The Grand Rajasthan Odyssey with Varanasi

Arrival in Delhi & Evening Sightseeing

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.

Delhi - Full Day Sightseeing

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.

Delhi to Mandawa & Evening Sightseeing (Around 250 kms)

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Mandawa to Bikaner (Around 200 kms)

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 4 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.

Bikaner to Jaisalmer (Around 350 kms)

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.

Jaisalmer Full-Day Sightseeing

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.

Jaisalmer to Jodhpur (Around 280 kms)

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.

Jodhpur Full-Day Sightseeing

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.

Jodhpur to Udaipur via Kumbhalgarh (Around 280 kms)

After breakfast, depart from Kumbhalgarh Fort and drive through the scenic Aravalli Hills to Ranakpur Jain Temple, one of India's most remarkable Jain temples. Admire its exquisite marble architecture, intricate carvings, and the famous 1,444 uniquely carved pillars, each with a distinct design.

Continue your journey to Mount Abu, Rajasthan's only hill station, known for its pleasant climate, lush landscapes, and tranquil surroundings. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and relax in the cooler climate. Mount Abu offers a refreshing contrast to desert heat.

The overnight stay will be at the hotel in Mount Abu.

Udaipur Full-Day Sightseeing

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.

Udaipur to Jaipur & Evening Sightseeing (Around 450 kms)

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Jaipur - Full Day Sightseeing

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Jaipur to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri (Around 250 kms)

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Agra to Delhi and Fly to Varanasi (Around 220 kms)

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Varanasi - Full Day Sightseeing

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Varanasi | Departure

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