Explore the best of the region on our Highlights of Rajasthantour, soaking up splendid lake palaces, majestic forts, colourful bazaars, and dreamy desert landscapes. After arriving in Delhi*, our suggested itinerary takes you to the Pink City of Jaipur, where The Oberoi Rajvilas will be your base. Discover the highlights, including Amber Fort, the City Palace Museum, and the Hawa Mahal. You’ll also have a bit of time to do your own thing in Jaipur, whether that’s shopping in the colourful markets or indulging in a spa treatment. Next, fly to the fairy-tale city of Udaipur, for a two-night stay at The Oberoi Udaivilas; an unashamedly opulent resort on the banks of Lake Pichola. In Udaipur, you’ll take in the enormous City Palace, shimmering lakes, and the crooked narrow streets of the old city.
Journey through the Aravalli Hills to the Blue City of Jodhpur, for a two-night stay at RAAS. A fabulous boutique hotel nestled in the heart of the old city, with magnificent views of Mehrangarh Fort, a zen-like spa, and stunning suites; RAAS is one of our favourite places to stay in Rajasthan. While in Jodhpur, you’ll explore the majestic Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada, take a walking tour through the labyrinthine streets of Sadar Bazaar, and head out to the nearby Bishnoi villages by Jeep. You’ll then continue to Jaisalmer, in the heart of the Thar Desert, for a two-night stay at The Serai – a luxury desert camp seemingly in the middle of nowhere and surrounded by golden sands. A camel ride to the dunes for sundowners will make for a fabulous memory of your time in Rajasthan. The next day you’ll head into the city to discover the fort. Rajasthan’s only remaining living-fort, the complex has a dizzying array of houses, temples and havelis all crammed within its narrow streets.
*Depending on your wider itinerary, you might prefer to skip Delhi in favour of starting your voyage through the highlights of Rajasthan in Jaipur. Direct flights are available to Jaipur from most metropolitan cities in India; including Ahmedabad, Chennai, Pune, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. With all our tours being tailor-made, the itinerary described here is purely suggestive and will be fine-tuned to best suit you. We can also shuffle around the order of stops, for example ending in Udaipur instead of Jaisalmer if it better suits your onward arrangements. This itinerary is merely a suggestion to share a flavour of the possibilities. We can tweak or completely transform it into your ideal Rajasthan getaway.
Day 1
Arrive in Delhi (stay at The Oberoi, Gurgaon)
Your journey through the highlights of Rajasthan kicks off upon your arrival in Delhi. A member of our team will meet you at the airport and accompany you to
The Oberoi, Gurgaon for an overnight stay. The luxurious Oberoi is one of the capital’s finest hotels and has striking architectural features like their huge blue reflection pool. Interiors are cool and crisp, with acres of glass and mirrors, dramatic red flower arrangements and bespoke art pieces. Take it easy this afternoon to relax, settle in, and recuperate from your international journey.
Depending on how early in the day you arrive, if you’d like to begin exploring this afternoon, you can let us know anytime. In that case, we’d be wiser staying at a more centrally-located hotel such as The Oberoi, New Delhi or The Imperial. Your driver is always available, and we’re only a quick call away on your complimentary mobile phone (or WhatsApp, if you prefer).Day 2
Delhi to Jaipur (stay at The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur)
This morning you’ll head to the Pink City of Jaipur, in the heart of Rajasthan, for a three-night stay at
The Oberoi Rajvilas. There are not many hotels in the world where check-in involves a brightly painted elephant and a fragrant shower of rose petals, but then again, The Oberoi Rajvilas does not settle for anything less than spectacular! The resort is almost a destination in itself, with sprawling gardens and a 250-year-old Hindu temple in the grounds. The signature Oberoi service is attentive yet unobtrusive. The Oberoi Rajvilas even employ a handful of staff with the sole responsibility of shooing pigeons from the pool! One of the finest hotels in Rajasthan, The Oberoi Rajvilas is an opulent choice for those seeking luxury and a royal experience. The rest of the day is yours at leisure.
Alternatively, those who prefer history and grandeur would be happier at the Taj Rambagh Palace, while the comparably luxurious Rajmahal Palace has a boutique feel.Day 3
In Jaipur
Optionally, with an early start this morning you’ll
head to the markets with your guide to experience the flurry of activity here as the Pink City wakes up. Stops would include the fragrant flower market, the wholesale milk market, the vegetable market, and the Govind Dev Ji temple, finished off with a delicious cup of
chai (spiced tea) from a famous but inconspicuous chai shop. There’ll be the opportunity to return to the hotel for breakfast and a little time at rest, after which you’ll reunite with your guide to explore the old walled area of Jaipur. It includes the City Palace and its
little-known private rooms, the Jantar Mantar observatory, and the elegant Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds).
