Experience the heart of Rajputana across painted havelis in Shekhawati, desert forts, Thar sand dunes, marble temples, and lakeside palaces. This 14-day grand circuit connects the painted towns of Nawalgarh, the rat temple of Deshnoke, the desert citadels of Bikaner and Jaisalmer, the blue lanes of Jodhpur, the marble pillars of Ranakpur, romantic Udaipur, holy Pushkar, the Pink City of Jaipur, and the Taj Mahal in Agra.
Arrive in Delhi and transfer to hotel. Optional evening visit to Akshardham Temple for the water and sound show (closed Mondays). Overnight in Delhi.
Drive into the open-air gallery of Shekhawati at Nawalgarh. Check into your hotel and explore the richly painted frescoed havelis. Overnight in Nawalgarh.
Enjoy a morning horse ride and visit an indigenous Marwari horse stable. Drive to Bikaner, visiting the Karni Mata (Rat Temple) in Deshnoke en route. Overnight in Bikaner.
Visit Junagarh Fort, Lalgarh/Bikaner Palace, and the Golden Jubilee Museum. Drive to the golden city of Jaisalmer, stopping at Khichan village to observe migrating demoiselle cranes. Overnight in Jaisalmer.
Explore Jaisalmer Fort, 12th–15th century Jain temples, Patwon ki Haveli, Gadisar Lake, and the Folk Museum. Drive to Manvar in the Thar Desert for an evening jeep safari and camel trek over the dunes. Overnight in Manvar.
Drive to the Blue City of Jodhpur. Tour the mighty Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, Mahamandir Temple, Mandore Gardens, and the Clock Tower market. Overnight in Jodhpur.
Drive through the Aravallis to Udaipur, visiting Om Banna Temple and the 1,444 carved marble pillars of Ranakpur Jain Temple en route. Evening boat cruise on Lake Pichola. Overnight in Udaipur.
Visit the City Palace complex, Saheliyon-ki-Bari, Fateh Sagar Lake, Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal, and Jag Mandir Island. Evening Rajasthani folk dance performance at a local theater. Overnight in Udaipur.
Drive to Pushkar. Evening walking tour around Pushkar Lake, Brahma Temple, and colorful market alleys. Overnight in Pushkar.
Ascend by ropeway to Savitri Mata Temple. Drive to Jaipur, browse local gemstone bazaars, and watch a Bollywood movie at the legendary Raj Mandir Cinema. Overnight in Jaipur.
Morning elephant/jeep ride up to Amber Fort. Visit City Palace, Jantar Mantar Observatory, and photo stop at Hawa Mahal. Overnight in Jaipur.
Drive to Agra via the Chand Baori stepwell in Abhaneri and the ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri. Overnight in Agra.
Morning visit to the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort (closed Fridays). Drive to Delhi in the afternoon. Overnight in Delhi.
Visit Raj Ghat, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Qutub Minar, and India Gate before transfer to airport for departure.
