Grand Rajasthan Desert & Forts Loop
A grand loop from Delhi covering Shekhawati, desert fortresses, Udaipur, Pushkar, and Jaipur.
The most comprehensive self-drive or chartered loop of Rajasthan: head into the Thar Desert to visit Bikaner and Jaisalmer, spend a night in the sand dunes, and continue via Jodhpur and Kumbhalgarh to the lake city of Udaipur, before returning to Agra via Pushkar and Jaipur. This route is ideal for travelers with more than two weeks of vacation. Note that it involves long drives, with only one or two nights spent in each city.
The desert is extremely hot from April to June; book well in advance during the Pushkar Camel Fair in November.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrival in Delhi & Rest
Delhi（Humayun's Tomb、India Gate）
Transfer from the airport to the city center (approx. 1 hour). Take a taxi in the afternoon, saving your energy for the long drive tomorrow.
Stay: Connaught Place
Day 2 · West to the Fresco Towns of Shekhawati
Mandawa
Drive from Delhi to Mandawa (approx. 260 km). The chartered car journey takes approx. 6 hours.
Stay: Mandawa
Day 3 · Red Sandstone Fort of Bikaner
Bikaner（Junagarh Fort、Rampuria Havelis、Kote Gate & Old City Bazaars）
Drive from Mandawa to Bikaner (approx. 190 km, 4 hours). Visit Junagarh Fort and the Old City in the afternoon.
Stay: Old City & Junagarh Fort Area
Day 4 · Rat Temple to the Golden City
Bikaner（Karni Mata Temple, Deshnoke） → Jaisalmer
Head south from Bikaner to Deshnoke, then continue to Jaisalmer (approx. 350 km, 7 hours).
You must enter the Rat Temple barefoot; you may bring disposable socks.
Stay: Gandhi Chowk and Old Town
Day 5 · Full Day in Jaisalmer Fort
Jaisalmer（Jaisalmer Fort、Jain Temples of Jaisalmer Fort、Patwon Ki Haveli、Salim Singh Ki Haveli、Gadisar Lake）
Explore the fort and the Old City on foot. Walk or take a taxi to Gadisar Lake in the afternoon.
Stay: Gandhi Chowk and Old Town
Day 6 · Abandoned Villages & Sam Sand Dunes Camp
Jaisalmer（Bada Bagh、Kuldhara Abandoned Village、Sam Sand Dunes）
Take a chartered car via Bada Bagh and Kuldhara to the sand dunes (approx. 50 km). Check into your camp in the afternoon.
The desert has large temperature differences between day and night; bring warm clothing for winter nights.
Stay: Sam Sand Dunes Camps
Day 7 · Across the Desert to the Blue City
Jodhpur（Clock Tower & Sardar Market）
Drive from the dunes to Jodhpur (approx. 330 km, 6–7 hours). Explore the Clock Tower market in the evening.
Stay: Blue City Old Town
Day 8 · Mehrangarh Fort & the Blue City
Jodhpur（Mehrangarh Fort、Jaswant Thada、Blue City (Brahmpuri)、Toorji Ka Jhalra Stepwell）
Walk or take a taxi up to the fort. Spend the afternoon walking through the alleys of the Old City.
Stay: Blue City Old Town
Day 9 · Ranakpur to the Mountain Fort
Drive from Jodhpur to Ranakpur (approx. 3.5 hours). Visit the temple in the afternoon, then drive 1 hour to Kumbhalgarh.
The Jain Temple opens to non-believers around noon; expect to wait if you arrive in the morning.
Stay: Kumbhalgarh
Day 10 · Kumbhalgarh to Udaipur
Udaipur（Kumbhalgarh Fort、Bagore Ki Haveli）
Climb the fort walls in the morning. Drive approx. 85 km to Udaipur in the afternoon (approx. 2–2.5 hours).
Stay: Lal Ghat and Gangaur Ghat
Day 11 · Udaipur City Palace & Lake
Udaipur（City Palace, Udaipur、Jagdish Temple、Lake Pichola & Lake Palace）
Explore the Old City on foot; the palace and jetty are close by. Take a boat ride on Lake Pichola in the evening.
Stay: Lal Ghat and Gangaur Ghat
Day 12 · To Pushkar via Chittorgarh
Udaipur（Chittorgarh Fort） → Pushkar
Drive from Udaipur via Chittorgarh to Pushkar (approx. 330 km, 6–7 hours).
Stay: Pushkar Lakeside Ghats
Day 13 · Holy Lake & Ajmer Sharif Dargah
Pushkar（Pushkar Lake、Brahma Temple、Ajmer Sharif Dargah）
Explore Pushkar on foot in the morning. Visit Ajmer in the afternoon, then drive approx. 135 km to Jaipur (approx. 2.5 hours).
Avoid self-proclaimed 'priests' demanding donations at the ghats.
Stay: C-Scheme
Day 14 · Jaipur Forts & Old City
Jaipur（Amber (Amer) Fort、Jal Mahal、City Palace、Jantar Mantar、Hawa Mahal）
Take a chartered car to and from Amber Fort in the morning, and explore the Pink City on foot in the afternoon.
Stay: C-Scheme
Day 15 · Fatehpur Sikri to Agra
Jaipur（Chand Baori (Abhaneri)） → Agra（Fatehpur Sikri、Agra Fort）
Drive from Jaipur to Agra (approx. 240 km, 5–6 hours) via Fatehpur Sikri.
Stay: Fatehabad Road
Day 16 · Taj Mahal & Return to Delhi
Visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise. Take the Yamuna Expressway back to Delhi in the afternoon (approx. 4 hours).
The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; plan your departure day accordingly.