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Rajasthan Road Trip: 10 Days in Western & Southern Rajasthan

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Strains of Padharo Mhare Desh, a Rajasthani song that means Welcome to my Land, follow you everywhere in Rajasthan, India’s driest and yet most visited state. Magnificent forts, palaces-turned-hotels , and luxury trains draw thousands of tourists every year. In the streets of Rajasthan, you can hear countless folklore and tales of brave Rajput warriors, marvel at beautiful havelis, listen to folk music, shop for handicrafts, and taste mouth-watering food. On a 10-day road trip through Rajasthan, see the best that this state has to offer and savour as many Rajasthani thalis as you can.

RAJASTHAN / INDIA

Most of the west of Rajasthan is covered by the golden sands of the Thar Desert which heeds no man-made borders and stretches into Pakistan. Despite being dry and arid, it is the most populous desert region in the world and has been, throughout history, with many royal dynasties building forts, palaces, and bustling cities like Jodhpur here. Small villages and nomadic settlements dot the desert and scrubland. Nomadic tribes eke out a livelihood by farming livestock and foraging. With the influx of tourists, many from these communities work at luxury resorts and desert camps performing traditional dances like kalbaliya and ghoomar to entertain guests. The Mangniyar community, known for their folk songs, are from this region. Most desert safaris start from Bikaner or Jaisalmer; it is an unforgettable experience to sleep in tents in the desert, under the clear starlit sky, with the wind painting patterns in the silent night.

The south is less arid but no less royal than the west. Here, with its countless tales of heroic kings and brave queens, is the princely region of Mewar. Numerous forts, like the magnificent Chittorgarh and Kumbhalgarh, rise atop forested hillocks and rocky outcrops of the Aravalis. The white city of Udaipur with its creamy-white palace, luxury hotels, shimmering lakes, havelis, ghats, and lively bazaars draws a steady stream of tourists every year. You can taste some of Rajasthan’s culinary delights at the many restaurants that dot this city. The region is also home to Rajasthan’s only hill station, Mount Abu, where the awe-inspiring Dilwara Jain Temples are located.

Rajasthan Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1: explore the desert city of bikaner, day 2: drive to the golden city of jaisalmer, day 3: visit sonar kella | desert safari, day 4: drive to jodhpur and wander through the old town, day 5: visit mehrangarh fort, day 6: drive to chittorgarh via kumbhalgarh, day 7: drive to udaipur, day 8: explore udaipur, day 9: drive to mount abu, day 10: visit the dilwara jain temples, western & southern rajasthan road trip: travel tips, how to rent a car in rajasthan, how to reach bikaner, where to go from mount abu.

This 10-day Rajasthan road trip itinerary covers the best of the western and southern parts of the state. We will start from Bikaner, one of Rajasthan’s least visited jewels, and end our trip in the cool climes of Mount Abu. The route we will follow is this:

Bikaner — Jaisalmer — Jodhpur — Chittorgarh — Udaipur — Mount Abu

Route : Bikaner – Deshnok (30 km) – Bikaner Top things to do in Bikaner : Karni Mata Temple, Junagarh Fort, Bhandasar Temple, Rampuria Haveli

Our Rajasthan road trip begins 30 km from Bikaner in Deshnok at the unique Karni Mata Temple where devotees offer milk to the thousands of rats that inhabit the premises. The temple features an immaculate marble façade and solid silver doors. Rows of white marble rats, panes carved with leafy vines and lizards, tigers, snakes, figurines of humans, and vases fill every inch of the late Mughal style building that was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh in the early 20 th century.

After a late breakfast of puri sabji at one of the many stalls that line the road leading to the temple, head back to the city to see the magnificent Junagarh Fort . Built in 1589 by Maharaja by Maharaja Rai Singh, the Junagarh Fort was originally known as the Chintamani Durg and was the residence of the royal family of Bikaner till 1902 when the residence was shifted to the Lalgarh Palace. The complex, built of red sandstone and Carrera marble, is fortified with 37 bastions and seven gates. The Har Mandir, the private temple of the royal family, is located by the Tripolia Gate. By the Daulat Pol, you can see hand imprints of the Maharanis who committed sati . It is a sobering experience and will make you stop for a while to contemplate the lives of these women.

The Phool Mahal is the oldest part of the palace and was built by Raja Rai Singh. Beautiful glass inlay work and stucco work showcasing traditional motifs of flowers adorn the walls of the Phool Mahal. The public audience hall, Karan Mahal , was built by Karan Singh to celebrate his victory over the Mughals. A beautiful marble throne stands in the centre of a marble pool in the quadrangle which leads into the Anoop Mahal with its lacquered red and gold walls. In the Vikram Vilas Durbar Hall, you can see a WWI De Havilland DH-9 biplane bomber. The Badal Mahal is one of the most aesthetically pleasing among the many mahals : On the walls and ceiling, bright blue rain clouds and streaks of yellow lightning have been painted around alcoves containing paintings and idols.

TIP : It can easily take 2-3 hours to explore the Junagarh Palace, so plan accordingly.

There is a museum, Pracheena , that houses a wealth of period furniture, costumes, décor, textiles, arts and crafts, crockery and cutlery, and jewellery used by the royal family. The museum offers a wonderful insight into the daily lives of the royal family. A tour of the Junagarh Fort easily takes around 2-3 hrs.

Post lunch, visit the Bhandasar Temple , one of Bikaner’s two Jain temples. The pillars bear floral arabesques and depictions of the lives of the 24 Jain  tirthankaras. Locals insist that 40,000 kg of ghee was used instead of water in the mortar and on hot days, it seeps through the floor of the temple! Nearby is the Lakshminath Temple built by Maharaja Rao Lunakaran.

Stop by the sumptuous Rampuria Havelis , a group of seven havelis built by three brothers. It is the grandest of the 15 th and 17th-century merchant havelis in the old city of Bikaner. The jharokhas , jaali- work, immaculate stone carvings, and stained-glass work is breathtaking. Massive wooden doors and latticed windows adorn the 400-year-old structure which has a few touches of European architecture as well with some of the bas reliefs depicting European kings and queens. The Kothari Haveli is another of Bikaner’s many merchant havelis . Every inch of the façade is covered with traditional floral carvings and artwork.

Spend the rest of the day wandering in the old city where a labyrinth of winding alleys conceals fantastic havelis , temples with intricate carvings, shops selling local artisanry, and eateries dishing out mouth-watering local fare.

Route : Bikaner – Jaisalmer Distance : 323 km via NH 11 Time : 5.5-6 hrs Top things to do in Jaisalmer : Jaisalmer Fort, Patwan ki Haveli, Gadisar Lake, Bada Bagh, Desert Safari

Start bright and early to hit the road to Jaisalmer , the next stop on our Rajasthan road trip. But first, a cup of kesari chai and a sweet ghewar ! The journey takes anywhere between 5 to 6 hrs; the landscape is flat as a flan, taupe and ochre with little to no trees. If you leave the windows down, the dust will settle on your face, on your lashes, and on your tongue should you part your lips.

If you are into haunted places, take a detour to the abandoned Kuldhara village which, according to legends, was cursed in the 1800s. To this day, locals claim that the voices of dead villagers can be heard among the ruins.

At Jaisalmer, stop for a lunch of dal-bati-churma before heading to the famed Patwan ki Haveli . The Patwan ki Haveli is a symphony carved from the golden rock of Jaisalmer. This opulent haveli was home to a family of bankers and opium traders. On the outside are filigree work, carved jaalis, and jharokhas . Three out of five houses have been turned into museums and are crowded no matter when you go. Hire a guide to learn more about the history of the havelis .

In the evening, visit the Bada Bagh . The soft crimson of the setting sun adds a touch of drama to the magnificent cenotaphs that fill this  bagh , this garden where the royals of Jaisalmer have been laid to rest.

For dinner, head to one of Jaisalmer’s many rooftop cafes, preferably one below the fort– we recommend Hotel Shahi Palace– from where you can see the fort, lit bright and golden, glimmering under a sky full of stars. Pick a place where you hear local folk music and taste some local delicacies.

Route : Jaisalmer – Sam Sand Dunes Distance : ~50 km Time : 1 hr

At daybreak, be at Gadisar Lake , a man-made lake built during the 1400s by Raja Rawal Singh. In the golden hour, the chattri in the middle of the lake appears magical. There are no crowds, no chaos at this hour. Just the lapping of the wavelets on the steps, the gentle breeze, and the light of the rising sun as it brushes everything with gold.

After a quick breakfast of  mirchi pakoda  and  jalebi  at Hanuman Chowk, head to the golden fort of Jaisalmer, the  Sonar Kella which was made famous by the Oscar-winning director, Satyajit Ray who filmed a film with the same name here. Built in 1556 by Rawal Jaisal on Trikuta Hill, the Jaisalmer Fort is one of the five forts of Rajasthan which have been awarded a UNESCO World Heritage Site tag. Around it stretches the bustling town of Jaisalmer with its havelis and hotels, and beyond seethes the sand of the Thar.  It is one of the few living forts in India; cattle and livestock were evicted a few years ago and now the tight, twisting alleys are full of smoke-belching motorbikes. The original occupants were members of the royal member, Brahmins, and Rajputs, and for each of them, the area was demarcated within the fort. The ramp that leads to the main fort has four massive gates. Prominent tourist points are the Maharawal’s Palace with its countless jharokhas , the Lakshminath Temple, a group of 7 Jain temples built of golden sandstone between the 12 th and 16 th centuries, and numerous havelis. The fort even had an indigenous system called the ghutu nali to drain rainwater. Haphazard construction has greatly reduced its effectiveness at a time when climate change is causing inopportune cloud bursts in the area. Researchers have warned that the structure is weakening but there seems to be no stopping the builders. It can easily take you hours to explore the fort. The alleys are full of shops selling colourful textiles and handicrafts. Musicians play in corners and one can partake of the local life. Rooftop restaurants serve excellent local dishes and offer beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. Near the entrance is an eatery dishing out piping hot pizzas.

Post lunch, head towards the roaring sands of the Thar Desert , where you’ll spend a night at a desert camp, one of the highlights of this Rajasthan road trip. The road runs through clumps of desert shrub, wasteland, dunes, and wind farms. India’s second-largest operational onshore windfarm, the Suzlon Wind Park is located here with a capacity of generating over 1 GW of energy.

Arrive in time for a sunset safari and join the hundreds who come here to watch the blood-red disc slip beneath the horizon. The silhouette of camels walking in front of the sun makes for an excellent shot! However, skip the camel ride and request your hosts for a jeep instead. The camels we saw looked emaciated and more often than more, their owners hit them to walk faster. Most of the camps will arrange for cultural shows in the evening where you can watch traditional  kalbeliya  and ghoomar performances and hear the soulful voice of the  mangniyar  singers. At our camp, a young Argentinian musician sang a devotional Hindi song and played the ukulele! He’s been travelling around the world with his family to learn about folk music in various parts of the world.

Route : Sam Sand Dunes – Jodhpur Distance : 317 km via NH 11 and NH 125 Time : 5-5.5 hrs Top things to do in Jodhpur : Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, Old City, Umaid Bhavan Palace

Return to the dunes at daybreak to witness the mesmerizing sunrise. Post breakfast at the camp, set off for Jodhpur, the next stop on this road trip. If you have an extra day, drive to the Desert National Park to see local and migratory birds and mammals like foxes and chinkaras.

Highways unfurl over kilometres and kilometres of flat land; the vegetation is sparse, the afternoon wind blistering even in December. Unlike in Bengal, here the villages are far apart. In between them, just the barren scrubland land. Wild camels, though a rare sight, graze nonchalantly and most of them look healthier and happier than their domesticated counterparts we saw in Jaisalmer.

The magnificent Mehrangarh Fort looms above the city and in the late afternoon light, it looks ethereal. Check-in at your hotel before heading out to explore the old city. With its blue walled houses, tight lanes through which flow the rush of everyday life, stalls selling chai and pakoras, wandering cattle, dogs, and interesting typography, the old city is intensely photogenic and has graced many a magazine cover. There is a clutch of hostels and guesthouses here, but parking is pretty much impossible to find.

Be warned that the lanes of the old city are narrow and sometimes impossible to navigate. Book a hotel near the railway station or on one of the wider thoroughfares and hire an auto to go into the heart of the fabled blue city.

Route : Around Jodhpur

Start the day with a breakfast of pyaz kachori , mirchi vada , and jalebi at Chaudhary Namkeen or Janta Sweets before heading off toward the Mehrangarh Fort from where you can enjoy breath-taking views of the city of Jodhpur. One of the largest forts in Rajasthan, the Mehrangarh Fort was built in 1459 by Rao Jodha. At the entrance, folk singers welcome you with songs of the land. Elegant courtyards, intricate jaali work, jharokhas, vibrant stucco work, and stained-glass panes adorn the magnificent structure. Inside the fort are numerous mahals which have been turned into museums. The galleries at Mehrangarh are some of the most well-maintained in the country. They feature weaponry, miniature paintings, turbans, a set of palanquins, and various crafts that are owned by the royal family of Jodhpur. A well-preserved elephant howdah is one of the attractions housed in the Shringar Chowk. The Sheesh Mahal is an absolute beauty! Colourful glass inlays, mirrors, and stained-glass work adorn every inch of this dazzling mahal. The balustrades and fluted columns of the Phool Mahal draw from Mughal architecture but the jaali work and paintings that adorn the pillars are Rajasthani in style. Most of the original artwork is there but some of it was repainted in the 19 th century. The Moti Mahal is another of Mehrangarh’s wonders. Crushed shells were mixed with the plaster to give the room a pearl-like lustre!

Post lunch at Chokelao where you can taste the best of Rajasthani cuisine, head to the Jaswant Thada , a cenotaph built in the memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. The monument, built of polished white marble, has intricate carvings all over the surface. In the light of the full moon, it appears to emit an otherworldly glow! It is a sight to be remembered.

On the way back to the city, stop by to see the grand Umaid Bhavan Palace . Constructed in the Indo-deco style, the palace stands of perfectly manicured lawns and predominantly features dun sandstone. Vintage clocks and cars are some of the attractions here. The museum houses a lovely collection of miniature paintings, murals, stuffed leopards, and antique paraphernalia owned by the royal family.

Route : Jodhpur – Kumbhalghar – Chittorgarh Distance : 173 km to Kumbhalgarh and another 162 km to Chittorgarh Time : 4 hrs to Kumbhakgarh and another 4 hrs to Chittorgarh

The total journey today will take anywhere between 8-9 hrs, so start by 6 am to reach Kumbhalgarh before noon. Take a detour near Rajasamand to visit the Kumbhalgarh Fort . It was built in the 15 th century by Rana Kumbha and is one of the 5 Rajasthani forts to feature in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Inside, there are magnificent Jain temples—one of them features 52 chattris — and Hindu Temples. The Neelkanth Mahadeva temple dates back to 1458 and features 24 pillars. The idol of Shiva in this temple has 12 arms and is made of black stone. The views of the forested hillside from the fort are mesmerizing!

Another 4 hrs on winding roads will bring you to the ruins of Chittorgarh. From the road, it appears like an endless rampart running along the edge of the hill. The story of Rani Padmini was set here. According to local lores, Alauddin Khilji was so enchanted by her beauty that he attacked Chittor to defeat her husband, Rawal Ratan Singh, and take her away but when Rawal Ratan was killed in battle, all the queens, including Padmini, committed jauhar. Nobody knows whether she was a historical figure but her depiction in a Bollywood movie, Padmavat, led to widespread protests by Hindu ring-wing groups across Rajasthan.

Most of the Chittor Fort stands in ruins but some of the structures can still be seen today. The 122 ft high Vijaya Stambh was erected by Rana Kumbha between 1458 and 1468 to commemorate his victory over Mahmud Shah I Khalji. The Kirti Stambh is shorter and older than the Vijaya Stambh and features Jain sculptures. It is dedicated to Adinath, the first Jain Tirthankara. The Rana Kumbh Palace, the Fateh Prakash Palace, and Rani Padmini’s Palace (reconstructed in the 19 th century) are the only surviving palaces in the Chittor Fort. The former has rich historical significance: Maharana Udai Singh, the founder of Udaipur was born here; Maharani Padmini consigned herself to flames in this complex; Meera Bai lived for a while in this palace and sang bhajans in praise of Lord Krishna at the nearby Meerabai Temple. The first two house museums offer valuable insights into the rich history of Mewar. The Gaumukh Reservoir is another of the fort’s sights. The spring that feeds the tank emerges from a carved cow’s mouth. It was the principal source of water for the residents of the fort.

Route : Chittorgarh to Udaipur Distance : 124 km Time : 2.5-3 hrs Top things to do in Udaipur : City Palace, Sajjan Garh, Sahelion ki Baari, Gangaur Ghat, Lake Pichola, Jag Mandir, Vintage Car Museum

The next stop on the Rajasthan road trip is the beautiful lakeside city of Udaipur ! Spend the morning wandering the streets, then settle for a leisurely lunch at one of Udaipur’s numerous restaurants.

Later in the afternoon, drive to Sajjan Garh to witness the sun setting over the placid lakes on the banks of which stands the white city of Udaipur. Lights glimmer in the palaces around the lake, in the middle of the lake, and around it. Overhead, in the deep blue sky are millions of stars.

The palaces, hotels, and restaurants surrounding Pichola Lake are lit up at night and their dazzling reflection in the placid waters of the lake creates a magical scene. A sky full of glittering stars and lights glittering on the soft, night-darkened waves. Spend some time strolling along the lakeside and taking in the magnificence of this royal city. Later, enjoy a rooftop dinner. The Sun N’ Moon Café is an excellent place to down some chilled beer over some North Indian specialities. Or, head to Ambrai to taste some of the region’s classic dishes. As you relish your dinner by the lakeside, you’ll realize why Udaipur is called one of the most romantic cities in India.

Route : Around Udaipur

Begin the 8th day of your Rajasthan road trip by offering prayers at the Jagdish Temple . Then head towards Udaipur’s primary attraction, the magnificent City Palace . Go when the doors open or you’ll get pushed around by crowds. As you walk under the Tripolia Gates, a granite and marble structure adorned with a profusion of cupolas, balconies, and jharokhas will welcome you. Inside are numerous buildings like Mor-Chowk, Sheesh Mahal, Moti Mahal, Badi Mahal, Krishna Vilas, and Shambhu Vilas, you can spend hours gazing at mirrorwork, murals, coloured-glass inlays, marble carvings, and silver work. You can also get a ferry ticket to visit Jag Mandir at the entrance.

Post lunch, visit the lovely Sahelion ki Baari to see its beautiful gardens and fountains, then spend some time admiring the vintage cars at the Vintage Car Museum .

In the evening, walk to the jetty and buy tickets for a 20-minute sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola. In the dying light of the sun, the chabutaras, havelis, and ghats that surround the lake appear to glow with an ethereal light. You can also see Sajjan Garh perched high atop a hill. It seems to shimmer in the light.

Spend the rest of your day strolling through the bazaars of the old city and shopping! The markets are overflowing with traditional textiles, handbags, mirror-work skirts, quilted jackets, mojris , jewellery, hand-made paper and leather-bound journals, woodwork, and glass bangles. Snack on lip-smacking pyaz kachoris and chai as you go on a shopping spree.

Route : Udaipur – Mount Abu Distance : 163 km Top things to do in Mount Abu : Dilwara Temples, Nakki Lake

See the sunrise from Gangaur Ghat and feed the pigeons that descend in droves here in the small hours of the morning. The purplish twilight gives way to a watery pinkish-orange light and the Jal Mahal and Jag Mandir look like glistening jewels afloat on the sleepy waters of the lake. Grab a quick breakfast before heading to the  Bagore Haveli  to see traditional Rajasthani crafts and handiwork.

Then, say a sad goodbye to this beautiful city and set out for Mount Abu , the only hill station in this land of sand and sunshine and the last stop on our Rajasthan road trip. Lunch at one of the many restaurants that line the main drag, check-in at your hotel, then drive straight to the Guru Shikhar to see the sunset. A short but steep hike from the parking lot will take you to the top of the peak where you can offer prayers at a temple and enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. The gold-lit chiaroscuro unfolding on the land below is an unforgettable sight.

Route : Around Mount Abu and onwards

Start your day by hiking to Toad Rock to see the sunrise. The uniquely shaped rock offers excellent views of Nakki Lake and the town of Mount Abu. Post breakfast, enjoy a stroll around Nakki Lake before driving to the Dilwara Jain Temples . Built between the 11 th and 13 th centuries, the 5 Jain temples in the complex are poetry carved in pure white marble. The carvings are immaculate, designs crafted so meticulously by hand that every petal of every flower, every lotus bud, and every motif is life-like. Grand mandalas carved to mathematical perfection adorn the domed ceilings. Every inch of the Dilwara Temples is covered with marble artwork so delicate that they are impossible to replicate with modern machinery. The beauty of these temples will take your breath away.

Our 10-day Rajasthan road trip ends in Mount Abu. We took the train back to New Delhi but you can go onwards to Ahmedabad, 227 km away, in Gujarat.   

You can also take a detour from Jaisalmer and spend a day in Barmer on the way to Jodhpur. There are numerous temples here, including the magnificent Kiradu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and the Chintamani Parashnath Jain Temple.

STAY HYDRATED! Rajasthan is arid and on a road trip through Rajasthan, it is essential that you stay hydrated. Avoid buying bottled water; carry refillable bottles and fill them at hotels and roadside eateries. If you are wary of the local water, carry a SteriPen or water purification tablets with you. Do not waste water as it is a scarce resource here.

TRY THE LOCAL FOOD! Rajasthani cuisine is predominantly vegetarian and in places like Jaisalmer, meat is difficult to find. Try local delicacies like dal-bati-churma , gatte-ki-sabji , ker sangri , and badam ka halwa . However, note that most of these dishes use ghee and/or yogurt. If you are vegan, make sure that you clearly communicate your dietary requirements to your server. Laal Maas and Mohan Maas are two of Rajasthan’s well-known non-vegetarian dishes. Try them in one of the restaurants in Jodhpur or Udaipur.

DRESS IN LAYERS! In winter, days are hot and nights are cold. So, pack accordingly. Especially, in the camps at Sam Sand Dunes and in Mount Abu, you may need something heavier than a light jacket. Irrespective of the season, it is best to dress in layers when travelling through Rajasthan.

DRESS MODESTLY! Rural Rajasthan is conservative and even in the cities, women dress conservatively. Unless you are at a five-star resort, it is highly recommended that you dress modestly. Keep your legs and shoulders covered. Exposing your cleavage and midriff is a strict no-no. Take a cue from the beautiful Rajasthani women and dress accordingly. Long kurtis over jeans, culottes and trousers, harem pants, maxi dresses, flowy skirts, and Indian-style salwar-kameez are all good options. For men, avoid wearing shorts, especially in places of worship.

ASK BEFORE PHOTOGRAPHING! There is no dearth of photo opportunities in Rajasthan and this 10-day travel itinerary through Rajasthan will give you thousands of moments to shoot. The entire state, with its gorgeous architecture, beautiful locals, vibrant culture, and lively bazaars, is photogenic but please be respectful before you take photographs. In some places, like the Dilwara Jain Temples, photography is strictly forbidden. If you are photographing folk singers or performers, make sure you ask them first.

KEEP CASH HANDY! Always keep cash with you when on the road. There are countless toll plazas on the highways in Rajasthan and almost none of them accept cards. Toll fares are anywhere between INR 45 to INR 80 depending on the road and the route.

There are not many car renting services in India. Zoomcar is available for rent in select cities like Jaipur and Udaipur. You can also rent a Zoomcar in Delhi and drive to Ahmedabad from Mount Abu to drop it off. However, the best way to do a road trip in Rajasthan is to rent a car and hire a chauffeur. That’s how we did it! We chalked out an itinerary, spoke to one of the thousands of travel agents in the state, and picked one based in Bikaner. Our chauffeur was a local from near Bikaner and he doubled up as a guide as he showed us around his homestay! It definitely cost us a lot less than it would have if we had rented a vehicle from a car rental agency.

The nearest airport is at Jodhpur, 251 km away. Bikaner has a railway station and is well-connected to New Delhi. We took the overnight train from New Delhi and arrived on a bright wintry morning at Bikaner.

The nearest domestic airport is at Udaipur, 210 km away, and the nearest international airport is at Ahmedabad, 227 km away. Abu Road is the nearest railway station and there are connections to New Delhi. We boarded the afternoon train and arrived in New Delhi early the next morning.

Rajasthan is one of India’s most visited states and 10 days isn’t enough to explore all of it but this road trip covers the best of Rajasthan’s western and southern regions. Eastern Rajasthan, too, is full of grandeur: The forts at Jaipur and Ajmer, the famous Hawa Mahal of Jaipur, the stepwell in Abhaneri, the colourful havelis of Sekhawati, the temples of Pushkar, and so much more. We hope to be back soon!

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Mohana & Aninda

Mohana and Aninda are travellers and advocates for car-free travel. Two-together is their travel blog where they document their travels to encourage and inspire readers to seek solace in new places, savour local cuisines, and relish both unique and everyday experiences. When they are not travelling, they are actively researching trip ideas and itineraries, obsessing over public transport timetables, reviewing travel budgets, and developing content for their blog. They are currently based in Edinburgh and exploring Scotland and beyond by public transport.

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Things to do in subotica, best indian restaurants in edinburgh, best places to see cherry blossoms in edinburgh, three reservoirs walk: pentland hills, best walks on gigha, 26 responses to “rajasthan road trip: 10 days in western & southern rajasthan”.

So much to see. Road trips are by far the best way to take in the beauty as well as to emerge yourself in the local culture.

Wow, this road trip has everything, from amazing landscapes to buildings with beautiful facades. Would love to take an road trip around here. How easy is it for visitors to India to get around by car by themselves? Would you recommend it?

It’s getting easier with companies like Zoomcar and Revv offering services from major cities. I definitely recommend giving it a try! You can also hire a chauffeured car as the cost is comparable (sometimes cheaper) than renting a self-drive vehicle and it saves you the hassle of driving. Driving can be stressful in India, esp. within and around big cities.

Wow there really is so much to see and do! I think this looks like an amazing way to really experience Rajasthan to the fullest 🙂 So in-depth and helpful!

You have painted such a beautiful picture of this part of the world. The rats…yikes! And thank you for the tip about the camels. I would love to follow this itinerary. Is it easy and safe for travellers to rent a car and venture on their own?

Rajasthan sees a lot of western tourists all year round and yes, it’s safe to rent a car and venture on your own. However, renting options are limited. You can rent a car from Zoomcar or Revv in cities like Jaipur and Udaipur. We recommend hiring a chauffeured car. You pay a comparable amount, get a chauffeur who knows the area well, and it saves you from the hassle of driving and negotiating the notorious traffic. Driving can be stressful in India esp. in and around the bigger cities.

Very comprehensive post ! Love how the doors and windows design are so intricate and symmetry ! That shot of the courtyard in Junagarh Fort is really amazing ! Maybe some day when I visit Rajasthan, I can follow your itinerary as reference ! =)

A road trip is a great idea for visiting Rajasthan. I would especially interested in Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. Those palaces in the desert are so romantic!

What a great road trip! It includes everything; nature, culture, architecture, all in one trip.Thank you for sharing this comprehensive post! 🙂

Your sunset and sand dunes photo is outstanding!!! And like you, I would opt to visit Gadisar Lake during the sunrise golden hour, with the warm light making the chattri in the middle of the lake glow.

It’s my first time to have a peek at Rajasthan. Never knew a desert would have that many bustling cities, grand palaces. and even lots of lakes!

I have seen some parts of Rajasthan but not all together. This itinerary of 10 days covering all major and beautiful attractions look wonderful road trip. Badal Mahal and Anoop Mahal of Bikaner looks stunning.

ANINDA & MOHANA

Your blog is fantastic i really like reading your posts.

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Well the blog post is really in-depth and covered all the places in Rajasthan. Rajasthan is hot spot for many travelers including me. You took sand dunes image really great.

Thank you, Ravi. Rajasthan is beautiful! We’d love to explore more of the state.

I am yet to visit several places here in this list. Though I have been to Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Jodhpur but that was only for one day in each city.

I found you on Rangan Datta’s blog and then I landed on your wordpress blog and from there, I came here. All the best!

Thanks, Rajat! We hope you’ve found something of interest on our blog 🙂

I read & saw your blog that given me good information. It’s lovable and interesting and it has good collection. Thanks.

Lovely post! I would love to do a road trip around all over the world and visit all these beautiful places! Thanks for the tips and the locals’ insight! Visit website: “ https://ww2.lenoxlivery.com/&#8221 ;.

Yes, I previously visited there. Very good place. thank you for this post !

Mohana and Aninda,

Can you please share with me the contact information of the driver/guide that you have used for this trip? My wife and I are planning a trip in Jan 2023 and we would like to use his services for our trip. Thanks in advance.

Sorry, I no longer have their contact but you can share the itinerary with any local travel agent registered with Rajasthan Tourism for a quote.

There’s something magical about discovering the world. Share your best travel tip – I’m always looking for ways to make my trips even more amazing

What an article! Your article has given a perspective about Rajasthan. It encapsulates almost all relevant information pertaining to Rajasthan tour in India. It is a narration based on firsthand experience. The pics are beautiful.

One suggestion – All the destinations mentioned in your article are famous and most frequented ones by the tourists. I would suggest a few lesser known but deeply steeped into archaic culture destinations like Bundi, Narlai, Osian etc to be included in a Rajasthan tour.

Thanks, Anshumali, for the recommendation. Hopefully, we will get a chance to visit Rajasthan again and visit some lesser-known destionations.

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Highlights of an Epic Rajasthan Road Trip in India

01 apr 2024 12 apr 2020 | john.

This incredible Rajasthan road trip will introduce you to the unmissable highlights of Rajasthan, along with a few of the must-see attractions en route in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, in the north of India.

Nothing quite prepares you for the pure assault on the senses, the kaleidoscopic chaos and irrepressible humanity of India.

A country of 1.3 billion people, many thousands of temples, and around five million roaming cows, India is quite simply, like nowhere else on earth.

It’s a country you experience through the senses in a way that rarely sees you in the same postcode as your comfort zone. But it’s also that overwhelming fusion of people, culture, cuisine, religion, and history that makes India so alluring.

Why visit Rajasthan?

Often the focal point of Indian tourism, Rajasthan and its surrounds boast some of the cultural and architectural highlights of India, if not the world.

The State of Rajasthan – literally ‘Land of the Kings’ – has some of the most incredible forts in the region. These mighty edifices, rising above cities or out of the desert landscape, like giant, abstract mountains of stone, often left us lost for words, and running out of memory on our SD cards.

It’s also impossible not to be captivated by Rajasthan’s diverse and incredibly rich array of cultural treasures. Whether it’s milling with hundreds of Muslim pilgrims at the  shrine of a Sufi saint at Ajmer ; being chased by macaques at the Hindu  Galwar Bagh Monkey Temple  in Jaipur; tiptoeing around thousands of pampered holy rats at the Hindu  Karni Mata Temple  near Bikaner; or wandering through the exquisitely carved, milky-marble magnificence of the Jain  Chaumukha Mandir Temple  in Ranakpur; Rajasthan’s cultural riches will blow your mind.

And if all that history and culture isn’t enough, Rajasthan will tantalise your tastebuds in a way few places can. We’ve got fond memories of eating spicy aloo chat from smiling street vendors, enjoying tasty parathas at every possible opportunity, and scoffing consistently delicious vegetarian curries just about everywhere. And let’s not forget the ubiquitous, impossibly sweet, yet almost impossible to resist jalebi desert . . . YUM!!

Deciding between public transport and a road trip in Rajasthan

When it comes to developing a Rajasthan itinerary, you’ll eventually arrive at the dilemma we had, which was deciding between public transport or a road trip.

