COLORFUL RAJASTHAN 2026

Main Tour Highlights:

• Volunteer with Animal Aid Unlimited in Udaipur
• Enjoy romantic Udaipur with its lakes and palaces
• Visit Kumbhalgarh Fort and the famous Jain temple of Ranakpur
• Marvel at the sight of the blue houses of Jodhpur  and the majestic Mehrangarh Fort
• Interact with locals at a rural homestay in a community of Dhurrie weavers
• Explore fairy-tale Jaisalmer with its inhabited Fort and Sandstone Havelis
• Stay with the amazing Manganiyar bards in the Thar desert
• Experience exclusive music performances of traditional Rajasthani music and Sufi music

About the Tour:

This tour will appeal to those who wish to delve deeply into Indian culture, and support sustainable community-based tourism. Your time will be well balanced between visiting the main attractions and interacting with local people and projects. We use small guesthouses and homestays rather than hotels, whereever possible. You will see the real Rajasthan and come away enchanted by the beautiful places and the warm-hearted people. It will be an experience you will never forget!

Your Tour Leader:

This tour is led by Oda Seedhouse de Romero, the founder of Vegetarian Peru Adventures.  Oda is a social anthropologist and a certified Sivananda Yoga instructor. Having traveled widely in India over the years, she has a deep passion for the Indian cultures and especially their performing arts.  She loves sharing her insights into this fascinating world full of colors and sounds that might exceed your wildest dreams.

Your Accommodations:

We use midrange accommodation (in small cozy family run guesthouses) with private facilities, AC and ventilators throughout the trip. At the Thar desert homestay (1 night), the conditions are more rustic and you will not have private facilities or AC.

Great Veggie Food:

All our included meals are vegetarian or vegan. Indian food is delicious but it may be a little spicy for some taste buds. Many places offer alternatives to European-style food which is much blander. Be prepared to sample some new culinary delights! For non-included meals, we will assist you with recommendations and guidance.

Included in the tour price:

• 12 nights in double or twin rooms with private bathrooms in mid-range hotels, guesthouses or basic homestays
• 1 rustic homestay in a village in the Thar desert
• Domestic flights
• Veggie meals: 13 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 11 dinners
• English speaking tour leader
• Local English speaking guides in some key places
• All land transport as indicated in the itinerary
• Entrance fees to the sites included in the itinerary

Not included in the tour price:

• International flights to/from Delhi
• Indian visa
• Meals not included in the itinerary
• Cold beverages and alcoholic drinks
• Optional activities
• Porterage
• Extras
• Tips and gratuities

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Itinerary

Day 01 Check-in at your hotel in New Delhi. Welcome meeting with your tour leader followed by dinner. Hotel or Homestay in New Delhi.  D

Day 02 Transfer to the airport for your flight to Udaipur, the beautiful and romantic ‘white city’ and capital of the Mewars in Rajasthan where we will spend the next few days in a cozy Indian homestay with fabulous views over city and the lakes. After settling in, we will be transferred to Animal Aid Unlimited where we receive an introductory tour of this amazing animal shelter that rescues injured, abused, and abandoned dogs, cows, goats, sheep, chicken, cats and donkeys. In the evening a delicious home cooked dinner will be waiting for us at our guesthouse. Overnight at Homestay in Udaipur. B & D

Day 03 Transfer to Animal Aid in the morning, we will spend the rest of the day interacting with the animals, feeding calves, cuddling dogs or brushing donkeys, and getting involved with the general chores of the shelter. Today we have our dinner in the city center with a subsequent evening performance of Rajasthani puppets and traditional dances at the Bagore Ki Haveli. Overnight at Homestay in Udaipur. B & D

Day 04 In the morning we will explore the City Palace with its courtyards and gardens and enjoy terrific views of the Lake. Later we will visit the Jagdish temple nearby. In the afternoon we take a relaxing boating trip on Lake Pichola affording great sunset views of the city and its palaces. We have dinner in a restaurant in the old city. Overnight at Homestay in Udaipur. B & D

Day 05 We leave early by private transport for Jodhpur, visiting the impressive Kumbhalgarh Fort, famous for its huge ‘Chinese wall’ and the intricately carved Jain Temple of Ranakpur on the way. Overnight in a hotel or homestay in Jodhpur. B & L

