The Complete North India & Rajasthan Itinerary | Varanasi · Taj Mahal · Jaisalmer · Udaipur
For travellers from the US, UK, Australia and Europe searching for a cultural tour of India that goes beyond the usual highlights, this 14-day journey through Varanasi, Rajasthan and the Mughal heartland offers genuine depth. You will not merely see India — you will begin to understand it.
Varanasi: Where Time Stands Still
No travel guide can fully prepare you for Varanasi. One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on earth, it sits on the western bank of the Ganges and has been a centre of Hindu pilgrimage, learning, and ritual for over 3,000 years. For travellers seeking to understand Varanasi rituals and the spiritual soul of India, this city is unmissable.
Your days here begin before sunrise, gliding by wooden boat past the ghats — the broad stone steps descending to the river — as priests perform the Ganga Aarti, a fire ritual of breathtaking precision. Bells ring, incense rises, and the boundary between the living and the spiritual seems to dissolve entirely.
Book a private sunrise boat ride rather than a group tour. The quiet of the river at 5:30am — broken only by chanting and temple bells — is something you will carry with you for years.
Beyond the ghats, your local English-speaking guide will lead you through the old city's narrow lanes to Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the holiest Hindu shrines, and to Sarnath — the peaceful deer park where the Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment.
Planning a 14-day North India cultural journey? Explore the full private itinerary, inclusions and pricing.
View Full Itinerary →Khajuraho & Agra: Art, Power and the Taj Mahal
From Varanasi, the journey continues by train to Khajuraho, home to UNESCO World Heritage temples adorned with extraordinary medieval stone carvings. They are detailed, expressive, and philosophically rich — a celebration of human life carved in stone over 1,000 years ago and remarkably preserved to this day.
Then comes Agra, and the moment every visitor has anticipated. The Taj Mahal at sunrise is a genuinely different experience from the midday images you may have seen. The white marble takes on a warm rose-gold tone in the early light, crowds are minimal, and there is real space for quiet wonder.
After the Taj, visit Agra Fort in the afternoon. From its upper terraces you can see the Taj Mahal glowing across the river — and learn the story of Shah Jahan, imprisoned here in his final years, gazing at the tomb he built for his wife.
The Rajasthan History Guide: Palaces, Forts and Desert Kingdoms
Understanding Rajasthan history means understanding the Rajput warrior clans who ruled these lands for centuries, building palaces of extraordinary beauty and forts of seemingly impenetrable stone. Each city carries a distinct personality shaped by its geography, its rulers, and its legends.
Jaipur — The Pink City
Jaipur was purpose-built in 1727 by Maharaja Jai Singh II and painted its famous terracotta-pink in 1876 to welcome the Prince of Wales. The hilltop Amber Fort, the City Palace still partly inhabited by the royal family, and the iconic Hawa Mahal — its 953 latticed windows built so royal women could observe street life unseen — all speak to a civilisation of remarkable sophistication.
Jaisalmer — The Golden Fort City of the Thar Desert
Rising from the Thar Desert like a mirage, Jaisalmer is one of the last living fort cities in the world. An evening camel ride into the dunes, watching the sun sink below the horizon in silence, is an experience that belongs to no particular century.
Jodhpur — The Blue City
Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur is perhaps the most dramatic in all of Rajasthan — a sheer cliff of stone rising 120 metres above the blue-painted city below. The views from its ramparts are extraordinary, and the museum inside is among the finest in India.
Udaipur — City of Lakes
Your journey ends in Udaipur — a city of lakes, white marble palaces, and a gentle pace that invites genuine reflection. The City Palace on the shores of Lake Pichola and the island Jag Mandir are highlights, but Udaipur also rewards simply wandering its old city lanes at dusk. It is routinely voted one of the most romantic cities on earth.
Interested in experiencing Rajasthan at this depth? This private 14-day journey is fully customisable to your travel dates.
Enquire Now →Why Travel with TTI Tours?
This itinerary is available with any travel operator. Here is why our guests consistently choose TTI Tours — and return.
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Private departures onlyNo large coach groups. Your journey, your pace.
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Boutique India specialistsDedicated to India since 2012, not a general travel agency.
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Local English-speaking expertsGuides who live in each city and know it deeply.
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Heritage & boutique staysHandpicked properties — not generic chain hotels.
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Thoughtfully paced itineraryNo one-night city hops. Time to breathe and absorb.
