Delhi. Your first day is free for you to arrive in Delhi. The Pre Departure Meeting will be held in the joining hotel at 6pm. This gives you a chance to meet your fellow passengers, and go through the itinerary in more detail with your Local Guide or Tour Leader. After the meeting we will have dinner.  (D)

Mandawa to Bikaner.  Today we drive to Bikaner, visiting  the Rat Temple at Deshnoke on the way. This temple is devoted to the worship of the rat.

In the afternoon we visit Junagarh Fort, an unassailable fortress which has never been conquered. Built in 1593 by Raja Rai Singh, one of the most distinguished generals in the army of the Emperor Akbar, the fort is a formidable structure surrounded by a moat.

We overnight in Bikaner.  (B)

Jaisalmer - Camel Safari.  In the morning, we visit the Jaisalmer Fort. Built over the Trikuta Hill, this fort is the largest and most beautiful landmark of the city. Within its walls are shops and stalls, and a quarter of the city's population - it is a fascinating area to explore.

Then we set out on our overnight camel safari. We drive to Dedansar Ground, the starting point for our Camel Safari. We set off on our camels towards Bara Bagh, a distance of about 8kms, with a photo stop at the Royal Cenotaphs. We continue a further 7kms to Ramkunda where we visit the Lord Ram Temple and have lunch. After lunch we travel by camel to Lodurwa, another 5kms, the old capital of Jaisalmer. We have dinner and overnight near Lodurwa.

Please note that no camping equipment is needed - mattresses and bedding are supplied. You will need to take with you the following: Sunglasses, Sunscreen Lotion, Scarf, a Torch and a change of clothes in a small overnight bag/daypack.  (B,D)

Jaisalmer to Jodhpur. Today we drive to Jodhpur. Jodhpur lies on the strategic Delhi - Gujarat tradingroute, and used to be a major hub for trading in medieval time. Set at the edge of the Thar desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes with tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. The city is encompassed by a high wall, 10 km long with 8 gates and innumerable bastions.

We include a visit to the massive 15th century A.D. Meherangarh Fort. The 5 km long majestic fort on a 125 metre high hill is one of the most impressive and formidable structures. Although invincible from the outside, the fort has four gates approached by a winding road. Within the fort are some magnificent palaces with beautifully carved panels, latticed windows and evocative names. But one of the most exciting things about the fort is the view it gives you of Jodphur itself.

Jodphur is known as the ‘Blue City’ and you will see why - the walls are colour washed in blue, which looks amazing in the desert light. If time permits, we will go into Jodphur and make a visit to the bustling market under the tall clock tower. Spices, flowers and beautiful textiles are on sale here and barbers work under the nearby banyan trees – so you can stop off for a quick haircut in the street. The market area is considered to be one of the most interesting and fascinating sights in Jodhpur. (B)

Udaipur.  Our tour of Udaipur includes the City Palace complex, a majestic architectural marvel towering over the lake on a hill surrounded by walls. It is a conglomeration of courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors, rooms and hanging gardens. The main entrance is through the triple arched gate, the ‘Tripolia’, with eight marble porticos. The Maharana were weighed under the gate in the gold, the equivalent amount of which was distributed among the populace. Our city tour also includes a visit to the Jagdish Temples and a boat ride on the magnificent Lake Pichola. One stop we make on the lake will be at Jag Mandir Island for a visit to the temples. The view from the lake particularly at sunset is simply stunning – elegant marble palaces can be seen on the shoreline - an image of Rajput splendour. On the lake itself is the Summer Palace where you can go for a meal if you really feel like a treat. 

The remainder of the day is free, giving you time to explore further, and take some more photographs. If you are still up for more sightseeing, we recommend a trip to Sahelion-ki-Bari, and 18th century garden for the entertainment of the ladies of the royal household. Finish the day with a meal in one of the many restaurants dotted among the city’s narrow streets.  (B)

Bundi to Jaipur. After breakfast, we visit the some of the sights around Bundi. We then leave for Jaipur.

Jaipur is the capital city of the northern Indian state of Rajasthan. Known as the Pink City, it is one of the most vibrant and colourful cities of India, famous for its colourful culture, forts and palaces.

