Rajasthan Desert Tour

Duration : 10 Days

Fair & Festivals
Kite Festival

Republic Day Parade

Elephant Festival

Gangaur Festival

Teej Festival

Camel Festival

Desert Fair

Marwar Festival

Destinations
Delhi : The capital city of India and your starting point.
Jodhpur : The second largest city of Rajasthan, sits on the edge of the great Thar Desert.
Jaisalmer : The golden desert city of Rajasthan.
Bikaner : The camel country , the city is renowned for the best riding camels in the world.
Mandawa : The compact and busy little market town of Mandawa has the collection of some of the finest painted Havelies.
Jaipur : Capital city of Rajasthan. Famous for Forts, Hawa Mahal and shopping.

Best time to visit
Oct - March.

Tour Path
Delhi (1 night) > Jodhpur (2 nights) > Jaisalmer (2 nights) > Bikaner (1 night) > Mandawa (1 night) > Jaipur (2 nights) > Delhi/Mumbai

Tour Detail
Arrive Delhi
After a late-evening arrival, you’ll transfer to your hotel. Delhi stands as the capital of modern India, though it is made up of seven ancient cities, spanning the period from the 11th to 20th centuries.

Explore Jodhpur
Mehran Garh Fort
This majestic fort sprawled across a 125 hill, is one of the most impressive and formidable structures. Within the fort are some magnificent palaces with marvelously carved panels, latticed windows and evocative names. These palaces house a fabulous collection of trappings of Indian royalty including a superb collection of palanquins, elephant howdahs, miniature paintings of various schools, musical instruments, costumes and furniture.

Jaswant Thada
A white marble memorial situated about 400m northeast of the fort. You will get enticed by the beautiful marble lattice work and the carved wooden doors of the cenotaph.

Umaid Bhawan Palace
Built in 20th Century, this palace is a splendid example of indo-colonial style of 30s. This opulent edifice in sandstone is still the residence of the former rulers with a part of it running as hotel and remaining part as a museum.

Mandore
The ancient capital of Jodhpur.Visit the Hall of heroes has fifteen figures carved out of the rock on the wall and the picturesque Mandore gardens.

Sardar Government Museum
An exquisite ensemble of paintings, sculptures and antique weapons.

Travel Activity
Enjoy Village safari to the Bishnoi Villages.

Shopping
The Colourful Girdikot and Sardar Market markets with tiny shops dotting the narrow lanes are situated in the heart of the city and are popular for a wide range of handicrafts, making them the favorite haunt of shoppers.

Explore Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer Fort
The golden hued fort is a sentinel to the bleak desert scape from its 80 metre high perch on the hill, housing the entire township within its ramparts. It has an enchanting cow-web of narrow lanes dotted with some lovely havelis, three beautifully sculptured Jain Temples of the 12th-15th century A.D. and five interconnected palaces. The fort is approached through four gateways-Akhaiyal,Ganesh Pol, Suraj Pol and Hawa Pol.

Patwon - ki - Haveli
The most elaborate and magnificent of all the Jaisalmer havelis. It has exquisitely carved pillars and extensive corridors and chambers. One of the apartments of this five storey high haveli is painted with beautiful murals

Tazia Tower
A pagoda like structure looming up from the ‘Badal Mahal’ with beautiful ‘Taazias’-ornately decorated bamboo, paper and tinsel replicas of a bier, carried out in procession during Muharram by the Muslims.

Gadsisar Lake
A scenic rain water lake with numerous beautiful shrines around and a spectacular avian variety. The lake is an idyllic spot for outings.

Jain Temple
The fort has three exquisitely carved jain temples dedicated to the Jain Tirthankars- Rishabhdev, Sambhavnath and Paraswanath.Gyan Bhandar or Library: Some of the oldest manuscripts of India are found in this library established as a part of Jain temples.

Manak Chowk and Havelis
A main marketplace outside the fort leads to the narrow lanes dotted with famous havelis.

Nathmalji-ki-Haveli
The late 19th century haveli with intricate architecture a display of sheer craftsmanship. The left and right wings of the mansion which were carved by two brothers are not identical but very similar and balanced in design. The interior walls are ornate with splendid miniature paintings.

