India19 days
Rajasthan: Forts, Temples & Desert Cities — 19 Days
Delhi to Agra via Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Bikaner, visiting royal palaces, Mughal monuments, and the Thar Desert.
This 19-day itinerary moves through Rajasthan's main heritage centers, beginning in Delhi with the Red Fort and Qutub Minar, then traveling to Jaipur's Amber Fort and City Palace. From there, the route extends south to the temple towns of Ajmer and Pushkar, then west to Udaipur's lakeside palaces and Jodhpur's cliff-top Mehrangarh Fort. The journey continues into the desert: Jaisalmer's golden fort sits at the edge of the Thar, with camel rides available in the Sam Sand Dunes. A short northern loop follows, taking in the palace and wildlife sanctuary at Gajner, the fortified city of Bikaner, and the fresco-painted havelis of Mandawa. The route returns eastward to Bharatpur's Keoladeo National Park, then concludes with sunrise at the Taj Mahal in Agra before the final return to Delhi. Throughout, the itinerary pairs major monuments with less-trafficked regional stops, mixing Mughal architecture, Hindu temples, Jain sanctuaries, and colonial-era forts.
Highlights
- Red Fort and Jama Masjid in Old Delhi, walking the narrow streets of Chandni Chowk
- Amber Fort near Jaipur with views across the city and surrounding hills
- Ajmer Sharif Dargah, a major pilgrimage site, and Pushkar Lake with its Brahma Temple
- Lake Pichola boat ride in Udaipur, passing the City Palace and island temples
- Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur
- Jaisalmer Fort and Sam Sand Dunes camel ride in the western Thar Desert
- Gajner Palace and Wildlife Sanctuary, a former royal hunting reserve
- Junagarh Fort in Bikaner and the Karni Mata Temple in nearby Deshnok
- Mandawa's 18th-century merchant havelis, decorated with frescoes and murals
- Keoladeo National Park near Bharatpur, a UNESCO World Heritage wetland and bird sanctuary
- Taj Mahal at sunrise in Agra, with Agra Fort and Mehtab Bagh viewpoint
Day by day
1Arrival in DelhiDelhi International Airport
Arrival at Delhi International Airport. A tour representative meets travelers at baggage claim and arranges transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure for rest and acclimatization.
2Old and New DelhiRed Fort · Jama Masjid · Raj Ghat · Chandni Chowk · India Gate · Parliament House · Qutub Minar · Humayun's Tomb
A full-day guided tour moves through Delhi's two distinct periods. Old Delhi encompasses the Red Fort (exterior), Jama Masjid, Raj Ghat, and a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk. New Delhi includes India Gate, Parliament House, Qutub Minar, and Humayun's Tomb.
3Delhi to JaipurDelhi to Jaipur · Jaipur
A 280-kilometer drive southwestward leads to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. The city is known as the Pink City. The evening is free for a market visit or rest at the hotel.
4Jaipur: Amber Fort, Palaces, and BazaarsAmber Fort · City Palace · Jantar Mantar · Hawa Mahal · Jaipur's lively bazaars
Visit Amber Fort with optional elephant rides, then visit the City Palace, Jantar Mantar, and Hawa Mahal. Spend time shopping in Jaipur's lively bazaars before overnight stay.
5Jaipur to Pushkar via AjmerAjmer Sharif Dargah · Brahma Temple · Pushkar Lake
A 150-kilometer drive leads to Ajmer, where the Ajmer Sharif Dargah shrine attracts pilgrims from across India. The route then continues to Pushkar, 11 kilometers away, where the Brahma Temple and the ghats of Pushkar Lake form the spiritual center of this small pilgrimage town.
6Pushkar to UdaipurPushkar to Udaipur · Udaipur · hotel in Udaipur
The 280-kilometer drive south crosses the Aravalli Hills, low mountains that run north-south across Rajasthan. Udaipur emerges as a series of lakes ringed by hills. Check-in allows time for settling into the hotel and initial exploration of the city's layout.
7Udaipur: Palaces, Temples, and Lake PicholaLake Pichola · City Palace · Jagdish Temple · Saheliyon Ki Bari
Visit City Palace and Jagdish Temple, visit Saheliyon Ki Bari gardens, then boat across Lake Pichola. Evening free for independent activities.
