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 Camel & Cattle Fair, an exuberant gathering of desert tribes who come together to trade their colorfully adorned camels and trade their 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

For a more complete description, Download Full Detailed Itinerary

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 Camel & 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 Camel & Cattle Fair, the second largest fair in all Rajasthan. The fair also includes events like tug-of-war and camel races to entertain fairgoers, and in the evenings, there is Rajasthani folk music. Overnight at a delightful heritage hotel in the historic Nagaur Fort.

Days 9-10
Jaipur / Rambagh Palace Hotel

We head 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 Detailed Itinerary

What the Trip is Like

This trip is Level 1+, Easy. 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.

An optional early morning camel ride is offered at the Nagaur fair for an interesting “above the crowd” view of the activities as the day begins. Anyone participating in this optional activity must acknowledge the inherent dangers in riding and agree to accept any and all risks.

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