The Story

Best time to go: October - March
Best for: Longer Journeys, Historical

This itinerary is for travellers who want to go far beyond the headlines. Here the aim is to understand the rhythm and cultural depth of Rajasthan. It is perfect for those with the time to explore properly. So it reveals the region at a slower, more immersive pace. Iconic cities are paired with remote landscapes and little-visited towns. This is not a rushed overview. Instead, you travel privately, with real insight into the history and living traditions.

Jaipur: The Pink City

Your journey begins with Jaipur, the vibrant Pink City. It is renowned for its palaces, bazaars and Rajput heritage. Beyond the famous forts, we delve into the artisan quarters. There, block-printers, jewellers and miniature painters still work as they have for centuries. So you see the city’s craft as well as its grandeur.

Jodhpur: The Blue City

Travel on to Jodhpur, where the mighty Mehrangarh Fort towers above a maze of blue streets. It is one of India’s most dramatic citadels. From its walls, the views over the old town are sweeping. Below, meanwhile, the markets hum with everyday life. Together, they give a vivid sense of the city’s martial past.

Jaisalmer and the Thar Desert

Next, venture deep into the Thar Desert to Jaisalmer. Here an extraordinary living fort rises from the sands. At sunset, it glows a deep gold. Still inhabited, its lanes are lined with exquisitely carved havelis. Beyond the walls, the dunes invite unforgettable evenings under huge desert skies.

The Rural Heartlands

What truly sets this trip apart is the time away from the trail. As you move between the cities, you pass through rural heartlands. So you pause in traditional villages and small market towns. These offer an authentic glimpse of local life. Often, the quieter moments mean the most. Indeed, for many guests they become the highlight of the journey.

Udaipur: The City of Lakes

The route also includes romantic Udaipur, the City of Lakes. Here elegant palaces and serene waterways set a gentler pace. As a result, the city is a beautiful contrast to the desert. At dusk, take a boat on Lake Pichola as the palaces glow. It is the perfect counterpoint to the arid drama before it.

Experiences That Bring It to Life

Throughout, we layer in immersive, personal experiences. That might mean a private audience with a local historian. Equally, it could be a home-cooked meal with a Rajput family. Elsewhere, you might enjoy an evening of folk music under desert skies. Between the cities, the rural stretches bring their own quiet pleasures. Because you travel privately, there is no fixed schedule. If a place captivates you, we simply linger.

Where You Stay

Accommodation is a real part of the pleasure here. You might sleep within the walls of a converted fort. Alternatively, you stay in an elegant haveli or a desert tented camp. Many of these are former royal residences. So you rest within the very history you explored by day. We know them all personally and match each to you.

How You Travel

Throughout, you travel privately and without a fixed schedule. So your own driver and guides handle every detail. Between cities, the long drives reveal the changing landscape. Where it helps, a short flight saves time. Meanwhile, stops are arranged along the way. As a result, even the travelling feels unhurried.

Optional Wildlife

If you wish, wildlife can be woven in along the way. Most notably, Ranthambore National Park lies within reach. There, it is one of India’s best-known reserves for tiger sightings. So a couple of nights add a thrilling change of pace. Equally, you can skip it and focus on culture. As ever, the choice is yours.

Living Traditions

Living traditions run through every stop on this route. For example, you might watch a puppeteer or a folk dancer. Elsewhere, artisans demonstrate block-printing and miniature painting. Meanwhile, music drifts through the bazaars at dusk. So the culture feels alive, not preserved behind glass.

Best Time to Travel

Generally, the cooler, drier months from October to March are most comfortable. This is especially true in the desert around Jaisalmer. By contrast, the pre-monsoon heat can be fierce. So we usually favour the winter window. Either way, we tailor the timing to you.

The Rewards of Going Deep

Above all, this route rewards patience. By trading a checklist for time, you understand Rajasthan far better. So the cities make sense against their rural setting. Meanwhile, small encounters linger in the memory. In the end, you return with a richer, more personal picture of the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I need for this itinerary?

Because it is designed to be in-depth, it works best over two to three weeks. That allows time in each city, plus the rural stretches between. Of course, it can be trimmed if your time is shorter.

Is this suitable for a first visit to India?

It can be, if you have the time and want to go deep from the outset. That said, it is especially rewarding for returning travellers. They already know the highlights and want to understand Rajasthan more fully.

When is the best time to travel?

Generally, the cooler, drier months from October to March are the most comfortable. This is particularly true for the desert regions. We will advise on the ideal window for your dates.

Can it be combined with other regions?

