Into the Thar
Experience the simple charms and traditional Indian hospitality of a charming desert hamlet and enjoy a camel trek and night among the dunes. Discover Rajasthan’s incredible heritage.
This experience runs in winter, spring, and autumn
Experience the simple charms and traditional Indian hospitality of a charming desert hamlet and enjoy a camel trek and night among the dunes. Discover Rajasthan’s incredible heritage.
This experience runs in winter, spring, and autumn
From vibrant cities to undulating dunes, this unique holiday captures the richness of Rajasthan. Experience the simple charms and traditional Indian hospitality of a charming desert hamlet and enjoy a camel trek and night among the dunes. Immerse yourself in life in the Thar desert and discover time-honored traditions. Visit the Taj Mahal and India’s great cities.
We look after you from the moment of your arrival at Delhi airport. Your holiday includes overnight rail journeys and transfers to the desert, accommodation in the village jhumpa guesthouses and in the cities, with all meals provided during your stay with the communities. Please feel free to tailor your holiday to your exact requirements.
Arrive Delhi, overnight Delhi guesthouse. There is so much to see in Delhi; choose to visit Humayan’s Tomb, the Lotus Temple or Akshardham, explore the Red Fort or shop in Dilli Haat.
Enjoy a day in Delhi before an evening transfer to Old Delhi station to catch the overnight Mandor Express train to Jodhpur.
Spend a full day in the dazzling Blue City of Jodhpur. Explore old palaces and a magnificent hill fort. Spend a night in a gorgeous restored haveli with a view.
After breakfast, a 2 hour road transfer will transport you from the busy city to the great Thar desert and the hamlet of Hacra. Stay in twin-bedded jhumpa cottages, with a separate shower and toilet building.
During your stay in Hacra you will get to know the community, have guided village walks, see the traditional crafts of shoe-making and rug-making, watch the watermelon harvest and enjoy local folk music, and relax in the evening warmth as blackbuck and peacock emerge from the undergrowth. Take a day trip to the nearby town of Osiyan to see the remarkable cluster of Jain temples. Enjoy a camel safari and walk (10-12 km) to the sand dunes, taking a picnic lunch, and spend a night in the tented camp among the dunes, under a blanket of stars.
Return to Jodhpur by road to catch the evening train from Jodhpur to Jaipur, Rajasthan’s capital. Stay overnight at a beautiful Jaipur hotel.
Take the full day to explore Jaipur. Visit the Hawa Mahal palace and the Janta Mantar Royal Observatory; look down over the city from the grand Amber Fort.
From Jaipur, a day train takes you to Agra. Discover the majesty of the Taj Mahal, a dazzling white marble mausoleum built in memory of the wife of Shah Jahan, Mumtaz Mahal.
Return to Delhi by train and stay overnight in one of our carefully selected boutique guesthouses.
Dates
Party of 2/3
Party of 4+
Winter
1 Jan 2027 – 28 Feb 2027
Prices coming soon
Prices coming soon
Spring
1 Mar 2027 – 31 Mar 2027
Prices coming soon
Prices coming soon
Autumn
15 Oct 2026 – 26 Feb 2027
£1,889
£1,359
*All prices are per guest. Prices vary by season and reduce with larger group sizes due to shared logistics and accommodation.
Winter
1 Jan 2027 – 28 Feb 2027
Party of 2–3: Prices coming soon
Party of 4+: Prices coming soon
Spring
1 Mar 2027 – 31 Mar 2027
Party of 2–3: Prices coming soon
Party of 4+: Prices coming soon
Autumn
15 Oct 2026 – 30 Nov 2026
Party of 2–3: £1,889
Party of 4+: £1,359
In Delhi, guests will stay in charming boutique accommodations that reflect the city’s mix of heritage and modernity. Nestled in quiet, leafy neighborhoods, these stays offer a peaceful retreat from the capital’s bustle while keeping you close to its historic and cultural landmarks. Each property is thoughtfully designed—with elegant, old-world architecture, warm hospitality, and home-cooked meals that give a taste of Delhi’s rich culinary traditions. Whether in a restored colonial bungalow or a cozy family-run guesthouse, guests will experience the comfort and character of authentic Delhi living.
