Rajasthan Cities, Forts and Palaces Tour India

Itinerary Highlights

Enjoy a private guided tour of Old & New Delhi
Discover the sights of Bikaner including the Junagarh Fort
Walk back in time in the Golden City of Jaisalmer
Embark on an evening boat ride on Lake Pichola

What's Included

Accommodation Throughout
International Flights

18 nights from £4,809 per person

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This visit to the land of Maharajas and the Shekhawati region of north-eastern Rajasthan takes you through small sand-blown towns set between sprawling expanses of parched land and dunes. From the easternmost edges of the Thar Desert, you will then journey on to Aravali Hills and the forts and Palaces of Udaipur and Jaipur.

Experience rural Rajasthan with a stay at the luxury tented camp of Chhatra Sagar. Set on a dam overlooking a lake, enjoy the exceptional, uninterrupted views from the verandah of your tent and savour the tranquillity of this delightful hideaway. Harsh and his family ensure you feel very welcome and offer some of the finest home cooking in Rajasthan. Far from the buzz of city life, Shekhavati is hugely popular for its historic painted havelis (merchant houses), frescoes and murals, and is a great way to experience a rural and village lifestyle.

Itinerary

Day 1 London to Delhi

Fly from Heathrow to Delhi on an overnight flight.

Day 2 Arrive Delhi

Arrive in Delhi and stay two nights in New Delhi. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

Day 3 Delhi

Today you will go on a full day’s private guided tour of Old & New Delhi seeing sights such as the Jama Masjid Mosque and Red Fort, as well as Qutab Minar tower and the Tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayun in New Delhi, where you will see buildings befitting the modern day capital city of India. [B]

Day 4 Drive to Mandawa

After breakfast, transfer by road to Mandawa (a 6 hour journey) in the Shekhawati region of North-Eastern Rajasthan. During the afternoon, visit some of the town’s beautifully dilapidated Havelis which are adorned with stunning frescoes. Spend the night in Mandawa. [B]

Day 5 Bikaner

This morning you will drive to the city of Bikaner (a 4 hour journey) travelling now into the desert region. Enjoy an afternoon tour of the sights of this frontier town including the Junagarh Fort. Spend the night in Bikaner [B]

Day 6 Jaisalmer

From Bikaner you will have a full days drive to Jaisalmer (a 7 hour journey), nicknamed "The Golden City”. Set on a sandstone ridge, crowned by a fort, Jaisalmer contains the palace and several ornate Jain temples and intricately carved Sandstone Havelis. Stay two nights here. [B]

Day 7 Jaisalmer

This morning there will be a sightseeing tour of Jaisalmer. Visit Jaisalmer Fort and various havelis including Nathmalji-ki-haveli, Patwon-ki-haveli and Salim Singhji-ki-haveli. Spend the afternoon at leisure or explore Jaisalmer on your own. [B]

Day 8 Manvar

From Jaisalmer travel into the desert and the oasis of Manvar (a 4 hour journey). From this desert village settlement you will enjoy a Jeep safari to the neighbouring villages and a camel safari to watch the sunset over the dunes. Spend the night in Manvar. [B,L,D]

Day 9 Jodhpur

Drive to Jodhpur where you will spend two nights. [B]

Day 10 Jodhpur

Today you will explore Jodhpur on a tour. Begin with a visit to Mehrangarh Fort, situated 400 feet (122 m) above the city, enclosed by imposing thick walls. Inside its boundaries there are several palaces known for their intricate carvings and expansive courtyards. A winding road leads to and from the city below. The imprints of cannonball hits by attacking armies of Jaipur can still be seen on the second gate.

Day 11 Drive to Udaipur via Ranakpur

After breakfast, you will travel through the Aravali hills to Udaipur (a 5 hour journey) with a sightseeing stop en route of the Ranakpur Jain Temple. Spend two nights in Udaipur. [B]

Day 12 Udaipur

Visit the City Palace, Jag Mandir, Saheliyon-ki-Bari and a local market and then take an evening boat ride on Lake Pichola. Udaipur is arguably the most romantic city in India and a real treat. [B]

Day 13 Drive to Chhatra Sagar

Drive to Nimaj and explore the wonders of Chhatra Sagar. [B,L,D]

Day 14 Chhatra Sagar

Spend the day at leisure; explore this beautiful countryside of Rajasthan including this marvellous reservoir. [B,L,D]

Day 15 Drive to Jaipur

Drive to Jaipur for a two night stay to experience wonderful forts and palaces. [B]

Day 16 Jaipur

Enjoy a full day tour of the pink city of Jaipur including the City palace museum, the Palace of Winds, Amber Fort among the other sights of the beautiful city. [B]