AEI- 12 Rajasthan Complete 13N-14D
Expert Rating: Asia Escapes
“This is the most comprehensive itinerary in North India . Unlike shorter routes, this program allows the traveler to ‘lose themselves’ in time. It stands out for its excellent chronological balance: it begins in vibrant Delhi, crosses the pristine desert in Jaisalmer , immerses itself in the romance of Udaipur , and culminates with the perfection of the Taj Mahal . It is a route of intense contrasts: from the mysticism of the Rat Temple in Deshok to the sophistication of the palaces in Jaipur. A 14-day journey allows the pace, though ambitious due to the distances covered, to be rewarding and profound, enabling an understanding of the complex identity of the Rajput clans.”
Day 1. Arrival-New Delhi
Arrival in Delhi on an international flight. Our Spanish-speaking representative will meet you at the airport, provide assistance, and transfer you to your hotel. Overnight stay.
Day 2. New Delhi
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to visit Old Delhi. We will stop in front of the Red Fort and take a rickshaw ride through the narrow streets of Old Delhi. After the tour, we will head to Raj Ghat. This beautiful park is where the cenotaph, a black marble platform marking the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated after his assassination, is located. Pandit Nehru and Indira Gandhi were also cremated there. We will continue our visit to New Delhi. We will see the government buildings, India Gate, a 42-meter-high stone triumphal arch inscribed with the names of the 90,000 Indian Army soldiers who died during World War I. We will enjoy a panoramic view of the Parliament area and the President’s residence.
Later, we will visit the Sikh temple: Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, a temple of the Sikh faith, located in Connaught Place. It is the most important Sikh temple in Delhi. Thousands of people of all faiths visit this temple daily.
Finally, we will see the Qutub Minar, one of the oldest monuments in the first city of Delhi, as its construction began in 1199. This complex is characterized by its blend of Hindu and Islamic styles. Its minaret, the tallest in the world, reaches a height of 72.5 meters, arranged in five tiers of decreasing diameter. At the foot of the minaret is the Alai Darwaza Gate, made of red and yellow bricks, which once served as the entrance to the mosque. The tomb of Sultan Iltutamish and the mausoleum of Imam Zami are also located here. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
Day 3. Delhi-Mandawa (270 kms, 06 hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure by road to Mandawa, arrival and transfer to the hotel. Mandawa is located on the Silk Road in India , which traversed the entire Rajasthan to connect the Middle East with China . This transformed a nearly deserted region into a prosperous area, where wealthy merchants established small base towns from which to operate. Halfway between Delhi and Jaisalmer , it was founded in the 18th century. Within a few years, and due to its importance as a trading base, Takhur Nawal Singh built a fort to protect it, and a small town full of small palaces ( Havelis ) built by merchants grew up around it . In the afternoon, visit the town, including the Havelis (merchants’ houses), with a walking tour. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
Day 4. Mandawa-Bikaner (190 kms, 4 hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure by road to Bikaner, arrival and transfer to the hotel. The territory of Bikaner was very important on the ancient caravan routes. It was founded by Rao Bika in 1486 after conquering the lands of the Rajput clans. The previous year he built a fort, which still exists and bears the founder’s name. From this fort, the city of Bikaner grew into Bika’s settlement. During the following years, the state came under the rule of the Mughal emperors, who governed the territory until the 19th century. In the afternoon, visit Junagarh Fort in Bikaner and the National Camel Centre.
