Rajasthan: Havelis, Forts & Desert Villages — 15 Days
From Mandawa's frescoed townhouses through Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Pushkar to Jaipur and Agra, with a night in a heritage property in Tordi Garh
This 15-day itinerary moves through Rajasthan's major cities and smaller settlements, beginning in Delhi and progressing westward into the Shekhawati region's trading towns, then south to Udaipur and the desert. The route centers on architecture and daily life: frescoed havelis in Mandawa built by merchant families along ancient caravan routes; the walled blue-painted streets of Jodhpur beneath Mehrangarh Fort; the lake-centered palaces of Udaipur; the pilgrim networks of Pushkar and its single Brahma Temple; a restorative overnight stay in the village of Tordi Garh; Jaipur's pink-washed grid and Amber Fort; and the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort in their evening light. Walking tours, orientation visits, and optional extensions (cooking classes, cycling, boat rides, jeep excursions to artisan villages) form the activity base, with a local English-speaking guide throughout.
Highlights
- Walking tour of Mandawa's frescoed havelis, traditional merchant townhouses lining the old caravan hub
- Orientation walk through Jodhpur's walled old city and visit to Mehrangarh Fort overlooking the blue-painted streets
- Boat ride on Lake Pichola in Udaipur with views of Raj-era palace architecture from the water
- Sunrise hike to Savitri Temple above Pushkar with views across the Thar Desert
- Overnight stay in a restored heritage property in the desert village of Tordi Garh
- Guided tour of Amber Fort in Jaipur, a UNESCO World Heritage site with intricate palace courtyards
- Evening visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra, with sunset light across the Mughal marble
- Morning visit to Agra Fort, a red sandstone and white marble structure from the 1857 Rebellion era
Day by day
1Arrival in DelhiDelhi · Karol Bagh market
Arrival at any time in Delhi, India's capital. An arrival transfer is included; the Women With Wheels project, a tour operator-supported initiative, can be selected. The evening features a welcome meeting and a group walk through Karol Bagh market, one of Delhi's central bazaars, where participants choose their first dinner spot among the market's food vendors and restaurants. No other activities are scheduled on this day. Travelers arriving earlier in the day have the option to add a separate half-day culinary tour of Delhi.
2Delhi to Mandawa: Frescoed Havelis of the Shekhawati RegionDelhi to Mandawa · Mandawa
A morning drive proceeds to Mandawa in the Shekhawati region, a desert settlement established as a trading hub on ancient caravan routes. Mandawa is defined by its havelis — traditional merchant townhouses with lavish courtyards built by traders who accumulated wealth through the trade routes. An afternoon walking tour views the frescoed exteriors of these havelis and the layout of the old town.
3Mandawa to Jodhpur: The Blue City and Mehrangarh FortJodhpur · old walled city center · clock tower · Sadar Bazaar
The morning drive to Jodhpur, a desert city known for its dominant blue house paint, moves through stark desert landscape punctuated by palaces, forts, and temples enclosed within imposing city walls. Mehrangarh Fort overlooks the settlement from a ridge. The afternoon includes an orientation walk of the old walled city center, a visit to the clock tower, and a walk through Sadar Bazaar, one of India's oldest markets, where spice, textile, and metal merchants occupy narrow storefronts.
4Jodhpur: Optional Fort Hike and Artisan Village ExcursionMehrangarh Fort · neighboring hamlets
A free day allows for self-directed exploration. An optional morning hike ascends to Mehrangarh Fort for views across the city and surrounding desert. In the afternoon, an optional open jeep excursion travels to neighboring hamlets to meet carpet weavers, potters, and other artisans at work in their courtyards and workshops.
5Jodhpur to Udaipur via Ranakpur TemplesUdaipur · Ranakpur Temples · Bagore-ki-Haveli Folk Museum on Gangaur Ghat
The journey southeast offers an optional detour to Ranakpur Temples before continuing to Udaipur, a city defined by its network of lakes and Raj-era palace architecture. An orientation walk introduces the old city grid. An optional evening activity includes a Rajasthani cultural performance at the Bagore-ki-Haveli Folk Museum on Gangaur Ghat.
6Udaipur: Temples, Palaces and Lake PicholaUdaipur · Lake Pichola · Jagdish Temple · City Palace and Museum
A full free day allows for independent exploration. Optional activities include a visit to Jagdish Temple, a shrine dedicated to Vishnu, the Hindu god of preservation; the City Palace and Museum, a structure blending Rajasthani and Mughal architecture; a boat ride on Lake Pichola to view palaces from the water; or a Rajasthani cooking class.
