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Other Itineraries
It is extremely difficult to plan sightseeing in Rajasthan since there is
so much to see all around. However, for a focused look at some of its architectural
attractions, you choose from these options
1. Village Tourism on the Highway
Just off the highway are princely settlements that allow you a glimpse of
the way of life off the beaten track.
Day 1:Drive from Jaipur to Bhandarej to stay at the 200-year old Bhadrawati
Palace. Also, visit the adjoining palaces in a jeep.
Day 2: Drive to Karauli, a small town that was a former princely state.
Known for its stone, and its Kaila Devi Temple, which you must visit, there
are the Bhanwar Vilas Palace to stay in, and the royal City Palace to investigate.
Off the tourist track, Karauli and its people are fascinating.
Day 3: Drive to Bharatpur for Staying at Laxmi Vilas Palace, and visit the
famous bird sanctuary.
Day 4: Continue drive to Agra.
2. Village Tourism in the Desert
Jodhpur can be the base for a number of interesting circuits offering various
options.
Option # 1
Day 1: Drive from Jodhpur to rohet, to stay at Rohet Garh, located next
to a lake. An interesting street leads to the fort where you will stay.
A village safari will get into close proximity of the communities of Bishnois,
Rabaris, and Rajput, and to see blackbuck in the wild.
Day 2: Drive 100 km to Bhadrajun, to stay at the fort palace. The water
logged areas around the fort become green fields when the water recedes.
Day 3: Drive to Daspan, visiting Jalore en route with its temples, to stay
at Durjan Niwas Castle. The availability of water allows planned forming
here. The area is famous for its makers of mojris, bhil bow and arrows,
and for its silversmiths.
Day 4: Drive to Siyana, to stay in cottages at a farm. A village safari
can also be undertaken.
Day 5: Drive to Bera to stay at Cottages (Leopard's Lair). Visit settlements
of Colourful Rabari tribals in the vicinity. This farm here is merchanised.
Day 6: Proceed to Mount Abu, or Udaipur.
Option # 2
Day 1: Take village safari from Jodhpur, visiting village of the Bishnois
and Rabaris. Carpet weaving looms can be seen in the Villages, and blackbuck
in the Surrounding countryside. Safari terminates at Luni where the dry
riverbed offers grazing pastures for cattle, Sheep and camel.
3. Painted Villages
The Fascinating Shekhawati region offers an amazing Density of Villages
and small towns with painted facades, offering interesting vignettes of
life in these desert settlements in the past, and now.
Day 1: Drive from Jaipur to the Shekhawati region, choosing Renval, Pachar,
Danta and Khachariyawas to visit for their architecture, and to observe
village life.
Day 2: Drive onwards via Sikar to Nawalgarh, where you will stay at Roop
Niwas Palace. The town has a large numbers of frescos on havelis and temples,
and the tiny lanes buzz with small town activity.
Day 3: Use Nawalgarh to explore the other towns in this region that include
Dundlod, Mandawa and Mehansar, all beautifully painted, and with a variety
of architecture. All the time, you are in close proximity of day-to-day
events of village life.
Day 4: Proceed to Bikaner, Jaipur, Khimsar, or Delhi.
4. Rural Paradise
A comprehensive, three-week tour of Rajasthan explores its many facets.
Day 1: Drive from Delhi to Samode, to stay at its palace or garden retreat.
The village's settlement is picturesque.
Day 2: Drive to Nawalgarh in the heart of the Shekhawati region to stay
at Roop Niwas Palaces afternoon, explore surrounding towns and villages
with their painted havelis and temples.
Day 3: Drive to Khimsar fort. A charming heritage hotel, the village around
it is settled at the base of sand dunes where there are blackbucks visible
on short jeep safaris.
Day 4: Drive to Jaisalmer, the charming fortified settlement in the heart
of the desert.
