Multi-City Circuit
The Grand India Circuit
The full 10-city circuit — Mughal Delhi and Agra, the temples of Khajuraho, sunrise on the Ganges at Varanasi, and the forts, deserts and tiger reserves of Rajasthan, in one continuous, no-backtrack journey.
Delhi · Agra · Khajuraho · Varanasi · Jaipur · Ranthambore · Bikaner · Jaisalmer · Jodhpur · Udaipur
Ten Cities, One Continuous Line
This is the whole circuit we run, end to end. It starts in Delhi and heads east to Agra and the Taj Mahal, the carved temples of Khajuraho and the ghats of Varanasi, then flies across to Jaipur for a second half in Rajasthan: Ranthambore, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Udaipur. Apart from one unavoidable detour back through Jaipur, the route never retraces its steps.
It suits travellers who want both sides of North India on one trip: the Mughal and Hindu monuments of the north, and the forts and desert towns of Rajasthan. Two legs are long enough that we suggest flying, Khajuraho to Varanasi and Varanasi to Jaipur. Everything else is by road with your own driver.
For most people we suggest the 17-day Balanced pace. Minimum squeezes the circuit into 10 days at the cost of travelling every day; Maximum stretches it to 26, with second nights in Delhi, Agra and Khajuraho and time for side trips.
The Taj Mahal early in the day
Every pace includes an early-morning visit to the Taj, when the marble is at its softest and the queues at their shortest.
Khajuraho's temple carvings
A morning among the Chandela temples, built around a thousand years ago and covered in some of India's most detailed stone sculpture.
The river at Varanasi
An evening aarti on the ghats and a boat out on the Ganges at dawn, in one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
Rajasthan in full
Tigers at Ranthambore, the desert forts of Bikaner and Jaisalmer, Jodhpur's blue old town and Udaipur's lakes, all in the second half of the trip.
Route
Full tolls, drive times and en-route facilities for every leg are in the route & distance atlas.
Day By Day
16 Nights · 17 Days
Arrive Delhi
Overnight in Delhi
Airport pickup; same-day sightseeing — Qutub Minar or Red Fort; evening Chandni Chowk food walk
Delhi → Agra (230 km, ~4 hrs)
Overnight in Agra
Morning drive to Agra; afternoon Agra Fort; evening Mehtab Bagh sunset view of the Taj
Sunrise Taj Mahal → Agra → Khajuraho (410 km, ~8-9 hrs)
Overnight in Khajuraho
Early Taj Mahal visit, then a long drive to Khajuraho — arrive by evening
Khajuraho temples → Khajuraho → Varanasi (400 km, ~8-9 hrs, or ~1 hr flight)
Overnight in Varanasi
Morning Western Group of Temples, then travel to Varanasi (flight recommended); evening Ganga Aarti
Varanasi
Overnight in Varanasi
Sunrise boat ride on the Ganges; Sarnath half-day excursion; free time in the evening
Varanasi → Jaipur (flight recommended)
Overnight in Jaipur
Travel to Jaipur; evening Bapu Bazaar / Johari Bazaar food & shopping walk
Jaipur
Overnight in Jaipur
Full day — Amber Fort (morning) + City Palace, Hawa Mahal & Jantar Mantar (afternoon) + sunset at Nahargarh Fort
Jaipur → Ranthambore (150 km, ~2.5-3 hrs)
Overnight in Ranthambore
Morning drive to Ranthambore; evening safari session
Ranthambore
Overnight in Ranthambore
Morning safari + evening safari (2 sessions)
Ranthambore → Jaipur → Bikaner (~480 km via Jaipur, ~8-9 hrs)
Overnight in Bikaner
Long transit day (backtrack via Jaipur — no direct route); arrive Bikaner by evening
Bikaner → Jaisalmer (330 km, ~6 hrs)
Overnight in Jaisalmer
Morning Junagarh Fort + Karni Mata Temple, then drive to Jaisalmer; evening Fort/havelis visit
Jaisalmer
Overnight in Jaisalmer
Kuldhara abandoned village + Bada Bagh sunset point; evening Sam Sand Dunes safari & desert sunset
Jaisalmer → Jodhpur (285 km, ~5-6 hrs)
Overnight in Jodhpur
Morning drive to Jodhpur (Osian temples en route, optional stop); evening Clock Tower market walk
Jodhpur
Overnight in Jodhpur
Mehrangarh Fort + Jaswant Thada; afternoon Blue City walk / Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park
Jodhpur → Udaipur (265 km via Ranakpur, ~5-6 hrs)
Overnight in Udaipur
Morning drive with a stop at Ranakpur Jain Temple; arrive Udaipur by evening for a Lake Pichola sunset boat ride
Udaipur
Overnight in Udaipur
City Palace; Shilpgram crafts village; evening Dharohar folk dance show at Bagore Ki Haveli
Depart Udaipur (flight recommended for onward travel)
Morning at leisure; airport transfer for departure
To keep the trip to 17 days, many travel days also include your first sightseeing in the new city. We suggest flying from Khajuraho to Varanasi and from Varanasi to Jaipur. There's no direct road from Ranthambore to Bikaner, so that leg returns through Jaipur and fills most of a day.
Good To Know
Frequently Asked Questions
Why fly two of the legs?
- Khajuraho to Varanasi and Varanasi to Jaipur are each a full day or more by road, with little to stop for on the way. Short domestic flights save those days for sightseeing. Your driver meets you at each end, and flights are booked separately from this estimate.
Can I do just half of the circuit?
- Yes. The Rajasthan Circuit covers the six Rajasthan cities on their own, and Golden Triangle & Tigers combines Delhi, Agra, Ranthambore and Jaipur. You can also open this route in the trip planner and remove cities.
Is 10 days really enough?
- Only just. The Minimum pace reaches the headline sight in each city but means a long drive or a flight every day. With 26 days, the Maximum pace adds second nights in Delhi, Agra and Khajuraho, a full day in Bikaner and time for side trips.
When is the best time to travel?
- Late October to early March is the most comfortable window across all ten cities. Delhi, Agra and Varanasi can be foggy in December and January, which sometimes delays early flights and trains. Ranthambore's core zones shut for the monsoon, around July to September.
What does the estimate include?
- Your own vehicle and driver for each road leg, a local guide in every city, pickups and drop-offs at airports and stations, plus tolls, parking and state taxes. Hotels and the suggested flights aren't included, so you can choose those to suit your budget.
Make It Yours
Add or drop a city, change the pace, pick your vehicle — the plan and the price update as you go.