Rajasthan & Varanasi North India
With the RIFF Folk Music Festival
Tour Dates – 22nd Oct to 3rd Nov 2023 – 12 Nights
Join us for a journey through the princely state of Rajasthan, enjoying all the exotica of the Desert including staying in beautiful palaces. We shall be visiting all the sites, shopping, enjoy massages and spas, visiting the best Folk Music event in Jodhpur.
If you love a little luxury and want to sightsee as well as enjoy classic Rajasthan Folk Music, this is for you.
Towns to Visit - Delhi – Jaipur – Jodhpur – Varanasi
We start in New Delhi wandering around shopping , enjoying some historical sites and relax in some around our beautiful hotel. In the evening we shall head to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib one of the most prominent Sikh gurdwaras of worship in Delhi for some chanting and music amongst the local community.
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We head to onto Rajasthan’s capital, the Pink City of Jaipur. Time to enjoy our palace hotel, some shopping for textiles, ceramics, art and jewellery in this incredible city.
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Next is the Blue City of Jodhpur, specifically to take part in the International Folk Festival (RIFF) which has become India’s leading music festival inviting more than 250 musicians and performing artists from across Rajasthan. Â
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Next we head over to Varanasi on the Ganges River for a completely different experience. Yoga, Temples, cruising on the River, Varanasi is the Spiritual heartland of Northern India and a not to be missed experience.
Day 1: (22 Oct) The Ambassador Hotel New Delhi
Arrive Delhi International Airport
Late night arrival into Delhi International Airport, look out for the friendly face of your driver waiting for you.
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Our private transfer will drive us to our hotel . Check-in and early night
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Hotel - The Ambassador, New Delhi
The Ambassador New Delhi is ideally located in the heart of the city and within walking distance of the shopping hubs Connaught Place, Lodhi gardens and Khan Market
Day 2: (23rd Oct) The Ambassador, New Delhi
Day Itinerary
Breakfast at hotel.
Today after a big breakfast, we head out  for some sightseeing & shopping. We start with a morning walk in the beautiful Lodhi gardens, followed by shopping around the wonderful Khan Market and enjoy time in a café people watching..  Enjoy a traditional Rajasthan Thali for lunch at a local restaurant. This is time to buy some Indian outfits for our journey. Â
At sunset we head to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib to witness the local chanting, prayer and meditation
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: (24th Oct) Jaipur – The Pink City – Travel Day
Day Itinerary
Breakfast at Delhi hotel.
After breakfast, we head for a scenic rural drive to Jaipur. Upon arrival Jaipur, check into to your hotel and relax and enjoy dinner and early night.
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Fringed by the rugged Aravali Hills, Jaipur is the capital and largest city of Rajasthan. This city is famed for being India’s first planned city featuring a multitude of pink terracotta buildings within the walled historic centre, earning it the nickname,’ This colourful city is a combination of tradition and modernity and offers visitors vibrant bazaars, lavish palaces, and ancient temples.
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The salmon-hued old city is home to the opulent City Palace, encompassing an impressive assortment of palatial structures, sprawling gardens, courtyards, and buildings. Don’t miss the fairy-tale splendour of the Amber Fort, set against the backdrop of the arid landscape and a night at Raj Mandir Art Deco cinema
Day 4: (25th Oct) Jaipur – Pink City – Sightseeing
Day Itinerary
Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast, we head for some sightseeing including shopping in the market visiting some incredible palaces and forts. Dinner at the hotel
Luxury Boutique Hotel
Shahpura House is a luxury boutique hotel in Jaipur City, Rajasthan, in India. It offers tastefully decorated rooms with all the conveniences of modern amenities for travellers. The hotel caters specifically to guests who want to experience the Rajput culture of North India in the most authentic way.
Day 5: (26th Oct) Jaipur – Pink City –Wellness
Day Itinerary
Breakfast at hotel
Today we enjoy a wellness experience with some Natural Healing Therapies. Guests can engage in therapeutic practices such as Yoga and Ayruvedic massages. In the evening we catch a Bollywood movie into the beautiful Art Deco Cinema Raj Mandir. Dinner back at the hotel
Day 6: (27th Oct) Jodhpur – Travel Day
Day Itinerary
Breakfast at Jaipur hotel.
