Slow tourism in Rajasthan of 21 days

Arrival in Delhi, welcome at the airport by your driver, who is waiting for you with your personal car. Transfer, installation at BB Villasam. Bed and Breakfast in our Residence for a French-speaking welcome...Raghu, Véronique, Chealsy welcome you.

Then departure for the Visit of the Capital of several Indian empires, Delhi was an important city, placed on the ancient trade routes between the north-west and the Ganges plains. The Mughals established their capital in the part of the city now known as Old Delhi. At the beginning of the 20th century, during the British Raj, a new city was built south of the old town and was made capital of the British Indian Empire in 1911. In 1947, independent India confirmed New Delhi as the capital of the new country.  

Opposite the red fort stands the Jama Masjid, a huge red sandstone mosque, built between 1644 and 1658 next to Chandni Chowk, the main artery where the pulse of Old Delhi, the ancient Shahjahanabad, beats.

Then visit the Gateway to India, the Rashtrapati Bhavan (Presidential Palace) and the Qutub Minar.  Then back to the Chambre d'Hôte for the night.

After breakfast you start the road to Churu. Churu is located in the Shekhawati region. Most of the Shekhawati haveli date from the 19th or early 20th century. The expansion of the British Empire led to the disappearance of traditional trade routes, but made the fortunes of the Marwaris merchants. The Marwaris, whose fortunes were already assured, began their migration as early as 1820. Within a few decades, the Marwaris, whose commercial policy was to sell very large quantities, managed to accumulate considerable fortunes and, by the end of the nineteenth century, they held a monopoly of trade in most large cities. It was after the departure of the Shekhawati from a large part of their community that the Marwaris had many buildings called havelis erected and decorated in the villages where their families still lived. These last constructions reached palatial dimensions and served as a support for a crazy pictorial proliferation.

On arrival installation at the hotel Malji Ka Kamra. Heritage hotel with an off-centre façade and rooms with a kitschy decor.

By the immense citadel of Junagarh, with its palace decorated with 17th and 18th century paintings. Junagarh Fort is one of the famous Bikaner testimonials that attracts the attention of tourists. Built during the period from 1588 to 1593 by Raja Raj Singh, General of the army of the Mughal Emperor, Akbar. The fort has 37 bastions, a moat and two entrances.

Then road to Siyana . . . On the way, visit Deshnok, the Temple of the Rats...

Installation at BB Siyana Sojourn .... Dinner and night.

Nights in Dhani - See presentation below

The Dhani is an accommodation closest to the huts of the Desert Communities. Our Dhani is located close to a Family, but you will not interfere with their privacy, nor will they disturb your privacy.

The Dhani has 2 Distinct Rooms, made of Charpoi, made more comfortable by the addition of cotton mattresses. Electrical outlets and minimum light is provided, you can charge Batteries / Phone.

Strictly Vegetarian meal. Bio-toilet set back from the Dhani, and minimalist eau pour toilette.

Dhani accommodation is a DESERT LIFE EXPERIENCE as close as possible to what the locals live.

Showering is possible at Siyana Sojourn, your program is designed to allow you to do so.

Continuation of Desert Immersion

Breakfast at the hotel

Visit Sonar Quila or Golden Fort. It was built in yellow stone, at certain hours of the day, giving it the golden reflections of the Thar Desert which it dominates. This fort is one of the two oldest in Rajasthan. It culminates at 76 metres high and is reinforced by imposing crenellated walls 9 metres high surrounding the fort for 5 km. 99 bastions have been built on the ramparts to monitor the comings and goings in the desert as far as the eye can see. The fort has been besieged on numerous occasions, particularly by the Moghuls. The city was rich because of the passage of commercial caravans on the road between India and the Arab world. The architecture has adopted a mixture of rajpoute and moghol styles and this in the sandstone of the reconstructions. Four monumental gates give access to it, Akshya Pol, Suraj Pol, Ganesh Pol, and Hawa Pol, all carved. Numerous wells were dug in the fort to ensure a regular source of water in the town. The fort is home to several remarkable monuments such as the Royal Palace, "Raj Mahal" and Jain temples.

Then visit the Patwon-Ki Haveli, one of the largest Havelis (House of Nobility) in the city. Located on a small alley in the main town of Jaisalmer, Patwon ki Haveli was built by Guman Chand Patwa and his five sons. Guman Chand was a famous merchant of his time, and a merchant of gold, brocade and silver. There are five massive suites in the Patwon ki haveli nicely decorated. The magnificent frescoes on the walls give us a glimpse of daily life at the time.

