The Royal Rajasthan (10 Days and 9 Nights)

You will be received at New Delhi International Airport by our tour guide. Drive to a hotel for check-in. There will not be any excursions during the day to allow you to rest and recover from travel fatigue.

After breakfast, visit India Gate – an arch built in memory of all Indian soldiers who laid down their lives in World War I. This 42-meters-tall monument was dedicated to the nation in 1931. Catch a glimpse of the President’s House, then head for Birla House where Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated. A museum inside the building complex shares detailed information about his life and his contribution to the freedom struggle of India. Visit the famous Sikh shrine Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, associated with the life of the eighth Sikh Guru, Sri Harkrishan. The museum inside the shrine complex shares an in-depth pictorial history of Sikhism in India.

Post lunch, visit Qutub Minar – one of the tallest minarets in the world. Qutub-ud-din Aibak, the first Muslim conqueror of Delhi, laid the foundation of the Qutub Minar in 1192 AD. The height of the Qutub Minar is 72.5 meters, and there are 379 steps to reach its top. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast, visit Akshardham Temple, an architectural marvel. The temple management, through well-conceived exhibitions, educates visitors about India’s magnificent spiritual and cultural heritage. After lunch, drive to Mandawa (256 km, 5.5 hours), where you will check-in at a heritage hotel for stay.

After breakfast, you will embark on an exploration of Mandawa on foot. Mandawa is renowned for its centuries-old havelis, traditional palatial mansions with unique Indian architecture. The inner and outer walls of these havelis have meticulously embellished frescoes and mural paintings. Due to these colorful havelis, Mandawa is also known as the world’s largest open art gallery.

The road journey to Bikaner (190 km, 3 hours) follows, where you will check-in at a hotel. Bikaner was founded in 1488 AD by the prince of Jodhpur, Rao Bika. Surrounded by the Thar Desert, the ancient city is home to lofty forts, impressive palaces, havelis, and beautiful temples. An evening stroll through the bustling street market of Bikaner, famous for handicrafts and textiles, will be part of the itinerary. Return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

The day’s excursion will begin with a visit to the Junagarh Fort situated in the heart of the city. An epitome of Rajput-Mughal architecture, this colossal fort was initially built by the king Rai Singh. Annexes were added by successive rulers. Built of red sandstone and marble, the fort complex houses magnificent palaces and a museum. The Prachina Museum has an impressive collection of arms, weapons, manuscripts, paintings, and much more. Later during the day, a visit to the National Research Centre on the camel, which houses around 400 camels of four different species, is scheduled. Spread over 2000 acres, this centre is a government-run organization for camel breeding. Apart from seeing camels from a close distance, visitors can also learn about their breeding process at the centre. Return to the hotel.

Drive to Jaisalmer (330 km, 5 hours) in the morning. En route, you will visit the royal cenotaphs. The ancient town of Jaisalmer was founded by Rawal Jaisal, the king of the Lodurva region, in 1156 AD. Rawal Jaisal commissioned a fort on a hilltop, and the town grew around the fort. Jaisalmer is titled as the Golden City of India because most of the structures within the town were built using yellow sandstone. Upon arrival, check-in at a hotel. There will be no sightseeing activity during the remainder of the day.

You will head for a much-awaited desert safari in the sand dunes of Sam. After breakfast, visit the Jaisalmer fort, also known as the Sonar Qila (the golden palace). Perched atop the Trikuta Hill, the Jaisalmer fort is a magnificent yellow sandstone structure listed under the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. More than 4,000 people, descendants of earlier inhabitants of the fort, continue to live inside its fortified walls. The gigantic walls of this 12th-century AD fort were built without using any mortar. The fort complex houses beautiful palaces, exquisitely carved Hindu temples, and a group of seven Jain temples. Later in the day, you will visit the picturesque Gadsisar Lake, a man-made water conservation tank made in 1400 AD by King Maharwal Gadsi Singh. The beautiful lake is surrounded by yellow sandstone temples and royal cenotaphs. Return to the hotel.

Visit the impressive Patwon Ki Haveli, which is a complex of five havelis. The havelis were constructed by a rich merchant, Gumanchand Patwa, for his five sons. The first haveli was built in 1805 AD, and the rest of them were built subsequently. Adorned with amazing paintings, mirror work, and exquisite carvings, these grand havelis are a perfect example of Rajputana architecture. You will then be driven to Jodhpur (264 km, 4.5 hours). The second-largest city of Rajasthan, Jodhpur, was established in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha, the chief of the Rathore clan. Most of the houses in Jodhpur are painted in blue color; as a result, the city is also known as the Blue City. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

The day’s excursion will begin with a visit to the colossal Mehrangarh Fort, situated atop a hill overlooking the city of Jodhpur. The foundation of the fort was laid by King Rao Jodha in 1459 AD, with subsequent rulers making additions to it. The overall fort complex boasts of Rajputana and Mughal architectures. The Mehrangarh Fort served as the headquarters of the Rathore Kings for over five centuries, with beautiful palaces, temples, and a museum inside the fortified walls offering a diverse mix for visitors to explore.

Post-lunch, you will explore the Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum, which is part of the majestic Umaid Bhawan Palace. It took 16 years to construct the palace, finally commissioned in 1945. The palace was turned into a heritage hotel in 1977, and a part of it was converted into a museum. The museum has an amazing collection of glass, porcelain wares, memorabilia, and offers glimpses of royal grandeur.

After breakfast, you will be driven to the Jodhpur Airport, from where you will fly to your onward destination. The memorable exploration of Rajasthan comes to an end.