13-Day Delhi Agra and Rajasthan Tour with Jaisalmer Desert Camp

• Arrive in Delhi and meet the representative.
• Transfer to the hotel.

Overnight stay in a Delhi hotel.

• Visit the Red Fort, constructed by Shah Jahan in 1638. It was the main residence of the Mughal Dynasty and is located in the city centre. Built from red sandstone, it derives its name from its striking colour and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.
• See Qutub Minar, a five-storey tapering tower with a height of 73 metres. The spiral staircase in this minaret has 379 steps. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is visited by many people every day.
• Go to India Gate, a war memorial located near the Rajpath. It is dedicated to the soldiers of British India who died in the wars. Even though it is a war memorial, India Gate evokes a distinctive architectural style.
• Head to the Lotus Temple, famous for its flower-like shape. The Lotus Temple is a house of worship and is open to all. Having won numerous awards, it is a prominent attraction for visitors.
• Stop by Raj Ghat, a memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, situated in Delhi. It is a black marble platform open to the sky, with an eternal flame burning at one end. It is a great place to learn more about the history of the country.
• Continue to Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in the country. Jama Masjid is made of red sandstone and marble. It was constructed by Shah Jahan and is visited by hundreds of people every day. The mosque's courtyard can accommodate about 25,000 people and was built for about one million Indian rupees.
• Enter Humayun's Tomb, the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayun in Delhi, India. The tomb was commissioned by Humayun's first wife and chief consort, Empress Bega Begum, in 1558 and designed by Mirak Mirza Ghiyas and his son, Sayyid Muhammad.
• Stroll through the streets of Chandni Chowk or take a cycle rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk and Khari Baoli Spice Market, a busy shopping area filled with spices, dried fruit, silver jewellery, and vivid saris. In contrast, the narrow side streets are crowded with tiny shops selling essential oils, stationery, and traditional Indian sweets.

Overnight stay in a Delhi hotel.

• Have breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport to board a flight to Jaisalmer.
• Arrive at Jaisalmer Airport and transfer to the desert camp.
• Visit Kuldhara Village, an abandoned village in the Jaisalmer district. Established around the 13th century, it was once a prosperous settlement inhabited by Paliwal Brahmins.
• Then go to the Sam Sand Dunes and enjoy an evening jeep safari and camel safari in the desert. Witness unparalleled sunset views over the tall sand dunes located about 40 km from the Golden City of Jaisalmer.

Overnight stay in a desert camp.

• Visit Jaisalmer Fort, situated in the city of Jaisalmer. It is believed to be one of the very few "living forts" in the world, as nearly one-fourth of the old city's population still resides within the fort. For the better part of its 800-year history, the fort was the city of Jaisalmer.
• Head to Nathmalji ki Haveli, constructed by Maharawal Berisal in 1885 CE to serve as the residence of Diwan Mohata Nathmal, the then Prime Minister of Jaisalmer. The chief architects of this haveli were two brothers named Hathi and Lulu. There is a fascinating story regarding its construction, as both brothers are believed to have started building the facades of the haveli simultaneously. The two sides are similar, but not identical.
• Then move to Patwa Havelis, a cluster of five havelis aligned in a narrow lane in the heart of the city. Of the five havelis, the first one in the lane, also known as Kothari's Patwa Haveli, is not only extraordinarily preserved and restored but is also open to visitors to experience the lifestyle of the erstwhile Patwas.
• See Salim Singh Ki Haveli, an architecturally notable residence built in 1815 with a peacock-shaped roof and numerous balconies.
• Go to Bada Bagh, also called Barabagh, a garden complex located about six kilometres north of Jaisalmer. Overlooking a mango grove is a set of royal chhatri cenotaphs constructed by the Maharajas of the Jaisalmer State in the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries.
• Stop by Gadi Sagar Lake, originally a human-made reservoir founded to provide a source of water to Jaisalmer. Established in 1367 by the first ruler of the city, Maharawal Jaisal, this reservoir was later revamped by Maharawal Garsi Singh.

Overnight stay at a Jaisalmer hotel.

• Visit Mehrangarh Fort. This 5 km-long majestic fort stands on a 125 m-high hill and is one of the most impressive and formidable structures in the region. Although invincible from the outside, the fort has four gates approached by a winding road. Within the fort are magnificent palaces with marvellously carved panels, latticed windows, and evocative names such as Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Sileh Khana, and Daulat Khana. These palaces house a fabulous collection of Indian royal trappings, including palanquins, elephant howdahs, miniature paintings from various schools, musical instruments, and costumes.
• See Jaswant Thada, the imposing white marble memorial that marks the site of the royal crematorium. It houses portraits of successive rulers. The four cenotaphs around it commemorate notable acts of bravery and generosity by four successive rulers.

Overnight stay at a Jodhpur hotel.