Night at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Then on to Jodhpur. Visit the Blue City (Jodhpur) and Mehrangarh Fort, one of the largest forts in India, which overlooks the city. You will visit the Jaswant Thada, a beautiful marble cenotaph of Maharadja Jaswant Singh II. Visit of Jaswant Thada, royal cenotaph in white marble. It was built in honor of Maharaja Jaswant Singh. Some rare portraits of the former rulers of Jodhpur are also exhibited here. Later, visit the Mehrangarh fort, one of the most beautiful in Rajasthan. It is located on a 150m high hill and was built in 1459 by Rao Jodha, the chief of the Rathore clan, when he moved his capital from Mandore. Additions were made over time by the following sovereigns. The marks of cannonballs from past battles are still clearly visible on the second gate of the fortress.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free time in the bazaars, or departure by road ... The Villages follow one another...  

Towards Ahore which is located on the Jawai River surrounded by Aravallis Mountains. We offer you to live in the heart of an aristocratic family in the Marwar region. The establishment offers only 6 rooms with a personalized welcome.

Departure by road through the countryside. Going to meet a village of a Raikas community.  

BREAKFAST Share with the Raikas.

The Raika are united to nature by a mystical bond. In India, it is sometimes said that they live on the border of two universes: between civilization and wilderness, between the world of men and that of spirits. For these camel and small ruminant breeders, animals are synonymous with subsistence. But they are also the mainstay of a culture where every form of life is religiously respected, where animals are considered the equal of humans and where the gods are worshipped on a daily basis. For generations, Raika herders have been able to travel hundreds of kilometres each year in search of pasture to feed their livestock. For the few who perpetuate these traditions, nomadism is today much more than an ancestral way of life. It has become a vital necessity as modernity tightens its grip around them.

Then on to Gulabganj...

ARAVALIS FARM GULAB GANJ: ANOTHER DIMENSION, OUT OF TIME

In the heart of Rajasthan
Breathe, settle down, find peace and serenity in a place of striking beauty and in an almost wild setting. Impossible to find in India unless you are in a protected natural area? Boring, some will say... Not so sure... India may be dynamic, noisy, exhausting, but it has nonetheless preserved places where harmony and tranquillity are a golden rule. It is a pearl of this kind that we propose you to discover, which, in its simplicity, has all that it takes to keep you busy.

In Gulabganj, about 20 kilometres from Gujarat and about halfway between Jodhpur and Ahmedabad, stands the Aravalis Farm. A place which, in the heart of raw rural India, will make you live new and particularly pleasant moments. A complete contrast with everything a tourist can contemplate on a daily basis in the country.

After hours of noisy driving, under the heat and the jolts, we are just waiting for the arrival and what an arrival! No sooner do we cross the gate of this house, we find ourselves in another universe, is teleportation being developed? One thing is sure, by an efficient layout of the land, the owners immediately make you feel an atmosphere of serenity more than welcome after a long trip. In a magical turn of events, you can swap the countryside, lined with rubbish and dilapidated houses, for the one you've always dreamed of: green, peaceful and beautiful!

The owners of the house, a small and adorable family, who have been on the premises for three generations, know how to welcome foreign visitors and they never cease to show it to you. You will stay in beautiful spacious rooms with living rooms with an authentic atmosphere, perfectly suited to the setting. Each of the 4 bedrooms is equipped with two beds or a double bed, all the necessary electronics and a nice bathroom. An ideal place to retreat and enjoy a few days of rest and relaxation away from the Indian urban madness. Sitting comfortably on a bench or a table, with a book in hand, listening to the sound of animals or wandering around the surrounding fields, you can easily spend the day there as long as you feel good. Don't feel like moving, we also owe it to the excellent cuisine, inspired by local dishes, not spicy if you wish, which will be served to you on the spot in a lovely little garden. You'll be begging to stop being served, and that will be hard, because it's really good! Icing on the cake, there is a second farmhouse not far away, with 4 extra rooms for large groups of visitors and a beautiful swimming pool!

A rare place of relaxation with unparalleled quality of service and comfort, on your next trip through Rajasthan, don't miss this little-known address and enjoy the hospitality of rural Rajasthan India.

Continue your Raika Tribe meetings...

Discovery Trek

Discovery Trek

Breakfast then depart quietly to Ranakpur. Installation at the hotel.

