From Forts to Dunes – A Small Group Tour to Rajasthan
13 Days / 12 Nights
Price : USD 1889 / person (excluding int. flights)
Detailed Tour Program
Day 1 – Delhi:
Morning: Upon arrival at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, you’ll be warmly welcomed by our local representative. Transfer to a hotel near the airport to rest and recover from your journey.
Day 2 – Delhi / Mandawa
Morning: After breakfast, depart for Mandawa, a charming village in the Shekhawati region, renowned for its beautifully frescoed havelis – true open-air art galleries.
Afternoon: On arrival, check in at the hotel and enjoy lunch. Then head out to explore some of Mandawa’s most iconic havelis, including the Hanuman Prasad Goenka Haveli, Jhunjhunwala Haveli, and the Chokhani Double Haveli. Each building is richly decorated with murals depicting mythology, local legends, and everyday life.
Late Afternoon: Take a stroll through the quaint alleyways of Mandawa to discover lesser-known yet equally enchanting havelis. Let yourself be captivated by the peaceful ambiance and unique architectural heritage of the town.
Evening: Return to your hotel for a traditional dinner. Free time in the evening to relax or explore the town at your leisure.
Day 3 – Mandawa / Bikaner
Morning: After breakfast, set off for Bikaner. The road offers views of desert landscapes, sand dunes, and traditional villages.
Afternoon: Arrive in Bikaner and check in to your hotel, followed by lunch. Visit the impressive Junagarh Fort, built in the 16th century. Discover its opulent palaces, courtyards, and temples, all steeped in royal history.
Optional: Visit the unusual and sacred Karni Mata Temple in Deshnoke, famously home to thousands of revered rats.
Late Afternoon: Stroll through the bustling markets of Bikaner and enjoy tasting some of its renowned culinary specialties.
Evening: Dinner at your hotel.
Day 4 – Bikaner / Jodhpur
Morning: After breakfast, depart early for Jodhpur, known as the “Blue City”.
Afternoon: On arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy lunch. After some rest, head out to visit the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, perched on a rocky hilltop and considered one of Rajasthan’s most impressive forts. Then visit Jaswant Thada, a serene white marble memorial surrounded by peaceful gardens.
Evening: Free time at the hotel to unwind. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 5 – Jodhpur / Puniyas / Pushkar (180 km – approx. 5 hrs)
Morning: After breakfast, depart for Pushkar, a sacred town nestled around a tranquil holy lake.
On the way, make a special stop at a rural school in Puniyas, offering a glimpse into local village life.
Late Afternoon: Check in to the hotel and have lunch. Explore Pushkar’s sacred lake, its stone ghats, and the unique Brahma Temple, one of the few in the world dedicated to this deity. Wander through the lively and colorful market stalls.
Evening: Attend a traditional Puja ceremony by the lake, a spiritual experience at sunset. Return to the hotel for free time.
Day 6 – Pushkar / Jaipur (150 km – approx. 3.5 hrs)
Morning: Early morning camel-cart ride on the dunes to witness the sunrise. Return to the hotel for breakfast.
Depart for Jaipur, the vibrant “Pink City” and capital of Rajasthan. The city is renowned for its majestic palaces and mighty forts, such as Amber Fort, which echo its regal past.
On arrival, check in to the hotel and enjoy lunch.
Afternoon: Visit the City Palace, an architectural marvel blending Rajput and Mughal styles, with elegant courtyards and richly decorated chambers. Much of the palace has been converted into a museum showcasing royal artifacts.
Next, admire the iconic Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), with its honeycombed façade of 953 tiny windows that allowed royal women to observe the street without being seen.
Evening: Return to the hotel for dinner, followed by a surprise evening experience for the group.
Day 7 – Jaipur
Morning: After breakfast, set off to visit the spectacular Amber Fort, located just outside the city. Ride an elephant or take a jeep up the hill, then explore the lavish courtyards and mirror palace (Sheesh Mahal) dating back to the 16th century.
Midday: Stop for a photo opportunity at the Jal Mahal (Water Palace), a beautifully symmetrical palace that appears to float on the waters of Lake Man Sagar.
Afternoon: After lunch, enjoy an electric rickshaw ride through the historic streets of Jaipur. Dive into a sensory experience full of spices, shimmering saris, jewelry, and artisanal leather goods.
Late Afternoon: Free time for shopping and discovering Jaipur’s vibrant local crafts and traditional arts.
Evening: Dinner at the hotel.
Day 8 – Jaipur / Fatehpur Sikri / Agra
Morning: After breakfast, depart for Agra, the city of the Taj Mahal.
