Rajasthan Heritage Tour –13 Days 12 Nights

Welcome to Jaipur, the famous Pink City of Rajasthan. Upon arrival at Jaipur Airport or Railway Station you will meet your driver and proceed to your hotel. After you check in, relax a bit before starting your holiday.

Depending upon the time of your arrival, visit Albert Hall Museum which is noted for its ancient architecture and heritage, or have a walk through the old city marketplaces of Jaipur. The marketplaces are known for traditional jewels, textiles, handicrafts and vibrant souvenirs. You can also get your first taste of local life and enjoy the pink façades and lively streets of the city.

If you arrive late, take it easy for the day and save the main sights for tomorrow. Have dinner in a local restaurant or in your hotel before you retire for the night.

Overnight stay: Jaipur

Day 1 highlights:

Pickup from Jaipur Airport or Railway Station

• Hotel transfer and check-in
• Optional visit to Albert Hall Museum
• Explore local markets, time permitting
• Overnight stay: in Jaipur

Post breakfast, travel out to visit the regal legacy of Jaipur. Start with Amber Fort, a stunning hilltop structure noted for its courtyards, elegant gateways and Rajput architecture. Proceed to Jaigarh Fort known for its robust protection walls and vistas of the surrounding hills.

Stop at Jal Mahal for photographs before moving on to Hawa Mahal, known for its unusual façade and rows of small windows. Later, visit City Palace and discover royal courtyards and museum exhibits that provide a window into Jaipur’s history. If you have time, do visit the old astronomical observatory, Jantar Mantar.

End your day with a stroll through the local bazaars, where you may discover jewellery, textiles, shoes and handmade handicrafts. You return to your hotel in the evening.

Jaipur overnight

Day 2 highlights:

• Amber Fort and Jaigarh Fort
• Jal Mahal photo stop
• Hawa Mahal
• City Palace
• Jantar Mantar, subject to time
• Local market shopping

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and proceed to the Shekhawati region. Enroute visit Fatehpur Shekhawati, a historical town famous for its ancient houses, painted facades and elaborate fresco work. The structures are reminiscent of the area’s status as an important commerce area.

Drive to Mandawa. Mandawa is known for its traditional Havelis and fort. Visit Mandawa Fort, admire its architecture, courtyards and artwork. You may also take a walk around the lanes of the town and observe the painted havelis covered with scenes from mythology, local life and historical influences.

Photograph and read about the merchant families who helped to establish the architectural identity of the region. Evening: Check into your accommodation and relax.

Overnight stay: Mandawa

Day 3 highlights:

• Drive from Jaipur to Fatehpur Shekhawati
• Explore painted havelis in Fatehpur
• Continue to Mandawa
• Visit Mandawa Fort
• Walk through Mandawa’s heritage streets

After breakfast, depart for Bikaner, a historic desert-region city known for its forts, palaces, and traditional food. On arrival, check in to your hotel if your room is available, then begin sightseeing.

Visit Junagarh Fort, one of Bikaner’s most important landmarks. The complex is known for its impressive gateways, decorated interiors, courtyards, and blend of architectural styles. Its historic halls and palaces offer an insight into the region’s royal past.

Later, explore parts of the old city, where narrow lanes, traditional houses, and local shops create a distinctive atmosphere. You can sample Bikaner’s famous savoury snacks or shop for local handicrafts before returning to your hotel.

Overnight stay: Bikaner

Day 4 highlights:

• Drive from Mandawa to Bikaner
• Visit Junagarh Fort
• Explore the old city
• Enjoy local food and shopping
• Overnight stay in Bikaner

After Breakfast drive to visit Deshnok which is also a significant holy place with unique customs. Visit Karni Mata Temple. Visitors are required to observe local customs and guidelines of the temple.

Continue on to Nagaur, the historic residence of regional rulers in Rajasthan, to see Nagaur Fort. Depending on the opening hours and the time available, you can appreciate its entrances, its courtyards and old buildings.