There are definitely pros and cons with each. It really comes down to what you want to see, how you want to see it, the length of time you have, your budget, and how flexible you can afford to be.

Our Rajasthan travels were in December, and having heard a few stories of travellers being stuck in places for days due to fog-cancelled trains and other mishaps, we decided we would  get more out of our time in northern India with a car and driver .

While this inevitably bumped up our daily budget, it really did turn out to be a good call, giving us the flexibility to explore more Rajasthan highlights, including its amazing forts, palaces and temples, as well as seeing some wonderful countryside and dozens of small bustling villages we might have missed if we travelled by train or bus.

If you do decide on a road trip like we did, it’s still worth making time in your Rajasthan itinerary for a train journey at some point if you can. Travelling India’s iconic railways is a fantastic way of getting to know India, and the interactions you have with local people on train journeys may be some of your most memorable experiences.

Our own Rajasthan road trip took place over three weeks , so if you follow the route below as it rolls out, you can expect to spend around the same amount of time on the road.

However, we’ve also taken the approach of capturing  the highlights of each leg , so you can create your own itinerary with the time and opportunity you have.

To that end,  we’ve also included rough distances and travel times between destinations . Let’s be clear though, this is India, and the amount of time it takes to get from one place to another can be affected by any number of things on the day: nature, weather, traffic, humans, cows on the road. Take the timings as a guide, but as with all road trips, factor in extra time and contingencies just in case.

Rajastahn Road Trip Itinerary

1.  Pre-road trip: Getting Started in Delhi 2.  Leg 1: Delhi to Jaipur 3. Leg 2: Jaipur to Pushkar via Ajmer 4.  Leg 3: Pushkar to Bikaner 5.  Leg 4: The Desert Road from Bikaner to Jaisalmer 6.  Leg 5: Jaisalmer to Jodhpur 7.  Leg 6: Jodphur to Kumbhalgarh via Ranakpur 8.  Leg 7 – Kumbhalgarh to Udaipur 9.  Leg 8 – Udaipur to Bundi via Chittorgarh 10.  Leg 9 – Bundi to Ranthambore 11.  Leg 10 – Ranthambore to Bharatpur 12.  Leg 11: Bharatpur to Agra 13. Final Leg – Agra to Delhi via Fatehpur Sikri

Pre-road trip: Getting Started in Delhi

Like many visitors, we started our Indian adventure in the country’s capital, Delhi. When you get past the inevitable culture shock that comes with landing in a city of more than 11 million souls – especially when it feels like all those souls are talking, yelling, laughing, and honking their horns at the same time – you’ll begin to understand just what India is.

While Delhi can be completely overwhelming for the first time visitor, once you get used to the pace, the noise, the traffic, the smells, and the sheer number of people, you’ll discover a city bursting at the seams with colour, culture and a ton of things to see and do.

It’s almost impossible to pick highlights, but there’s something about the 17 th  century  Red Fort , with its immense sandstone walls, elaborate pavilions, and peaceful gardens, that always draws us back when we visit Delhi.

An early morning wander through the intricately chiselled hallways and huge courtyard of Delhi’s 360-year-old  Jama Masjid Mosque  is also pretty high on our list of the best things to do in Delhi.

And if you’re World Heritage fans like us, southern Delhi’s  tomb of Humayun , thought to be the inspiration behind the Taj Mahal, is a delight.

For something a little different, be sure to also seek out one of Delhi’s remaining baolis, or stepwells. Our favourite, the 14 th  century  Agrasen ki baoli , is an easy walk from Connaught Place. Exploring this three tiered, 104 step masterpiece makes for a peaceful escape within the busy city, and is well worth making the effort to visit.

Our North India tour by car kicks off tomorrow, so we’ve arranged for our driver to collect us first thing in the morning.

Leg 1: Delhi to Jaipur

Aim to spend at least 2 nights in Jaipur.

Our Rajasthan road trip is underway! The journey from Delhi to Jaipur is around 280 kilometres and takes up to five hours, so settle in and enjoy your first glimpses of the countryside as you pass from Delhi, through the state of Haryana and into Rajasthan proper.

Exploring Jaipur, the Pink City

It’s handy having a car to explore the many sites in and around Jaipur. So even though it’s worth basing yourself here for a couple of days, you’ll definitely have use of the wheels.

My enduring memory of Jaipur is marvelling at the rocky mountainscape surrounding the  Amber Fort  (also called the Amer Fort), from the finely carved and multi-pillared audience hall. I can still distinctly remember a fresh breeze washing over me, taking some of the heat out of the day and causing me to linger and enjoy the moment.

You can get lost in the Amber Fort for hours, exploring marvellously designed and highly ornate gateways, courtyards, pavilions and temples. It’s a place where you’ll quite literally be dazzled by the intricately designed mirror tiles of the world renowned Sheesh Mahal, awed by opulent royal palaces, and wowed by incredible views on all sides.

One of those views looks up towards a ridgeline dominated by the many towers of  Jaigarh Fort.  With its imposing fortifications and incredible views over Amber Fort, which it was designed to protect, it’s definitely another unmissable stop on your Jaipur itinerary.

Take A Walk, Skip the Elephant Ride The Amber Fort is reached by a wide, winding pathway up the mountainside. Jeeps run visitors up to the top, or you can take a slow stroll and stop for lots of pics along the way. You’ll also see elephants carting tourists up the path, and while this has long been considered a popular part of the fort experience, we ask you to think twice before joining the queue and #refusetoride. Instead, consider visiting an elephant sanctuary like the  Wildlife SOS rescue centre  at Mathura near Agra. There, rescues – including elephants from Amber Fort – are given the care and freedom from chains they deserve. We’ve written in detail about the plight of working elephants in India in  this story that we wrote for NOMADasaurus .

Back down at ground level, Jaipur has a multitude of other attractions that, depending on your pace, could easily take a few days to explore and fully appreciate. In the heart of Jaipur, the  City Palace , with its many halls, courtyards and pavilions will leave you with a regal feeling, while UNESCO-listed  Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory  will help fix your place in both space and time.

Don’t leave without wandering by  Hawa Mahal.  It’s a place you’ll probably recognise even if you’ve never visited Jaipur, courtesy of it being the poster child for many a tourism campaign. This former royal retreat, all five stories and 900-plus windows of it, delightfully carved out of pink sandstone, is one of my favourite buildings in Rajasthan, perhaps even India, and it’s a must-see.

Leg 2: Jaipur to Pushkar via Ajmer

Overnight in Pushkar.

It’s a little under 150-kilometres to Pushkar from the Pink City, but along the way you’ll find one of Rajasthan’s oldest and perhaps, holiest cities, Ajmer.

The Holy City of Ajmer

On the day we visited Ajmer, the sheer number of pilgrims jostling their way through the ornate main gate of the  Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chishti shrine , the city’s most revered site, was simply mind boggling.

Once you’ve visited the shrine and extracted yourself from the crowds, it’s worth exploring the city’s smattering of Jain temples, including quirky  Soni Ji Ki Nasiyaan  with its 1000kg City of Gold.

We also recommend taking in the atmosphere of one of India’s oldest mosques, the 12 th  century  Adhai-din-ka-jhonpra , with its delicately carved inscriptions and pillars.

On the way out of town, be sure to head up to nearby  Taragarh Fort  for incredible views over Ajmer and Lake Ana Sagar before heading further towards the Thar Desert and our ultimate destination today, the town of Pushkar.

A Pilgrimage to Pushkar

Centred around a sacred lake overlooked by  Naga Pahar hill , Pushkar is quite literally the stuff of Hindu legend, making this ancient city – one of India’s oldest – an important and popular pilgrimage site.

Early morning is a great time to take a stroll around the lake before the heat of the day really kicks in. It’s worth grabbing a chai, finding a spot to sit, and watching the temples and ghats come to life as thousands of colourful pilgrims and other devotees bathe or perform their morning ritual or prayer.

Visitors are spoilt for choice in a city boasting many hundreds of temples. However no visit would be complete without a visit to one of India’s few Brahma temples, the 14th century  Jagatpita Brahma Mandir , perhaps the most famous and visited temple in Pushkar.

As you wander around the frenetic, colourful streets that wrap themselves around Pushkar’s sacred lake, you’ll almost certainly notice the intricately carved decorative gopuram (tower) of  Old Rangji Temple . It’s another place worth visiting to appreciate the unique architecture and beautiful craftmanship of the building.

Leg 3: Pushkar to Bikaner

Consider spending 2 nights in Bikaner.

After spending our morning in Pushkar, we set off on the long drive of some 250-odd kilometres (around 5-6 hours) to Bikaner.

Meet The Holy Residents of Karni Mata Rat Temple, Deshnok

As the shadows start to lengthen, you might be tempted to bypass quirky  Karni Mata Temple  (40 minutes south of Bikaner) in favour of that nice shower and hot meal you’ve been daydreaming about. Resist the temptation.

I’ll be honest though, Karni Mata Temple is not for the squeamish. Musophobics might like to keep driving at this point.

If you don’t mind sharing your space with twenty thousand or so rats though, Karni Mata is about as unique an experience as it gets.

Legend has it your rattie hosts are reincarnated descendants of Karni Mata, a 15 th  century miracle worker revered as the incarnation of the goddess Durga.

In addition to dodging scuttling rats while keeping your eyes peeled for one of the rare, and especially holy white rats, be sure to appreciate the delicately carved marble entranceway and solid silver doors of the temple. Before you run for the safety of your car.

Oh and try to remember, if a rat does manage to scuttle across your bare feet, it’s considered incredibly auspicious!

Read more about our experience at Karni Mata Temple  in this post .

Explore the Highlights of Bikaner

Sometimes overshadowed by its more famous neighbours in the Golden Triangle, the regal city of Bikaner is packed full of architectural gems that conjure up a tangible sense of the city’s royal past.

That palpable sense of history is immediately apparent when you enter monumental  Junagarh Fort . Spending a few hours wandering through the many royal palaces, pavilions, temples, audience halls and courtyards here feels like a journey through Bikaner’s rich history, reflecting the variety of architectural and artistic influences that have shaped the city over hundreds of years.

While you’ll no doubt find your own favourite spots within the fort, it’s certainly worth lingering in the ornately carved and ambient Durbar Hall, and seeking out the beautifully painted walls and ceilings of Badal Mahal, the opulently adorned Anup Mahal, and the colourfully painted Gaj Mandir Palace.

Wandering through the tangled laneways and markets of the  old city , dodging rickshaws, marvelling at impressive old havelis and shrines, while avoiding the occasional meandering cow was another of our highlights of visiting Bikaner.

Try to finish your stroll at the glorious marble façade of  Bhandasar Jain Temple , famed for its ornate carvings, beautiful frescoes and acclaimed mirror work. It’s definitely a place not to miss.

From something a little offbeat, discover everything you never thought you needed to know about camels at the  National Research Centre of Camel , around 9km from town. These cleverly-evolved beasties are studied and bred here, and in addition to the highlight of seeing baby camels (all the incentive we needed), you can also try out camel milk kulfi and lassis (surprisingly yum!) from the camel milk parlour.

Then enjoy the late afternoon sun at ambient  Devi Kund , a royal crematorium where the beautifully designed cenotaphs are each dedicated to a different ruler.

Leg 4: Bikaner to Jaisalmer

Given the distance, it’s worth spending 3 nights in Jaisalmer.

It’s a long, long 330-kilometres (5+ hour) drive between Bikaner and the desert outpost of Jaisalmer, perched on the edge of the Great Thar Desert.

Pause to stretch your legs with the Khichan cranes

If you’re bird nerds like us, you might like to break up the journey with a mid-point stop at the dusty town of Khichan.

Here, between late August and March each year, thousands of demoiselle cranes migrate across the subcontinent, from beyond the Himalayas, to their favourite Indian holiday spot.

We’re not sure what it is about this dusty, middle-of-nowhere spot that draws these elegant birds, but you can read about our experience of Khichan’s cranes  here .

Discover the desert outpost of Jaisalmer

It’ll be well into the afternoon before you spy the amazing  Jaisalmer Fort , perched impossibly high above the surrounding desert plains like some kind of mirage on the edge of the desert.

There’s something quite magical about that first afternoon exploring the fort’s sites, including the intricate carvings of the golden sandstone  Jain temple complex  (seven interlinked temples, including Chandraprahbu and Parasnath) as well as the  Maharaja’s Palace .

Before you get too immersed in your explorations though, be sure to allow enough time for a drive out into the surrounding plains for panoramic views of the fortress in all its glory as the walls turn golden in the late afternoon sun.

Then, take a drive ten minutes northwest of the city to the royal cenotaph site of  Bada Bagh . Explore the ornate royal chhatris of Jaisalmer maharajas from the 18th century and enjoy the incredible views back towards the immense walled city as the sun drops.

Staying within Jaisalmer Fort When we first travelled to India, we stayed in a lovely haveli built into one of the fort bastions of Jaisalmer. While it was a very cool experience, we’ve since learned that centuries of poor sewage and sanitation systems are causing the fort foundations to sink and the sandstone to degrade and crumble. Steps are being taken to improve the systems and repair damage, but as travellers, we would certainly think twice about staying within the fort again and contributing to the damage. We recommend researching the matter further when it comes to choosing your accommodation and considering a stay in the town outside the fort walls.

You’ll likely want to spend at least another day within the fort precinct, exploring its wonderful labyrinth of narrow stone lanes, chai shops, and elaborately designed havelis, including beautiful  Patwa-ki-Haveli ,  Nathmal-ki-haveli  and  Salim Singh-ki-Haveli .

Jaisalmer also has an abundance of interesting textile shops and, although not huge shoppers, we couldn’t help stopping by a handful of enticing shops selling beautifully embroidered wall hangings and bedding.

Camel Safaris in Jaisalmer Camel tours are big business in Jaisalmer and you’ll certainly be hassled at some point about signing up for one. We opted for a short afternoon camel ride to the Sam sand dunes for sunset. The scenery was lovely as the sun dropped, but if we had our time again, we’d probably explore one of the other options available for experiencing the western desert, like a camping experience or a 4WD dune adventure. Truth is, the slow lurching, lunging ‘camel massage’ isn’t an experience we particularly enjoy. Nor do the camels, judging by their grumbles and protests. We leave it up to you, but recommend researching companies and their approach to the care and welfare of their animals before signing up for a tour.

Leg 5: Jaisalmer to Jodhpur

Consider spending 2 nights in Jodhpur

We’re into week two of our Rajasthan road trip, and this stretch serves up another epic 280-kilometres (4-5 hour) drive from Jaisalmer to the Blue City of Jodhpur.

Thanks to an early start we arrive late morning, so after dropping off our bags we have all afternoon to explore perhaps the most imposing fortress in all of Rajasthan, the mighty  Meherangarh Fort .

It’s impossible not to be awed by Meherangarh, dominating the skyline from its perch 125-metres above the bustling city of Jodhpur.

That sense of awe increases as you navigate the incline through a series of immense gates, each with their own story to tell. The 19th century cannonball marks at  Dodh Kangra Pol  speak of a turbulent past; the intimidating spikes at  Loha Pol  conjure the dread that invading armies might have felt; while the handprints inside the same gate tell their own sad story of queens that have committed sati (self-immolation).

Make the best of the awesome audio tour to get the most out of the usual mix of impressive palaces, ornate halls, revered temples, relaxing gardens, and perhaps Rajasthan’s most eclectic and impressive museum.

The highlight for us was a stroll around the magnificent ramparts, where the panoramic views over the blue-painted houses of the old city below bring home the reason for Jodphur’s nickname: the ‘Blue City’ of Rajasthan.

We’d highly recommend ending your day on one of the city’s rooftop eateries, where you can digest the day’s adventure over a beer, with the ambiently lit fort as a backdrop.

Day 2 in Jodhpur

There’s plenty to see and do on a second day in Jodhpur, even though Meherangarh will never be far from your mind, or indeed your view.

Take a wander through the narrow alleyways of the  Old City , overlooked by the  Ghanta Ghar clocktower , before tempting yourself with textiles, spices, handicrafts and sweet offerings of  Sardar Market .

It’s also worth checking out  Umaid Bhawan Palace  for a taste of the life of the maharajas: it’s still the vast home of Jodhpur’s former royals (India’s many royal families had their official royal status removed following Indian independence from Britain). Part of it is also an upmarket hotel, but you may well need the resources of a maharaja to stay there.

If you can’t resist one final, spectacular view of Meherangarh Fort (in our opinion, the most epic view), head to  Jaswant Thadam , a beautifully carved white marble memorial to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. The gardens here are lovely. The huge flocks of pigeons, not so much.

Leg 6: Jodphur to Kumbhalgarh via Ranakpur

Overnight in the town of Kumbhalgarh.

History nuts and fort aficionados will have to save their enthusiasm for epic Kumbhalgarh Fort for tomorrow morning. Our focus today is the exquisite  Ranakpur   Jain temple  en route to Kumbulgarh town.

Ranakpur is around 3-4 hours’ drive and 155-kilometres from Jodhpur.

Marvel at the White Marble Elegance of Ranakpur’s Jain Temple

The main four-sided white marble masterpiece of the 15 th  century Jain temple,  Chaturmukha Dharana Vihara , literally took our breath away.

1,440 artfully carved columns support an elegant, interconnected series of engraved halls and domes that enfold a central sanctuary and shrine.

It’s really worth spending some time here to fully appreciate the artistry of the carved reliefs throughout the temple. If you have time, check out the two smaller temples nearby.

You may get lucky like us and have the place largely to yourself, with just a few busy green parrots for company.

It will most likely be late afternoon by the time you finish at the temple, and we’d highly recommend a short detour before recharging your batteries for the night in Kumbhalgarh.

There’s something special about ending a long busy day with a serene scene and a spectacular sunset, and  Ranakpur Dam  serves up both. It’s just near the temple.

Find a comfortable spot and enjoy the views across the tranquil waters of the dam, the sound of birdlife, and nature’s greatest show as the sun drops behind the  Aravalli mountain range .

Kumbulgarh town is about an hour or so from the temple precinct, so we make our way there for the night. Tomorrow morning, we hit up Kumbhalgarh Fort.

Witness the Winding Walls of Kumbhalgarh Fortress

It’s only a short drive from Kumbulgarh to Udaipur today, so you’ll have plenty of time to wander  the mountain fortress of Kumbhalgarh .

You’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve teleported to China as you gaze over the truly immense 36-kilometre defensive walls of this epic fort. They rise and fall over the hills as far as the eye can see.

This World Heritage-listed monolith has been standing guard from its 1,100-metre high perch in the Aravalli range for almost 600 years. You’ll need a couple of hours at least to climb the steep slope up to the fort and explore the palaces and Jain temples within. The real highlight here though is the view from the ramparts.

If you have more time and plenty of energy, it’s possible to walk a circuit of the walls in two days (!), and there are various walks and nature trails in the area, including  Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary .

Leg 7 – Kumbhalgarh to Udaipur

Dedicate three or more days to the beautiful city of Udaipur – there’s lots to do here.

From Kumbhalgarh, it’s 84-kilometres and two hours’ driving to the city of Udaipur (so it’s also possible to visit Kumbhalgarh as a day trip from Udaipur).

After two busy weeks on the road for our Rajasthan road trip, there was something extra special about slowing the pace in Udaipur. We kicked back on our first evening with a Kingfisher beer and a sunset of molten gold on a quiet rooftop overlooking Udaipur’s beautiful Lake Pichola. It was a ritual we went on to repeat every evening we were here.

Udaipur’s highlights are many, not least of which is that it’s a city on a lake surrounded by mountains – a welcome change after many long and dusty days in and around the Thar Desert. We spent three nights in this lovely city and would recommend giving it at least that to appreciate the sites in the city and the surrounding area.

Perhaps the biggest drawcard is  Udaipur City Palace and Museum , the largest palace in Rajasthan. It’s an extraordinary labyrinth of history, architecture and intricate décor, including the unmissable Durbar Hall. City Palace is in an impossibly picturesque spot right on the edge of the lake, looking every bit like a giant cruise ship at port. Get here very early or wait until late in the day, as it gets seriously busy.

While you’re visiting City Palace, be sure to also seek out nearby  Jagdish Temple , a 17th century masterpiece renowned for its architecture and incredibly detailed carvings.

No visit to Udaipur would be complete without a  boat ride on Lake Pichola . There are a couple of islands to visit. We opted for a trip to  Jag Mandir Island , the Lake Garden Palace. Built over the 16th and 17th centuries, it was a royal summer escape. Today, it houses a small hotel set amidst pretty gardens and offers lovely views across the lake towards the city and mountains.

Speaking of views, after a while most visitors to Udaipur find themselves gazing off into the distance wondering what it is that sits atop that mountain on the horizon. Give in to your curiosity if you have the time, and visit the lofty heights of the  Monsoon Palace . This former royal retreat is definitely past its heyday, but the sweeping views over Udapiur are magic.

There’s so much more to see in and around Udaipur, but in the interests of brevity, our recommendations include the 18th century  Bangore-ki-Haveli  and, if you’re after more views,  Sunset Point Park . It’s a brisk hill hike or you can take the cable car to  Machla Magra hill . A short drive out of town is the ambient  royal cremation ground at Ahar .

It’s pretty clear though, our next visit will to Udaipur will need to be for a month.

Leg 8 – Udaipur to Bundi via Chittorgarh

Aim to spend a night in Bundi.

It’s a long, 5+ hour drive between Udaipur and Bundi, covering around 270-kilometres. So we break up our journey around halfway, in the town of Chittorgarh. It’s here that you’ll find the largest fort in India, the World Heritage-listed Chittor Fort.

Be awed at Chittor Fort, India’s largest fortress

The site of three major sieges by Muslim invaders, Chittor Fort is set high on a hill and sprawls over some 700 acres. So you’ll need wheels, and around three or more hours, to get around and see all the key sites.

Highlights of the fort include  Rana Kumbha palace , a vast 15th century structure; the 16th century  Rana Ratan Singh palace ; and the museum in  Fateh Prakash palace .

Don’t miss the fort’s two iconic towers: the leaning, 15th century  Vijay Stambha  (Tower of Victory), and the much older  Kirti Stambha  (Tower of Fame).

If you’re travelling from Udaipur, you’ll likely arrive in Bundi late in the afternoon. We recommend spending the night in Bundi and saving your energy for exploring its highlights in the morning.

Discover the forgotten glory of Bundi

Waking to the huge rise of 16th century  Taragarh Fort  shrouded in the morning mist was probably the highlight of Bundi for us.

Before you hit the road again, organise a guide and spend the morning exploring the fort and  Bundi Palace . It has some beautiful, still-colourful murals of scenes from the life of Krishna. These are hidden away behind locked doors, which can only be accessed by the palace’s keepers (more reason to have a guide).

It’s also worth taking some time to wander through the old town and search out Bundi’s  famous stepwells.  They’re extraordinary though, like the palace, some are fairly dishevelled these days.

For us, Bundi was a strange place. We seemed to be the only tourists there when we visited and, apart from our guide, we were accompanied only by the monkeys that inhabit the fort and palace, and the green parrots on the ramparts. Rudyard Kipling’s famous quote about the palace is one that perhaps best captures our own sentiments: ‘the Palace of Bundi, even in broad daylight, is such a palace as men build for themselves in uneasy dreams — the work of goblins rather than of men.’

Leg 9 – Bundi to Ranthambore

If you want to max your chances of seeing a wild tiger in Ranthambore, aim to spend a couple of days here so you can go on a few safaris. 

It’s a three hour, 150-kilometre drive from Bundi to Ranthambore.

Escape to the wilds of Ranthambore National Park

We arrived in Ranthambore in the late afternoon, and as we’d organised our tiger safaris in advance for the next day, we got to enjoy a rare lazy afternoon.

Ranthambore National Park  is one of the biggest and most renowned national parks in Northern India. The park is located in the Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan, about 130-kilometres from Jaipur.

This was once a former hunting ground of Jaipur’s maharajas. Today, Ranthambore National Park is a major wildlife tourist attraction.

We set aside two days here so that we could up our chances of seeing a wild tiger by joining morning and afternoon safaris. We lucked out with a glimpse of just one tiger, and tantalising hints of others. We felt privileged to have even that experience, but actually, we were delighted to find a national park brimming with a huge range of other wildlife, from deer and monkeys to mongoose.

Check out this post where we describe  our Ranthambore tiger safaris  in more detail

Leg 10 – Ranthambore to Bharatpur

Overnight in Bharatpur.

It’s a long drive from Ranthambore to Bharatpur: around 200-kilometres and up to 5 hours.

You could opt at this point to continue straight on to Agra, another hour up the road. We chose to base ourselves at Bharatpur though, as our next highlight, Keoladeo National Park, is best visited very early in the morning.

The famous ancient site of Fatehpur Sikri is also just half an hour from Bharatpur. While we chose to visit this ambient place in the early morning on our last leg (read about it further on), you could visit it this afternoon instead.

Greet dawn with the birds at Keoladeo National Park

Dawn finds us greeting a misty scene in Keoladeo National Park, one of the world’s most important bird breeding and feeding grounds.

Like Ranthambore, this was once a royal hunting and game reserve for maharajas and the British Raj. Fortunately, in 1982 Keoladeo was declared a national park, and later listed as a World Heritage site.

Keoladeo is home to over 370 species of birds and animals, and while you can explore by foot or bike, we opted to go with one of the park’s eagle-eyed rickshaw guides.

Even if you aren’t bird nerds, cruising through the park in the early morn, spotting the park’s busy residents, whether winged, hoofed or scaled, is a wildlife highlight of a North India road trip. It ranks as one of our surprise favourite experiences on this journey.

Leg 11: Bharatpur to Agra

We’re squarely back in the state of Uttar Pradesh now and Agra is the last stop on our epic Rajasthan road trip. Spend a night or two here so you can make the most of the Taj Mahal and other sites.

It’s only 55-kilometres from Bharatpur to Agra, so we head in that direction once our bird watching tour is done.

Finish up with the epic wonders of Agra

A trip to northern India wouldn’t be complete without a visit to one of the world’s most renowned monuments, the  Taj Mahal .

This 17th century monument to Shah Jahan’s most beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, is the highlight of Agra, and it needs no introduction.

It is worth noting, however, that in spite of its popularity, a brief, crowd-free moment at this incredible monument is possible. Just  make sure you are in the queue well before dawn , having purchased tickets at one of the nearby kiosks.

As soon as the gate opens, head into the complex, bypass the front-on view of the Taj – where most people will linger – and head straight for the eastern or western gates (to the right or left sides of the Taj itself). As one of the first there, those few moments of solitude, not to mention the crowd-free snaps, is priceless.

As the Taj is perfectly symmetrical, the view of the monument is similar from each gate, except from the eastern side, you’ll have the rising sun shining onto the white marble, while on the western side, the Taj will be in silhouette as the sun rises behind it. We’ve been on both sides at dawn and both are beautiful. You choose.

While you’re in Agra it’s worth taking a couple of hours to explore the dark red sandstone and marble pavilions of  Agra Fort , along with the understated beauty of the  baby Taj .

You can also enjoy  sunset views of the Taj from the Mehtab Bagh gardens  on the opposite side of the river. Or if you want a less crowded, better lubricated experience, order a beer and take in the view of the Taj from a rooftop bar nearby (low-key Hotel Kamal gets our vote).

Final Leg – Agra to Delhi via Fatehpur Sikri

From Agra, it’s a 3-4 hour drive of around 220-kilometres back to the capital Delhi, where this epic Rajasthan road trip ends.

If you’re game for an early start today though, there’s one final highlight worth exploring: Fatehpur Sikri.

Re-imagine the ancient glories of Fatepur Sikri

For us, the real benefit of an early start at Fathepur Sikri was that we had the mist-shrouded ancient city pretty much to ourselves.

Fatehpur Sikri is the 16th-century former capital of the Mughal empire, and it’s probably one of our favourite sites in India.

The city is particularly ambient in the early morning, when the low sun showcases the city in all its red gold stone splendour. You’ll need a couple of hours to really appreciate the ambient site, with its beautiful stone palace and temple buildings. They look as though they were carved yesterday.

After you’ve visited the palace complex, head to  Jama Masjid , one of the largest mosques in India. Walking up the steep stairs to the imposing, 54-metre high  Buland Darwaza gateway  is an experience in itself. The complex is a beautiful blend of Indian and Persian influences, and worth checking out before you continue on your way to Delhi and the conclusion of our epic Rajasthan road trip.

Extending Your Road Trip: The Road to Varanasi

We’ll forgive you for needing a rest at this point. It’s been an epic journey and you might well feel the  beaches and backwaters of southern India  calling.

But if you have a little more petrol in your tank (both literally and figuratively), and another week or so up your sleeve, we can highly recommend continuing the journey from Agra to Varanasi.

It’ll take you a few days to travel the 800 or so kilometres to Varanasi, but fortunately the trip is broken up by a couple of offbeat stops.

The first is  Orchha , a small (by Indian standards), 16th century city with an opulent fort complex with temples, palaces and gardens. It’s around 5.5 hours from Agra and we spend a night here to break up the journey and explore the fort and town.

The next day we continue to the renowned, and slightly risqué, World Heritage site of  Khajuraho . It’s a drive of nearly five hours from Orchha.

In Khajuraho, you’ll find three groups of thousand-year-old Hindu and Jain temples. The devil is in the detail here. Take the time to appreciate the exquisitely carved and highly detailed stonework on the temples, while keeping an eye out for the erotic sculptures that the site is famous for. We spend a night here too.

It takes most of a day to get to  Varanasi , but when you do finally arrive, you’ll be rewarded with one of the most unique cities in India, if not the world.

Varanasi is a city to ponder. Sadhu ascetics colour the ghats with their orange garb and painted faces. The nightly  Hindu Aarti ceremony  brightens the riverbank of the Ganges with chant and flame. Hindu pilgrims from around the world make their way here to the river’s sacred ghats. This is the final stop before Nirvana and the most auspicious place for a Hindu to die.

Varanasi is a city to linger. It’s here, in this extraordinary, frenetic, eye-opening city, that we wrapped up a truly unforgettable journey through the India’s north.

Happy Rajasthan road tripping! If you’ve got any questions or thoughts, drop us a line below!

34 thoughts on “Highlights of an Epic Rajasthan Road Trip in India”

Wonderful road trip! My wife and I we are planning something similar for next march, can you send me some more info about the driver? Thanks a lot!

Hi Alessandro, many thanks for your lovely feedback, we hope you’ve found our post useful in your planning. We’ve sent you an email with further information about the car/driver company we used. All the best for your trip to India, have a wonderful time! Danielle & John

Wonderful trip report: thank you. I wonder would you recommend driving between Jaisalmer and Jodhpur as the train trip is said to be remarkable. We are headed there for 3 weeks in December and would appreciate your driver recommendations too. To get most bang from the time away: One can fly to Varanasi & to Jaisalmer to cover those long distances then cobble together towns in Rajasthan by train or road.

Hi Jenny, many thanks for your feedback, we hope you found our Rajasthan road trip post useful! Train travel is a must at some point on any journey in India and we have some great memories of our own train travels in the country. While we haven’t done the Jaisalmer – Jodhpur leg by train, if your research is saying it’s a fantastic way to get between the two cities and you’re keen to do some train travel, then it’s worth considering. The drive from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur is around 4-5 hours (though I understand the train journey is a bit longer) but the upshot of going by road is that you can stop where you like, and with a driver, you still get to enjoy the scenery along the way. Absolutely you could cover some of those longer legs with flights (though I would note Jaisalmer can only be reached on a direct flight from Delhi or Jaipur in the north). I’ve sent you an email with some additional information. India is amazing, we hope you have a wonderful trip! Cheers, Danielle & John

Hey John & Danielle, Inspiring – has me booking my road trip there now. Will be basically following your route, with car/driver. Any additional advice / insight will be appreciated. Can’t wait. Karl

Hi Karl, many thanks for your message! Very excited to hear you’ll be visiting Rajasthan – have a fantastic time!

