Rajasthan's less-visited gems — the painted havelis of Shekhawati, the sacred lake at Pushkar, Bundi's stepped tanks, and Chittorgarh's epic hill fort.
Tour Highlights
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Day by Day Itinerary
Arrive at Delhi airport and transfer to your hotel. This afternoon is at leisure.
Hopping on a morning train today you will then transfer to Chambal and the Mela Kothi Safari Lodge, set in 35 acres of plantation and farmland, the heritage hotel has been lovingly restored and has won conservation and sustainability awards. A visit to Bateshwar this afternoon introduces you to local life along the Yamuna River where 40 temples are set above the ghats, built individually over time and embodying an unhurried pace and dedication to prayer.
A peaceful morning on the Chambal River in small boats gives you the chance to spot gharial, turtles and an array of birdlife that make this calm river their home. Your naturalist will be able to point out many birds such as terns, kingfishers, plovers and stilts and if you are lucky, a Gangetic river dolphin. Later head to Holipura village and take a walk around the historic havelis of varying architectural styles with a member of the community before enjoying refreshments at their home.
The historic and architecturally significant buildings of Dholpur include the City Palace, a number of temples, a step well, the Nihal Tower, Shergarh Fort and Dholpur palace, the city is also home to the red sandstone that has been used in fort building throughout Rajasthan. Explore the town set on the banks of the Chambal en route to Ramathra, where you check-in to the fort hotel surrounded by rural farmland and with commanding views out over the countryside.
A walk from the fort towards the lake this morning with one of the hotel naturalists will introduce you to more of Rajasthan's incredible birdlife, look out for storks, pelicans, orioles and curlews amongst others. Head to the nearby village for a walk to explore the small hamlets and farms where the locals tend crops and raise animals before a trip on Kalisil Dam in a small boat to enjoy the sunset and wildlife.
A drive this morning takes you through rural Rajasthan passing villages and small towns until you reach Bundi, a town dominated by its formidable palace and fort and dotted with more than 60 stepwells. Take a walking tour of the impressive palace rising from the rock with its fort above it, the crumbling grandeur hides rooms of antiques and a series of epic murals. Head on to the fort, overgrowing with vegetation, a stroll here still...
Driving through Rajasthan's remarkable countryside, a brief stop at the remarkable water bird lakes near Jhalawar before visiting Gagron Fort — dramatically built at the confluence of the Ahu and Kali Sindh rivers. The Jhalawar region is one of Rajasthan's least-visited areas, preserving an authentic rural character.
Explore Jhalrapatan's remarkable walled city — its ancient Sun Temple, the Shantinath Jain Temple, and the bazaars that have served this region for centuries. Jhalawar itself has several remarkable forts and the extraordinary Bhawani Natya Shala — a beautifully preserved 19th-century indoor theatre.
Drive west through Madhya Pradesh to Ujjain — one of the seven sacred cities of Hinduism. Visit the remarkable Jantar Mantar observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur, and the Mahakaleshwar Temple — one of the 12 most sacred jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva.
Drive south to the extraordinary hilltop city of Mandu — the 15th-century Afghan capital with its remarkable palaces, mosques and tombs. The Jahaz Mahal, or Ship Palace, appears to float between two lakes, while the Hindola Mahal's sloping walls echo the design of a swing. Continue to Maheshwar.
Spend the day at the remarkable Fort Ahilya — the 18th-century riverside fort of Ahilyabai Holkar on the banks of the sacred Narmada River. Walk the ancient ghats, visit the extraordinary Maheshwari silk weaving workshops, and take a boat on the river.
Drive to Indore airport (approximately 2 hours) for onward flights. Indore connects well to Delhi and Mumbai.
About This Journey
Explore Rajasthan’s hidden gems — lesser-visited towns and extraordinary natural landscapes away from the standard tourist trail. Starting in Delhi with a Yamuna River exploration and a visit to the Taj Mahal, this 16-day journey focuses on off-the-beaten-track Rajasthan: the Chambal River wildlife sanctuary, the remote Ramathra Fort, the remarkable stepwells and palaces of Bundi, the riverside fort of Gagron, the sacred city of Jhalawar and the extraordinary rural heritage property of Fort Ahilya on the Narmada River.
Highlights
Chambal River boat safari for gharials, dolphins and remarkable birdlife. Stay at remarkable rural heritage properties far from tourist crowds. Explore Bundi’s extraordinary palace murals and stepped tanks. Visit the sacred city of Ujjain and its Mahakaleshwar temple. Discover Fort Ahilya in Maheshwar — a remarkable 18th-century fort on the Narmada River.
Accommodation Used On This Tour
Narain Niwas Palace Hotel
A heritage hotel in the heart of Jaipur, Narain Niwas was built in 1928 as the country residence of General Amar Singh Ji. Set in sprawling gardens with peacocks wandering the lawns, it retains its original furniture, frescoes and portraits, with a beautiful pool and the celebrated Bar Palladio.
Suryagarh
A magnificent fort-hotel on the edge of the Thar Desert outside Jaisalmer, Suryagarh is built from golden Jaisalmer sandstone in the tradition of the great Rajput fortresses. Its courtyards, pools and rooftop terraces overlook the desert, and its kitchens preserve the lost recipes of the region.
Accommodation displayed here should be taken as a guide only. Please refer to the detailed itinerary of your individual departure for more information.
Where You Stay
What's Included
Frequently Asked Questions
October to March is the most comfortable period, with clear skies and pleasant daytime temperatures across North India. December and January mornings can be cold and foggy in Delhi and Agra. April to June is very hot; July to September is the monsoon.
Yes — this route is well-established with excellent hotels and infrastructure, and our experienced guides and drivers handle every practical detail. First-time visitors consistently find it a superb introduction to India.
Private air-conditioned vehicles with experienced, dedicated drivers throughout. For longer distances we use India's excellent express trains or domestic flights where they improve the journey.
Absolutely. Duration, hotels, route and experiences can all be tailored to your preferences and budget — this itinerary is a starting point, not a fixed product. Contact us to plan your ideal trip.
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