Rajasthan: Palaces, Deserts & the Taj Mahal

Welcome to the beautiful chaos of Delhi! Arrive by flight, jump right into the hustle and bustle of the capital of India and its second most populous city. Considered one of the oldest existing cities in the world, Delhi’s importance lies not just in its past glory as the seat of empires and magnificent monuments, but also in the rich and diverse cultures.

A private car with driver will receive you at the Delhi airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in. After refreshing, head out for Delhi sightseeing. Start with a drive past Rashtrapati Bhavan (the residence of the President of India), and visit India Gate (a memorial to 82,000 soldiers of the Indian Army who died in the period 1914–21 in the First World War).

Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Delhi.

Enjoy breakfast to start your day of sightseeing in Delhi. A mixture of history with a taste of everyday Delhi, today’s itinerary covers all aspects of this former capital of the Mughal Empire. Stop off at the UNESCO World Heritage site, Humayun’s Tomb. Built in 1570, it is of particular cultural significance as it was the first garden tomb on the Indian subcontinent. Then visit the magnificent Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between 1644 and 1656. After that visit the bustling Chandni Chowk – one of the oldest and busiest markets in Old Delhi. Enjoy a rickshaw ride at Chandni Chowk.

Have lunch at a nice restaurant Later visit the towering Qutub Minar (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), a 73-metre (239.5 feet) tall tapering tower of five storeys. Qutub ud Din Aibak, the founder of the Delhi Sultanate, started construction of the Qutub Minar’s first storey around 1192. Afterwards visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, one of the most prominent Sikh temples, or Sikh house of worship in Delhi and known for its association with the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan. There is also a sacred pool inside its complex, known as the “Sarovar.”

Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Delhi.

After an early breakfast, check out of the hotel. The private car will drop you at the Delhi train station. Board the superfast train for Agra. In two hours, you’ll reach Agra. Welcome to Agra, the city of the Wonderful Taj Mahal. Agra is blessed with one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the “Taj Mahal”. The city, with its rich culture, history, and architectural work, stands at the top of the tourist destinations in India.

The driver will meet you at the Agra train station. On arrival, visit Agra Fort, a historical fort that remained the main residence of the Mughal emperors till 1638. After visiting the fort, check in at your hotel. Freshen up and head out for lunch at a nice restaurant. Later, visit the “jewel box” which is often regarded as a draft of the Taj Mahal – The Baby Taj (Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula). In the evening, stroll in the local market area – the best place to see shades of India.

Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Agra.

Early in the morning, visit the Taj Mahal (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) built by Shah Jahan in 1632 in memory of his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. Taj Mahal looks more stunning at sunrise.

Depart from Agra after breakfast and drive to Fatehpur Sikri, the magnificent Mughal city built by Emperor Akbar. Explore its architectural highlights, including the Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chishti, Panch Mahal, and Diwan-i-Khas. Continue your scenic drive to Ranthambore National Park.

Ranthambore National Park, one of the largest and most popular national parks in India, is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy nature at its best. Travelers often visualize tigers everywhere as it is known for the biggest tiger populations in India. It is known to be the best tiger-spotting location in India. Once a private game reserve of the royal House of Jaipur, Ranthambore National Park and Tiger Reserve is one of the world’s best-known wilderness areas.

After around 6 hours’ drive, you’ll reach Ranthambore. Check in at the hotel on arrival. The evening will be at your leisure. Have a sumptuous dinner at the hotel.

Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Ranthambore.

Enjoy the early morning tea and snacks, and then head out for a jungle safari at around 6:00 am. Ranthambore National Park is one of the finest tiger reserves in India. It is in every sense a perfect place for wildlife photography. Later, come back to the hotel, have breakfast, and relax.

In the noon, have lunch at the hotel. Later in the afternoon, head out for another jungle safari around 3:00 pm, this time on a different path. Maybe you get a good chance of sighting the Indian tigers. Spend some time watching the peacocks and other animals in their natural habitat. The forests around the Ranthambore Fort were once the private hunting grounds of the kings of Jaipur.

