Rajasthan is India at its most theatrical: hilltop forts, palaces on lakes, a city painted blue, another built from golden sandstone, and the Thar desert waiting at the end of the road. It's also big. Jaisalmer is a full day's drive from Udaipur, and a badly planned Rajasthan itinerary can easily turn into ten days in a car.
This Rajasthan itinerary avoids that. It's a one-way loop from Delhi through Jaipur, Pushkar, Udaipur, Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer, with no backtracking, drives of five hours or less on most days, and a night in the desert at the end. It also covers the best time to go, how to get around, what it costs and how to shorten or stretch the plan.
The best time for a Rajasthan trip
- October to March is the season. Days are warm and sunny, and nights are cool. December and January can be cold at night, especially in the desert.
- April to June is very hot, with afternoons above 40°C. Only go if you must, and plan forts for early morning.
- July to September is the monsoon. Udaipur's lakes fill up and the city looks its best, but humidity is high elsewhere.
Diwali and the Pushkar Camel Fair (in November, around Kartik Purnima) are festive but busy, and room prices in Pushkar triple during the fair. Christmas to New Year is the most expensive week everywhere.
Rajasthan itinerary at a glance
| Day | Route | Drive | Night |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delhi to Jaipur | about 285 km, 5½ hours | Jaipur |
| 2 | Jaipur | local | Jaipur |
| 3 | Jaipur to Pushkar | about 144 km, 2¾ hours | Pushkar |
| 4 | Pushkar to Udaipur | about 277 km, 5 hours | Udaipur |
| 5 | Udaipur | local | Udaipur |
| 6 | Udaipur to Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur | about 95 km, 2¼ hours | Kumbhalgarh |
| 7 | Kumbhalgarh to Jodhpur | about 177 km, 3¾ hours | Jodhpur |
| 8 | Jodhpur to Jaisalmer | about 284 km, 5¼ hours | Jaisalmer |
| 9 | Jaisalmer and the Sam dunes | local | Desert camp |
| 10 | Jaisalmer, then home | overnight train or flight |
Drive times are JrnyLoop's estimates for real Indian roads, without breaks.
Day 1: Delhi to Jaipur
Take the expressway or an early train to Jaipur. The Shatabdi and Vande Bharat trains take about 4½ hours, which is quicker than driving once you count Delhi traffic. Check in, then spend the evening around the Albert Hall Museum, which is beautifully lit at night, and the bazaars of the old Pink City.
Day 2: Jaipur
Start early at Amber Fort (about ₹200), the hilltop palace-fort with the mirrored Sheesh Mahal, before the tour buses arrive. On the way back, stop at Jal Mahal, the palace that seems to float on Man Sagar lake. In the afternoon, see the City Palace and the giant astronomical instruments of Jantar Mantar, then photograph the Hawa Mahal from one of the cafés across the road. End the day at Nahargarh Fort for sunset over the whole city.
Jaipur's composite ticket covers Amber, Nahargarh, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Albert Hall and more, and it's much cheaper than buying each ticket separately. It's valid for two days.
For a deeper look at the city, read our guide to places to visit in Jaipur.
Day 3: Jaipur to Pushkar
Drive to Pushkar, a small holy town wrapped around a lake with 52 ghats. Visit the Brahma Temple, one of very few in the world dedicated to Brahma, and wander the bazaar. At sunset, sit on the ghats as the lake turns gold, or take a short camel ride to the dunes on the edge of town.
Pushkar is vegetarian and alcohol-free, and you'll need to remove your shoes on the ghats. Politely refuse offers of a "flower puja" at the lake, which usually ends in a demand for money. If you have time, visit the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, the Sufi shrine 15 km away, in the evening.
Day 4: Pushkar to Udaipur
This is the longest drive of the first half, through the Aravalli hills to Udaipur, the City of Lakes. Arrive by late afternoon and head to Ambrai Ghat for the classic view of the City Palace reflected in Lake Pichola at sunset. Book a lake-facing rooftop for dinner.
Day 5: Udaipur
See the City Palace (about ₹300), Rajasthan's largest palace complex, in the morning, then the carved Jagdish Temple next door. In the afternoon, take a boat on Lake Pichola past Jag Mandir and the Lake Palace hotel. Watch the sunset from the Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace on the hill above the city, and catch the Dharohar folk dance show at Bagore ki Haveli in the evening.
Udaipur deserves more than one day. Our guide to places to visit in Udaipur has a full three-day plan.
