ROYAL RAJASTHAN 2026

CLASSIC TOURING RALLY

February 28th to March 19th, 2026

The Royal Rajasthan Rally roars away from Delhi for a fantastic drive through the colourful and historic state of Rajasthan – home of Maharajas, monuments and majesty. The 20-day event includes the ultimate luxury combined with adventure and game park safaris on the tail of tigers and leopards.

The route has been carved out of our unrivalled experience of India where we have driven the byways for more than 25 years looking for the best places and hotels to visit – as well as getting to know Maharajas. We have put together a memorable route which explores this wonderful state where there is a photo opportunity on virtually every corner.

On arrival in Delhi you will be transported to your luxury hotel on the outskirts of this immense city. From here we will offer sightseeing tours to get you in the mood with this unique culture.

Your car will be waiting for you if you have shipped it, or If you are hiring a car you will be introduced to your modern 4×4 with a blessing from a holy man and then we depart for an exquisite adventure. The first stop will be Jaipur after your first exciting drive on the roads of India. In Jaipur, the pink city, we enjoy Holi, the festival of colours as well as have the opportunity to explore the bazaars and monuments, including the incredible Janta Mantar – a historic construction combining Astronomy and Astrology!

After three nights in five star luxury at Rambagh Palace in Jaipur we head to Ranthambore and a tiger hunt! Not literally, but with our cameras. Staying at the exotic Taj Sawai we have several opportunities for game drives into the national park.

From here we head towards Udaipur, but its more than a day’s drive so we break at Bundi where Rudyard Kipling got his inspiration for the Jungle Book.

The next day we are in Udaipur, the town on a lake which even starred in a James Bond film, Octopussy. We may even get a reception with the Maharana of Udaipur – the most senior of all the Maharajas.

From Udaipur we stop in Narlai where we look for another big cat – this time the Leopard. Here also is one of the finest step wells in Rajasthan where we will have a
romantic dinner under the stars.

Next up is the blue city of  Jodhpur and the magnificence of the Umaid Bhawan Palace, home to the Maharaja of Jodhpur

and a car lover himself, having a modest collection in the Palace. The Umaid Bhawan was built from 1929 to 1943 by the Maharajah of Jodhpur to give work to his people during a famine. It has 347 rooms and includes a dome to rival St Paul’s Cathedral in London. In Jodhpur we visit the Mehrangarh Fort with one of the finest displays of Rajasthani culture and artefacts. Not to be missed.

You can’t visit Rajasthan without seeing the great Thar Desert. For centuries Jaisalmer was one of the most important trading towns on the east west spice route. Since the partition of India in 1947 it has been on the front line of India-Pakistan politics, but nowadays is a peaceful and a popular destination. Amongst the great things to do in Jaisalmer we take a camel ride to watch the sunset over the dunes.

Heading back towards Delhi we stop at Nagaur, once a vital strategic crossing centre in Rajasthan and home to a magnificent fort inside the city walls. A tranquil oasis in a busy town – aren’t they all?

Our final stop in Rajasthan is at Mandawa, dubbed India’s Open Air Museum due to its wonderful Havelis. A tour of the town is included to catch the faded magnificence of a once bustling trading town.

Then we are back to Delhi to the Imperial Hotel. For those who have not experienced the Taj Mahal we offer a two day additional excursion so you can see this monument to love at dusk and dawn.

DRIVING IN INDIA
While negotiating the usual lorries and buses you need to keep a sharp eye out for camels, bullock carts, cyclists, Tuk-tuks, pedestrians, motorcycles and even elephants! It’s street life, but not as you know it!.

NEVER A DULL MOMENT
With the aim of providing time to enjoy the countryside, people and history, the rally has ample rest days to accommodate a series of superb activities such as tours of the historic sights of Delhi and other cities, time to walk the Open Air Museum that is Mandawa, a camel ride and dinner under the desert stars in Jaisalmer, a visit to the historic Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur and much more.

UDAIPUR
From Udaipur, the City of Lakes, you can visit the ‘Great Wall of India’, take a boat trip on Lake Pichola from your exotic Leela Palace Hotel, or visit the Crystal Gallery in the City Palace, or even inspect the classic car collection of the Maharana of Udaipur.

ROUTE MAP