Patwon - ki - Haveli
The most elaborate and magnificent of all the Jaisalmer havelis. It has exquisitely carved pillars and extensive corridors and chambers. One of the apartments of this five storey high haveli is painted with beautiful murals.

Salim Singh - ki - Haveli
This 300 year old haveli of Jaisalmer’s Prime Minister Maharaja Rawal Gaj Singh-Salim Singh, has a beautiful blue cupola roof with superbly carved brackets in the form of peacocks. This extraordinary mansion in yellow stone is covered with intricate carvings and has an elaborate projecting balcony on the top storey. The mansion is one of the most notable of the array of havelis.

Gyan Bhandar or Library
Some of the oldest manuscripts of India are found in this library established as a part of Jain temples.

Sam Sand Dunes
No trip to Jaisalmer is complete without a trip to the most picturesque dunes of Sam. The ripples on the wind -caressed dunes, that create an enchanting mirage, are surely a delight for a trigger -happy photographer.

Travel Activity
Enjoy the Camel Ride at the Sam sand dunes.

Shopping
Jaisalmer is famous for embroidery, Rajasthani mirror work, rugs, blankets, old stonework and antique. The dye and other fabrics are made at Khadi Bhandar, north of the city.

Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary (En Route)
The lush foliage of woods on the Jaisalmer road are a haven to nilgai, chinkara, black buck, wild boar and flocks of imperial sand grouse. The Gajner Palace, a summer retreat of the kings, stands on the bank of the lake and has been converted into a hotel.

Kolayatji (En Route)
A famous pilgrimage spot with a temple dedicated to Kapil Muni (saint). The temple is the venue for an annual fair held in the month of Kartik (Oct.-Nov.) when thousands of devotees gather in large number to take a sacred dip in the holy waters of the Kolayat lake on the full moon day. A cattle fair, especially for the trading of camels is a part of the festivities. The small oasis town is now an idyllic picnic spot.

Explore Bikaner
Junagarh
Built in 1593 A.D. by Raja Rai Singh, a general in the army of Emperor Akbar, the fort is a formidable structure encircled by a moat and has some beautiful palaces within. These palaces, made in red sandstone and marble, make a picturesque ensemble of courtyards, balconies, kiosks and windows dotted all over the structure.

Lal Garh Palace
The architectural masterpiece in red sandstone, the palace was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh in the memory of his father Maharaja Lal Singh. The palace has beautiful latticework and filigree work. Sprawling lawns with blooming bougainvillea and dancing peacocks make it a not-to-be missed visual treat. Part of the palace has been converted into a luxury hotel and a museum known as Shri Sadul Museum. The museum covers the entire first floor of the palace and houses well preserved old photographs and trophies of wildlife.

Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum
It is the best Rajasthan museum, having one of the richest collections of terra-cotta ware, weapons, miniature paintings of Bikaner school and coins. The exhibits are splendid masterpieces of Harappan civilization, Gupta and Kushan era and sculptures of the late classical time. The museum has a separate section displaying exclusive arts and crafts of the region.

Camel Research Farm
Spend a day with the indispensable ship of the desert at their camel research and breeding centre on of its kind in Asia.The farm extends over 2000 acres of semi arid land and is managed by the Central Government. The Camel Corps of Bikaner were a famous fighting force during the ‘Raj’ and are still an important part of the desert warfare and defence through the Border Security Force(BSF).Photography is prohibited.

Bhandasar Jain Temple
Beautiful 16th century A.D. Jain Temple dedicated to the 23rd Trithankara, Parsavanathji.

Laksminath Temple
Lakshmi Nath Temple is one of the oldest temples of Bikaner. The foundation of Bikaner was laid here in the year 1488 A.D. by Rao Bikaji. It being a historical monument has special identity. This temple was erected during the reign of Rao Lunkaran and boasts of the superb archaeological skills of artists and artisans.

Deshnok (Karni Mata Temple)
The famous 600 years old temple on the Jodhpur road dedicated to Karni Mata, an incarnation of Goddess Durga. The temple has huge intricately carved silver gates which were donated by Maharaja Ganga Singh.The most interesting thing about the temple are the rats who scamper freely within the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. They are regarded as sacred and are fed by priests and devotees owing to the belief that they will be reincarnated as holy men.