Day 6: Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur
Drive into the Aravallis to Kumbhalgarh Fort (about ₹40), whose walls run for about 36 km, the second-longest continuous wall in the world. Walk a section of the ramparts, then visit the Ranakpur Jain Temple, a 15th-century marble temple with 1,444 carved pillars, no two alike.
Ranakpur opens to non-Jain visitors only from midday, and leather items aren't allowed inside. Stay the night near Kumbhalgarh and watch the fort's evening light and sound show.
Day 7: Kumbhalgarh to Jodhpur
Drive to Jodhpur, the Blue City. In the afternoon, visit Jaswant Thada, the white marble cenotaph below the fort, and the restored stepwell of Toorji ka Jhalra. Spend the evening around the Clock Tower and Sardar Market, with a makhaniya lassi from one of the famous shops nearby.
Day 8: Mehrangarh, then on to Jaisalmer
Be at Mehrangarh Fort (about ₹200) when it opens. It's one of the finest fort museums in India, with a superb audio guide. Walk down through the blue lanes of the old city instead of taking a cab back.
Then drive west into the desert to Jaisalmer, arriving by evening. The road is straight and quiet, but leave by midday so you don't drive the last stretch in the dark.
Day 9: Jaisalmer and the Sam dunes
Spend the morning inside Jaisalmer Fort, the Sonar Qila, one of the few forts in the world where people still live. Walk its lanes to the Jain temples, then visit the carved merchant houses of Patwon ki Haveli. Go to Gadisar Lake for its chhatris if you missed it at sunrise.
In the afternoon, drive about 40 km to the Sam sand dunes for a camel or jeep safari at sunset, a folk music evening and a night in a desert camp. On the way, stop at Kuldhara, the village abandoned overnight in the 1800s.
Desert nights in December and January drop close to freezing. Pack a proper warm jacket for the dunes, even though the afternoon will feel hot.
Day 10: Jaisalmer and home
Watch the sunrise over the dunes, then head back to Jaisalmer. Overnight trains run from Jaisalmer to Delhi, and Jaisalmer airport has flights in season. Or drive back to Jodhpur, which has more flights and trains.
Shorter and longer versions of this Rajasthan itinerary
7 days: Jaipur (2 nights), Jodhpur (1 night), Jaisalmer (2 nights including the desert camp), then fly or take the train home. Skip Udaipur, or do it as a separate trip.
7 days with lakes instead of desert: Jaipur (2 nights), Pushkar (1 night), Udaipur (3 nights with a Kumbhalgarh day trip).
14 days: add Ranthambore for a tiger safari after Jaipur, Bundi and Chittorgarh between Pushkar and Udaipur, and an extra night in Jodhpur. Our guide to a tiger safari in India covers Ranthambore.
From Delhi via Agra: if it's your first time in North India, start with Delhi and Agra. Read our Taj Mahal visit guide for the Agra leg.
How to get around Rajasthan
- Car with driver: the easiest way to do this Rajasthan itinerary. A sedan costs about ₹3,000 to ₹3,800 a day for 10 days, usually including fuel and the driver's food and stay. Confirm tolls, parking and state taxes before you start.
- Trains: Rajasthan's cities are well connected. Jaipur, Ajmer (for Pushkar), Udaipur, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer all have stations, and overnight trains save a night's stay. Read our guide to train classes.
- Self-drive: the highways are good and the distances are manageable. See how to plan a road trip in India for tips on long drives and night driving.
What a 10-day Rajasthan trip costs
A rough budget per person, for two people sharing, not counting travel to Jaipur:
| Budget | Mid-range | |
|---|---|---|
| Stays (9 nights) | ₹4,500 to ₹7,000 | ₹13,000 to ₹20,000 |
| Desert camp (1 night) | ₹1,500 to ₹2,500 | ₹3,500 to ₹6,000 |
| Car with driver (shared) | ₹16,000 to ₹19,000 | ₹16,000 to ₹19,000 |
| Food | ₹4,000 to ₹6,000 | ₹8,000 to ₹12,000 |
| Entry fees and activities | ₹2,500 to ₹3,500 | ₹4,000 to ₹6,000 |
| Total per person | ₹28,500 to ₹38,000 | ₹44,500 to ₹63,000 |
Using trains and buses instead of a car can bring the budget version down to about ₹18,000 to ₹25,000. Our guide to planning a budget trip in India explains how.
