Painted Towns, Desert Forts, a Hill Station, Tiger Country & the Taj Mahal
Sixteen days that bring together every major facet of Rajasthan into a single grand circuit — the painted havelis of Shekhawati, the full desert spine through Bikaner, Jaisalmer, and the Sam Sand Dunes, the cool retreat of Mount Abu (Rajasthan's only hill station), the lakeside romance of Udaipur, the royal heritage of Jaipur, two full days of tiger safaris at Ranthambhore, and a closing visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra.
The tour opens with two days in Delhi before entering the desert at Mandawa, the heart of the Shekhawati fresco region, then continuing through Bikaner's Junagarh Fort, Jaisalmer's living fort and golden havelis, and a night camped at the Sam Sand Dunes with a sunset camel trek.
From Jodhpur's Mehrangarh Fort, the route climbs to Mount Abu — Rajasthan's only hill station, at 1,220m in the Aravalli range, with the exquisitely carved marble Dilwara Jain Temples and the cool, forested respite of Nakki Lake — before descending to Udaipur for two days on the City of Lakes.
The tour's final third shifts decisively toward wildlife and Mughal grandeur: two days in Jaipur, followed by two full days and four jeep safaris at Ranthambhore National Park, one of India's premier tiger reserves, before concluding with the Taj Mahal at sunrise in Agra and the drive back to Delhi.
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.
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.
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). Afternoon: Mehrangarh Fort, widely regarded as India's most dramatic fort.
Drive to Mount Abu (265 km, ~5.5 hrs), Rajasthan's only hill station at 1,220m in the Aravalli range — a cool, forested change of pace after the desert. Evening: a relaxed walk by Nakki Lake, said to have been dug out by the gods' fingernails (nakh).
Morning: 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, widely considered among the finest such work in India. Drive to Udaipur (185 km, ~4 hrs) and check in.
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. 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. 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 Rajasthan journey. Visit Agra Fort. Drive to Delhi (200 km, ~3.5–4 hrs) for your departure flight. Tour concludes.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included ✓
- ✓ 15 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
Mount Abu is Rajasthan's only hill station, and the Dilwara Jain Temples here are widely considered among the finest marble carving in India — arguably comparable to Ranakpur, but far less visited by international tour groups. Sitting conveniently between Jodhpur and Udaipur, it offers a genuinely refreshing change of pace — cool forested air after the desert heat — that most shorter Rajasthan tours simply don't have time to include.
This is our most wildlife-inclusive long itinerary — it's the only one of our extended Rajasthan tours to include a full two days and four safaris at Ranthambhore National Park, alongside Mount Abu (which neither the Essence of Rajasthan nor Grand Heritage Tour include) and the Taj Mahal at Agra. If tiger safaris are a priority alongside comprehensive heritage coverage, this is the tour we'd recommend.
This is intentionally our most complete combination of desert heritage, hill station scenery, and wildlife safari. If 16 days isn't feasible, removing Mount Abu (saving roughly 2 days including the drive) or Ranthambhore (saving roughly 3 days) are both straightforward adjustments. Submit an enquiry and we'll tailor a shorter version around your priorities.
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.
