Painted Havelis, Camel Country, Living Forts & the Sacred Lake of Pushkar
Thirteen days that capture what most travellers picture when they imagine Rajasthan — its painted merchant towns, its desert forts, its camel safaris, its lakeside romance, and its sacred pilgrimage sites — woven into a single comprehensive circuit beginning and ending in Delhi.
After two days exploring Delhi's Mughal and colonial heritage, the journey enters the desert proper at Mandawa, the heart of the Shekhawati region's open-air fresco gallery, before continuing to Bikaner for Junagarh Fort and the curious Karni Mata 'Rat Temple' at nearby Deshnoke.
Jaisalmer's living fort and golden havelis, a night camped beneath the stars at the Sam Sand Dunes, and Jodhpur's dramatic Mehrangarh Fort follow in sequence, before the tour's character shifts entirely at Udaipur — two unhurried days on the City of Lakes, with a sunset boat ride past the floating Lake Palace.
From Udaipur, the route turns to Pushkar — one of Hinduism's most sacred towns, its lake said to have formed from a lotus petal dropped by Brahma — before the circuit concludes with two final days of royal heritage in Jaipur, the Pink City, bringing this complete tour of Rajasthan's essence full circle.
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 — three of the city's most significant UNESCO and historic sites.
Drive to Mandawa (170 km, ~4 hrs), the heart of the Shekhawati region's open-air fresco gallery. Afternoon walking tour: Goenka Double Haveli and Murmuria Haveli, their facades depicting deities, royal processions, and early motor cars painted by artists who had only heard them described.
Drive to Bikaner (190 km, ~4 hrs). Check in. Afternoon: Junagarh Fort, built on flat ground and never successfully captured, with ornately mirrored palace interiors. Optional excursion to Deshnoke (30 km) for the Karni Mata Temple, the famous 'Rat Temple' where thousands of black rats are revered and protected as reincarnations of the goddess's devotees.
Drive to Jaisalmer (330 km, ~6 hrs), deep into the Thar Desert. Check in. 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, intricately carved merchant mansions. Afternoon: drive to the Sam Sand Dunes (42 km, ~1 hr) for a camel trek across the dunes at sunset, followed by folk music and dinner at a desert camp under an exceptionally starry sky.
A peaceful desert sunrise before breakfast and checkout. Drive to Jodhpur (285 km, ~5.5 hrs). Check in. Afternoon: Mehrangarh Fort, rising 125 metres on a sheer rock face, widely regarded as India's most dramatic fort.
Drive south through the Aravalli hills toward Udaipur (250 km, ~5 hrs), stopping en route at Ranakpur — one of India's most extraordinary Jain temples, its interior supported by over 1,400 intricately carved marble pillars, no two alike. Continue to Udaipur and check in.
A full day in the City of Lakes. The sprawling City Palace complex. A sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola past the floating Lake Palace and Jagmandir island. Saheliyon ki Bari — the 'Garden of the Maidens'.
Drive from Udaipur to Pushkar (280 km, ~5.5 hrs) via Ajmer. Check in. Evening: walk the 52 ghats around the sacred lake, said to have formed from a lotus petal dropped by Brahma, and visit the Brahma Temple — one of only a handful of temples in the world dedicated to the creator god.
Morning: browse Pushkar's bazaars for tie-dye fabric, rose water, and silver jewellery. Drive to Jaipur (145 km, ~2.5 hrs). Check in. Afternoon: Amber Fort by jeep for the Sheesh Mahal and royal courtyard gardens.
A full day in the Pink City. The City Palace, still home to the Jaipur royal family. The iconic Hawa Mahal. Evening: folk dance, puppet shows, and a traditional Rajasthani dinner at Chokhi Dhani village.
A relaxed final morning — last-minute shopping for Jaipur's block-printed textiles or blue pottery. Drive back to Delhi (280 km, ~5.5 hrs) for your departure flight, or fly out directly from Jaipur if your onward connections allow. Tour concludes.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included ✓
- ✓ 12 nights accommodation in handpicked hotels & one desert camp
- ✓ Daily breakfast throughout; 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
- ✓ 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 throughout
- ✗ Camera fees at monuments (nominal)
- ✗ Personal expenses & shopping
- ✗ Gratuities for driver-guide
Your questions, answered
It's one of our most comprehensive — covering Shekhawati, the full desert circuit (Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Sam Dunes), the Blue and Lake Cities (Jodhpur and Udaipur), sacred Pushkar, and Jaipur. For an even longer, more exhaustive version including Barmer and Khimsar's quieter dunes, see our Grand Desert Circuit (12 nights). For a version that also adds Agra and the Taj Mahal, see our Grand Heritage Tour (15 nights).
This routing follows a natural geographic loop — Udaipur to Pushkar (via Ajmer) is a direct, comfortable 5.5-hour drive, and Pushkar then sits conveniently en route to Jaipur, just 2.5 hours further. This avoids backtracking and keeps the overall journey efficient despite covering significant ground.
Yes — it's offered as an optional half-day add-on from Bikaner. Some travellers find the temple's free-roaming sacred rats fascinating; others prefer to skip it. Let us know your preference when booking and we'll adjust the Bikaner day's schedule accordingly.
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.
