Adventure AsiaAI-assisted
India20 days

Rajasthan: Palaces, Forts & Desert — 20 Days

Delhi to Agra via Jaisalmer, Udaipur and Jaipur, visiting seven UNESCO World Heritage sites and seven palace hotels

This twenty-day route traces Rajasthan's principal cities and desert landscape, beginning in Delhi with its Mughal and colonial monuments before moving west through the Shekhawati region's merchant mansions, the Thar Desert's trading towns, and the lake palaces of Mewar. The itinerary includes seven UNESCO World Heritage sites—among them the Taj Mahal, Amber Fort, Jantar Mantar, and the Qutub Minar—alongside camel safaris, temple visits, village walks, and stays in converted palace hotels. Days are structured around major fortified cities (Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur) and smaller towns known for crafts and rural settlement patterns. The route concludes at Agra and returns to Delhi.

Highlights

  • Old Delhi sightseeing: Qutub Minar, Jama Masjid, and Humayun's Tomb
  • Amber Fort near Jaipur with views over the walled city
  • Jaisalmer Fort—the only fortress in India with inhabited homes within its walls—and the Patwon ki Haveli mansion
  • Camel safari at Sam Sand Dunes at sunset
  • Ranakpur Jain Temple, a 15th-century sanctuary with intricate marble interiors
  • Mehrangarh Fort overlooking Jodhpur
  • Kheechan village during migratory bird season
  • Taj Mahal and Agra Fort
  • Jantar Mantar Observatory in Jaipur
  • Lake Pichhola boat excursion in Udaipur