Where to stay in Rajasthan
- Jaipur: the old city near Hawa Mahal for heritage havelis, or C-Scheme for modern hotels
- Pushkar: guesthouses around the lake, many with rooftop cafés
- Udaipur: Lal Ghat and Gangaur Ghat for lake views
- Jodhpur: around the Clock Tower and Navchokiya for fort views
- Jaisalmer: hotels just outside the fort, plus a night at a Sam or Khuri desert camp
Staying in a converted haveli or a small heritage hotel is one of the joys of Rajasthan, and it doesn't have to cost much. Many family-run havelis charge less than chain hotels.
What to eat in Rajasthan
Dal baati churma everywhere, laal maas (fiery mutton curry) in Jodhpur and Jaipur, pyaaz kachori for breakfast in Jaipur and Jodhpur, ghewar in Jaipur, ker sangri in the desert towns and makhaniya lassi in Jodhpur. A Rajasthani thali is the easiest way to try a bit of everything.
Rajasthan travel tips
See forts early. Gates open around 9 am, and the first two hours are the coolest and least crowded.
Use official guides and audio guides. Mehrangarh's audio guide is excellent, and licensed guides at Amber and Chittorgarh bring the forts to life.
Bargain politely in bazaars. Start at around half the first price for textiles and souvenirs, and walk away if you're not sure.
Watch out for touts. Commission-hungry guides and drivers will push certain shops. Say no firmly and shop where you choose.
Rajasthan's festivals
A festival turns a Rajasthan itinerary into something unforgettable:
- Jaipur Literature Festival (late January): one of the largest free literary festivals in the world.
- Desert Festival, Jaisalmer (February): camel races, turban-tying contests and folk music at the Sam dunes.
- Gangaur (March or April): women's processions in Jaipur, Udaipur and across the state.
- Teej (July or August): the monsoon festival, with swings, songs and processions.
- Marwar Festival, Jodhpur (October): folk music and dance around the full moon.
- Pushkar Camel Fair (November): camel trading, races and a huge fair around Kartik Purnima.
- Diwali: forts, havelis and old cities lit with lamps.
What to buy, and where
| Town | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Jaipur | Blue pottery, gemstones and silver, block prints from Sanganer and Bagru, quilts, juttis |
| Pushkar | Silver jewellery, leather, bags and clothes |
| Udaipur | Miniature paintings, silver, puppets, handmade paper |
| Jodhpur | Spices, antiques and furniture, bandhani tie-dye, lac bangles |
| Jaisalmer | Embroidery, mirror-work textiles, camel-leather goods, carved stone |
Bargain politely, and avoid shops a guide or driver insists on. Government emporiums and craft co-operatives have fixed prices, which is a useful benchmark.
A Rajasthan itinerary with children
Children love Rajasthan's forts, but the walking and heat can be tiring. Visit forts first thing in the morning, take the jeep up to Amber Fort, pick hotels with pools for afternoon breaks, and save the camel ride and desert camp for the end of the trip, as the highlight. Chokhi Dhani in Jaipur and the puppet shows in Udaipur are good evening outings.
Rajasthan by train: an alternative route
If you'd rather not spend ten days in a car, a train-based Rajasthan itinerary works well. Take a Shatabdi or Vande Bharat from Delhi to Jaipur, an express to Ajmer for Pushkar, a train or bus to Udaipur, a train to Jodhpur, and an overnight or day train to Jaisalmer, then fly or take the overnight train back to Delhi. You'll miss Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur unless you add a day trip by car from Udaipur, but you'll save money and see the desert from the window. Our guide to train classes in India helps you choose seats.
Staying in a heritage haveli
Many of Rajasthan's old mansions and small palaces are now hotels, from simple family-run havelis at budget prices to grand palace hotels. Check whether rooms are up steep stairs, whether there's hot water and air conditioning in season, and what recent guests say about the noise in old-city lanes.
Plan your Rajasthan trip with JrnyLoop
Tell JrnyLoop where you're starting and add Jaipur, Pushkar, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer as stops. It plans the route in order with realistic drive times, puts the forts in the cool morning hours and the sunset spots at sunset, picks meals each city is known for, and budgets the trip for your group in a budget, comfort or premium stay style.
Travelling with family or friends? Invite them to the trip so everyone sees the plan, and run a poll on whether to add Ranthambore or the desert camp. For more winter trip ideas, see our guide to places to visit in India in winter.
The short version
Give Rajasthan ten days between October and March. Go from Jaipur to Pushkar, Udaipur, Kumbhalgarh, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer in one direction, hire a car with a driver, see each fort early in the morning, and save the last night for the dunes.
Comments