After breakfast, checkout from hotel and drive to your next destination Blue City ” Jodhpur”. Upon arrival, check in at hotel and relax| Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
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JodhPur Known as the gateway to the Thar Desert, Jodhpur is the second-largest city in the state of Rajasthan, India. It is a popular tourist destination featuring a variety of ornate palaces, age-old forts, and sacred temples.
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Dubbed “The Blue City”, most houses in the old city are painted a beautiful shade of indigo. While Jodhpur is largely a sprawling modern metropolis, enclosed within its old city walls is a labyrinth of winding, narrow medieval streets, and bazaars.
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Jodhpur is home to one of the largest forts in India, the massive 15th-century Mehrangarh Fort, which towers over the city from its sandstone plinth.
Day 7 : (27th Oct) Jodhpur– International Folk Music Festival
Day Itinerary
Breakfast at hotel.
Today we will enjoy soulful performances at the International Folk Festival (RIFF) which has become India’s leading music festival inviting more than 250 musicians and performing artists from across Rajasthan. Â
- Sat 28  October –5:30 am to 7:30 am and 10 am to 5 pm and, 8:30 pm to midnight.
Today’s evening performance
- Meghwal of Marwar
- Kashmiri Root Music
- Music performance of Kalbeliyas with Mohini Devi, Makan Ashgvari
- Kashmiri Sufiyana with Shafi Sopori
- Fort festivals
- Dance performances
- Martial art performances
- Vocals by Suguna Jogi and Dapu Khan
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 8: (29th Oct) Jodhpur– International Folk Music Festival
Day Itinerary
Breakfast at Jaipur hotel.
- Sun 29 October –5:30 am to 7:30 am and 10 am to 5 pm and, 8:30 pm to midnight.
Today’s evening performance
- Meghwal of Marwar
- Kashmiri Root Music
- Music performance of Kalbeliyas with Mohini Devi, Makan Ashgvari
- Kashmiri Sufiyana with Shafi Sopori
- Fort festivals
- Dance performances
- Martial art performances
- Vocals by Suguna Jogi and Dapu Khan
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 9: (30th Oct) Jodhpur to Varanasi – Day of Travel
Day Itinerary
Breakfast at hotel
Taxi transfer to Jodhpur airport for flight to Varanasi (via Delhi).
Arrive airport pickup and transfer to hotel for dinner and rest.
Days 10, 11 & 12 – 31st Oct, 1, 2 Nov - Varanasi – The Holy Hindu City
Day Itinerary
- We shall spend the next 3 days in Varanasi sightseeing and enjoying everything on offer.
- Enjoy drinking chai watching the world go by on the Ghats of the Ganges River.
- Take a sunrise boat trip along the length of the river and enjoy a traditional meal at local family home.
- Evening witness the Fire Arti Ceremony.
- Cycle Rickshaw the back streets of the old city.
Day 13 - End of Itinerary Fly Varanasi
back to Delhi (3rd Nov )
Depart Varanasi and head to airport for flight to Delhi to connect with evening international flights back to your home country.
$4,685 AUD Per Person (twin share)
Date 2023
- 22, 23 Oct
- 24 ,25 & 26 Oct’23
- 27, 28 & 29 Oct’23
- 30 , 31, 1,& 2 Oct -23
- 3 Oct
Accommodation
- Ambassador Hotel Delhi
- Shahpura House Haveli
- Welcomhotel by ITC
- Palace on the Varanasi
- Hotel Delhi
Destination
- Delhi – 2 nights
- Jaipur – 2 nights
- Jodhpur – 3 nights
- Fly Jodhpur to Varanasi
- Fly out Delhi Delhi
Basis
- Bed breakfast
- Half board
- Half board
- Half board
- Bed breakfast
Duration
- 2 Nights
- 3 Nights
- 3 Nights
- 4 Nights
Tour Package Inclusions
- All group airport & hotel transfers, and vehicle as per the itinerary.
- Accommodation based on 12 Nights at the hotels mentioned above.
- Daily breakfast and dinners at the above-mentioned hotels
- Services of English speaking driver and vehicle
- Two full day entry passes to Rajasthan International folk festival in Jodhpur 28 & 29 Oct 2023.
Tour Package Does Not include
- International flights
- Tourist Visas & travel insurance
- Expenses of personal nature such as laundry, extra food , drinks, shopping
- Tipping
- Any other items not mentioned in itinerary
- Camera fees & activity charges other than those listed in the itinerary inclusions