8Udaipur to Jodhpur via RanakpurUdaipur to Jodhpur · Ranakpur's marble-pillared Jain temples · the blue city
Drive 260 kilometers west, stopping at Ranakpur's marble-pillared Jain temples. Arrive in Jodhpur by late afternoon. Overnight in the blue city.
9Jodhpur: Mehrangarh Fort, Palaces, and MarketMehrangarh Fort · Jaswant Thada · Umaid Bhawan Palace · Sardar Market
Tour Mehrangarh Fort's courtyards and galleries, then visit the marble cenotaph of Jaswant Thada and Umaid Bhawan Palace. Visit Sardar Market's bazaar before your overnight stay.
10Jodhpur to JaisalmerJodhpur to Jaisalmer · Vyas Chhatri
The 285-kilometer drive west enters desert landscape. Jaisalmer sits at the edge of the Thar Desert, its fort and havelis built of golden-hued sandstone. Sunset views from Vyas Chhatri are noted on arrival, with the evening at leisure.
11Jaisalmer Fort, Havelis, and Sam Sand DunesJaisalmer Fort · Sam Sand Dunes · Patwon Ki · Nathmal Ki · Gadisar Lake
Visit Jaisalmer Fort's temples and streets, then visit the carved havelis of Patwon Ki and Nathmal Ki. Gadisar Lake offers views across the dunes. Evening camel ride and dinner in Sam Sand Dunes.
12Jaisalmer to Gajner Wildlife SanctuaryJaisalmer to Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary · Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary
A 315-kilometer drive reaches the royal Gajner Palace Hotel. Visit the adjacent wildlife sanctuary for desert fauna sightings.
13Gajner to Bikaner: Forts, Palaces, and the Rat TempleJunagarh Fort · Lalgarh Palace · Karni Mata Temple
A short drive reaches Bikaner. Visit the 16th-century Junagarh Fort, the Indo-Saracenic Lalgarh Palace, and Karni Mata Temple in nearby Deshnok, known for its sacred rats.
14Bikaner to Mandawa: Shekhawati Frescoed HavelisBikaner to Mandawa · frescoed havelis and mansions of the Shekhawati region
A 190-kilometer drive south to Mandawa. Visit the frescoed havelis and mansions of the Shekhawati region, their facades bearing 18th and 19th-century murals.
15Mandawa to Bharatpur and Keoladeo National ParkMandawa to Bharatpur · Keoladeo National Park
Drive 230 kilometers to Bharatpur. Visit Keoladeo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and premier birdwatching destination, before settling in for the night.
16Bharatpur to Agra: Taj Mahal at SunsetAgra · Agra Fort · Mehtab Bagh
A 55-kilometer drive reaches Agra. Tour the red sandstone Agra Fort, then head to Mehtab Bagh for sunset views of the Taj Mahal across the Yamuna River.
17Agra and Return to DelhiDelhi · Taj Mahal
An early-morning visit to the Taj Mahal at sunrise precedes breakfast. The return drive to Delhi covers 200 kilometers, with the afternoon free for shopping or rest upon arrival.
18Leisure Day in Delhi
The day is unscheduled, allowing travelers to rest, shop, or revisit any Delhi site at their own pace. Optional spa treatments or cultural performances can be arranged through the hotel or tour manager if desired.
19Departure from DelhiDelhi International Airport
After breakfast, transfer to Delhi International Airport for your onward journey, concluding the Royal Rajasthan Tour with memories of India's rich cultural heritage.
Where you go
- 1Delhi International Airport
- 2Red Fort
- 3Jaipur
- 4Amber Fort
- 5City Palace
- 6Jantar Mantar
- 7Hawa Mahal
- 8Brahma Temple
- 9Udaipur
- 10Lake Pichola
- 11City Palace
- 12Jagdish Temple
- 13Saheliyon Ki Bari
- 14Mehrangarh Fort
- 15Jaswant Thada
- 16Sardar Market
- 17Jaisalmer Fort
- 18Sam Sand Dunes
- 19Junagarh Fort
- 20Agra
- 21Agra Fort
- 22Delhi
- 23Taj Mahal
- 24Delhi 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. .