- India Private Tours
- Grand Tour of Rajasthan with Varanasi Extension - Private Tour
Explore the iconic monuments of India’s Golden Triangle, from the ancient and colonial-era landmarks of Delhi to Agra’s timeless, breathtaking Taj Mahal and the rose-hued ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur. Travel into the enchanting northern province of Rajasthan, a lesser-visited region of India where camel-train trade routes, royal cities, and shimmering lakes bring centuries of history and tradition vividly to life. Unique experiences await as you journey through the vast Thar Desert, the magnificent architecture of Jodhpur, and magical Udaipur, known as the ‘Venice of the East’.
Wrap up your tour with a final, unforgettable stop in Varanasi. Explore the maze-like alleys of the old city, witness the mesmerising Ganga Aarti, and take a serene boat ride along the Ganges.
Lunch & Dinner
After arriving in Delhi, you'll be met and transferred to your hotel where you will have lunch and enjoy some free time to relax before your welcome evening meal.
If you are arranging your own international flights, free airport transfers are available and included in the price. Transfers need to be booked with us at least two weeks before the tour starts and you will need to provide your inbound and outbound flight details.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This morning take a tour of the beautiful city of New Delhi, See the contrast between Old Delhi’s historic charms and New Delhi’s detailed colonial town. Drive past the India Gate, President’s House, Parliament Building and visit the Birla Temple, made purely out of 2,000 tons of Rajasthan white marble. Travel onto Old Delhi through the narrow, crowded streets on a rickshaw, pass vibrant food markets and chai wallahs brewing their sweet tea. Visit the regal Red Fort for a sense of the lavish life once led by the former rulers before your tour continues to New Delhi to see the Mahatma Gandhi memorial and the 12th century Qutab Minar with its fine examples of Indo-Islamic architecture.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Depart Delhi for a leisurely train journey to Agra. Despite being a small city, Agra was once the capital of the mighty Mughal dynasty whose strength manifested itself in the huge forts and buildings designed to maintain its power. During the afternoon you will visit the vast red sandstone Agra Fort. The colossal walled city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built by the Mughals in 1573 and boasts gigantic pavilions, grand palaces and spectacular courtyards.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This magical day starts with a tour of one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal; words do not do this remarkable palace justice. Taking 17 years and 20,000 men to build, the heartbroken Mughal Emperor Shahjahan dedicated this stunning white marble monument of love to his deceased wife to enshrine her mortal remains. Then drive to the Pink City of Jaipur, passing farms and villages before arriving in Jaipur in time for dinner.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Begin your day in Jaipur with a visit to the spectacular Amber Fort, the ancient capital of the royal family until 1728. Spanning over four huge courtyards, you will travel to the centre of the fort by Jeep, passing snake charmers and harems of the Maharajah along the way. An afternoon city tour of Jaipur takes you to the astronomical observatory of Jantar Mantar. Lastly marvel at the hundreds of tiny windows on the facade of the Hawa Mahal, known to many as the Palace of the Winds.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Following breakfast you will start the drive to Bikaner, stopping en-route for lunch. Bounded by sand dunes and situated on an elevated plain, this vibrant desert town is fondly known as the 'camel country' of India. Arriving early evening you will check-in to your hotel for your overnight stay.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today, you will have a morning tour of the 16th-century Junagad Fort. With its unique and formidable structure, you will appreciate the amazing network of havelis—mansions with courtyards and balconies of red sandstone and marble. The fort also contains numerous monuments with gold plasters, exquisite mirrorwork, and hidden chambers. Returning to the hotel for lunch, you will have the rest of the day at leisure to relax. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This morning you will head to the 'Sun City' of Jaisalmer, located in the great Thar Desert. Dominated by the breath-taking fort, this beautifully evocative city is one of Rajasthan's biggest attractions with its mysterious camel-train trade routes and local bazaars brimming with bright embroideries and dazzling glass mirrors. On arrival into the city, you will check into your hotel before visiting some of the main attractions including the 12th century Jain temples and the magnificent golden Jaisalmer fort itself.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After check-in and lunch you will be taken on a desert jeep safari to see some of the rural life of the surrounding areas. Later, enjoy the unique experience of a camel ride into the Thar Desert. This evening witness the stunning sunset with a cultural performance and dinner under the starlit skies. (Desert Camps are closed 1st April to 30th September. Resort is operational until around mid-May and opens 1st August.)