This should be one of the epic road trip itinerary. Could you please share car and driver info.

Thanks for your kind comments.

Have sent you an email with some additional information.

All the best
, John and Danielle

Hey John & Danielle,

What an amazing help this site is. We are going oktober this year. Can you send me more info regarding the driver as well please?

Thx a lot! Kind regards, Sofie & Jan

Hi there Sofie and Jan,

Have sent you an email with some additional information which we hope you’ll find useful.

Hope you have a fantastic trip.

All the best
John and Danielle

This is such a great article, thanks so much for sharing. Please could you share your recommendations for a good driver/ company?

Thanks Natalie

Hi there Natalie

Thanks for your kind comment, we’re so glad you found this post useful.

We’ve sent you an email with some additional information and hope you have a wonderful time in India.

All the best John and Danielle

Hi, Great article. I have just booked my flights and can’t wait to be there. Did you have a car with a driver? If so do you have any recommendations for a good driver/ driver company Thanks Al

Hi there Al

Great blog with such a fantastic route mapped out and generously shared.

We head to Rajasthan for 3 and a half weeks after flying from London to Mumbai (our return leg is back from Delhi).

We plan Mumbai, Jaipur, Bikaner, Jodhpur and Delhi with trips out to see as many temples and forts as possible (having been to Jaisalmer, Udaipur and Pushkar and Ossian previously.

We are giddy, like children, to be coming back – and first re-visit since the pandemic.

We’ve been 8 times previously but that said on this trip we plan to be more spontaneous and impromptu (with less structured plans) and keen therefore to find a reliable source of recommendations for drivers/car… if you have any, please!!!

Roll on March 24th… can’t wait!

Thanks again!

Warmest wishes, Anthony

Hope you and your friends have a wonderful time in India.

Hello, I am planning a trip to Rajasthan with 2 friends from the US. Did you use a car rental/driver/ guide? Can you please recommend what company you used? Thank you.

Hi John an Danielle

This post is extremely helpful! We will be going to Northern India end of October for a month. First Bir and then we are planning to do a roadtrip in Rajasthan. Would you mind to send me the email with additional information as well please.

Hi Hannelie

Have sent you an email with the additional info.

Regards John and Danielle

Hi, Fantastic write up and ideal for me as I am planning to get on my Jeep Compass and travel all overRajasthan, using your itinerary. A couple of questions:

1) When did you do this trip? 2) What were the road conditions? 3) is there any place you would drop out, if you were to do this again?

Cheers! Shantanu

Hi Shantanu, really glad you found the itinerary helpful, we’re sure you will have an incredible trip.

We’ve done a few trips in Rajasthan over the years, most recently in 2018.

The roads were mostly ok, but can be poor in places, or be subject to construction work.

We loved the whole trip and wouldn’t want to miss any stops, however if you are time poor I guess Jaisalmer is quite far so you could save time there – although it’s a fabulous place to visit.

Happy travels John and Danielle

Thank you for sharing about Rajasthan road trip

Thank you, glad you liked the post – can’t wait to come back!

Really very nice blog. Thanks for sharing this post with us.

Thank you , really glad you like the post.

Cheers John and Dan

Totally liked your article as it is so brief that after few minutes you begin your virtual travel to Rajasthan, on top of that pictures shared doubles the experience. Thank you

Thanks so much Madhuri, really glad you enjoyed the post.

All the best, John and Dan

You enjoyed trip of Rajasthan which place is best as you think?

Hope you enjoyed the post. To be honest it’s almost impossible to have a favourite place on a trip that is so colourful, diverse, and full of incredible sights.

We loved the desert landscape and incredible fort at Jaisalmer, but to be honest the forts all over Rajasthan were stunning. Exploring Udaipur, especially the City Palace was a real treat, and there’s absolutely no compare to beautiful sights like the Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri and the Red Fort in Delhi.

But honestly we loved absolutely all of it and would go back in a heartbeat.

Happy travels. John and Dan

Awesome description. Please let me know how many days and nights for this kind of trip.

Hi Arup, really glad you enjoyed the post.

The trip duration really depends on your mode of travel, and how quickly you like to move. We had a car and driver and took three weeks, but you could easily double that if you wanted to spend longer in each place. Also, if you want to continue on to Varanasi (an additional 800 or so kilometres) via Orchha and Khajuraho you’d need to add another week.

All the best and happy travels. John and Dan

When I visited Rajasthan with my family, none of us could bring ourselves to visit Karni Mata Temple. Even though we have heard a lot about this temple, it was just beyond us to visit a place filled with rats. It really is not for the squeamish. How did you manage to stay still there?

Hi there Pooja

You’re absolutely right, Karni Mata Temple is not for the squeamish. I’m really not quite sure how we managed it, the idea of all those rats did freak us out a little bit, but the experience is so unique, and the visit so memorable, I think we just somehow managed to push all the concerns away and enjoy the experience.

Would you ever go back and do it do you think?

All the best John and Dan

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Rajasthan Itinerary for 7 or 14 Days (+ Map)

With its magnificent forts, beautiful palaces, vibrant culture and rich history, the state of Rajasthan is one of the top travel destinations in India. If you’re asking me, a trip to India isn’t complete without visiting this colourful state. Rajasthan is huge, however, and there is a lot to see here. Therefore, it can be a little overwhelming to start planning an itinerary. But that’s exactly where this guide comes in handy – this Rajasthan itinerary for 1 or 2 weeks covers the highlights and it’s perfect for first-timers .

Some of the places included in this itinerary are the holy city of Pushkar , the so-called blue city – Jodhpur and the city of lakes – Udaipur . It will bring you along architectural marvels like the Hawa Mahal, Amer Fort and the Toorji Ka Jhalra stepwell.

If you’d like to see more of India, this itinerary can easily be combined with a visit to Delhi and the Taj Mahal .

But without further ado, let’s dive into this Rajasthan itinerary for 7 or 14 days!

>> Read next: 16 Facts About Rajasthan

Rajasthan Itinerary for 1 or 2 Weeks

In the first section of this post, you will find all the places included in these itineraries . I also added a note saying in which of the itineraries the place is included.

Next, you will find the 7 and 14-day Rajasthan itineraries and a map showing you where the places are located. Keep in mind that Rajasthan is huge and that it would take nearly 11 hours to get from Jaipur to Jaisalmer.

>> Read: South India VS North India: 9 Differences

Places to see in Rajasthan

So, let’s start with the best places to see in Rajasthan in 1 or 2 weeks! From the astonishing Hawa Mahal in Jaipur to the photogenic blue houses of Jodhpur, Rajasthan offers an abundance of beautiful sights!

*Included on 7 and 14-day itinerary

Both of these itineraries start with two days in Jaipur , the capital of Rajasthan and India’s so-called Pink City . Jaipur is easily reachable from Delhi by train, the ride takes about 4 to 5 hours.

Here, you will find some spectacular sights like the marvellous Hawa Mahal , the enormous Amer Fort , the beautiful Monkey Temple and the colourful Patrika Gate .

Jaipur is also one of the stops on the popular Golden Triangle tourist route , which connects the Pink City to Delhi and Agra (where you will find the Taj Mahal).

With its beautiful palaces, forts and temples, this is a city that cannot be missed on any Rajasthan itinerary!

🛕 Highlights of Jaipur

• Hawa Mahal: This stunning palace is famous for its 953 windows. These were used by the royal women, who could not appear in public. They used to peek out of the windows to catch a glimpse of everyday life.
• Amer Fort: This is my favourite fort in Rajasthan! It was built by Raja Man Singh in the 16th century and you will find some pretty impressive architecture within its walls. One of its most famous sights is the Sheesh Mahal , which is often called the “Glass Palace”.
• City Palace: Built in 1727, the City Palace is the place where the Maharaja reigned until 1949. You will find some beautiful courtyards, gates and rooms inside.
• Jantar Mantar : Located right across the street from the City Palace, Jantar Mantar is an ancient astronomical observatory that’s worth visiting as well.
• Patrika Gate: This colourful gate was built in 2016 and serves as an entrance to Jawahar Circle Garden. It’s one of the most photogenic places in Jaipur so don’t forget to bring your camera when you visit it!

The next stop for both of these itineraries will be Pushkar – one of my favourite places in India. This is one of Rajasthan’s oldest cities and also one of its holiest ones, making it one of India’s top cultural destinations .

Pushkar is located by the holy Pushkar Lake, which is surrounded by numerous ghats . Apart from the lake and ghats, some of Pushkar’s most famous sights are the Brahma Temple , the Pap Mochani Temple and the Savitri Temple . The last two are located on top of a hill and they offer a magnificent view over Pushkar.

It’s believed that Pushkar Lake was created when Lord Brahma vanquished the demon Vajranash using a lotus flower. When this flower fell to the ground, it created Pushkar Lake. Today, the city is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus.

🛕 Highlights of Pushkar

• Ghats: Strolling along the ghats by the holy Pushkar lake is one of the best things to do in Pushkar. You will see that rituals and offerings happen here regularly.
• Brahma Temple: Being a holy city, Pushkar is home to many temples, but the Brahma Temple is the most important one. It’s located close to the lake and it’s one of the few temples dedicated to Brahma.
• Pap Mochani Temple: It’s a short hike up a hill to get to this temple, and you will be rewarded with a spectacular view over Pushkar once you reach the top!
• Savitri Temple: To reach the top of this hill, you can either take the cable car or hike and once again, you will be rewarded with an amazing view over Pushkar.
• Gurudwara Sahib : This famous Sikh temple was built in 1549 after Guru Nanak Dev visited Pushkar. It’s a stunning white temple that’s definitely worth seeing.

Jodhpur is the second-largest city in Rajasthan and another one of my favourite cities in India! It’s dubbed the Blue City because of its many blue houses that make the city incredibly photogenic.

But there is more to Jodhpur than the blue houses alone!

This city is also home to the enormous Mehrangarh Fort , which was built by the founder of Jodhpur in the 15th century and overlooks the blue city. Just a 15-minute walk from here, you will find Jaswant Thada – a beautiful memorial that was built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singhjill and is made entirely out of white marble.

Other things you cannot miss on a visit to Jodhpur are the Toorji Ka Jhalra stepwell , Pachetia   Hill for sunset and the Clock Tower and Sardar Market – which are the heart of the city.

🛕 Highlights of Jodhpur

• Blue Houses: One of the best things to do in Jodhpur is to stroll around the old town in search of the beautiful blue houses .
• Mehrangarh Fort : Built by Rao Jodha, the founder of Jodhpur, in 1459, this incredible fort is Jodhpur’s most famous landmark. It’s quite spectacular, to say the least, and it overlooks the blue city.
• Jaswant Thada : Just a 15-minute walk from the fort, this beautiful memorial consists entirely of white marble. It was built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singhjill.
• Toorji Ka Jhalra Stepwell : Rajasthan is famous for its step wells and this one is very easy to reach, as it’s located in the middle of Jodhpur. The Toorji Ka Jhalra Stepwell used to be the main source of water for the city.
• Pachetia   Hill : Pachetia Hill overlooks the blue city and it’s the best place to watch the sunset over the blue houses.
• Clock Tower and Sardar Market : This is the heart of the old city. It’s a nice area to stroll around, shop at the market and drink a delicious lassi.

After visiting the blue city, it’s time to head to Udaipur – the City of Lakes or the Venice of the East . This city is often dubbed India’s most romantic city and it’s easy to understand why!

Udaipur is famous for its mesmerizing lakes, floating palaces, beautiful temples and stunning viewpoints. It’s also a great place to relax on one of the many rooftop terraces.

There are many great things to do in Udaipur, from soaking up the atmosphere at the ghats of Lake Pichola to visiting the City Palace and the beautiful Ahar Cenotaphs . If you’re a sucker for beautiful viewpoints, you will want to take the Mansapurna Karni Mata Ropeway too. This ropeway will bring you to the Sri Karni Mata Temple, which offers a spectacular view of the city.

Udaipur is also famous for hosting the Dharohar Dance Show  at Lok Dharohar Haveli . This is said to be the most spectacular traditional Rajasthani dance show in all of Rajasthan!

🛕 Highlights of Udaipur

• Jagdish Temple: This Hindu Temple’s architecture is stunning! You will find numerous statues of elephants, horsemen, musicians and dancers on its beautiful facades.
• Lake Pichola and Ghats: Strolling along Lake Pichola while enjoying the view is one of the best things to do in Udaipur. Make sure not to miss Gangaur Ghat and Ambrai Ghat while you’re there.
• City Palace: Constructed in 1553, the City Palace of Udaipur is the largest royal complex in the state of Rajasthan. You will find stunning palaces and halls inside!
• Mansapurna Karni Mata Ropeway : This cable car ride will take you to Machhala Hill, from where you will have a spectacular view over Udaipur.
• Ahar Cenotaphs : These empty tombs are a unique place to visit in Udaipur. They’re a must-see for history buffs and lovers of architecture.
• Dharohar Dance Show at Bagore Ki Haveli : A spectacular show with Rajasthani dance performances and a puppet show.

*Included on 14-day Rajasthan itinerary

If you have two weeks in Rajasthan, then it’s time to head to Jaisalmer next. This small desert city is located northwest of Rajasthan, not so far from the border with Pakistan.

Jaisalmer is home to India’s only living fort , where you will find plenty of beautiful Havelis. You will also find the peaceful Gadisar Lake here, which used to be the city’s only water source.

What Jaisalmer is most famous for, however, is its desert safaris . Although I did enjoy the desert safari, it’s good to know that the Thar Desert only has small sets of dunes and most parts are scrubs.

This being said, I still think checking out the Thar Desert is worth it! Just don’t expect it to be all sand dunes as this is not the case.

If you’re looking for a good agency to book a desert safari (because believe me, there are many and they’re not all good), I can recommend Trotters Jaisalmer . I went on an overnight desert safari with them and it was amazing! We were a small group of three people and there was no one else in the set of dunes they brought us to.

🛕 Highlights of Jaisalmer

• Jaisalmer Fort: This living fort is full of beautiful temples and golden Havelis . You will also find multiple viewpoints from where you can watch the sunset here.
• Gadisar Lake: This lake was built around the 12th-13th by the first king of Jaisalmer. It’s a peaceful place that’s surrounded by ghats and shrines.
• Bada Bagh: Here, you will find the funerary cenotaphs (empty tombs) that were built to commemorate the royalty of Jaisalmer. They’re beautiful pieces of architecture that are very common in the north of India.
• Desert safari: Spending a night in the desert dunes is an amazing experience that you won’t forget! Don’t be afraid to ask around before booking a tour though, as there are plenty of operators and they all claim to be the best. I booked my tour with Trotters Jaisalmer and can recommend them.

*Included on 14-day itinerary

The last stop on the 14-day Rajasthan itinerary is Bikaner, a city that is most famous for its proximity to the unique Karni Mata Temple  or the Rat Temple . In order to reach this temple, you will have to take the local bus to Deshnok, which is 30 km (18.6 mi) from Bikaner.

As you might have guessed, what makes the Karni Mata Temple so special is that it’s full of rats. In fact, it’s the only temple in the world that worships rats! Over 25,000 black rats and a few white ones live within its doors. It’s considered good luck if you can spot one of the white ones, as these are considered the incarnations of the Hindu deity Karni Mata and her sons.

But why rats? I hear you ask.

Well, there are two legends associated with why rats are being worshipped at the Karni Mata Temple:

• The rats are soldiers who deserted a nearby battle. Although this was punishable by death, Karni Mata decided to spare them and turned them into rats instead.
• When one of the sons of Karni Mata’s sister drowned, Karni Mata begged Yama, the god of death, to bring him back. Yama told her this would interfere with the cycle of birth and death but told her he could reincarnate all the family’s sons as rats. Karni Mata then promised the rats would serve at her temple forever.

Although we can’t be certain which of these legends led to the creation of the Rat Temple, one thing is certain – bringing a visit to India’s Karni Mata Temple will be an unforgettable experience! This is one of the most unusual landmarks in Rajasthan .

🛕 Highlights of Bikaner (besides the Rat Temple)

• Junagarh Fort: This beautiful fort was constructed by Raja Rai Singh in the 16th century. You will find stunning palaces, courtyards, pavilions and balconies inside.
• Rampuria Haveli: Rampuria Haveli was constructed in the 15th century for the wealthy merchant family with the same name. Although you cannot visit it on the inside, the outside alone is worth checking out and there are some other beautiful Havelis on the same street.

>> Read: How to AVOID Getting Sick in India: 10 Tips You Need

7 days in Rajasthan itinerary and map

You can find the itinerary and map for the 7-day Rajasthan itinerary below. Seven days is just enough time to see the state’s highlights.

Day 1-2: Jaipur Day 3: Travel from Jaipur to Pushkar (2,5 hours) and visit Pushkar Day 4: Travel from Pushkar to Jodhpur (5 hours) Day 5: Jodhpur Day 6: Travel from Jodhpur to Udaipur (5,5 hours) Day 7: Udaipur

14 days in Rajasthan itinerary and map

If you have more time to spare and are planning a 14-day long trip to Rajasthan, then Jaisalmer and Bikaner are two extra places that you can visit. You can find the map and Rajasthan itinerary for 2 weeks below.

Day 1-2: Jaipur Day 3-4 : Travel from Jaipur to Pushkar (2,5 hours) and visit Pushkar Day 5: Pushkar Day 6-7: Travel from Pushkar to Udaipur (6 hours) Day 8: Udaipur Day 9: Travel from Udaipur to Jodhpur (5,5 hours) Day 10: Jodhpur Day 11: Travel from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer (5 hours) Day 12: Jaisalmer Day 13: Travel from Jaisalmer to Bikaner (5,5 hours) Day 14: Bikaner

>> Read: The Cost of Travel in India

Best time to visit Rajasthan

The best time to visit Rajasthan is during the winter months, from October to February . At this time of the year, the temperature won’t be too high.

It’s not recommended to visit Rajasthan during the summer months, which are from April to June. It will be scorching hot at this time of the year with temperatures rising up to 48°C.

Rajasthan can also be visited during the monsoon season, from July to September. This is the time of the year that I visited the state. There’s no denying that there is rain during the monsoon (and that it’s still quite hot) but it doesn’t rain every day. Overall, I think the monsoon season is a good time to visit Rajasthan if you want to travel outside of the peak season.

How to get around in Rajasthan

There are multiple ways to get around Rajasthan, depending on where you’re going. Trains and tourist buses are perfect for longer distances, while local buses and rickshaws are great for short distances.

• Train : Rajasthan’s major cities are well connected by train. This is an easy and reliable way to get around the state. Note that there are many different types of trains in India , so make sure to do some research in advance.
• Bus : Another easy way to get around Rajasthan is by taking the bus. There are plenty of local buses for short distances and tourist buses for longer distances.
• Private driver : The most comfortable way to get around is by taxi or private transportation but this is also the most expensive one.
• Rickshaw : You will find plenty of rickshaws in the cities. These are perfect for short distances but be prepared to haggle as rickshaw drivers tend to charge foreigners ten times the normal price. A great way to get a fair price is by downloading the Ola app , though. It works just like Uber but includes bikes and rickshaws.

Tip : When you’re travelling in Rajasthan, it’s better to book your bus and train tickets in advance. This way, you will know for sure that you have a seat. I used 12GoAsia to book my tickets, this is the only website I could find that accepts payments with non-Indian credit cards.

Rajasthan itinerary FAQs

How many days are enough for rajasthan.

1 to 2 weeks is perfect to cover most of Rajasthan’s tourist sites. Although you could go on a short 2 or 3-day trip to Jaipur, for example, there are many beautiful places to see in Rajasthan, so I would recommend staying in this state for at least 1 week.

Which is the best month to visit Rajasthan?

>> Read: Solo Travel in India: A Guide (Best Places, Tips & Safety)

Tips for travelling in India

India can be a little overwhelming and confusing for first-time visitors. It may not be the easiest country to visit, but it sure is one of the most fascinating ones.

In order to get the most out of your trip to Rajasthan, there are some things you need to be aware of. So here are some useful tips to help you adjust to India easily.

• Dress appropriately: India, and especially the state of Rajasthan, are conservative so be mindful of the culture and dress modestly. It’s okay for women to wear Western clothes but this is not the right place for hot pants and spaghetti tops. I’ve written a detailed post about the subject here: What to Wear in India: Tips + Outfit Ideas . Make sure to check it out to prepare for your trip.
• Be wary of scams: Unfortunately, scams are common in India, so be wary of them. Research common scams of the place you’re heading to in advance. This way, you won’t be fooled by them.
• Learn how to haggle: The price is always negotiable – in many shops, the vendor will quote a high price and expect you to offer a lower one. This will go back and forth until you find a price that works for both of you.
• Buy a local sim: A local sim doesn’t cost much and this way, you will have access to the internet to look things up at any time.
• Take off your shoes before entering temples: If you’re going to visit many temples, it’s a good idea to wear flip-flops, as these are easy to take off.
• Know the Indian head bobble: While people in most countries nod by moving their heads up and down, Indians nod in a different way – they shake their heads from side to side. This can be a little confusing at first, so it’s good to be aware of it.
• Avoid PDA: Avoid public displays of affection if you’re travelling in India with your partner as this is considered inappropriate in Indian culture.
• Have an open mind: If this is your first visit to the country, you might experience some culture shock. Be prepared for this and accept the fact that things won’t be like they are at home.
• Bring traveller’s diarrhoea medication: Even when they’re careful, many travellers experience the so-called Delhi Belly , so it’s good to be prepared.

>> Read next: What to Pack for India as a Woman

Rajasthan itinerary: Final thoughts

I hope you love the colourful state of Rajasthan as much as I do. India is one of my favourite places in the world and I truly loved exploring Rajasthan – it’s simply magical!

If you have more time in India after finishing your Rajasthan itinerary, you could head to the Taj Mahal next. You could also head back to Delhi or go to Mumbai for a day and visit Goa – the possibilities are endless.

Other itineraries for India: – 15 Days in South India: An Itinerary – Golden Triangle Itinerary in India: 4, 5 or 6 Days

Read more about India: – Indian Landmarks to See on Your Trip – The Ultimate India Travel Bucket List: 34 Ideas – Souvenirs from India That Don’t Suck – What is India Famous For? 28 Interesting Facts – Tips for Visiting the Taj Mahal

India Travel Planning Guide

🛫 Find the cheapest flights to India on  Skyscanner . 🏨 Find the best accommodation via  Booking  or  Hostelworld . 🛺 Download the  Ola app  to order a rickshaw or a taxi. 🚃 Use  12GoAsia  to book trains and buses in India. 🚗 Rent a car with  Discover Cars  to get the best rates. 💰 Get travel insurance via  VisitorsCoverage , one of the best-reviewed travel insurance companies. 👘 Check out my  complete India packing list for females . 📋 Don’t forget to  check if you need a visa   to visit India.

Pin it for later: Did you find this post helpful? Save it on Pinterest and follow me on Instagram and Facebook for more travel tips and inspiration.

Laura Meyers

Laura Meyers is the founder of Laure Wanders. She was born in Belgium and has travelled to over 40 countries, many of them solo. She currently spends most of her time between Belgium and South Asia and loves helping other travellers plan their adventures abroad.

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The Great Rajasthan Road trip – An 11-Day Itinerary for Offbeat Rajasthan

Rajasthan is a destination that finds its place on every traveller’s list, Indians and foreigners alike. The magnificent architecture coupled with the rich Rajasthani heritage and cuisine, as well as its unique traditions makes Rajasthan an intriguing place to visit. There are so many distinguished sites in the state that most visitors end up missing the equally breathtaking offbeat destinations which can be easily accessible by road. One should definitely plan a road trip in Rajasthan during the festive season from October to February.

Rajasthan is full of treasures waiting to be discovered. All you need is to pack your bags and get exploring! And what better way there is, than hitting the roads. 

We have curated a list of the unknown gems of Rajasthan covering over 1800 km in 11 days . We start the itinerary from Jaipur, the state capital, travel through the artistic lanes of Bundi and Chittorgarh, visit the deserts of Jaisalmer, take a pit stop at Bikaner, explore the offbeat streets of Khimsar and Pushkar to finally return to Jaipur. Read on to find how you can make your next trip unforgettable and unique!

The great Rajasthan road trip Itinerary

Day 1: Jaipur to Bundi  

Distance : 218 km 

Time Taken : 4 hours

Lined with the blue houses, hills, lakes, bazaars, and temples, Bundi gives a glimpse of the offbeat Rajasthan. Visit Taragarh Fort for its brilliant architecture and observe a picturesque view of the town below. Naval Sagar, an artificial lake, is another popular attraction with a half-submerged temple of Lord Varuna. 

The rich heritage of over eight centuries is visibly evident in the city of Bundi. The people here are still simple and take pride in following their customs. The town is also renowned for its artistic abilities and has produced several vocalists and musicians. Shop from the local markets to find beautifully crafted art pieces as a souvenir.

Where to stay : Hotel Bundi House, Haveli Katkaun Bundi, The Ummaid Bagh Bundi.

[Also read: Bundi: A Trip To A Bygone Era]

Day 2: Bundi to Chittorgarh

Distance : 154 km 

Time Taken : 2.5 hours

Chittorgarh is the land of glory, with countless stories of valiant rulers and great wars. The legacy is passed on to the younger generations and is visible in the town’s rich culture and heritage. The Chittorgarh Fort is the major attraction of the town. You can also visit Keerthi Stambh, Rana Kumbha Palace, Vijay Stambh, Padmini Palace, Kalika Mata Temple to take a deep dive into the stories of the past. 

Where to Stay : Rajasi Palace, Aravalli Hill Resort, Rang Mahal

Day 3: Chittorgarh to Udaipur

Distance : 111 km

Time Taken : 2 hours

Udaipur is listed as one of the most romantic cities in India and is amongst the top most visited destinations in the country. Udaipur’s picturesque beauty can be witnessed in the large lakes, eloquent forts, amazing palaces, and pleasant gardens. There are numerous palaces and landmarks to be seen in the city. City Palace, Fateh Sagar Lake, Nehru Park, Jagadish Temple, and Sahelio ki Bari are a few attractions that capture the essence of Udaipur in their breathtaking architecture. Udaipur should be a part of everyone’s road trip list from Rajasthan.

Where to Stay : Radisson Blu Hotel, Shri Jagdish Mahal Heritage Hotel, Swaroop Vilas

Day 4: Udaipur to Ranakpur

Distance : 64 km 

Time Taken : 1.5 hours

You absolutely can’t miss the Ranakpur temple when you are visiting Rajasthan! Built in the 15th century, it is said the temple took 50 years to come to life. It is one of the largest and most important temples in Jain culture. The temple campus houses various other temples like Amba temple, Surya temple, Chaumukha temple, and Suparshvanatha temple. Go for a Horse Safari in Ranakpur or explore the beautiful terrain of the Aravali Mountains on a horseback. Places like Ranakpur are easily accessible by road from any part of Rajasthan and the trip in the dessert is nothing like other.

A Jeep Wildlife Safari will help you explore the diverse flora and fauna of the region. For the adventure-seeker in you, trek from Ranakpur to Thandiberi for panoramic views of the town. 

Where to Stay : Jungle Camp Resort, Krishna Resort, Club Mahindra Circle 

Day 5: Ranakpur to Jodhpur

Distance : 156 km

Time Taken : 3 hours

From the azure stucco houses to the ornate palaces and mansions, Jodhpur is a sheer visual treat for travellers. Start with a walk through the city, and discover Jodhpur’s heritage in its nooks and crannies, lanes, and alleys while on your. Join a walking or photography tour. You can also visit the famous Mehrangarh Fort and Museum, or the burial place of Rajaram Meghwal. Head to the Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park or the Clock Tower and watch the stunning sunset colours and panoramic views of the city. If you are a food-lover, do join the popular Jodhpur Food Trail, where you can sample classic and signature dishes of the city at legendary joints. You can also book a desert safari and ride through the sandy trails.

Where to Stay : Rani Mahal, Jodhpur Heritage Haveli, RAAS

Day 6: Jodhpur to Jaisalmer

Distance : 262 km

Time Taken : 4 hours 44 mins

Jaisalmer or the Sun City of Rajasthan is home to massive sandcastles standing tall, rising from the centre of the Thar Desert as a reminder of a glorious bygone era. The Jaisalmer Fort is a lively urban centre that is home to about 3,000 people living within the walls. The honeycombed winding narrow lanes are lined with temples and houses along with an array of restaurants, guesthouses, and handicraft shops.

Patwon-ki-Haveli, Bada Bagh, Gadisar Lake, and Nathmal Ki Haveli capture the beauty of the place. Sam Sand Dunes is an ideal spot to start your desert safari and also to camp under the stars.

Visit the heritage village, Kuldhara which is about 25 km from Jaisalmer, when you are here.

Where to Stay : Hotel Royal Haveli, Jaisalmer Marriott Resort.

[Also read: A Guide to the Desert Festival Jaisalmer]

This evening, a gully in old town #Bikaner . #rajasthan #desertdiaries #roadtrip #shotoniphone pic.twitter.com/oIW83k7LIO — Arati Kumar-Rao (@AratiKumarRao) February 21, 2018

Day 7: Jaiselmer to Bikaner

Distance : 329 km

Time Taken : 5.5 hours

From a temple dedicated to 25,000 black rats to a festival where camels get dressed up and dance, the city of Bikaner has everything surprising in store for you. Take a tour of the Junagarh Fort to witness the impeccable architecture, visit the magnificent Lalgarh Palace, shop your heart out at Kote Gate, and relinquish the local cuisines when you are in Bikaner.

Where to Stay : Lalgarh Palace, Lakshmi Niwas Palace, Hotel Bhanwar Niwas

Day 8: Bikaner to Khimsar 

Distance : 153 km

A colourful hamlet hidden in the centre of Rajasthan, Khimsar is a must-visit for art and culture enthusiasts. Take a trip to the Khimsar Fort, a luxury heritage hotel for a royal experience. Take a camel ride or a desert safari in the Khimsar Dunes Village. Eco-friendly huts, folk music and good vibes will welcome you here. Witness the majestic views of the Thar Desert from this village. Khimsar is also home to some rare species of antelopes including the black buck. The Panchala Black Buck Reserve will give you a peek into the rich flora and fauna of the place. The Nagaur Fort situated close to the reserve is a must-visit for its brilliant architecture. 

Where to Stay : Khimsar Sand Dunes Resort, WelcomHotel by ITC

Day 9: Khimsar to Pushkar

Distance : 182 km

Time Taken : 3 hours 50 minutes

The town of Pushkar is one of the oldest in the country, its history dating back to the 4th Century BC. The lake in the city has numerous bathing ghats and hundreds of temples surrounding it. The town also borders the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, so you can even plan a camel safari. There are desert camps near Pushkar, tons of bazaars and an annual hot air balloon festival if you want to get more out of your trip. 

Where to stay : Hotel Pushkar Fort, The Pushkar Bagh

[Also read: The Outstanding Pushkar Camel Fair]

Day 10: Pushkar to Ajmer

Distance : 16 km

Time Taken : 30 minutes

Surrounded by Aravalli Hills in Rajasthan, the quaint city of Ajmer is a paradise for all types of travellers, especially the ones in pursuit of peace. There are innumerable things to do in Ajmer, and we can vouch that be it just sitting by the lake or learning about the heritage of the city, every experience here is truly soul-satisfying. Visit the Ana Sagar Lake to indulge in boating, seek blessings in Ajmer Sharif Dargah ; visit Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra, Akbar Palace and Museum and shop in the local bazaars.

Where to Stay: Hotel Canvas Inn, Ram Niwas Palace

Day 11: Ajmer to Jaipur 

Distance : 132 km

Time Taken : 2 hours 45 mins

Now that you are back from your great exploration, take a tour of the Pink City. The capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is a fine blend of royalty, old-world charm, and modern lifestyle. Unwind at a spa, indulge in a wholesome meal at Chokhi Dhani and experience the charming landscape, which is dominated by red sandstone and marble structures, before you say goodbye to the place.

