Eighteen Days, Every Region of Rajasthan — Desert, Hills, Lakes, Wildlife & the Taj Mahal
Eighteen days that bring together every major region and experience Rajasthan has to offer — this is the tour for travellers who have the time available and want nothing left out: painted havelis, the full desert spine, a genuine hill station, lakeside palaces, royal forts, two full days of tiger safaris, and a closing visit to the Taj Mahal.
A note on the published itinerary: the original listing's introductory text referred to this as a '15-day tour', but the page's own heading, its stated duration field, and the detailed night-by-night breakdown (Delhi 2N, Mandawa 1N, Bikaner 1N, Jaisalmer 1N, Sam Dunes 1N, Jodhpur 2N, Mount Abu 2N, Udaipur 2N, Jaipur 2N, Ranthambhore 2N, Agra 1N) all independently agree on 17 nights / 18 days. We've built this page around that consistent, verified figure.
The tour opens with two days in Delhi before entering the desert at Mandawa, then continues through Bikaner, Jaisalmer, and a night at the Sam Sand Dunes. Two full days in Jodhpur allow unhurried exploration of Mehrangarh Fort, before the route climbs to Mount Abu — Rajasthan's only hill station — for two days including the extraordinary Dilwara Jain Temples.
From the cool hills, the journey descends to Udaipur for two days on the City of Lakes, continues to Jaipur for two days of royal heritage, and then shifts decisively toward wildlife: two full days and four jeep safaris at Ranthambhore National Park, before concluding with the Taj Mahal at sunrise in Agra — eighteen days that leave no major facet of Rajasthan unexplored.
What makes this journey special
Your journey, unfolded
Welcome to India! Transfer to your hotel. The afternoon is free to explore Connaught Place or simply settle in after your flight.
A full day across Old and New Delhi. The Red Fort, Qutub Minar, and Humayun's Tomb.
Drive to Mandawa (170 km, ~4 hrs). Afternoon walking tour of the Shekhawati region's most elaborately frescoed merchant havelis — Goenka Double Haveli and Murmuria Haveli among them.
Drive to Bikaner (190 km, ~4 hrs). Junagarh Fort, built on flat ground and never successfully captured. Optional excursion to the Karni Mata 'Rat Temple' at Deshnoke.
Drive to Jaisalmer (330 km, ~6 hrs). Evening: explore Jaisalmer Fort, one of the few 'living forts' in the world, where homes, shops, and temples still operate within its golden sandstone walls.
Morning: Patwon ki Haveli and Salim Singh ki Haveli. Afternoon: drive to the Sam Sand Dunes for a sunset camel trek, folk music, and dinner at a desert camp under the stars.
A peaceful desert sunrise before checkout. Drive to Jodhpur (285 km, ~5.5 hrs). Check in for a two-night stay.
A full day in the Blue City. Mehrangarh Fort, rising 125 metres on a sheer rock face, widely regarded as India's most dramatic fort, with a museum of royal palanquins, armour, and miniature paintings. Jaswant Thada, a white marble cenotaph nearby. An afternoon wandering the indigo-washed lanes of the old city and Sardar Market.
Drive to Mount Abu (265 km, ~5.5 hrs), Rajasthan's only hill station at 1,220m in the Aravalli range. Check in for a two-night stay. Evening: a relaxed walk by Nakki Lake.
A full day in the hills. The Dilwara Jain Temples — five temples dating from the 11th-13th centuries, with marble carving of such delicacy that the stone appears almost translucent in places. Guru Shikhar, the highest peak in the Aravalli range, with a small temple at its summit. Sunset Point for the day's final views over the surrounding hills.
Drive to Udaipur (185 km, ~4 hrs). Check in for a two-night stay. Evening: first views of Lake Pichola at sunset.
A full day in the City of Lakes. The City Palace complex, a sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola past the floating Lake Palace, and the formal gardens of Saheliyon ki Bari.
Drive to Jaipur (395 km, ~7 hrs). Check in for a two-night stay. Evening at leisure to explore the old walled city's bazaars.
A full day in the Pink City. Amber Fort by jeep, the City Palace, and the iconic Hawa Mahal. Evening: folk dance, puppet shows, and a traditional Rajasthani dinner at Chokhi Dhani village.