Day 5: Explore Jaisalmer on Foot. Cut off from civilization for centuries,
this is one of the last known citadels where the 21st century has made
few intrusions, and a wide variety of crafts are still practiced. Afternoon,
drive to Pokaran to stay at its fort. Pottery , and decorations for camels
are made here.
Day 6: Drive to Jodhpur, with sightseeing in the afternoon.
Day 7: Visit Mandore, and then continue to Rohet with its charming fort
where you will stay. In afternoon, a jeep safari to the surrounding Rabari
and Bishnois Villages.
Day 8: Drive to Daspan village where the fertile field grow bountiful
crops, and the village is know for its embroidered shoes. There is also
some families that make bows and arrows in the Bhil style. Stay at Durjan
Niwas Castle.
Day 9: Continue into farming country, to Siyana. Stat at Thakur Ganpat
Singh's Farm with its stable of Marwari Horses.
Day 10: Across the Flat, irrigated lands of Sirohi, drive to Leopard's
Lair at Bera. There is a large settlement of Rabaris in the Vicinity.
These migrants move around, but this permanent settlement has well-kept,
clean homes.
Day 11: Drive to Ranakpur with its 16th century temples. Stay at
Maharani Bagh in the midst of an orchard, and with Gerasia dancers performing
in the evening.
Day 12: Drive to Devgarh to stay at the Mahal of Palace. Spend
evening at the lakeside farmhouse of a local chieftain.
Day 13: Drive to Udaipur, stay at the choice of deluxe palace hotels.
Sightseeing.
Day 14: Drive to Dungarpur with its Bhil Villages all around. Stay
at the magnificent Udai Vilas Palace.
Day 15: Drive via Chittaurgarh fort to Bijaipur, the base for the
Mina tribes. The Villages is located beside a lake.
Day 16: Drive to Kota, stay at Umed Bhawan, Brijraj Bhawan or Kukhdam
Niwas, Local sightseeing.
Day 17: Drive to Bundi for sightseeing of fort, and Raniji ki Baori
step well, Continue to Rajmahal, a 300 years-old Palace with the village
named after it. The palace overlooks the river below.
Day 18: Drive to pachewar village and its restored fort or Garh.
Flourishing agricultural practices, toy makers and a blue pottery kiln.
Day 19: Drive to Jaipur, and sightseeing there, stay at a choice
of palace and heritage hotels.
Day 20: Drive to Bhandarej and stay at Bhadrawati Palace. The village
has a lovely setting beside a lake, and Mina settlements around it.
Day 21: Drive to Karauli; know for its pink stone quarries, and
the Kaila Devi Temple. Stay at Bhanwar Niwas Palace.
Day 22: Drive to Bharatpur, stay at Laxmi Vilas palace. Visit bird
sanctuary, and visit the old fort with its incredibly invincible mud bastions.
Day 23: Depart from Agra or Delhi. Tour Ends.
5. Selected Itineraries Elephant Safaris
(These itineraries are available by choice/demand only.)
These journeys on elephant back, with two persons sharing each howdah,
can prove memorable.
Option # 1
Day 1: Begin in Jaipur with a royal visit to Amber fort from where proceeds
to Aodhi Ramsagar for lunch. Thereafter, continue to Harmara for night
camp.
Day 2: Went your way past scenic Harmara Lake, towards Chomu, stopping
en route for a picnic lunch, and then an early camp.
Day 3: Wind your way thought Chomu town, once an important thikana, and
into the sandy tracks that will be your camp for the evening.
Day 4: The Safari will continue towards Samode, another aristocratic thikana
where you can either choose to spend a dew days at the historic Palace
Hotel, or continue towards Shekhawati, Jaipur or Delhi by Car.
Option # 2
Day 1: Drive from Jaipur to Savarda and ascend your elephant for what
will be a journey that will conclude at Pushkar.
Day 2 and 3: Traverse the open countryside on elephant-back, camping at
night.