Where to Stay: Radisson Blu, Hotel Peppermint Stay

[Also read: Jaipur Kite Festival]

Rajasthan is a golden land in the country, filled with soul-satisfying experiences for all kinds of travellers. This was an 11-day itinerary covering the offbeat and known locations of Rajasthan. Have you done a road trip to this beautiful state of Royals, Rajasthan? Let us know in the comments.

Download our Savaari car rental app  for a smooth and pleasant journey.

Useful travel links

• Gadkari inaugurates, lays foundation stone of 11 NH projects worth ₹5600 crore in Rajasthan
• Rajasthan: Neem Ka Thana-Kotputli road to be built as a four-lane highway

Last Updated on February 2, 2024 by Swati Deol

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A Rajasthan Roadtrip (My 8 day itinerary) and Top Places in Rajasthan

Last Updated on March 31, 2024 by Christine Kaaloa

Embarking on a Rajasthan roadtrip itinerary through the enchanting state of Rajasthan promises a journey steeped in history, culture, and architectural marvels.

This 8-day itinerary will share the top places to visit in Rajasthan. Starting from the bustling street markets of Jaipur to the golden sands of Jaisalmer’s Thar Desert, unfolds a culturally vibrant desert region known as Rajasthan. I’ll quickly explore the unique character of each city and its cultural highlights, which makes it a top Rajasthan roadtrip journey that travelers love to take.

 I never leave home without travel insurance- I use World Nomads but here’s a  trip insurance finder tool  to find a plan that matches your budget. Read more about coverage you need.

Table of Contents: A Rajasthan Roadtrip (My 8 day itinerary) and Top Places in Rajasthan

• 0.1 Why is Rajasthan popular with first time travelers?
• 0.2 How many days to spend in Rajasthan?
• 1.0.1 1. Jaipur – The Pink City
• 1.0.2 2. Bikaner – The Desert Gem
• 1.0.3 3. Pushkar – The Sacred Town with a Lake
• 1.0.4 4. Udaipur – The City of Lakes & Palaces
• 1.0.5 5. Jaisalmer – The Golden City & its Desert Life
• 1.0.6 6. Jodhpur – The Blue City
• 1.1.1 Rajasthan roadtrip : What to Expect of Highways and Roads
• 1.1.2 Personal side note of Getting Scammed in Delhi

Why is Rajasthan popular with first time travelers?

RAJASTHAN is known as the “Land of Kings. “ It’s a popular, dry and arid Indian state on the western side of India bordering Pakistan . You can  experience historical lakeside palaces & havelis, desert safaris, bustling markets, expert craftsmanship and fabulous architectural monuments.

Each city has its unique character, that lends to the culture, history and architectural beauty of Rajasthan, allowing travelers to immerse themselves in the diverse facets of this enchanting state. Whether exploring the bustling markets of Jaipur , the desert heritage of Bikaner , the spiritual ambiance of Pushkar , the romantic lakes of Udaipur, the golden sands of Jaisalmer , or the blue-hued lanes of Jodhpur , Rajasthan promises an unforgettable journey through time and tradition.There’s a reason why travelers love it.

Read about  getting an Indian Tourist Visa for U.S. Citizens

How many days to spend in rajasthan.

The ideal duration to spend in Rajasthan depends on the cities and attractions you plan to visit, as well as your travel preferences and mode of transportation. A comprehensive exploration of the major destinations like Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer could require at least 10 to 15 or 21 days. If you have only 7 to 10 days, then you’ll want to focus on highlights.

Unless you’re traveling with a tour or a doing day tours, trying to see a city in one day is going to be hard. So it’s not advised to allot one day per city. You’ll want some down-time in between.  Read my tips on trip planning for India

Additionally, it’s vital to consider India travel times between cities,  and any additional side trips or activities you may want to include in your Rajasthan experience. The average time it can take to get between some of these top Rajasthan cities can take 5-6 hours by car if you’re connecting the dots from city to city. Train can take longer depending upon Express trains and local. So by the time you arrive in a new city, your day is already half over and you’ll need to stay the night. Read more about the trains in India .

Read Beginners Guide to Traveling in India

6 top places to visit in rajasthan: an overview of enchanting destinations, 1. jaipur – the pink city.

Jaipur , the capital of Rajasthan, is known for its history of palaces and forts. Known as the Pink City , it boasts architectural highlights like the Hawa Mahal, City Palace ,  Patrika Gate and the magnificent Amer Fort (or Amber Palace) . The bustling markets of Jaipur offer a kaleidoscope of colors, making it a paradise for shoppers seeking traditional Rajasthani handicrafts, street food and sweets. I especially enjoyed exploring the markets and its plethora of street foods. You can watch as local food vendors mix batter and deep fry mouthwatering snacks before your eyes.  Local vendors sell odd trinkets for locals, from odd office stationary and more.

At night, I checked out the old theater to watch a Bollywood film. I sat amongst locals and there are no subtitles, but it’s fun nevertheless and interesting if you’ve never watch a Bollywood film!

Tip: You’ll experience many touts at the top attractions. Visiting Amer Fort, I experienced a lot of heavy tout action, with locals wanting to sell me anything from elephant rides, souvenir t-shirts, and more. Touts in India can be quite aggressive and with Rajasthan being the top region for all first time travelers to India, I’ve always felt it had the most touts. Read how to deal with aggressive touts in India .

2. Bikaner – The Desert Gem

Nestled in the heart of the Thar Desert, Bikaner is a city steeped in history. The Junagarh Fort , an imposing structure showcasing Mughal and Rajput architecture, stands as a testament to the city’s royal legacy.

I stayed in Bikaner for an evening. It’s said to have lovely architecture but it helps to have a guide show you around and explain it. I wandered the neighborhoods but didn’t do research in advance and I regretted that. I missed a lot of gems in this city.

Bikaner is also famous for the Karni Mata Temple , which is home to thousands of rats considered sacred. This was what attracted me to Bikaner in the first place. The Karni Mata temple is not in Bikaner but in a small, nearby village Deshnok.  It’s definitely an off-beat temple to visit if you are not squeamish about walking bearfoot where rats roam. In actuality, the rats are more the size of a house mouse than a New York City sewer rat, so they are not very scary and locals prostrate on the grounds.

3. Pushkar – The Sacred Town with a Lake

One town that surprised me was Pushkar . It’s a tranquil town known for its annual camel fair and its surrounding the sacred Pushkar Lake , a significant pilgrimage site for Hindus. It’s very peaceful place with a mellow vibe. The town is small and very pedestrian friendly. The Brahma Temple , one of the few dedicated to Lord Brahma, adds a spiritual aura to the town, the evenings have an aarti on the lake and you can hike up to Savatri Mandir at sunset for a lovely view of Pushkar. I thought this was the best view of all of Pushkar and the hike was not intense. You can easily stop along the way.  There are shops if you love shopping Indian souvenir fashion and trinkets to take home. I got side-tracked often at these shops as the silk Rajasthani pajama pants are very cute.

Tip: Visit the Blue Cafe for lemon mint smoothie drink to quench your thirst in the heat. Be careful- they have a bang (aka hashish) version. If you try it, make sure you are with responsible friends who will not take advantage of you.

The annual Pushkar Camel Fair, a vibrant celebration of culture and tradition, attracts visitors from around the world. It is a very unique fair as it’s for camel and horse camps looking to sell their animals.

Tip: This town feels safe but you’ll find occasional touts by the lake trying to swindle you into buying a bracelet blessing for your donation. It’s a scam and they try to make you feel like you’ll be cursed without it. Take it with a grain of salt and avoid these people. Ordinarily it’s quiet but the camel fair draws large crowds with its carnival rides, contests and of course, camel traders.

4. Udaipur – The City of Lakes & Palaces

Udaipur   -often referred to as the City of Lakes – is a romantic destination with a backdrop of majestic palaces. In actuality, there’s one large lake in the heart of the Old city and a couple outside of it.  The Old City is where you want to be as most things are within walking distance or a short tuk tuk or motorbike ride. No cars are allowed into the city, so you’ll get in by tuk tuk.

The City Palace once lived in by the royal family, has a wing where the royal family still resides. The palace was one of my favorite gems of Udaipur, with its intricate history and stunningly designed rooms upon rooms of royal artwork and historical artifacts of bygone royal times. There is even a tree that grows out of the palace! Check out the miniature painting collection– it is intense and exquisite. A must see!

Overlooking Lake Pichola and the serene Jag Mandir are iconic landmarks. Boat rides on the lake provide a picturesque view of the city’s architectural splendor. Check out the intricate stone carvings of Jagdeesh temple – you cannot miss it as it sits in the center of the old city and explore the lines of souvenir shops in the neighborhood.  Take in the unique and brightly colored cultural performance at Lok Dharohar .  It feels like a community theater performance and it is so entertaining– I loved it.  Additionally, Udaipur has another Karni Mata temple , although the sacred rats are in a cage.

If you want to do some volunteering for a good cause, plan a few extra days to visit or volunteer at Animal Aid Unlimited. They are a sanctuary that rescues mistreated animals in Udaipur and their residences range from donkeys to cows, goats, dogs and more! They are a large facility with a big staff and the family that founded the non-profit organization still works there. They gladly accept volunteers and do tours of their facilities. they are located about 20 minutes outside of the old city and you can get there by tuktuk and do more sightseeing along the way! I visited there and took a tour.  If I had more time, I would love to volunteer.

Check out my Udaipur travel guide for more. There’s so much more to do .. these are just some of the highlights.

Tip: Definitely hire a tour guide to explore the city palace as they are quite knowlegeable and can move you through the wings quickly. It is a beheamoth palace with ongoing rooms. Arrive at opening as it gets crowded by late morning.

5. Jaisalmer – The Golden City & its Desert Life

Jaisalmer is located in the heart of the Thar Desert , and it is renowned for its sandy hued architecture. I really enjoyed it. If you’re looking for a desert community this is it!  It is the top spot that travelers visit to experience sand dunes and unfortunately, camel safaris which are a big form of entertainment despite animal exploitation. Otherwise the culture itself is quite beautiful.

The Jaisalmer Fort is a living fort which sits above Jaisalmer city. You cannot miss it. The markets within it, crafts shops and the intricately carved haveli architecture, such as Salim Singh Ki Haveli, showcase the city’s artistic brilliance in a sandstone like texture. I found it beautiful and unfortunately, I only had an afternoon in it, but you can spend longer.

Also, the Thar Desert  offer a mesmerizing desert experience. Waves and waves of sand dunes cascade into the desert and you can even camp there.

I stayed at the Shahi Palace Hotel , a family owned haveli outside the walls of Jaisalmer Fort. The rooftop has a romantic view at night of Jaisalmer city below and the lit up fort towering over the city.

Alternatives to Jaisalmer : if you’re not into riding camels because it’s cruel exploitation, then doing a jeep safari tour in Osian or a leopard safari in Jawai Bandh are sustainable alternatives. Just research your operator to make sure they are ethical where wildlife treatment is concerned.

Here’s 30 responsible tips to shed a guideline

6. Jodhpur – The Blue City

Jodhpur , known as the Blue City, captivates with its azure-painted houses and the towering Mehrangarh Fort.   This is one city I have yet to explore – I only passed by it to get to Jodhpur station to catch my train. I’ve  heard mixed reviews about it. The blue houses are the main draw for travelers, but they are only a small neighborhood of the city.

Aside from the fort, top attractions are Jaswant Thada, a marble cenotaph, and the busy Sardar Market. There’s even stepwells tucked away and it’s ideal to hire a tour guide to lead you through or you can explore it and get lost on your own.

Alternatives to Jodhpur:  Osian and Bishnoi Village make great day trips if you’re looking for hidden gems. At Osian, you can do a jeep safari in the desert and visit village. At Bishnoi Village, they live harmonious with the wildlife surrounding their village and you can take a safari there as well.

Wanna join a my India group trip or make it a private tour ? Dive into local culture, food and off-beaten-path gems without the stress

An 8-day rajasthan roadtrip itinerary.

Delhi – Jaipur – Bikaner- Deshnok – Bikaner – Jaisalmer – Jodhpur

Day 1 & 2: Delhi to Jaipur – A Royal Beginning

Our Rajasthan road trip itinerary starts in India’s capital of Delhi , but we’re leaving it to head towards the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur.   Buckle up for a 5-6 hour dive. Known for its splendid palaces, bustling markets, and colorful streets, Jaipur is a blend of tradition and modernity.  Jaipur, with its iconic Hawa Mahal, Red Fort and City Palace , set the tone for a royal adventure. The narrow lanes of the old city, are vibrant with local markets and culture.

Side trips: On your way to Jaipur, take a side trip to the famous Chand Baori Stepwell in Abhaneri. This ancient architectural marvel, with its intricate steps and geometric patterns, is a testament to the engineering prowess of ancient India

Another side trip is Ranthambore to do a tiger safari at the Rathambore

Wanna join a my India group trip or make it a private tour? Dive into local culture, food and off-beaten-path gems without the stress

Day 3: jaipur to bikaner – of forts and temples.

Leaving the Pink City behind, our Rajasthan road trip itinerary ventures northwest towards Bikaner. This desert city is famous for the Junagarh Fort, a remarkable structure that showcases a fusion of Mughal and Rajput architectural styles. Bikaner also houses the Karni Mata Temple in Deshnok , home to thousands of rats considered sacred by devotees. The temple is devoted to the 15th century goddess and is really in the small village of Deshnok outside of Bikaner. It is fun if you like odd things like me, but it’s not for those squeamish with mice as they roam the grounds freely.

The city’s local markets, characterized by narrow lanes and vibrant shops, offer a chance to explore Rajasthani handicrafts and indulge in some souvenir shopping. Bikaner’s unique charm lies in its well-preserved heritage and the warm hospitality of its people.

Day 4: Bikaner to Jaisalmer – Into the Golden Horizon

As we journey further west, the landscape transitions to the golden hues of the Thar Desert, leading us to Jaisalmer . The ‘Golden City’ is renowned for its stunning Jaisalmer Fort, a living fort with a bustling market and intricately carved havelis. The Sam Sand Dunes , just outside the city, beckon with a desert dune experience with breathtaking sunset views.

Exploring Jaisalmer offers insights into the Rajasthani way of life, with its rich cultural heritage and traditional architecture. Inside Jaisalmer Fort, the city’s narrow lanes are lined with havelis, and artist crafts shops, adding to the special character of this desert gem.

Day 5: Jaisalmer Sightseeing – Sand Dunes

A full day in Jaisalmer allows for a deeper exploration of its cultural treasures. Gadisar Lake, surrounded by temples and ghats, offers a serene escape. The Desert Cultural Centre provides a glimpse into the region’s artistic and historical legacy. As the day draws to a close, the Sam Sand Dunes invite you to witness the magical colors of the desert at sunset, an experience that will stay etched in your memory .

Day 6 & 7: Jaisalmer to Jodhpur – The Blue City Beckons

Heading south, our Rajasthan road trip itinerary takes us to Jodhpur , the ‘Blue City,’ known for its blue-hued houses and towering Mehrangarh Fort . In actuality, the blue colored houses are in a small section of Jodhpur and not the entire sprawl.

But it still offers a unique charm. The Jaswant Thada, a marble cenotaph near the fort, adds to the city’s architectural grandeur.

The bustling Sardar Market offers a variety of local handicrafts, spices, and textiles. Jodhpur’s distinct character lies in its vibrant streets, adorned with shades of blue and bustling with the energy of daily life.

Jodhpur Side Trip: Bishnoi Village and Osian

For an alternative experience of Jodhpur and if you’re into rural Rajasthan and an informal safari,  visit the Bishnoi Village to experience a trraditional pottery community coexisting harmoniously with the neighboring wildlife in the area. Safaris are offered there and you can do a village stay.

Osian is another substitute for desert safaris. Jaisalmer is the hotspot for desert safaris and many of them are camel safaris, which I do not endorse as it is difficult to know which safari treats their camels well. Osian offers a desert dune and village experience and you can take 4×4 jeeps to them.

Day 8: Jodhpur to Delhi

The journey back to Delhi, we can take the overnight Indian train .

Rajasthan roadtrip : What to Expect of Highways and Roads

It’s hot and dry: Rajasthan, being Northern India, is shrouded mostly in desert .  Sand, dry heat, arid landscape,  rural farming … and camels. The Indian highway is more interesting than western highways. There doesn’t seem to be any rules as to what can be on it. Bicycles, farm carts and tractors… It’s common to see camels pull farm carts here, as well as pedestrian traffic walking on the side of the road.

It’s colorful: T an women in bright colored saris balance huge straw baskets or metal pots on their heads after coming from their farming work. Sometimes, they carry water jugs after having come from a well.

It can be noisy : If you haven’t heard the noise pollution in Indias cities yet, then let me spill it– there’s a lot of honking! The honk is the rule of India driving. You’ll see hand-painted “Blow Horn” signs on the back of many trucks. The reason is that honking alerts fellow drivers, rickshaw drivers, bike riders, pedestrians, cows, etc… that someone is coming up behind you and will pass. It’s like saying to someone- “Hey you, I’m going to crash into you if you don’t turn around.” This is the one courtesy rule of driving in India.

Personal side note of Getting Scammed in Delhi

Reflecting back on what I originally wrote here in 2008 on my first trip to India, when my friends and I were suckered to take a scam tour…  I call it a scam tour because it is a common scam in Delhi …. redirection .  We  were taken to a fake “Delhi tourism office” and sold a tour that was an upsell of one we had planned ourselves, but the quality was bland, mediocre and didn’t justify the money we paid. We were naive and feeling vulnerable, as strangers to India. We second guessed ourselves.  But the operator did give us a tour with a driver that was occasionally our guide, a small and worn Tata car and hotels. The quality was bland but decent and only at times, uncomfortable. But the price tag was higher than it should’ve been for four of us and no extras were included, like guide tours, entrance fees or activities. It was bare bones. Additionally, we were taken to many shops that gave our operator – or driver (it wasn’t quite clear at times)- commission kickbacks for bringing us.

Friendship dynamics

Additionally, we were four “friends” who only knew each other through one point-of-contact friend “Margaret”. So we were all meeting each other for the first time and were in different places in our travel experience, career and budgets. Of course, there’s different friendship dynamics at play. My friend Margaret and I worked on the trip planning and it was a backpacker’s itinerary. Regina was also from Hawaii but more of an independent and experienced traveler and joined us for parts of the trip, because she had already been to India. Dan, was joining us in India but he required more comfort; backpacking was not his style and wanted nice hotels.  Ultimately, you can guess how the vote swung.

The desert landscape and passing villages are a blur and while I am excited about the newness of this all, I DO spend half of the time sleeping sandwiched between another body and the door, with my ass pinched tight into the back of a little Tata car. Shitty idea to take this scammy tour. I can’t help but feel annoyance and regret for not having voiced my dislike in a stronger way. It grates on me. Lesson learned.

No one wants to outright admit it for fear of feeling stupid, but  we’ve been scammed into taking an Indian tour  we didn’t want or need. We bought a tour from one of those scam tour agencies you read about in traveler forums. Having a driver was supposed to lend more time and freedom to our sightseeing. It doesn’t feel that way. Four people in a small Tata car is not comfortable. Myself, Regina and Dan (the biggest and tallest of the group) co-mingle sweat in a cramped backseat, while tiny Margaret assigns the luxury of the front seat with the air-conditioner. Time and freedom was Margaret and Dan’s push for the tour package over the local trains we planned to take. No freedom. No breathing room to roam.

Time? It’s been hours and I’ve been my ass has been welded one position. Why don’t we rotate? No one speaks up. I infuriate myself further by not speaking up… a truly useless Asian habit. Either way, Margaret is Kul’s favorite, so it feels a little safe to keep her there, as we don’t know if Kul is trustworthy or if he’ll be the future aid to more scams . I certainly don’t trust him right now.

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HOW TO PLAN THE ULTIMATE RAJASTHAN ROAD TRIP

If you’re travelling to India for the first time, chances are that you’ll spend some time in Rajasthan. Which would be a pretty good choice considering its easy access from Delhi, the incredible cultural sights on offer and, of course, the sublime food.

Travelling between the various sights can be done extremely cheaply using a combination of trains, buses and local taxis. Which is fine if you’ve got plenty of time to spare and don’t mind the hassles that come with such a strategy. But, like us, if you’re visiting in April, when the temperatures regularly top 40 degrees Celcius, you might want to opt for something a little more comfortable. Where all your energy is reserved for exploring the actual sites rather than negotiating the sometimes large distances between them.

Which is where a Rajasthan road trip with a car and driver arrangement comes in mightily handy.

After something of a false start with another company, we booked a car with Shafi at Invicta Tour & Travel , a small tour company based in Delhi who we’d met while staying in the city. As a result, we were able to pack in so much of Rajasthan over a relatively short space of time. Add to that the benefit of glorious air-conditioning and it really was something of a no-brainer for us.

The “false start” by the way was because we spent our first two days with another company, whose driver was so indifferent to our requests that we decided to cut our losses (in other words, our deposit) and quit before we were due to pay the full amount. Thankfully Shafi was only too willing to get one of his drivers out to us in Jaipur the following morning. We could pay him when we returned to Delhi in a fortnight. And “Bumpi” (quite possibly not his real name) turned out to be a star.

So, let’s get to it. Here’s how to plan a 16-day Rajasthan road trip. The comfortable way.

Note: We received no discounts or incentives of any kind from Invicta Tour & Travel for writing this article. Any recommendations we make are based on our genuine experiences and opinions.

• Kumbhalgarh

Your Rajasthan road trip itinerary

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OK, before you start Googling “Is Agra in Rajasthan?” (which it isn’t), if you’re on the way there from Delhi you really shouldn’t miss the opportunity to see the city’s crowning glory – the Taj Mahal – in all its marble over-the-top glory. Especially as it’s just a three-hour drive.

In fact, there are two other reasons for going. One is the tomb of  Itmad-ud-Daula  (or “Baby Taj”), which was built five years BEFORE its famous big brother and is reputedly the source of the latter’s inspiration. And the other is Agra Fort , home to the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638.

For most cities, they would represent sufficient reason for travelling there on their own. But then, Agra is no normal city. Almost as an antidote to the grinding ugliness of the city itself, the white marble dome of the iconic Taj Mahal rises from the scrubland that surrounds it. Read up on the background to it – how the Mughal Emperor had it built as a mausoleum for the love of his life, his wife, Mumtaz Mahal – and I dare you not be transfixed by the power of its beauty. Stick around, too for late afternoon when the sun is low and the white marble takes on warm hues of orange and yellow.

You’ll need to stay overnight before you move on. The Coral Tree Homestay  – a family-run guesthouse with lovely, clean and quiet rooms, would be our choice.

Four hours from Agra, the city of Jaipur is our first port of call in Rajasthan proper. It’s the state’s capital and is known as The Pink City because of the colour of its buildings.

We loved it here, particularly in the company of our ubiquitous rickshaw driver, Gopal , who took us on a whirlwind tour of his city that will remain imprinted in our memories. If you’ve got time to spend a day or two, seek him out and let him show you what true Indian hospitality is all about. Contact details in our post .

So what’s to see? Well, there’s the City Palace – home of the Maharaja of Jaipur. Then there’s Hawa Mahal  (also known as the “Palace of Winds” or “Palace of Breeze”) – a spectacular multi-storeyed pink facade with a staggering 950 windows built for the sole purpose of allowing female members of the royal household to watch festivals in the street below without being seen. They clearly hadn’t thought about curtains back then.

Perhaps best of all is the immense  Amer Fort , about 11km out of town and   perched imposingly on the top of a ridge overlooking the valley below. You certainly won’t be alone, but you might very well be the only non-Indian there.

Next stop is Bundi, a three-hour drive south of Jaipur and a place not featured as one of the major tourist destinations of Rajasthan. But we reckon you shouldn’t miss it, and not just because it comes without many of the hassles you might encounter in some of its larger, brasher neighbours.

Here the pace is as slow as it gets. You get the impression that this is a part of Rajasthan that hasn’t suffered from the expansion of urban sprawl that’s blighted many other parts of the state. Consequently, it still has the feel of a small market town about it. And, for the visitor, it’s all the better for it.

Across from its centrepiece green lake, narrow streets filled with colourful, sometimes crumbling buildings lead up to the hilltop Palace – which nowadays is something of a shell, but a fascinating visit nonetheless. Indeed, Kipling described it as “the work of goblins rather than of men”.

Two particular recommendations.  I had possibly the best plate of food of our entire trip to India at the Lake View Garden Restaurant. It’s a small family-run cafe on the river bank and their Rajasthan Thali  is a work of art! Secondly, for an inexpensive good night’s sleep try Shivam Guest House, just up the road from Lake View. And, if you’ve got the time, ask one of the ladies of the family to decorate you with a henna tattoo.

Next, it’s a four-hour drive back north to the ancient pilgrimage site of Pushkar. Like Bundi, it too has a lake. But that’s where the similarity ends.

Pushkar is a holy city and its centrepiece lake is a sacred Hindu site, said to be consecrated to Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe. As a result, the city has an eclectic mix of locals, Hindu pilgrims and backpacking tourists who flock here to enjoy the mysticism. That and the occasional bhang lassi .

It’s all a bit commercialised if I’m honest, and the lake area has its fair share of scammers on the lookout for unwary travellers. But you can’t really travel to Rajasthan and not spend at least one night here. And, if you’re up for a challenge in 40-degree heat, there’s a great walk up to the hilltop Savitri Mantra Temple, which provides panoramic views of the city and lake below. Just don’t try it after early morning.

Also known as the  City of Lakes , the city is set around a series of artificial lakes.  Its centrepiece attraction is the  City Palace , which is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan. And it really is a stunning place to just wander around. If we had to recommend just one palace in Rajasthan to see it would be this one.

In fact, James Bond himself (in the shape of Roger Moore) stayed here for a few months while filming “Octopussy” – not one of the great Bond films but it did feature a famous chase scene on Lake Pichola.

Probably the most photographed image of Udaipur, however, is that of  Jag Mandir,  the Lake Garden Palace set on an island in the middle of Lake Pichola. Built in the 16th Century, it was a summer resort for the Royals, but nowadays it’s a luxury hotel. In fact, the city has some of the most renowned and expensive hotels in the country if you fancy a splurge, such as The Taj Lake Palace , Leela Palace Udaipur and the Oberoi Udaivillas.

Otherwise, we’d recommend Sun Heritage Home , a lovely haveli and without a doubt our favourite accommodation in Rajasthan. Super-clean, bright, modern room, quiet location and comfy bed – what more do you want from a room in India?

It was also in Udaipur that Bumpi introduced us to the Kachori for breakfast. A deep-fried pastry served with spicy curry sauce and a mint relish, all from the comfort of a metal bench on the side of the road, next to a van with a couple of large pots billowing steam into the morning air. “Just one should be enough,” announced Bumpi. Naturally, I had three.

6. Ranakpur

Next, you’ll be heading north towards the Blue City of Jodhpur. But before you get there you absolutely MUST visit two outstanding sites along the way.

The first is in the otherwise nondescript town of Ranakpur. The only reason to visit is for the stunning Jain temple with its 1400-plus intricately carved marble pillars. We’re not exactly architecture buffs but they’re a truly magnificent sight – and no two pillars are the same. In addition, there are also exquisite sculptures and the sublime carvings of the ceilings to admire.

It’s only open to foreigners between 12 noon and 5 pm, and shoes aren’t allowed inside the temple so bring along socks. For a 200 rupee entry fee (plus 100 rupees for a camera) you get an audio tour, which also deters the men in there who will approach you and ask for further ‘donations’.

Because of the afternoon-only access, you’ll need an overnight stop. To be honest, there isn’t a great choice of accommodation but, for what it’s worth, we stayed at Roopam Resort , which was fine for a quiet night’s sleep.

7. Kumbhalgarh

Just an hour’s drive from Ranakpur is one of the great under-visited sites in Rajasthan – the awesome Kumbhalgarh Fort. Now, you might at this point be forgiven for thinking that Rajasthan is just one long procession of forts, palaces and temples. And it’s true that if wandering around in 40-degree heat gawping at historic buildings doesn’t fire your imagination then you might well be suffering culture burn out by this time. But just hold on if you can as you’re about to explore possibly our favourite place in Rajasthan.

Not only is Kumbhalgarh a Unesco World Heritage site, it’s also the second largest fort in Rajasthan. At the top, the views of the surrounding Aravalli Range and the perimeter walls that snake 36km (22miles) into the Thar Desert are magnificent. And once you’ve explored the fort itself don’t miss the opportunity to see the Jain temple (at the right of the complex entrance) and to take a walk along the ramparts of the wall.

Probably due to its location, Kumbhalgarh is not really on the Golden Triangle must-see list for tourists, so you’re not likely to see many non-Indian visitors. As a result, we found ourselves being regularly stopped by curious Indian tourists who wanted to have selfies taken with us. And, to be fair, they were universally polite about it so we were only too happy to oblige.

Bumpi’s recommendation that we stay over in Ranakpur and then explore Kumbhalgarh the following morning, before the heat of the day kicked in, was a smart one, too.

Jodhpur is a four-hour drive from Kumbhalgarh and is Rajasthan’s second-largest city. Like Bundi, it features many houses that are painted blue to keep them cool in the scorching desert heat.

And, in keeping with other cities in Rajasthan, it has its own stunning fort  but it also has a historic centre laced with narrow medieval streets and bazaars. So, if you really do want to have a culture-free day off then this is perhaps the perfect place to do it. Just be aware, though, it’s quite easy to get lost!

To be honest, we didn’t spend more than a night here as we treated it as a temporary stop en route to Jaisalmer. But, thanks to Bumpi, we did get to sample another local breakfast – this time a bread omelette at a road-side food stall consisting of one man, a converted rickshaw and a mountain of eggs. The bread omelette, as the name suggests, was more like a huge piece of French Toast. Suffice to say, our morning hunger pangs were eliminated in an instant.

9. Jaisalmer

Known as The Golden City , it lies in the heart of the Thar Desert and was Nicky’s favourite Rajasthan destination when she first visited India nearly 25 years ago . Back then, Jaisalmer Fort would seemingly rise from out of the sand like a mirage, but nowadays the city has become something of a sprawl. Still, it’s not hard to imagine how the medieval traders must have viewed it as they approached the city from the desert.

The drive from Jodhpur is a good six hours and there’s not a lot to see along the way. We stayed outside of the city walls at The Silk Route Hotel , and then just wandered into the citadel on foot. Newly built, the hotel is clean and comfortable and the rooftop restaurant area has great views of the fort.

However if your budget allows, it could be well worth paying the extra and finding a room in one of the many beautiful  havelis within the living, breathing fort walls. Here, you could immerse yourself into local life, wandering through the narrow streets and holding your nerve as your squeeze politely past one of the resident holy cows.  In fact, one of the pleasures of a visit to Jaisalmer is just getting lost in the maze of the fort and gazing up at the beautifully carved facades of the many Brahmin houses and Jain temples.

Elsewhere in the city, we gave the Maharaja’s Palace  a miss.  Having visited the beautiful City Palace in Udaipur, we didn’t feel this would offer us anything more.

Jaisalmer is also a base for taking a camel safari into the Thar Desert. We’d originally planned on doing this, but as the mercury was heading towards 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) we thought it wise to skip that, too. But Nicky has fond memories of her safari back in 1993 and assures me the night sky in the desert is something to behold.

10. Bikaner

Bikaner is another six-hour journey from Jaisalmer en route back towards Delhi. Once again it’s a city with palaces and a fort. But that wasn’t the reason for us being there. We’d heard about the shrine of Karni Mata , about 30 kilometres out of town, with its resident population of some 25,000 black rats. It sounded like some nightmarish destination for people with a weird desire to experience something different. So, of course, we had to go.