Reach back at the hotel. The evening will be at your leisure. Dinner & overnight stay will be at the hotel in Ranthambore.

Have breakfast and then set out to explore the best attractions of Jaipur. Visit Hawa Mahal (“Palace of Winds”), a high screen wall built so the women of the royal household could observe street festivals while unseen from the outside. Then visit Jantar Mantar (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). It is a collection of nineteen architectural astronomical instruments, built by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh, and completed in 1738 CE. Afterwards, visit the City Palace. Built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh during the years 1729 to 1732, the vast complex of the palace occupied one-seventh of the walled city. The palace is divided into a series of courtyards, buildings, and gardens.

In the afternoon stop by Jal Mahal, a palace in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake in Jaipur city. It was built in the 17th century. Then visit the grand Amer Fort (or Amber Fort), also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the principal tourist attraction in Jaipur and the current structure was built during the late 16th century by Rajput Kings. This magnificent fort comprises an extensive palace complex, built from pale yellow and pink sandstone, and white marble, and is divided into four main sections, each with its own courtyard. In the evening visit Nahargarh Fort, which provides a beautiful bird’s eye view of the entire Jaipur city.

Then reach back at the hotel. Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Jaipur.

After breakfast, check-out from the hotel and head towards Bikaner. Bikaner is a vibrant, dust-swirling desert town with a fabulous fort and an energizing outpost feel. It’s less dominated by tourism than many other Rajasthan cities, though it has plenty of hotels and a busy camel-safari scene.

Reach Bikaner by the afternoon. It will be around 6 hours drive. You’ll be crossing the countryside of Rajasthan, and on the way, you’ll find that the landscapes have changed a little. Jaipur has no sand dunes, but as you reach closer to Bikaner, you’ll see sand dunes, and more of Rajasthan’s traditional village folks with their camels and carts, working in fields. 

Check in at the hotel on arrival. The evening will be at your leisure. Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Bikaner.

After breakfast, set out for a sightseeing tour. Visit Junagarh Fort, an impregnable bastion that holds the distinction of having never been captured. It was constructed in 1588 AD by Raja Rai Singh, one of Emperor Akbar’s most distinguished generals. Then visit the National Research Centre on Camel, located 8 km from the city. This camel research and breeding center is the only one of its kind in Asia. The center is spread out over 2000 acres of semi-arid land and is managed by the Government of India. Then visit Bhandasar Jain Temple. Built in the 15th century, it is decorated with mirror work, frescoes, and leaf paintings.

Reach back at the hotel by evening. The evening will be at your leisure. Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Bikaner.

After a delicious breakfast, check out of the hotel and head towards Jaisalmer. A city that has come back almost from the dead in the past half-century, Jaisalmer may be remote, but it’s certainly not forgotten – indeed, it’s one of Rajasthan’s biggest tourist destinations, and few people go from here without getting enchanted with the sand dunes of the Thar Desert. It is known as the ‘Golden City’ due to its golden sand dunes and forts clad in golden honey sandstone. Jaisalmer is adorned with lakes, ornate Jain temples, and Havelis (mansions).

Reach Jaisalmer by evening. Check in at the hotel on arrival and relax. The evening is at your leisure. Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Jaisalmer.

After breakfast, head out to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site – Jaisalmer Fort. Jaisalmer’s unique fort is a living urban center, with about 3000 people residing within its walls. It’s honeycombed with narrow, winding lanes, lined with houses and temples, handicraft shops, guesthouses, and restaurants. It is the second-oldest fort in Rajasthan, built-in 1156 AD by the Rajput Rawal (ruler) Jaisal.

Afterward, visit Patwon ki Haveli (‘mansion of brocade merchants’), a cluster of 5 small havelis, which is an interesting piece of architecture and is the most important among the havelis in Jaisalmer. The first among these havelis was commissioned and constructed in the year 1805 by Guman Chand Patwa and is the biggest and the most ostentatious.

