It was this arid desert, centuries ago, that man journeyed. Burning sand in the summer, larger tracts of dune- decked plains, with scarce water and vegetation, create a habitation with the mind's eye, if you can then come to Rajasthan to match your reality when it takes over.

Day 1 Arrive in Jaipur. Sightseeing at Amber and the Pink City, including an elephant ride. Day 2 After breakfast, drive via Samode with its lovely palace, throgh the painted towns of Shekhawati, to Mandawa for overnight at the castle. Day 3 Sightseeing at Mandawa, and then depart for Bikaner with picnic lunch. Day 4 Sightseeing at fort and museum, and depart for Jaisalmer. Day 5 Sightseeing of Jaisalmer fort and temples. After lunch, drive to Jodhpur. Day 6 Sightseeing at Jodhpur and nearby Mandore. Tour ends with evening flight to Delhi/Mumbai. (In a variation of this trip, you can eliminate Bikaner, and replace it with the small desert village of Khimsar where the fortified palace is a heritage hotel.)