Fiendishly nicknamed The Rat Temple , it’s a visit that’s not for the squeamish.  The rodents are revered and have full run of the temple. Bearing in mind that you have to leave your shoes outside, you need to accept that you’re likely at some point to have at least one rat scurry over your bare feet – probably on its way to join its mates over a bowl of milk, as depicted in our header photograph above.

Pilgrims come from miles around to pay their respects, but we were noticeably the only foreigners there on the day we visited. And we were quickly invited to join an Indian family who’d made the journey from Mumbai, and who were there to be blessed.

So why the rats? Legend has it that Karni Mata’s stepson drowned in a pond and he implored Yama –  the God of Death – to revive him. The reluctant Yama eventually agreed, but with the proviso that all Karni Mata’s male children were to be reincarnated as rats. So now you know.

11. Mandawa

Before returning to Delhi there’s one last stop for an overnight stay. Mandawa, and indeed the region as a whole, is famous for its beautiful havelis  (mansions) and their painted walls. They came about as wealthy merchants of the past built themselves opulent homes on the back of booming trade which passed through the region from the likes of China and the Middle East.

Most of them are now abandoned but you can still get a sense of its bygone era from the beautifully coloured paintings that adorn the walls. A local guide took us on a short walking tour to some of the best havelis where, for some baksheesh (or tip), we could enter and lose ourselves in the intricately decorated interiors.

Best of all, we stayed in one that had been renovated as a hotel – the Heritage Mandawa . In fact, as April is considered out of season we managed to secure a lovely suite for a good discount.

There’s no doubt that it would have taken us much longer to get around without Bumpi and our air-conditioned car, so it was worth it for that fact alone. However, Bumpi came into his own when the subject of food reared its head. We’d explained to him from the outset that we didn’t want to eat in tourist restaurants but that we’d be happy to remain in his hands when it came to making food choices.

And so it was that breakfast at roadside stalls became the norm, along with lunch at restaurants in the middle of nowhere and afternoon snacks from wherever he spotted there might be something different to try. Such as stopping in a village he knew between Jodhpur and Jaisalmer to pick up some spicy lentil pakoras. That was after he’d jumped out to check they’d been freshly cooked of course. And then we ate them in the back of the car wrapped in newspaper as we headed back on the road towards Jaisalmer. Proper Rajasthani food.

In fact, we ate mostly vegetarian food throughout our Rajasthan trip and we absolutely loved it. From Daal Makhani  (lentils) to Aubergine and Spinach Curry to Paneer Masala (Cheese Curry) and Corn Methiwala (Sweetcorn in a Spicy Fenugreek Sauce), it was a spice-filled vegetarian marriage made in heaven. Unless there was Lal Maas (Lamb in a Spicy, Sour Curry) on the menu – a Rajasthani dish for serious chilli-heads like myself!

Overall, our 15-night/16-day road trip seemed about the right length. Because we were travelling by car we were able to time our sightseeing better and so we didn’t suffer “wasted days” trying to get from A to B.

To give you a sense of how long to stay in each place I’ve broken down our itinerary for you….

Day 1 Travel from Delhi to AGRA   See Baby Taj, Agra Fort   Overnight The Coral Tree Homestay (recommended)

Day 2 See Taj Mahal   Travel from Agra to JAIPUR   Overnight Umaid Bhawan Hotel

Day 3 See City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jaipur by rickshaw   Overnight Umaid Bhawan Hotel

Day 4 See Amer Fort   Overnight Umaid Bhawan Hotel

Day 5 Travel from Jaipur to BUNDI   See Bundi Palace, the lake, Bundi by foot   Overnight Shivam Guest House (recommended)

Day 6 Travel from Bundi to PUSHKAR   See Pushkar Lake and its ghats   Overnight Sajjan Bagh Heritage Home

Day 7 See Savitri Mantra Temple, Pushkar by foot   Overnight  Sajjan Bagh Heritage Home

Day 8 Travel from Pushkar to UDAIPUR   See City Palace   Overnight Sun Heritage Homestay (recommended)

Day 9 See Udaipur by foot   Overnight Sun Heritage Homestay

Day 10 Travel from Udaipur to RANAKPUR   See Jain Temple   Overnight Roopam Resort

Day 11 Travel from Ranakpur to JODHPUR   See Kumbhalgarh Fort (en route), Mehrangarh Fort (Jodhpur) Overnight  Krishner Prakash

Day 12 Travel from Jodhpur to JAISALMER   Overnight Silk Route Hotel (recommended)

Day 13 See Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer by foot   Overnight Silk Route Hotel

Day 14 Travel from Jaisalmer to BIKANER   Overnight Chandra Niwas Guest House

Day 15 Travel from Bikaner to MANDAWA (via Deshnoke)   See Karni Mata Temple, Mandawa havelis   Overnight Heritage Mandawa Hotel (recommended)

Day 16 Travel from Mandawa back to DELHI

You would be really pushing it if you tried to do the trip any quicker. Perhaps one night less in Jaipur if you were really pushed? But, even though you’re travelling in relative comfort, the distances involved can still make the journey tiring. And, of course, you need to factor in the energy-sapping heat of the semi-desert and desert environment as you make your way around the various sites.

On the other hand, you could easily extend the trip to take in additional places such as Chittorgarh , Mount Abu and perhaps a night under canvas in the desert as part of a camel safari near Jaisalmer.

But whatever you decide, pick your tour company carefully as there are plenty willing to help you part with your cash. Once again, based on our experience we can thoroughly recommend Shafi at Invicta Tour & Travels . And if you’re in Delhi before your road trip then you could do worse than pop in to see him at his small office in Pahaar Ganj.

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THANKS FOR READING

Hi, we're Ian and Nicky, an English couple on a voyage of discovery around the world, and this blog is designed to reflect what we see, think and do. Actually, we'd like to think it also provides information, entertainment and inspiration for other “mature” travellers, too. So please feel free to pour yourself a glass of something suitably chilled and take a look around.

27 Comments

Hey! It’s an amazing post. And the pictures are lovely. It’s the best one can do in Rajasthan to explore its beauty and culture. Thanks so much for sharing this.

Great article. Very nicely written and the images are just amazing. I have seen this story of rat temple before on National Geographic that was quite interesting. Thanks for sharing such an amazing article. Cheers!!!

Thanks for the kind words and glad you enjoyed it, Ubaid Shaikh! I’m not sure I’ll ever see something quite as unique as the Rat Temple again!

I love this itinerary! Years ago we took a whirlwind 16-day trip from Mumbai to Darjeeling and didn’t get to spend very much time at all in Rajasthan. Only saw Jaipur. I’d love to return and see all of the places on your itinerary. Looks like an amazing trip!

Thanks Sarah. I’ve always wanted to visit Darjeeling…another one on the list! India is just huge, so it’s just an excuse for us all to go back heh?!

Great itinerary! Bookmarking for our upcoming India trip. Agra and Jaipur were on the list but now we have so many new places to add to our must-visit list. Thank you for sharing.

I know you guys are going to love India! Have a great time!

We are headed to India early next year and Rajasthan is already high on the list! This guide is great though, the Rat temple fills me with horror but may have to take a look! The Jain Temple also looks fantastic, those columns are beautiful. Hope you guys are holding up against Irma in the BVI, sending you lots of good karma. Thanks for sharing your Rajasthan adventures.

If you’re going earlier in the year the weather might be a bit more manageable, too! Thanks for your comment, Sarah, and your good wishes about BVI. We’ve actually managed to get off the island ahead of Hurricane Maria – difficult to put into words how the experience has affected us – but I’ll try and do so in a post over the next few days

Awesome post! This is exactly where I want to go in India and I didn’t think it could be done in 16 days! I also never thought about renting a car. I bet that’s a lot safer, especially if you wanna do it solo.

Yes it’s perfect from a safety perspective, and you save so much time doing it with your own driver, rather than waiting around for buses and trains! Glad you enjoyed it!

What a comprehensive guide! I love reading about such exotic places. And haha I did almost go to type in ‘wait is Agra in Rajasthan’ after your first sentence hahahaha. Your pics are beautiful too, really enjoyed this!

Haha! We saved you the bother of googling it. So glad you enjoyed it, thank you so much for your comment

Rajasthan was my favorite part of a two week northern India trip I did a few years ago and I’ve always wanted to go back and explore more. Your guide is amazing! I would love to see Pushkar and Udaipur. They look incredible.

Thank you! We headed north on a different trip too! Isn’t India beautiful?! Pushkar is a shoppers paradise, so if you go, be prepared to take an extra empty backpack!

This is such an amazing, complete guide! Definitely going to use this if I ever find myself in India 🙂

Thank you for reading and for your comment! Fingers crossed you get to use it as India is a beautiful country!

This was fantastic! I seriously needed this itinerary. I’m not quite ready for my India trip yet, maybe next year, but this was a totally awesome and helpful read. I hadn’t even considered the idea of hiring a driver. I figured the only safe way for me to visit India was on a tour. Very cool. Can you advise roughly what the cost of the driver is? Thanks so much for all the tips!

Thank you! I seriously hope you get to use it, and yes, getting a car and driver would be great from a security point of view too. Invicta Travels who we used have lots of solo and female travellers as repeat customers because of that. With regards to cost, it would totally depend on where and when you go, and of course which company you choose. Get in touch with Shafi at Invicta and ask for a quote! And please tell him we sent you! Ours was around $35 per day including a generous tip for our excellent driver at the end.

India has been on my list for soooo long. This country must be amazing and besides that I do love Indian food. I found your itinerary really helpful. If I am ever going to India your post will definitely give me orientation of where to go. Thank you so much for sharing.

Claudia if you love Indian food, you will have a great trip! It’s so rich in its diversity…thank you so much for reading and commenting!

I lived in Jodhpur for three months and visited many of these amazing places. This is all excellent advice, and beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing!

Thank you for reading and commenting! We wished we’d had more time in Jodhpur to be honest, it felt like we’d just scratched the surface really!

Such a great guide! I’m going to Indore for a wedding in January and feel overwhelmed with the possibilities. This itinerary looks like it would be really great though 🙂

Rosalie, let us know if we can help with your itinerary, India can be overwhelming, but pm us if if you need advice

This would be the ultimate road trip! Was planning to go to India a couple months ago but cancelled as didnt think I would be able to handle the heat, this itinerary makes me wish I went. Your photos are amazing

I so wish you’d done it! I was pretty embarrassed at first to not do public transport, but honestly, in that heat, it’s justified! Thank you for commenting

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• Rajasthan Road Trip: A Detailed Guide Curated By Travel Experts

10 Apr 2023

Road-tripping through Rajasthan, the land of mystical beauty and vibrant culture is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure most people earmark to celebrate a big milestone in their life. Often associated with desert landscapes and majestic palaces, this northwestern Indian state has much more to offer than just its famous landmarks. From luxurious hotels and spas to underrated cities and towns, a treasure trove of unique experiences is waiting to be discovered on your next Rajasthan road trip.

So pack your bags, grab your camera and get ready for an adventure that will take your taste buds for a ride. The back roads of Rajasthan are waiting to be explored, offering an unforgettable journey through this wild and wonderful part of India.

Rajasthan Road Trip From Major Cities

Combining all the short and long road trips you can take between the major cities, here’s more information on the most popular routes for a Rajasthan road trip:

1. Udaipur to Pushkar

Image Credit: Sudev Kiyada for Unsplash

At an elevation of 510 meters, Pushkar boasts a unique topography, surrounded by stunning hillocks on three sides. The legendary Nag Pahar, or Snake Mountain, forms a natural border between the cities of Ajmer and Pushkar, adding to the enchanting mystique of this ancient city.

Distance by road: Approximately 300 km Time taken to travel by road: About 6 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions Best hotels in Pushkar: Pushkar Palace, Ananta Spa & Resort, Dera Masuda, Bhanwar Singh Palace

67 Places To Visit In Rajasthan: Get A Glimpse Of Rajputana Splendor In 2023

2. Chittorgarh to Kumbhalgarh

Image Credit: Shail Sharma for Unsplash

Discover the grandeur and majesty of Kumbhalgarh, a charming small town situated on the breathtaking western range of Aravalli Hills, near the city of Udaipur. This hidden gem is renowned for its crown jewel, the awe-inspiring Kumbhalgarh Qila, one of the largest and most impressive forts in the country. This architectural wonder is truly a sight to behold, and it’s no wonder that it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Distance by road: Approximately 125 km Time taken to travel by road: About 3 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions Best hotels in Kumbhalgarh: The Aodhi, Fateh Safari Lodge, Kumbhalgarh Fort Hotel, Club Mahindra Kumbhalgarh

3. Udaipur to Mount Abu

Image Credit: Romi Kalathiya for Unsplash

Escape the desert heat and bask in the cool mountain air of Rajasthan’s only hill station, the enchanting Mount Abu. Situated at an elevation of 1,220 meters in the breathtaking Aravali Mountains, this must-visit destination is a favourite among travellers seeking respite from the scorching sun.

Distance by road: Approximately 165 km Time taken to travel by road: About 3.5 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions Best hotels in Mount Abu: The Colonial Manek Manor, Cama Rajputana Club Resort, Hotel Hillock, Palace Hotel (Bikaner House)

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4. Jaipur to Ranthambore

Image Credit: Yash Gupta for Unsplash

As one of the largest and most famous national parks in the region, Ranthambore boasts an array of unforgettable experiences for visitors to savour. From spotting elusive tigers on a thrilling safari to hiking through the park’s lush, verdant terrain, there is no shortage of excitement and wonder to be found here. Once a favoured hunting ground of the Maharajas of Jaipur, Ranthambore has since been transformed into a major wildlife attraction that draws photographers and nature lovers from all over the globe.

Distance by road: Approximately 180 km Time taken to travel by road: About 4 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions Best hotels in Ranthambore: The Oberoi Vanyavilas, Aman-i-Khas, Ranthambore Regency, Nahargarh Ranthambhore

5. Jaipur to Alwar

Located just a stone’s throw away from both Delhi and Jaipur, this vibrant hub is a must-visit destination for any traveller exploring the region. At an elevation of 268 meters, Alwar boasts stunning views of the surrounding landscapes and a charming climate that beckons visitors year-round. As the district headquarters of Alwar District in Rajasthan, this lively city is an important hub for commerce and culture.

Distance by road: Approximately 150 km Time taken to travel by road: About 3 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions Best hotels in Alwar: Neemrana Fort Palace, Lemon Tree Hotel, Alwar Bagh by Aamod, Dadhikar Fort Hotel

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6. Jaisalmer to Jaipur

Image Credit: Dexter Fernandes for Unsplash

Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan, is one of the most iconic destinations for a Rajasthan road trip, with its stunning forts, palaces, and gardens that showcase the state’s rich cultural heritage. Despite being situated in an arid and dry zone, Rajasthan has a diverse and vibrant social culture, and embarking on a road trip through the state’s scenic roadways and highways is a magnificent experience in itself. It is also considered one of the best road trips in Rajasthan.

Distance by road: Approximately 560 km Time taken to travel by road: About 9-10 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions Best hotels in Jaipur: Taj Rambagh Palace, Oberoi Rajvilas, Samode Palace, Jaipur Marriott Hotel

Tips For Rajasthan Road Trip

Image Credit: Sergio Capuzzimati for Unsplash

Remember to keep water and snacks in the car while driving in Rajasthan. While there are plenty of services available for road trippers, there may be stretches of road without these essentials, making the journey feel endless.

To prepare for the possibility of losing signal, it’s recommended to have a paper map of Rajasthan on hand.

It’s important to know who to call in case of a car breakdown, so be sure to have your rental car’s roadside emergency number easily accessible and ask about this service before departing from the rental office.

If you’re taking a road trip during the summer, ensure that your vehicle’s air conditioning is functional before setting off. If you’re travelling during the winter, keep in mind that northern Rajasthan, including cities like Jaipur and Jaisalmer, may experience colder temperatures.

Top 7 National Parks In Rajasthan For A Perfect Safari In 2023

Best Time Of The Year For A Rajasthan Road Trip

Image Credit: Barun Ghosh for Unsplash

If you’re planning a Rajasthan road trip plan, the optimal time to visit is from October to February. During these months, the nighttime temperature drops significantly, while the daytime temperature is moderately low, providing a comfortable and enjoyable experience. Moreover, this period is also when Rajasthan hosts several vibrant and colourful festivals, offering travellers a chance to witness the local culture and traditions.

Whether you want to explore all of Rajasthan on a long trip that covers multiple destinations or simply want to experience a short ride to a beloved city, a Rajasthan road trip is the best way to go. Explore our Rajasthan tour packages to learn more.

For our editorial codes of conduct and copyright disclaimer, please click here .

Frequently Asked Questions About Rajasthan Road Trip

What is the best time to plan a road trip to Rajasthan?

The best time to plan a road trip to Rajasthan is during the winter season from October to March. The weather during this time is pleasant and comfortable, making it ideal for long drives.

What are the must-visit places during a road trip to Rajasthan?

Some of the must-visit places during a road trip to Rajasthan are Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Mount Abu, and Pushkar.

What is the condition of roads in Rajasthan for a road trip?

The condition of roads in Rajasthan varies, with some highways and state roads being well-maintained while some rural roads can be bumpy and uneven. It's important to research the route beforehand and plan accordingly.

Is it safe to take a road trip to Rajasthan?

Yes, it is generally safe to take a road trip to Rajasthan, but it's important to take necessary precautions such as carrying a first aid kit, avoiding driving at night in remote areas, and keeping valuables safe.

What are some of the famous food items to try during a road trip to Rajasthan?

Some of the famous food items to try during a road trip to Rajasthan are dal-bati-churma, gatte ki sabzi, laal maas, ker sangri, and mirchi bada.

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Rajasthan road trip: My journey off the beaten track in India’s most colourful region

We take to the roads of Rajasthan to get under the skin of the local culture.

Besides the glow of flames licking our faces from the fire pit, there are no lights around us for miles save for the constellations above our heads. Every so often, shooting stars streak like silent fireworks across the night sky, distracting me from the task at hand.

Soft, floury dough droops between my fingers as I do my best to mimic our desert-dwelling hosts who swirl and pinch theirs to make chapatis for a starlit dinner.

The camels that ferried us here through the brush and sand of the Thar Desert grunt somewhere out in the darkness enveloping us.

Out there, too, are a clutch of small temples we passed to get here. Places of worship to venerate some of India’s 330 million deities, even here in the remoteness of an inhospitable desert.

I had come to Rajasthan, India’s largest and arguably most vibrant region, in search of authentic Indian experiences, and I was getting them in spades.

Days earlier, I had climbed into the driver's seat of our Mahindra XUV500, a robust Indian-made SUV and our wheels for 10 days. We set out west from New Delhi on an epic 2,000 km road trip to explore the mountains, deserts, hilltop fortresses and palaces that make the region so renowned.

Learning India’s unofficial highway code

Encountering your first cow is part of your initiation to driving in India, I’m told, as I hard brake to a halt. A symbol of prosperity and revered as being sacred, cows always have right of way on the roads.

And this one knows it too, as it stares back at me in a standoff, chewing and nonchalantly blocking my lane as a blur of tuk-tuks, motorbikes and lorries hurtle past the passenger window.

The first of many cows I will meet on the roads around the region (not to mention camels, elephants and goats), this one is putting me on a sharp learning curve. And we haven’t even left the city limits of the capital yet.

Why am I driving? And why in India of all places? I was asked this many times prior to and following my trip and the simple reason is this: because I could. Granted, it wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea, and even I have to admit it’s decidedly the most unorthodox way of seeing the country.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by David Walsh (@davidmwalsh)

With one of the world’s largest railway networks, riding the rails is still regarded as the quintessential way to experience India.

But while the romance of overnight trains and long journeys gazing out on lush landscapes has always appealed, it pales in comparison to having the freedom to set the pace and get off the beaten track.

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I have driven in many places around the world but nothing prepared me for India’s roads - and not in the ways you might expect. Beyond the melee of people, animals and vehicles in its towns and cities, Rajasthan has some of the best modern highways in the vast Indian subcontinent.

Overcoming the butterflies and sweaty palms from navigating the relentless, feverish city traffic, I finally begin to relax as we sail down the open road south to my first stop.

Dubbed the "Pink City" because of the uniform rose paintwork of its old town, now faded to a baked clay red, it is perhaps poetic that we arrive in Jaipur as it prepares to celebrate Holi, the Hindu festival of colours.

The city is said to be the definitive place to celebrate and it’s easy to see why. Alleyways and street corners are like crime scenes, ablaze with splotches of neon purple, green, yellow, turquoise and red on the walls and roads.

Blaring music provides the soundtrack to water flights and drifting, kaleidoscopic clouds of exploding coloured powder. Festivities begin in earnest on the eve of Holi with families gathering to sing and dance around bonfires to ward off evil.

Away from the merriment, the real draw is the sight of my first Rajput fortress. Amber Fort, with its honey-hued battlements, clings to the mountainside, a remnant of an age where power rested with the Maharajas. It is one of many such strongholds and palaces they built around the region to seal their authority and prestige.

There is stiff competition for the most impressive one. In Udaipur, the "City of Lakes," the sprawling waterfront palace complex gives Amber a run for its money, shimmering in the mirrored surface of Lake Pichola as I take in the sheer scale of this gargantuan by boat a few days later.

We save the best until last as we head north from Udaipur to Jodhpur, Rajasthan’s "Blue City," where the impregnable Mehrangarh Fort keeps watch over the sprawling city at its feet.

Whether viewed from on high from the shaded rooms and ramparts of the hilltop fortress or weaving through the tumult at street level, the indigo-washed cubed houses and laneways of Jodhpur’s old city are equally as entrancing.

The majority of Rajasthan’s 73.5 million people don’t live near the cities and railway junctions frequented by tourists. It’s only really when I get off the main routes - leaving the sticky heat, fumes and crowds of the cities behind - that the driving experience really comes into its own.

A turn off the highway takes me onto undulating country lanes which wind and wend their way through hillscapes with protruding peaks like cracked teeth, forests where troops of macaques cavort in low-hanging branches, and eventually the Thar desert where we sit preparing dinner.

In village after village, where India’s rapid pace of change hasn’t yet overtaken tradition, I trail behind men wearing hot pink turbans on motorcycles, their passenger’s sarees catching and fluttering in the wind.

• Fancy a road trip? Here are the companies who'll plan it all for you

In the open countryside, we pass gaggles of devout, barefoot Jain nuns walking purposefully along the roadside, dressed in simple white cloth robes, as well as women with watercarriers or bundles of saplings balanced on their heads.

The novelty of a foreigner in the driving seat is not lost on the locals either, especially the workers in their booths at the many road tolls I pull up to. “Does he have a licence to drive?” one attendant asks my passenger with a bewildered smile.

Savouring yet another surreal encounter, I thank every single one of India’s 330 million gods that I do.

What you need to know about visiting Rajasthan

Getting there.

David flew to India pre-pandemic with KLM which operated daily flights to Delhi from across Europe via its Amsterdam hub.

Self-drive tours in India

While the company that David travelled with originally pre-COVID is no longer operating, there are other companies that are currently offering self-drive itineraries in India.

The Classic India tour by Great Road Journeys offers a 14-day coast-to-coast self-drive itinerary. Prices start from €4,000 per person based on two people sharing an SUV and accommodation.

Being driven around instead

The roads in Rajasthan are well-surfaced, modern and relatively quiet but driving is not for everyone. Being chauffeur-driven takes any potential anxiety away and lets you take in the full experience from the passenger seat.

Cox & Kings offers a 16-day group tour (or private on request) with a similar itinerary around the region. Prices for the Classic Rajasthan tour start at €2,300 per person, including flights, 4 or 5-star accommodation and transfers.

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7 Unforgettable Road Trips of Rajasthan to Add in Your Bucket List

When we visualize Rajasthan, we mostly think about desert, palaces, forts, and the rich culture of the land. Rajasthani cuisine is also one of the many things that are often talked about. If you are a traveloholic, you also know how amazing Rajasthan road trips con get. There are so many great places that you can cover in the road trips. It is up to you to choose the shorter or longer road trips. While traveling across this gorgeous state, you can even consider taking help of Rajasthan road map to travel by road trips. Here are some of the road trips to Rajasthan that you will enjoy thoroughly.

7 Best trips in Rajasthan by road in 2021

• Delhi to Jaipur
• Jaisalmer to Jodhpur
• Udaipur to Pushkar
• Chittorgarh to Kumbhalgarh
• Udaipur to Mount Abu
• Jaipur to Ranthambore
• Jaipur to Alwar

1. Delhi to Jaipur

For your Delhi to Rajasthan road trip, you will start from Delhi and can cover the distance in 5 hours. This road trip to Jaipur is one of the best as you can start from Delhi early in the morning and reach Jaipur before noon. You can cover many of the tourist attractions in the Pink City on the same day. There are various places on the way where you can stop by and have light refreshment. The travelers can also make it a weekend trip and complete a short trip within only two days.

• Distance between Delhi to Jaipur : 281 km
• Places to visit from Delhi to Jaipur:- Pataudi, Neemrana Fort, Bhiwadi, Alwar Fort, Sariska Tiger Reserve (Alwar)
• Best Food Outlets:- Old Rao Dhaba (Bhiwadi) , Haldiram’s at (Rewari), Just Desi, Kotputili Rajasthan, Rtdc Midway Restaurant & Motel Behror

2. Jaisalmer to Jodhpur

A road trip from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur is one of the best. On your way from the golden city to the blue city, you will come across various villages and witness the rural life of Rajasthan. Some of the places that you can visit on this trip include Tanot Mata Temple, Longewala, Pokharan, Khichan, and Osian. Once you reach Jodhpur, you can take a tour of various attractions such as Umaid Bhavan Palace, Jaswant Thada, Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park, Mehrangarh Fort, etc.

• Distance between Jaisalmer to Jodhpur:- 281.3 km
• Places to visit from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur:- Tanot Mata Temple, Longewala, Pokharan Fort, Khichan, Osian, Mehrangarh Fort, Jaisalmer Fort, Umaid Bhawan Palace
• Best Food Outlets:- Highway Konig Hotel N Restaurant,  Motel Pokaran Rtdc Midway, Manvar Resort (Jodhpur-Jaisalmer Highway)

3. Udaipur to Pushkar

A road trip from Udaipur to Pushkar can be a little long one but certainly one of the best. It will take around 5-6 hours to cover the distance, and may take a little more if you take breaks for grabbing some snacks and meals on the way. While you start from Udaipur, you can stop over Ranakpur where you can visit the famous Jain temple. Upon reaching Pushkar, you can visit more than 400 temples here and also visit the neighboring city of Ajmer.

• Distance between Udaipur to Pushkar :- 277 km
• Places to visit from Udaipur to Pushkar:-  Pushkar Lake, Varaha Temple, Brahma’s Temple, Mahadev Temple, Merta City, Naga Pahar, ‎Lake Pichola, ‎Lake Palace, Saheliyon Ki Bari and more.
• Best Food Outlets:-  Khamma Ghani Restaurant, The Foodflix (nathdwara road), The Tunnel Restro, Shree Bherunath Restaurant, Yashika Resort, Jammu Himachal Restaurant, Annpurana Restaurant 

4. Chittorgarh to Kumbhalgarh 

A road trip from Chittorgarh Fort to Kumbhalgarh Fort will be an extra-ordinary one. It will be a one-of- a-kind especially if you are fond of visiting forts. On the way to Kumbhalgarh, you can stop over various places and witness the beautiful architectures of temples like Ranakpur Jain temple. Both Chittorgarh and Kumbhalgarh have various tourist attractions to offer to the tourists. You will be overwhelmed to see the stone carvings and architecture of the palaces and forts in these two places. The Aravali range adds to the beauty of these places, especially Kumbhalgarh Fort.

• Distance between Chittorgarh to Kumbhalgarh : 163.9 km
• Places to visit Chittorgarh to Kumbhalgarh: Chittorgarh Fort, Rana Kumbha Palace, Fateh Prakash Palace, Kumbhalgarh Fort , Padmini Palace,  Meera Temple, Kali Mata and more.
• Best Food Outlets: Chittorgarh Fort Haveli, Vinayak Restaurant, 1458 AD Kumbhalgarh Camp & Restaurant, Pangat Restaurant

5. Udaipur to Mount Abu

A road trip to Mount Abu from Udaipur will surely be a relaxing one. Mount Abu is the only hill station in the state of Rajasthan which used to be visited by royal families of the state during the summers. Today, the place is a favorite of many tourists even from other countries. The lakes, temples and the pleasant weather at Mount Abu make it a much sought after place for the tourists. If you start your journey from Udaipur, it will take you around three hours to reach Mount Abu. There is also a lot of scope for trekking, and camping in Mount Abu.

• Distance between Udaipur to Mount Abu: 163 km
• Places to visit Udaipur to Mount Abu: Sirohi National Park, Ranakpur Temple, Udaipur City Palace, Kumbhalgarh Fort, Temple in Nathdwara,The trade centre in Pali, The Rajsamand Lake
• Best Food Outlets: Hotel Kunal restaurant, Jodhpur Bhojnalaya, Gyan Sarovar dinning hall, Wok By The Lake, Jhumar restaurant

6. Jaipur to Ranthambore

From city to wilderness, a trip from Jaipur to Ranthambore will surely be an unforgettable one. Before you reach the famous national park at Ranthambore, you will come across several Rajasthani villages. You can also take breaks on your way and stop over the dhabas to try the super delicious and authentic Rajasthani cuisines.  Ranthambore has plenty of attractions including the tiger safari which are carried our regularly throughout the day.

• Distance between Jaipur to Ranthambore : 190 km
• Places to visit from Jaipur to Ranthambore: Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, Ranthambore Fort, Surwal Lake, Trinetra Ganesh Temple, Padam Lake, Kachida Valley, Jogi Mahal.
• Best Food Outlets: The Oberoi Vanyavilas Wildlife Resort, Ranthambore Forest Resort Pvt Ltd, Gokul Dhani restaurant and more.

7. Jaipur to Alwar

If you are in Jaipur and longing for a weekend trip to a historical place, you can any day visit Alwar. The palaces, forts and temples in Alwar are something that will keep you occupied for the entire day. If you want to spend some days in Alwar, you can choose from the various resorts in the city and book your stay there. You will never regret your visit to Alwar.

• Distance between Jaipur to Alwar: 135 km
• Places to visit from Jaipur to Alwar: Alwar Fort, Sariska Tiger Reserve, Siliser, Jaisamand, Kotputali, Galtaji and more
• Best Food Outlets:  Handi restaurant, Prem Pavitra Bhojnalaya, Baba Thakur Das, Hill Fort Kesroli, (Heritage hotel)

Whenever you travel anywhere within or around Rajasthan by road, you feel the undeniable connection to the land through the heritage, culture and rich tradition. This is reflected in all aspects of the life here and it makes for a rich travel itinerary. One of the best part about taking a road trip anywhere in Rajasthan is super tourist friendly and hospitable environment thanks to the local culture which takes pride in caring for it’s guests.

The tourists can also buy interesting handicrafts, garments and curios to take back with them as a memorabilia or gift to their loved ones. The tourists can use their own vehicle for the trips but for smarter and flexible travel options also use Revv car rental services for fully insured and maintained self drive cars.

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Rajasthan Road Trip From Delhi : Ultimate 10 Day Itinerary

Rajasthan- the land of kings, proudly boasts the rich heritage and architecture of India . The colorful streets, charming villages and majestic forts are the highlights of this culturally vibrant state. It is the largest state in India and it is almost impossible to explore it in one go. In December 2020, we visited the western part of Rajasthan which attracts visitors from all over the world for its golden sands of the Thar desert. If you’re planning to witness it in 2021, here’s my Rajasthan road trip itinerary from Delhi to get you started.