Yes. It pairs naturally with the rest of India or a beach finale. Simply share your dates and interests, and we will craft the rest around you.

Guide Pricing

Starting At

  • LOCATION:
  • £5500P.P- £9955P.P
    SilverGold
    Price per person including all accommodation, private transfers, unique experiences and excluding international flights. We can arrange international flights should you wish.

    Highlights

    • First, embark on an extensive private tour of Rajasthan leaving no stone unturned.
    • In addition to seeing all the major cities, you will also time travel through the rural highlights.
    • Meanwhile, relax and stay in a range of boutique hotels, from luxury camps and heritage hotels to palaces and forts.
    • To complete the experience, enjoy a private driver throughout and personal guides showcasing Rajasthan through a range of immersive experiences.

    Day 5

    Gold: Chattra Sagar
    Silver: Chattra Sagar

    Day 6-7

    Gold: Umaid Bhawan Palace
    Silver: Raas

    Day 8-9

    Gold: The Serai

    Day 10-11

    Gold: Mihir Garh
    Silver: Rohet Garh

    Day 12

    Gold: Rawla Narlai
    Silver: Rawla Narlai

    Day 13-14

    Gold: Taj Lake Palace Hotel
    Silver: Bujera Fort

    Day 15

    Gold: Shahpura Bagh
    Silver: Shahpura Bagh

    Day 16-17

    Gold: Sher Bagh
    Silver: Khem Villas

    Day 18

    Gold: Ramathra Fort
    Silver: Ramathra Fort

    Day 19-20

    Gold: The Oberoi Amarvilas
    Silver: ITC Mughal

    Day 22

    Suggested Hotels

    Day 1-2

    Claridges Delhi

    $ $ $ $ $  

    Claridges has a great location in the heart of Delhi, a chic 1950s era hotel with a superb lawn and personalised service.

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    Day 1-2
    Imperial Hotel, Delhi, India

    The Imperial Hotel

    $ $ $ $ $  

    The Imperial Hotel is Delhi’s most iconic luxury hotel and is located in the heart of Connaught Place. Featuring elegant art deco and colonial design, it simply is the best address in town.

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    Day 3-4

    Samode Haveli

    $ $ $ $ $  

    Samode Haveli is a gorgeous traditional haveli hotel in Jaipur, oozing boutique charm and perfect if you want your hotel to be a little bit more Rajasthani.

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    Day 3-4
    Taj Rambagh Palace, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India | Luxury Palace Hotel | Millis Potter Travel

    Taj Rambagh Palace

    $ $ $ $ $  

    The Taj Rambagh Palace is the grandest and most opulent hotel in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The Rambagh has 85 sumptuous rooms, fantastic facilities and ample grounds.

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    Day 5
    Chattra Sagar

    Chattra Sagar

    $ $ $ $ $  

    Chattra Sagar is a luxury tented camp, perched on a 100-year old dam mid-way between Jaipur and Jodhpur in Rajasthan.

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    Day 5
    Chattra Sagar

    Chattra Sagar

    $ $ $ $ $  

    Chattra Sagar is a luxury tented camp, perched on a 100-year old dam mid-way between Jaipur and Jodhpur in Rajasthan.

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    Day 6-7
    Raas

    Raas

    $ $ $ $ $  

    Raas is a chic boutique hotel located right under Jodhpur’s Mehrangarh Fort in Rajasthan and is a stunning blend of old-world charm and modern design.

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    Day 6-7

    Umaid Bhawan Palace

    $ $ $ $ $  

    The Umaid Bhawan Palace towers over the Blue City of Jodhpur in Rajasthan and is one of India’s most opulent and grand hotels.

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    Day 8-9
    The Serai, Jaisalmer-The Royal Suite

    The Serai

    $ $ $ $ $  

    The Serai is a superb luxury tented camp located in the Thar Desert about an hour from Jaisalmer, offering a wonderfully different Rajasthani experience.

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    Day 10-11
    Rohetgarh, Rajasthan, India

    Rohet Garh

    $ $ $ $ $  

    Rohet Garh is a beautiful heritage hotel located just to the south of Jodhpur in Rajasthan and dates from the 17th century.

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    Day 10-11
    Mihir Garh, Rajasthan, India

    Mihir Garh

    $ $ $ $ $  

    Mihir Garh is a luxury boutique hotel with just nine suites, all with plunge pools and is located on the edge of the Thar Desert south of Jodhpur in Rajasthan.  