Visit the Jain Temple in Ranakpur (opens to the public at 12:00 noon) - is dedicated to Adinatha. Colored marble light is used for the construction of the great temple. During 1444 marble pillars, carved in exquisite detail, support the temple. The pillars are all different and not cut two pillars are the same

Udaipur, situated in the middle of the Aravalli mountain range, is known for its picturesque lakes, being nicknamed "the city of lakes". It is considered one of the most romantic cities in the world and known as the "Venice of the East". Udaipur is the second largest tourist destination in the state of Rajasthan, after Jaipur.

Breakfast at the Hotel. Udaipur city tour with visit to City Palace - This is one of the architectural wonders of Rajasthan, located on the shores of Pichola Lake. Saheliyon Ki Bari - is one of the most beautiful gardens and a major attraction in the city. The garden is famous for its lush green lawns, marble sculptures and fountains.

Its name means "Ladies' Garden".  Jagdish Temple - Built by Maharana Jagat Singh I in 1651, this temple houses a black stone statue of Vishnu Lard. Enjoy the exotic auto rickshaw tour in Udaipur bazaar. Think you're James Bond in those narrow streets (The James Bond movie "OCTOPUSSY" was shot there). 

Evening: Enjoy a shared boat trip on Lake Pichola. The most resplendent sites on the boat are the palaces of the island. The 17th century Jagmandir Island is one of the oldest and grandest palaces which are legendary as a place of refuge for Prince Khurram (later Emperor Shah Jahan).

After a sumptuous morning breakfast you drive to Bijaipur via Chittorgarh.

Chittorgarh is recognized as one of the old city of Rajasthan colours. The forts and palaces of Chittor are glorious tales of India's bravery and sacrifice. It is the land of great martyrdom, the Rajputs, who saw the battlefield at close quarters and witnessed many deaths in the war field. The brave Rajputs proved that they would rather embrace death than bow to a foreign power. Thousands of Rajput warriors shed their blood to protect the enemies of the motherland, who sought to conquer their land.

Bûndî was the capital of a small Rajput state bearing the same name. The city was founded around 1342 and retained its independence until it was taken by Akbar. It then came under the control of the Holkar Marathas at the fall of the Mughals. In 1818, the râja of Bûndi made an alliance with the British East India Company and they benefited from the British protectorate until independence. They did not cease to rule until 1949 and their state became part of Rajasthan. Bûndî was the seat of a school of painting, formed in the 17th century, specialising in miniatures and wall paintings.

Installation in Raola Khera

Rajasthan rural experience: discover the real life of the Indian countryside

A unique escape to the heart of rural India: discover the real life of the Indian countryside!

Once you arrive in India, it doesn't take long to realize how busy the cities are. The appalling traffic, the constant din, the dirt, the unpleasant smells and a population swarming around every corner... Very quickly, the desire to escape, to breathe and to see a different and less exhausting India takes us. As surprising as it may seem, India is not represented by its cities! 80% of its population is still rural and subsists in sometimes isolated villages where life is very hard but where ingenuity and the will to get by leaves even the most seasoned traveller speechless. It is in Rajasthan, in one of these remote villages that we propose you to retire for a few nights to discover the real India of the countryside without which the cities would not exist, and to live the real life of the Indian countryside!

Raola Khera : typical village of the Indian countryside :

Raola Khera was founded more than 500 years ago by the rajputs, a warrior people who conquered Rajasthan in the 6th century AD and founded many kingdoms in the region, which remained under their rule until its integration into the new Indian state in 1947. The majority of the local population is descended from this people. Hinduism is the majority religion in India, with some 900 million people in India, 60 million in Rajasthan alone. Many altars and temples dedicated to a deity have been built throughout the village and some still date from the foundation. Lakhsmi, Ganesh or Saraswati, each deity is prayed at the appropriate time and according to the needs of the inhabitants: protection for the family, success in business, blessing for learning ... the real life of the Indian countryside!

The caste system is well established there and some inhabitants of the village live secluded in isolated dwellings, even more precarious than what can be found in the centre of Raola Khera. They don't mingle with the other inhabitants of the village either. Women most often stay at home to look after the children and prepare meals. They only go out to work in the fields or to wash clothes in the rudimentary fountains that are to be found in every corner of Raola Khera.

