Artistic grand tour of Rajasthan
€3700
per person
An artistic journey to the land of kings, where art is not just a form of expression but an integral part of daily life.
Art in Rajasthan is embedded in every majestic fort, every ornate palace, and every colorful village. From the age-old traditions of miniature painting and blue pottery to the vibrant expressions of folk music and Kalbeliya dances, Rajasthan unfolds a canvas of stories woven through millennia of history.
We will take you to meet passionate local artisans and immerse you in the very soul of Rajasthan’s artistic heart. Whether you are a seasoned art lover or simply curious, this tour is an invitation to feel, learn, and marvel at the diversity and depth of Rajasthani art.
Arts and Traditions you will discover on this journey:
- Painting: Miniature painting from Udaipur, Phad from Shahpura, frescoes from the Shekhawati region, and “Jal Sanjhi” or “water painting” from Udaipur.
- Textiles: Woodblock printing from Sanganer and Barmer, Bandhani tie-dye from Shekhawati, carpet weaving in Jaipur, and dhurrie weaving in Salawas.
- Pottery: Jaipur’s blue pottery, votive plaques from Molela, and clay jewelry from Barmer.
- Puppetry: Kathputli from Shekhawati.
- Dance & Music: The Kalbelia gypsy dance in Jaisalmer, and music from the Bhopa musicians in Jaisalmer and the Manganyars in Barmer.
- Other: Recycled paper from Sanganer and Usta from Bikaner.
Tour Highlight: An Ajrakh workshop.
Who is this trip for?
Anyone who loves traditional arts and the culture of India.
When is the best time to travel to Rajasthan?
From October to March.
As each trip is tailor-made, the price shown is an estimate. Your final quote will depend on your choices, such as the hotel category, the number of participants, the type of vehicle, and the time of year. We will provide you with a personalised (and free) quote after discussing your preferences in detail.
THIS TRIP INCLUDES (for 2 people):
- Stay in a double room at a 3-star boutique hotel
- All breakfasts
- Lunch in the villages of Jaipur and Barmer
- All transportation in a Toyota Innova Crysta with a private driver (all driver’s expenses are included)
- Several cultural programs (Kathputli, Kalbelia, Bhopa, Manganyars)
- Local English- or French-speaking guides for each destination
- 24/7 concierge service—we are in constant contact with you
THE TRIP PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- International flights
- Domestic flights
- Monument entrance fees
- Visa fees
- Bank fees
- Travel insurance
- Any arrangements not specified in the initial itinerary
- Any personal expenses
- Tips
- Anything not mentioned as “included”
Vous aimerez peut-être aussi...
ART & CULTURE
An artistic journey to the land of kings, where art is not only a form of expression but an integral part of daily life. Enriching encounters with artists and artisans.
18 days
CULTURE / PHOTO
This journey takes you to meet the Bishnoi community during the Jambeshwar Mukam Mela near Bikaner in Rajasthan, combined with a cultural loop of unique places in the Land of Kings
12 days
ATELIERS / CULTURE
This 5-day trip takes you to Barmer, a unique destination in Rajasthan, for an immersion in the Mallani culture, meeting its artisans and rural life
5 days
HERITAGE / LUXURY
A journey to the heart of Rajput culture and the royal heritage of Rajasthan, whose heirs, keen to preserve and share their traditions, have opened the doors of their refined homes to travelers. A journey back in time, in the footsteps of the great families of the land of kings.
23 days
PHOTO / FESTIVAL
Photo-tour combining 'Gangaur', one of the most colourful and photogenic festivals of Rajasthan, with the visit of Udaipur, the romantic city of lakes, and typical villages around.
5 days
HERITAGE
Grand 23-day tour days to discover the rich cultural heritage of the land of Maharajas with a stopover in Delhi, the bustling capital of India and Agra known for its legendary Taj Mahal, masterpiece of Mughal art.
23 days
ETHNIC / PHOTOGRAPHY
Embark on an immersive 11-day adventure to meet the authentic people of the desert, far from the beaten track, from Udaipur to Jaisalmer via Ghanerao, Jodhpur and Barmer
11 days
ETHNIC / PHOTO
Meeting the Rabari Raïka €1300
A 5-day tour to meet the Raika Rabaris in the Ranakpur and Mount Abu region of Rajasthan. Share precious moments with one of India's oldest pastoralist communities
5 days
HERITAGE / CULTURE
Experience the cultural heart of Shekhawati, Rajasthan's "open-air art gallery," on a 10-day tour. You'll explore a stunning collection of stately homes adorned with intricate frescoes, discover historic wells featuring Persian-style columns, and visit ancestral temples that reveal the region's rich history
10 jours
HERITAGE / CULTURE
Escapade de trois jours à Delwara, près d'Udaipur au Rajasthan, à la découverte de son patrimoine inédit et de sa vie rurale authentique
3 jours
RURAL / PEOPLE
Embark on a 5-day journey off the beaten track for an authentic exploration of the Pali district where rural life pulses with the rhythm of ancient traditions and unique age-old temples
5 days
Day 1
Arrival in Jaipur, the Pink City.