Later drive to Khimsar, a tranquil site famous for its heritage fort and desert environs. Arrive, check into your accommodation and relax for the evening. Enjoy the surroundings of Khimsar Fort before dinner if time permits.

Overnight stay: Khimsar

Day 5 highlights:

• Visit Karni Mata Temple in Deshnok
• Explore Nagaur Fort, subject to access
• Drive to Khimsar
• Check in at the hotel or heritage accommodation
• Relax and enjoy the evening

Travel Tip: This is a full driving day with multiple stops. Start early and confirm the opening hours of the temples and forts in advance.

After breakfast check out and drive to Jaisalmer (Golden City) famous for its honey-coloured sandstone architecture. The trip will take a few hours so allow for a leisurely departure and appropriate stops along the way.

Check into your hotel on arrival. If you have time, explore to a viewpoint near Jaisalmer Fort to enjoy the sandstone buildings gleaming in the late afternoon light. The fort and the historic town surrounding it are particularly atmospheric when the day begins to cool.

If you are late enjoy the evening in your hotel or a neighbouring market. Save the main sightseeing for the next day when you can tour the fort and mediaeval havelis at a more leisurely pace.

Overnight stay: Jaisalmer

Day 6 highlights:

• Drive from Khimsar to Jaisalmer
• Hotel check-in
• Optional Golden Fort viewpoint
• Leisure time in the evening

After breakfast, go exploring the old center of Jaisalmer. Visit Jaisalmer Fort, a magnificent sandstone fort with its small pathways, temples, residences, shops and vistas. People still live in the fort, therefore be respectful to locals and local customs when walking around its streets.

Then continue to Patwon Ki Haveli famous for its exquisite stone carvings and beautiful exteriors. Salim Singh Ki Haveli is worth a visit for its unique construction and its decorative sides.

Next, make your way to Gadisar Lake, an ancient water reservoir, filled with temples, modest shrines and carved gateways. It is a nice area to rest and shoot photographs, especially in the softer light in the late afternoon.

Sightseeing then return to your hotel. If you still have time, you can have a local meal and visit a nearby market.

Overnight stay: Jaisalmer

Day 7 highlights:

• Explore Jaisalmer Fort
• Visit Patwon Ki Haveli
• Visit Salim Singh Ki Haveli
• Enjoy the views at Gadisar Lake
• Local shopping and dinner

After breakfast, check out from your accommodation and proceed to Jodhpur. Time, route and opening hours allowed, stop at Osian to visit its historic temples, including the well-known Sachiya Mata Temple. Osian is famous for its desert landscape and ancient temple architecture.

Spend some time exploring about the temple complex, respectfully, before continuing on to Jodhpur. The route is a sightseeing journey therefore the arrival time will depend on how much time you spend in Osian and the state of the road.

Reach Jodhpur, check into your hotel and rest. If you arrive early enough you can take a short walk near the ancient city or have dinner in a local restaurant.

Overnight stay: Jodhpur

Day 8 highlights:

• Drive from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur
• Optional stop at Osian temples
• Visit Sachiya Mata Temple, if practical
• Hotel check-in in Jodhpur
• Leisure time

After breakfast, visit Jodhpur, noted for its blue-painted old city and powerful walls. Start with Mehrangarh Fort, which dominates the city and offers panoramic views over the surrounding rooftops. Explore the courtyards, ancient chambers and museum collections.

Then on to Jaswant Thada, a white marble memorial, with beautiful carved stone work and peaceful surroundings. Later, if opening hours allow, visit the Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum to learn about Jodhpur’s royal past.

In the afternoon, visit Clock Tower neighbourhood and Sardar Market. Visit local businesses offering spices, fabrics, handicrafts and traditional things. In the evening return to your hotel after a long day of touring.

