Classic Rajasthan: Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur and 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.
• City Palace and Jantar Mantar · 3 h. The royal family still lives in part of the palace; the Pritam Niwas courtyard's four peacock gates are the photo stop. Jantar Mantar's giant instruments are next door — a guide makes them make sense.
• Albert Hall Museum by night · 1.5 h. Rajasthan's oldest museum, lit up after dark; it stays open into the evening.

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: Explore Jaipur

Jaipur

• 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.
• Jal Mahal viewpoint and Galtaji (monkey temple) · 2.5 h. Jal Mahal is seen from the lakeside promenade only. Galtaji's temple and tanks sit in a gorge east of the city, with monkeys everywhere — keep food out of sight.
• Block-printing workshop at Sanganer or Bagru · 3 h. Print your own scarf with a family of printers; the Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing near Amber is a good primer (closed Mondays).

Local tip: The ridge-top fort looks over the whole city; stay for the lights. Jaigarh Fort, with its giant cannon, sits on the same ridge.

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Jaipur → Udaipur

Udaipur · Jaipur to Udaipur, Car ~6–6.5h (flight ~1h, train ~6–7h)

• City Palace museum · 3 h. Rajasthan's largest palace complex, with mirror-work rooms and lake views from the upper courtyards; go at opening time and add the audio guide.

Local tip: Rajasthan's largest palace complex, with mirror-work rooms and lake views from the upper courtyards; go at opening time and add the audio guide.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Explore Udaipur

Udaipur

• Lake Pichola boat ride to Jag Mandir · 1.5 h. Boats leave from the City Palace jetties; the sunset trip costs more and stops at the Jag Mandir island palace.
• Jagdish Temple and old-city walk · 2 h. The carved 17th-century temple by the palace gate, then the lanes down to Gangaur Ghat and the miniature painting shops.
• Eklingji and Nagda temples · 3 h. The Mewar royal family's Shiva temple 22 km north (phones and cameras deposited at the gate), with the older Saas-Bahu temples at Nagda nearby.
• Vintage and classic car collection · 1 h

Local tip: Boats leave from the City Palace jetties; the sunset trip costs more and stops at the Jag Mandir island palace.

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Udaipur → Jodhpur

Jodhpur · Udaipur to Jodhpur, Car ~5h direct, or 6–7h with stops at Ranakpur

• 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 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: 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.
• Umaid Bhawan Palace museum · 1.5 h. An Art Deco palace, part hotel and part royal residence; the small museum and vintage cars are open to visitors.

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

Open day 7 route in Google Maps

Day 8: 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 8 route in Google Maps

Day 9: 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 9 route in Google Maps

Day 10: Depart from Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer

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