11-Day Rajasthan Heritage Tour with Mount Abu and Jaisalmer Desert

• Arrive in Jaipur and meet your tour manager, who will assist you at the airport or railway station before transferring you to your hotel.
• Check into your hotel and unwind for a while.
• In the evening, set out for a visit to the authentic ethnic resort of Chokhi Dhani.
• Return to your hotel for an overnight stay.

• Check out of your hotel in Jaipur and set out on your journey towards Bikaner.
• En route to Bikaner, stop for a visit to Pushkar. This "city of temples" is dotted with over 400 temples lining the banks of its tranquil lake and is best known for its Brahma Temple. If visiting in November, you will get to see the largest camel fair in the world, which is held here annually.
• Resume your journey towards Bikaner and arrive by early evening. Check into your hotel and spend the remaining day at leisure.

Overnight stay in Bikaner.

• Set out for Jodhpur city in the morning.
• En route to Jodhpur, visit Junagarh Fort, a 16th-century complex of ornate buildings and halls. Within the fort, the Prachina Museum displays traditional textiles and royal portraits for visitors to admire.
• Also stop for a visit to the Rat Temple. Also known as the Karni Mata Temple, this famous 600-year-old temple is situated 30 kilometres from Bikaner in Deshnok and features huge, intricately carved silver gates donated by Maharaja Ganga Singh.
• Arrive in Jodhpur city and check into your hotel.
• Later, set out for a visit to the famous Ghanta Ghar, or Clock Tower, of Jodhpur, a prominent landmark built by Maharaja Sardar Singh between 1880 and 1911.
• Return to your hotel in Jodhpur for an overnight stay.

• Check out of your hotel in the morning and set out for a sightseeing tour en route to Jaisalmer.
• Visit the famous Mehrangarh Fort. Situated on a hill 125 metres high, it is one of the most impressive and formidable structures in Rajasthan. It boasts four gates approached by a long winding road that leads to magnificent palaces with marvellously carved panels, latticed windows, and evocative names. You will see Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Sileh Khana, and Daulat Khana.
• Continue on and stop at Jaswant Thada, where an imposing white marble memorial marks the site of a royal crematorium. It houses portraits of its line of rulers and also has four cenotaphs that commemorate notable acts of bravery and generosity by four successive rulers.
• Arrive in Jaisalmer and head out for a visit to Gadisar Lake, one of the city's most well-known tourist attractions. It was originally a man-made reservoir created to provide a source of water to the people of Jaisalmer. Founded in 1367 by the city's first ruler, Maharawal Jaisal, this reservoir was later revamped by Maharawal Garsi Singh.
• Spend your evening in Jaisalmer at leisure and take some time to visit its vibrant markets.

Overnight stay in Jaisalmer City Hotel.

• In the morning, set out for a visit to Jaisalmer Fort, famously known as the "Golden Fort" of India. It was constructed by the Rajput ruler Raja Jaisal in 1156 AD and is believed to be one of the very few living forts in the world.
• Proceed to visit the Patwa Havelis, a cluster of five havelis aligned in a narrow lane in the heart of the city. Of these, Kothari's Patwa Haveli is not only extraordinarily preserved and restored but is also open to visitors. Here, you can experience the lifestyle of the erstwhile patwas.
• Visit 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. There is a very interesting story behind this haveli, which was constructed by two brothers, and you will get to know it during the course of your tour.
• Proceed to Salim Singh Ki Haveli, an architecturally notable residence built in 1815 with a peacock-shaped roof and numerous balconies.
• Next, visit Bada Bagh, a fertile oasis on the bank of an artificial lake. Surrounded by dense trees, it features royal cenotaphs with beautifully carved ceilings and equestrian statues of former rulers.
• In the evening, go for an excursion to Sam Sand Dunes. Here, you will enjoy a jeep safari and camel safari in the desert. Witness the gorgeous sunset as you enjoy music and dance performances by local artists, reflecting the rich culture of Rajasthan.
• Enjoy the delicious, authentic local cuisine served here for dinner and indulge in stargazing.

Overnight stay in Desert Camp.

• Set out early in the morning and drive to the Ranakpur Jain Temple. The complex comprises 1,444 intricately carved pillars and 24 pillared halls, accompanied by 80 domes borne by 400 columns. The apogee of this entire temple architecture is the fact that no two pillars here are the same. The entire ceiling of this temple complex is bedecked with geometric designs and scrollwork, and exploring this complex will occupy the entirety of your day.

Overnight stay at your hotel in Ranakpur.

• Set out from your hotel early in the morning and visit the 11th-century Dilwara Jain Temples. The complex is built completely out of marble and houses five small temples. Take a walk and notice the staggering features, intricate carvings, incised paintings, carved pillars, mandaps, arches, and beautified ceilings.
• On your way to Mount Abu, visit Guru Shikhar, a peak in the Arbuda Mountains of Rajasthan and the highest point of the Aravalli Range. It rises to an elevation of 1,722 metres and is located 15 kms from Mount Abu. You will also get to visit the Brahma Kumaris.
• Next, see Nakki Lake, which has an exciting set of legends about its origins and history. Enjoy boating on the tranquil waters of the lake in the evening. Later, stroll through the local market up to Sunset Point, from where you can enjoy a wonderful view of the setting sun.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Mount Abu.

• Set out early in the morning for a picturesque drive to Udaipur.
• Upon arrival, visit the famous City Palace, which was built over a period of nearly 400 years with contributions from several rulers of the Mewar dynasty.
• Go for a stroll in Saheliyon Ki Bari, a lush garden located on the banks of Fateh Sagar Lake. It was built between 1710 and 1734 by Maharana Sangram Singh for the 48 royal ladies.
• In the evening, set out to watch the "Dharohar" folk dance show at Bagore-ki-Haveli, a gorgeous 18th-century haveli that has been converted into a museum showcasing Mewari art and architecture.

Overnight stay at your hotel in Udaipur.

• Set out from Udaipur early in the morning and visit Chittorgarh Fort, the largest fort in India and a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the present-day town of Chittor. It sprawls over a hill 180 metres high across an area of 280 hectares above the plains of the valley drained by the Berach River. The fort has several historical palaces, gates, a temple, and two prominent commemorative towers for you to explore.
• Resume your drive and head towards Jaipur.
• Arrive and check into your hotel in Jaipur for an overnight stay.

• Set out early in the morning for a visit to Amber Fort. Located on a hilltop in Amer, it was built by Raja Man Singh I and is known for the artistic beauty of its interiors. The Maota Lake in front of the monument acts as a source of water for the fort.
• Visit Jantar Mantar, a UNESCO World Heritage site built in 1734. This site is a collection of nineteen architectural astronomical instruments built by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur. The instruments allow the observation of astronomical positions with the naked eye, making this one of the most satisfying parts of the sightseeing tour.
• Head out for an hour-long visit to the City Palace of Jaipur, constructed in 1721 as the administrative and ceremonial seat of the Maharaja of Jaipur. It was also the location of religious and cultural events of that time. It now houses the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum and continues to be the home of the Jaipur royal family.
• Then continue towards the famous Hawa Mahal, "The Palace of Winds" or "The Palace of Breeze," which sits on the edge of the City Palace, Jaipur, and extends to the Zenana, or women's chambers.
• Visit Jal Mahal, a small palace set in the middle of Man Sagar Lake.
• Spend the evening at leisure and return to your hotel in Jaipur for an overnight stay.

• Drop-off at Jaipur Airport, Jaipur Railway Station, or your desired location in Jaipur at the end of the tour.