Rajasthan Tour - 16 days

Welcome to Delhi, the capital of India! A representative of Third Rock Adventures will be waiting for you at the airport to welcome you and drop you off at your hotel. If your arrival is not via flight, please do send us your arrival details so that our representative can pick you up and drive you to your hotel. After check-in, you can relax at your hotel. There's no activity planned for the day.

Overnight in Delhi.

Today our guide will take you to explore Delhi. One of the oldest cities in the world, Delhi is made up of Old Delhi and New Delhi. You will get to explore some of the historical and cultural landmarks of the city.

In the first half of the day, the guide will take you to Qutub Minar, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, Lotus Temple, and Akshardham Temple. Qutub Minar, the longest masonry tower in India and a UNESCO World Heritage Site was built by the rulers of the Lodhi dynasty Qutub-dd-Din-Aibak and Iltutmish. The victory tower was erected to mark the beginning of Muslim rule in Delhi. The minaret is built of red sandstone and rises to a height of 72.5 meters. It's part of the Qutub Complex which houses other monuments (mausoleums, mosques, and a gateway).

 Bangla Sahib Gurudwara is a sacred place of worship for Sikhs. The magnificent building is made of white marble and is topped by a golden dome. One more spectacular structure of white marble that you will visit is the Lotus Temple. Built in the shape of a blooming lotus, the Lotus Temple is a sacred place of worship for the followers of the Bahai faith.

Another sacred destination in your itinerary is the Akshardham Temple, the world's largest Hindu temple. Rising to a height of 141 feet and stretching as far as 356 feet the temple houses 20,000 statues of Hindu deities and saints.

After lunch, your sightseeing tour continues with visits to the India Fort, President House, and Birla Temple. You will get to explore Chandni Chowk, the oldest market in Delhi. Lined with shops and restaurants, this is one of the busiest markets in Delhi.

Overnight in Delhi.

Leaving Delhi you enjoy a drive to Agra, the old capital city of the Mughal Empire. After reaching the city you check into your hotel. Freshen up and take some refreshments before commencing your sightseeing tour. You will get to visit the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and other historical landmarks.

Taj, Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. The white mausoleum built entirely of white marble hold the graves of both the king and the queen. Standing beside the river Yamuna, this beautiful monument is the finest example of Islamic art and architecture in India.

The Agra Fort was built by Mughal Emperor Akbar who moved his capital from Delhi to Agra. The massive fort built of red sandstone holds a mini city inside its walls. Only thirty percent of the fort is accessible to tourists. The palaces of interest inside the fort include Akbar's Palace, Shah Jehan's Palace, Diwan-i-am, Diwan-i-Khas, Babur ki baoli, Bengali Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Khaas Mahal, Nagina Mosque, etc.

Later you can explore the local market and shop for souvenirs.

Overnight in Agra.

Continuing your journey you make your way toward Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. En route, you stop at Fatehpur Sikri and explore the magnificent palace complex built by Akbar. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the well-planned city was established by Mughal emperor Akbar as the capital of his empire. The must-see palaces and places of Fatehpur Sikri include Jodha Bai's Palace, Paanch Mahal, Diwan-i-Khas, Diwan-i-Aam, Khwabgah, Bulund Darwaza, Salim Chisti's Tomb, etc.

After the sightseeing tour, you proceed towards Jaipur. Upon reaching the city you will be driven to your hotel. Check in and take a rest.

Overnight in Jaipur.

After breakfast, you begin your sightseeing tour of the Pink City. First, you will head to Amer Fort, a magnificent fort built by Maharaja Man Singh on a hillock. You will enjoy an elephant ride from the car park to the fort. Inside the fort are beautiful palaces and courtyards. This was the residence of Rajput royals who ruled over Jaipur.

Later you will be driven to the old city where you will visit Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, and Jal Mahal.

Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Wind is a five-storied palace decorated with latticed windows or jharokhas that resemble the crown of Lord Krishna. Built with pink sandstone this beautiful palace was used by women of the royal family to sit and watch the outside world.

The City Palace, built by the Rajput king who founded Jaipur, is located at the center of the city. Inside the palace are a museum and living quarters of the royal family. The descendants of the ruling family still reside in a section of the palace.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jantar Mantar is an astronomical observatory with the world's largest sundial. Built by Sawai Man Singh II, the observatory has a collection of 19 astronomical instruments which are used to measure the time and position of the celestial bodies.