Day 4: Safari concludes with your arrival for lunch at Pushkar. If this
coincides with the annual fair, stay at a tented camp, if not, you can
explore this pilgrimage town before setting off towards the next venue
on your tour.
Option # 3
Day 1: Drive out from Jaipur on the Agra highway, and at a point some
15 km away, ascend your elephant as you head towards the thikana of Naila
where you will camp for the night.
Day 2: Through Naila, and then you're out in the countryside again. For
an overnight at a camp away from civilization.
Day 3: Continue the safari to Kanoa, another historical thikana, where
the tour concludes. You can stay here in a historical estate, or drive
on to Agra, or back to Jaipur.
6. The Pride of Mewar
A tour of Udaipur and Dungarpur that combines Chittaurgarh.
Day 1: Arrive in Udaipur by air from Delhi/Mumbai. Visit city palace,
and its lake
Day 2: Drive to Dungarpur, one of Rajasthan's lesser-known princely kingdoms,
but architecturally a rich source with its palaces, stepped wells and
temples. Also home to the colourful Bhil community afternoon, sightseen.
Day 3: Explore some of the architectural attractions in and around Dungarpur,
including Juna Mahal and Udaivilas Palace.
Day 4: Drive around the hilly, forest region, visiting Dhariyawad, the
Baneshwar temple at the confluence of the Som and Mahi River, and the
fort palace.
Day 5: Drive to Chittaurgarh, the fortified capital of the Sisodiya before
they founded Udaipur. Explore the fort with its stirring history, its
ruined palaces, and the towers that still stand intact.
Tour ends with your driving preference either Kota, or Jaipur.
7. Royal Reward
The best of both worlds - a royal city, and the park where you are most
likely to see the majestic tiger.
Day 1: Arrive at Jaipur, and spend the day sightseeing at Amber, including
an elephant ride.
Day 2: Leave for Ranthambhore National Park, and visit it in the afternoon.
Day 3: A Naturalist's Delight simply spends the day at Ranthambhore with
a visit in the morning and afternoon to the park.
Day 4: Leave for Agra.
8. Itineraries Artistic Journey
Examples of art are profuse in Rajasthan, but for those who would like
a specifically crafted tour that would allow them a glimpse of this heritage,
here are suggestions.
Day 1: Arrive at Udaipur, normal sightseeing. Afternoon, take a trip across
from City Palace to streets where artists are at work in their studies
Day 2: Excursion to Nathdwara to see pichwal paintings on cloth being
made by artists. Afternoon, visit Folk Lore Museum in Udaipur to study
tribal painting.
Day 3: Drive to Roopangarh, the old capital of Kishangarh, visiting Ajmer
and Pushkar en route. Also see Kishangarh artists at work.
Day 4: Drive to Jaipur. As part of Afternoon city tour, spend some time
with the marble sculptors of Jaipur
Day 5: Visit Amber fort afternoon, visit the stone works on city periphery
where artisans do elaborate filigrees on sandstone.
Day 6: Drive to Shekhawati region to stay at Nawalgarh/Dundlod/ Mandawa,
and admire the profusion of frescos used to decorate the havelies of the
towns in the region.
Day 7: Visit Ramgarh to see how the carpenter is using his mason's skills
to crafts furniture with a strong regional identity. Continue to Delhi,
where tour ends.
9. Selected Itineraries Kite Festivals (January)
A Festival of colour with a different nuance - as kites take to the sky
all over Rajasthan. In the evening , kites with Lights in them add to
the twinkling skies above. The main points of celebration are Jaipur and
Jodhpur. The main kite flying day, Maker Sankranti, is on January 14.
Day 1: Arrive in Jodhpur (by air from Delhi/Udaipur/Mumbai).
Day 2: Morning, sightseeing; afternoon, watch the skies alive with their
soaring kites, from the stadium. Maybe you could try your hand at kite
flying too.
Day 3: Drive to Jaisalmer, Sightseeing.
