This was a busy itinerary with some early starts and long transfers, but it meant we saw so many amazing places every day. Our memory of the first week in the north, was of the noisy mayhem that is India, with quite a lot of sightseeing to monuments. In contrast the week in Kerala was more relaxed either by the sea or in the mountains. Being a ‘Premium Adventure’ meant we were in good standard hotels, and about half the dinners and some lunches were included in the price, which was appreciated. Also, our leader saw to all the tipping for the whole trip, so we didn’t have to have a kitty (a bit of a bugbear on previous Exodus trips).
Rajasthan
Top 5 experiences in Rajasthan
Rajasthan Trips
Exotic Rajasthan, the ‘Land of Princes’, is blessed with awe-inspiring monuments to a fierce warrior past. The magnificent forts of Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Jaipur bear testament to the battles that once raged across this desert land, while the romantic palaces in Udaipur and Fatehpur Sikri, and the world-famous Taj Mahal, offer a glimpse of a softer side to north India‘s rich history.
Shekhawati is full of colourful havelis (merchants’ houses), and an ideal place to explore by bicycle. A camel journey across the shimmering sands, camping under the desert stars and visiting temple ruins and villages is another experience not to be missed. There is also a chance to see Kipling’s elusive tiger at Ranthambore. If any one state encapsulates India, it has to be Rajasthan.
Rajasthan Adventure Holidays
Joan Brightwell India's North & South – Premium Adventure
Philip Murray Cycling Through RajasthanTrip completed in Jan-Feb 2025. This was my first time in India. The cycling was excellent (one day with 900m elevation riding to Kumbhalgarh but otherwise actually easier in terms of elevation/distance than on other grade 3 trips I’ve been on). Cycling in the cities is somewhat of an adrenaline sport which was great fun! The Taj Majal, Udaipur and Jodhpur Fort were all excellent. The food is exceptionally good. The bus was the most comfortable exodus trip bus I’ve ever been on and made the longer journeys a pleasure. I enjoyed the experience of the overnight train journey.
The Shree Ram hotel, Kumbhalgarh Forest Retreat and Sariska Safari Lodge I found to be very good and enjoyed staying there. The room in Ashok Country Resort was somewhat damp/musty. With the swimming pool closed there isn’t much to do there and, other than the airport, there’s nothing nearby. Food there was good. Bathrooms in the vesta mayura palace and udai villas were dirty. A night club next to the vesta mayua pumps out window shaking music until around midnight. This holiday is really cheap for two weeks – I know I can’t expect too much of a three star hotel in India but I’d rather have paid a bit more and had a nicer cleaner hotel at every stop.
Cynthia Zabin Cycling Through RajasthanInteresting ,fun, scary, exhausting, dirty, heart warming
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