The 31 Most Beautiful Places in Rajasthan, India – The Perfect 2 Weeks Rajasthan Itinerary

India is one of those countries that speaks to the imagination of so many people. And what they say about traveling to India is absolutely true! You’ll either fall madly in love or you’ll hate it. For me it was definitely option number 1 and during my first trip to India I explored the state of Rajasthan.

Nothing will prepare you for the abundance of colours, smells and sounds that you’ll experience all at the same time. Drive through the narrow streets of Jodhpur in a tuk tuk while slipping and sliding through the many motorbikes, chickens and cows. Spend an overnight in the mesmerising Thar desert and gaze up at a sky full of stars. Or marvel at the royal architecture that you’ll find throughout the entire state. They don’t call Rajasthan ‘The Land of Kings‘ for nothing!

In this post I have gathered all of the information I gathered from my visit and created the ultimate 2 weeks itinerary where you’ll discover the most beautiful places Rajasthan has to offer, including wonderfully unique activities.

It’s one of the most extensive travel guides on Rajasthan out there and I hope you’ll enjoy it!

The 31 Most Beautiful Places in Rajasthan – The Perfect 2 Weeks Itinerary

Rajasthan is a famous state in Northern India and especially known for its historical hill forts & palaces. The state of Rajasthan in India has a history that dates back thousands and thousands of years and showcases influences in its architecture from all of those times. That’s what makes Rajasthan such a unique state to visit, not one place is the same and you’ll constantly be surprised by the most unique places.

During the early medieval period there was the rise of the Rajput kingdoms and saw the building of the largest fort of India, the Chittorgarh Fort. Later on they came under suzerainty by the Mughal Empire.

The Mughals granted high positions to Rajput rulers who allied with them. However, some Rajput kingdoms did not accept Mughal suzerainty and were constantly at war with them. After the Mughal Empire came the Maratha Empire and Rajasthan saw many invasions by them.

The arrival of the British East India Company in the region led to the administrative designation of some geographically, culturally, economically and historically diverse areas and later on led to the existence of the state of Rajasthan.

Rajasthan as we know it now mostly exists of the Thar Desert and the Aravalli mountain range and it’s the largest state in entire India.

Is it safe to travel to India?

A question I often get asked is: did you feel safe as a woman traveling in India? And the answer to this question is yes I did! But I also think that doesn’t cover this topic entirely cause for me the feeling of safety is not so much about where you travel but more about how you travel.

India has got a pretty bad reputation when it comes to staring, catcalling, groping and most seriously rape. With so many bad rumours going around all the time one would easily think traveling to India is too much of a hurdle and not worth it. But that’s really not the case cause no country will frustrate or fascinate you more!

And yes there will be men who stare at you inappropriately but there were also a lot of times when people were incredibly nice, genuine and helpful! It’s impossible to stereotype a population of one billion people and still it gets done every single day.

To help you have the best possible time during your 2 weeks in India itinerary I’ve created a little checklist for you.

• Do your research – As with every trip you need to do your research from before and learn which areas are safe to visit. If you follow this 2 weeks itinerary for Rajasthan you’ll be good to go!
• Dress appropriately – India is a conservative country and you should dress accordingly. Make sure to pack enough flowy and loose items in your suitcase. For more information & details check out my guide on “What to pack as a woman traveling to India“.
• Try to avoid late night arrivals or departures.
• Plan ahead – Know where you’re going so no one can take advantage of you.
• Be assertive – In a country where a head bobble can mean as much as yes, no, maybe, sure… it’s important to be clear at all times. Especially in the local markets it can be necessary to give a harsher “no” as a response if you’re not interested.
• Don’t do anything you wouldn’t do at home – In Belgium for instance I also don’t go out alone at night in the bad side of town, don’t do that in India either then.
• Be prepared to take a lot of photos – This can happen on a number of occasions but especially around the touristic sites. It can happen that locals will start taking photos of you or that they’ll ask you to take a photo with them. If you feel comfortable doing so go for it, otherwise decline. I made a a little rule for myself during my visit that I wouldn’t pose with boys older than 12. As a paediatric dentist I have a lot of patience with kids, with adults not so much :p.