Day by day

1Delhi ArrivalDelhi International Airport
Arrival at Delhi International Airport with hotel transfer and check-in. The remainder of the day is unstructured.
2Delhi SightseeingOld Delhi (Shahjahanabad) · Qutub Minar · Jama Masjid · Humayun's Tomb · New Delhi's Lutyens-designed district · India Gate · Parliament House · Bahai Temple · President's residence
Morning sightseeing covers Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad), including the Qutub Minar, Jama Masjid—India's second-largest mosque—and Humayun's Tomb, all three UNESCO World Heritage sites. The afternoon covers New Delhi's Lutyens-designed district, with stops at India Gate, Parliament House, the Bahai Temple, and a drive past the President's residence.
3Transfer to Neemrana PalaceNeemrana Palace
Transfer to Neemrana, a fortified palace hotel west of Delhi. Check-in and day at leisure.
4Neemrana Fort and StepwellNeemrana Fort · stepwell · hotel
Daytime visits to the stepwell and fort structure. Optional spa and massage services available at the hotel.
5Shekawati Region: Mandawa MansionsMandawa
Drive to Mandawa in the Shekhawati region, known for merchant architecture. Check-in and afternoon exploration of havelis, castles, and the distinctive painted mansions characteristic of this trading district.
6Mandawa's Havelis and CastlesMandawa · Shekawati
Drive to Shekawati, arriving in Mandawa to check in. After settling, visit the district's magnificent havelis, castles, and distinctive architecture. Overnight in Mandawa.
7Bikaner: Camel CityBikaner · Junagarh Fort · camel breeding farm
Departure for Bikaner, known for camel breeding. After check-in, visits to the well-preserved Junagarh Fort and the distinctive camel breeding farm.
8Jaisalmer and Sam Sand DunesJaisalmer · Sam Sand Dunes · Deshnok's Rat Temple
Morning stop at Deshnok's Rat Temple en route to Jaisalmer. Afternoon transfer to Sam Sand Dunes for a camel ride, with return to the city hotel at sunset.
9Jaisalmer Fort and HavelisJaisalmer Fort · Patwon ki Haveli · Nathmal Ji ki Haveli
Sightseeing tour of Jaisalmer Fort (also called Sonar Fort)—the sole fort in India where houses exist within the fortification walls, offering views of local settlement patterns. Visits to Patwon ki Haveli and Nathmal Ji ki Haveli, both elaborate merchant residences showcasing local artisanal traditions.
10Rohetgarh via Kheechan and OsiyanOsiyan · Rohetgarh Palace hotel · Kheechan village · Bishnoi village
Transfer to Rohetgarh Palace hotel with stops at Kheechan village—a noted congregation point for thousands of migratory birds during season—and the ancient town of Osiyan. Evening walk to a nearby Bishnoi village.
11Jodhpur Excursion from RohetRohet · Mehrangarh Fort · Umaid Bhawan Palace · the old city
Day trip to Jodhpur to visit Mehrangarh Fort, the Umaid Bhawan Palace, and the old city. Return to Rohet for overnight.
12Udaipur via Ranakpur TempleRanakpur Jain Temple · Lake Pichhola
Transfer toward Udaipur with a stop at Ranakpur Jain Temple, a 15th-century sanctuary notable for elaborate marble carving. Afternoon boat excursion on Lake Pichhola is optional.
13Ranakpur Temple & UdaipurUdaipur · Ranakpur Jain Temple (Adinatha Temple) · hotel · Lake Pichhola
After breakfast, travel to Udaipur with a stop at the 15th-century Ranakpur Jain Temple (Adinatha Temple). Check in at your hotel. The evening is free to wander at your own pace, with an optional boat excursion available on Lake Pichhola.
14Dungarpur: Udai Bilas PalaceDungarpur · Udai Bilas Palace · Juna Mahal
Transfer to Dungarpur and check-in at the historical Udai Bilas Palace. Afternoon visit to Juna Mahal, known for its ornamental interiors and successive painted rooms.
15Deogarh MahalDeogarh Mahal · Eklingji · Nagda
Drive to Deogarh with stops at the temples of Eklingji and Nagda en route. Check-in at Deogarh Mahal. Remainder of day unstructured.
16Deogarh Region ExcursionMolela village · Kumbhalgarh Fort
Day trip to either Molela village—known for terracotta handicrafts—or Kumbhalgarh Fort.
17Jaipur: The Pink CityJaipur · old bazaars within the walled city
Travel to Jaipur, the Rajasthani capital planned on a grid system and painted terracotta-pink. After check-in, optional evening walk through the old bazaars within the walled city.
18Jaipur: City Palace, Amber Fort & Jantar MantarAmber Fort · City Palace Complex · Jantar Mantar Observatory · Chokhi Dhani
Sightseeing includes the City Palace Complex, Amber Fort overlooking the city, and Jantar Mantar Observatory—a UNESCO World Heritage site built in the 18th century. Optional evening excursion to Chokhi Dhani, an ethnic village resort offering Rajasthani regional cooking and optional activities such as camel rides, bullock-cart rides, and elephant rides at minimal cost.
19Agra: Taj Mahal and FortTaj Mahal · Fatehpur Sikri · Agra Fort
Drive to Agra with a stop at Fatehpur Sikri, the 16th-century abandoned imperial city. In Agra, visits to the Taj Mahal (closed Fridays) and Agra Fort.
20Delhi Departureyour hotel · Delhi International Airport
Check out from your hotel at the appropriate time and transfer directly to Delhi International Airport for your return flight to your onward destination. The tour concludes here.

Where you go

Map: Rajasthan: Palaces, Forts & Desert — 20 Days route
Numbers follow the itinerary order. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap
  1. 1Delhi International Airport
  2. 2hotel
  3. 3Bikaner
  4. 4Junagarh Fort
  5. 5Jaisalmer
  6. 6Sam Sand Dunes
  7. 7Jaisalmer Fort
  8. 8Mehrangarh Fort
  9. 9Udaipur
  10. 10hotel
  11. 11Dungarpur
  12. 12Jaipur
  13. 13Amber Fort
  14. 14Taj Mahal
  15. 15Fatehpur Sikri
  16. 16Agra Fort
  17. 17Delhi International Airport
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