Bikaner is a city rich in culture and traditions, and a showcase of Rajasthani art and music. Junagarh Fort is simply breathtaking. Formerly called Chintamani, it was given the name Junagarh, meaning “old fort,” at the beginning of the last century when the family that owned the palace and governed the region moved elsewhere. It’s one of the few fortifications in Rajasthan that isn’t built on a hilltop. Constructed in the 16th century and spectacularly well-preserved, it boasts impressive dimensions—covering over five hectares—and is well worth a visit to the city on its own. Replete with small temples, courtyards, arcades, and rooms of all kinds, Bikaner Fort continues to display its meticulous ornamentation in all its splendor, making every corner a story waiting to be discovered. The interior decorations, frescoes, and stones inlaid in the walls showcase the wealth of the ruling family; there are portals covered in gold—it’s truly magnificent. There’s also a small museum that tells the story of the city of Bikaner and the Singhji dynasty. We continue our visit to the National Camel Centre: Although not a building, the national camel centre is also worth mentioning. Nestled among the desert dunes, we find this camel farm, said to be the largest in all of Asia, which was opened almost 60 years ago with the aim of breeding the finest specimens of this prized animal. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
Day 5. Bikaner-Jaisalmer (330 km, 6/7 hours)
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure by road to Jaisalmer. Stop en route in the village of Desmok, where we will visit the temple dedicated to Karni Mata. Karni Mata, better known as the “Temple of Rats ,” stands out not for its architecture, murals, or rooms, but for the presence of more than twenty thousand of these rodents that coexist in perfect harmony with visitors and monks. Small burrows in the walls crown a series of courtyards, arcades, and rooms where the architecture is the least surprising thing about the temple. Considered a sacred place for the worship and consecration of sadhus, reincarnations of the minstrels of Karni Mata, the official deity of the royal family of Bikaner and Jodhpur in India. The rats, unaware of their divine status, drink the milk that the Brahmins place in large containers around the entrance courtyard of the sanctuary and roam like the queens of the place. The die is cast if you spot a white rat. If you manage to see one, it will be an especially lucky day, as the temple is inhabited by what we would describe as mice rather than rats, and you have to look very carefully to catch a glimpse of one. After the visit, departure for Jaisalmer, arrival, and transfer to the hotel.
Jaisalmer, also known as the Golden City, is situated on the crest of a yellow sandstone ridge and is crowned by Jaisalmer Fort, which has 99 bastions atop Trikuta Hill (Hill of the Three Peaks), 80 meters high. The city is ancient but took its name, “Jaisalmer,” in 1156, after Maharaja Rawal Jaisal . It is one of the most beautiful cities in Rajasthan, and where you can enjoy some of the most spectacular sunrises and sunsets in all of India. The buildings are constructed from yellow sandstone, and when the sun’s rays reflect off the rocks, they give the city a golden appearance, as if gold had been scattered across the Thar Desert. With approximately 75,000 inhabitants, the city is well worth exploring, both the interior of the citadel and the surrounding monuments, as well as experiencing a camel trek through the Indian desert. The city boasts an artificial lake, Gadir Sagar, built in 1367, which collects rainwater; a group of Jain temples with rock-carved sculptures; several Hindu temples; the City Palace; and some of the most impressive havelis in Rajasthan. Accommodation.
Day 6. Jaisalmer
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, a tour of Jaisalmer, including the Fort, Gadisar Lake, and the havelis. In the afternoon, we’ll travel to the edge of the Thar Desert for a camel ride across the dunes and to watch the sunset.
The Fort: Built in 1156 by Rawal Jaisal, the fort crowns the city, perched 80 meters above Trikuta Hill. Still inhabited, palaces and bazaars are nestled within the fort’s walls, which feature 99 bastions around a large circumference. Havelis: Houses built by merchants with carved stone facades. Gadisar Lake: Built by Telia, a famous nautch (dancer) courtesan, for her lover, a prince of the Bhatti dynasty, against the Maharaja’s wishes. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
Day 7. Jaisalmer-Jodhpur (290 kms, 5/6 hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Jodhpur. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, a city tour. We will see Mehrangarh Fort, built in 1459 by order of Rao Jodha, chief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs, who claimed descent from Rama (of the Ramayana epic), thus establishing the foundations of Jodhpur. A high stone wall, almost 10 km long, protects the fortified city and has eight gates facing in various directions. Situated on a 150 m high hill, it is the most formidable and magnificent fort in Rajasthan and one of the largest in India. Although it dates back to the 15th century (1459), most of what remains today dates from 1650. It has walls up to 60 m high and houses an exquisitely decorated palace with carved panels, latticed windows, and stained glass. It features three imposing gates, each built to commemorate a particular victory. Moti Mahal, the Pearl Palace; Phool Mahal, the Flower Palace; Sheesh Mahal, the Mirror Palace. Next, on the path down from the fort, we’ll encounter Jaswant Thada, the elegant marble cenotaph of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. We return to the city center and stop at Ghanta Ghar, where the Clock Tower stands , the heart of this blue city of Jodhpur. Sardar Singh erected this tower, just as he did the mausoleum of Jaswant Thada. Around this tower, we’ll find the various markets known as Sardar Market , where the life of the people of Jodhpur truly unfolds. Accommodation.
