Adventure AsiaAI-assisted
India19 days

Rajasthan: Forts, Palaces & Desert — 19 Days

Delhi to Jaisalmer via Taj Mahal, tiger habitat, and Shekhawati havelis

This 19-day route traces Rajasthan's principal monuments and regional capitals, moving across the state's layered geography from the Mughal landmarks of Agra through wildlife habitat at Ranthambhore, into the fortified cities of Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer, and concluding among the painted havelis of Mandawa. The itinerary pairs architectural heritage—Red Fort, Amber Fort, Mehrangarh Fort, the Taj Mahal—with active experience: jungle safaris, camel rides across the Thar Desert, temple visits, and boat excursions on the lakes of Udaipur. Mount Abu, the state's hill station, offers a climatic break at mid-journey. Throughout, travel is by private vehicle with English-speaking guides and accommodation in selected hotels. The route is designed for travellers interested in Indian military and civic architecture, regional art traditions, and desert and forest ecology.

Highlights

  • Taj Mahal and Agra Fort in Agra
  • Tiger and wildlife safari at Ranthambhore National Park
  • Amber Fort and Hawa Mahal in Jaipur
  • Brahma Temple and Pushkar Lake pilgrimage site
  • City Palace and Lake Pichola sunset boat ride in Udaipur
  • Dilwara Temples at Mount Abu
  • Mehrangarh Fort overlooking Jodhpur
  • Jaisalmer Fort and camel safari at Sam Sand Dunes
  • Patwon Ki Haveli and Gadisar Lake in Jaisalmer
  • Junagarh Fort in Bikaner
  • Fresco-painted havelis of Mandawa village