The last site you will visit is the Jal Mahal or the Water Palace. As the name suggests the palace lies in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake. Built as a hunting lodge by Maharaja Madho Singh I, the palace has five floors, four of which are submerged under the lake's water.

You will end your tour with a visit to Choki Dhani, a Rajasthani village-themed restaurant, where you can enjoy a traditional Rajasthani meal and cultural program. Please note the price of dinner is not included in this package, therefore you will have to pay for whatever you order at the restaurant.

Overnight in Jaipur.

You leave Jaipur and enjoy a drive towards Pushkar, famous for its annual camel fair and pilgrimage sites. On reaching the beautiful city you will check into a resort and later enjoy a camel ride. Afterward, your guide will take you to some of the major sites in the city.

Overnight in Pushkar.

Surrounded by the Aravalli Range and with a lake at its center, Pushkar is a beautiful city. Pushkar, which means Blue Lotus, was established on the banks of a lake said to have been formed when Lord Brahma dropped a lotus. This is a sacred pilgrimage site for Hindus as it's one of the few places in the world where the temple of Lord Brahma is located. 

You will visit Pushkar Lake, Brahma Temple, Savitri Temple, Varaha Temple, and other attractions.

The Pushkar Lake is a holy pilgrimage site for Hindus. It's surrounded by more than 400 temples and bathing ghats where devotees take a holy dip.

Jagatpita Brahma Mandir or Brahma Temple is dedicated to Lord Brahma, the Hindu god of creation. This temple is special because it is one of the few temples in the world dedicated to Lord Brahma. Located close to Pushkar Lake, this marble and stone temple is the most important Hindu temple in Pushkar. The Savitri Temple is dedicated to Lord Brahma's consort, and the Varaha Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Overnight in Pushkar.

From Pushkar, you take the picturesque route to Udaipur, the City of Lakes. The road passes through a verdant forest teeming with troops of mischievous monkeys. Nestled in the shadows of the Aravalli Range, Udaipur is dotted with tranquil lakes and grand palaces. It was established by the King of Mewar, Maharana Udai Singh II in the year 1553 as the capital of his kingdom.

Upon reaching the city you will check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day relaxing at your hotel.

Overnight in Udaipur.

Your sightseeing tour starts after breakfast. You will visit the chief attractions in Udaipur, which include the Pichola Lake, City Palace, Jag Mandir, Jagdish Temple, Saheliyon-ki-bari (Garden of Maidens),  etc.

The City Palace Complex, which lies close to Pichola Lake, took around four hundred years to complete. It was the royal residence of the Maharanas of Mewar and includes eleven palaces, numerous courtyards, pavilions, terraces, and gardens.  

A boat ride on Pichola Lake will bring you to Jag Mandir, a palace built on Jag Island in the center of the lake. The exquisite palace used to be the summer retreat of the Rajput kings. The palace has a beautiful garden, courtyards, a museum, and a restaurant.

The beautifully carved marble structure of the Jagdish Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and was built by Maharana Jagat Singh I in the seventeenth century.

Saheliyon-ki-bari is a beautiful garden built by Maharana Sangram Singh II for his queen and her hand maidens. The garden is decorated with marble statues, pavilions, courtyards, fountains, ponds, etc.

Overnight in Udaipur.

Leaving Udaipur you head towards Jodhpur. It's a beautiful ride filled with views of pyramid-shaped hills and forests. En route, you will stop at Ranukpur and visit the Jain Temple. The magnificent temple is built in intricately carved white marble. The temple was built in the fifteenth century by Dama Shah and is dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankara Rishabhadev.

After visiting the temple you continue your journey to Jodhpur, the Blue City. On reaching Jodhpur you freshen up and explore the city. Filled with houses painted in bright blue, the once princely state of Jodhpur used to be the capital of the Marwar Kings.

First, you will visit the majestic Mehrangarh Fort which dominates the skyline of Jodhpur. The fort built by Rao Jodha in the fifteenth century rises over a cliff and stretches for five kilometers. Inside the fort are many palaces which served as the residences of the royal family – Moti Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Phool Mahal, Jhanki Mahal, Takht Vilas, etc.