You stay in one of three, twin-bedded, thatched ‘jhumpa’ roundhouses, owned and managed by the community of Hacra. You eat, in the shaded dining area, simple and delicious vegetarian dishes lovingly prepared by the villagers. Relax and watch black buck, gazelle and peacock wander through the village without concern.
Our select haveli is a charming heritage guesthouse in the heart of Jodhpur, overlooking the serene Gulab Sagar Lake with stunning views of the Mehrangarh Fort. Once a 19th-century noble family residence, it has been restored into a boutique inn that blends traditional Rajasthani architecture with warm hospitality. The haveli’s intricately carved balconies, courtyards, and antique furnishings create an old-world atmosphere, while its rooftop restaurant offers one of the best vantage points in the city. Centrally located near the bustling Sardar Market and Clock Tower, this is a peaceful yet convenient base for exploring Jodhpur’s blue lanes and vibrant culture.
Umaid Bhawan in Jaipur is a beautiful heritage hotel that captures the grandeur of Rajasthan’s royal past. Set within a restored palace, it features elegant domes, ornate frescoes, and intricately carved archways that reflect traditional Rajput architecture. The rooms are spacious and richly furnished, offering a blend of vintage charm and modern comfort. Guests can relax in lush courtyards, enjoy authentic Rajasthani cuisine, and experience the warm hospitality that Jaipur is known for. Conveniently located close to the city’s major attractions, Umaid Bhawan offers a regal yet homely stay in the Pink City.
The suggested itinerary can be extended if you wish to spend more time exploring Rajasthan, or shortened if your time in India is limited. Our knowledgeable staff will be delighted to help fashion the holiday to suit you.
We ask our guests to make their own arrangements for international travel to India. For Village Ways holidays in Rajasthan, the nearest airport is Delhi.
We look after you from the moment of your arrival at Delhi airport. Your holiday includes overnight rail journeys and transfers to the desert, accommodation in the village jhumpa guesthouses and in the cities, with all meals provided during your stay with the communities. In the city and during transfers, meals are at your own local charge. We have devised each of our holidays to provide a good balance between activity and relaxation; please feel free to tailor your holiday to your exact requirements.
This is one of the major cities of northern Rajasthan, formerly the centre of a princely state. The city has much to offer in terms of old palaces, the magnificent hill fort, and shopping, especially in the bustling bazaar in the old town. Add extra nights here to allow yourself time to fully explore this vibrant city.
Experience 2 nights in Jaisalmer under the stars at our tented camp.
The small village of Keechen lies some 60 km to the northwest of Hacra, near Phalodi, accessed by road. For over 150 years, the villagers of Keechen traditionally feed the handsome Demoiselle Cranes (kurja), which migrate through the area between October and March, creating an unofficial bird sanctuary but is supported by several international bird conservation organisations. A visit to Keechan can be arranged on your return journey.
Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan, hosting some incredible architecture and seeped in history. Not to be missed are the Jantar Mantar observatory and the renowned Amber Fort. Add a visit here to complete the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur.
For many guests, a visit to India would not be complete without a visit to the Taj Mahal, regarded by many as one of the wonders of the world. Whether you wish to make a day trip by train, enjoy an overnight stay with time to explore more of Agra, or whether you wish to be transferred by car, we can arrange a visit to suit you.
We look after you from the moment of your arrival at Delhi airport. Your holiday includes overnight rail journeys and transfers to the desert, accommodation in the village jhumpa guesthouses and in the cities, with all meals provided during your stay with the communities. Please feel free to tailor your holiday to your exact requirements.
We look after you from the moment of your arrival at Delhi airport. Your holiday includes overnight rail journeys and transfers to the desert, accommodation in the village jhumpa guesthouses and in the cities, with all meals provided during your stay with the communities. Please feel free to tailor your holiday to your exact requirements.