Drive to Ranthambhore (160 km, ~3 hrs). Check in to your jungle lodge for a two-night stay. Afternoon jeep safari into one of Ranthambhore's zones for your first chance at a tiger sighting.
A full day in Ranthambhore's forest. Dawn jeep safari for the best tiger activity. Visit Ranthambhore Fort, the 10th-century citadel within the park. Afternoon jeep safari into a different zone.
Optional morning safari before checkout. Drive to Agra (260 km, ~5 hrs). Check in. Evening: visit the Taj Mahal grounds for sunset views, ahead of tomorrow's sunrise visit.
Rise early for the Taj Mahal at dawn — a fitting finale to this comprehensive 18-day Rajasthan journey. Visit Agra Fort, the Mughal Empire's red sandstone stronghold. Drive to Delhi (200 km, ~3.5–4 hrs) for your departure flight. Tour concludes.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included ✓
- ✓ 17 nights accommodation in handpicked hotels & one desert camp
- ✓ Daily breakfast throughout; full board on safari days, dinner on Sam Dunes & Jaipur nights
- ✓ Private air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers & sightseeing
- ✓ English-speaking driver-guide throughout
- ✓ Sunset camel trek & overnight desert camp at Sam Sand Dunes
- ✓ 4 jeep safaris in Ranthambhore (2 full days, different zones)
- ✓ Dilwara Jain Temples entry, Mount Abu
- ✓ All monument, fort, haveli & temple entry fees
- ✓ Sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola, Udaipur
- ✓ Chokhi Dhani village evening experience
- ✓ All applicable taxes
Not Included ✗
- ✗ International flights to / from Delhi
- ✗ Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- ✗ Lunches on non-safari days
- ✗ Camera fees at monuments & parks (nominal)
- ✗ Personal expenses & shopping
- ✗ Gratuities for driver-guide & naturalist guides
Your questions, answered
Yes, 18 days is correct. The original page contained one inconsistency: its introductory paragraph described a '15-day tour', but the page's own heading ('18 Days'), its separately stated duration field ('17 Nights / 18 Days'), and the detailed night-by-night breakdown of all eleven destinations every independently total 17 nights and 18 days. Three consistent sources outweigh the one outlying mention, so we've built this page around the verified 18-day itinerary.
This is our most complete single itinerary — the only one of our extended tours to include two full nights each in Jodhpur, Mount Abu, Udaipur, Jaipur, and Ranthambhore, rather than a single night at most stops. If 18 days is more time than you have available, our Grand Tour of Rajasthan (16 days) covers nearly identical ground with single-night stays at several destinations, and our Essence of Rajasthan (13 days) offers a more compact version without Mount Abu or Ranthambhore.
Two nights at Jodhpur, Mount Abu, Udaipur, Jaipur, and Ranthambhore allows a genuinely unhurried pace — enough time to properly explore each destination's major sights without the same-day arrival-and-departure rush common on shorter tours. For most travellers, this is the right balance between thoroughness and overall trip length; if you'd like even more time at a specific stop, we can extend that section further on request.
October to March is ideal — comfortable temperatures (15–28°C), clear skies, and the best conditions for sightseeing, fort treks, and wildlife safaris. April–June brings intense heat (up to 45°C); July–September is monsoon, with some relief from the heat but reduced safari access in the tiger reserves.
Absolutely. Every Discover India tour is fully private and built around your preferences. We can adjust the duration, swap destinations, change hotel categories, or add extensions. Submit an enquiry and our specialists will redesign the itinerary for you at no obligation.
We include carefully selected 4-star and 5-star hotels throughout — heritage havelis, palace hotels, and well-appointed properties near the wildlife reserves, all personally vetted by our team. Upgrades to palace hotels or luxury tented camps are available on request.
Most nationalities can apply for an Indian e-Visa online at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Processing typically takes 3–5 business days and costs $25–$80 USD depending on your nationality. Apply at least 2 weeks before travel.
Cancellations 60+ days before departure receive a full refund minus a small admin fee. 30–59 days: 75% refund. 15–29 days: 50% refund. Under 15 days: no refund. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance.