You will also visit Jaswant Thada and Umaid Bhawan Palace. Jaswant Thada is known as the Taj Mahal of Marwar. The exquisite marble cenotaph was built by Maharaja Sardar Singh in 1899 in memory of his father.

A visit to Umaid Bhavan Palace will allow you to explore one of the modern palaces in India. The palace was built by Maharaja Umaid Singh in 1929 and designed by British architect H.V. Lancaster. The splendid structure is a blend of the Indian traditional style and western art-deco style of architecture.  The palace is divided into a luxury hotel, a museum, and the private residence of the king of Jodhpur. With 347 rooms Umaid Bhavan Palace is one of the largest private residences in the world.

Overnight in Jodhpur.

After breakfast, you leave Jodhpur and head towards Jaisalmer. The landscape is quite arid and you can see sand dunes en route. While for the most part, you will journeying through a a wild and empty expanse with no sign of human habitation, the road will be pretty well-maintained and smooth.

Once you reach Jaisalmer you will be driven to your hotel. Freshen up and relax at your hotel.

Overnight in Jaisalmer.

Jaisalmer is known as the Golden City because of the golden-colored sandstone houses in the city. The city was founded by King Rawal Jaisal in 1156 who declared Jaisalmer as his capital.

After breakfast, you will visit the chief attractions of the city. You start with a tour of Jaisalmer Fort. One of the largest forts in India, the Jaisalmer Fort is also known as Sonar Qila or the Golden Fort. Built by Rawal Jaisal this huge fort is very different from other forts you have visited till now. You will find not royalty but common people living inside the fort and running businesses. There are hotels, shops, temples, residential quarters, and museums inside the fort.

You will visit the Jain Temples and Laxminarayan Temple which are located inside the fort. Later you will explore the beautiful Patwon ki Haveli, a heritage building built by a wealthy brocade merchant in the nineteenth century. A cluster of five palaces, this gorgeous sandstone building is decorated with intricate carvings, latticed windows, balconies, mirror work, and paintings.

Later you will visit other attractions in the city and enjoy a camel ride on the sand dunes of the Thar Desert. Jaisalmer is surrounded by the Thar Desert, which is also known as the Great Indian Desert.

Overnight in Jaisalmer.

You will be driving across the Thar Desert to Bikaner. Home to the world's largest camel breeding farm, the city is also known as 'Camel Country'. Bikaner was founded by a Rajput prince Rao Bikaji in 1488. The city lies in the middle of the arid Thar Desert.

After reaching Bikaner you check into your hotel. A brief rest and refreshmen later your sightseeing tour will commence with a visit to the magnificent Junagarh Fort. The fort was built in the sixteenth century by Raja Rai Singh. Inside the fort are many palaces, balconies, courtyards, and audience halls.

Later make your way to the National Research Centre on Camel which is the only one in Asia. Inside the research centre are a museum, camel breeding farm, and dairy selling products made from camel milk.

After returning to the city, explore the local market and shop for souvenirs. Bikaner is famous for its 'bhujias' (a crispy Indian snack) which you must surely try.

Overnight in Bikaner.

Leaving Bikaner you head to the last Rajasthani city in your itinerary, Mandawa. En route, you cross quaint villages and settlements of sheep and cattle herders. On reaching Mandawa you check into your hotel and have your lunch.

Enjoy a heritage walk and explore the old havelis or mansions. Mandawa is known as an Open Art Gallery because of the beautifully painted frescoes and murals on the walls of the havelis. In the bygone days, this ancient city used to be an important hub for traders traveling along the silk trade route. The magnificent havelis in the city were built by local Sekhawati traders and merchants who made their riches trading along the silk route. Afterward, visit the local market and shop for souvenirs.

Overnight in Mandawa.

Bid goodbye to Rajasthan and leave Mandawa for Delhi. It takes around four hours to reach the capital city. Once you reach Delhi, check into your hotel and take rest or explore the city’s markets on your own.

Overnight in Delhi.

Your Rajasthan Tour is finally over and now it's time to bid goodbye to Delhi. Our representative will drive you to the airport to catch your flight to your destination. If you want to explore other destinations in India, Nepal, or Bhutan please do let us know. We have a range of itineraries that may interest you.