Days 1–2
Delhi
Your driver meets you at the airport. The next day, a cycle-rickshaw through the lanes of Old Delhi to Jama Masjid, then Humayun's Tomb and the gardens of Lodhi in the afternoon.
2 nights in Delhi
India · Sample journey
Rajasthan by its back roads
Painted havelis, a night in a village fort and two unhurried days in Jodhpur, ending at the Taj Mahal at sunrise.
- Length
- 14 nights
- Best time
- October to March
- Price
- On request
Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur
The journey
The quieter way through Rajasthan
This route takes the back roads between the famous cities. Instead of rushing from Jaipur to Udaipur, it goes north first to Shekhawati, a region of merchant towns whose houses are painted inside and out, then west into the desert at Bikaner.
You spend a night in Khejarla, a 400-year-old fort in a working village, before two full days in Jodhpur under Mehrangarh. Jaipur and Agra come at the end, when you have settled into the pace of the country.
It is the route one of our guests chose for her 40th birthday; we have kept it close to that trip.
Route: Delhi · Shekhawati · Bikaner · Khejarla · Jodhpur · Jaipur · Agra
Day by day
How the days run
A sample plan. Driving times are approximate.
Days 3–4
Shekhawati
A five-hour drive to Mandawa. Walk the painted havelis with a local guide who knows which families still live in them.
2 nights in a heritage haveli
Days 5–6
Bikaner
Junagarh Fort, the carved Rampuriya havelis, and the camel research farm outside town at feeding time.
2 nights in Bikaner
Day 7
Khejarla
Through the desert to a village fort. In the late afternoon, a jeep visit to the Bishnoi villages, known for protecting their trees and wildlife.
1 night in a fort hotel
Days 8–9
Jodhpur
Mehrangarh Fort in the soft light of the morning, then down through the blue lanes of the old city to the clock tower market. The second day is yours.
2 nights in Jodhpur
Days 10–12
Jaipur
The Amber Fort, the City Palace and Jantar Mantar observatory. A morning with block printers in Sanganer, and free time for the bazaars.
3 nights in Jaipur
Days 13–14
Agra
Fatehpur Sikri on the way. The Taj Mahal at sunrise, before the crowds, and Agra Fort in the afternoon.
2 nights in Agra
Day 15
Departure
Drive to Delhi airport, about four hours by expressway, for your flight home.
Included
- All hotels in the room category you choose, with breakfast
- A private air-conditioned car and driver for the whole trip
- English-speaking local guides for the sightseeing in the itinerary
- Entrance fees for guided visits
- Airport meet and greet, and all transfers
- A contact who knows your trip, reachable day and night
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance (essential)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Tips for guides and drivers
Make it yours
- Add Udaipur and Ranthambore for tigers (4 nights)
- Swap Bikaner for a desert camp near Jaisalmer
- Add Varanasi by flight from Agra or Delhi
- Choose palace hotels throughout
The destination
Before you go to India
Best time to visit, visas, money and local customs.
Plan my journey
Request a quote for this journey
Every trip is priced for your dates, hotels and group size. Tell us when and who is travelling, and we reply within 24 hours.