Desert Forts and Clay Huts

Bite-sized trip

Itinerary:
Jaisalmer - Bikaner - Mandawa - Jaipur
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
Price:
from £ 340.- per person (excluding flights)

Explore dust-swirled desert towns, sleep in traditional clay huts and visit richly coloured merchant palaces in one of India’s most remote and mystic regions. You’ll travel from the golden fort of Jaisalmer through the vast Thar desert towards the ‘Red City’ of Bikaner. Next, you’ll move on to remote pockets of Shekhawati, a once-important region on the caravan route, filled with clusters of brightly coloured havelis, or decadent merchant mansions.

Day 1 – Arrival in Bikaner

Leaving Jaisalmer, you’ll head through the desert to reach Bikaner where you’ll check into your small family hotel. Bikaner, the ‘Red City’, is a desert city with an atmospheric old centre crammed with 37 palaces and a beautiful red sandstone fort. In the afternoon, you’ll take a guided tour through the highlights of the city, including the Junagarh Fort with its Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum.

Day 2-3 Bikaner to Mandawa & departure

Next, you’ll drive to Mandawa, renowned for its colourful haveli houses, and here you will be staying in a clay hut. In the afternoon, you’ll take a guided walking tour of Mandawa. The locals will be happily surprised to see you, as not many tourists make it this far.

The next day you’ll return by car to the Pink City of Jaipur where this trip comes to an end.