7Udaipur: Lakes, Cycling and CuisineUdaipur · the city's lake perimeter · forts and palaces
Another full free day. Optional morning cycling traces the city's lake perimeter as the sun rises. A Rajasthani cooking class allows participants to prepare and consume lunch. Alternatively, continued exploration of forts and palaces remains available.
8Udaipur to Pushkar: The Holy City and Brahma TemplePushkar · Brahma Temple · Snake Mountain
The drive to Pushkar crosses Snake Mountain and enters a city so religiously significant that meat, alcohol, and eggs are prohibited within its boundaries. An orientation walk and visit to the 14th-century Brahma Temple, the world's only temple dedicated to Brahma, the Hindu god of creation, form the afternoon activities.
9Pushkar: Sunrise at Savitri Temple and Pilgrimage SitesSavitri Temple · central bazaar · Pushkar's ghats · Pushkar's temples
An early hike to Savitri Temple offers sunrise views across the surrounding Thar Desert. The remainder of the day remains free for independent exploration of the ghats — stone staircases descending to the holy lake where pilgrims bathe — visits to any of Pushkar's hundreds of temples, or haggling in the central bazaar. An optional traditional dinner with entertainment is available in the evening.
10Pushkar to Tordi Garh: Desert Village Heritage StayTordi Garh
The drive enters the desert village of Tordi Garh and accommodation in a restored heritage property. A village walk captures daily life in markets, shops, and homes, with opportunities to observe or join local cricket games. An optional afternoon activity includes a camel cart ride or jeep excursion into the countryside for sunset.
11Tordi Garh to Jaipur: Fort Hike and the Pink CityJaipur · old fort · Raj Mandir Cinema
An optional morning hike ascends to the old fort before the drive to Jaipur, Rajasthan's capital, distinguished by its pink-colored stucco buildings. An afternoon orientation walk begins exploration of the city. An optional evening activity includes screening a Bollywood film at Raj Mandir Cinema, an Art Deco structure.
12Jaipur: Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal and City PalaceAmber Fort · Hawa Mahal · City Palace Museum · Jantar Mantar Observatory · rooftop bar
Optional early morning cycling precedes an included guided tour of Amber Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring palace halls, courtyards, and intricate carved details. A free afternoon allows visits to Hawa Mahal (the Palace of the Winds), the City Palace Museum, or the Jantar Mantar Observatory. An optional evening visit to a rooftop bar concludes the day.
13Jaipur to Agra: Taj Mahal at SunsetAgra · Taj Mahal
Travel continues east to Agra. In the evening, a visit to the Taj Mahal coincides with sunset, when the marble structure is illuminated in orange tones. A guided tour provides historical context for the Mughal mausoleum.
14Agra Fort and Return to DelhiAgra Fort · Agra to Delhi
A morning visit to Agra Fort, a red sandstone and white marble complex where one of the Indian Rebellion's significant battles occurred in 1857, includes historical context before return travel to Delhi for the final evening.
15Departure from Delhi
Departure at any time.
Where you go
- 1Delhi
- 2Jodhpur
- 3Mehrangarh Fort
- 4Udaipur
- 5Lake Pichola
- 6Jagdish Temple
- 7Udaipur
- 8Pushkar
- 9Brahma Temple
- 10Savitri Temple
- 11Jaipur
- 12Amber Fort
- 13Hawa Mahal
- 14Agra
- 15Taj Mahal
- 16Agra Fort
Included
- What's Included
- Accommodation
- Hotels (13 nts), cottage (1 nt).
- Meals
- Breakfasts: 14, Lunches: 0, Dinners: 5
- Vegetarian options are available on all meals throughout the adventure.
- Vegetarian options available
- Local Guide
- Guided
- This adventure is led by a local guide throughout. The main language of this adventure is English. Please contact us for other languages available.
- Airport Transfers
- Arrival Only
- An airport transfer to the start of the tour is included. Please contact our team if you require a quote for a return transfer.
- Wifi
- Wifi is available during the adventure. In some areas and / or accommodation / transport Wifi may be free.
Not included
- https://theadventurepeople.com/tour/rajasthan-laneways-local-villages-15-days/10%7C25553%7CAHRD