TIP – Instead of carrying around your actual passport bring a copy of it with you and leave your actual passport at your hotel room.

Why you should visit Rajasthan in India

The vibrant state of Rajasthan is the perfect place to visit if you’re just dipping your toes in exploring the Indian culture. Rajasthan is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India as well which also means that most cities are well equipped for tourists. Public transportation from one city to another is easy to arrange and you’ll often find people speaking english as well.

Besides that Rajasthan is also one of the most magnificent and colourful states in India as well and perfect for a fun 2 weeks itinerary! You’ll be able to explore some of the most interesting cities, marvel at the palaces where the maharaja’s used to live, spend a night under the stars in the Thar desert or roam the largest forts in India.

The possibilities in Rajasthan are endless and to be fair you could spend a lot more time here then just 2 weeks. But this itinerary focusses on the most important highlights and even includes a day trip to the Taj Mahal, which is technically not located in Rajasthan but in Uttar Pradesh.

Best time to visit Rajasthan in India

Rajasthan is a semi-desert region, which has three distinct seasons: a warm and dry winter, an unbearably hot spring/summer and a brief but intense monsoon season. I went in May which is part of the unbearably hot summer and I tell you, they’re not exaggerating.

There were times when we started exploring the cities in the early morning and by 7am the temperature had climbed up to 40°C. It’s no wonder we had to seek refuge in the AC during the day and that at times discovering all of these beautiful places felt like a struggle.

The winter months (November to February) are the best time to visit Rajasthan for that matter. The weather is dry, sunny and warm. Due to its desert climate it does get chilly in the evenings so don’t forget to bring a jumper with you!

Which airport should you fly into to travel through Rajasthan

I started my journey through Rajasthan in Jaipur and flew from Delhi to Sanganer airport, which is only 10km from Jaipur.

Delhi is one of the biggest international airports in India and pretty much every international flight lands here. From there I opted to reach Jaipur by air to save on time and used one of the many national flights which only took 1 hour.

The airport in Jaipur is pretty small and once you’ve collected your luggage you’re all set to go and discover Rajasthan!

TIP – It was required for me to already go through customs in Delhi and I had to pick up my luggage cause it wouldn’t be automatically transferred. This required me to go outside of the airport and go back inside. In my case I didn’t have my printed ticket yet cause they couldn’t give it to me in Brussels when I boarded my first flight. This required me to go to a separate entrance where they could then print the ticket for me so I could re enter the airport.

2 Weeks in Rajasthan Overview

DAY 1 – 3: JAIPUR
DAY 4 – 5: PUSHKAR
DAY 6 – 8: UDAIPUR
DAY 9 – 10: JODHPUR
DAY 11 – 13: JAISALMER
DAY 14: AGRA

Beautiful Places to see in Rajasthan in 2 weeks

DAY 1 – JAIPUR

Jaipur, also known as the Pink City, is the capital and largest city of Rajasthan. The ‘pink’ of the Pink City is Gerua (or ochre) in which the city was coated during the visit of the Prince of Wales in 1905-06.

It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in India and is also part of what they call the Golden Triangle of India tourism which also includes a visit to Delhi and Agra. Jaipur is often the gateway to visiting the other cities in Rajasthan such as Udaipur, Jodhpur or Jaisalmer.

As of 2019 the Pink City of Jaipur is also a recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site.

1. The Great Wall of Amer

Climbing the Great Wall of Amer is one of the most fun and free things to do in Jaipur! It gets its name from its impressive length and as a reference to the Great Wall of China. But no one knows exactly how long the wall is.

Unfortunately a big chunk of this masterpiece is crumbling down fast but so far the local government only paid attention to the segments that are visible to the public and tourists. This could lead to loss of more than 50% of the wall in total.

The best place to climb up the Great Wall is right across from the entrance of Amer Fort. There’s a small staircase that will lead you all the way up and I can guarantee you that you’ll have an amazing view over the Aravalli Hills and Amer Fort! It’s a steep way up and in May it was pretty brutal because of the heat but like with everything in India it was worth the struggle!

