Grand Forts & Palaces of Rajasthan: Delhi to Udaipur

Begin your morning in historic Old Delhi: explore Jama Masjid, take a cycle-rickshaw through Chandni Chowk, pause for photos before the Red Fort, and visit Raj Ghat. In the afternoon, visit the 12th-century Qutub Minar complex. End your day at Akshardham to view the sandstone mandir and the musical fountain water show. Overnight stay in Delhi.

Drive along the Yamuna Expressway to Agra. Check into your hotel. In the afternoon, tour the palatial red-sandstone halls of Agra Fort (UNESCO World Heritage Site), visiting Jahangiri Mahal and Musamman Burj. At sunset, cross the Yamuna River to Mehtab Bagh for a golden-hour view of the Taj Mahal across the water. Overnight stay in Agra.

Witness the morning light reflecting off the white Makrana marble at the Taj Mahal. Return to the hotel for breakfast and check out. Depart for Jaipur, stopping en route at Emperor Akbar’s abandoned red-sandstone capital, Fatehpur Sikri, to view the 54-meter Buland Darwaza and Salim Chishti’s tomb. Arrive in Jaipur, check into your hotel, and visit the white-marble Birla Mandir, Jaipur in the evening. Overnight stay in Jaipur.

After breakfast, drive to the hilltop Amber Fort; ascend via Jeep to explore the mirrored halls of the Sheesh Mahal. Pause for photos at the water palace Jal Mahal and view the royal cenotaphs at Gaitor. In the afternoon, tour the City Palace, Jaipur, the colossal astronomical instruments at Jantar Mantar - Jaipur, and photograph the honeycomb facade of Hawa Mahal. Spend the evening browsing handicrafts in Johari and Bapu Bazaars. Overnight stay in Jaipur.

Drive into the Shekhawati region, known as Rajasthan's "open-air art gallery." Arrive in Mandawa and check into your heritage haveli. In the afternoon, take a walking tour of the painted havelis (including Murmuria Haveli, Chokhani Double Haveli, and Hanuman Prasad Goenka Haveli), famous for their intricate frescoes depicting mythology, British colonial life, and folk motifs. Overnight stay in Mandawa.

Drive west through desert landscapes to Bikaner. Check into your hotel. In the afternoon, visit the unconquered Junagarh Fort, known for its blend of Rajput, Gujarati, and Mughal interiors like the Anup Mahal and Badal Mahal. Later, take an excursion (30 km) south to the 600-year-old Karni Mata Temple in Deshnoke (the famous "Rat Temple"). Overnight stay in Bikaner.

Travel deeper into the Thar Desert toward Jaisalmer. Arrive in the golden sandstone city by mid-afternoon and check into your hotel. In the late afternoon, visit the serene Gadisar Lake, surrounded by temples and carved archways (Tilon Ki Pol), followed by a stroll through the local bazaars. Overnight stay in Jaisalmer city.

Explore the UNESCO-listed Jaisalmer Fort (Sonar Qila), one of the world's few functioning living forts, home to generations of residents, ancient Jain temples, and the Raj Mahal. Tour the carved stone facades of Patwon Ki Haveli and Salim Singh Ki Haveli. In the afternoon, drive 40 km out to the rolling dunes of Sam Sand Dunes. Check into your desert camp, take a sunset camel safari across the sand ridges, and enjoy a traditional Rajasthani buffet dinner with Kalbeliya folk dance and music under the stars. Overnight stay in Swiss desert tents at Sam.

Depart after breakfast toward the sun city of Jodhpur. Arrive and check into your hotel. In the afternoon, visit the massive Mehrangarh Fort, perched 400 feet above the blue-painted houses of the old town. Explore the royal cenotaph at Jaswant Thada (built of intricately carved white marble) and tour the museum at the Art Deco Umaid Bhawan Palace. Spend the evening walking through the vibrant Clock Tower (Ghanta Ghar) market. Overnight stay in Jodhpur.

Drive northeast to the sacred lakeside town of Pushkar. En route, make a brief stop in Ajmer to visit the revered Sufi shrine of Ajmer Sharif Dargah. Continue into Pushkar and check into your hotel/resort. In the afternoon, visit the rare 14th-century Brahma Temple and take a walk along the stepped ghats around Pushkar Lake to witness the evening prayers and oil lamps. Overnight stay in Pushkar.

Depart early through the scenic Aravalli passes toward southern Rajasthan. Stop at the secluded 15th-century Ranakpur Jain Temple complex, famed for its 1,444 intricately hand-carved marble pillars, no two of which are identical. Continue the mountain descent into Udaipur, the "City of Lakes." Check into your hotel and enjoy a peaceful evening dining along the illuminated lakeside. Overnight stay in Udaipur.

After breakfast, tour the sprawling City Palace Complex, exploring the Mor Chowk, Zenana Mahal, and the Crystal Gallery overlooking Lake Pichola. Visit the 17th-century stone-carved Jagdish Temple and the royal courtyard fountains at Saheliyon ki Bari. In the late afternoon, take a private boat cruise on Lake Pichola around Jag Mandir island. In the evening, watch the traditional Rajasthani folk dance and puppet performance at Bagore ki Haveli. Overnight stay in Udaipur.

After breakfast, drive up to Sajjangarh (Monsoon Palace) perched high in the Aravalli hills for panoramic views of Udaipur's lakes and palaces. Return to the city for last-minute shopping for miniature paintings and handicrafts before direct drop-off at Maharana Pratap Airport Udaipur (UDR) or Udaipur City Railway Station.