• Take an excursion jeep safari to Guda, a Bishnoi village that is home to a vivid range of exotic wildlife and nature. It is a habitat for thousands of migratory birds in the area, and one can often spot Demoiselle cranes frolicking at the lake. Antelopes and blackbucks can also be seen by the pond. It is the perfect place to experience the traditions and customs of tribal life - a place caught in a delightful time warp, where life still goes on as it did in the past.
• Enjoy lunch with the villagers.
• Visit Ghanta Ghar, or the Clock Tower, a prominent landmark in Jodhpur. It was built by Maharaja Sardar Singh between 1880 and 1911.
• In the evening, enjoy time at leisure or go shopping.

Overnight stay at a Jodhpur hotel.

• Have breakfast at the hotel and drive to Udaipur. En route, visit the Ranakpur Jain Temple.
• Enter the Ranakpur Temple, a complex comprised of 1,444 intricately carved pillars, 24 pillared halls, and 80 domes borne by 400 columns.
• Stop by Lake Pichola and later check in at the Udaipur hotel in the evening.
• Enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Pichola, see the ghats along the lake and the interesting buildings on its banks. The view of the City Palace from the lake is spectacular.

• Head to the City Palace, a palace complex situated in the city of Udaipur. It was built over a period of nearly 400 years, with contributions from several rulers of the Mewar dynasty.
• Visit Saheliyon Ki Bari, which was laid out for a group of forty-eight maidens. This garden is located on the banks of Fateh Sagar Lake and presents a green retreat in the drylands of Rajasthan. It was built from 1710 to 1734 by Maharana Sangram Singh for the royal ladies.
• Continue to Bagore Ki Haveli and, in the evening, watch the "Dharohar" folk dance show at Bagore-ki-Haveli. This gorgeous 18th-century haveli has been converted into a museum showcasing Mewar art and architecture. The haveli hosts one of the best Rajasthani folk dance shows in Rajasthan. For an hour, performers dance to Rajasthani folk music wearing bright-coloured ethnic dresses. The dances are varied and demonstrate the tradition and culture of Rajasthani folklore.

Overnight stay at a Udaipur hotel.

• Head to Chittorgarh Fort, the largest fort in India. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fort was the capital of Mewar and is located on the Udaipur-Pushkar Road.
• Visit Pushkar, one of Rajasthan's most popular towns. This lakefront holy town is among the most picturesque in an already photo-worthy state, with a peaceful lake surrounded by 52 ghats and beautiful hills and temples in the distance.

Overnight stay at a Pushkar hotel.

• Go for Pushkar sightseeing. The town is best known for two things: Brahma Temple, one of the few temples on earth dedicated to the Hindu god of creation, and its annual Camel Fair.
• Then continue to Jaipur.
• Visit Amber Fort, situated on top of a hill in Amer. It was built by Raja Man Singh I and is known for its artistic elements. Maota Lake, located in front of the monument, acts as a source of water for the fort.

Overnight stay at a Jaipur hotel.

• Visit the City Palace and spend one hour exploring the Maharaja's City Palace. The City Palace of Jaipur was originally the administrative and ceremonial seat of the Maharaja of Jaipur and was constructed in 1721. It was also the location of religious and cultural events at that time. It now houses the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum and continues to be the home of the Jaipur royal family.
• Go to Hawa Mahal, also known as the Palace of Winds. It is made of red and pink sandstone, which distinguishes it from the surroundings. The palace is a five-storey pyramidal monument built by Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799.
• Continue to Jantar Mantar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in 1734. It is a collection of nineteen architectural astronomical instruments built by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur. These instruments allow the observation of astronomical positions with the naked eye.
• Stop by Jal Mahal, a palace floating on Man Sagar Lake, for a photo opportunity. Jal Mahal is located in the middle of Man Sagar Lake in Jaipur. The palace and the lake around it were renovated and enlarged in the 18th century by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Amber. The palace and the scenic beauty of the lake attract many visitors.
• Stroll through Johari Bazaar, a shopper's paradise and a must-visit destination. Located near Hawa Mahal, this market offers exquisite jewellery and artefacts and can immerse shoppers in its glittering glory. It is considered one of the oldest markets in Jaipur city.

Overnight stay at a Jaipur hotel.

• Visit Chand Baori, built during the 8th and 9th centuries. It has 3,500 narrow steps arranged in perfect symmetry, descending 20 m to the bottom of the well.
• Next, go to Fatehpur Sikri, a small city in northern India just west of Agra, founded by a 16th-century Mughal emperor. Red sandstone buildings cluster at its centre. Buland Darwaza gate is the entrance to Jama Masjid mosque. Nearby is the marble Tomb of Salim Chishti. Diwan-E-Khas hall has a carved central pillar, and Jodha Bai's Palace is a blend of Hindu and Mughal styles.
• Stop by the Taj Mahal, an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the southern bank of the Yamuna River in Agra. It was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself.
• Return to Agra city.

Overnight stay at an Agra hotel.

• Visit Agra Fort, a historical fort in the city of Agra, India. It was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638, when the capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi.
• Finally, you will be dropped in Delhi at your desired place, marking the end of this tour.