner, minivan with driver
Money Pot: admission fees where applicable
Not included: other food and drinks
Jodhpur and back to Delhi
Some free time
This morning the pace is more relaxed: we have plenty of time to explore Jodhpur and shop in the local market. We can have a leisurely lunch or sample as many street food delicacies as we can find. In the early afternoon, it is time to go to the airport to catch a flight, because it is already time to return to Delhi, where it all began! We close the circle - and, unfortunately, our journey - with our last dinner all together: we relive the moments we have shared over the last few days in front of our last Indian dish!
Included: overnight stay, breakfast, domestic flight from Jodhpur to Delhi
Money Pot: admission fees where applicable
Not included: food and drinks
Goodbye India!
Check-out and goodbyes
Check-out and goodbye – until your next WeRoad adventure!
Not included: airport transfer, food and drinks
End of services. The itinerary may undergo some variations that differ from what is stated above. These variations may not be predictable nor depend on WeRoad’s will, i.e. climate conditions, national holidays, strikes, etc.

The travel coordinators
Our travel coordinators are chosen because they are people like you. Not only are they the best travel buddy you could hope for, but they're trained professionals guaranteed to show you a travel experience like never before
Info to know
Staff
Our trips are led by a Travel Coordinator who has been specifically trained by us to lead group travels to ensure you have the best time. A WhatsApp group with all travel participants will be created two weeks prior to departure by your Travel Coordinator.
Luggage
Backpacks are mandatory to allow easy transfers - we recommend a 45L backpack for our trips.
Local culture
25 March is a national holiday for India: you will have the opportunity to enjoy the Holi festival celebrations. On this holy day, all places of interest are closed.