Day 8. Jodhpur-Ranakpur-Udaipur (270 kms, 5/6 hours)
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure by road to Udaipur, visiting en route the famous Jain Temples of Ranakpur (guides will explain the temples outside, as access is prohibited out of respect for the temples). Ranakpur is one of the five holy sites of the Jain community. Located 96 km from Udaipur, these temples were built in the 15th century AD during the reign of Rana. The exquisite sculptural decoration borders on pure filigree, with details, especially on the ceilings and columns, that are difficult to find in any other temple. Some say that the artisans of these temples were paid according to the amount of marble dust they were able to extract from the columns. This is one of the reasons for the extraordinary work. There are 24 Jain gods, called Tirthankars. And it is precisely to one of them (Rishabha, better known as Adinath) that the Ranakpur temple is dedicated , which is not only the most beautiful but also the largest of the Jain temples in India. The work done on the Ranakpur Jain Temple is so impressive that the monument was even included on the list of 77 semifinalists in the vote for the New 7 Wonders of the World, which were finally chosen in 2011. After the visit, continue to Udaipur. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay.
Day 9. Udaipur
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, you will visit the beautiful city of Udaipur, admiring its City Palace and the museum it houses, which displays a valuable collection of miniatures and porcelain. The City Palace is one of the most remarkable buildings from the Rajput era, the rulers of Rajasthan. Located in the heart of Udaipur, next to Lake Pichola, the original construction of the palace was begun by Maharaja Udai Singh of the Sisodia clan, who founded the city. The entire City Palace complex exudes a beautiful harmony and uniformity in its architecture. The old part of the palace has been converted into a museum that preserves the memories of the Rajputs. In addition, part of the palace has been transformed into a luxury hotel. In addition, we will enjoy the paradisiacal Saheliyon ki Bari (Garden of the Maidens), located in the north of the city. It is an immense garden with kiosks and elephants carved from white marble, four ponds, and numerous fountains. Some jets emerge directly from the ground, cascading water down like a monsoon. This fountain system was once powered by water drawn from a lake located at a higher elevation than the garden, its pressure creating jets. The meticulously maintained garden boasts a variety of plant species; the immense palm trees and enormous mango trees are particularly striking. There are also trees with showy flowers in white, pink, and yellow, and hedges trimmed into whimsical shapes. Inside, there is a small museum displaying everyday objects from the royal palace, part of a large collection that is certainly worth seeing. Following this, we will visit the Jagdish Temple. This Hindu temple is famous for its age and for being a welcoming meeting place for the local population. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat trip on Lake Pichola. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
Day 10. Udaipur-Chittorgarh-Pushkar (285 kms, 6 hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Pushkar, visiting Chittorgarh, the largest fort in India en route. After the visit, continue to Pushkar. Arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Chittorgarh is one of the most historically important forts, not only in Rajasthan but also in all of northern India. Majestic and immense, it represents the history of heroism and sacrifice. One only needs to see it to imagine it, and this is echoed in the tales sung by the bards of Rajasthan. It is a representation of Rajput culture and values. The fort occupies an area of 240 hectares on a hill that rises abruptly to an altitude of 180 meters.
