RAJASTHAN & VARANASI TOUR23 days with private car & driver – a route proposal

Route: Delhi – Mandawa – Bikaner – Jaisalmer – Jodhpur – Ranakpur – Udaipur (via Kumbhalgarh) – Pushkar – Jaipur – Agra – Gwalior – Jhansi – Orchha – Khajuraho – Varanasi – Lucknow – Delhi

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From the Thar Desert to the Ganges

This route proposal connects two worlds: first the desert, the forts and the palaces of Rajasthan, then, after the Taj Mahal in Agra, the heartland of India – the hilltop fort of Gwalior, the palaces of Orchha, the famous temples of Khajuraho and finally Varanasi, the holy city on the Ganges. On the way back you stop in Lucknow, the city of the Nawabs.

A proposal – not a package

Like all our tours, this route is meant as inspiration. After your booking enquiry we send you a day-by-day proposal by e-mail. You decide where you would like to stay longer, what you want to leave out and which places you want to add – we revise the proposal until it suits you. Even during the tour you can change your plans in consultation with us. The price is calculated as soon as your route is fixed – see our prices.

Highlights along the route

• Delhi – start and end point of the tour: Old Delhi with Jama Masjid and Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, Qutb Minar and India Gate – on request with a day of Delhi sightseeing.
• Mandawa – small town in the Shekhawati region, famous for its richly painted havelis, the mansions of former merchant families.
• Bikaner – the mighty Junagarh Fort, the old town with its havelis, a camel farm and nearby the Karni Mata temple in Deshnok with its thousands of rats.
• Jaisalmer – the "Golden City" in the Thar Desert: a living fort of yellow sandstone, finely carved havelis and sunset in the desert.
• Jodhpur – the "Blue City" at the foot of the massive Mehrangarh Fort.
• Ranakpur – one of the most important Jain temples in India, built of white marble with a forest of intricately carved pillars.
• Kumbhalgarh – on the way to Udaipur: a mighty mountain fortress whose wall is one of the longest in the world.
• Udaipur – the "City of Lakes" with its City Palace on the shore of Lake Pichola.
• Pushkar – holy town around a sacred lake with bathing ghats and one of the few Brahma temples in India; in autumn venue of the famous camel fair.
• Jaipur – the "Pink City": Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), City Palace and the Jantar Mantar observatory. Between Jaipur and Agra the Chand Baori stepwell in Abhaneri is worth a stop.
• Agra – the Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays), Agra Fort and the "Baby Taj" Itimad-ud-Daulah. Between Agra and Jaipur lies Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted Mughal capital of Emperor Akbar.
• Gwalior – the imposing hilltop fort with the Man Singh Palace and its colourful tiles.
• Jhansi & Orchha – from Jhansi it is only a short drive to Orchha, a sleepy village with palaces, temples and royal cenotaphs on the Betwa River.
• Khajuraho – UNESCO World Heritage temples, world-famous for their finely carved, partly erotic sculptures.
• Varanasi – one of the oldest cities in the world and the holiest place of Hinduism: the ghats on the Ganges, a boat ride at sunrise and the evening Ganga Aarti. Nearby lies Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon.
• Lucknow – the city of the Nawabs, with the Bara Imambara and the famous Awadhi cuisine.

Good to know

• The best time to travel is from October to March. From April to June it gets very hot, especially in Rajasthan and on the plains of the Ganges.
• Distances in North India are long – have a look at our map with distances & driving times. For your safety we only drive in daylight.
• Less time? The 14-day Rajasthan tour. More time? The 30-day tour Rajasthan & Varanasi adds Mount Abu, Chittorgarh, Bundi and Ranthambore.

What our guests say

• Almost four weeks on the road with driver Manoj
• Three weeks of the real India with driver Bittoo
• Six women, three weeks, three drivers