Arrive Delhi, overnight Delhi guesthouse. There is so much to see in Delhi; choose to visit Humayan’s Tomb, the Lotus Temple or Akshardham, explore the Red Fort or shop in Dilli Haat.
Enjoy a day in Delhi before an evening transfer to Old Delhi station to catch the overnight Mandor Express train to Jodhpur.
Spend a full day in the dazzling Blue City of Jodhpur. Explore old palaces and a magnificent hill fort. Spend a night in a comfortable, small hotel converted from an ancient Haveli.
After breakfast, a 2 hour road transfer will transport you from the busy city to the great Thar desert and the hamlet of Hacra. Stay in twin-bedded jhumpa cottages, with a separate shower and toilet building.
During your stay in Hacra you will get to know the community, have guided village walks, see the traditional crafts of shoe-making and rug-making, watch the watermelon harvest and enjoy local folk music, and relax in the evening warmth as blackbuck and peacock emerge from the undergrowth. Take a day trip to the nearby town of Osiyan to see the remarkable cluster of Jain temples. Enjoy a camel safari and walk (10-12 km) to the sand dunes, taking a picnic lunch, and spend a night in the tented camp among the dunes.
Return to Jodhpur by road to catch the evening train from Jodhpur to Jaipur, Rajasthan’s capital. Overnight Jaipur hotel.
Full day to explore the pink city of Jaipur. Take in the Hawa Mahal palace and the Janta Mantar royal observatory; look down over the city from the grand Amber Fort.
From Jaipur, a day train takes you to Agra. Discover the majesty of the Taj Mahal, a dazzling white marble mausoleum built in memory of the wife of Shah Jahan.
Return to Delhi by train, overnight stay in Delhi.
Your stay in Hacra is book-ended with stays in some of India’s most vibrant cities. Visit the magical ‘Blue City’ of Jodhpur, the gateway to the Thar Desert. Look down from the magnificent Amber Fort over the painted houses and bustling bazaars, explore the city and stay in a friendly Haveli guesthouse.
This holiday offers a rare insight into life in the desert, which is simple yet surprisingly diverse. Sweeping dunes, scattered houses, camels, peacocks and gazelles await, as well as a warm welcome from a community of musicians, shoemakers, craftsmen, weavers and farmers all keen to introduce you to their time-honoured customs and traditions.
You stay in one of three, twin-bedded, thatched ‘jhumpa’ roundhouses, owned and managed by the community of Hacra. You eat, in the shaded dining area, simple and delicious vegetarian dishes lovingly prepared by the villagers. Relax and watch black buck, gazelle and peacock wander through the village without concern.
With four nights here, you have time to get to know your hosts well. Meet farmers herding goats and cows or repairing camel saddles, help with the watermelon harvest, discover the local music and watch as blackbuck saunter between the farmsteads. Enjoy local walks through the neighbouring hamlets in the cool morninngs and relax in the warmth of the afternoon and enjoy the gentle village scene. Enjoy a day trip to the nearby town of Osiyan to see the renowned Jain temples.
The highlight of your stay is a camel journey into the desert dunes spending a night under canvas beneath the desert sky. The camel safari provides a gentle excursion through the scattered villages towards the main sand dunes, stopping for a leisurely picnic lunch. Sit out under the night sky with a myriad of bright stars – far from any light pollution.
The Golden Triangle – Delhi, Jaipur and Agra – is on the to-do list of most people visiting India, and with good reason. Discover the fascinating architecture of these three cities, visit palaces and temples, and find out what makes the wonder of the world, the Taj Mahal, so special.
We ask our guests to make their own arrangements for international travel to India. For Village Ways holidays in Rajasthan, the nearest airport is Delhi.
15/10/2024-28/02/2025
£1,739
£1,232
01/03/2025-31/03/2025
£1,619
£1,145
15/10/2025-29/12/2025
£1,889
£1,334