Namaskaram!
We'll warmly welcome you at Udaipur Airport. Transfer to your boutique hotel. Break and begin your sightseeing.
- Visit the City Palace, a stunning complex featuring typical Rajput architecture.
- Followed by the iconic Hawa Mahal (Wind Palace).
- Stroll through the vibrant Johari Bazaar, famous for its jewelry and traditional handicrafts.
- Finally, visit several designer boutiques.
- Welcome dinner at a restaurant serving authentic Rajasthani cuisine.
Day 2
Jaipur > Amber > Jaipur
Today is Amber visit.
- Explore Amber Palace with its splendid Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors) and exquisite frescoes.
- Visit the Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing, located at the foot of Amber Palace. This award-winning museum is dedicated to preserving the traditional craft of block printing, with magnificent exhibits and demonstrations.
- Discover the Panna Meena ka Kund, a magnificent stepwell famous for its perfect geometry and peaceful atmosphere.
- Visit the Mirabai Temple, where devotion to Lord Krishna is emphasized.
Day 3
Rural immersion around Jaipur, the art of carpets
Half-day experience in a village 30 minutes from Jaipur to meet artisan weavers
- Interact with the weavers who are at the heart of carpet creation. Learn their stories, their daily lives, and the impact their work has on their community.
- Weaving demonstrations: Observe up close the complex process of hand-knotted carpet weaving, a skill passed down through generations. Opportunity to try your hand at some knots.
- Cultural immersion: Explore the village, learn about rural life and other crafts.
- Rajasthani lunch: Share a traditional meal with the villagers, an authentic opportunity to connect. In the afternoon, return to Jaipur, with free time to enjoy the hotel.
Day 4
Sanganer: the art of woodblock printing, paper, and blue pottery
Day trip to Sanganer (located about 16 km south of Jaipur) to explore its various crafts:
- Visit the famous Sanganer block printing workshops. Watch artisans create intricate designs on fabrics using hand-carved wooden blocks.
- Explore the Sanganer blue pottery workshops to see the making of these distinctive Persian ceramics.
- Observe the traditional craft of Kagzi paper using only recycled textiles.
- Finally, visit the Sanganer Jain Temple, dedicated to Lord Adinath, known for its intricate carvings and serene architecture. Return to Jaipur
Day 5
Jaipur > Shekhawati, the open-air gallery of Rajasthan (3 hours)
Drive to Mandawa (approximately 3-4 hours), located in the Shekhawati region, renowned for its painted havelis.
- Check-in at your boutique hotel
- Then explore Mandawa and its famous havelis such as Goenka's Chokhani Haveli. Each haveli tells a story through its intricate murals depicting mythological scenes, daily life, and historical events.
- Evening: Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the streets, soaking up the unique atmosphere of the "open-air art gallery."
Day 6
Nawalgarh, Parasrampura and Lohargal (2h)
Process to Nawalgarh, the starting point for your tour of northern Shekhawati.
- Nawalgarh undoubtedly boasts the most beautiful havelis in the Shekhawati region. You will visit three of these main residences: Podar haveli, which boasts no fewer than 750 murals, and Murarka and Bansidar Bhagat ki haveli, which reflect the opulence of the Marwari merchants of yesteryear.
- In one of the havelis, a private performance by Kathputhli, the string puppets of Rajasthan.
- Visit Parasrampura, a village 20 km from Nawalgarh, which boasts a 1750 Chhatri dedicated to Shardul Singh, one of the Shekhawati lords, whose dome is adorned with a fresco in brown tones, the oldest in the region. In the same village, the small Gopinath temple also houses frescoes in the same style.
- Continue to Lohargal, a spiritual gem nestled in the heart of the Aravalli Mountains, nestled among century-old banyan and mango trees. It's a major pilgrimage site, home to a temple dedicated to the sun god (Surya). A sacred pool attracts many worshippers for their ritual ablutions.
- Return to Mandawa at the end of the day
Day 7
Mandawa > Bikaner (5h) - Usta Art
Departure for Bikaner, the red city of Rajasthan.
- Check-in at your hotel. Break.
- Then visit Junagarh, a magnificent fort with a rich history and exquisitely decorated palaces. Pay particular attention to the intricate paintings and decorative elements.
- Stroll through the city's colourful bazaars, punctuated by the red sandstone Rampuria havelis.
- And visit a local workshop specialising in Usta, an endangered art that combines painting and gold embossing.
Day 8
Route to Jaisalmer with a craft stop (6 hours)
Heading to Jaisalmer, the Golden City of Rajasthan.
- En route, you'll stop in a town renowned for its desert textile crafts. Although block printing isn't the dominant technique here, this region is known for other dyeing and embroidery techniques.
- Late afternoon: Check-in at your boutique hotel in Jaisalmer.
- Evening: Free time to explore the Golden City.
Day 9
Jaisalmer & its architectural jewels
A day dedicated to visiting the Golden City.
- Morning: Explore Jaisalmer Fort (Sonar Kila), a vibrant fort where a quarter of the city's population still resides. Discover its narrow streets, splendid ancient Jain temples, palace, and magnificently carved residential buildings.
