Rajasthan Forts, Palaces & Havelis Tour – 11 Nights / 12 Days
Discover Rajasthan’s royal architecture on a 12-day journey through painted Shekhawati havelis, desert forts, grand palaces, lakeside heritage and Jaipur’s iconic monuments.
Overview
Step into Rajasthan’s royal past on this 11 Nights / 12 Days Rajasthan Forts, Palaces & Havelis Tour, designed around some of the state’s finest architectural and cultural landmarks. Begin in Delhi before travelling to the Shekhawati region, where Nawalgarh, Mandawa and nearby towns are celebrated for intricately painted merchant havelis and historic forts. Continue to Bikaner for Junagarh Fort, then enter the golden desert landscapes of Jaisalmer for its living fort, Jain temples and richly carved havelis. Travel onward to Jodhpur for Mehrangarh Fort, then cross the Aravalli region via Kumbhalgarh to Udaipur for City Palace, local folk-art heritage and Lake Pichola. Continue to Bundi for Taragarh Fort, Bundi Palace, painted interiors and stepwells before ending in Jaipur with Amber Fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal and the old-city bazaars. The original Saar Holidays page is currently unavailable, so this package is reconstructed from a strong matching legacy 12 Days / 11 Nights Rajasthan Forts & Palaces itinerary whose own tour summary specifically highlights Rajasthan’s forts, palaces and havelis, then professionally modernised for current operating practices. Older elephant and camel riding activities are excluded from the base package; Amber Fort uses standard authorised visitor transport and desert experiences focus on sunset, cultural ambience and walking/vehicle access. The programme is ideal for couples, families, architecture lovers, photographers and heritage-focused travellers.
Day-wise Itinerary
Day 1Arrival in Delhi+
Arrive at Delhi Airport or railway station, meet the Saar Holidays representative and transfer to your hotel. Complete check-in and spend the remainder of the day at leisure after your journey. Depending on arrival time, enjoy a relaxed orientation or nearby market visit before the Rajasthan heritage circuit begins. Overnight stay in Delhi.
Day 2Delhi to Shekhawati u2013 Nawalgarh & Mandawa Havelis+
After breakfast, drive from Delhi into Rajasthanu2019s Shekhawati region, celebrated for its painted merchant havelis, forts and traditional streets. Begin with Nawalgarh, visiting selected attractions such as Poddar Haveli Museum, historic mansions and fort areas according to current access. Continue to Mandawa or the confirmed Shekhawati heritage base for a walk among frescoed havelis and the Mandawa Fort area. Check in at the heritage hotel and stay overnight in Shekhawati.
Day 3Shekhawati to Bikaner+
After breakfast, leave the painted towns of Shekhawati and drive to Bikaner. Check in at the hotel and later explore Junagarh Fort and selected city heritage attractions. When included and operational, visit the National Research Centre on Camel; an optional stop at Deshnokeu2019s Karni Mata Temple can be arranged according to traveller preference and temple timings. Overnight stay in Bikaner.
Day 4Bikaner to Jaisalmer u2013 Desert Sunset+
After breakfast, check out and travel west across the Thar Desert toward Jaisalmer, the Golden City. On arrival, check in at the hotel and later proceed to Sam Sand Dunes or another authorised dune area for a desert sunset experience. The base package focuses on the landscape, walking and cultural ambience rather than camel riding. Return to Jaisalmer after sunset and stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 5Jaisalmer Fort & Heritage Havelis+
Spend the day exploring Jaisalmeru2019s golden sandstone heritage. Visit Jaisalmer Fort, a living fort with homes, shops and temples within its walls, followed by selected Jain temples, Patwon Ki Haveli, Nathmal Ki Haveli, Gadisar Lake and the old-city lanes according to monument timings. Enjoy free time for local crafts and photography before returning to the hotel. Overnight stay in Jaisalmer.
Day 6Jaisalmer to Jodhpur u2013 Mehrangarh Fort+
After breakfast, drive from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur, Rajasthanu2019s Blue City. Check in at the hotel and later explore Mehrangarh Fort, one of the stateu2019s most imposing hill forts, followed by Jaswant Thada and selected old-city or market areas according to time. Enjoy panoramic views over Jodhpur before returning to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 7Jodhpur to Udaipur via Kumbhalgarh+
Leave Jodhpur after breakfast and drive toward Udaipur through the Aravalli region. En route, visit Kumbhalgarh Fort, renowned for its massive defensive walls and hilltop setting, subject to current monument access and road conditions. Continue to Udaipur and check in at the hotel. In the evening, enjoy a Lake Pichola boat ride when water levels and operating conditions permit. Overnight stay in Udaipur.
Day 8Udaipur Palaces, Gardens & Folk Heritage+
After breakfast, explore Udaipuru2019s royal and cultural landmarks. Visit City Palace and its museum, Saheliyon Ki Bari and selected lakeside attractions, then include Shilpgram or a folk-art museum according to the final sightseeing programme. Spend the evening at leisure beside the City of Lakes, with optional cultural activities arranged separately. Overnight stay in Udaipur.