You might find a lot of itineraries online for Rajasthan road trip from Delhi, that cover a lot more places like Pushkar, Ajmer and Udaipur. We deliberately restricted our trip to- Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Jaipur given the long distances we needed to cover, driving ourselves. This also helped us spend more time in the cities and also get adequate rest. Driving for so long can be exhausting, and I would highly recommend taking restful stops and refrain from covering more places in a short period of time.

Route map : Rajasthan road trip from Delhi

Delhi —-> Bikaner —-> Jaisalmer —-> Jodhpur —-> Jaipur —-> Delhi

Total Distance- 1675 KMs

Day 1 | Drive from Delhi to Bikaner

This was our longest drive in a single day (420 kms) and took us 8 hours to reach Bikaner. This route crosses the entire breadth of Haryana by-passing Rohtak and Bhiwani towns and entering Rajasthan through National Highway (NH-11) . Be ready for a bumpy ride as the internal roads in Haryana are pretty narrow and you will mostly encounter a number of slow moving trucks and large vehicles. Once you cross the border through to Rajasthan, the route gets a lot smoother and you can enjoy the drive. As you head closer to the desert region, the vehicles nearly disappear and suddenly you find yourself driving all alone in the ochre landscape with little to no trees around. Welcome to the desert!

If you leave Delhi by 6 am, you will reach Bikaner by 2 to 3 PM. Rest the entire day after the really long drive. 

Tip: You wouldn’t find restaurants or dhabas on your way, especially once you enter Rajasthan. So do not miss packing enough food and water for your journey. Dress in layers as it gets hotter in the day and colder during the night.

Day 2 | Explore Bikaner

Next stop at the Rampuria haveli , a group of seven grand havelis from the 15th century. Every inch of the facade is covered with immaculate stone carvings and breath-taking glass work. 

Stop for lunch and leave for Jaisalmer which is another 330 kms from Bikaner. We left at around 2 PM and reached by 7 PM, checked-in at our hotel and retired for the night.

Day 3 | Explore Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer looks like an ancient town encircling the stunning Jaisalmer fort. All structures in the city, be it the latest hotels, buildings or any monument, are designed artistically with yellow sandstone giving them a palace like look.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Nishtha Pande (@magicandbliss)

The Jaisalmer fort is perched high above the desert plains and is a UNESCO world heritage site. If you’re in Jaisalmer, you cannot miss this living fort which is home to almost 3000 people. Yes, a city within a city. We came across shops, temples and crisscrossed lanes with people living in their old honeycombed houses. You can get a great panoramic view of the entire city from the fort cafes. The alleys are full of shops & colorful textiles and the restaurants serve excellent local dishes. 

Maharawal’s Palace is a prominent tourist spot inside the fort. It’s a beautiful carved palace depicting an insight into the history and heritage of Jaisalmer. When we visited the fort it was shut due to the sad demise of the king of Jaisalmer. 

Other popular tourist spots include- the Lakshminath Temple (a group of 7 Jain temples built of golden sandstone) and numerous havelis inside the fort.

Apart from the fort, the popular and must-visit tourist spots in Jaisalmer are:

Patwon ki Haveli

Gadisar Lake

Unfortunately, Bada bagh was closed during our visit as few staff members tested positive for Covid.

Day 4 | Desert safari

The highlight of our Rajasthan road trip from Delhi- spending the night in the roaring sands of the Thar desert. Many hotels and agencies in Jaisalmer offer desert safari services in groups of 25- 30 people. We booked ours through Moustache hostels.

We left Jaisalmer post lunch on a jeep along with the rest of the group and reached our first stop- Kuldhara village . Kuldhara is an abandoned village and according to legends, it was cursed in the 1800s. To this day, Kuldhara is considered haunted and locals claim to hear the voices of dead villagers among the ruins.

We then commenced our journey towards the desert, with the road running through the vast wasteland with clumps of desert shrubs and wind farms. We arrived on time to watch the Sun slip beneath the golden horizon while enjoying the warmth of chai and pakoras. I don’t remember the last time I stood still to watch a sunset like this without any distraction, the vast desert made it look heavenly.

We camped at the desert and enjoyed the bonfire with the rest of the group. Mobile networks don’t work at the desert safari, so it’s actually a great time to get that digital detox. Even though sleeping under the stars sounds fun, it became a nightmare when the desert turned freezing cold at night. We were staying in mobile tents which had mattresses on the floor and the blankets weren’t warm enough for the freezing night. As much fun as it looks, camping in the desert is not everyone’s cup of tea.

If you’re looking for a more relaxed and comfortable experience at the desert, I would recommend going for Sam Sand Dunes or any bigger resort in town to get access to proper washrooms and comfortable beds inside the tents.

Day 5 | Leave for Jodhpur

Next morning, we had tea and breakfast at the camp and left for the city. We freshened up at Moustache hostel, ate our lunch and then left for Jodhpur. 

The drive to Jodhpur was pretty smooth and took us approx 4.5 hours (280 kms) to reach our hotel. We were pretty exhausted after the desert safari and the long drive, so we decided to call it a day. 

If you’re all charged up and in the mood to explore, you may head out to explore the old city. With its narrow lanes, chai and pakora stalls and the famed blue walled houses, the chaos and the charm of the old city is hard to ignore. Head over to Sadar market near the clock tower for some shopping and amazing food. Also, do not miss out pyaaz ki kachori and mirchi bada at Janta sweet house in Sadar market. You can also get namkeens and Gajak packed for your folks from here. It is one of the oldest and most popular shops in town. 

Just to mention, driving and finding parking in the old city is very challenging due to the narrow alleys. Please take an Uber or a local rickshaw to reach here.

Day 6 | Mehrangarh Fort & Jaswant Thada

The magnificent Mehrangarh Fort looms above the city and is one of the largest forts in Rajasthan. It’s impossible to not be awed by the grandeur of Mehrangarh fort which dominates the skyline of Jodhpur. The entry costs about INR 150 (for Indian visitors) & INR 600 (for International visitors) and you can hire a guide as well. The museums and galleries are some of the most well preserved in the country. We were greeted with Rajasthani folk artists at the entrance, singing the songs of the land. The Sheesh mahal, phool mahal and the moti mahal are some wonders of the fort with intricate jaali work, jharokhas, colourful mirrors and beautiful glass work, some typical characteristics of Rajputana architecture. You can get the most epic view of the blue city from Mehrangarh fort.

We then marched towards Jaswant Thada, which is at a walking distance from the fort. A white marble cenotaph built in the memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, also called the Taj Mahal of Rajasthan. Apart from the marble structure, it also houses a beautiful garden where you can simply sit back and relax.

Day 7 | Mandore garden

We celebrated the new year in Jodhpur itself. We visited Umaid Bhavan palace and explored the cafes in Jodhpur in the afternoon and Mandore garden in the evening. Mandore garden is on the outskirts of the main city but I bet it has the most astonishing stone work, artistic cenotaphs and beautiful ruins I have ever come across. Also, the garden and the monuments are very well maintained by the authorities and definitely worth a visit.

Day 8 | Leave for Jaipur

We checked out from our hotel post breakfast and left for Jaipur. The early you leave the better it is as it’s going to be a long 350km drive and will take almost 6 hours. 

We checked-in at the hotel and took an uber to head to the old city for our evening tea. Like Jodhpur, the old city of Jaipur is very congested and one should avoid driving here by themselves. We took an Uber which dropped us near the old city from where we walked around to explore the market. Since we’ve been to Jaipur in the past, we didn’t spend an extra day here but if that’s not the case with you, then you need to spend at least two days here because it’s the administrative capital of Rajasthan. Check out 23 Awesome things to do in Jaipur for the weekend and plan your stay in the city accordingly.

As I mentioned earlier, Rajasthan is huge and it’s not possible to cover everything in one go. I tried my best to share my experience of visiting the western parts of the state. Hope my Rajasthan road trip itinerary from Delhi motivated you to visit this colourful state and explore the best of it in 2021.

41 thoughts on “ Rajasthan Road Trip From Delhi : Ultimate 10 Day Itinerary ”

What a fabulous Rajasthan itinerary and useful too. I’ve seen a few of the places on your route but there’s a lot I haven’t which I’m adding them to my wishlist should I be lucky enough to re-visit.

This is just a stunning roadtrip and you show so many different views of a place many people haven’t thought to visit. I love this.

I love road trips and this looks like a bucket-list trip! Love your photos – thanks for an amazing post.

It never ceases to amaze me how huge India is. I’ve had that thought in the back of my mind while I read the whole post, after seeing that almost two thousand km get you to see a small fraction of the country. But what a beautiful fraction! I love all your stops! This is a fantastic itinerary!

I agree, India is huge yet so diverse and colourful. You must experience travelling in India once in your lifetime 🙂

This is such an amazing itinerary. Never been to India, but this route has some amazing places to explore and many are now on my bucket list too.

It goes to show how uninformed I am about India, but this is the first time that I have seen a roadtrip itinerary! I love roadtrips as they are my preferred way to explore. I would love to give this itinerary a try someday. And as you say, it is clear from your pictures that there is just no way to see everything on a single trip (unless you have all the time in the world).

What a beautiful itinerary! I’m left in awe of the views – you really can’t beat them! Totally different from what we have here in Ontario. I would love to do something like this one day!

Wow, such a comprehensive guide for this road trip! The palaces at Bikaner, Jaswant Thada & Mandore garden look incredible. Have pinned for later!

I would love to visit Rajasthan one day. It looks very pretty and interesting 🙂

I love this itinerary and the number of cities you covered in a week. The forts look splendid and the idea of spending a night in Thar desert is a like a dream!

I loved the idea of the road trip. Rajasthan is so colorful and diverse that even 10 days might feel less.

That’s a wonderful itinerary .I have been wanting to visit Rajasthan from long.probably once things get better will visit.

I loved visiting Rajasthan & this articlew has brought back some great memories! Thanks for sharing!

i’m actually writing a roadtrip plan for india, so this is really helpful!!

Love how detailed you got and how you made your stops to Rajasthan in some fun cities along the way!

This is awesome, thanks for sharing. I visited India years ago and would love to go back.

This is an amazing road trip itinerary! I would really love to visit India one day and take this trip

This is awesome, thanks for sharing. this route has some amazing places to explore and many are now on my bucket list too..I have been wanting to visit Rajasthan from long..

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Road Trip – Dos and Don’ts for Rajasthan

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Road trip across Rajasthan – Dos and Don’ts

Road trips are an incredible experience in themselves, and nothing beats one amidst the glorious dunes of a dessert. Strewn across the landscape like mounds of gold in the sun, the deserts of Rajasthan are one of the best places to indulge in a long road trip. We went for a road trip across Rajasthan – traversing 1,322 kilometers of stunning landscapes with an approximate driving time of 22 hours. However, as much as Rajasthan is a visual treat, it is also a tough journey through heat and dust.

So, we share travel tips  about how to prepare for a road trip across Rajasthan from our experience!

Travel Tips for Road trip across Rajasthan

Covered car.

Firstly, while on a road trip across Rajasthan, it is absolutely integral to rent a covered car. If not, you can forget about seeing yourself clean at the end of the journey. As pretty as Rajasthan is from the inside of your SUV, it can be equally irritating travelling, some might say impossible, in an open vehicle like a jeep.

Water and Fresh fruit juices

Secondly, while on a road trip across Rajasthan, do not forget that Rajasthan is hot and dry – and remains so for most of the year, so ensure that your car is stocked with water and fresh fruit juices at all times. It is very easy to get dehydrated in the desert which can lead to your blood pressure falling.

Clothes & Accessories

Thirdly, while on a road trip across Rajasthan, ensure that you are wearing comfortable and breathable clothes. Though it was the month of December and mornings were cool enough, the sun would be scorching in the afternoons, heating up our car. Air conditioning kept us cool when we were inside, but we sweated profusely whenever we stepped out of the car. Keep a deo and face mist handy and oh yes – a huge box of tissues or wet wipes!

Car freshener

Finally, while on a road trip across Rajasthan, let’s talk about creating an ambiance in your car to get you through the heat and stuffiness. One often does not anticipate the heat that builds while travelling in a car for a long time. On the road, your car will definitely leave you with an itch of missing freshness – which is why the Godrej Aer Twist car fragrances are a life saviour – especially if you are travelling in a hot and humid area.

We picked up the Godrej Aer Twist car fragrance before we headed out on a road trip across Rajasthan and found the Twist to be the perfect freshness companion on our trip.  The perfume mixed with the cold air and created an invigorating atmosphere. We moved in and out of our car repeatedly over the course of the journey but never once did the fragrance diminish.

Another amazing advantage of this product is that it uses a very clever gel technology which means it’s absolutely spill-proof – a prominent problem with multiple car perfumes. No matter how much your car bumps, you do not need to worry about your front seat smelling like perfumer’s laboratory. Incidentally, it is very pocket-friendly too and lasts upto 60 days, so you can say goodbye to constantly replacing your car fragrance or driving around with an empty bottle on your dashboard.

The amazing freshness inside made it easier for us to focus on road outside and we still believe that our road trip was a great one only because of this little buddy, sitting prettily on the car dashboard. Car fragrances are a must if you keep travelling and we can say with assurance that this is one gorgeous little bottle that will not disappoint you!

So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your next road trip today! And we highly recommend a road trip across Rajasthan in India!

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79 thoughts on “road trip – dos and don’ts for rajasthan”.

A good air freshener is a must in my car. Not because of the heat because we have AC, but because I have two tween boys and they get really smelly.

I think your tips are a very apt reminder of ensuring that you are properly prepared before embarking on a road trip – and you really covered a huge distance in a short time. I forget that Rajasthan is so vast, actually! The advice to have a covered car and make sure you carry good supply of water and drinks is very good, as you don’t know when you might find a suitable shop, and good to have them in case of breakdown. I would also add a note to ensure that your car has been fully checked and has spare tyres etc. so you can give yourself best chance of a safe and enjoyable trip.

These sound like some great tips for a road trip anywhere. Making sure you have enough water to drink is definitely going to make everything easier.

Fun! This would be a great place to have a road trip. If we’re ever in the area, I’ll keep this in mind.

We love taking snacks on our road trips, so we make sure we take drinks too! It is really important to be prepared when you’re driving long distances!!

Wow, twenty two hours is a super long road trip. I thought driving sixteen hours to my parent’s was too long!

Good tips! Driving overseas can be such a daunting experience if you aren’t prepared.

nice pictures… Rajasthan is best explored by road

These are such great tips! Honestly, I’d never think to pack towels or tissues for a road trip and I’d probably be very sorry about that. Air fresheners are a great idea as well! The photos are breathtaking, it must be beautiful in person!

I honestly never considered getting an air freshener before my road trips. I will have to try this on my one. I also like that it lasts a lot longer than other brands and that it is spill proof!

I would love to visit India someday. Rajasthan looks like a really cool place to road trip across!

These are great tips. We go on a few road trips a year, and I do many of these things myself.

Wow I can’t imagine the air quality if you need a covered car to travel through! The tip on getting a air freshener is an interesting one, never really thought about it, but why not!

These are wonderful travel tips for anyone going to Rajasthan. I love the covered car tip. I always drive a covered car and I never thought about how safe it keeps me.

I love air freshener in the car. You never know what kind of stinky smells you might come across on a road trip.

I traveled in southern India years ago, and I am bummed I didn’t get to see more of northern India. I would love to go back and do a road trip like this. It sounds like such a great adventure.

I think a covered car is always the right choice. You can’t predict what may happen on the road.

Road trips will always be fun but it’s important to have all the things that you need to survive it. Water is something that we should never forget. I also bring a few snacks with me.

Thanks for these tips. I always make sure I have enough water and/or fruit juice in my car every time I go on a road trip. If anything untoward would happen, at least I can survive as along as I have water or something to drink. Seriously though, I think Rajasthan is a great place to visit. Love the views!

Stunning road.. Looks beautiful but also scary! The view is so amazing!

Thanks for the tips. With traffic and scorging heat in the Philippines, we usually bring water and snacks when we’re going on a roadtrip.

You make a good point reminding about the heat. Staying hydrated and cool would be important for comfort and undoubtedly safety as well. The wipes were a good idea.

Your travel tips are truly helpful as this will remind us to be well prepared before deciding to have a road trip across Rajasthan. Everything that you have shared here are truly a help for each and everyone of us especially those that are planning to visit Rajasthan. I like how it was written specifically and concise. I haven’t tried a road trip before and this might be a good idea. Your photos are also really stunning. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

Very interesting article of Rajasthan! Would love to visit the place someday too and I’ll remember this tips!

Great tips although I have to confess I don’t think I would ever dare drive in India. I have to keep my eyes closed most of the time as a passenger. If I do open them, I am far too fascinated by the landscape to want to drive lol

These are some great reminders. The worst thing I think is when I forget to bring enough water on a hike or road trip. It makes things so uncomfortable and it’s not healthy! Thanks for sharing this guide. I think India would have some amazing road trip offerings.

My family and i loves having a road trip! This will be fun. Thanks for the tips!

Road trips are SO much fun. I went to jodhpur from delhi and it was long and tiring but wish I had read this before. A covered car is DEF a must for the sandy terrain of the area and staying hydrated is the key. I would suggest to pack some glucose too (glucon D).

I would say that I’m an expert road tripper in the US, but I haven’t done much car travel in other countries. It sounds like it might be the best way to go in Rajasthan. I am curious – where did you spend the night? Are there decent lodging options for a road trip like this?

You’ve got some great tips in here. I wonder if you’ve ever seen tourists renting cars without roofs. If so, were they covered in dirt and dust? That would be the worst road trip ever! Good shout on bringing extra water — I always carry a massive water bottle with me wherever I go, traveling or not.

It does look like such a great road trip there. I know that I love road trips almost anywhere. Just getting out and experiencing the unexpected is such a great part of it I think. The best things in life are the ones that you cannot plan for.

Thank you for your tips. I have never been to India before, but I wish I could soon. I have read a lot about beautiful places to visit and Rajasthan is one of them.

These are good tips for travel through any hot and dry areas. I have never thought of the importance of a car freshener. I would love to try one of those little cute fresheners.

I’m really glad that you shared this amazing tips and ideas! Will add this to my next road trip.

Seems like an interesting journey. I’m sure your list of do’s and don’ts will come in very handy for people who are traveling to Rajasthan, as well as other places with similar climates. Thanks for writing.

I love road trips! These are some great tips. I guess you’ll also need a car wash at the end of this one!

Great Road Trip Tips! Water is so important to have in the hot desert and I love the air freshener idea!

These are great tips for any road trip. I always have an air freshener in my car, I don’t think I could go without one.

I haven’t really been on a proper road trip. I have heard so much about Rajasthan and it looks very unique and different. I would probably hire a pro driver to drive in India. Really good tips to remember for a road trip. 😃

Looks like a great trip. I like the car freshener idea, always great for long trips!

These would be some great trips for driving through Australia as well! Looks like you are all set for an exciting trip!

I would like to go some point so it is handy to know what I should and shouldn’t do. I will remember to have a good fluid intake and wear light clothing x

It would be fun to do a road trip across Rajasthan. I always pack a ton of snacks and refreshments when we go for a trip.

I love the photos. Your tips remind me some of the things I should always keep in mind in Road trips. Thanks for sharing.

Oh wow! That is such an exotic and interesting location for a road trip. We love road trips but the only road trip we’ve taken outside of the US and Guatemala (my home country) is in Spain in Portugal. Would love to visit Rajasthan.

Ohh I would love to visit India. Taj Mahal is my top place to visit and I guess I would check this if its on the way so I can pay a visit too.

So many great tips here! I guess it is always super important to inform yourself on your destination before travelling so that you know what to expect and you come prepared! xx corinne

You just reminded me I need to get a new car freshener. What a beautiful and scenic road trip. It would be a memorable experience.

Rajasthan seems like a great place for a road trip. Very motivational post, Sandy and Vyjay!

Visit Rajasthan every year but never taken a Road Trip. I liked the pictures as well..

It would be fun to do a road trip across Rajasthan. I loved the photos!

Rajasthan is BEST experienced by road. It is my favourite state for road trips because of the sheer diversity it brings. From stunning landscapes to desert hues to mountains to splashes of colour at every nook. The roads are in a great shape as well! You post got me all nostalgic. The cover is a great idea and is very essential.

Very great list of do’s and don’ts! I hate road trips, I didn’t mind them so much when I had no children but now I can’t do it!

This is very useful advice, as I find long road trips quite a challenge. I’d add, find out where the public toilets are along the way too! The car fragrance sounds handy for keeping things fresh inside the car.

Oooo so many great road trip must haves!!! For me drinks and snacks are a must!

Good tips! I always have lots of water and food in the car and usually a blanket, sanitizer gel, and of course a few clothes to change. And toilet paper.. depending where the road trip is, the public toilets sometimes don’t have any..

Great tips. I need this. i always forget what’s important during travel.

These are some eye opening tips:) I hope to be able to come to India one day!

These are some great tips when touring through Rajasthan. As the weather there is mostly harsh. Particularly in the daytime. And thus, calls for enough preparation before embarking on a trip.

Wow that is a super long drive! You make a good suggestion with air freshener, I’m sure the car would get a stale feel without it.

I would love to have a roadtrip in rajasthan. I think it would be so much fun together with the scenery and your travel tips that are essential. 🙂 I would really put this in my bucket list when I visit India.

These are great travel tips! I especially like the idea of preparing ahead with water and fruit juices to stay hydrated and cool.

I do all my traveling by road trip. And a road trip across Rajasthan in India sounds like an absolutely amazing experience!

Im such a stickler for being prepared on any trip. This are such great pointers that could be used so many different places.

I’ve seen movies where the actors are on a road trip with the top down in the midst of the heat and I wonder if it’s that even possible especially out in the dessert. I would love to go on a road trip, but I don’t think I’d like to burn myself with a roofless car. So definitely, your advice is sound. The packaging of the Godrej Aer Twist is very cute I must say.

Great tips. It looks like a fun road trip. Staying hydrated is so important! OJ is perfect.

I’d love to visit India, but don’t think I’d be brave enough to do a road trip. Not until I had been there a few times and got more comfortable with the idea.

Rajasthan looks like a great place to adventure. India is so surprising so many sites to see and enjoy. Hopefully one day I will be able to travel there.

I love taking road trips. They can be so much fun. I especially like taking the scenic route when we go on road trips as well. These are some great tips you have!

Looks like a good place to visit with the family! Glad to know you had fun. 🙂

This is great. A must have for road trips for us is snacks, sodas and juice, and DVDs.

Road trips are always fun but just like any trip, you have to make sure you have everything you need! This sounds like a very exciting road trip, I’ve never been to Rajasthan.

We take so many road trips in a year but never the idea of having a car freshener struck up. Now after your post, I got the logic behind it. So, for sure going to try it next time. Even we did Rajasthan road trip from Delhi in January and I must say the weather is really really harsh, so fruits, water, and closed vehicle is must.

Will remember this do’s and dont’s! The place is very interesting to visit someday!

Ooooo so many helpful tips here!!! Great reminder that I need a new freshener in my car!! Mine is pretty much out

On the contrary, I would love to inhale as much as I can the smell of cow dung while tripping across Rajasthan, and I am serious. Native smells and aromas add to the overall travel experience.These smells linger on in your heads for several years, and they make you yearn to return to these places.

OMG! I miss traveling! Been on school straight this year so I can finish it right away and do what I love, traveling! 🙂

I’m about to do a road trip through India next month!! This post was a great read to know what I’ll be in for! Very exciting. Kristie – you.theworld.wandering

Car fresheners give me a headache! For me two very important things in a road trip are firstly to leave the outside air circulation button on. It ensures you have a constant supply of fresh oxygen. Else the interior stale air keeps recirculating causing fatigue and dizziness.

The second important thing I discovered was not have to tea and coffee a lot while on the road. Having driven over 100,000 kms on Indian highways alone, I used to stop for tea breaks. I realised they were actually making me more tired. I swapped to drinking nimboo pain without sugar or salt. And the result was I felt super fresh after a 14 hour drive!

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Rajasthan Itinerary: A 3-Week Rajasthan Road Trip

I recently came home from one of the best trips of my life. There. I said it. And all you’ll need to follow along is this 3-week Rajasthan itinerary.

I went on a group tour to India with Joker , a Belgian travel agency (website only available in Dutch and French).

Related: 10 tips for your first group tour

The tour comprised just over three weeks travelling around India’s most popular region among travellers: Rajasthan.

And now, I’m here to share the joy and give you the information you need for a kick-ass road trip through this region. Ladies, gentlemen and non-binary folk: this is the perfect 3-week Rajasthan itinerary .

Note: I won’t tell you exactly when to go where on your Rajasthan road trip. It’s very difficult – if not impossible – to completely plan a trip to India beforehand.

What I will do in this post, however, is this:

• Recommend a certain amount of time to spend in each individual place;
• List the main highlights of each city;
• Propose a means of transport to get to your next road trip stop.

Skip ahead if you want to:

Why travel to Rajasthan?

• Road trip through Rajasthan : the perfect Rajasthan itinerary ( Jaipur – Jaisalmer – Jodhpur – Udaipur – Agra – Delhi – Rishikesh )

Before we get started, take a look at this video I made to get a feel of what India is actually like.

There are many reasons why you should consider a trip to India’s crown jewel region. Here are just a few of them.

Thanks to Rajasthan’s fascinating history of wealthy royals and architectural legacy, impressive palaces, forts and temples are spread throughout the region, each one more breathtaking than the last.

Among the Indian population, Rajasthan is known as one of the most traditional and religious areas of the country. That explains the many energetic festivals that occur throughout the year. Diwali, Holi, Teej … The list goes on and on.

And while Rajasthan is frequented by travellers for its history and culture, an afternoon strolling through the big city bazaars can’t be missing from your Rajasthan itinerary. Pottery, clothing, souvenirs, jewellery or spices: whatever it is you’re looking for, you can find it in the bazaars.

Last, but definitely not least: the state of Rajasthan is often remembered for its exciting wildlife encounters . National parks, which were originally used as hunting grounds for the state’s rulers, are sprinkled through Rajasthan and now serve and wildlife sanctuaries.

Road trip through Rajasthan: the perfect Rajasthan itinerary

Stop 1: jaipur.

The perfect Rajasthan road trip starts in Jaipur, the state’s mighty capital city.

Also known as the Pink City for the many shades of pink, red and amber that are present in the fortified city centre, Jaipur was declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019.

What to do in Jaipur:

• Attend the Teej Festival (late July to early August);
• Visit Birla Mandir at night;
• Visit the City Palace with a government guide;
• Learn about astronomy at Jantar Mantar (with a guide);
• Admire the outside of Hawa Mahal ( ‘the Palace of Winds’ );
• Check out a Bollywood movie at the iconic Raj Mandir movie theatre.

How long to stay in Jaipur : Four days in the capital of Rajasthan is an absolute minimum to see everything the city has to offer.

How to get from Jaipur to Jaisalmer: Take the night train from Jaipur Railway Station to Jaisalmer Railway Station. Book tickets on the Indian Railway’s official website .

Stop 2: Jaisalmer

After catching the sleeper train from Jaipur, you’ll arrive at Rajasthan’s Golden City, Jaisalmer.

This city is located at the heart of the Thar Desert and is known for the yellow sandstone that is used in many of its buildings, including the impressive Jaisalmer Fort.

What to do in Jaisalmer :

• Visit Jaisalmer Fort (save money by getting an audio guide instead of paying a guide);
• Stroll through the winding alleys in and around the fort and shop for souvenirs;
• Have a drink by Gadisar (Gadsisar) Lake;
• Go on a desert safari and sleep under the stars. (We went with Renuka Camel Safari and I can’t recommend them enough. Don’t forget to bring toilet paper, by the way.)

How long to stay in Jaisalmer : Three days and three nights, including one night in the desert, is plenty to discover Jaisalmer in all of its glory.

How to get from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur : Take a regular, direct train from Jaisalmer Railway Station to Jodhpur Junction. Book tickets on the Indian Railway’s official website .

Stop 3: Jodhpur

After your adventurous desert safari in Jaisalmer, it’s time to head back to big city life.

Jodhpur is Rajasthan’s second biggest city. It’s known among travellers as the Blue City and among Indian residents as the Sun City. Must be worth a visit, right?

What to do in Jodhpur :

• Visit Mehrangarh Fort with a government guide and attend a traditional music ceremony;
• Experience a zip line adventure between hill forts and ridge tops at the Flying Fox (inside Mehrangarh Fort);
• Visit Jaswant Thada (without a guide);
• Spend a relaxing evening on a rooftop overlooking the Fort;
• Walk through Sardar Market;
• Admire Ghanta Ghar – the local clock tower – from the outside.

How long to stay in Jodhpur : Anywhere between two and four days should suffice, counting on a full day to explore the Fort and everything around it.

How to get from Jodhpur to Udaipur : Take an early bus to Udaipur, preferably one that leaves Jodhpur before 6 am. The journey to Udaipur should take 4 to 5 hours.

Stop 4: Udaipur

With nicknames such as ‘the City of Lakes’ and ‘the Venice of the East’, it’s no wonder that British explorer James Tod called Udaipur ‘ the most romantic spot on the continent of India ‘.

You’ll soon find out for yourself why Udaipur has such a strong reputation among travellers.

What to do in Udaipur :

• Visit Jagdish Mandir and use it as a viewpoint for Teej festivities on the streets down below;
• Visit the City Palace and take a plunge in the hotel’s swimming pool for some cooling down (the hotel is called Shiv Niwas Palace and the reception desk is inside the Palace; walk up and ask how much it would cost to swim in their pool and they’ll give you a price – and towels);
• Learn to make dal, chapati and curry in a traditional Indian cooking class;
• Attend a Dharohar Folk Dance Show ;
• Take a painting class;
• Splurge at the Celebration Mall (why not go for another Bollywood experience here?);
• Spend a night at Krishna Ranch ;
• Take a guided walk to the Lake Badi viewpoint (just ask Dinesh at Krishna Ranch).

How long to stay in Udaipur : Including the night at Krishna Ranch, you should stay in Udaipur anywhere from three to five days.

How to get from Udaipur to Agra : Take the sleeper train from Udaipur City to Agra Cannt. Book tickets on the Indian Railway’s official website .

Stop 5: Agra

I know, I know. Agra is not located in Rajasthan. So, technically, I lied by calling this a Rajasthan itinerary.

You’ll forgive me once you feast your eyes on the Taj Mahal. Trust me.

What to do in Agra :

• Visit Agra Fort with a government guide and ask them to talk about the Taj Mahal as well;
• Visit the Tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah (also known as Baby Taj , as many believe this building was used as a draft for the actual Taj Mahal);
• Admire the Taj Mahal at sunrise, when there are fewer other people present. Don’t go with a guide, as your guide at the Fort will have already told you the most important things;

How long to stay in Agra : No longer than two days. Preferably, you’ll visit Agra Fort and the Baby Taj in the afternoon, then spend the night in Agra and visit the Taj early the following morning.

How to get from Agra to Delhi : Take a regular train from Agra Cantt to one of the many train stations in Delhi. This is a short trip that should only take about two hours. Book tickets on the Indian Railway’s official website .

Stop 6: Delhi

I’m not going to lie to you: you’re only spending one night here to avoid having to take the dreadful journey from Agra to Rishikesh.

But don’t worry: you’ll come back to Delhi in a few days and your Rajasthan road trip will end there.

So find a nice place to stay the night and wake up refreshed for an early train to Haridwar. (Ask your hostel to arrange a taxi from Haridwar to Rishikesh, because most trains don’t stop at Rishikesh)

Stop 7: Rishikesh

Again: Rishikesh is not located in Rajasthan, but since you’ve already gone to Agra, you might as well pass by Rishikesh.

Don’t worry, it’ll be our little secret.