Day by day

1Arrival in DelhiDelhi International Airport · the hotel
Arrival at Delhi International Airport and transfer by private vehicle to the hotel. The remainder of the day is unscheduled.
2Delhi: Mughal and Colonial LandmarksJama Masjid · Raj Ghat · Chandni Chowk · India Gate · Humayun's Tomb · Qutub Minar · Parliament House · President's House
Guided tour of central Delhi, including Jama Masjid, Raj Ghat, a rickshaw ride through the market district of Chandni Chowk, India Gate, Humayun's Tomb, and Qutub Minar. The tour also passes Parliament House and President's House by vehicle.
3Delhi to Agra: Taj Mahal and Agra FortDelhi to Agra · Taj Mahal · Agra Fort · tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah
Drive to Agra, approximately 200 kilometres south. Visit the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah. Evening at leisure.
4Agra to Ranthambhore: Via Fatehpur SikriRanthambhore · Fatehpur Sikri · wildlife resort adjacent to the national park
Drive to Ranthambhore, approximately 265 kilometres southeast, with a stop at Fatehpur Sikri, the sixteenth-century capital of the Mughal emperor Akbar. Check-in at a wildlife resort adjacent to the national park.
5Ranthambhore National Park: Tiger and Wildlife SafariRanthambhore National Park · the resort
Morning and afternoon wildlife safaris within Ranthambhore National Park, known for its tiger population and diverse fauna. Overnight at the resort.
6Ranthambhore to JaipurRanthambhore to Jaipur
Drive to Jaipur, approximately 180 kilometres west. Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan, is historically known as the Pink City for the terracotta color of many of its buildings.
7Jaipur: Forts, Palaces & MarketsAmber Fort · Hawa Mahal (the Palace of Winds) · City Palace · Jantar Mantar · Jaipur's markets
Guided tour of Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal (the Palace of Winds), City Palace, and Jantar Mantar, an eighteenth-century astronomical observation site. Includes time in Jaipur's markets. Optional cultural dinner available in the evening.
8Jaipur to Pushkar: Sacred Lake & Brahma TempleJaipur to Pushkar · Brahma Temple · Pushkar Lake
Drive to Pushkar, approximately 145 kilometres southwest. The town is centered on Pushkar Lake, a significant pilgrimage site in Hindu tradition, and contains the Brahma Temple, one of few temples in India dedicated to the deity Brahma.
9Pushkar to Udaipur: Rural RajasthanPushkar to Udaipur
Drive to Udaipur, approximately 280 kilometres south, through rural villages and agricultural areas of southern Rajasthan. Udaipur is known as the City of Lakes and sits on the eastern shore of Lake Pichola.
10Udaipur: Palace, Temple & LakeCity Palace · Jagdish Temple · Saheliyon ki Bari · Lake Pichola
Visit City Palace, Jagdish Temple, and Saheliyon ki Bari (Garden of the Maidens). Include a sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola.
11Udaipur to Mount Abu: Hill StationUdaipur to Mount Abu · Nakki Lake
Drive to Mount Abu, approximately 165 kilometres south, Rajasthan's only hill station. Visit Nakki Lake on arrival.
12Mount Abu: Dilwara Temples & Sunset PointDilwara Temples · Sunset Point
Visit the Dilwara Temples, eleventh-century Jain temples known for their marble interior carvings, and visit Sunset Point. Day is structured as a relaxed exploration of the hill station and local markets.
13Mount Abu to Jodhpur: The Blue CityThar Desert · Mehrangarh Fort · Jaswant Thada
Drive to Jodhpur, approximately 270 kilometres north across the Thar Desert. Jodhpur is known for the blue pigment used on many buildings. Visit Mehrangarh Fort, which overlooks the city, and Jaswant Thada, a cenotaph.
14Jodhpur to Jaisalmer: Desert CrossingJaisalmer · Thar Desert
Drive across the Thar Desert to Jaisalmer, approximately 280 kilometres west. Jaisalmer is a walled city and former trading post on ancient caravan routes.
15Jaisalmer: Fort, Havelis & Desert SafariJaisalmer Fort · Patwon Ki Haveli · Gadisar Lake · Sam Sand Dunes
Visit Jaisalmer Fort, the central walled structure built in the twelfth century, Patwon Ki Haveli, a carved merchant mansion, and Gadisar Lake. In the evening, a camel safari travels to Sam Sand Dunes for a cultural performance, with overnight accommodation either in a desert camp or back in Jaisalmer.
16Jaisalmer to Bikaner: Royal FortBikaner · Junagarh Fort · old city bazaars · Karni Mata Temple in Deshnok
Drive to Bikaner, approximately 330 kilometres northeast. Visit Junagarh Fort and the old city bazaars. The Karni Mata Temple in Deshnok is an optional excursion.
17Bikaner to Mandawa: Shekhawati HavelisBikaner to Mandawa · Mandawa
Drive to Mandawa, approximately 190 kilometres east, in the Shekhawati region. The village is known for its painted havelis, traditional mansions decorated with fresco art and narrative wall paintings dating from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
18Mandawa to Delhi: Return JourneyMandawa to Delhi · Delhi
Drive back to Delhi, approximately 250 kilometres. Evening is unscheduled, with time for personal activities or shopping in the city.
19Departure from DelhiDelhi International Airport
After breakfast, transfer to Delhi International Airport for your onward journey, carrying memories of royal India with you.

Where you go

Map: Rajasthan: Forts, Palaces & Desert — 19 Days route
Numbers follow the itinerary order. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap
  1. 1Delhi International Airport
  2. 2Taj Mahal
  3. 3Agra Fort
  4. 4Fatehpur Sikri
  5. 5Amber Fort
  6. 6City Palace
  7. 7Jantar Mantar
  8. 8Brahma Temple
  9. 9City Palace
  10. 10Jagdish Temple
  11. 11Saheliyon Ki Bari
  12. 12Lake Pichola
  13. 13Thar Desert
  14. 14Mehrangarh Fort
  15. 15Jaswant Thada
  16. 16Jaisalmer
  17. 17Thar Desert
  18. 18Jaisalmer Fort
  19. 19Sam Sand Dunes
  20. 20Bikaner
  21. 21Junagarh Fort
  22. 22Delhi
  23. 23Delhi International Airport

Included

  • Mineral Water Bottles
  • Lunch at 5 Star Hotel.
  • Preferred Accommodations as Per Package.
  • Air Condition Vehicle for All Airport Transfers, Tours and Intercity Travel as Per Itinerary.
  • Private English-Speaking Guide,Approved by Ministry of Tourism (Other language guides also available upon request).
  • Daily Breakfast at hotel.
  • Toll Taxes, Parking, Driver Allowance, Fuel and all applicable taxes.
  • Assistance by a dedicated tour manager and associates throughout the tour. .
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