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, check-out and proceed to Jodhpur where you will enjoy an afternoon tour of the buzzing 'Blue City'. Starting at the mighty 15th century Mehrangarh fort, this magnificent architectural masterpiece towers above the sandstone hills of the city and boasts huge courtyards and palatial apartments within. Continue on to Jaswanth Thada, the traditional cremation ground of the rulers of Jodhpur with ornamental gardens containing the fabulous white marble memorial to the Maharaja, Jaswanth Singh II.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Spend a relaxed morning at leisure before an afternoon visit to a tribal village in the nearby Bishnoi, offering a taste of the past and rich culture of the region. Inhabited by a community of nature worshippers, the beautifully scenic village contains a natural lake surrounded by Khejri trees where migratory birds, antelope and other animals come from nearby areas to drink and graze.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Leaving Jodhpur, en-route to Udaipur you will visit the world famous Ranakpur temple complex. Acclaimed for their intricate and superb architectural style, the temples are the largest of the Jain cult and form one of the five major pilgrimage sites. Wholly constructed in marble with more than 1,400 exquisitely carved supportive pillars, they contain numerous beautifully and delicately carved sculptures and are definitely a highlight of any trip to this area. Continuing onwards to Udaipur.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Affectionately known as 'The Venice of the East', magical Udaipur is a city of romance with beautiful lakes and fantastical palaces all bordered by lush, forested hills. This morning you will visit the huge City Palace, lining the eastern shore of Lake Pichola, with its balconies gazing out towards the stunning Lake Palace seemingly floating on the waters across the shimmering lake. Next make a stop at the celebrated Jagdish temple, the largest in the city and whose 79 foot sculpted spire dominates the skyline. Here you can appreciate the three-storied temple that is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the Universe.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. Today you will fly to Delhi. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy the rest of your time at leisure.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This morning proceed to the airport in time to connect with your flight to Varanasi, the sacred 'City of Life'. On arrival, transfer to the hotel where you will stay for the next two nights exploring one of the world's oldest continually inhabited cities, regarded as one of Hinduism's seven holy cities. This evenings tour takes you to a ghat - steps that lead to the Ganges - to witness the humbling Ganga Aarti Ceremony, a spellbinding display of candles afloat along the river in Varanasi.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Begin today with a sunrise boat trip along the Ganges for a unique perspective of this spiritual watercourse and its vivid embankment of pastel edifices pierced by temple stupas. Continue your exploration of Varanasi at the Vishwanath Temple (seen from the boat), a monument dedicated to Lord Shiva and famed for an illustrious gold-coated dome. After lunch enjoy a half-day tour of Sarnath, a sacred site on which the Buddha gave his first sermon after finding enlightenment in 530BC. Your tour includes visits to ancient relics that document the area's spiritual significance including the Monastery Ruins, a tranquil park interrupted by a towering stupa engraved with delicate geometric carvings.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
In the morning, transfer to the railway station to catch your train to Delhi, arriving by afternoon for hotel check-in, with the rest of the day is at leisure.
Breakfast
After breakfast transfer to the airport in Delhi for your flight back to the UK
If you are arranging your own international flights, free airport transfers are available and included in the price. Transfers need to be booked with us at least two weeks before the tour starts and you will need to provide your inbound and outbound flight details.
Your Next Adventure Awaits! We've been arranging award-winning, expertly crafted hoildays and tours since 1980. We're also ABTA protected and ATOL bonded for your total peace of mind. Call us today to book your next unforgettable holiday!
The tour guide was excellent, with good knowledge of the history. He was very well‑mannered, helpful, and polite. The coach was comfortable, and the driver and his helper were also excellent, both very polite and helpful.
Attee & Joe Manoranjan
09 MayAn amazing tour, made all the more special by the wonderful YP Singh, an exceptional tour leader with a great sense of humour, who makes it his mission to give every guest the best experience. Special mention also to our driver, Powen, who drove us calmly and expertly throughout the tour.
Carol Wendy Lawman
22 NovemberEvery moment of every day for us was a highlight! We felt truly blessed with Y.P as our guide, as his historical and contemporary knowledge of his country was nothing less than outstanding! We learned so much about this beautiful country that we will remember always. We particularly loved the stop in Manvar; we were not expecting such wonderful surroundings; the entertainment was second to none! The historical nature of the tours to the forts was enhanced by our guide's superb knowledge of history. Anyone can take you to a place, but not everyone can tell you all about the intricate history of these places. The historical context supplied by Y.P was second to none, and we were blessed to have him as our guide.
Joanna Elloy
19 DecemberOur guide was excellent: friendly and well-informed. At major sites we were given an introductory chat but always given our own time to explore independently.
Ian Mitchell
23 MarchThe order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. The driving times listed are point to point and do not include the duration of excursions or stops en route. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions.