Yoga Capital of the World, Gateway to the Himalayas, …

Cool nicknames, so it’s got to be worth exploring. You get it.

What to do in Rishikesh :

• Walk across the Ram Jhula and Laxman Jhula suspension bridges overlooking the river Ganges;
• Witness the Ganga Aarti near the Shiva statue located at Shiva Mandir;
• Visit Swarg Ashram, where the Beatles spent three months studying meditation and writing songs for their ninth studio album;
• Go on a sunrise hike to Kunjapuri Temple;
• Swim under a waterfall on your way down from the sunrise trek;
• Get an Ayurvedic massage;
• Take a yoga class at Ramana’s Garden (ask for Veer). You’re in the yoga capital of the world, for Pete’s sake.

How long to stay in Rishikesh : Assuming you want to unwind and relax after two weeks of non-stop exploring, three to four days in Rishikesh is ideal to do everything listed above at a calm pace.

How to get from Rishikesh to Delhi : Take a regular train from Haridwar Junction to one of Delhi’s train stations. Book tickets on the Indian Railway’s official website .

Stop 8: Delhi (again)

Since it’s quite likely that your flight will depart from Indira Gandhi International Airport, it makes sense for the last stop on your Rajasthan road trip to be Delhi. (Although, again, Delhi is technically not a part of Rajasthan)

What to do in Delhi :

• Visit the Bahá’í Lotus Temple and learn about the religion’s fascinating story and values;
• Have lunch at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib , a Sikh house of worship;
• Go shopping in the many colourful bazaars and street shops;
• Visit Jama Masjid (Don’t fall for scammers! Entry to this mosque is completely free, so don’t pay anyone for a ticket);
• Go to a karaoke bar around Connaught Place;
• Take an early morning bike tour around the old town;
• Go on a Salaam Baalak Trust city walk , guided by former street children.

How long to stay in Delhi : In a city that over 15 million people call home, you could spend a lifetime and still not see it all. However, for the purposes of this road trip, two to three days should suffice.

Now that you have the perfect Rajasthan itinerary at your feet, there’s nothing stopping you from the trip of a lifetime.

Plan your Rajasthan road trip:

• Find cheap flights to India on Cheapflights
• Find cheap accommodation on Airbnb and Booking ( Delhi – Jaipur – Udaipur – Jodhpur – Agra – Jaisalmer – Rishikesh )
• Sleep for free with Couchsurfing

Okay, Udaipur looks gorgeous! I can see why it is called the city of the lakes! It looks like an incredible tour in India! I’ve always wanted to go – I never thought about taking a guided tour. Three weeks is a long time – but India is so huge! I don’t even really know how much of it is the Rajasthan region but it looks like you had a phenomenal time!

Udaipur was one of my favourite stops! As for the guided tour aspect: I would highly recommend taking a guided tour on your first time in India. It’s such an overwhelming country to visit, so it could be useful to share that experience with a group and an experienced tour guide.

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5 Most Exciting Road trips to take in Rajasthan

Is there a more exciting way to explore Rajasthan than by road? Road trips in Rajasthan are mesmerizing and an experience everyone must experience at least once in their life. From ancient villages to modern towns, from trickling streams to gushing rivers, from winding lanes to forgotten dirt tracks, a get-away to Rajasthan offers innumerable sights and wonders. Driving through Rajasthan is almost like watching a real-life movie unfolding on the move. 

Top 5 Memorable Road Trips in Rajasthan

Let’s now look at the top self-drive destinations in Rajasthan to help you get started !

1. Jaipur to Alwar

Also Read – Jaipur-Expectation vs Reality

A three-hour car journey from Jaipur to Alwar, a historic city famed for its palaces, forts and temples. Jaipur to Alwar is a brilliant option to witness some incredible shrines and fortresses, furthermore witness a host of wildlife and vegetation on the way. Siliserh Lake , Bala Fort and Moosi Maharani ki Chhatri are some of the best places to visit in Alwar. Though many buses ply between these two cities, you can make the most of the journey through a self-driven trip. 

2. Udaipur to Kumbhalgarh

Also Read- 10 of The Most Intriguing Temple Art Forms of India

Udaipur is the city of lakes, similarly Kumbalgargh is home to Kumbalgargh Fort ,the second largest wall after the Great Wall of China. A road trip to Kumbalgargh takes around two hours to complete and is replete with several gorgeous sights and sceneries. If you take a slight detour, you can also visit Ranakpur Jain temple , particularly splendid vision in white. It is one of the most unforgettable road trips in Rajasthan. The best way to take this trip would be by car.

3. Jodhpur to Jaisalmer

A journey from the Blue City to Golden City falls high on the Rajasthan Road trip map. It is one of those drives where the vibrant Rajasthani spirit shines forth in all its glory. You’ll get to witness everything from villages and deserts to mountains and rivers. Many government buses run between these two cities, but a road trip by car would be the best option. It’s roughly around 4-5 hours journey, and some of the places you can visit on the way are Tanot Mata Temple , Osian , and Pokharan.

Also Read – 6 Irresistible Shopping Places In Jodhpur

4. Jaipur to Pushkar

Also Read – 7 Lakes In Rajasthan That You Need To Visit

A road trip from Jaipur to Pushkar is the best way to absorb and embrace the essence of Rajasthan. You will meet fascinating people in vibrant mirror-clad sarees along with colorful turbans, moreover you’ll come across some great wildlife spots. Pushkar is a revered pilgrimage center of India and home to around 500 temples scattered around the sacred Pushkar Lake besides being home to the only Brahma temple in India. Usually this journey takes about 2 hours to cover, and you can also visit Ajmer on the way, situated around 10 km from Pushkar

5. Udaipur to Mount Abu 

Also Read – How to Travel Like a Local- Travel Phrasebook to Rajasthan

Mount Abu is one of Rajasthan’s very precious hill stations and a famous summer destination. Like an oasis in the desert, it’s the place of respite for most Rajasthanis during the scorching summer season when the heat gets unbearable throughout the state. From lakes, rivers, and forests, Mount Abu has everything quintessential for a hill station. From Udaipur, it’s a 3 hours journey to Mount Abu, and you can either hire a taxi or travel in one of the many government buses.

That was the list of the top 5 Memorable Road trips in Rajasthan. Roadtrips in Rajasthan is the stuff of dreams. Regardless of the start and end destination, you can be sure to return home with truckloads of memories and stunning visions. Have you been to any of the places mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below!

Follow Rajasthan Studio on Instagram for more amazing art and travel content. Reach out to us on email at contact[at]rajasthanstudio[dot]com. This blog is curated by Rajasthan Studio and written by Shivali Rai.

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Perfect Rajasthan Itinerary for 7 Days (What I Did)

· my personal recommendations after traveling through rajasthan. ·.

India is blossoming into one of the most important countries in the world, and it is filled with incredible places to visit. While we enjoyed visiting the Taj Mahal and Delhi, Rajasthan was the true highlight of our trip. This post will lay out the perfect Rajasthan itinerary for 7 days of travel, created out of weeks of research out outreach before we visited.

This post contains affiliate links that may earn a commission on purchases at no additional cost to you.

We captured part of our Rajasthani experience in this vlog. You can also find our Udaipur trip on Youtube!

Many visitors head to the capital of New Delhi or to southern hubs like Mumbai and Goa, but Rajasthan is a special place that you won’t want to miss. On our most recent trip to India, we spent a week in New Delhi and Agra and another week traveling through Rajasthan. Rajasthan travel can be either glamorous or stressful depending on how you plan your trip, and we hope these tips help you plan a great trip.

Full disclosure: I’m not selling any tours in this post. I find that so many blog posts about India are stuffed with sales pitches and tour provider plugs. This post will contain none of that, and I am not partnering with anyone to provide this information.

Where Is Rajasthan?

Rajasthan is a state in northwestern India. It shares a border with Pakistan on its northwestern edge. It is several hundred miles to the west of Delhi.

Rajasthan is known mostly for its deserts. The Great Indian Desert, or Thar Desert, covers most of Rajasthan’s surface. The people outside of the major cities are mostly part of nomadic tribes and laborers who have been in this area for hundreds of years. 

Most Popular Places to Visit in Rajasthan

While there is more to Rajasthan than just major cities, they serve as the best waypoints on any trip through the state. Rajasthan is massive, and getting from one city to another usually takes at least four hours by car and can be as much as twelve hours, depending on where you go. 

There are five cities that most visitors flock to: Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, and Bikaner.

Jaipur is the biggest city in Rajasthan and it is the most commonly visited one, too. Known as the Pink City, Jaipur is the closest to Delhi and sits at the east end of Rajasthan. The city got its name when all of its buildings were painted pink to honor the British Queen Victoria. 

Nowadays, the city is known for its opulent palaces, wildlife sanctuaries, forts, and temples. The most notable palace is the pink sandstone Hawa Mahal. This massive palace along with the famous Amber Fort draws crowds from all over!

Jaipur forms the eastern point of the Golden Triangle of Rajasthan. This is a nickname for the three most culturally significant cities in Rajasthan.

One major reason to visit Jaipur is to stay in one of the city’s luxurious boutique hotels. Since Jaipur is the biggest city in Rajasthan, it is also among the most accessible. While many parts of Jaipur are inaccessible in their own right, these hotels feel like the homes of royalty.

Jaipur Airport is the largest airport in Rajasthan, which is another reason this city is so popular to visit. It makes for the perfect gateway to Rajasthan for international tourists.

Jodhpur is Rajasthan’s blue city, and it is located on the edge of the Thar desert. Known for its Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur is a great place to visit on a Rajasthan trip. It is the second-largest city in Rajasthan, and its history is as rich as anywhere else in the state.

The old city is known for its clock tower and Jaswant Thada, as well as its rooftop restaurants. Jodhpur is the closest Rajasthani city to Jaipur, which is why many visitors choose these two cities to see on their Rajasthan tour itinerary.

For a 7 day Rajasthan itinerary, Jodhpur can be the perfect stop between Jaisalmer and Jodhpur.

Jaisalmer is the most remote of any city on this list. It practically hugs the Pakistan border in northwest India. While most of Rajasthan is in the desert, Jaisalmer is known as the true desert city.

The Jaisalmer Fort, or Sonar Qila, is the city’s focal point. Located in the heart of the city, this is a living, breathing, majestic fort with thousands of actual residents. If you want to visit a local market or soak in the desert views, this is the place to go.

Jaisalmer forms the western point of the Golden Triangle of Rajasthan, and is actually known as the Golden City. If you want to do desert activities, like a camel safari or a picnic in the sand dunes, Jaisalmer is absolutely the place to go. Jaisalmer is especially famous for its luxury desert camping resorts.

Getting to Jaisalmer can be a pain, and that is the biggest hurdle to visiting. It is hundreds of miles away from the other major Rajasthani cities. It does have its own airport and railway station, but both are small and not very useful.

My Jaisalmer Travel Guide contains everything you need to know about the city before you visit.

Known as both the City of Lakes and the White City, Udaipur is a special place located in southern Rajasthan. Sitting on the manmade Lake Pichola, this city is loaded with stunning temples and forts. It forms the southern point of the Golden Triangle of Rajasthan.

The most famous place to visit in Udaipur is the City Palace, which is a massive and beautiful palace museum located in the old city. The Monsoon Temple, or Nahargarh Fort, is another stunning highlight high in the mountains with stunning views. The Jagdish Temple is another place you won’t want to miss.

Udaipur felt worlds different from the other places we visited in India. To us, it was very refreshing. We enjoyed many dinners at rooftop restaurants, visited striking palaces and temples, and stayed in a luscious white marble palace.

My Udaipur Travel Guide contains everything you need to know about the city before you visit.

While Jaisalmer is the desert city, Bikaner is actually the best city to visit for camel rides! Bikaner is famous for its camel breeding, and this lures thousands of visitors each year. It is located in the northern part of Rajasthan, not too far from the Pakistan border.

One of the biggest reasons to visit Bikaner is that it is less popular with tourists. The city has plenty of charm, but it doesn’t see nearly the crowds that Jaipur and Jodhpur see. This makes for relaxing desert safaris, a hassle-free camel ride, and an intimate opportunity to learn about the area’s rich history and culture.

Bikaner is very far from some of the other cities on this list, which is one of the main reasons it tends to get excluded from the typical 7 day Rajasthan itinerary.

Where Should You Visit in Rajasthan?

Rajasthan is one of the most-visited states in all of India. Many of its cities are ranked among the best places to visit in all of India, which is a massive country! 

We spent weeks figuring out where we wanted to go. The palaces of Jaipur, deserts of Jaisalmer, lakes of Udaipur, and temples of Jodhpur all called to us in different ways. Ultimately, after talking with friends of ours who live in India, we decided to spend our days in just Jaisalmer and Udaipur, and we did not regret that decision one bit.

Since places in the state are so far apart, you need to budget travel time into any 7 Day Rajasthan itinerary. We decided to allocate three days to Jaisalmer, three days to Udaipur, and one day to travel between them. This would have been the perfect amount of time if it weren’t for some hiccups we encountered.

If we had more time, we absolutely would have added Jaipur or Jodhpur to our itinerary. But with only 7 days, we figured it was better to see two places well rather than four places for just a day each.

How Do You Get Around Rajasthan?

Rajasthan is absolutely massive, and there isn’t great public transportation between the major cities. While there are railways and airports connecting many of these cities, actual train and flight routes are very limited.

As intimidating as it may seem, the best way to get around Jaisalmer is by hired car or van.

We initially booked flights to get from Jaisalmer to Udaipur. There was going to be a layover in Delhi. Our flight departing from Jaisalmer was delayed two full days, and our original flight arriving in Jaisalmer was delayed a full day too.

This was after the pandemic, so that isn’t even an excuse. Talking to friends, I discovered it is very common for Jaisalmer’s airport, as well as other Rajasthani airports, to be abruptly shut down for military reasons.

This can put a damper on any Rajasthan itinerary for 7 days.

We were stranded in Jaisalmer with no flights or trains heading out any time soon. We asked our hotel for a reputable transfer service, and booked a driver all the way to Udaipur. The driver picked us up at 4am and drove us happily 11 hours to Udaipur.

Driving in Rajasthan

Some people opt to rent their own car while in Rajasthan. I have mixed opinions about this. The traffic outside of major cities is not bad and driving would be pretty easy on the highways.

But once you get off the highways, I think it is a whole different story. The roads through the small towns are prone to traffic jams, and it is very easy to lose cell phone service out in the rural parts of Rajasthan. We lost service at many points along our trip.

I would not recommend renting a car, simply because a hired driver is very affordable and is accustomed to driving in the area. Our 11-hour drive for 5 people from Jaisalmer to Udaipur, in a private, new, air-conditioned van, cost just $211.

Driver Recommendation for Rajasthan

We booked our ride with Lucky Tours and Travel. This is an agency that operates all throughout Rajasthan. The company charged us just $211 for a comfortable 11 hour drive from Jaisalmer to Udaipur.

You can either contact them via their website or on Whatsapp at +919414141491. We had a perfectly fine ride with them and I’d use them again if I returned. I get no commission from you booking with them.

Is Rajasthan Safe to Visit?

All in all, Rajasthan is a very safe place to visit in India. Like anywhere, there is a risk of pickpocketing and scamming. However, this is not very common, especially if you take common precautions.

We never felt threatened while in Rajasthan.

Jaisalmer is a bit seedier than Udaipur, but we felt safe in both cities. We also felt perfectly safe traveling through the countryside from Jaisalmer to Udaipur.

To be fair, I would not have felt safe driving a rental car through some of the towns that we drove through. I felt much more comfortable having an Indian person at the wheel, as the roads were narrow and we passed through a lot of very impoverished areas.

For reference, our group included three women, one man, and one toddler. We never felt like targets, nor did we get taken advantage of despite clearly being foreigners. Compared to other places in India, Rajasthan is very safe and can be enjoyed without too many worries.

Rajasthan Itinerary for 7 Days Snapshot

• Day 1: Early flight into Jaisalmer, check into luxury desert camping
• Day 2: Spend day in Thar desert with desert camping resort
• Day 3: Explore Bada Bagh and Jaisalmer Fort
• Day 4: Transit to Udaipur
• Day 5: Explore Old Udaipur, sunset boat ride
• Day 6: Luxurious brunch followed by Monsoon Palace and rooftop dinner
• Day 7: Visit Jagmandir, flight home

Full 7 Day Rajasthan Itinerary: Everything to Know

Day 1: Arriving in Jaisalmer

Recommended Hotel: The Kafila Desert Camp

Jaisalmer is very small and there are very few flights into and out of the city’s airport. Your best bet is to arrive into Delhi a day before and take the earliest possible flight from Delhi to Jaisalmer. From the Jaisalmer airport, I recommend taking a pre-booked taxi to your accommodation.

I think the best way to start your Rajasthan trip is by heading straight to a luxury desert camping resort. There are a lot of these, and many have good reputations. I had a hard time finding trustworthy reviews online, and ultimately chose The Kafila Desert Camp.

It was the perfect choice, and I detailed my full experience at the Kafila Desert Camp in another blog post. Check that out if you are considering going!

I recommend at least two full days, if not more, at the camp. Since the airline delayed our flight by over 24 hours, we had very limited time here. Still, we had a delicious candlelit dinner, went stargazing in the sand dunes, rode camels and horses, and more.

Day 2: Enjoying the Thar Desert at a Luxury Desert Camp

This is the perfect time to explore and soak in what the desert has to offer. In my opinion, the desert is a much better attraction that the city of Jaisalmer itself. Visit a local village, ride camels, enjoy cultural performances, eat breakfast on the sand dunes, and do whatever else your resort offers! If time permits, I recommend taking advantage of every amenity that your camp offers, as they are normally free of charge.

Day 3: Explore Bada Bagh and Jaisalmer City

Recommended Hotel: Jaisalmer Marriott Resort and Spa

On this morning, I recommend packing up your things and heading to another hotel located closer to the city. On your way to Jaisalmer, stop at Bada Bagh, which is a complex of stunning cenotaph ruins located to the west of the city. 

After this visit, head to the Jaisalmer Fort, which is the main highlight of Jaisalmer City. Thousands of people inhabit the fort to this day, and it has plenty of restaurants, stores, markets, temples, hotels, and more to explore. Once you’ve had your fill exploring the Fort, head to your hotel and rest up for the long travel day.

Day 4: Transit from Jaisalmer to Udaipur

Recommended Hotel: Aurika Udaipur

I recommend booking a private car or van to take you from Jaisalmer to Udaipur. I recommend an early start, as the trip takes 10-12 hours by car and goes through many small towns along the way. Pack food, because there are not many places to stop along the way.

If you have extra time, this is the spot in the itinerary where you could add days to visit Jodhpur. Jodhpur is only a short drive out of the way, and it makes for the perfect waypoint. However, if you are creating a 7 day Rajasthan itinerary, I advise skipping Jodhpur and heading straight to Udaipur.

Once you get to Udaipur in late afternoon, check in and grab a bite to eat at Atari restaurant.

Day 5: Explore Old Udaipur and the City Palace

Recommended Udaipur Hotel: Aurika Udaipur

On your first full day in Udaipur, you’ll want to explore the highlights of the old city. Most notably, this includes the Jagdish Temple, the City Palace. The City Palace can take several hours to get through, as it is massive and filled with things to see.

After exploring the old town, I’d recommend getting dinner at Rainbow Restaurant for great views of the lake. The food is good and the prices are very affordable.

After this, return to your hotel and enjoy any amenities it offers.

Once again, we highly recommend Aurika Udaipur as your hotel of choice. It’s safe, luxurious, and the breakfast buffet was the best we had in all of India.

Day 6: Visit the Monsoon Temple and Take a Sunset Cruise on Lake Pichola

I recommend starting your day out with a luxurious lunch at the restaurant at Udaivillas. This place books up sometimes weeks in advance but is delicious and very elegant. It’s pricey, but its an experience you’ll want to have.

Once you’ve finished, head to the foot of the Monsoon Temple. The Monsoon Temple was our favorite part about Udaipur, but visiting it can be a real trek. 

The temple is located on top of a tall mountain, and you need to hire an official driver to take you up the windy roads to the top. It feels incredibly dangerous, but it wound up being fine.

Once at the top, the views are incredible. You can see for miles in every direction, including over the downtown parts of Udaipur. The palace itself is nothing compared to the City Palace, but the views are worth the trip.

Once you get back down, I recommend heading to the port where boats leave for sunset cruises. This is close to the Rainbow Restaurant. The boat ride is stunning and relaxing and very affordable.

Day 7: Check Out of Hotel, Fly Home

On your last day, you’ll want to leave ample time to check out of your hotel and get to the airport. Udaipur’s airport is located roughly 40-50 minutes outside of the city, and traffic can make the time go way up. 

Checking out of your hotel can also take some time, as the nice resorts tend to operate a bit more slowly. The Udaipur airport has virtually no amenities, so you’ll want to leave enough time to get there, but not too much time to where you’re sitting in a drab airport for hours.

If you want to see how our itinerary panned out, you can watch our Jaisalmer and Udaipur youtube vlogs linked below.

Tips for a Longer Than 7 Day Rajasthan Itinerary

The plan I outlined above is the perfect 7 day Rajasthan itinerary, in my opinion, because it visits two of the most unique cities in Rajasthan. Not only are Jaisalmer and Udaipur unique from the rest of the state, they’re also very different from one another.

If you have more time than just a week, I recommend adding Jodhpur as a stop. As I said in the 7 day Rajasthan itinerary above, Jodhpur is the perfect halfway point between Jaisalmer and Udaipur.

If you have enough time to create a Rajasthan tour itinerary of two weeks or more, I advise ending your trip in Jaipur, which has a major international airport and is the biggest and busiest city in Rajasthan.

Please comment if you have any other questions about visiting Rajasthan! We’d love to help!

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the epic solo rajasthan road trip: because travel heals pain

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[Updated on 30 November 2021]

My mother passed away on 19 July this year from old age. She was 84. It is now almost four months since she’s been gone, yet the pain is still raw. She went too fast. I knew she was going to go to the other side one day. One day. Just that one day was some distant occurrence which I naively believed was not going to happen in my lifetime. We all believe our parents will live forever.

If you are a follower of my blog, you would have noticed the change in the title. I have added ‘Toshi’ as my middle name. Toshi was my mother’s maiden pet name. By adding it to my online spaces it keeps her alive for me.

We were chalk and cheese. Fought and hugged. She was the most loving human being I had ever come across. And through all of life’s trials and tribulations, she was my constant best friend.

More than anyone else, she also knew my need to travel. To wander. To explore. She understood travel was my one source of inspiration, as well as escape. A source of pragmatic knowledge and elusive wisdom.

It is no surprise then that as I struggled, and still struggle, to cope with my loss, my sister, as if in serendipity, suggested I turn to travel.

Rajasthan seemed the most natural choice. Its Covid-19 numbers were minuscule. As a state focussed on tourism for its economy, its infrastructure, even in current times, was well-structured and reliable. Last, but not least, when it came to history, heritage, pristine nature, hospitality topped with an endless list of attractions … oh well, India’s desert state generously peppered with tales of royalty and valour stood head and shoulders above the rest.

I left for a 35-day solo road trip through Rajasthan’s vast expanse on Sunday, 17 October. The research and design of my itinerary helped me face life in the immediate weeks after Mummy left. The following five weeks helped me reconnect with life once again. To still remember and love her, but with slightly less tears in my eyes and a teeny meeny bit smaller lump in my throat.

The google map above is the route I took. From Rajasthan’s familiar iconic towns such as Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Udaipur to the remote, hidden gems of the Shekhawati and Jhalawar. From the call of the wild in Ranthambore and Sariska to the call of the spiritual in Pushkar and Ajmer. From the golden sands of Khuri in the Thar to the verdant Aravali hills of Alwar. From living inside the forts in Jaisalmer and Chittorgarh, to a palace in Bikaner and a simple homestay in Jodhpur. It was all there.

Now back home I will be embarking on my blog posts. I plan to write 24 all in all starting next week, including a couple of travel guides. Do join me as I share my journey right here. Till then, stay safe, stay healthy, and most importantly, treasure your loved ones. Life is fragile. Keep your loved ones super close to your heart. ❤

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18 thoughts on “ the epic solo rajasthan road trip: because travel heals pain ”

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Thank you! 🙂

So sorry to hear about losing your mom I hope this journey helps you heal. I look forward to the posts from Rajasthan. Maggie

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Thank you, Maggie. Your kind words mean a lot to me. I hope the journey helps me heal. On another note, am loving your Canada road trip series of posts. Inspiring to say the least. One thing about Covid 19 — it has forced us to explore our own backyards with fresh eyes.

I’m sorry for your loss, and I also share your grief. I lost my father in February this year, and all my travels since then have been exclusively dedicated to visiting my mom in my hometown. However, one of my closest friends told me that I need to travel for the sake of traveling, with no burdens whatsoever — the kind of traveling I used to do before the pandemic. Next week I’ll leave Jakarta for a small city in West Java to do exactly this. When I read this post of yours, it’s nice to know that I’m not alone in doing this. I hope your epic Rajasthan trip will heal your pain. All the best, Rama!

My sincere condolences for your loss, Bama. Losing a parent is hard. Also when we lose one parent, we invariably start to center our attention around our remaining parent. It was the same with us after Daddy passed away in 2017. Our mother became the focus of our world. Which also contributed to her loss being more painful. Enjoy your travels with a clear conscience. It is what your mom would want you to do as well.

Like you, it is comforting to know there are others like me in the same boat, taking the same route to heal. It makes me trust the process that much more. Take care.

That’s a good route covering almost everything possible. Let me know if you need any information, Rama. Have a great trip.

Thank you, Arvind. Your blog was an immense help in working out my Jaipur itinerary. I will be in your city for 5 days. Needless to say I scoured your blog for days on end for travel tips and info. Am even booked for a water heritage walk at Nahargarh all thanks to your blog’s inspirational posts. 🙂 Nice to know you feel my route is fine. I am skipping Bundi and Kota as I have already visited both a few years ago and written intensively on them.

5 days is pretty good time to spend in the city. If you have been to Kota and Bundi then it doesn’t make sense to revisit when you have other places to explore. I’m glad you found Jaipurthrumylens useful in planning your trip. Have a great trip, Rama.

So sorry to hear about your loss. Hope your travels bring you peace. Having had two losses last year (one of them being my dad – who used to be a travel buff himself in his time), I have done the same and tried my best to documented them.

Apologies, Sangeeta for the late response. I was on the road. My sincere condolences for your loss. Losing a loved one is the hardest and deepest of all losses one incurs during life. The travels did help. A bit. I cried often. I spoke to her even more often. Next week I start documenting my travels. I very much would like to read your posts too and will do so soon. Thank you for stopping by and your kind words. Means a lot to me.

A heartfelt tribute Rama, and i feel very happy to see you included her name to this space. She will live now as long as time.

Rajasthan has been a living entity like a mystic, tales travelling through the sands of time. With you here and waiting to read them all.

Could not agree more than journeying on this occasion. An inspiration because cannot come to terms with as big a loss as one’s mothers.

My care and strength Narayan x

Thank you for your lovely, kind words Narayan. Means a lot. Truly. Am grateful my blog has readers such as yourself.

Pleasure Rama, i came over as it was already a lot of time i had not read anything from you. And good i did. Thanks again.

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Rajasthan Road Trip Day 1 (9 Days/5 Destinations) – Traveling with a Kid

Rajasthan Road Trip

Hey guys, I know you have been missing us! We missed you too. But now we are back, Yay!!! I want to thank you guys for being here even when I was not around. I am quite surprised to see how well the blog is growing now. We got a little more than ‘15800 Reads’ last month which is so amazing. Thanks to all my dear friends and readers. If you follow us on our social media then you must be knowing that currently, I am doing a series of travel posts on Instagram & Facebook covering our Rajasthan Road Trip. And the same I’m going to share on my blog now.

During Valentine’s week last month (Feb 2020), we did an unplanned road trip for 9 days across Rajasthan with Nemit & it turned out to be the best of all our road trips so far. We just had 2 major destinations in our mind which we wanted to cover i.e. Jaisalmer & Jodhpur but we could explore 5 different destinations.

Rajasthan Road Map

The only reason to keep the trip unplanned was the uncertainty.

We were not sure if we could go that far in our i10, we had no idea how Nemit was going to take it & I highly doubted if I could drive such long distances with cervical & lower back pain. We knew just 1 thing that we were gonna enjoy every moment of the journey. And we were also prepared mentally to deal with any kind of situation. I’m sure that’s what got us through this adventure.

You may also want to read – Road Trip & Car Safety (when traveling with kids)

I got some DMs asking for a detailed itinerary, so here I’m doing day-wise posts of our Rajasthan Road Trip. Because writing about 9 days in a single post won’t do the justice to the whole expedition. So, here it is the Day 1 of our trip.

Rajasthan Road Trip – Day 1

9 Days – 5 Destinations – 3 Travelers

(Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaipur)

🔺Day 1 – Noida to Bikaner 🔺Distance covered – 542 Km 🔺Total Time – 11 Hrs 🔺Stay at – Hotel Sagar, Bikaner  @hotelsagarbikaner 🔺Place visited – Explored nearby places in the evening

When we started off from Noida we were not sure where to stop for the night & we wanted to cover as much distance as possible. But we also wanted to enjoy the journey so we decided on a time. If we could reach Jaipur before 1 pm we would continue the trip & stop at Bikaner. If not, we would stay at Jaipur.

We started at 7 am from Noida & crossed Jaipur around noon with 3 quick pit stops. Later we stopped around 2 pm at a local restaurant for lunch. We reached Bikaner at 6 pm with just 1 pit stop.

The roads are good but we found some crazy traffic till Jaipur , there were countless trucks on the road which were blocking all the lanes so it was a tricky drive but a thrilling one for sure. We had packed some veg sandwiches & masala idlis for snacking on the go , worked like magic to keep Nemit calm on the first day of the drive.

What else worked to keep our kid happy? Talking & Talking!

Check out this post on Instagram to watch some videos – Click Here !

After driving for 11 hrs we just wanted to hit the bed but Nemit was ready to roll. So, we freshened up & headed out for a quick drive around the place. There was a fort nearby but it was already closed so we drove around for some time & came back to the hotel. We stayed at Hotel Sagar which is a beautiful property with the heritage feel & a modern touch . So, we spent some time exploring the place before heading for dinner at their restaurant.

Hotel Sagar, Bikaner

Here’s a quick review of Hotel Sagar, Bikaner – Click Here !

The last thing I remember from that night was Sumit in a deep sleep & I was about to pass out too while Nemit was happily lying between two of us playing with his toys with no sleep in his eyes. I don’t remember what happened after that.

Overall, it was an extraordinary day! Here’s to a memorable Rajasthan road trip, 9 Days – 5 Destinations – 3 travelers, we did it!

Have you done an unplanned road trip with your little ones? How would you describe the experience in just one sentence?

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12 comments.

Congratulations for so many readers on your blog must tell the road trip of Rajasthan is worth reading after a while come back…. The journey pictures looks great…

Thank you Smitha, just hoping I could finish writing about the next 8 days too during this lockdown period 🙂

I was following your journey on Instagram and it looked like a complete adventure! Love your travel tales, Neha!

This means a lot, Mayuri. Thank you so much for your love & support 🙂

Rajasthan road trip[ is surely a memorable one. Being from Rajasthan I can more adore the landscapes of it.

Wow, road trips are always fun and good way to learn many things. When I was a kid we had done a 22day long road trip and covered all important places in southern India. I still have it very fresh in mind.

We are road trip suckers too dear and this itinerary sounds so perfect, saving it as Rajasthan yer needs to be covered 😊😊

Rajasthan is a beautiful state and your road trip seems to have been so much fun for your family. Beautiful pictures and description, loved reading through.

Wow…So adventurous trip. Such a long trip by road would have been fascinating. The detail description being shared will be helpful in case of planned the trip.

