24 Feb 2017 A trip to Rajasthan offers an excellent introduction to Indian culture. Hinduism, Islam and Jainism deeply shape the culture of India's largest state, covering 10% of its total area.

To cover Rajasthan's principal sites, ideally you should plan for a three-week stay. In two weeks, you'll face difficult choices: venture to Jaisalmer but skip Udaipur and return to Delhi via Ajmer, or start from Bikaner, head directly south to Udaipur, then loop back north towards Ranthambore.

Sample Three-Week Rajasthan Itinerary

Here's an example of a comprehensive three-week route that will allow you to discover Rajasthan's main treasures:

1- From Delhi, travel to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. The Palace of Winds and the magnificent Amber Fort deserve at least a full day, if not more.

2- The Shekhawati region, renowned for its Havelis (vast mansions of wealthy merchants ornately decorated), contains numerous architectural gems.

3- In Bikaner, a city of red sandstone, the stunning Junagarh Fort speaks to a glorious past.

4- Further west, facing the Thar Desert, Jaisalmer with its old town, lake and soaring ramparts invites you to wander at dusk through its labyrinthine alleys.

5- Jodhpur, the Blue City crowned by the Mehrangarh Citadel, harbors a remarkable bazaar.

6- Nestled in the verdant Aravalli hills, the Ranakpur Jain complex, entirely of white marble, rises with temples adorned with extraordinary sculptures.

7- Udaipur the White, with its immense lake, imposing palace and vibrant bazaars, will enchant you.

8- Moving north, don't miss the vast fortified city of Chittorgarh, or Bundi with its beautifully painted blue houses.

9- Ranthambore, one of India's wildlife jewels, may just offer you an encounter with the elusive Bengal tiger.

10- Your journey's final stop: Agra and the Taj Mahal, unparalleled in its beauty. By skipping the Agra detour, you can complete this circuit in eighteen days.

Countless places and monuments await discovery, their wealth alone amply justifying a stay in this Indian state.

Culture and Tradition Charlène Nomadays As SEO writer from Nomadays' earliest days, evolved into content manager and head of communications, Charlène has championed the adventure from the start with passion and unwavering dedication. After spending seven years across Asia – from China to Thailand, through Mongolia and South Korea – she has made travel a way of being in the world. A lover of words, nature and human connection, she strives to convey in her writing a thoughtful, committed and responsible vision of tourism. For her, each article is a bridge between curiosity, respect and wonder.