Local activities are mainly agricultural. The vast fields around the village are used to grow rice, sorghum, barley and dozens of other cereals. Livestock farming is also consequent, almost without equipment, shepherds drive and look after herds of goats, sheep, cows, chickens and pigs over long distances through a climate that can be trying. Thanks to them, the inhabitants benefit from basic food products. From simple tools for the fields to food, almost everything is handmade or prepared locally and artisanally, the inhabitants often making do with the meagre resources in their possession. In the village, they work with clay and mud, which are often used for housing.

Supplying the village is made easier by the roads that connect it to the expressways located a few kilometres from the village, but remains very laborious. Roads are badly damaged and rarely maintained, the monsoon season and heavy rains bring their share of damage that can make these roads impassable to some vehicles. Sometimes it takes hours of travel by moped to bring back products from the city to the villages. Only one doctor and one veterinarian meet the needs of all the inhabitants and sometimes of the surrounding villages...the real life of the Indian countryside!

Contemplate and take part in the life of an authentic Indian village, far from crowded cities and crowded monuments, in a surprisingly comfortable and upscale setting: 

You will be welcomed by Kamal Singh one of the high authorities of Raola Khera and descendant of the founders of the village who will serve as your guide in the village and will receive you in one of our 30 m² guest houses richly furnished and decorated by the care of Veronique and Raghu. Fans, electric sockets, fitted bathroom, everything is thought to make your stay without any inconvenience, in a simple but convenient setting. Meals will be served on site on the terrace or sheltered from the elements by Kamal's family. Proud of their heritage Kamal and the inhabitants will be happy to tell you the history of the village and show you its temples and monuments as well as the rites practiced by the villagers.

Take action!  

Far from being a simple tourist visit, your stay will allow you not only to see the ingenuity of a people living in precarious conditions but also to highlight this small village and allow its inhabitants to improve their living conditions. You will be able to participate in the elaboration of your dishes and learn how to make them by hand. You will be received by the inhabitants of the village who will show you their daily work and will even make you participate in certain tasks such as the creation of alcoves decorated with glass, one of the artisanal specialties of the village.

The visit of the village will also pass by its school and it is in the emotion that you will meet its pupils with big hearts whose determination to get out of it will not leave you unmoved.

A unique and unforgettable journey into the heart of India that is never shown but without which nothing would work, our Rajasthan Rural Experience not only guides you or shows you, it takes you into the reality of the Rajasthan countryside and all the lessons it has to teach us.

Original, responsible, curious, participative: become the perfect tourist on an unusual trip!

Breakfast then departure for the city of Jaipur... You can decide to take your time in the countryside, like the one to quickly reach the big city to enjoy its effervescence !!

Breakfast at the Hotel then departure to visit the city of Jaipur. The visit to Jaipur would not be complete without the discovery of Amber Fort, the original seat of royal power and one of the most beautiful buildings in Rajasthan. Amber Fortress, since the 12th century, was the citadel of the Kachwahas and remained their capital until Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II transferred it to Jaipur. The Mughal influence is evident in the open pavilions and gardens with canals and fountains. The courtyards are surrounded by luxurious palaces, audience halls and private apartments decorated with mirrors and mosaics.

Breakfast at the hotel then departure to Agra.

On the way visit Fatehpur Sikri. An epic in red sandstone, this ancient city is now deserted. Fatehpur Sikri was built by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1564. Later, due to water shortages and unrest in the northwest, Akbar had to abandon the town. Fatehpur Sikri is thus known as the abandoned capital of the Mughal Empire.

IMPERATIVE visit of the Taj Mahal at sunset: The Taj Mahal, literally "Palace of the Crown", is located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, on the south bank of the Yamuna River.  

In 1631, Mughal Emperor Shan Jahan ordered the construction of a mausoleum in memory of his late wife, who died giving birth to her fourteenth child. The monument was to surpass in beauty all that had been built so far.

In 1648, after 17 years of hard work that ruined the finances of the kingdom, the work of the Taj Mahal was completed. Built on a base of pink sandstone and marble about 100 meters wide, it stands 56 meters high. It is octagonal in shape, but four of its façades, 32.5 metres high, are narrower, giving the impression of a square construction with the corners cut off.

Entirely made of white marble and semi-precious stones, the Taj Mahal is surrounded by a garden with canals and decorated with fountains. The Taj Mahal is today the most visited monument in India.

Taj Mahal at sunset. Night at the hotel

Breakfast, visit of the Red Fort...

Then drive back to Delhi for Room at your disposal before transfer to the airport for your return flight.

Returning home