First trip: Jaipur and Udaipur

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.
• 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

• 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.
• 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: 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.

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.
• Saheliyon ki Bari and Fateh Sagar · 2 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: Explore Udaipur

Udaipur

• Dharohar folk dance at Bagore ki Haveli · 1.5 h. An hour of Rajasthani dances and puppetry in a lakeside haveli courtyard; queue early for good seats.
• Rajasthani cooking class · 3 h. Home kitchens in the old city teach dal, gatte ki sabzi and chapati; vegetarian throughout.
• Vintage and classic car collection · 1 h

Local tip: An hour of Rajasthani dances and puppetry in a lakeside haveli courtyard; queue early for good seats.

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Depart from Udaipur

Udaipur

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