The remainder of the day is free. (B)

Jaipur to Agra. After breakfast we take off for Agra via Fatehpur Sikri - a deserted city of deep red sandstone, perfectly preserved and offering a detailed insight into the life of India’s Moghul emperors. Built by Humayun’s son, the Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri was a capital city for a very short time. Look out for the stone-tethering ring for the elephant that was used to crush criminals to death; the Turkish Sultana’s House with stone carvings of animals; the Astrologer’s Pavilion; the outdoor chess court; and the Harem.

We continue to Agra. In the past Agra was a capital city but it is most famed and most visited for one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World - the Taj Mahal. We will get our first close up view of the Taj from the riverside.  (B)

Agra to Delhi.  Today, our final day, we drive from Agra back to the capital, Delhi.

Delhi must be one of the most bustling capital cities in the world. New Delhi was built for the British Imperial Government of India and remains the administrative centre of the country. It also has a busy commercial sector and a new Parliament building as well as imposing government offices and embassies. We visit the Parliament Building and India Gate. The great India Gate, made from Bharatpur Sandstone, spans the other end of the Rajpath. This was built to commemorate the Indian Army officers who died in World War One, and has the names of approximately 14,000 Indian and British soldiers who died in the First World War. 

We also visit the Tomb of Humayun, considered by some to be the equivalent of the Taj Mahal. This tomb, built in 1570, is of particular cultural significance as it was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent. It inspired several major architectural innovations, culminating in the construction of the Taj Mahal.

The tour ends after the City Tour of Delhi, which finishes at about 5pm. Please note that accommodation is not included today.  (B)

Please be aware that arrival times and the itinerary may change due to unforeseen delays or events such as festivals and public holidays. However, we shall endeavour to ensure all sites are visited and that your tour runs as smoothly as possible.

Be flexible, you will enjoy your tour much more. Kumuka makes a point of visiting the indigenous populations of each country you visit, in order to give a true reflection of the country; please treat the local people and their customs with respect.

This itinerary will be followed as closely as possible. However there may be times when it is necessary to change the route according to local conditions. There will be times travelling long hours as there will be days where we have to cover great distances. Weather patterns can change dramatically - high altitudes tend to be a lot cooler.

You are free not to participate in any of the included excursions. However, please note that there will be no refund for any excursions not taken.

Lastly, your tour leader is always conscious of everybody's views, but sometimes he/she will have to make an unpopular decision and your understanding will be appreciated in these circumstances.

Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours. All clients MUST be insured to cover personal accident, medical expenses, cancellation, curtailment, repatriation, etc. Also, be aware that many activities such as trekking, bungy jumping or white water rafting may not be covered on your insurance policy. If you plan on doing any of these activities please purchase additional insurance. We recommend that you have a photocopy of this document, which you keep separate from the original. If you have not already arranged your own travel insurance then Kumuka can do this for you. Please visit http://www.kumuka.com/Travel-Insurance.aspx  for more details or contact your nearest Kumuka office.

Please Note: You will not be permitted to join a Kumuka Tour without travel insurance.

It is important that you obtain the appropriate visas before you embark on your Asia trip. Country entry regulations change daily, www.kumuka.com provides visa information. Please consult your relevant embassy for all details such as opening hours or costs. Certain visas cannot be obtained once you have started your tour, and during the peak summer months it can take longer than normal to get visas, please allow extra time to do this.

EACH CLIENT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING ALL NECESSARY VISAS BEFORE JOINING A TOUR.

Kumuka does not accept responsibility for changes in regulations or requirements for visas. The information provided is given in good faith.

Vaccinations:

No vaccinations are compulsory in Asia, but we do recommend you are covered for *diphtheria & TB, hepatitis A, *hepatitis B, *malaria, typhoid, polio and tetanus.

NB* A Yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from infected areas. Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.

You may need additional inoculations so please contact your G.P or a travel medical centre for further information. Please consult your doctor for up-to-date information and prescriptions for vaccinations, anti-malarial requirements and any reasonably foreseeable illnesses whilst travelling in Asia.

We also recommend:

- A dental check-up prior to travelling.
- That you know your blood group in case of emergency.
- That if you have any pre-existing medical conditions which might affect you on tour, you make these known to your tour leader and your agent/Kumuka at the time of your booking.

You can also visit www.kumuka.com for further details.

Medical Supplies:

We advise that all passengers bring along their own personal first aid kit. Below is a list of some recommended items:

Band Aids/Bandages, Laxatives, Upset stomach remedy, Anti-diarrhoea remedy, Panadol/Aspirin, Rehydration remedy, Antiseptic cream/powder, Sterile dressing, Any relevant course of medication such as contraceptive pills.

