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Maharaja's Legacy Tour
Indulge in Royalty at India's Grandest Palace Hotels
- Suggested Length
- 12 days
- Cities
- 5
- Best Time
- October – March
- Route
- Delhi · Jaisalmer · Jodhpur · Udaipur · Jaipur
Step into the life of royalty in the Land of Maharajas. Stay in former palaces once home to the royal family and experience their hospitality firsthand — in Jaisalmer, Suryagarh Palace draws you in with its regal charm and desert vistas; in Jodhpur, Umaid Bhawan Palace impresses with Indo-Saracenic architecture and lavish dining; Udaipur's Taj Lake Palace floats on Lake Pichola; and in Jaipur, Rambagh Palace showcases Rajput grandeur through opulent interiors and sprawling gardens.
Why This Trip
What You'll Love
Suryagarh, Jaisalmer
Rooms adorned with intricate Rajasthani craftsmanship, set against the Thar Desert's open horizon.
Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur
Built under Maharaja Umaid Singh's rule, the palace spans 26 acres of gardens and still houses the royal family today.
Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur
A floating marble palace on Lake Pichola — one of the most photographed hotels anywhere in the world.
Rambagh Palace, Jaipur
A 19th-century royal retreat that became the Maharaja of Jaipur's residence — now a luxury hotel with the same gardens and interiors intact.
The Route
Day By Day
- 01
Landing in Delhi
Delhi
Touch down at Delhi airport and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax and recover from the journey.
- 02
On to Jaisalmer & Suryagarh
Jaisalmer
A morning flight into the Golden City, then on to Suryagarh — a palace-style retreat on the edge of the Thar, its rooms dressed in intricate Rajasthani craftsmanship, where the desert views start at your window.
- 03
Jaisalmer Fort & the Desert
Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer Fort, the golden sandstone 'living fort', comes first, then the old town's havelis, Gadisar Lake and the royal cenotaphs. As evening falls, a camel safari across the dunes, a cultural show and dinner under the stars.
- 04
Into the Blue City & Umaid Bhawan
Jodhpur
The road to Jodhpur ends at Umaid Bhawan Palace — built under Maharaja Umaid Singh across 26 acres of gardens, part museum, part hotel, and still the royal family's home. The afternoon is yours to enjoy the palace.
- 05
Mehrangarh Fort & the Old City
Jodhpur
Mehrangarh's gates rise 400 feet above the Blue City — one of Rajasthan's largest and best-preserved forts. Then Mandore Gardens, the restored Toorji ka Jhalra stepwell, the Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum and the Clock Tower Market.
- 06
To the Taj Lake Palace
Udaipur
A morning at the white-marble Jaswant Thada, then a scenic drive into the Aravalli hills. In Udaipur, a boat carries you out to the Taj Lake Palace — an 18th-century marble palace that seems to float on Lake Pichola.
- 07
Udaipur's Palaces & Lakes
Udaipur
The hilltop City Palace, Jagdish Temple and the Saheliyon ki Bari gardens, then an afternoon boat ride across Lake Pichola past Gangaur Ghat and Jag Mandir — and back to your own floating palace.
- 08
The Monsoon Palace
Udaipur
Sajjangarh, the Monsoon Palace, crowns an Aravalli hilltop with sweeping views over the lakes. In the afternoon, the Crystal Gallery inside the City Palace complex — a remarkable royal collection of crystal furniture and objects.
- 09
To Jaipur & Rambagh Palace
Jaipur
A relaxed morning, then a flight to the Pink City and on to Rambagh Palace — a 19th-century royal retreat that became the Maharaja of Jaipur's residence, its gardens and interiors still intact.
- 10
Amer Fort & the Pink City
Jaipur
The 16th-century Amer Fort, a pause at Jal Mahal, then the City Palace — where Jaipur's royal family still lives. After lunch, the honeycombed Hawa Mahal and the astronomical instruments of Jantar Mantar.
- 11
Leopards, Jewels & Albert Hall
Jaipur
A private morning safari in the Jhalana leopard reserve, an afternoon in Johri Bazaar's jewellery and textile lanes, and sunset at the Albert Hall Museum.
- 12
Farewell
Jaipur
An early visit to the hilltop Nahargarh and Jaigarh Forts, then the drive back to Delhi for your flight home.
In Pictures
Gallery
Good To Know
Frequently Asked Questions
Which palaces does this tour cover?
- As sights: Udaipur's City Palace, Jaipur's Amer Fort and City Palace, Jodhpur's Mehrangarh Fort and Umaid Bhawan Palace, and Jaisalmer's golden sandstone fort-palace. As stays, the route is built around Suryagarh, Umaid Bhawan Palace, the Taj Lake Palace and Rambagh Palace. Bikaner's Junagarh Fort is an easy addition between Jaisalmer and Jodhpur.
Can I really stay inside a royal palace?
- Yes. Umaid Bhawan, the Taj Lake Palace and Rambagh Palace are genuine royal residences converted into heritage hotels — you sleep in rooms once used by the royal households and dine in their halls. Suryagarh in Jaisalmer is the exception: a newer hotel built in the traditional palace style, chosen for its desert setting and service.
Are the palace hotels included in the price?
- No — the estimate covers private transport, local guides, transfers, tolls and taxes. Hotels, meals, monument tickets and the two domestic flights are quoted separately, so you can mix palace nights with other stays if you prefer.
Is this tour suitable for a honeymoon?
- Very much so — it's one of our most-requested honeymoon routes. Ask about room upgrades and any celebration arrangements when you enquire and we'll build them into the quote.
How far in advance should I book the palace properties?
- These hotels have limited rooms and book out early in peak season (October–March), especially around the winter holidays. We recommend enquiring at least 2–3 months ahead for that window.
When's the best time for a palaces tour?
- October to March. November to February is especially comfortable, with clear skies for photography and cool evenings that suit rooftop dinners overlooking lit-up forts and lakes.
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