Detailed Trip Notes
Suitability
Suitability
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.
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Tour Itinerary
Note: Although we have described the above hotels in some detail, it should be noted that night-stops may vary. Where alternative accommodation has to be used EXPLORE will endeavour to provide similar hotels of an equal or higher standard.
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Location of hotels – some of the hotels mentioned are in a less central location than our standard hotels. Very often hotels will provide courtesy transport into the centre of a town or city, but any other optional transport cost will have to be paid for locally.
Rajasthan covers a large area and in order to see everything we’ll have some necessary long drives; see daily itinerary below.
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Please note: the DMGR is made up of a combination of two tours. The MG tour and the DRD tour. the MG tour will be a normal Explore tour and so will have our usual style accommodation. The DRD tour is an In-Style tour and so will have a higher standard of accommodation which is detailed in the tour information below.
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Budgeting for your Tour
Other Sightseeing & Activites
The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
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Excursion Prices
Udaipur - City Palace guided tour £12.00.
Jodhpur - Bishnoi Village Visit £8.00.
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Tipping
Local Staff: In this area, tipping is a recognised part of life. Some hotel and local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. Accordingly, you should allow £25 for days 1-9 of the tour and a separate £25 for days 9-21 of the tour. Your tour leader will account to you for any organised tipping.
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Tour Leader: At your discretion you might also consider tipping your Tour Leader in appreciation of the efficiency and service you receive.
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Foreign Exchange
Local Currency: Indian Rupee.
Recommended Currency for Exchange: US$ or GBP.
Where to Exchange: Major cities - your Tour Leader will advise you on arrival.
ATM Availability: Most stops.
Credit Card Acceptance: Larger shops and hotels.
Travellers Cheques: Major cities only.
Additional Information: Camera and Video Fees: Bear in mind that at some sites there is an additional camera charge. Video filming fees up to £3.00 per site may be payable.
Up-to-date information re:global exchange rates can be obtained at https://www.currencyexpress.com/explore/
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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
Entry visas are required by UK, AUS, NZ, USA, CAN citizens, other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
Please Note: 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 VSO 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. As of July 2009 all Indian visa applications require an additional health card to be filled in when applying for the visa. Please make sure you obtain one of these cards along with your Indian visa application.
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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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Vaccinations & Protection
Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against malaria, typhoid, tetanus, infectious hepatitis and polio. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria.
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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. The very best months to visit Rajasthan are October through to March. At this time there is minimum rainfall, with temperatures around 25°C during the day and 15°C at night. Although please note nights in the desert can be very cold with temperatures occasionally falling below zero in December and January.
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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 (left behind during camel trek) and a smaller bag which will be carried for you, and a daysac. Total allowance: 44lbs/20kgs. During the 2- day Camel Safari, luggage will be transported for you and there is no need to carry anything other than your daysac.
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Clothing
Pack essentialy for 'All Tours' plus 'Hot Conditions'. Bear in mind that between Nov-Mar daytime temperatures are warm and comfortable, but evenings and nights in the desert can be extremely cold and hotels rarely have heating arrangements comparable with the UK. Lightweight clothing plus warmer garments are essential. For the Camel Safari you’ll find that loose fitting shirts and trousers are most comfortable. Also bring a wide brimmed hat. Local people may be offended by 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 and sandals.
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Equipment
Duvets are provided for the Camel Safari but you should bring a silk sleeping bag liner in colder conditions (Dec to Feb). Bring a torch, a water bottle and some suncream (factor 15 or higher). Mattresses, eating and drinking utensils are also provided.
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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
A memorable journey through Rajasthan. We’ll visit the famous desert cities of Jaisalmer and Jodhpur, and organise a 1-day Camel Safari across the wild and undulating landscape of the Thar, the Great Indian Desert, enjoying its starkly arid beauty and experiencing the old desert way of life of village tribes people. Combined with our Moghul highlights tour to include some of the main highlights of Jaipur, Agra and the wildlife park at Bharatpur.
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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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