Family Rajasthan: Jaipur, Pushkar and Jodhpur

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.
• 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).
• 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.

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 → 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 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.
• Zipline over Mehrangarh's walls · 1.5 h
• 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 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Explore Jodhpur

Jodhpur

• Bishnoi village jeep safari · 4 h. Visit the conservation-minded Bishnoi community, potters and weavers; blackbuck and chinkara graze near the villages.
• Blue City lanes walk · 2 h. The blue-washed Brahmpuri lanes below the fort; a local guide helps you find the viewpoints without trespassing.

Local tip: Visit the conservation-minded Bishnoi community, potters and weavers; blackbuck and chinkara graze near the villages.

Open day 7 route in Google Maps

Day 8: Depart from Jodhpur

Jodhpur

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