Day 4: Morning, sightseeing, afternoon, drive back to Jodhpur.
Day 5: Morning train to Jaipur, sightseeing in the Pink City and Amber.
Day 6: Makar Sankranti day. Literally every rooftop is dotted with kite-flyers.
In the afternoon, there is an international kite flying competition and
related activities at Chaugan Stadium.
10. Pushkar Fair (October - November)
Rajasthan's most famous fair, it brings together camel traders, pilgrims,
visitors, and those who're here simply to participates in one of the season's
most colourful social events. Besides tented camps, there are hundreds
of shops selling everything from handicrafts to spices, foodstuff and
jewellery. For visitors, a number of activities are also arranged, but
most simply wish to stay within the fair grounds to watch the fascinating
Rajasthani village metamorphose before their eyes.
Day 1: Arrive at Ajmer, and drive 11 km to Pushkar, spend the day in the
fair grounds, overnight in tents.
Day 2: Back to the fair, camel rides, visit the Brahma lake and temples
on its banks, and simply keep going with the flow of the people.
Day 3: Proceed to next destinations.
11. Teej (July - August)
The celebration after monsoons is also the time to renew the ties of fidelity
for married couples in Rajasthan, and special sweetmeats, and swing rides
are characteristics of it.
Day 1: Arrive in Jaipur; sightseeing
Day 2: Participate in the festivals apply henna to your hands, sit on
swings. In the afternoon there is a procession led by royal attendants
of city palace through the city streets.
Day 3: Proceed to next destinations.
12. Nagaur Fair and Desert Festivals (January
- February)
Day 1: Depart Bikaner for Nagaur, visiting the Karni Mata temple at Deshnoke
en route. Nagaur is a sea of animals, and over 70, 000 are traded every
year.
Day 2: Spend day at the fair where you can see everything from shearing
sheep, handsome Marwari horses to colourful spices. (Nagaur is the largest
red chilli market of India)
Day 3: A long drive to Jaisalmer.
Day 4: Sightseeing in Jaisalmer.
Day 5: Fair day, with song and dance, camel acrobatics and lots of visitor
activities. Watch the sunset at Sam Sand dunes, where folk dancers and
musicians will perform.
Day 6: Proceed to next destinations.
13. Shop Till you Drop
Rajasthan has too much of a good thing, and just as you cannot ignore
the sightseeing, nor can you manage to escape the lure of shopping. In
this great medieval bazaar, here's an itinerary that is fail tailored
to provide you sightseeing till you, literally, drop off with the exhaustion
of too much, together.
Day 1: Arrive Udaipur from Mumbai/Delhi. Morning, sightseeing. Afternoon,
Exploring the bazaars silver jewellery and hundreds of other handcrafted
objects.
Day 2: Drive to Jodhpur, en route visiting temple towns including Nathdwara,
which is famous for its pichwal paintings and silver inlay.
Day 3: Sightseeing in Jodhpur, afternoon explore its bazaars with their
glowing coloured textiles, juttees and other handicrafts.
Day 4: Drive to Jaisalmer, local sightseeing.
Day 5: Meander through the streets of this medieval town, discovering
the local handicrafts that range from embroidered textiles to finished
objects, silver ornaments, woolen jackets, mirror-worked skirts and the
like.
Day 6: Drive to Bikaner, local sightseeing and discovering the crafts
associated with camel hides as well as brilliantly dyed fabrics. The snacks
produced in Bikaner are immensely popular.
Day 7: Drive to Jaipur via the towns of Shekhawati.
Day 8: Local sightseeing in Jaipur and Amber. Once this is done, it's
up to you to decide how much time you want to spend in the bazaars of
what is truly a shoppers paradise. Will just the afternoon do? Another
day? Another week? The tour ends with your decision.
14. Village Tourism and Heritage Hotels
A Chance to see village life through the eyes of the former feudal chiefs.