In the evening, head out to visit the Sam Sand Dunes for a genuine Thar Desert experience. The sunset view at the dunes is a lifetime experience.

Reach back at the hotel by evening. Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Jaisalmer.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and head towards Jodhpur. Welcome to the land of legendary kings, gladiators, and royalty. Also known as “The Blue City”, “The Sun City” and “The Gateway to Thar”, Jodhpur is famous for its beautiful Mehrangarh Fort, vivid blue houses, temples, sweets, and snacks. Seen in the backdrop of the movie, The Dark Knight Rises, Jodhpur attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the globe.

Check in at the hotel on arrival. In the evening, take a walk near the blue houses at sunset while enjoying tea on the rooftop of one of them.

Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Jodhpur.

After breakfast, set out for a local sightseeing tour of Jodhpur. Start with a guided walking tour of the heritage Blue City. Visit the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, regally set on a sandstone hill built by Rao Jodha in 1459. Rising perpendicular and impregnable from a rocky hill that stands 120m above Jodhpur’s skyline, Mehrangarh is one of the most magnificent forts in India.

After that, visit Jaswant Thada – the milky-white marble memorial to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, sitting above a small lake 1km northeast of Mehrangarh, which is an array of whimsical domes. The cenotaph is built out of intricately carved sheets of marble. These sheets are extremely thin and polished so that they emit a warm glow when illuminated by the sun. After that, visit the lavish Umaid Bhawan Palace, one of the world’s largest private residences. A part of the palace is managed by Taj Hotels. In the evening, visit the local market.

Later, return to the hotel. Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Jodhpur.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and head towards Udaipur – the “City of Lakes”. A fusion of nature, Rajasthani culture & architecture, the picturesque view of the city shouts the story of its past glory. Often referred to as the ‘Venice of the East’, the city of lakes, Udaipur is located around azure water lakes and is surrounded by lush green hills of the Aravalli Ranges.

On the way, visit one of the most significant and extensive Jain temple complexes that can be found in the country, the Ranakpur Jain Temple. It holds immense importance for all Jains. Spread over an area of 4,500 square yards and consisting of 29 halls, the temple is one of the most important of the five major pilgrimage centers of Jainism. The Ranakpur Temple is distinguished all across the globe for its brilliant architecture and was voted amongst the top 77 wonders of the world.

Reach Udaipur by evening. Check-in at the hotel and relax. The evening is at your leisure. The overnight stay will be at the hotel in Udaipur.

After breakfast, head out for local sightseeing. Visit Fateh Sagar Lake (one of the most beautiful lakes in Udaipur). Then visit the Sahelion ki Badi, which was laid out for a group of forty-eight young women attendants who accompanied a princess to Udaipur as part of her dowry. Afterward, visit the City Palace Complex.  It was built over a period of nearly 400 years, atop a hill, in a fusion of the Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles, providing a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings. Also, visit the beautiful Jagdish Temple close to the City Palace Complex.

In the evening, visit Lake Pichola and enjoy a sunset boat cruise (shared). Then visit Bagore-ki-Haveli, a historic haveli (mansion) that stands magnificently on the waterfront of the surreal Lake Pichola at Gangori Ghat. Built in the 18th century by Amar Chand Badwa, the then Prime Minister of the Mewar kingdom, Bagore Ki Haveli has been restored over a period of time and is now converted into a museum. In the evening, enjoy the Dharohar Folk Dance Show at Bagore-ki-Haveli. See Rajasthani folk dancing, with nightly shows of colorful, energetic Marwari, Bhil, and western Rajasthani dances, as well as traditional Rajasthani puppetry.

The overnight stay will be at the hotel in Udaipur.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel. The private car will drop you at Udaipur Airport. 

Bid farewell with the memories of an amazing, fun-filled 17-day trip through the Golden Triangle and Rajasthan, worth remembering for a lifetime!