AEI- 14 Lakes and Desert of Rajasthan 12N-13D
Expert Rating: Asia Escapes
“What makes this program exceptional is its logistical efficiency . By including a domestic flight at the start (Delhi-Jaisalmer), we eliminate the long road journey through the desert, allowing travelers to arrive energized at the heart of the ‘Golden City.’ It’s a route designed for those seeking total immersion : from the mysticism of Pushkar and the majesty of Chittorgarh to the emotional climax of Varanasi. The inclusion of Chittorgarh, India’s largest fort, adds a historical value that few standard itineraries offer. It is, without a doubt, a journey that engages all the senses and runs through the very backbone of Indian culture.”
Day 1. Arrival-New Delhi
Arrival in New Delhi on an international flight. You will be met and assisted by our Spanish-speaking representative. Transfer to the 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. New Delhi-Jaisalmer (direct flight), if they do not operate in which case flight to Jodhpur and by road to Jaisalmer)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Jaisalmer. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Jaisalmer, also known as the Golden City, is situated atop a ridge of yellow sandstone and crowned by Jaisalmer Fort, which boasts 99 bastions atop Trikuta Hill (Hill of the Three Peaks), an 80-meter-high rock. The city is ancient but officially adopted the name “Jaisalmer” in 1156, after Maharaja Rawal Jaisal . It is one of the most beautiful cities in Rajasthan, offering 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, the city takes on a golden hue, as if gold had been scattered across the Thar Desert. With approximately 75,000 inhabitants, the city is well worth exploring, both the citadel itself 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 Rajasthan’s most impressive havelis (traditional mansions). Accommodation.
Day 4. 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 5. Jaisalmer-Jodhpur (290 km, 5/6 hours)
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. Overnight stay.
Day 6. 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 7. Udaipur
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, visit the beautiful city of Udaipur, admiring its City Palace and museum, which houses a valuable collection of miniatures and porcelain, as well as the Maiden Garden, the Jagdish Temple, and the Tribal Museum. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat trip on Lake Pichola (subject to water level). The City Palace is one of the most remarkable constructions of the Rajput rulers of Rajasthan. Located in the heart of Udaipur, it towers over the basin of Lake Pichola. The older part of the palace complex now serves as a museum, preserving the legacy of the Rajput rulers for visitors. Two of the more recent parts of the palace have been converted into hotels, and one part remains with the royal family. The
Jagdish Temple is one of the most famous temples in the city. Originally built by Maharana Jagat Singh I in 1651 AD, this fascinating place of worship is enshrined with a black stone image of Lord Vishnuji. Saheliyon ki Bari: Located in the north of the city, Saheliyon ki Bari is well-preserved, with fountains and kiosks. There is also a small museum here. Tribal Museum: In this museum, you can see how tribes from the Rajasthan and Gujarat region lived or still live. Accommodation.
Day 8. 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 embodies 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 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. Pushkar’s main temple 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 9. 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. Each deity has various forms of representation, except for Brahma (literally ‘evolution’ or ‘development’ in Sanskrit ). The creator is traditionally depicted with four heads with white beards (a symbol of wisdom), four arms, and red skin (or yellow, in more modern iconography). Each mouth recites one of the four Vedas . The 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 named Jansa , with which he flies through the universe (this Jansa should not be confused with the swan incarnation of Vishnu , also called Jansa ). 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 10. 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 11. Jaipur-Agra (240 km - 5 hours)
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, depart by road for Agra. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Today you will visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World: the Taj Mahal (closed every Friday throughout the year). This monument has brought worldwide fame to Agra and has become the symbol of India. The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan 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 the complex within a rectangular area 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, featuring intricate details such as floral arabesques and geometric motifs in semi-relief with precious stones, is truly remarkable. We will also visit the Red Fort , declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Dating back to 1565, the fort was conceived as a walled palace surrounded by a deep moat. Accessed through an imposing gate called Amar Singh, the fort contains numerous palaces and stately buildings constructed by the Mughal emperor Akbar and used by successive Mughal governments as a base of operations for Mughal power. Return to the hotel and accommodation.
Day 12. Agra-Delhi-Varanasi (200 km, 4 hrs + Flight / Direct train from Agra - except Wednesday)
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Delhi to catch a flight or train from Arga directly to Varanasi. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Varanasi, also known as Benares or Varanasi, is known as the “Eternal City” and remains the most important pilgrimage site in all of India, as well as a symbol of Hindu rebirth. Varanasi’s main attraction is the Ghats, the steps from which pilgrims descend to the sacred Ganges River. This afternoon/evening, we will take a rickshaw ride and witness the Aarti ceremony at the Ghats of Varanasi. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
Day 13. Varanasi-Delhi-next destination
At dawn, depart for a boat trip on the Ganges River (subject to water level) . Disembark and walk to the cremation grounds to experience the atmosphere and wander through the heart of the city. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Upon arrival, enjoy a panoramic tour of Varanasi, including the Bharat Mata Temple. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Delhi. Wait in transit at Delhi Airport for your connecting flight to your next destination.
Our price includes
- 12 nights bed and breakfast 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.
- 1 bottle of water per person per day on vehicle transfers.
- 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.
- Camel ride through the dunes of Jaisalmer.
- Boat trip on Lake Pichola.
- Semi-night visit (at dusk) to the ghats to see a ceremony on the banks of the Ganges.
- Rickshaw ride through the city to the ghats in Varanasi.
- Boat trip on the Ganges River (subject to water level).
- 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 |
New Delhi | Imperial Legacy: The contrast between the energy of Old Delhi and the height of the Qutub Minar . |
Jaisalmer | The Golden City: The inhabited fort and the sunset on a camel through the dunes of the Thar desert. |
Jodhpur | Power and Color: The imposing Mehrangarh Fort and the labyrinth of blue houses in the old town. |
Ranakpur | Marble Art: The stunning filigree of the Jain temple, one of Asia’s architectural gems. |
Udaipur | Romanticism: The City Palace and the boat trip on Lake Pichola at sunset. |
Chittorgarh | Rajput Epic: The immensity of a fort that symbolizes the honor and historical sacrifice of India. |
Pushkar | Spiritual Peace: The sacred lake and the only temple in the world dedicated to Brahma , the Creator. |
Jaipur | Kingdom of Kings: The elephant ride up Amber Fort and the facade of the Palace of the Winds. |
Agra | Perfection: The Taj Mahal , a universal symbol of love, and the power of the Red Fort. |
Varanasi | Eternity: The Aarti ceremony and sunrise boat trip on the Ganges; a transformative experience. |
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 |
Jaisalmer | Antra Inn | Desert Tulip Jaisalmer | Marriott Jaisalmer |
Jodhpur | Zone By Park / Fern
| Indana Palace | Ajit Bhawan (Heritage) |
Udaipur | Regent Mewargarh | Fateh Niwas | Fateh Garh |
Pushkar | Arram Bagh | Jagat Palace | Ananta Spa & Resort |
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 |
Varanasi | The Amayaa / Meraden Grand | Madin / Radisson | Taj Ganges / Suryaudai Haveli |