Day 1: Arrive in Jaipur, transfer to any of several heritage hotels in
the city. Samode Haveli, Alsisar Haveli, Bissau Palace, Narain Niwas Palace,
and for a ritzier stay: Rambagh Palace, Jai Mahal Palace, and Rajmahal
Palace. Sightseeing at Amber and Jaipur.
Day 2: Drive 90 km to Pachewar to stay at Garh. Its fort, with the village
around it. The village has a lake, cenotaphs, pottery kiln, toy makers
and interesting surroundings.
Day 3: Drive to Rajmahal, Visiting Toda Raisingh's stepwells en route.
Rajmahal is a 250 year old palace, part of it totally ruined, with eight
guest rooms. The village with the same name borders a forest and lake,
and offers angling.
Day 4: Drive to Kota, Visiting Bundi fort and the stepwells of Raniji
ki Baori en route. Stay in Kota at Umed Bhawan Palace or Sukhdam Kothi.
Afternoon either city sightseeing, or excursions to Palaita village and
Sorsan sanctuary.
Day 5: Drive to Bijapur, en route visiting the temple complexes of Bijoila
and Menal. Accommodation at Bijapur Castle.
Day 6: Drive to Udaipur, visiting Chittaurgarh en route. Tour ends.
15. Village Tourism on the Highway
Just off the highway are princely settlements that allow you a glimpse
of the way of life off the beaten track.
Day 1:Drive from Jaipur to Bhandarej to stay at the 200-year old Bhadrawati
Palace. Also, visit the adjoining palaces in a jeep.
Day 2: Drive to Karauli, a small town that was a former princely state.
Known for its stone, and its Kaila Devi Temple, which you must visit,
there are the Bhanwar Vilas Palace to stay in, and the royal City Palace
to investigate. Off the tourist track, Karauli and its people are fascinating.
Day 3: Drive to Bharatpur for Staying at Laxmi Vilas Palace, and visit
the famous bird sanctuary.
Day 4: Continue drive to Agra.
16. Village Tourism in the Desert
Jodhpur can be the base for a number of interesting circuits offering
various options.
Option # 1
Day 1: Drive from Jodhpur to rohet, to stay at Rohet Garh, located next
to a lake. An interesting street leads to the fort where you will stay.
A village safari will get into close proximity of the communities of Bishnois,
Rabaris, and Rajput, and to see blackbuck in the wild.
Day 2: Drive 100 km to Bhadrajun, to stay at the fort palace. The water
logged areas around the fort become green fields when the water recedes.
Day 3: Drive to Daspan, visiting Jalore en route with its temples, to
stay at Durjan Niwas Castle. The availability of water allows planned
forming here. The area is famous for its makers of mojris, bhil bow and
arrows, and for its silversmiths.
Day 4: Drive to Siyana, to stay in cottages at a farm. A village safari
can also be undertaken.
Day 5: Drive to Bera to stay at Cottages (Leopard's Lair). Visit settlements
of Colourful Rabari tribals in the vicinity. This farm here is merchanised.
Day 6: Proceed to Mount Abu, or Udaipur.
Option # 2
Day 1: Take village safari from Jodhpur, visiting village of the Bishnois
and Rabaris. Carpet weaving looms can be seen in the Villages, and blackbuck
in the Surrounding countryside. Safari terminates at Luni where the dry
riverbed offers grazing pastures for cattle, Sheep and camel.
17. Painted Villages
The Fascinating Shekhawati region offers an amazing Density of Villages
and small towns with painted facades, offering interesting vignettes of
life in these desert settlements in the past, and now.
Day 1: Drive from Jaipur to the Shekhawati region, choosing Renval, Pachar,
Danta and Khachariyawas to visit for their architecture, and to observe
village life.
Day 2: Drive onwards via Sikar to Nawalgarh, where you will stay at Roop
Niwas Palace. The town has a large numbers of frescos on havelis and temples,
and the tiny lanes buzz with small town activity.