Afternoon: En route, stop to visit the fascinating abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri, the former capital of the Mughal Empire. Explore its impressive blend of palaces, mosques, and courtyards – a masterpiece of Indo-Islamic architecture.
Lunch en route.
Late Afternoon: Arrive in Agra and check in to your hotel. Begin your visit with the Agra Fort, a massive red sandstone fortress built by Emperor Akbar in the 16th century. Wander through its halls, gardens, and towers with views of the Taj Mahal.
Then take a stroll through Agra’s colorful markets filled with local crafts, perfumes, and street snacks.
Evening: Dinner at your hotel.
Day 9 – Agra / Delhi / Varanasi (by flight)
Morning: At sunrise, visit the breathtaking Taj Mahal, a symbol of eternal love built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. The morning light reveals the full beauty of this white marble mausoleum with its symmetrical gardens, reflecting pools, and intricate stone inlays.
Return to the hotel for breakfast, then depart for Delhi by road. Lunch along the way.
Afternoon: Transfer to the airport for your flight to Varanasi, India’s holiest city, located along the sacred Ganges River. Known also as Benares or Kashi, it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
Evening: Upon arrival in Varanasi, you will be greeted by our local representative and transferred to your hotel. Dinner and rest.
Day 10 – Varanasi
Early Morning: Take a serene boat ride along the Ganges River at sunrise. Witness the spiritual rituals as pilgrims bathe, meditate, and chant along the ghats. The magical morning light, incense, and temple bells create an unforgettable experience.
Mid-morning: Return to the hotel for breakfast. Visit Dasashwamedh Ghat, one of the holiest ghats, and Manikarnika Ghat, known for its cremation ceremonies — deeply spiritual places central to Hindu beliefs.
Afternoon: After lunch, explore Sarnath, the sacred site where the Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. Visit the ruins, stupa, and museum to understand its Buddhist significance.
Evening: As the sun sets, witness the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti, a ritual of offering fire and flowers to the river performed by priests at the ghats. Watch from the steps or a boat for an unforgettable moment of devotion.
Return to the hotel for dinner.
Day 11 – Varanasi / Delhi (by flight)
Morning: Optional early morning yoga session with a local master by the Ganges (weather permitting), for those seeking a spiritual start to the day.
Afternoon: After lunch, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Delhi. Upon arrival, meet your representative and transfer to the hotel for some rest.
Evening: Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.
Day 12 – Delhi
Morning: After breakfast, visit Humayun’s Tomb, a magnificent Mughal-era mausoleum built in the 16th century and considered a precursor to the Taj Mahal.
Continue with a visit to Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque, built by Shah Jahan in the 17th century.
Take a cycle rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk, the bustling heart of Old Delhi, then explore Khari Baoli, Asia’s largest spice market.
Afternoon: Discover Qutub Minar, a towering 12th-century red sandstone minaret — one of the earliest Islamic structures in India and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Drive past India Gate, a grand war memorial commemorating Indian soldiers who died in World War I. Its architecture is reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe.
Free time for last-minute shopping or exploring Delhi’s markets.
Evening: Return to the hotel for dinner.
Day 13 – Delhi & Departure
Morning: After breakfast transfer to Delhi International Airport for your return flight.
End of Our Services
Price includes :
• A spacious and comfortable 21-seater coach for the entire group, including room for luggage, accompanied by an experienced driver and guide.
• English-speaking driver (basic level), including his meals, accommodations, and salary.
• Accommodation in single / double / triple rooms, with breakfast and local taxes included.
• Entrance fees to all listed monuments and sightseeing locations.
• A gala dinner in Jaipur with local dance and music of Rajasthan.
• Visit to a rural school in the village of Puniyas.
• Domestic flights between Delhi / Varanasi / Delhi with 15 kg of checked baggage included.
• Rickshaw ride to explore the Pink City of Jaipur and Old Delhi.
• Elephant ride to ascend Amber Fort in Jaipur.
• Full board (all meals included, excluding beverages).
• Boat ride on the Ganges River in Varanasi.
• English-speaking tour leader throughout the entire circuit.
• Two bottles of water per person per day, available in the vehicle during travel.
Price does not include :
• International flights to and from India.
• Indian visa fees.
• Tips for driver, guides, porters, etc.
• Any personal purchases.
• Beverages during meals or otherwise.
Your hotels or similar
• Delhi: Debenture hotel Sarovar Portico****
• Mandawa : Castle Mandawa (palace)
• Bikaner: Lallgarh Palace (palace)
• Jodhpur: Marugarh****
• Pushkar : Jagat Singh Palace (palace)
• Jaipur : V Sarovar****
• Agra : Royale Sarovar Portico****
• Bénarès : Radisson*****
