Budget Rajasthan by train: Jaipur to Jaisalmer

Day 1: Arrive in Jaipur

Jaipur

• Hawa Mahal and the old-city bazaars · 3 h. See the façade from a café terrace opposite, then climb inside. Walk on through Johari Bazaar for jewellery, Bapu Bazaar for block prints and mojris, and Tripolia for brass and lac bangles.

Local tip: See the façade from a café terrace opposite, then climb inside. Walk on through Johari Bazaar for jewellery, Bapu Bazaar for block prints and mojris, and Tripolia for brass and lac bangles.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Explore Jaipur

Jaipur

• Amber Fort and Panna Meena stepwell · 3.5 h. Go at opening time and walk or take a jeep up — skip the elephant rides. Amber is on Jaipur's two-day composite ticket (about ₹300 for Indians; foreigners pay more), which also covers Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Albert Hall and Nahargarh.
• Nahargarh Fort sunset · 2.5 h. The ridge-top fort looks over the whole city; stay for the lights. Jaigarh Fort, with its giant cannon, sits on the same ridge.

Local tip: Go at opening time and walk or take a jeep up — skip the elephant rides. Amber is on Jaipur's two-day composite ticket (about ₹300 for Indians; foreigners pay more), which also covers Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Albert Hall and Nahargarh.

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Jaipur → Pushkar & Ajmer

Pushkar & Ajmer · Jaipur to Pushkar & Ajmer, Car ~2.5–3h (train to Ajmer ~1.5–2h + 30 min taxi)

• Pushkar Lake ghats and evening aarti · 2 h. Remove shoes on the ghats and ask before photographing bathers. Self-styled priests may offer a 'Pushkar passport' blessing and then demand a large donation — decline politely.
• Brahma Temple · 1 h. One of very few temples dedicated to Brahma; bags, phones and leather items go in lockers outside.

Local tip: Remove shoes on the ghats and ask before photographing bathers. Self-styled priests may offer a 'Pushkar passport' blessing and then demand a large donation — decline politely.

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Explore Pushkar & Ajmer

Pushkar & Ajmer

• Ajmer Sharif Dargah · 2 h. The shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, 30 min from Pushkar. Cover your head, leave bags at your car, and expect dense crowds on Thursdays and during the Urs.
• Savitri Mata temple sunrise (ropeway or climb) · 2 h. A ropeway or a 45-minute climb up the hill for views over the lake and desert at sunrise.
• Sunset camel or horse ride in the dunes · 2 h. Short rides into the sand outside town; check the animals look healthy and agree the price and duration first.
• Main bazaar and rooftop cafés · 2 h

Local tip: The shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, 30 min from Pushkar. Cover your head, leave bags at your car, and expect dense crowds on Thursdays and during the Urs.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Pushkar & Ajmer → Jodhpur

Jodhpur · Pushkar & Ajmer to Jodhpur, Car ~4h

• Mehrangarh Fort museum · 3 h. One of India's best-run forts: take the audio guide, see the palanquin and armoury galleries and the Phool Mahal. A lift saves the steepest climb.

Local tip: One of India's best-run forts: take the audio guide, see the palanquin and armoury galleries and the Phool Mahal. A lift saves the steepest climb.

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Explore Jodhpur

Jodhpur

• Clock Tower, Sardar Market and Toorji ka Jhalra · 2.5 h. Spices, textiles and makhaniya lassi around the Ghanta Ghar, then the restored stepwell nearby.
• Jaswant Thada and Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park · 2 h. The white marble cenotaph below the fort, then easy trails through a restored desert park with fort views.
• Blue City lanes walk · 2 h. The blue-washed Brahmpuri lanes below the fort; a local guide helps you find the viewpoints without trespassing.
• Zipline over Mehrangarh's walls · 1.5 h

Local tip: Spices, textiles and makhaniya lassi around the Ghanta Ghar, then the restored stepwell nearby.

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Jodhpur → Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer · Jodhpur to Jaisalmer, Car ~5h (train ~5–6h)

• Jaisalmer Fort and Jain temples · 3 h. A living fort where families still live; the palace museum and the carved Jain temples (open in the morning) are the highlights. Staying outside the walls eases the strain on the fort's old drains.

Local tip: A living fort where families still live; the palace museum and the carved Jain temples (open in the morning) are the highlights. Staying outside the walls eases the strain on the fort's old drains.

Open day 7 route in Google Maps

Day 8: Explore Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer

• Patwon ki Haveli and the merchant havelis · 2 h
• Gadisar Lake at sunrise · 1.5 h
• Bada Bagh cenotaphs at sunset · 1.5 h
• Kuldhara abandoned village · 1 h

Open day 8 route in Google Maps

Day 9: Explore Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer

• Sam Sand Dunes camel ride, sunset and desert camp · 6 h. About 40 km west; camp packages bundle a camel ride, folk music and dinner. Camps vary a lot — choose a licensed one with good reviews, or head to quieter dunes near Khuri.

Local tip: About 40 km west; camp packages bundle a camel ride, folk music and dinner. Camps vary a lot — choose a licensed one with good reviews, or head to quieter dunes near Khuri.

Open day 9 route in Google Maps

Day 10: Depart from Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer

Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.