Pushkar, located 14 km northwest of Ajmer , is one of the five dhams (holy places of pilgrimage for devout Hindus). Pushkar is also known as Tirtha Rash (‘the king of pilgrimage sites’) and is a popular destination for both Indians and international visitors. Located on the shores of Pushkar Lake , its founding date is unknown, but legend associates Brahma with its creation. In the Puranas (sacred texts of Hinduism), it is said that the god Brahma did penance for 60,000 years to be able to briefly behold Radha Krishna (a Hindu deity). The small city is home to countless temples. Most are not very old, as many were destroyed during the conquests of the territory, but they were rebuilt. Furthermore, it is one of the holiest places where the supreme deity is Brahma (the creator god in Hindu cosmology). It is one of the oldest cities in India. The main temple in Pushkar is dedicated to the Hindu god of creation (Brahma) and was built in the 14th century. There are very few temples in the world dedicated to the god Brahma; it is believed there are only four worldwide, which magnifies the importance of this temple in Pushkar, one of the most important pilgrimage centers in India. According to legend, a blue lotus flower fell from Brahma’s hand. Where the beautiful flower fell, a lake formed in one of the most arid regions of India . The city was built on the shores of the lake (Pushkar in Sanskrit means “blue lotus”). In Pushkar, it seems there are more temples than houses, and at sunset, the closer you get to the lake, the more the bells and drums ring out. It’s hard to resist. You sit, close your eyes, and let yourself be enveloped by the mysticism. Accommodation.
Day 11. Pushkar-Jaipur (130 kms, 4 hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to admire Pushkar Lake. The lake is considered one of the holiest places in the world for Hindus, and it is believed that a dip in the waters of the lake on Kartika Purnima is equivalent to performing yagnas for several hundred years (yagnas are rituals of oblation. The term oblation (from the Latin oblatio , “offering”) refers to an offering or sacrifice made to a deity. This sacrifice, in a more primitive sense, corresponds to the offering of a gift perceptible to the senses, as an external manifestation of veneration towards the god, although it can have more spiritual and abstract connotations). The lake is surrounded by 52 ghats , from which devotees immerse themselves in the water during the month of Kartik (Oct./Nov.). We passed by the Ghats and the Temple of Brahma, the first god of the great Hindu trinity (Trimurti), consisting of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. This trinity symbolizes each of the cycles of life: creation or birth, preservation or continuity, and the destruction of evil. His hands hold a vessel of water used to create life, a japa-mala (bead necklace) used to keep track of the universe’s time, the text of the Vedas written on paper (an anachronism , since books did not exist at the time the Vedic texts were composed), and a padma ( lotus flower ). His “vehicle” is a swan called Khansa , with which he flies through the universe (this Khansa should not be confused with the swan incarnation of Vishnu , also called Khansa ). His consort is Savitri. A beautiful silver-carved tortoise sits on the floor in front of the sanctorum, or Garbha Griha. After the visit, departure for Jaipur, arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay.
Day 12. Jaipur-Amber-Jaipur
Breakfast at the hotel. Excursion to Amber Fort. The ascent will be on elephant back (subject to availability), and the descent by jeep. The fort was built by the Mughal kings to defend the Citadel, which contains a palace and another fortress on higher ground. Next, visit the Maharaja’s Palace , the residence of the Jaipur royal family. This complex is filled with palaces, gardens, and other buildings, most notably the seven-story Chandra Mahal, which houses the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum. Here you can admire carpets, enamels, weapons, miniature paintings, cannons, and clothing of the former maharajas. Following this, we will visit Jantar Mantar, the astronomical observatory, with its 30-meter-high sundial and other fascinating astronomical instruments. In the same area, we’ll see the famous Palace of the Winds, or Hawa Mahal, which is actually just a facade built so that women could watch the processions of the maharajas and their guests in Jaipur without being seen. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
Day 13. Jaipur-Agra (240 km - 4 hours)
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, departure by road to Agra. Today we will visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World: the Taj Mahal (closed every Friday of the year), the monument that has brought worldwide fame to Agra and become the symbol of India. The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum that Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned in 1631 in honor of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Lady of the Taj, who died giving birth to their fourteenth child in 1629. Construction, which involved 20,000 people, was not completed until 1653. It is the most representative example of Mughal architecture. The chief architect, Isa Khan, designed this complex within a rectangle measuring 508 by 304 meters, with a central garden flanked on all four sides by octagonal pavilions. The mausoleum, built entirely of white marble, stands on a marble base with a minaret, also white, at each corner, reaching a height of 41 meters. The central section consists of four small domes surrounding a larger one in the middle. The remains of this couple rest in the crypt of this two-story building. While the architectural ensemble is impressive in itself, the decoration known as pietra dura, with its intricate details such as floral arabesques and geometric motifs in semi-relief adorned with precious stones, among other elements, is magnificent, making this structure a truly unique monument. Accommodation.