Day 06 In the morning we visit the impressive Mehrangarh Fort towering over the ‘blue city’. This is one of the largest forts in India, built around 1460. It contains several palaces decorated with intricate carvings and boasting numerous courtyards. The fort also houses one of the finest museums of Rajasthan. In the afternoon we will have time to explore the narrow streets of the blue city and go shopping like a local at the fascinating Sadar Bazar. Overnight in a hotel or homestay in Jodhpur. B & D

Day 07 Today we drive to a nearby community of Dhurrie weavers in the countryside, where will spend the night in a beautiful rustic hut with a private bath. We will also visit a Bishnoi community. The Bishnois are committed environmentalists and vegetarians and became famous as the first ‘tree huggers’ in India that later inspired the Chipko movement. We will learn about the traditional lifestyle of the Bishnois before we drive to areas where we may spot local wildlife like deer. In the afternoon we will learn about the weaving of Dhurries, an art that is practiced by few people nowadays as it is very labor-intensive. You will also have the opportunity to purchase colorful dhurries directly from the producers. At sunset we will walk to a nearby rock formation from where we will watch the sunset. Before dinner, you may interact with our hosts in the kitchen and learn how to make chapattis. Full board.

Day 08 We leave for Jaisalmer in the morning, driving through the Thar desert. We will briefly stop at Osiyan, an oasis in the desert where we will visit the magnificent 8th century Hindu and Jain temples. We will also stop at Khichan to observe hundreds of migratory demoiselle cranes (Grus Virgo) that come here every winter (October – March). This bird is also known as ‘Koonj’ in North Indian. Beautiful women are often compared to it because of its graceful shape. We continue our journey to Jaisalmer where we will stay the night in a cozy family run guesthouse. Overnight at a guesthouse in Jaisalmer. B & D

Day 09 Today we explore the Jaisalmer Fort with its ancient Jain temple and the winding narrow streets of the ancient ‘Golden City’, rich in beautiful fairytale-like sandstone constructions, reminiscent of eras long gone. In the afternoon we will visit an elaborately built Haveli, the former home of one of the traders on the silk route. We finish our city tour with a visit of the famous ‘sunset point’ from where you will enjoy a unique view of the ‘golden fort’. We will finish our day with dinner and a music performance by Manganiyar musicians. The Manganiyar are a hereditary caste of musicians and they were the traditional bards of their Rajput patrons. Music runs in the DNA of the Manganiyar and it seems that their children learn to perform music even before they learn to walk. Overnight at a guesthouse in Jaisalmer. B & D

Day 10 After breakfast we will visit the local water tank of Gadisar Lake which also boasts sandstone monuments and provides the opportunity for going boating or enjoy a relaxing cup of tea overlooking the lake. At mid-morning, we set out for our trip to the Thar desert. We will visit Bada Bagh, a lovely garden complex with royal chatris (cenotaphs) dating back to the 16th century, and later the mysterious haunted city of Kuldhara. We will have a picnic lunch at an oasis before continuing our journey to Khaba Fort with its abandoned city beneath it. We will enjoy a typical desert sunset before taking our dinner under the stars. We return to Jaisalmer at night. Overnight at a guesthouse in Jaisalmer. Full board.

Day 11 Today we drive around 120 km to a traditional village in the Thar desert. Here we will be welcomed by our Manganiyar hosts, who will show you some of the traditional decorated adobe mud dwellings and introduce you to the local culture. After a delicious home cooked lunch with our hosts, we will enjoy a private concert of traditional Rajasthani and Sufi music performed by our hosts and the members of the extended family. This event provides a rare opportunity to appreciate authentic Rajasthani music performed on traditional instruments. Rustic Homestays in the Thar desert. Full board.

Day 12 Today we drive back towards Jaisalmer and stop in another village on our way where we will have lunch with members of the local Manganiyar community and have the opportunity to listen to more of their enchanting music. We arrive back in Jaisalmer in the afternoon where we will have free time to do our souvenir shopping or just relax. Overnight in a guesthouse in Jaisalmer. B, L

Day 13 Transfer to Jaisalmer airport for our flight to Delhi. Transfer to the hotel in Delhi. If you wish we can organize an optional visit to Humayun’s tomb, the Red Fort, the Purana Qila or the Government Handicraft Emporia, where you may find crafts from all over India for sale at fair prices. Farewell dinner. Overnight at a Hotel in New Delhi. B & D

Day 14 Breakfast. Optional Transfer to the airport. End of all services. Start of the extension tour. B

Price: 1 person 4095; 2+ people USD 3,395.- per person

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