Tours · IND-18

16-Day Taj, Tigers & Forts: The Grand Rajasthan Odyssey

Delhi · Abhaneri · Jaipur · Bikaner · Jaisalmer · Jodhpur · Ranakpur · Kumbhalgarh · Eklingji · Udaipur · Chittorgarh · Bundi · Ranthambore · Bharatpur · Fatehpur Sikri · Agra · Vrindavan

Duration16 Days, 15 Nights

PaceFast pace

Best timeOct–Mar

Journey typeRoyal Fortresses & Citadels

PricePrivate quotation in 24 h

The journey

Sixteen days of Rajasthan's forts, desert dunes, tiger safaris and the Taj, for those who want the whole picture.

Spans 7+ UNESCO World Heritage monuments alongside premier eco-safaris in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve and Keoladeo National Park wetland sanctuary. Full days with several long drives. Best for energetic travellers.

Highlights

5 UNESCO Hill Forts (Amber, Kumbhalgarh, Chittorgarh, Ranthambore, Jaisalmer).
Thar Desert camping & camel/jeep dunes safari at Sam.
Two tiger tracking safaris in Ranthambore National Park.
Keoladeo bird sanctuary rickshaw tour.
Taj Mahal sunrise & Lake Pichola boat ride in Udaipur.

Route and day by day

Schematic route, not to scale.

Day 1Arrival & Imperial Monuments of Delhi

Arrive Delhi; tour Qutub Minar, India Gate, and Humayun's Tomb. Overnight in Delhi.

Day 2Abhaneri Stepwell to Jaipur Walled City

Drive to Jaipur via Chand Baori stepwell in Abhaneri. Sunset at Nahargarh Fort. Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 3Hill Forts & Palaces of Jaipur

Tour Amber Fort (Sheesh Mahal), Jaigarh Fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, and Hawa Mahal. Optional Hanthi Gaon visit. Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 4Desert Outpost of Bikaner

Drive to Bikaner (approx. 6–7 hours). Tour Junagarh Fort, Bhandasar Jain Temple, and Laxminarayan Temple. Optional Deshnok rat temple. Overnight in Bikaner.

Day 5Thar Desert Dunes & Desert Camp

Drive to Sam Sand Dunes outside Jaisalmer (approx. 5.5–6 hours). Sunset jeep safari or camel ride across dunes. Overnight in Thar Desert Camp.

Day 6Jaisalmer Living Fort & Havelis

Tour UNESCO Jaisalmer Fort ("Sonar Qila"), Patwon ki Haveli, and Gadisar Lake. Overnight in Jaisalmer City.

Day 7Blue City of Jodhpur

Drive to Jodhpur. Tour Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, and Umaid Bhawan Palace. Overnight in Jodhpur.

Day 8Ranakpur Pillars & Kumbhalgarh Wall

Drive to Kumbhalgarh via Ranakpur Jain Temple (1,444 marble pillars). Tour UNESCO Kumbhalgarh Fort wall. Overnight in Kumbhalgarh.

Day 9Udaipur Lakeside Palaces & Eklingji Shrine

Drive to Udaipur. Tour City Palace and Saheliyon ki Bari. Excursion to Eklingji Temple divine kingship shrine. Sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola. Overnight in Udaipur.

Day 10Chittorgarh Fort to Bundi Citadel

Drive to Bundi via UNESCO Chittorgarh Fort (Vijay Stambh, Gaumukh reservoir); approx. 2.5 hours Udaipur–Chittorgarh and 3 hours Chittorgarh–Bundi. Tour Taragarh Fort and stepwells in Bundi. Overnight in Bundi.

Day 11Jungle Citadel of Ranthambore

Drive to Ranthambore Reserve. Tour hilltop UNESCO Ranthambore Fort and Trinetra Ganesh Temple. Overnight in Ranthambore lodge.

Day 12Ranthambore Bengal Tiger Safaris

Morning and afternoon game safaris in Ranthambore National Park tracking tigers. Overnight in Ranthambore.

Day 13Keoladeo Sanctuary & Fatehpur Sikri to Agra

Drive from Ranthambore to Bharatpur (approx. 4 hours) for a rickshaw birdwatching visit in Keoladeo Park, then continue to UNESCO Fatehpur Sikri and Agra (approx. 2 hours). Very long day; start early. Overnight in Agra.

Day 14Sunrise Taj Mahal & Imperial Agra Fort

Sunrise at Taj Mahal. Guided tour of Agra Fort. Optional Mohabbat-the-Taj show. Overnight in Agra.

Day 15Vrindavan Temples & Return to Delhi

Drive to Delhi via Vrindavan temples (approx. 5 hours including the visit). Delhi sightseeing is optional and depends on arrival time: UNESCO Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple (Red Fort and Akshardham are closed on Mondays and close early). Overnight in Delhi.

Day 16Leisure & Departure

Morning at leisure before transfer to Delhi International Airport.

Best time to visit

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Best Fair Avoid

Best time: Oct–Mar. Also good: Apr, Sep.

October to March is the comfortable season, with warm days and cool mornings. December and January can bring fog and cold at sunrise. April to June is very hot, so we start early and rest at midday. July to September is humid monsoon with fewer visitors. Ranthambore safaris typically close for the monsoon, and desert nights are cold in December and January.

What is included

Included

Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
Licensed guide (English or Russian)
Monument entry fees
Hotels (15 nights)
Safaris and desert camp

Not included

Flights
Meals unless stated
Tips and personal expenses
Travel insurance

Indicative; your personal quotation confirms exactly what is included.

Good to know

Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; avoid scheduling the Taj visit on a Friday.
Red Fort (Delhi) interior is closed on Mondays.
Swaminarayan Akshardham is closed on Mondays; no phones, cameras or bags are allowed inside.
Ranthambore National Park typically closes for the monsoon (about July–September); confirm dates.