Rajasthan Less Trodden – Leopards, Tigers & Evocative Forts
Your journey begins with a bang at Jodphur’s opulent Umaid Bhawan Palace. From here you’ll explore the best of the Blue City, winding the enchanting blue alleys on a horse-drawn tonga and scaling the cliffs to Mehrangarh Fort. A southward jaunt will whisk you to your sumptuous tents at Sujan Jawai Leopard Camp, where you’ll walk alongside a nomadic Rabari herdsman and glimpse the Indian Leopard on jeep safari. Moving on, the many wonders of Udaipur await, explored from your Mughal-style base with a view over picturesque Lake Pichola. Among the surrounding gems are Ranakpur Temple – India’s greatest Jain complex – and the breath-taking hilltop Chittogarh Fort, along with the legendary Padmini’s Palace, reflected in a large lotus pool. Your final three days will unfold amid the elegant environs of the Aman-i-Khas at the fringes of Ranthambore National Park. Among India’s largest and most renowned reserves, it’s hands-down the best one in which to spot the regal Bengal tiger.
This journey outline is by no means fixed. As the traveller takes centre stage in our planning – from the type of lodging to daily activities – your journey will be crafted to suit you.
Day by Day Highlights
Day 1 Arrival in Jodhpur
Following your arrival into India and a domestic flight to Jodhpur, we will visit the Umaid Bhawan Palace. Designed in art deco style, the palace now functions partly a royal quarter, museum and a luxury hotel. The museum exhibits a range of historical artefacts from trophies to weaponries to vintage cars.
Day 2 Jodhpur
Kickstart your day with a visit to the majestic Mehrangarh Fort and the fascinating cenotaph of Jaswant Thada. Thereafter, we will take a tonga ride into the old town to appreciate the Blue City of Jodhpur. We will walk through the narrow lanes to observe the bustling markets and everyday lives.
Day 3 Jodhpur / Jawai Bandh
We depart Jodhpur today on a three-hour journey into Jawai Bandh, home to elusive leopards making home among rocky granite kopjes.
Day 4 Jawai Bandh
Experience a jeep safari on a trail in search of leopards and striped hyenas. This is perhaps the only place in the world where a high density of big cats and humans thrive harmoniously within proximity. Thereafter, we will walk with the nomadic shepherds of the Rabari for a glimpse into life in the region followed by a sun-downer experience to conclude the day.
Day 5 Jawai Bandh / Udaipur
After another morning safari drive, we leave for Ranakpur which is home to the biggest and most important Jain temple in India. The journey continues into Udaipur, where you will enjoy a cruise on Lake Pichola to admire the famed landmarks of Taj Lake Palace Hotels and the ghats. We will also visit the City Palace and the Jagdish temple before retreating into our accommodation to rest.
Day 6 Udaipur
Enjoy an excursion to the UNESCO-listed Chittorgarh Fort. One of India’s most stunning forts, it had witnessed many fierce battles throughout the centuries. We will also admire Padmini’s Palace with its beautiful yet tragic love story.
Day 7 Udaipur / Ranthambore
After a short domestic flight from Udaipur to Jaipur, we will drive approximately 3 hours to the stunning wildlife environment of Ranthambore National Park.
Day 8-9 Ranthambore
For the next two days, we will explore the magnificent national park for wildlife sighting opportunities, including the famous Bengal tiger.
Day 10 Departure from Ranthambore
Today, we bid goodbye to the incredible Rajasthan. We will transfer you to the Jaipur airport where you will catch your flight home or onwards to your next destination. If you would like, we can also organize optional extension to Sariska National Park, once used by the Maharajas as a ground for tiger-hunting expeditions.
From USD 8,990/person for min. 2 pax on a private basis. Excludes flights.
As we’ll customise your journey based on your preferences and needs, please note that this indicative price is just a rough estimate. Prices can fluctuate depending on season, type of accommodation and activities/experiences chosen (private vs. shared) etc.
This journey outline is by no means conclusive. It is just a guideline and can be tailored according to your comfort level, interests and preferences for every detail from accommodation to activities.