Day 3: Use Nawalgarh to explore the other towns in this region that include
Dundlod, Mandawa and Mehansar, all beautifully painted, and with a variety
of architecture. All the time, you are in close proximity of day-to-day
events of village life.
Day 4: Proceed to Bikaner, Jaipur, Khimsar, or Delhi.
18. Rural Paradise
A comprehensive, three-week tour of Rajasthan explores its many facets.
Day 1: Drive from Delhi to Samode, to stay at its palace or garden retreat.
The village's settlement is picturesque.
Day 2: Drive to Nawalgarh in the heart of the Shekhawati region to stay
at Roop Niwas Palaces afternoon, explore surrounding towns and villages
with their painted havelis and temples.
Day 3: Drive to Khimsar fort. A charming heritage hotel, the village around
it is settled at the base of sand dunes where there are blackbucks visible
on short jeep safaris.
Day 4: Drive to Jaisalmer, the charming fortified settlement in the heart
of the desert.
Day 5: Explore Jaisalmer on Foot. Cut off from civilization for centuries,
this is one of the last known citadels where the 21st century has made
few intrusions, and a wide variety of crafts are still practiced. Afternoon,
drive to Pokaran to stay at its fort. Pottery , and decorations for camels
are made here.
Day 6: Drive to Jodhpur, with sightseeing in the afternoon.
Day 7: Visit Mandore, and then continue to Rohet with its charming fort
where you will stay. In afternoon, a jeep safari to the surrounding Rabari
and Bishnois Villages.
Day 8: Drive to Daspan village where the fertile field grow bountiful
crops, and the village is know for its embroidered shoes. There is also
some families that make bows and arrows in the Bhil style. Stay at Durjan
Niwas Castle.
Day 9: Continue into farming country, to Siyana. Stat at Thakur Ganpat
Singh's Farm with its stable of Marwari Horses.
Day 10: Across the Flat, irrigated lands of Sirohi, drive to Leopard's
Lair at Bera. There is a large settlement of Rabaris in the Vicinity.
These migrants move around, but this permanent settlement has well-kept,
clean homes.
Day 11: Drive to Ranakpur with its 16th century temples. Stay at
Maharani Bagh in the midst of an orchard, and with Gerasia dancers performing
in the evening.
Day 12: Drive to Devgarh to stay at the Mahal of Palace. Spend
evening at the lakeside farmhouse of a local chieftain.
Day 13: Drive to Udaipur, stay at the choice of deluxe palace hotels.
Sightseeing.
Day 14: Drive to Dungarpur with its Bhil Villages all around. Stay
at the magnificent Udai Vilas Palace.
Day 15: Drive via Chittaurgarh fort to Bijaipur, the base for the
Mina tribes. The Villages is located beside a lake.
Day 16: Drive to Kota, stay at Umed Bhawan, Brijraj Bhawan or Kukhdam
Niwas, Local sightseeing.
Day 17: Drive to Bundi for sightseeing of fort, and Raniji ki Baori
step well, Continue to Rajmahal, a 300 years-old Palace with the village
named after it. The palace overlooks the river below.
Day 18: Drive to pachewar village and its restored fort or Garh.
Flourishing agricultural practices, toy makers and a blue pottery kiln.
Day 19: Drive to Jaipur, and sightseeing there, stay at a choice
of palace and heritage hotels.
Day 20: Drive to Bhandarej and stay at Bhadrawati Palace. The village
has a lovely setting beside a lake, and Mina settlements around it.
Day 21: Drive to Karauli; know for its pink stone quarries, and
the Kaila Devi Temple. Stay at Bhanwar Niwas Palace.
Day 22: Drive to Bharatpur, stay at Laxmi Vilas palace. Visit bird
sanctuary, and visit the old fort with its incredibly invincible mud bastions.
Day 23: Depart from Agra or Delhi. Tour Ends.
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