Ten days lets you see Rajasthan's four great cities and the desert without rushing. Distances are long, so plan for half-day drives between stops.
Suggested route
- Days 1–2: Jaipur. Amber Fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal and the bazaars. Sunset at Nahargarh Fort.
- Day 3: Pushkar. About three hours from Jaipur. The lake ghats, the Brahma Temple and the evening aarti.
- Days 4–5: Jodhpur. About five hours from Pushkar. Mehrangarh Fort, the blue city lanes, Jaswant Thada and the clock tower market.
- Days 6–7: Jaisalmer. About five hours from Jodhpur. The living fort, Patwon ki Haveli and a night in a desert camp at the Sam or Khuri dunes.
- Days 8–10: Udaipur. Fly via Jodhpur or drive (a long day). City Palace, a sunset boat on Lake Pichola and a day trip to Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur.
Shorter versions
- Seven days: drop Pushkar and either Jaisalmer or Udaipur.
- Five days: Jaipur and Udaipur only, ideal for honeymooners.
Adding wildlife
Ranthambore fits between Jaipur and the rest of the route. Two nights with three or four safaris gives you a good chance of seeing a tiger. Core zones close in the monsoon.
Where to stay
Rajasthan has some of India's most memorable heritage hotels, from converted havelis to palaces. Even one night in a heritage property adds a lot to the trip. See our Luxury holidays page.
Tips
- Season: mid-October to mid-March. Desert nights in winter are cold.
- Pace: two nights in each city is the minimum to enjoy it.
- Shopping: block prints and blue pottery in Jaipur, leather in Jodhpur, miniatures in Udaipur.
See ready-made routes on our Rajasthan page.
When to go
When to go
When to go
When to go