Day 14. Agra-Delhi-next destination (200 km, 4 hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to the Red Fort , declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Construction dates back to 1565, and it was conceived as a walled palace surrounded by a deep moat. The fort, accessed through an imposing gate called Amar Singh, contains numerous palaces and stately buildings built by the Mughal emperor Akbar and used by successive Mughal governments as a base of operations for Mughal power. After the visit, departure for Delhi. Arrival and transfer to the airport for your flight to your next destination.
Our price includes
- 13 nights on a bed and breakfast basis in the chosen hotels.
- Local guide service in the client’s language: English, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Italian, French and Turkish.
- Assistance at airports and train stations by an English-speaking representative.
- Transfers and visits in air-conditioned vehicles.
- Ascent to Amber Fort on elephant backs (subject to availability) and descent by jeep.
- Transfers from one city to another with a local driver.
- Rickshaw ride through Old Delhi
- Boat trip on Lake Pichola.
- Camel ride through the dunes of Jaisalmer.
- Tickets to the monuments mentioned in the program.
- The rates applicable at this time.
Our price does not include
- Tips for porters, waiters, drivers, guides, etc.
- Fees for accessing monuments with cameras or videos.
- Extra expenses at the hotel such as phone calls, laundry, etc.
- Drinks are not included in the program, whether at lunch or dinner (in the case of optional drinks).
- Any other service not specified in “the price includes”.
Cities | Highlights |
Delhi | The Gateway: The contrast between Old Delhi by rickshaw and the peace of the Bangla Sahib Sikh temple. |
Mandawa | Open Air Art Gallery: Its hand-painted Havelis (mansions) tell the story of the Silk Road. |
Bikaner | Junagarh Fort: One of the best preserved and most decorated palaces in all of India. |
Jaisalmer | Arabian Fantasy: The Golden Fort (the only inhabited one in the world) and the magical night in the dunes of the Thar Desert . |
Jodhpur | The Blue City: The view from Mehrangarh Fort , which overlooks a sea of indigo-colored houses. |
Ranakpur | Marble Filigree: The Jain temple of 1,444 columns, a masterpiece of spiritual architecture. |
Udaipur | The Venice of the East: The boat trip on Lake Pichola and the elegance of the City Palace. |
Chittorgarh | Rajput heroism: The immensity of this fortress, a symbol of sacrifice and the warrior history of Rajasthan. |
Pushkar | Spirituality: The sacred lake of Brahma, where you can feel the pulse of the most ancient Hindu religion. |
Jaipur | The Pink Kingdom: The ascent to Amber Fort and the iconic facade of the Palace of Winds. |
Agra | The Perfect Ending: The Taj Mahal , the wonder of the world that never ceases to amaze. |
CITY / NIGHTS | CAT. C 4* | CAT. B 5* Standard | Category A 5* Luxury |
Delhi / Gurugram | Hotel LA / Quality Inn | Radisson Dwarka / ITC Welcome Dwarka | The Leela Ambience Shahdara / Crowne Plaza Okhla |
Mandawa 01 | Sara Villas | Viviana Mandawa (Heritage) | Viviana Mandawa (Heritage) |
Bikaner | Chirag | Laxmi Niwas (Heritage) | Narender Bhawan (Heritage) |
Jaisalmer | Antra Inn | Desert Tulip Jaisalmer | Marriott Jaisalmer |
Jodhpur | Zone By Park / Fern | Indana Palace | Ajit Bhwan (Heritage) |
Udaipur | Regent Mewargarh | Fateh Niwas | Fatehgarh |
Pushkar | Aaram Bagh / Jagat Palace | Dera Masuda | Ananta Spa (Best) |
Jaipur | Regenta Place / Park Ocean | Royal Orchid Jaipur / Fern Ecotel | Hilton / Marriott |
Agra | Fern Howard / Regal Vista | Clark Shiraz / Doubletree by Hilton | Jaypee Palace / Marriott |