Day 9Udaipur to Bundi u2013 Forts, Palace & Stepwells+
After breakfast, drive from Udaipur to Bundi, one of Rajasthanu2019s most atmospheric heritage towns. Check in at the hotel and later explore Taragarh Fort, Bundi Palace and Chitrashala subject to current access, followed by selected stepwells and the eighty-four pillared cenotaph. Enjoy a relaxed walk through Bundiu2019s old lanes and markets before an overnight stay in Bundi.
Day 10Bundi to Jaipur u2013 Pink City Arrival+
After breakfast, check out and drive to Jaipur. On arrival, check in at the hotel and spend the remainder of the day exploring the old walled city at a relaxed pace. Walk through colourful bazaars known for textiles, jewellery, handicrafts and traditional products, or simply unwind at the hotel before the full heritage tour the following day. Overnight stay in Jaipur.
Day 11Jaipur Forts, Palaces & Observatory+
After breakfast, visit Amber Fort, reaching the palace complex by road, authorised jeep, shuttle or another standard visitor transport rather than animal riding. Continue to City Palace, Jantar Mantar, the Hawa Mahal area and Jal Mahal viewpoint according to the final sightseeing plan. In the evening, an optional Chokhi Dhani cultural experience may be arranged, but elephant, camel and other animal rides are not part of the base package. Overnight stay in Jaipur.
Day 12Jaipur to Delhi & Departure+
After breakfast, check out from the Jaipur hotel and drive to Delhi by private AC vehicle. Transfer to Delhi Airport, railway station or your independently booked hotel according to the onward schedule, concluding the Rajasthan Forts, Palaces & Havelis Tour after a journey through Shekhawati frescoes, desert forts, carved havelis, lake palaces, Bundiu2019s stepwells and Jaipuru2019s royal architecture.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
- 11 nights accommodation as per itinerary
- 1 night Delhi hotel
- 1 night heritage hotel in Nawalgarh/Mandawa/Shekhawati
- 1 night Bikaner hotel
- 2 nights Jaisalmer hotel
- 1 night Jodhpur hotel
- 2 nights Udaipur hotel
- 1 night Bundi heritage hotel
- 2 nights Jaipur hotel
- Daily breakfast at confirmed hotels
- Selected desert or cultural dinner where specifically included in the final package
- Delhi Airport/railway station arrival assistance and transfer
- Private Delhi–Shekhawati road transfer
- Nawalgarh sightseeing including selected havelis, fort/heritage attractions and Poddar Haveli Museum subject to current access
- Mandawa heritage walk including selected painted havelis and Mandawa Fort area
- Private Shekhawati–Bikaner transfer
- Bikaner sightseeing including Junagarh Fort and selected heritage attractions
- National Research Centre on Camel visit when included and subject to current timings
- Optional Deshnoke/Karni Mata Temple visit subject to temple timings and traveller preference
- Private Bikaner–Jaisalmer transfer
- Jaisalmer desert sunset experience at Sam or another authorised dune area without animal riding in the base package
- Jaisalmer Fort, Jain temples, Patwon Ki Haveli, Nathmal Ki Haveli, Gadisar Lake and old-city sightseeing
- Private Jaisalmer–Jodhpur transfer
- Jodhpur sightseeing including Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada
- Private Jodhpur–Udaipur transfer via Kumbhalgarh
- Kumbhalgarh Fort sightseeing subject to monument access and opening hours
- Udaipur sightseeing including City Palace, Saheliyon Ki Bari, Shilpgram or folk-art museum according to the final programme
- Lake Pichola boat ride subject to water levels and operating conditions
- Private Udaipur–Bundi transfer
- Bundi sightseeing including Taragarh Fort, Bundi Palace/Chitrashala, selected stepwells and the eighty-four pillared cenotaph subject to current access
- Private Bundi–Jaipur transfer
- Jaipur old-city bazaar orientation
- Jaipur sightseeing including Amber Fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal area and Jal Mahal viewpoint
- Amber Fort access by road, authorised jeep, shuttle or other standard visitor transport
- Optional Chokhi Dhani cultural evening without animal rides in the base package
- Private Jaipur–Delhi departure transfer
- Local English-speaking guides at major heritage sectors as confirmed
- Parking, driver allowance, tolls and road taxes for included private vehicle
- Saar Holidays travel assistance
Exclusions
- International or domestic airfare
- Travel insurance
- Monument, fort, palace, museum, temple and attraction entrance fees unless specifically included
- Meals and beverages not mentioned under inclusions
- Animal-riding activities including elephant and camel rides
- Private desert jeep safaris, dune-bashing or premium camp activities unless specifically included
- Optional Chokhi Dhani entrance/dinner unless specifically included
- Photography or videography fees where charged
- Personal shopping, handicrafts and souvenirs
- Personal expenses such as beverages, laundry and telephone charges
- Early check-in and late check-out charges
- Tips and gratuities
- Any additional cost caused by monument closure, temple restrictions, Lake Pichola boating suspension, desert-access restrictions, weather, road conditions, festival crowds or government/local-authority regulations
- Anything not specifically mentioned under inclusions
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