Royal Rajasthan - Nagaur Fair

Princely fortresses rising out of golden desert sands are the royal legacy of Rajasthan, an exotic land best described by its colors—the brilliant reds and bold yellows of tribal costumes, the soft pinks of ancient palaces, the muted tawny browns of vast deserts. We visit romantic walled cities including Jaipur and Jodhpur, with their airy palaces of marble and onyx, and make a memorable visit to the annual Nagaur Fair, an exuberant gathering of desert tribes who come together to trade their colorfully adorned cattle. Part marketplace and part social gathering, the fair is a picturesque and joyous event. Our journey across Rajasthan includes sunrise at the Taj Mahal and overnights in former maharajas’ palaces to add to our royal pleasures in this tremendously photogenic land.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Itinerary below is for the January 2013 Nagaur Fair Departure. We also offer a Royal Rajasthan Pushkar Fair itinerary, call for more details.

Days 1-2
Delhi, India

Explore Old Delhi, capital of Mughal India between the 12th and 19th centuries, and the markets and monuments of New Delhi.

Days 3-4
Udaipur / Lake Palace Hotel

We fly to Udaipur and explore one of the most romantic cities in the world, with its oasis of palaces, traditional havelis (mansions), parks, fortresses, and temples. Our accommodation on these nights is the legendary Lake Palace, the 250-year-old former summer palace of the Maharaja of Udaipur.

Days 5-6
Kumbalgarh / Ranakpur / Jodhpur / Umaid Bhawan Palace

Palaces, temples, forts, and ruins abound in the countryside outside Udaipur. Explore the idyllic Aravalli Hills, visiting the remote hilltop fort at Kumbalgarh and its surrounding tribal villages, and continue to Ranakpur. The next morning, visit Ranakpur’s marvelous complex of finely ornamented Jain temples and continue to Jodhpur for overnight at the elegant Umaid Bhawan Palace.

Days 7-8
Jodhpur / Nagaur Cattle Fair

Explore Jodhpur, including the great Mehrangarh Fort, founded in 1459 by Prince Jodha of the Rathore clan, and continue to the picturesque Rajput township of Nagaur. Experience the sights and sounds of the Nagaur Cattle Fair, the second largest fair in all Rajasthan. The fair also includes events like tug-of-war and bullock races to entertain fairgoers, and in the evenings, there is Rajasthani folk music. Overnight at a special tented accommodation.

Days 9-10
Jaipur / Rambagh Palace Hotel

Returning to Jodhpur, we fly to Jaipur, a remarkable city of famed “pink” sandstone architecture built by Maharaja Jai Singh II in the early 18th century. Among our explorations is Jaipur’s City Palace, a splendid blend of traditional Rajasthan and Mughal architecture. Our accommodation is the elegant Rambagh Palace, former home of the Maharaja of Jaipur.

Day 11
Bharatpur / Keoladio

We drive to the ancient town of Bharatpur for an afternoon visit to famed Keoladeo National Park, India’s most renowned nature reserve and a World Heritage Site.

Days 12-13
Fatehpur Sikri / Agra / Taj Mahal

En route to Agra, we visit the haunting desert ruins of Fatehpur Sikri, once the capital of Mughal Emperor Akbar. In Agra, our explorations include the beautiful red sandstone Agra Fort, and at day’s end, we make a sunset pilgrimage to the incomparable Taj Mahal. After a sunrise visit to the Taj the next morning, we drive to Delhi and depart in the evening of Day.

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

What the Trip is Like

This trip is Level 2, Easy to Moderate. It is a vehicle-based sightseeing trip. Accommodations include comfortable, modern hotels reflecting the traditional architecture of Rajasthan as well as former royal residences that have been converted into luxurious heritage hotels. At the Nagaur Fair we sleep in colorful, Rajasthani-style air-conditioned tents furnished with cots and en suite facilities.
Please remember that travel in India is an intense experience. The essential requirements are flexibility, a sense of humor, curiosity, enthusiasm about new peoples and places, and an openness to the unexpected.

Explanation of Trip Levels