Travel activity
Enjoy the Camel Safari.

Shopping
Mojari (Bikaneri style), rangi dupatta, Kundan work, wooden antiques, Haldirams (Rasgulas, bhujia), Lacquer Bangles, carpet making. The exquisite works of art made out of camel hides is famous of Bikaner.

Explore Mandawa
Binsidhar Newatia Haveli
The interior painting have been whitewashed, but there are still some interesting painting on the external walls. The painting date from the 1920.

Murmuria Haveli
From the sandy courtyard in front of this haveli, you can get a good view of the southern external wall of the adjacent bouble haveli.it features a long frieze depicting a train with a crow flying above the engine and much activity at the railway crossing.

Jhunjunuwala Haveli
With an impressive gold leaf-painted room to the right of main courtyard. Haralka well marked by four pillar and its old pulley and camel ramp.

Mahan Lal Saraf Haveli
On the south wall a Maharaja is depicted grooming his bushy moustache . there is fine mirror-and-mosaic work around the door to the inner courtyard and Surya the sun God.

Goenka Double Haveli
The outer walls, jutting balconies, alcoves and overhanging upper storeys of the Goenka Double Haveli are replete with patterns and paintings, ranging from traditional Rajasthani women and religious motifs to Europeans in stylish hats and Victorian finery.

Chowkhadi Haveli
It is unique in the region for having twin wings. Its murals are particularly beautiful and well preserved; look for the miserable British soldiers and chillum-smoking sadhu on the walls in the recess of the facade.

Nawalgarh
Famous for the fine paintings and some of the best preserved shekhawati havelis.

Mahansar
A peaceful and pristine city which is famous for its fine paintings.

Bissau
Founded in the mid 18th century, Bissau has splendid chhatris of its Thakurs and finely painted havelis of Khemka, Tibriwals and Kedia.

Explore Jaipur
Amber Palace
The Former Capital of Rajput kingdom. We step back in time as we are transported up the hill to the palace on brightly caparisoned elephants — true to the style of the Maharajas of the past. Inside we find lavish courtyards, beautifully decorated halls and a lovely Chamber of Mirrors.

City Palace
Museum with its fabulous displays of miniature paintings and traditional Rajasthani royal costumes and the lovely Palace of the Winds.

Jantar Mantar
An accurate observatory built in 1726.It contains 13 different instruments for calculating such things as the time of day, the altitudes of heavenly bodies, and the positions of constellations. Although the instruments look like modern sculpture, they are able to make calculations accurate to one second.

Pushkar
Famous for the Pushkar Fair . Pushkar is about 150 kms from Jaipur on Jaipur - Udaipur/Jodhpur road. The holy city of Rajasthan, Pushkar is also famous for the Brahma Temple and Ghats. One night stay at Pushkar is sufficient.

Ranthambore
Famous for the Tiger Reserve Park, Ranthambore can be visited on your way from Agra to Jaipur. (180 kms from Jaipur). A stay of 1 night, will give you opportunity to visit the jungles 2 times. There are two options for the jungle safaris, canter (open bus) and gypsy (open jeep). If you are planning to do gypsy safari, its highly advisable to book them in advance.

Travel activity
Enjoy Elephant ride at Jaipur.

Shopping
Jaipur famous for its brightly embroidered fabrics, carved wooden boxes and screens, silver jewelry and semi-precious stones.

Sariska
Famous for the Sariska tiger reserve park is just 110 kms from Jaipur. This sanctuary can be visited year - round. There are estimated 25 tigers in Sariska and the number is said to be on increase. Apart from tigers this sanctuary also consists of leopards, hyenas, wild boars, blue bulls, sambars, spotted dear and around 300 hundred species of birds. The best way to visit the park is through jeep.

Return to Delhi
You’ll drive back to Delhi. The afternoon is free for you to explore the city on your own.

Useful travel information
Travel Guides
Lonely Planet on India, Rajasthan

Fodders on Rajasthan

Rajasthan Hotel Directory

Rajasthan Tour Operator