Friends' road trip: Udaipur, Jodhpur and the Jaisalmer dunes

Day 1: Arrive in 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.
• 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 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Explore Udaipur

Udaipur

• 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.
• Sajjangarh (Monsoon Palace) sunset · 2 h. A hilltop palace in a wildlife sanctuary west of town; vehicles take you up from the gate.
• 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.
• 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.

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 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: 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 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: 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.
• 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
• 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.
• 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.

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

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: 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 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Explore Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer

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

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 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Tanot Mata temple and Longewala war memorial

Jaisalmer

• Tanot Mata temple and Longewala war memorial · 8 h. A long desert drive (about 120 km) to the temple and the 1971 battle site; carry photo ID for army checkpoints. Indian visitors can go as far as Tanot; going further towards the border needs BSF permission, and foreign visitors should check permissions with the district office first.

Local tip: A long desert drive (about 120 km) to the temple and the 1971 battle site; carry photo ID for army checkpoints. Indian visitors can go as far as Tanot; going further towards the border needs BSF permission, and foreign visitors should check permissions with the district office first.

Open day 7 route in Google Maps

Day 8: Depart from Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer

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