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    Day 12
    Rawla Narlai, Rajasthan, India

    Rawla Narlai

    $ $ $ $ $  

    A hidden gem, Rawla Narlai makes for an ideal off-the-beaten track stop between Jodhpur and Udaipur in Rajasthan is close to Kumbulgarh Fort and Ranakpur Temples.

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    Day 12
    Rawla Narlai, Rajasthan, India

    Rawla Narlai

    $ $ $ $ $  

    A hidden gem, Rawla Narlai makes for an ideal off-the-beaten track stop between Jodhpur and Udaipur in Rajasthan is close to Kumbulgarh Fort and Ranakpur Temples.

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    Day 13-14

    Bujera Fort

    $ $ $ $ $  

    Bujera Fort overlooks the ‘Venice of the East’; the magical city of Udaipur. Bujera is a charming boutique hotel with just 14 stylish rooms.

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    Day 13-14
    Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India | Luxury Palace Hotel | Millis Potter Travel

    Taj Lake Palace Hotel

    $ $ $ $ $  

    For many guests, a stay at the Lake Palace Hotel in Udaipur is a result of a life-long ambition, and the reality certainly doesn’t disappoint.

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    Day 15

    Shahpura Bagh

    $ $ $ $ $  

    Shahpura Bagh is a delightful boutique rural located mid-way between Jaipur and Udaipur offering the chance to get truly off-the-beaten track in rural Rajasthan for a night or two.

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    Day 15

    Shahpura Bagh

    $ $ $ $ $  

    Shahpura Bagh is a delightful boutique rural located mid-way between Jaipur and Udaipur offering the chance to get truly off-the-beaten track in rural Rajasthan for a night or two.

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    Day 16-17
    Khem Villas, Ranthambore, India

    Khem Villas

    $ $ $ $ $  

    Small, boutique and charming, Khem Villas is a delightful and affordable eco-friendly retreat located beside Ranthambore National Park in India.

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    Day 16-17
    Tented Suite Exterior, Sher Bagh, India, Ranthambore

    Sher Bagh

    $ $ $ $ $  

    Sher Bagh is a luxury tented camp located in Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan in India offering a truly wonderful safari experience.

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    Day 18

    Ramathra Fort

    $ $ $ $ $  

    Far from the madding crowd, the intimate 350-year old Ramathra Fort provides a wonderful glimpse into the unspoilt charm of rural Rajasthan.

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    Day 18

    Ramathra Fort

    $ $ $ $ $  

    Far from the madding crowd, the intimate 350-year old Ramathra Fort provides a wonderful glimpse into the unspoilt charm of rural Rajasthan.

    View hotel
    Day 19-20
    ITC Mughal, Agra, India

    ITC Mughal

    $ $ $ $ $  

    The ITC Mughal is a comfortable international hotel located close to the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, set within 25 acres of landscaped gardens featuring Mughal style water gardens and fruit trees.

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    Day 19-20

    The Oberoi Amarvilas

    $ $ $ $ $  

    The opulent and elegant Oberoi Amarvilas is by far the best hotel in Agra, with all the exceptional rooms offering exceptional views of the Taj Mahal.

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    Day 21
    Trident Gurgaon, Delhi, India

    Trident Gurgaon

    $ $ $ $ $  

    The Trident Gurgaon is a luxury city resort located close to Delhi’s International Airport, perfect for a first or final night on a tour if India.

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    Day 21
    Oberoi Gurgaon, Delhi, India

    The Oberoi Gurgaon

    $ $ $ $ $  

    The Oberoi Gurgaon is a luxury city-resort hotel, located just 15 minutes from Delhi’s International Airport, and has world-class facilities and rooms.

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    Customise Your Itinerary

    We can tweak and change any element of this itinerary and you can depart on any day you want, add nights here and there, and we can fully customise your day-to-day experiences depending on your interests. Here are just a few ideas of many that we can look at and discuss when we come to plan your tailor-made itinerary.

    Idea 1

    You might think this is all to see in Rajasthan, but there are a few additions for those of you who have even longer! Add in the interesting areas of northern Rajasthan such as the painted havelis of Mandawa and Bikaner

    Idea 2

    That said, many of you might not have such a great deal of time, and we can tailor the itinerary to fit within your travelling dates

    Further Itinerary Suggestions

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    Bago - Hpa An - Golden Rock - Yangon - Bagan - Yandabo - Mandalay - Maymyo - Hsipaw - Kalaw - Inle Lake - Ngapali  

    If you want to leave no stone unturned in Burma, then we can offer longer private journeys which get further off-the-beaten track to see more of this amazing country.

    24 days from £4630 p. p.