A complete Travellers Medical Pack can be purchased for approximately US$25 at most Vaccination Centres, Chemists and outdoor travel shops.

• Do not take unnecessary valuables with you.
• A money belt, or something similar, worn close to your body is the best way to carry passports, airline tickets and money.
• DO NOT leave any valuables in ANY hotel room in Asia, please use SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES. Items are left at the individuals’ risk.
• Pickpockets operate everywhere, particularly in tourist areas and in crowded markets; you must always exercise care.
• Be aware that anything left lying around will also be liable to theft.

We suggest passengers budget for between US$20-30 per day for personal expenses, souvenirs, evening out, alcoholic drinks etc. Be aware that some countries are more expensive than others and that if you are travelling through several your expenses will vary enormously. Similarly there will be some days when you spend nothing at all and others when you exceed your budget.

US dollars cash is more widely accepted than pounds sterling.

US dollars cash are needed to pay for visas on borders.

Carry most of your money in Traveller’s cheques - small denominations are preferable.

It is often a good idea to have a small amount of the currency of the country you are visiting prior to arrival. This will cover you for any initial expenses at or from the airport.Banks are open Monday to Friday and some are open on Saturday morning. In the main cities travellers’ cheques can be exchanged at banks and some exchange bureaux, but this can be very difficult in small towns.

Some Hotels will also change money.

How much should I take?

• Please bring lightweight walking shoes or sandals, and a day sac. Pack essentially for hot conditions: days are hot and humid. Lightweight rain gear is essential at all times.
• Because of limited luggage space on transport, we must limit each passenger to ONE main suitcase or frameless backpack and one day bag. Your main bag must not weigh more than 20 kg’s.
• A frameless or internally framed backpack is the best way to carry your belongings since it is easy to lift on and off vehicles.
• A small daypack is practical for keeping general items (e.g. camera, books, wallets etc.) at hand when your main pack is out of reach. It is also handy for day trips and excursions. We also recommend that you keep your passport, credit cards travellers checks etc. on you at all times, preferably in a money belt worn under your clothes.

TRAVEL TIP: You might be tempted to buy a few souvenirs here and there, so leave a little room for those extra purchases!!

Please remember, we are guests in the countries through which we travel and we may sometimes inadvertently cause offence by taking photographs without first asking permission.

It is absolutely forbidden by law to take photos at any borders, as they are all active military installation

We have put a lot of thought and effort into locating the most appropriate type of accommodation for each tour. It will always be clean, comfortable and of a very high standard. All accommodation is in comfortable tourist class accommodation. Depending on the tour, this ranges from overnight sleeper train or cruise boat through to delightful lodges and excellent hotels (generally 3 star or above).

If you wish to spend a few additional days in your start city before the departure of your tour, then we can arrange accommodation for you. If you would like to book accommodation to stay additional nights after the tour ends, we will be more than happy to arrange this for you as well. All our accommodation is carefully chosen, conveniently located, clean and comfortable.

In most of the hotels in Asia you may be required to deposit your passport at Reception. This is a perfectly normal practice and nothing to be concerned about. Just make sure that you retrieve it when you check out of the hotel.

Tipping is expected and accepted in India, as salaries are generally low and any gratuities for good service will be gratefully accepted.

NOTE: We recommend participation in a Tip Kitty for the duration of the tour. For this we suggest an amount of: Rupees 1625 per person, and an additional amount (Rp1500 pp approximately) for the Tour Leader. The kitty will cover tips for local guides, drivers and porters mainly. The tip kitty is monitored during the tour and detailed in a tip kitty report form for the tour leader to record all tipping expenses for the tour - and they will ask a passenger to sign as reference.

Please note that you may tip individually for services if you prefer, but most of our clients have found the tip kitty system to be the easiest way to manage tipping. 

Bargaining is the rule in markets.

Under no circumstances are any illegal drugs allowed on any part of the trip. Anyone discovered in possession of any such drugs, will be asked to leave the tour immediately without question or refund.

Tour Questionnaire - We would like to hear about your experiences on tour. One week after your tour ends you will automatically receive a feedback questionnaire via email. If we do not have your email address you can still complete a questionnaire by visiting www.kumuka.com/feedback

Email - If you have any specific comments about your tour then please write to us by email to operations@kumuka.com