Highlights
- Ride camels across the dunes in the Thar desert
- Visit the Brahmaji Temple and holy lake in Pushkar
- See the blue houses of Jodhpur
- Tour Jaipur's Amber Fort
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in Delhi | Delhi |
| Day 2 | Tour Old Delhi and New Delhi | Overnight train |
| Day 3 | Explore Jaisalmer | Jaisalmer |
| Day 4 | Visit Dechu and the Thar Desert | Dechu |
| Day 5 | Arrive in Jodhpur, tour Mehrangarh Fort and the Jaswant Thada | Jodhpur |
| Day 6 | Jodhpur to Pushkar | Pushkar |
| Day 7 | Pushkar to Jaipur | Jaipur |
| Day 8 | Jaipur sightseeing day | Jaipur |
| Day 9 | Abhaneri Stepwell and Fatehpur Sikri | Agra |
| Day 10 | Visit Agra and return to Delhi for departure |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Delhi
Once you arrive in Delhi, your guide will meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel to check-in and give you all of the details about your trip.
Then, you'll visit the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, one of the most prominent Sikh gurdwara, or Sikh house of worship. It was once the Haveli (mansion) of Guru Har Krishan, the eighth Sikh Guru, and was later converted into a place of worship in his memory. Thousands of people visit it every day.
Later, you'll visit the Lotus Temple, a Baha'i house of worship. It is one of the most striking modern temples in India and is designed to look like a semi-open floating lotus flower. The design has won several architectural awards.
Day 2: Tour Old Delhi and New Delhi
Start with a tour of Old Delhi, a bustling area filled with ancient monuments, narrow streets, and busy markets. You'll pass the dramatic Red Fort, then visit the Jama Masjid—one of the largest mosques in India—which was built in 1658 by Shah Jahan, who also built the Taj Mahal.
Next, you'll visit Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi's most famous market, where you can find anything from fruit to fine jewelry. You'll take an exhilarating rickshaw ride through the market, which was the heart of the ancient city of Shah Jehanabad during Mughal times. Finally, you'll visit Raj Ghat, a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.
In the afternoon, you'll explore New Delhi. Your guide will take you on a drive down the Rajpath, an avenue that runs in front of the government buildings of the British era and was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. There, you'll see the Presidential Palace and the India Gate, a stone arch that was built as a memorial to Indian soldiers killed in WWI. The arch is engraved with the names of over 90,000 soldiers.
Finally, you'll visit Humayun's Tomb, which was built in the 16th century and is considered a precursor to the Taj Mahal.
In the evening, your guide will take you to the train station, where you'll board an overnight sleeper train to Jaisalmer.
Day 3: Explore Jaisalmer
A little before noon, you'll arrive in Jaisalmer, where your guide will meet you and take you to your hotel. Once you've checked in, you'll go on a tour of Jaisalmer, often nicknamed the "Golden City" for the yellow sandstone this fortified citadel is made of.
You'll visit beautifully-carved Jain temples and the city's magnificent Havelis (merchants' mansions), including Patwon ki Haveli (the largest) and Nathmal Ki Haveli, built at the end of the 19th century. With its isolated position at the doors of the desert, touring Jaisalmer is like taking a step back in time into the medieval India of the proud Rajput princes.
In the evening, you'll have some free time to visit Jaisalmer's market or Bada Bagh, a garden complex with several royal cenotaphs. It's a great place to admire the sunset and photograph the walled city. You can also walk down to Gadi Sagar Lake, a water reservoir located south of the fortress.
Day 4: Visit Dechu and the Thar Desert
After breakfast, your driver will take you into the desert to Dechu. Once you arrive, you'll check in to your desert camp and go on a jeep ride to nearby villages. There, you'll learn more about the desert, the people who live here, and their lifestyle. You'll also have the option to visit nearby temples.
In the evening, your guides will take you on a sunset camel ride through dunes of the Thar desert and learn more about local flora and fauna. You'll return to the camp before it gets dark for a cultural performance.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 5: Arrive in Jodhpur, Tour Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada
After breakfast, your driver will take you to Jodhpur, also known as the Blue City. The drive takes around three hours. Jodhpur is dominated by the imposing figure of Fort Mehrangarh, the "Fort of Majesty." After you check into your hotel and get settled, you'll go on a tour of Mehrangarh Fort, located high on a rocky peak above the plain. From there, you'll have great panoramic views of the Blue City and be able to see the palace's many intricately-carved facades, as well as its museum that houses a collection of crafts and ancient weapons.
After you visit the fortress, you'll head to nearby Jaswant Thada, a royal cenotaph made of white marble built in memory of Maharadja Jaswant Singh II.
Later, you'll have some free time to stroll through Jodhpur's market, which is located around the Clock Tower. There you can shop for spices, grains, and saris. Finally, make sure to walk through the city to see its famous blue houses.
Day 6: Jodhpur to Pushkar
After breakfast, your driver will take you to Pushkar (a four-to five-hour drive). Pushkar is a small town on the edge of the desert with a quiet lake, small hills, and several temples. The Brahmaji Temple is an important place of pilgrimage for Hindus, as it is the only Brahma temple in India. Once you arrive, you can check-in at your hotel and freshen up.
Later, you'll visit the Brahmaji Temple and the sacred lake. In the evening, you'll attend a prayer ceremony in Varah Ghat, where you can hear the sound of the bells coming from the many temples all around you as the sun goes down.
Day 7: Pushkar to Jaipur
After breakfast, your driver will take you to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. It's often called the Pink City for the pink paint that covers the walls of the old city. In Rajput tradition, pink symbolized hospitality. The drive to Jaipur takes around three hours.
Once you arrive, you'll have the rest of the day free to explore the city.
Day 8: Jaipur Sightseeing Day
In the morning, you'll go on a hot air balloon safari over Jaipur (dependent on weather conditions). Hot air ballooning in Jaipur is a truly unique experience, and you'll get the chance to fly over palaces, forts, and lakes as you take in the mesmerizing scenery, and you'll have plenty of opportunities to take photos.
Then, you'll stop at the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) to take a few photos of its unique facade, before visiting the massive Amber Fort a few miles outside the city. Finally, your guide will take you to the City Palace, which showcases a beautiful blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture.
Finally, the last stop of your tour is Jantar Mantar, a solar observatory filled with astronomical instruments. In the evening, return to your hotel to relax.
Day 9: Abhaneri Stepwell and Fatehpur Sikri
In the morning, your driver will pick you up and take you to the stepwell in Abhaneri and Fatehpur Sikri on the way to Agra. The total drive to Agra takes around five hours.
First, you'll stop at the Chand Baori Stepwell in Abhaneri, a deep four-sided well made up of 3,500 narrow steps. There are other step wells nearby, but Chand Baori is the most popular and is one of the largest and deepest wells in India.
Then, you'll stop at Fatehpur Sikri shortly before arriving in Agra. Fatehpur Sikri is a deserted royal city that was constructed by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. It served as his capital for 14 years, until he abandoned it in 1585 for its lack of water.
Finally, you'll drive on to Agra to see this architectural gem from the golden age of the Mughals. Once you arrive, you can check-in to your hotel and relax.
Day 10: Visit Agra and Return to Delhi for Departure
Today at sunrise, you'll visit one of India's most incredible monuments—the Taj Mahal. At dawn, you'll be able to see the colorful effects of the rising sun on this incredible white marble monument.
After your visit, return to the hotel for breakfast, and then you'll head to the massive Agra Fort, a blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture.
After your tour of the fort, your driver will take you back to Delhi (drive time: around four hours). From there, you'll be taken to the airport for your flight home.
Map