Bar Palladio is the perfect place to round off a day of sightseeing with a cocktail or two if you fancy.
Day 4
In Jaipur
Day 4 of your sojourn through the highlights of Rajasthan brings you to the 16th-century Amber Fort for a guided tour. Afterwards, there’ll be a few hours free to do your own thing. You might like to take this opportunity to browse for interesting souvenirs in Jaipur’s famous markets and emporiums.
(When it comes to shopping, Jaipur has something for everyone: from elegant textiles to kitschy wooden camels, even the most frugal visitor is likely to leave the Pink City with one or two pieces tucked in their case! For a souvenir with local fair, we recommend a piece of semi-precious jewellery or blue pottery).Later, continue to Dera Amer for a memorable evening with elephants. It’s a magical place on the outskirts of the city, where you can spend time up close with elephants by helping to feed and bathe them, before taking a gentle walk together through the surrounding forest at sunset (Dera Amer do not encourage rides). If meeting elephants isn’t your thing, this can certainly be removed or replaced. Perhaps with a private cooking class or a special dinner recommendation. For those who are interested in spending time with elephants, Dera Amer is a fantastic and ethical place to do it.
Day 5
Jaipur to Udaipur (stay at The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur)
Board a short flight to the dreamy city of Udaipur this morning
(the journey is driveable, but we recommend flying to reduce travel time. If you’d rather limit internal flights and avoid long drives, may we recommend including a night or two en-route at Dev Shree, Deogarh? It’s nestled in the heart of rural Rajasthan, conveniently halfway between Jaipur and Udaipur). Also known as the ‘Venice of the East’, Udaipur is abundant with lakes and ancient water palaces, drenched in history and romance. On arrival, our representative will accompany you to
The Oberoi Udaivilas where the remainder of the day’s at leisure. Resting on the banks of Lake Pichola, The Oberoi Udaivilas is unashamedly opulent and the stuff of fairy-tales. So much so, in recent years it was voted ‘
Best Hotel in the World’ by Travel+Leisure.
That said, there are two other fabulous properties to choose from in Udaipur (Taj Lake Palace, and The Leela Palace).
We can discuss the option best suited to your taste once you get in touch, or it might be that you’d like to spend a night in each! As specialists in private luxury tours of Rajasthan, and having tested first-hand all the properties we recommend, we offer expert advice while listening carefully to your needs and wants. Meanwhile, you may find a detailed comparison between the three insightful.Day 6
In Udaipur
If you can tear yourself away from The Oberoi Udaivilas, you’ll be accompanied by your guide to explore the city of Udaipur. To begin, a
walking tour through the narrow streets of Udaipur’s old city will take you through winding streets teeming with shops selling clothing, silver jewellery, and leather-bound journals. You’ll shortly approach the City Palace – this sprawling palace is the largest in Rajasthan and stands on a ridge overlooking the lake. Cupolas crown its octagonal towers, which are connected by a maze of narrow passageways. The rooms inside the City Palace all contain decorative art: beautiful paintings, colourful enamel, inlay glass-work, and antique furniture. You’ll also explore the 17th-century Jagdish temple, the Crystal Gallery, and Saheliyon-ki-Bari (a beautiful rose garden), before ending with a sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola, in The Oberoi Udaivilas’ charming
shikhara.Day 7
Udaipur to Jodhpur via Ranakpur (stay at RAAS, Jodhpur)
Continue to Jodhpur on a scenic drive through the Aravalli hills. On the way, a stop at the Jain temple in Ranakpur is a fascinating place to stretch your legs. With 1,444 uniquely carved pillars, this 15th-century temple is an amazing sight to see and certainly one of the highlights of Rajasthan.
For the next two nights, you’ll stay at RAAS – a stylish boutique hotel nestled at the foot of the mighty Mehrangarh Fort, in the heart of Jodhpur’s old city. Stepping away from the buzz of the old town and walking through Raas’ stunning gateway is like entering a peaceful oasis. The hotel is a beautiful contrast of old and new; slick décor and modern structures stand side by side with a restored, red sandstone haveli. The view of the fort looming above is spectacular, perhaps one of the best hotel views in Rajasthan. Or, for a truly royal experience, rub shoulders with the maharaja by staying at his palace, the Taj Umaid Bhawan, now a luxury hotel in Jodhpur.
This evening, soak up a private Bhopa performance – a rare Rajasthani art form which combines dancing, singing and painting. Afterwards, enjoy a traditional thali dinner (a bit like tapas, a thali presents you with several small plates. It’s a great way to get a taste of Rajasthan and try things you perhaps wouldn’t have otherwise ordered). Our past guests have found this a very culturally rich experience, and a highlight of their stay.
