We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
Places visited and routes may vary depending on local road and weather conditions.Due to the rural nature of the trip some of the roads may be poorly maintained with some slow and bumpy journeys to be expected. Our night under canvas will be basic with simple two man tents and mattresses provided and limited washing facilities.
Local Costs
| |
UK |
India |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
£1.00 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
£0.80 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
£1.50 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
£2.50 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
£6.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
£8.00 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
|
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
|
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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Visa Requirements
All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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Single entry visas are required by UK, AUS, NZ, USA, CAN citizens – other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
Indian Visa: It is no longer possible to obtain an Indian visa directly from the Indian Embassy. You must either apply for a visa through your travel agent or through the Explore Visa Service. Alternatively, you can go through to VFS global http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk (the company who the Embassy has outsourced its visa service to) online, by post or at the centre after prior appointment. If you are applying through visa swift then please do not pay for your visa through the on line Indian application, please send your payment into Visa swift so that they can submit the payment to the Visa Centre when they take your passport.
You must hold a valid passport to enter India. Your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the date you
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For this tour we recomend that you bring 2 passport photos with you to speed up the permit process in Bhuj.
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Vaccinations & Protection
Nothing compulsory but we recommend protection against malaria, tetanus, typhoid, infectious hepatitis and polio. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. You may wish to immunise against meningitis.
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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
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Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Preparing for your tour
Climate
There is considerable variation between the different regions of India but, in general, the climate is tropical. Summer temperatures on the plains are very hot, but cooled by the South-West Monsoon, which lasts from June- Sept. Winter in Rajasthan and Gujurat is characterised by clear warm days and cooler evenings, other than midwinter (Dec to mid Feb) when temperatures can be cold and very occasionally drop to freezing.
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Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
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Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
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Luggage
Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
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One main piece of baggage and daypack. Total allowance: 44lb/20kg. Remember you are expected to carry your own luggage so don't overload yourself.
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Trek Kit Bag
For an exclusively designed Explore Trek Bag, follow the relevant link at www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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Clothing
Pack as for ‘All Tours’ plus ‘Hot Conditions’. In general only lightweight clothing is needed during the day, but bring a warm sweater for early mornings, our safari in the Little Rann of Kutch and during winter evenings Nov to mid March, (esp. Dec/Jan) when a windproof jacket and several warm layers are also recommended. Hotel heating arrangements are not on a par with UK standards and from December to February thermals can be useful. Local people may be offended by the more revealing western styles of dress. Brief shorts tight fitting clothing etc. should be avoided by both men and women.
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Footwear
Comfortable shoes & sandals
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Equipment
Tents, mattresses and blankets are provided for our overnight camp in Kutch but you will need to bring either a lightweight 2-season sleeping bag or sleeping sheet.A torch, water bottle, good quality sunglasses, insect repellent and high factor sunscreen are all essential. You may also find binoculars a bonus for the game viewing in Little Rann and bird watching in Dungapur.
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Personal First Aid Kit
For an exclusively designed Explore Medical Kit, visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
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General Information
Trip Summary
This fascinating journey takes us through the colourful desert state of Rajasthan, home to the Maharajahs of old, and into the remote tribal homelands of the Kutch in Eastern Gujarat, on an odyssey of discovery that encapsulates the very essence of this remarkable land.Beginning in Delhi, we have an opportunity to explore something of vibrant Old Delhi before we journey by train to Rajasthan and the delightful village of Pachewar where we stay in a renovated Rajput fortress. We will then take some time to explore the surrounding villages on foot and by cart, perhaps taking an opportunity to try out some local cookery lessons and enjoy a traditional cultural experience, before continuing on to the holy city of Pushkar. One of the most revered Hindu and Brahmin pilgrimage sites in India Pushkar presents us with a fascinating insight into the complex religious devotions of India, before continuing our journey through the village landscapes of Chandelao, Badrajun and Jojawar. Our route takes us via the imposing fortress at Jodphur and the exquisite Jain temples at Ranakpur and onto the city of Udaipur, home to some of the most spectacular Rajput architecture in the entire region. Amidst this city of lakes we have an opportunity to discover the sumptuous City Palace and cruise the tranquil waters of Lake Pichola, before heading into the Aravalli Hills. Crossing the border into neighbouring Gujarat we then head for Dasada on the extreme edge of the Little Rann, our gateway into the tribal lands of the Kutch. Over the next three days we explore this remote landscape, searching out Asiatic wild ass, and discovering a rich cultural diversity. Spending one of our nights out under the stars affords us a chance to experience life in the villages of the colourful Banni people: seeing something of their exceptional heritage and witnessing the skills of their weavers, before a final train journey brings us to the city of Ahmedabad and journey’s end.
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Country info
Area: 3.28 million sq km.
Population: 1.1 billion.
Language: Hindi, Rajasthani, Gujurati and English.
Religion: The majority faiths are Hinduism and Islam.
Local Time: GMT +5.5.
Electric Supply & Plugs: 220v AC 50 Hz. Type C and D plugs.
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Electric Supply & Plugs
For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Maps & Books
Recommended Books: William Dalrymple: The City of Djinns & Age of Kali, Lonely Planet, Rough Guide, Footprint guides on Rajasthan, Royina Grewal: Lonely Planet Journeys: In Rajasthan, Kishore Singh: Rajasthan.
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Toll Free Canada – 1 888 216 3401
This is the North American website