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Cultural depth over checklistsWe go beyond monuments to the stories behind them.
"TTI Tours gave us an India experience we simply could not have found on our own. Our guide in Varanasi was extraordinary — thoughtful, knowledgeable, and incredibly kind. The Taj Mahal at sunrise was the highlight of our year."
What's Included in This 14-Day Tour
- 13 nights in hotels & heritage stays
- Daily breakfast at all hotels
- Private AC vehicle with driver
- All airport & hotel transfers
- AC train journeys as per itinerary
- English-speaking guides in each city
- Sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal
- Private Ganges boat ride in Varanasi
- Camel ride & desert excursion, Jaisalmer
- All taxes & service charges
- UNESCO World Heritage site visits
- Orchha royal heritage experience
A fully guided private 14-day journey through North India's most iconic destinations.
Best Time to Visit Rajasthan & North India
Choosing the right season makes a significant difference to comfort and overall experience on this cultural tour of India. Here is a quick guide for international travellers.
| Season | Months | Conditions | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak | Oct – Mar | Cool, clear days. Ideal for all sightseeing and desert excursions. | Best |
| Shoulder | Sep & Oct | Post-monsoon greenery, fewer crowds, slightly lower prices. | Good |
| Monsoon | Jul – Aug | Heavy rains and humidity. Some travel disruptions possible. | Caution |
| Summer | Apr – Jun | Extreme heat. Temperatures regularly exceed 45°C (113°F). | Avoid |
14-Day Itinerary at a Glance
| Day | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Delhi | Arrive & check in to your hotel |
| Day 2 | Delhi | Full city tour — overnight train to Varanasi |
| Day 3 | Varanasi | Ganges sunrise boat ride, Ganga Aarti, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Sarnath |
| Day 4 | Khajuraho | Train from Varanasi, UNESCO temple tour |
| Day 5 | Agra | Khajuraho temples, train via Jhansi to Agra |
| Day 6 | Jaipur | Sunrise Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, drive to Jaipur |
| Day 7 | Jaipur | Amber Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal, local bazaars |
| Day 8 | Bikaner | Junagarh Fort, Karni Mata Temple |
| Day 9 | Jaisalmer | Drive into the Thar Desert, golden fort city arrival |
| Day 10 | Jaisalmer | Desert safari, camel ride, sunset dunes |
| Day 11 | Jodhpur | Mehrangarh Fort, explore the Blue City |
| Day 12 | Udaipur | Scenic drive through Rajasthan countryside |
| Day 13 | Udaipur | City Palace, Lake Pichola, Jag Mandir |
| Day 14 | Delhi | Fly Udaipur → Delhi & depart |
Most visitors require an Indian e-Visa, available online within 3–5 business days. Book flights into Delhi (DEL) and out of Udaipur (UDR) for a seamless open-jaw itinerary. Pack a light layer for desert evenings — temperatures drop sharply after sunset even in winter months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. This itinerary is specifically designed for international travellers visiting India for the first time. The pacing is comfortable, all logistics are handled privately, and your English-speaking guides ensure you always have context and support throughout the journey.
Yes. All TTI Tours journeys are private and fully flexible. We can adjust departure dates, extend stays in cities you love, add extra experiences, or modify hotel categories to suit your preferences and budget.
October to March is the ideal window for this itinerary. Temperatures are comfortable across all destinations, the desert excursions in Jaisalmer are best enjoyed in cool evenings, and the Taj Mahal sunrise is at its most beautiful in the clear winter light.
Most international travellers from the US, UK, Australia and Europe require an Indian e-Visa, which can be applied for online in advance. It is typically processed within 3–5 business days. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of arrival. We recommend verifying current requirements before booking.
The starting price covers 13 nights' accommodation on a twin/double basis, daily breakfast, all private transfers, AC train journeys, English-speaking local guides in every city, a sunrise Taj Mahal visit, a Ganges boat ride in Varanasi, a camel ride in Jaisalmer, and all applicable taxes. Flights to and from India are not included.
Begin Your North India Journey
Private, fully guided, and crafted around you. Let TTI Tours handle every detail of your 14-day India adventure — from Varanasi's sacred ghats to Udaipur's shimmering lakes.
From US$ 1,570 per person · Double occupancy · Private tour
View Full Tour & Book NowNo payment required to enquire · Personalised response within 24 hours
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