If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £295.00pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
A visa is required for entry into India. British Citizen Passport Holders will need to obtain a tourist visa. You can apply for an E-visa no more than 30 days in advance. Your E-visa must be valid for your whole trip so please ensure the expiry date is for the whole duration of your stay. Alternatively you can visit The Indian Visa Application Centre in London: 142-148 Goswell Road, London, EC1B 7DU. We also work closely with The Travel Visa Company who will be able to arrange your visa on your behalf. Please call them on 01270 250 590 and quote 'Mercury Holidays'. Additionally, you will need to complete an e-Arrival Card within 72 hours before your arrival. This can be done on the Indian visa website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months before you enter India. Visa requirements are subject to change and obtaining a visa is the responsibility of the traveller and not Mercury Holidays. We recommend you check with your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy prior to departure for the most up to date guidelines regarding visas and passport validity.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras, including up to a 20% discount, which is given to all Mercury Holidays customers. To arrange your insurance with Holiday Extras, please visit https://www.mercuryholidays.co.uk/info/insurance for more details. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
All our tours feature a “Tour Pace” to help find the right holiday for you. To travel on any of our tours requires unaided mobility and the ability to stroll around the sights, climb stairs, and get on and off coaches and boats. The tour pace of the Grand Tour of Rajasthan is rated as Intermediate due to the tour being packed with activities and experiences. A good level of fitness is required as you may be on your feet for approximately four hours in a day, though this will be interspersed with regular breaks and will vary from day to day. You will be walking around the sights, and you will be getting on and off coaches, trains, and boats and climbing steps which may be irregular. You will stay in a variety of hotels throughout the tour. Our guides will always endeavor to provide the highest level of service and assistance; however, they cannot be expected to cater for customers who are unfit to complete the itinerary.
The currency in India is the Rupee. The Rupee is a closed currency and officially you are not allowed to take any cash out of India. US Dollars and GBP are also widely accepted in India should you wish to keep an alternative currency on you. There are restrictions on taking Indian rupees into India. Visitors, including tourists, are not permitted to take any amount of Indian currency into the country. You can take cash or travellers' cheques (in pounds sterling or another foreign currency) and/or a bank card with you and exchange or withdraw rupees once in India. Cash machines will also be available throughout the tour in order to withdraw money in your local currency. It is important that you budget carefully and ensure you have the right form of currency before you arrive in the country.
As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels as well as American Express.
You will need to take money with you to cover any personal purchases such as souvenirs, laundry, and extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £300 per person will be sufficient for the duration of the tour. It is a good idea to try and maintain a supply of small notes and change the local currency for tipping or small purchases. Please also bear in mind that there will be several shopping opportunities throughout your tour.
Tipping
It is customary to tip your guide and driver. This is at your discretion, but we recommend you allow approximately £4-£5 for each guide and £2-£3 for each driver per person per day. It is asked that you tip in pounds and not local currency, please do not give coins as these are difficult to exchange. Your guide will also ask you for £1 or £2 a day to add to a kitty this is for the porters, waiters etc throughout your tour.
This is a fully escorted tour. A national guide will meet you on arrival and accompany you throughout your trip. In certain cities, local guides will join you to provide expert insight based on the sites visited.
For private tours, you will travel with either a Driver Guide or a Driver plus local guides. They will accompany all sightseeing. Private tours can depart any day of the week, subject to transport schedules and attraction opening times. These tours follow the brochure itinerary unless otherwise advised and include all listed meals, sightseeing, and excursions.
Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist between the UK and India. All group tours hotels have private bathroom facilities and air-conditioning, where needed. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs. A triple room is available but please note that this will be a twin room with a roll away bed for the 3rd passenger.
Tents
During this tour you will have an overnight’s stay in Manvar. Tents are operational from October to March. From April to September the tents are closed and you will be staying in resort instead. Your stay will be in a comfortable tent with en suite facilities. There will be some activities arranged in the evenings (depending upon the occupancy).
Breakfast is always a combination of Indian and western style and served in the hotel each morning (sometimes a packed breakfast depending on train journey). Lunch and dinner where applicable will be taken in hotel/wayside restaurants. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of dishes and flavours.
Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information. Vegan, vegetarian and non-spicy meal options are available, all meal requests need to be sent over to our suppliers before travel.
It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way. Two bottles of water are supplied per person per day on your tour.
Alcoholic Drinks
There are some dry hotels in India, and some hotels where alcohol can be consumed on the premise but must be brought in from outside. Your guide will pre-warn you of this and if anyone in the group would like to purchase drinks before getting to the hotel then we will arrange for you to visit a local shop and get what you need wherever possible.
Dry days are when the sale of alcohol is not allowed. Most of the Indian states observe these days on major national festivals/occasions such as Republic Day in January, Independence Day in August and Gandhi Jayanti in October. Dry days are also observed during elections in India.
During visits to Churches/Temples please note long trousers or skirts should be worn to cover knees, Long sleeved tops should be worn to cover shoulders and ladies should bring a scarf to cover your head. In the Golden Temple and any other Gurudara visit it is also mandatory for men also to cover their head with a scarf.
On your arrival in Delhi you will be met by a representative from our local agent, Jayasree, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays”. The Mercury Holidays/Jayasree representative will show you to your transfer vehicle. Your guide will be able to answer any queries.
If you need to contact Jayasree Travels and Tours, during your stay the details are:
F 341-Ground Floor, Lado Sarai, New Delhi, 110030.
Contact number: 0091 9526188860/ 0091 995 898 8719
Emergency contact information
Telephone number 24 hr:
Biju Unnikrishnan 0091 952 618 8860, Ms Jayasree Vikraman 0091 974 700 5888, Mrs Samitha Azhar 0091 974 471 3380, Mrs Rekha Anil 0091 9744813380, Mr Amit Bhardwaj 0091 995 898 8719
E-mail: biju@jayasreetravels.com