Day 8
In Jodhpur
A guided tour of Jodhpur today takes in Jaswant Thada and Mehrangarh Fort. You’ll also explore the
crooked narrow streets of the Sadar Bazaar (best discovered on foot, bicycle or rickshaw; do let us know your preference, as we’ll design every detail around you). After lunch, head to the sandy outskirts by Jeep on a safari to the nearby Bishnoi village. Villages dot the arid countryside south of Jodhpur, their mud and thatch huts inhabited by the Bishnois and communities of potters and weavers. A tour of this area provides a memorable opportunity to observe the rhythm of daily life in these hamlets, experience the warm hospitality of the villagers, and see beautiful traditional crafts practised.
Day 9
Jodhpur to Jaisalmer (stay at The Serai, Jaisalmer)
Your journey through the highlights of Rajasthan takes you to the Thar Desert today, for a two-night stay at
The Serai. This oasis in the desert offers 21 luxury tents, though the word ‘tent’ is a bit of a misnomer; each offers a private veranda, a drawing-room, and an en-suite shower room. Combining locally sourced products, such as traditional
dhurries (rugs) and Jaisalmer stone tiling, with state of the art technology, The Serai offers all the facilities one would expect of a luxury hotel while remaining at home in the surroundings.
You can check out our recent stay at The Serai, here.Day 10
In Jaisalmer
Accompanied by a local expert, today you’ll be exploring Jaisalmer’s
huge fort. It rises like a fabulous mirage out of the sands of the Thar Desert, the awesome contours of its 99 bastions softened by the golden hue of the stone. After the fort, Jaisalmer’s
havelis (intricately carved houses) are its greatest attraction. Built in the 19th century by the town’s merchants and ministers, these mansions dominate its labyrinthine lanes. The havelis of Salim Singh, Nathmanji and Patwon, are the finest examples of this type of architecture, their golden stone facades so finely carved that they could be lace.
Back at The Serai, a private Jeep awaits for a safari through the desert scrub, spotting indigenous wildlife and local shepherds with their herds. A camel ride will transport you for the last leg of your journey over to the private dunes, where a butler will be waiting with champagne and canapés while you take in the famous desert sunset.
Day 11
Return to Delhi (stay at The Oberoi, Gurgaon)
This morning you’ll be chauffeured to Jaisalmer airport to board a short domestic flight back to Delhi. On landing in Delhi, we’ll drive you back to
The Oberoi, Gurgaon for your last overnight stay. The remainder of the afternoon is yours at leisure with your car and driver on hand.
Day 12
Depart from Delhi
Your Highlights of Rajasthan tour concludes this morning as we drop you off at Delhi IGI airport in time for your onward flight. This additional stop is optional – you might prefer to connect from Jaisalmer, especially if you have a night time or early-hours departure. Should you be spending more time in India in another part of the country, direct flights are available from Jaisalmer to Mumbai, Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Surat too. We’ll fine-tune this together to best suit your requirements.
2024/25 Guide price:
₹498,500 ($5,975; £4,755) pp
Our journeys are inclusive of accommodation with breakfast, a private car with driver throughout, experienced guides, internal flights, entrance tickets and excursions. In other words, we offer a seamless and hassle-free experience where the only thing you need to worry about is soaking up the sights and enjoying your fabulous hotels! This indicative cost is per person, based on a couple travelling between October 2024 and March 2025, sharing a double or twin room. The cost would reduce significantly during the low-season months of April to September, while it will be noticeably higher during the peak Christmas and New Year period. The direct flight from Jaisalmer back to Delhi is seasonal.
Highlights of Rajasthan
tour we’ve described here is merely a starting point to share a flavour of the possibilities. Every aspect is flexible (from the hotels to the destinations to the length to the sightseeing). For example, you may like to stay a bit longer in Delhi to explore the highlights of India’s capital city or omit Delhi altogether if you’ve seen it on a previous occasion. We can also shuffle around the order if you prefer the idea of ending in Udaipur instead of Jaisalmer. If you’d like to combine the highlights of Rajasthan with a visit to the stunning Taj Mahal in Agra, and spot tigers on safari in Ranthambhore, may we suggest our Ultimate Luxury Rajasthan Tour? You might also find our popular Luxury Rajasthan Tour with Oberoi Hotels up your street, or our Dreamy Deserts of Rajasthan. All our tours are private, and tailor-made to complement your taste and interests. In essence, the itinerary described above is just a starting point, and together we can refine it into your ideal Indian experience.