Your travel posts are always filles with great adventure. Rajasthan has been a great place to visit and explore.

Looks like you guys had so much fun. Rajasthan is on my travel list and this post is surely helpful whenever I plan to visit.

Sweet and short explanation

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3 road trips to experience Rajasthan Tourism

Judging from the queries that I have been getting on my last post on Jaipur , it appears that a lot of people are keen on Rajasthan tourism. It is not just Jaipur that seems to hold the charm. Everyone wants to cover more than this city. Rightly so, given the rich heritage and culture that Rajasthan tourism has been promoting. I have been warning people that one trip will not be able to cover all the places in Rajasthan – it is the largest state of India! However, to do justice, you definitely can cover some major cities in one go.

One of the major queries that I have been getting include which is the best way to experience Rajasthan tourism? Road, rail or flight? My personal opinion is to take a road trip across Rajasthan. There is so much to discover along the way. Given the nature of queries, I thought of sharing 3 best road trip options to experience Rajasthan tourism. Note that these road trips start pretty much after you have flown into a city and end with you flying out of one. The flight tickets are an option and can be replaced with a rail journey is so desired. Also, note that each option covers smaller places like Pushkar, Ajmer and Kumbhalgarh along the way.

So, here goes my three Rajasthan road trip itineraries –

• 1 Rajasthan Tourism Road Trip One – Jaipur, Jodhpur & Udaipur
• 2 Rajasthan Road Trip Two – Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur & Jaisalmer
• 3 Road Trip three – Jaipur,  Ranthambore, Jodhpur and Udaipur
• 4 Travel Tips for road trips to experience Rajasthan Tourism

Rajasthan Tourism Road Trip One – Jaipur, Jodhpur & Udaipur

This one is the most popular circuit covering the pink city of Jaipur, the blue city of Jodhpur and my favorite Lake city of Udaipur . My suggestion here is to book flight tickets into Jaipur and fly out from Udaipur.

There are two variations that I can suggest in the above plan. For this, you may need to extend your stay in Udaipur.

Option One –  Cover Chittorgarh from Udaipur. This is just 2 hours from the lake city. Here you can experience the historic tales of Rani Padmavati while touring the mighty Chittorgarh fort. Consider booking a day-trip from Udaipur online through this website . It offers you a pick-up and drop from your Udaipur hotel at a discounted rate .

Option Two –  Head toward the West of Udaipur to the famed hill town of Mount Abu with its stupendous Jain Temple. This is around 3 hours from Udaipur.

Rajasthan Road Trip Two – Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur & Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer is extremely popular among the tourists in Rajasthan and one does not really want to leave out the Golden city. However, be warned that adding Jaisalmer means adding a long stretch to your journey for it is the further most from all the major cities of Rajasthan. Moreover, you cannot fly into Jaisalmer. The closest airport is Jodhpur. If you are short of time and are looking for just a desert experience, then I would recommend spending time in Pushkar as against Jaisalmer. It is bound to save you time and give you the same or maybe, an even better experience. However, if you are like me and enjoy heritage, there is no avoiding the golden city. So, here goes my suggestion of this Rajasthan road trip –

I had opted for this route, except that in my case, I chose to add a day extra at Bikaner. Bikaner is another half-way point between Jaipur and Jaisalmer. Hence on the way back from Jaisalmer, you can choose to break the journey at Bikaner, stay the night, explore the city and continue back to Jaipur. While at Bikaner , don’t miss the intriguing Rat temple with its live rats at Deshnok .

Road Trip three – Jaipur,  Ranthambore, Jodhpur and Udaipur

Rajasthan tourism is not just about heritage. Throw in some bit of wildlife with the tiger spotting at Ranthambore and you can add another flavor to this place. Here is a road trip covering the same –

Travel Tips for road trips to experience Rajasthan Tourism

• Most of the journeys that I have suggested here are just longer owing to the suggested pit-stops. Should you avoid the same, you will be able to complete most of them within 5- 6 hours. In some cases, the distance is even lesser.
• Hiring a car is not difficult in Rajasthan. You can find plenty of cab services online as well as through your hotel or resort. Booking through this online link will not cost you anything additional but will help me make some money to keep this website going. In fact, you are likely to get a discounted price by booking through the website. 
• The charges for the cab would include a round trip to the city where you are hiring the cab. Even if you are not returning to your city of origin, you will have to include that journey into your trip tab. Other than that, you will have to include the Driver Bata charges and any toll charges.
• I would recommend stopping along the roadside restaurants for your meals. The small dhabas along the way treat you to some really authentic Rajasthani food. It definitely adds to the experience of the state.
• Most of the restaurants and petrol bunks have restrooms for you to use. However, note that they are not always the cleanest. Keep a hand sanitizer and toilet paper with you all the time.
• The road conditions in Rajasthan are fairly decent. A few roads are just single-laned.
• There are enough food options and shops along the roads. However, I would still recommend carrying some snacks and water in the car so that you do not waste too much time stopping around.

I hope that makes your planning easier now.  Message in and let me know if you have been for any of these road trips or if you are planning one.

P.S: I have several posts detailing the cities and attractions mentioned in this post. You can click on the relevant links to get more information on them

Booking.com

Popularly referred to as a Restless Ball of Energy. My Mom refuses to entertain my complaints about my equally restless daughter & assures my husband that I was born with a travel bug.

I am a Post-Graduate in Marketing by qualification and a travel blogger by passion. Besides travel, I enjoy photography and if you don’t find me at my desk, I would be out playing badminton or swimming or just running. I believe in planning for every long weekend through the year. And when I cannot travel physically, I travel virtually through this travel blog. My travel stories have also, got published on various websites and magazines including BBC Travel, Lonely Planet India and Jetwings. I have recently published my first book – When Places Come Alive – a collection of stories that are based on legends, landscapes, art and culture of a place which is available in both ebook and paperback format.

88 thoughts on “3 road trips to experience Rajasthan Tourism”

I so wish to go to Jaisalmer. Hoping to cover it with Jodhpur this year. Thanks Ami for sharing. This shall help me plan better. 🙂

I so wish to travel to Rajasthan.. it has been my dream destination ever since childhood…

I hope you get there soon Pratikshya. It is amazing.

Thanks Dipanwita. Here is to a lovely trip!

Road trip 2 – Jaipur Jodhpur Udaipur and Jaisalmer is the best. I just need to visit Udaipur from this list. Great guide Ami…

Thanks Jatin.

An Absolutely comprehensive post , well put! Rajasthan is one of my favourite travel destinations in India and can never get tired of visiting it! The best way indeed is a Road trip savouring the landscapes and culture bit by bit!

You’re awesome with your Rajasthan documentation! ( I think I have told you this before):)

Thank you Divyakshi. You have mentioned this earlier but I loved hearing it again 😉 Thanks for the encouragement.

I am Rajasthan but never being to Jodhpur in my life. Thanks for reigniting the thought. 🙂

Thanks Hemu. Hope you plan a trip soon.

A very informative post. Beautiful pictures 🙂

Thanks Purba.

Udaipur is to dai for! Some other parts of Rajasthan are equally worth dyeing for – though they believe in Tie & Dye. Of course, till you have been to Kota to see the miniature Seven Wonders – you can never claim to have had your full quota of Rajasthan! I enjoyed this comprehensive post!

Thank you Bharat. I agree, Kota is suppose to be amazing but then you can’t cover them all in one trip. 🙂 I still have loads to go myself.

Rajaasthan is on my places to see list. Thanks for sharing these beautiful pictures.

Hope you get there soon Suzy. 🙂

I haven’t explored this region at all … Looks so beautiful and colorful.. the colors of the sun, the fort … gorgeous!!

Time to get there soon 🙂

Such an elaborate post! And mesmerising photographs too. I have fallen in love with Rajasthan!

Thanks Maliny.

Rajasthan is so charming! A road trip is a fabulous way to explore this magical state of India.

It sure is Renuka.

A very useful post for anyone planning to visit Rajasthan. Thanks for sharing this!

Thanks Chaitali. Hoping for the same – people finding it easier to get to Rajasthan after this post.

Rajsthan invites again through your beautiful photos

Thank you. Have you booked your tickets?

Rajasthan has been on my to visit list for a while now! And your post will be really helpful.

Thanks Reema and I hope you get there soon.

I am so getting jealous reading Rajasthan posts…I want to go there nowwwww 🙂 Loved it to bits Ami..the pictures are mind blowing and the information bookmarked 🙂

Glad you liked it Shweta. Rajasthan is really mesmerizing.

Hello, Thanks for sharing a great detail about to make a road trip about Rajasthan tour. Such a nice post and all images look so beautiful. Rajasthan culture and tradition is main attraction parts that excite everyone to visit this place.

Thank you Vaibhav. Glad you liked it.

Road trips are the best way to travel and discover places. There are so many gems along the way that go unnoticed when you fly or go by train.

I agree and with a place like Rajasthan, it is definitely recommended.

Nice itinerary plans to visit Rajasthan. As a traveler, i must say Oct to Dec months are best to visit Rajasthan as weather is very nice here in these days. I would love to visit Jaisalmer again as i love deserts. Great write up Ami!

Thank you. Glad you liked it.

We have covered all of these in one round trip. We believe exploring Rajasthan can best be done on a road trip where you will get to explore more of the rustic and quaint rural lifestyles and lots of wildlife too 🙂

Agreed. Road trips are the best in this colorful state.

hi Ami this is manjit here from malaysia.i am planning to visit rajasthan am reaching there 13.3.2017 at 2am.would like your advice.i want to visit fatehpur bikaner jaisalmer sam jodhpur ajmer n back to jaipur in 5 days.can it be done.i am in jaipur for a wedding on the 18 n 19 of march 2017.after this on 20th i plan to go to udaipur ahmedadbad n fly back from mumbai on 23th at 11 pm.is my trip okay or crazy.there r 5 of us in our group my family.maybe u can suggest something thanks.love to drive around.do we need international licence.

Manjit – have answered your queries over FB 🙂

Road trips have always been a way to find your soul in the lost roads of a new place awaiting to be explored. Rajasthan being so mysteriously beautiful should be explored on a road trip. The colourful and vibrant locals, their houses and palaces of course and the barren yet beautiful landscapes mesmerize you. We really enjoyed driving through the interiors of Rajasthan last year.

Glad you agree guys. Road trips are just lovely.

Great blog about road trip to Rajasthan…Rajasthan is a great place where people came from far of places..I found plenty of good information here…

We have done two except the Jaisalmer one, which we plan to do sometime this year. These road trips are awesome! Don’t forget the delicious food along the way, that makes the trip double worth it!

Absolutely, the food and the little villages make the trip so much better. Glad you managed a few of these . Cheers

These are great tips! I also found traveling around places like Brazil and Morocco that it was helpful to have toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Good to know that the roadside restaurants are yummy! And I’d certainly love to visit a pink city and a blue city on the same trip!

And if you want one more color, go for the golden city Jaisalmer 🙂 Hope you come by to India soon!

Rajasthan is definitely a very hot destination for the tourists. The beautiful sand dunes, safari on camels, massive forts and many more places have been the attractions of many tourists.

It sure is.

This place is amazing! I would love to go there on a road trip, Ami!

Am sure you will enjoy Rajasthan just for these. Thanks for stopping by.

I love to travel and it is basically my passion to do so.. Last month, I visited Udaipur(RAJ.) and it was indeed a great fun exploring the beautiful lakes it has.

Thank you Thomas. Good to know that you like traveling.

Thanks for sharing such an informative blog Ami! I loved scrolling through it. I too had visited udaipur few months ago and discovered a lot. The place is indeed great and it has amazing architecture. thanks for sharing again, It refreshed memories of the trip.

Udaipur is one of my favorite cities and am glad you managed to get there. Thanks for sharing your experience and stopping by the blog.

Wanted to take this opportunity to let you know that I read your blog posts on a regular basis. Your writing style is impressive, keep it up!

THank you so much. Glad to know that you like the posts.

nice information and very helpful for tourist thanks for sharing

Thank you Saim

I am planning road trip (self driven) from Delhi to Jaipur (2night) to Jodhpur (Ajmer, Pushkar) (1night), then to jaisalmer (1Night) then to Bikaner (1Night) then back to jaipur (Might be 1Night) to delhi. If any suggestions please let me know

Hey Yatin, I think you are packing in too much on this one trip. Given it is a road trip, you might just find yourself driving and not seeing anything in particular. Have a look at my other Rajasthan posts as well to get an idea of what you might want to consider when planning the stay in each of these places. Cheers

Very useful information. What about the above plan, if we consider trains to travel between the cities rather via road. We are basically planning to visit Jaipur,Jodhpur and Jaisalmer.

Trains are good though you might miss the lovely little towns along the way. It would make a lot of sense if you have less time.

Thanks for the reply. We are planning for 9 days. What about public transport via road rather than hired cabs. We are 8 members of the group. Travelling in January 2018. Is it a good season to travel.

I recommend this article for your reading. This should answer all your queries. https://thrillingtravel.in/2015/11/10-travel-tips-for-rajasthan.html

You are welcome.

Thanks a lot for your authentic and informative comments. You have convinced me on road trip with your impressive narration of Rajasthan which I have always cherished as the last frontier of Indian Royalty.

The best way to see the places. Hope you plan one this year. Thanks for stopping by

Hi, just thinking of hiring zoom car from jaipur, drive via pushkar to Udaipur (2N) drive to ranthambore reserve , stay overnight, return to Jaipur (2N).My only worry is if I missed out on Jaisalmer which is far away for a drive to include in this itinerary.Also, it is going to be about 40+ deg c by 2nd week of april? Any suggestions? Thanks.

Jaisalmer will be out of the way and is not recommended for such a short trip. You can get some desert experience at Pushkar instead. Maybe stay the night here. And yes, it’s going to be hot in April.

Planning a road trip to rajasthan. Trip 3 seems better. Is October a good time to visit. And what should be a checklist is we are traveling on our own vehicle.

October is perfect. For the checklist for your own vehicle, check out this post on roadtrip tips. Cheers https://thrillingtravel.in/2017/08/10-travel-tips-memorable-road-trip.html

I want to cover Jaisalmer- Jodhpur- Jaipur I hope you will help me to cover this places and send me nice plan

Hi Pooja – The post mentions the suggested plan along with the relevant links. I am sure that you will have the information that you may need for the same. Cheers

A perfect guide for my favourite destinations. Thanks for this sharing.

Thanks for stopping by. Glad you found these useful

I want to plan a road trip of rajasthan by road from Banaras in my car….plzz suggest me which places i should include in my itinerary for a 10 to 12 days trip

I honestly, have not done that circuit. Wish you luck with the same and look forward to hearing about how you have done it.,

I am planning to visit Rajasthan from Gujarat by car, for 6 to 7 days with family (kids are there). Please suggest me the best route from Gujarat.

Hi Virat, If you are headed from Gujarat, you can cover the Jaipur – Jodhpur and Udaipur circuit as they will fall well in your driving route. Alternately, you can do Udaipur, Abu and Chittorgarh.

My native place is in Walrai, Rajasthan, but i am embarrassed to say that i’ve never seen my homeland. After reading your blog i’ve that i will surely explore my motherland once lockdown is opened. Thank you soo much :*

It happens to the best of us. I personally feel that even I have not seen much of my hometown – Jamnagar, Gujarat,

Very helpful blog to understand Rajasthan It’s help me to plan a adventure trip in rajasthan.

Glad that you found the blog useful. Do share with anyone who needs to plan a trip

I loved reading this, Ami ! You did a great job showcasing the colorful cities of Rajasthan!

Thank you so much. Glad you liked the post

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Road trip in Rajasthan for 9 Days

I started off on 9-day road trip from Ghaziabad in Maruti Celerio with my husband on 25th December.

15th December to 15th January is the peak season to visit Rajasthan. It is flooded with both domestic and foreign tourists. Tariffs are doubled and there is a entry ticket for every possible touristy spot! Best time to visit Rajasthan is February as per the suggestion of locals. There are hardly any domestic tourists since children are busy with their school exams in North Indian. Therefore, hotel tariffs are also reduced to nearly half the prices.

Overall we covered approx. 3000 KM in 9 days and it was just my husband who drove throughout the trip since I don’t know driving! In Rajasthan, you will be driving mostly on National and state highways. Roads are extremely smooth and well maintained. You will immensely enjoy the driving experience across the state.

Ghaziabad to Jaipur

Time taken: 8 AM to 2 PM.

We reached around 2 PM at Amer Fort but because of some diversion we couldn’t go there directly. So we went straight towards our accommodation at Hotel Nahargarh Haveli. Since it was Christmas Eve, Jaipur was bustling with locals and tourists. Roads were fully jam-packed. Because of heavy traffic we reached Amer Fort at 5:30 PM when it was about to close! We had already covered up other touristy places in Jaipur in our previous trips, therefore we skipped everything else this time. We wanted to hire a guide for watching around this magnificent fort but because of lack of time we decided to see just the Light and Sound show @ 6:30 PM which in my opinion is a must watch . It is very informative and a perfect visual treat. It gets really cold at night so do carry your heavy jackets along.

Amer Fort during Light and Sound show

Food & Restaurants: On the way to Jaipur we had breakfast at Old Rao Dhabha . It is just as famous as Amrik Sukhdev Dhaba at GT Karnal Road near Murthal. Very Reasonable prices and delicious food. If going towards Jaipur then you will have to take a U-turn to reach here.

Tried the much hyped Pyaz Kachoris, Mirchi Vadas and Gajar ka Halwa at Rawat Misthan Bhandar in Jaipur but unfortunately we were highly disappointed by the taste. We had dinner at Spice Court restaurant . Had to wait for an hour to get a table. Well, the story was same at all the good restaurants in Jaipur because of Christmas celebrations! Food was okayish and service was pathetic.

Jaipur to Ajmer Sharif

Time taken: 9:30 AM to 12 PM

We couldn’t go inside due to herds of people pushing each other just to enter the shrine. Secondly, you are not allowed to carry bags and cameras along. There are lockers provided but that place was too dingy and we didn’t find it safe enough to leave behind our valuables like cellphones or cameras. So it is better to leave everything in your car before you plan to visit!

Ajmer to Pushkar

Time taken: 1 PM to 2 PM

Pushkar is a very small town having lots of temples and mostly inhabited by Brahmans. As soon as you enter Pushkar, you will be followed and stopped by many local guides coaxing you to hire them with false promises of taking you inside the Brahma temple even before it opens (it reopens by 3 PM). On top of it, they will scare you by telling that one has to walk for 3-4 KM to reach the temple and only they can take you there by a car!

Well, ignore all their claims and go straight for the parking area near Pushkar mela grounds . No cars are allowed beyond this point since Ghat area starts from here and runs all along the Pushkar Lake and Brahma temple is also nearby. This part of Pushkar will give you an absolute old world charm feeling and is laid with web of small bylanes, twists and turns.

Best way to enjoy Pushkar is by exploring the old town on foot, taking random turns and getting lost in its streets and hopping from one ghat to another. Old Rangji temple is another architectural marvel which seems quite ancient. You must include Pushkar in your itinerary of Rajasthan trip!

Ghats of Pushkar

Old Rangji Temple

Pushkar to Beawar

Time taken: 5 PM to 6 PM

We stayed at a friend’s place in Beawar for a night and we got to experience the amazing hospitality of a Rajput family. This was undoubtedly the best highlight of the whole trip.

Food & Restaurants: Kadi Kachori and Malpuas at Halwai Gali just opposite the Gau Ghat are not be missed for anything in this world! They are simply the best you will have in Rajasthan. Then we had papad pyaz ki sabzi at Radhe ji restaurant near Varha Ghatt which was also one of the yummiest delicacies we had on our trip.

Beawar to Jaisalmer

Time taken: 9 AM to 3 PM

We took the route via Beawar-Barr-Jodhpur-Jaisalmer and roads are excellent. On reaching Jaisalmer, we left for Desert Safari at 4 PM. It was booked for us by our hotel owner at Mud mirror guesthouse located just beside the Jain temple inside the Jaisalmer Fort . It was organized by Marwar Luxury group in Khuri village .

I had been earlier to desert camps in Sam village. Sam has hundreds of desert camps and it looks more like a colony and is highly commercialized. Therefore, we decided to try desert camps at Khuri village instead this time. There were only 2 desert camps that I could spot. Minimal tourists and definitely to be chosen over Sam. The cultural night and food at Marwar luxury desert camp was also fantastic and we thoroughly enjoyed it!

Sand Dunes in Khuri Village

I would highly recommend staying inside the fort as it is altogether a unique experience. You can roam around and wander in its bylanes at midnight till the dawn as it is completely safe inside. The view of golden city from the rooms and roof tops was mesmerizing!

View of Jaisalmer City from hotel room inside Jaisalmer Fort

View from hotel room inside Jaisalmer Fort

Jain Temple captured from Hotel's terrace

Jain temple opens by 7:30 AM. Since our guesthouse was located within a stone’s throw of the temple, we were the first one to enter it at early morning. It’s a beautiful temple and a stunning piece of architecture. Very neat and clean, well maintained temple. It is advisable to come here as early as possible before maddening crowds gets queued up.

Inside Jain Temple

Next we went on to see City Palace and Canon View Point . Guide is not required for this one. Post this we walked up to Patwon ki Haveli. This place offers wonderful view of entire golden city with mighty Jaisalmer fort in the background.

View from City Palace inside Jaisalmer Fort

Golden city of Jaisalmer with Fort in background as viewed from Patwon ki Haveli

After this at around 1 PM we left for Tanot Mata temple in our own car. It took us 2 hours to reach there. More than the destination it’s the journey which makes it enthralling. Roads are good except for few stretches and goes straight through the barren desert with barely any traffic. During 1971 war Pakistani army dropped around 450 bombs but there was no harm to this temple. There are unexploded shells put to display in this temple. This place is now managed by BSF Soldiers.

Enroute Tanot Mata Temple

This temple is very close to Indo-Pakistan border , hardly 20 KM from here. You will need prior written permission to go till border which can be acquired very easily from BSF headquarters located in Jaisalmer itself.

After staying for 15 mins at the temple we left for Longewala . It took us around 1 hour to reach here from Tanot. Road is single-lane and this journey is even more exhilarating since it is extremely remote area with absolutely no inhabitants and there are only barren sand dunes as far as the sight goes. Longewala is the actual place where Indo-Pak war of 1971 was fought based on which Border movie has been shot. Real captured Pakistani tanks and jeeps are put to display here. There are Indian bunkers as well. This place is also maintained by Indian Army.

Tanot-Longewala Tour is a must if you visit Jaisalmer. We left from there at 5 PM and reached Jaisalmer back by 7. Road from Longewala to Jaisalmer is even better.

Actual Bunkers of Indo-Pak war of 1971 at Longewala

Food & Restaurants: Had Kachoris and Bread pakodas packed for lunch from a local Halwai/Misthan Bhandar and had it on the way to Tanot.

For dinner we went to Hotel Pol Haveli and had authentic local cuisine like Kair Sangri ki sabzi, Kadi pakodi, Bajre ki roti, lassi and bajre ka churma as sweet dish. Food was simply delicious. Very hygienic, freshly cooked in home-style. And excellent hospitality shown by the humble owners of this place was the cherry on the cake!

We left for Kuldhara village by 9 AM. It is an abandoned village which is now in complete ruined state. It has a very sad story associated with it. It is said to be once inhabited by Paliwal Brahmins. Diwan Saalem singh in King’s court had an evil eye on a Brahmin’s daughter and wanted to marry her forcibly because Brahmins would never agree to marry off their daughters to Rajputs. So, all the villagers left en masse overnight to prevent Diwan’s wrath. This village is believed to be cursed therefore never inhabited again.

Some of the houses and temples have been resurrected to give an idea of architecture that used to prevail here. I really liked this place and would highly recommend visiting here once.

Ruins of Kuldhara Village

Post this we went to Bada Bagh . This is the cremation ground of royal family of Jaisalmer having lots of cenotaphs. Again an amazing piece of architecture but badly maintained and perfect place for photography enthusiasts. It is quite peaceful here since it is located a little out of the Jaisalmer City.

Cenotaphs at Bada Bagh

After this we left for Jodhpur.

Food & Restaurants: In Breakfast we had Poha at a vendor shop called Jai Parshuram Chat Bhandar located just outside the entry gate of Jaisalmer Fort. And then mouthwatering moong dal kachoris at a vendor who put his cart just beside the famous Bhaang shop . Both these places were recommended by our hotel owner and we are immensely thankful to him for this! DO NOT MISS these delicacies!

Jaisalmer to Jodhpur

Time taken: 12 PM to 4 PM

We stayed at Hotel Indrashan in Jodhpur. It is basically a homestay. Nothing luxurious about this place but still quite comfortable and host offered good hospitality. There were corporates from Gurgaon and cycling enthusiasts again from Gurgaon amongst other guests who were staying here. So, we had good interacting session over breakfast!

Umaid Bhawan Palace had closed for visitors by the time we reached so just explored the area around and then left for dinner.

Food & Restaurants: we decided to go Hotel Pol Haveli for dinner after reading good reviews on TA. We found this hotel totally overhyped since food wasn’t as great as expected. The only good thing was view of Mehrangarh fort from rooftop restaurant.

Checked out from hotel after breakfast and left for Mehrangarh fort at 9 AM. It’s a well maintained, grand and a beautiful fort. Spent around 2 hours in exploring it and one can have full view of blue city from one of the canon viewpoints.

Jodhpur offers lots of other adventure activities as well like zipping in fort which takes around 1.5 hours to complete. Also, there was waiting of 1 hour so we decided to skip it since we had to leave for Udaipur same day. Also, one can enjoy hot air balloon rides in Jodhpur. You would need 1 whole day to cover up all these.

Mighty Mehrangarh Fort

Inside Mehrangarh Fort

View of blue city of Jodhpur from Mehrangarh Fort

Food & Restaurants: Had lunch at Restaurant Crossroads . Food was good and quick service.

Left for Udaipur at 12:45 PM

Jodhpur to Ranakpur

Time taken: 12:45 PM to 4 PM

On our way to Udaipur we halted at Ranakpur Jain temple. It is literally a craftsmanship marvel. A grand temple carved out of marble stone with so many pillars and each one sculpted with religious stories. You have to pay for taking along your cameras or mobile phones inside. Audio guides are available which are quite informative. You can easily spend 2 hours in exploring the breath taking beauty of this temple and it is really peaceful inside. One should not miss it on the way to Udaipur!

Rankapur Jain Temple

Inside Rankapur Jain Temple

Ranakpur to Udaipur

Time taken: 4 PM to 6:30 PM

You will come across Kumbhalgarh Fort on the way to Udaipur. Fort closes by 5 PM but there is light and sound show at 7PM. We thought of attending this show therefore had almost covered half the way uphill to fort. But road was bad since at some stretches it was still under construction. So, we decided to skip it would be difficult driving on such road while returning late at night and that too when there was not even a single street light on the way!

Because of this de-touring it took us longer to reach Hotel Lakend in Udaipur, our next abode for 2 nights! This hotel is comparatively a new property situated just beside Lake Fatehsagar. The location is the USP of this hotel. You don’t need to go anywhere in case you want to spend quality time or dine just sitting beside the beautiful Udaipur Lakes! Rooms were also luxurious. It’s a beautiful property and not very expensive considering it was New Year eve and Udaipur is flooded with tourists during this time! Only problem was service and food!

Hotel lakend situated at the banks of lake Fatehsagar in Udaipur

Left for Kumbhalgarh fort at 10:30 AM post having breakfast at hotel itself which was bad! We hired a taxi from hotel since my husband was in no mood to drive and wanted to give some rest to his legs!

We reached at 12:45 PM as our driver was too slow and greedy. He wanted us to spend whole day with him so that he could charge us more!

Well, Kumbhalgarh fort is again a grand fort situated on a hill top. This fort cannot be located until you reach its gates and credit goes to its location and clever construction. It is not well maintained by government unlike other forts in Rajasthan. Because of this you will get unrestricted access to every nook and corner of this fort which makes it a good adventurous experience! You must hire a guide otherwise you will be lost and also would not come to know the great history behind this fort! But please don’t forget to bargain with guides!

View from top of this fort is spectacular. On one side of it you will see Mewar region having lush green mountains and Marwar region on the other which is covered with arid sand dunes! 38 KM long wall around the fort is the main attraction of this fort which is 2nd largest in the world after Great Wall of China. You can walk along this wall, well as far as you can! It’s a must visit!

We spent almost 2 hours here. Do not forget to wear good shoes as there is lot of climbing and walking to do. Also, good shades and water bottle are must to carry along .

Kumbhalgarh fort

Outside view of wall of Kumbhalgarh fort

Wall of Kumbhalgarh fort

We came back to Udaipur by 4:45 PM. We walked around different Ghats situated along Lake Pichola and spent rest of the evening at Gangaur Ghat!

Food & Restaurants: Had supper at Grasswood restaurant. It’s a small café situated on Gangaur Ghat. Apple pie is a must have here!

Each and every popular restaurant and hotel in Udaipur was pre-booked for 31st December night. And unfortunately Hotel Lakend’s management had asked its resident guests to pay whooping Rs. 7K for gala dinner incase they wanted to dine by the lake and none of us were informed about this at the time of reservation!

So we landed up at Rajbagh Restaurant located just beside Hotel Lakend and on the banks of Lake Fatehsagar.

Today was the day to explore local attractions at Udaipur. 1st on the list was City Palace . Entry ticket is Rs 30 but rest of the places inside it are insanely over-priced! For museum, entry ticket is Rs 250 per person and for Crystal Palace it is Rs 550. Skipped both of them!

Post roaming around city palace we went for boat ride to Jag Mandir for which fare was Rs 400 per person. Experience was worth the money since boat ferries you around all of Lake Pichola . You will get full view of City palace, Lake Palace, Hotel Leela and Udaivilas. Jag Mandir is extremely beautiful and serene place.

Lake Pichola and City Palace

We left Udaipur at 1 PM.

Udaipur to Chittorgarh Fort

Time taken: 1 PM to 3 PM

This is the largest fort in India. Locals still reside in the fort. It has proper roads built inside so you can take your car along . A guide is a must . There are many forts and temples inside and you can commute in your car from 1 point to another. Most parts of the fort are ruins now and is not maintained by government.

Guide will take you to Meera Temple where Meera bai used to pray Lord Krishna , Vijay and Kirti Stambh, Rana Kumbha Place which is a complete ruin, a historic place where 16000 women along with Queen had jumped into pyre of fire to escape wrath of Mughals post king’s defeat, Rani Padmini’s palace which has a heart-wrenching story behind and finally the awe-inspiring battlefield.

Spent almost 2 hours here. I did not like this one as much as I liked other forts in Rajasthan, may be because it is in poor condition now.

Inside Chittorgarh Fort

Vijay Stambh inside Chittorgarh Fort

Battlefield of Chittorgarh Fort

Chittorgarh to Jaipur

Time Taken: 5 PM to 9:30 PM

On the way back to Jaipur, we stopped at Dhaba Highway King which is located at Ajmer-Jaipur Border. Food was fresh and delicious!

We went for shopping at Bapu bazar-Maniharon ka Rasta in Jaipur. This place is wholesale market for Lac bangles. There is so much of variety and such beautiful bangles that you will feel like buying everything you come across!!

Post having some local savories like Pyaz and dal kachoris, we left for Chand Baori.

Jaipur to Chand Baori

Time Taken: 12 PM to 2 PM

Chand Baori is step well and is an unbelievable piece of architecture. Perfect symmetry of steps around the well is exquisite. Unfortunately, tourists are not allowed to go till bottom of the staircase. It is a must visit if in Jaipur!

With this our trip to Rajasthan came to an end! Though there are still so many places we would like to cover in our next trip, mostly the wildlife sanctuaries!

We took route via Yamuna Express highway to reach back Ghaziabad. It took almost 5 hours to reach home!

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