Stay overnight: Jodhpur

Day 9 highlights:

• Visit Mehrangarh Fort
• Explore Jaswant Thada
• Visit Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum
• Explore Clock Tower and Sardar Market
• Overnight stay in Jodhpur

After Breakfast check out from hotel and drive toward Udaipur, on the way to visit Ranakpur Jain Temple. Famous for its marble pillars, well carved carvings and well planned halls, this temple is famous. Take your time looking at the architecture and respecting the visitor’s rules of the property.

After visiting the temple, continue the drive to Udaipur. The journey takes you through beautiful areas of southern Rajasthan, is a wonderful change from the desert-region scenery around Jodhpur to the lakes and hills of Udaipur.

Check in to your accommodation and unwind upon arrival. If you get there early enough you can take a brief twilight walk along the lake front or eat at a local restaurant.

Overnight stay: Udaipur

Day 10 highlights:

• Drive from Jodhpur towards Udaipur
• Visit Ranakpur Jain Temple
• Continue to Udaipur
• Hotel check-in and relaxation

Travel tip: Check Ranakpur Temple’s visitor timings in advance and plan your departure to allow enough time for the drive.

Breakfast, then visit Udaipur with its lakes, palaces and lovely surroundings. Start with City Palace, a huge edifice that looks out over Lake Pichola. Its courtyards, balconies and other architectural elements offer a glimpse into the history of the Mewar royal family.

Move to Jagdish Temple, a famous temple with carved pillars and mediaeval architecture. After that, visit Saheliyon Ki Bari, a historic garden with fountains, flora and decorative features.

If the services are running, take a boat trip on Lake Pichola in the afternoon or early evening (weather permitting). There are wonderful views of the nearby palaces and waterfront structures across the lake.

Sightseeing, then back to your hotel. Have a quiet evening in Udaipur, maybe by touring a local market or having dinner at a restaurant with a view of the city.

Overnight stay: Udaipur

Day 11 highlights:

• Visit City Palace
• Explore Jagdish Temple
• Visit Saheliyon Ki Bari
• Optional boat ride on Lake Pichola
• Leisure time in Udaipur

Post breakfast, Check out from your Udaipur hotel & drive to Pushkar. On arrival check in to your hotel/drop off your stuff and begin sightseeing.

Come and explore Pushkar Lake, a holy lake with ghats around the edge where people come to pray and perform religious rites. Please respect local customs and heed any instructions in the Ghats. Continue to Brahma Temple, one of the most famous religious sites in Pushkar.

Later visit the beautiful market streets of Pushkar with traditional apparel, jewellery, handicrafts, souvenirs and cafes. The town is laid back, and it is nice to roam around after several days of travelling by car.

Spend the evening at leisure before returning to your hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation.

Overnight stay: Pushkar

Day 12 highlights:

• Drive from Udaipur to Pushkar
• Visit Pushkar Lake and its ghats
• Visit Brahma Temple
• Explore local markets
• Overnight stay in Pushkar

After breakfast you will check out from your Pushkar hotel and drive to Ajmer for a last sightseeing stop. Discover Ajmer Sharif Dargah, the sacred shrine of the Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. It is a significant pilgrimage place where many people of different communities travel. Dress responsibly and follow the site’s entry restrictions.

If time permits, you may visit Ana Sagar Lake or other comparable attractions of Ajmer. This part of the day will be flexible since you’re onwards journey to Jaipur and departure schedule will dictate how much sightseeing is practical.

Then proceed to Jaipur Airport, Railway Station or any other prearranged departure place. If you have a flight or train, give yourself plenty of time for traffic and check in.

Your heritage tour finishes after nearly two weeks of exploring Rajasthan’s forts, havelis, temples, palaces, lakes and mediaeval towns.

Tour ends: Jaipur

Day 13 highlights:

• Breakfast and hotel checkout
• Visit Ajmer Sharif Dargah
• Optional stop at Ana Sagar Lake, time permitting
• Transfer to Jaipur
• Departure from Jaipur