- Afternoon: Visit exquisite mansions such as Patwon Ki Haveli, renowned for their intricate stone carvings and architectural grandeur.
- Late afternoon: Free time to stroll through the local bazaars and admire desert crafts (jewelry, textile art).
- Evening: Exclusive concert by Bhopa musicians, who are among the "gypsies" of Rajasthan.
Day 10
Immersion in the Thar Desert - Kalbelia Dance
After breakfast in Jaisalmer, route to the Thar Desert to a high-end, non-touristy resort.
- Visit desert villages: On the way to the dunes, explore some local villages to observe the lifestyle of the desert communities and their crafts.
- Sunset dinner in the dunes.
- In the evening, enjoy a captivating cultural evening with Rajasthani folk music and dance performances, including the famous Kalbelia dance (snake charmers' dance, listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Site).
- Overnight in a luxury tent.
Day 11
Jaisalmer > Barmer (2h)
Heading to Barmer, a still little-known city in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan.
- Check-in at your charming hotel - break
- Then you'll visit the Kiradu temples, 40 kilometers from Barmer. These five Hindu sanctuaries were built around the 11th and 12th centuries CE by the Rajput Paramar clan, vassals of the Solankis of Gujarat.
- On the way back, you'll meet a family of potters who create clay jewelry; they are the last family in Barmer to continue this tradition.
- Return to the hotel - Free time
Day 12
Rajasthani embroidery, weaving and music
A day dedicated to the art of appliqué, weaving, and Rajasthani music
- In the morning, you will visit an embroidery workshop runs by an NGO that trains and employs around fifty women from different villages in the art of embroidery. You will spend some time with them. Appliqué is the most renowned form of embroidery in Barmer. The most popular appliqué motif is the tree of life, representing a banyan (ficus bengalensis), the national tree of India.
- Then, depart for a weaving village tucked away in the Aravalli Mountains, 30 km from Barmer. The workshop also trains around thirty women in traditional weaving. You will meet the friendly weavers who will introduce you to the art of weaving. Lunch on site.
- In the evening, private concert given by the manganiar community, renowned professional musicians who perform at the biggest festivals around the world.
Day 13
Barmer > Jodhpur
Drive to the Blue City of Rajasthan
- Check-in at your boutique hotel in Jodhpur.
- Explore the imposing Mehrangarh Fort, one of the largest and most impressive forts in India.
- Visit the Jaswant Thada, a magnificent marble cenotaph known for its intricate carvings.
- Evening: Stroll through the bustling Clock Tower Market and the Sardar Market, famous for spices, textiles, and traditional Rajasthani shoes (Mojaris).
Day 14
Salawas - weavers village
Today, visit of Salawas, a small village located 20 km from Jodhpur. It is renowned for its traditional crafts, particularly the weaving of durries (flat mats).
- During this day, you will observe the weaving of the famous "Panja Dhurries" and also meet other artisans: potters and woodblock printers.
- Lunch with the Pukhraj family (traditional Rajasthani meal).
- During a safari around the village, you will have a chance to spot blackbucks, chinkara gazelles, and perhaps nilgais (blue bulls).
- You will also stop at a Bishnoi family's home to participate in a special tea ceremony.
- Return to Jodhpur and have free time to wander a little further through the city's bazaars.
Day 15
Jodhpur > Udaipur (5h)
Heading to Udaipur, the romantic city of lakes.
- Arrival in Udaipur in the early afternoon. Check into your hotel. Break.
- Then visit the City Palace complex, a grand amalgamation of palaces, courtyards, and gardens, offering breathtaking views of Lake Pichola.
- Serene boat ride on Lake Pichola at sunset, admiring the Jag Mandir and the Jag Niwas (Lake Palace).
Day 16
Water painting "Jal Sanjhi" and miniature painting
- At 11:00 a.m., an introduction to "Jal Sanjhi," an ancient and unique art form of Udaipur, where detailed paintings of Lord Krishna are created on the surface of water. Using colored powders and stencils, this ephemeral art symbolizes the transient nature of life.
- Lunch and free time
- Then at 4:00 p.m., an introduction to miniature painting, a specialty of the city, with a renowned local artist.
Day 17
Udaipur > Molela > Shahpura (5h)
Departure for the village of Shahpura in the Ajmer district.
- En route: stop at Molela, a village famous for its terracotta votive plaques. A unique folk art form in India.
- Arrival in Shahpura. Check-in at the hotel. Free time.
Day 18
Phad tradition
Today, you will explore the village of Shahpura, its rich and vibrant multicultural scene, as well as its fascinating artistic and craft traditions.
- Meet the artists of Phad, an endangered religious and folk scroll painting created on a long piece of cloth. The story depicted is sung aloud by the Bhopas (singing priests). The paintings vary in size, from postcard-sized to 9-meter-long canvases!
- Then, stroll through the town's bazaars.
Day 19
Shahpura > Jaipur (5h)
Drive to Jaipur, check-in at your hotel or we will drop you off at the airport
END OF THIS ARTISTIC JOURNEY WITH US. NAMASKARAM.