Mughal Capital, Pink City, Blue City & The City of Lakes
Nine days that trace the classic spine of Rajasthan — from Delhi's Mughal and colonial heritage through Jaipur's royal forts, the sacred lakeside town of Pushkar, Jodhpur's dramatic hilltop Mehrangarh Fort, and finally the romantic, lake-strewn city of Udaipur.
The tour opens in Delhi with two unhurried days covering the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Humayun's Tomb, and the bazaars of Chandni Chowk, before continuing to Jaipur — the Pink City — for the Amber Fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, and the iconic Hawa Mahal, alongside an evening of Rajasthani folk culture at Chokhi Dhani village.
From Jaipur, the route turns west to Pushkar — one of Hinduism's most sacred towns, built around a lake said to have been created by a lotus petal dropped from Brahma's hand, and home to the Brahma Temple, one of the very few temples in the world dedicated to the creator god. The journey continues to Jodhpur, the Blue City, where Mehrangarh Fort rises 125 metres above a sea of indigo-painted houses, widely considered India's most dramatic fort.
En route to the final destination, a detour to Ranakpur reveals one of India's most extraordinary Jain temples — over 1,400 intricately carved marble pillars, no two alike. The tour concludes in Udaipur, the City of Lakes, with a sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola past the floating Lake Palace, the sprawling City Palace complex, and the formal gardens of Saheliyon ki Bari.
What makes this journey special
Your journey, unfolded
Welcome to India! Your representative meets you at the airport and transfers you to your hotel. The afternoon is free to explore Connaught Place or Janpath Market — a gentle introduction to the city.
A full day exploring both Old and New Delhi. The Red Fort — a UNESCO World Heritage site of Mughal red sandstone grandeur. Jama Masjid, one of South Asia's largest mosques. Humayun's Tomb, the architectural forerunner of the Taj Mahal. A classic rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk's spice, silver, and saree lanes.
After breakfast, check out and drive southwest to Jaipur — approximately 5–6 hours through Haryana and into Rajasthan. Arrive and check in to your heritage hotel. Evening free to explore the walled old city's terracotta-pink streets and rooftop cafés.
A full day in the Pink City. Amber Fort by jeep for the Sheesh Mahal and royal courtyard gardens. The City Palace, still home to the Jaipur royal family. The UNESCO-listed Jantar Mantar observatory. The iconic five-storey Hawa Mahal. Evening: an immersive Chokhi Dhani village experience — puppet shows, camel rides, folk dance, and a traditional Rajasthani dinner under the stars.
Drive west from Jaipur to Pushkar (145 km, ~2.5 hrs) via the holy city of Ajmer. Visit the Brahma Temple — one of only a handful of temples in the world dedicated to the creator god — and walk the 52 ghats around the sacred lake, where pilgrims have bathed for centuries. Browse the bazaars for tie-dye fabric, rose water, and silver jewellery. Continue to Jodhpur (200 km, ~3.5 hrs) and check in.
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 whose walls glow faintly when sunlight strikes them. An afternoon wandering the indigo-washed lanes of the old city and Sardar Market.
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, filtering light into the cavernous prayer hall in a way unlike any other Indian temple. Continue to Udaipur and check in. Evening: first views of Lake Pichola at sunset.
A full day in the City of Lakes. The City Palace complex — the largest in Rajasthan, with courtyards, museums, and the privately occupied Chandra Mahal overlooking Lake Pichola. A sunset boat ride on the lake past the floating Lake Palace and Jagmandir island. Saheliyon ki Bari — the 'Garden of the Maidens', a formal 18th-century garden of fountains and lotus pools.
A relaxed final morning in Udaipur — perhaps one more walk by the lake or a coffee on a rooftop with City Palace views. Transfer to Maharana Pratap Airport for your departure flight. The tour concludes in Udaipur, or connect via Mumbai or Delhi for your onward journey.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included ✓
- ✓ 8 nights accommodation in handpicked heritage hotels
- ✓ Daily breakfast throughout
- ✓ Dinner on Day 4 (Chokhi Dhani)
- ✓ Private air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers & sightseeing
- ✓ English-speaking driver-guide throughout
- ✓ All monument entry fees — forts, palaces & temples
- ✓ Sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola, Udaipur
- ✓ Chokhi Dhani village evening experience
- ✓ All applicable taxes
Not Included ✗
- ✗ International flights to / from Delhi or Udaipur
- ✗ Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- ✗ Lunches throughout
- ✗ Camera fees at monuments (nominal)
- ✗ Personal expenses & shopping
- ✗ Gratuities for driver-guide
Your questions, answered
Pushkar's essential sights — the Brahma Temple, the 52 ghats, and the bazaar — can be properly appreciated in a focused half-day visit, and its short detour off the Jaipur-Jodhpur road (just 20–30 minutes each way from the direct route) makes a same-day combination both efficient and unhurried. If you would prefer an overnight in Pushkar — particularly worthwhile during the November Camel Fair — we can easily restructure the itinerary to include this; please let us know when booking.
Yes, genuinely. Ranakpur's Jain temple is considered one of the five most important Jain pilgrimage sites in India, and its 1,444 carved marble pillars (no two identical) represent one of the most extraordinary interior spaces in all of Indian temple architecture. The detour adds only about an hour to the Jodhpur-Udaipur drive and is, for many travellers, among the most memorable single stops of the entire tour.
Absolutely. Jaisalmer, the Golden City, sits a further 285 km west of Jodhpur (about 5.5 hours) and adds the experience of a genuine 'living fort' plus camel safaris into the Thar Desert dunes. We can extend this itinerary by 2–3 days to include Jaisalmer before continuing to Udaipur — submit an enquiry for a customised version.
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.
