India12 days
Rajasthan: Forts, Palaces & Desert Cities — 12 Days
Delhi to Jaipur via Shekawati, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Bundi — a circuit of medieval fortifications, merchant havelis, and desert landscapes
This 12-day circuit moves through eight of Rajasthan's principal cities, linking hilltop forts, walled palace complexes, and historic trading towns. The itinerary begins in Delhi, then travels to the Shekawati region — known for painted havelis constructed by merchants — before reaching the desert settlements of Bikaner and Jaisalmer. The route then turns south and east through Jodhpur, Kumbhalgarh, and Udaipur, concluding in the fort city of Bundi and the planned grid of Jaipur. Along the way, travellers visit Junagarh Fort (15th century), Mehrangarh Fort, Kumbhalgarh (whose fortification wall ranks among the world's longest), and Jaisalmer Fort—the only fort in India with inhabited structures inside its walls. The journey includes camel and desert safari, temple visits, heritage hotel stays, and guided walking through old bazaars and step wells.
Highlights
- Nawalgarh haveli district in Shekawati — painted merchant mansions featuring religious, historical, and folk motifs
- Junagarh Fort in Bikaner — 15th-century fortification and working camel research and breeding farm
- Jaisalmer Fort (Sonar Fort) — inhabited medieval citadel with residential quarters and galleries inside the walls
- Camel safari and sunset at Sam Sand Dunes in the Thar Desert
- Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur — hilltop fortification overlooking the walled city
- Kumbhalgarh Fort and its second-longest wall fortification in the world
- Lake Pichhola boat journey in Udaipur
- Taragarh Fort and Bundi Palace — fort complex with named chambers including Chhattar Mahal and Chitrashala
- City Palace Complex, Jantar Mantar Observatory (UNESCO World Heritage site), and Amber Fort in Jaipur
Day by day
1Arrival in DelhiDelhi's international airport · hotel
Arrival at Delhi's international airport and transfer to hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is unscheduled.
2Shekawati: Nawalgarh and the Painted HavelisNawalgarh · Delhi · Nawalgarh Fort · Poddar Haveli Museum · Khendelwal Haveli · Moraka Haveli · Ghair Ka Mandir · Mandawa · Hanuman Prasad Goenka Haveli
Morning departure from Delhi to Nawalgarh in the Shekawati region. This district developed as a trading and banking centre, with wealthy merchants constructing large havelis and commissioning frescoes depicting religious, historical, social, and folk narratives. Check-in at a heritage hotel. The sightseeing tour includes Nawalgarh Fort, Poddar Haveli Museum, Khendelwal Haveli, Moraka Haveli, and Ghair Ka Mandir. The region functions as an open-air gallery of hundreds of havelis with painted walls and carved doors and window screens. Optional excursions to nearby Mandawa and Mukundgarh visit some of the oldest preserved Shekhavati paintings, including Hanuman Prasad Goenka Haveli, Goenka Haveli, and Jhunjhunwala Haveli.
3Bikaner: Junagarh Fort and the Thar DesertBikaner · Junagarh Fort · heritage hotel · city's camel research and breeding farm
Morning drive south toward the Thar Desert to Bikaner. Check-in at heritage hotel. Afternoon visit to Junagarh Fort, a 15th-century structure, and the city's camel research and breeding farm. Overnight at hotel.
4Jaisalmer: The Golden City and Desert SafariJaisalmer · Rat Temple · Sam Sand Dunes
Morning visit to the Rat Temple before continuing to Jaisalmer, known as the Golden City. Check-in and brief rest. Evening transfer to Sam Sand Dunes for a camel safari, concluding with sunset observation from the desert. Overnight at hotel.
5Jaisalmer: Fort and HavelisJaisalmer Fort · Patwon ki Haveli · Nathmal Ji ki Haveli
Full-day sightseeing tour of Jaisalmer Fort (also called Sonar Fort), the only inhabited fort in India, where residential structures occupy the interior. Walking inside the fort provides views of local life and domestic architecture. Afternoon visits to Patwon ki Haveli and Nathmal Ji ki Haveli, both multi-storied merchant residences. Overnight at hotel.
6Jodhpur: Mehrangarh Fort and the Sun CityJodhpur · Mehrangarh Fort · heritage hotel · Jaswant Thada
Morning transfer to Jodhpur, known as the Sun City. Check-in at heritage hotel. Afternoon sightseeing includes Mehrangarh Fort, a large hilltop fortification overlooking the walled city, and Jaswant Thada, a marble cenotaph. Overnight at hotel.
7Kumbhalgarh Fort and UdaipurKumbhalgarh Fort · Udaipur · Lake Pichhola
Morning visit to Kumbhalgarh Fort, one of the world's largest, whose fortification wall — the second longest after the Great Wall of China — stretches across the Aravalli ridge. Transfer to Udaipur. Evening boat journey across Lake Pichhola. Overnight at hotel.
8Udaipur: City Palace, Museum, and GardensCity Palace Complex · Shilpgram · Saheliyon ki Bari · Bharatiya Lok Kala Museum
Guided sightseeing tour covering City Palace Complex, Shilpgram, and Saheliyon ki Bari. Visit to Bharatiya Lok Kala Museum, a collection of local folk arts including traditional dress, headwear, dolls, masks, musical instruments, paintings, and puppets. Overnight at hotel.
9Bundi: Fort, Palace, and Step WellsBundi · step wells · heritage hotel · Taragarh Fort · Bundi Palace complex · 84-pillared cenotaph · town's bazaars
Morning drive to Bundi, a fort city of historic significance. Check-in at heritage hotel. Sightseeing includes Taragarh Fort and Bundi Palace complex, with named chambers such as Chhattar Mahal, Ratan Daulat, Sukh Mahal, Phool Sagar, and Chitrashala. Visit to multiple step wells and an 84-pillared cenotaph. Evening stroll through the town's bazaars. Overnight at hotel.
10Jaipur: The Pink CityJaipur · hotel · bazaars of the old walled city
Morning drive to Jaipur, the planned capital. Check-in at hotel. Evening open for walking through the colorful bazaars of the old walled city.
11Jaipur: City Palace, Jantar Mantar, and Amber FortAmber Fort · City Palace Complex · Jantar Mantar Observatory · Chokhi Dhani
Guided sightseeing tour of Jaipur's City Palace Complex, Jantar Mantar Observatory (a UNESCO World Heritage site), and Amber Fort on the city's outskirts. Optional visit to Chokhi Dhani, a rural heritage village, in the evening, where regional Rajasthani cuisine is served and additional activities (camel rides, bullock cart rides, elephant rides) are available at additional cost. Overnight at hotel.
12Departure from DelhiDelhi International Airport
After checking out from your hotel at the appropriate time, you'll be transferred directly to Delhi International Airport for your flight home, concluding your tour.
Where you go
- 1hotel
- 2Nawalgarh
- 3Delhi
- 4Bikaner
- 5Junagarh Fort
- 6Jaisalmer
- 7Sam Sand Dunes
- 8Jaisalmer Fort
- 9Jodhpur
- 10Mehrangarh Fort
- 11Jaswant Thada
- 12Udaipur
- 13Saheliyon Ki Bari
- 14Bundi
- 15Jaipur
- 16hotel
- 17Amber Fort
- 18Delhi International Airport