The painted towns of Shekhawati are in the north east of Rajasthan. Drive from Delhi to JHUNJHUNU which is a good base from which to explore the area, (alternatively stay in Mandawa or Nawalgarh). Depending how much time you have you can easily spend several days visiting the these towns

Enroute from Delhi to Jhunjhunu stop at Pilani and Chirawa.

Suggestions for day trips:

Jhunjhunu to Alsisah - Malsisar - Gangiyasar - Jhunjhunu
Jhunjhunu to Mandawa - Fatehpur - Ramgarh - Jhunjhunu.

This is a special one -
JHUNJHUNU to UDAIPURWATI, where there is a stepwell, cenotaph, palace ruins and with some well preserved paintings in the havelies. At SHAKAMBARI if you ascend the steps you will find a priest who was lived here peacefully for many years with his helper the birds and chipmunks. One expects St Frances to appear at any moment.

LOHARGAL is another small place of pilgrimage at the foot of the Aravalli Hills. There is a beautiful old step-well and temple which you will pass on your way into the village. Above Lohargal is a little shrine, Barkhandy, quite a climb but worth it for the view.

NAWALGARH - There is great deal to see here and you will find no shortage of young men willing to act as guides, which is probably good investment as they will have access to houses which appear to be fortified against any intruder.

DUNLOD where there is a fort and havelis to be explored. It is the quite long drive from Jhunjhunu to KHETRI where there is a magnificent fort containing palaces and temples. There are also some fine temples in the town and a very large tank.

Drive to BIKANER via MANDAWA
The palaces, in Bikaner's Junagarh Fort are very decorative with some particularly fine carvings.

You will have to go on foot in the old city where there are two Jain temples which should not missed. The new palace home of the Maharaja has been built to the north the city and contains a luxury hotel on the road to Jodhpur at DESHNOK is the Karni Mata Temples which has lovely whitre, marble carvings and silver gates. But not so nice, the temple is dedicated to rats which live there in their hundreds, with no fear of being 'controlled' as they are said to be the reincarnation of saints and sadhus.

Visit the camel breeding farm, open between 1500 & 1700 weekdays and some Saturdays:
There is another Camel Festival held at Bikaner every year sometime in January.

If you have the time, spend the night at POKARAN in the fort which is a very romantic place to stay. There is a small family museum here.

JAISALMER - Lots to see and do here. Within the impressive fort are a group of finely carved temples. People actually live within the ramparts and will welcome you into their homes, there might be a fee involved now a days.

To go for a camel safari seems to be obligatory but if you don't enjoy the idea of a night beneath the stars in the desert you can reach all the, sites by car. There will be plenty of offers from willing guides, check them out carefully.

You can replenish your wardrobe here with some lovely printed cottons made up cheaply and quickly at the shop.