• Opening hours – 24/7
• Entrance fee – Free
• Duration – 1 to 2 hours

2. AMER FORT

Amer Fort, also known as Amber Fort, is located about 11km from the city centre and it’s one of the most popular things to do in Jaipur! Therefore I recommend you to visit it as early as possible in the morning.

The entrance to the fort is a little higher up and a narrow road will lead you to the main gate. The best way to reach the top is to simply walk, while you’re at it you’ll burn off some of that naan bread! To my horror I saw a lot of people choose to go up to the fort by means of an elephant. This is one of the most unethical things you could ever do and I truly hope you won’t.

For elephants to behave in such a way they had to be tortured from a very young age and the carriage on their back alone is way to heavy for them to carry.

• Opening Hours – 8am to 5.30pm and 6.30pm to 9.15pm
• Entrance fee – INR 500
• Duration – 2 to 3 hours

MAKE SURE TO READ MY FULL GUIDE ON VISITING AMER FORT FOR A LOT MORE DETAILS & PHOTOS – AMER FORT IN JAIPUR, THE COMPLETE VISITING GUIDE.

3. Panna Meena ka Kund

Panna Meena ka Kund, also known as the most Instagrammable stepwell is actually also a hidden gem in Jaipur. This peculiar place is located only 10 minutes driving from Amer Fort and that’s why most tourists completely forget about it.

If you’re into photography then this architectural masterpiece has to be on your list of things to do and see in Jaipur. The zigzag structure of the stairs in combination with the water bassin below lends itself to some incredible photo ops.

The stepwell is protected by local guards to keep a close eye if you’re following the rules. As of recent it is not allowed to walk down the stairs anymore, this to preserve the monument en due to the fact that a lot of accidents happened over the past years. I can imagine people running up and down, taking selfies and maybe even falling over into the bassin.

• Opening hours – 7am to 6pm
• Entrance fee – Free
• Duration – 30 minutes

4. Nahargarh Fort

Nahargarh Fort is one of the best forts in Jaipur and stands on the edge of the Aravalli Hills, overlooking the Pink City. Along with Amer Fort and Jaigarh Fort it once formed a strong defence line.

But these days the Nahargarh Fort is mostly known as one of the best places to see the sunset in Jaipur and so we did on our first evening in India! We jumped in one of the Tuk Tuk’s in front of our hotel and after bumpy ride of about 30 minutes we arrived at the entrance of this magnificent fort. We settled on a return time with our driver and he would wait for us outside of the fort.

The view over the Pink City was absolutely mesmerising and at one point I had to pinch myself to believe I was actually sitting there, in the middle of India!

I climbed up the wall to get a better view, me being a midget and all, but always be cautious when doing so. The locals and the guards are not a fan of this so I would actually advise you to go a little more down to have more privacy.

• Opening hours – Every day from 10am until 10pm. I would not attempt to hike down after 10pm cause Nahargarh Fort is located within a nature park that’s full of wild animals. And yes, there are tigers around Jaipur!
• Entrance fee – INR 200
• Duration – 1 to 2 hours

DAY 2 – JAIPUR

5. City Palace

The City Palace of Jaipur is one of the most important landmarks in the Pink City! Upon visiting I highly recommend you to take the full tour! This way you don’t just see the courtyard but also all of the other beautiful rooms!

The City Palace was established at the same time as Jaipur itself and it’s one of the most beautiful places to visit. The royal complex is made up of a series of gardens, courtyards, and buildings, one more colourful and luxurious than the other.

As a photographer you have to know that it’s not allowed to use a tripod inside of the palace grounds and to bring in your camera you have to pay a fee of INR 50.

• Opening hours – Every day from 10AM until 6pm (last ticket at 5pm)
• Entrance fee – INR 700 but if you want access to all of the rooms which I highly suggest the price is INR 2500 which also includes a guide.
• Duration – 2 hours

6. Hawa Mahal

Hawa Mahal is a pink palace in the heart of the Pink City and you can’t visit Jaipur and not see this magnificent building.

When I was doing my research for my trip to India I came across several images of this structure and I got so fascinated by it! It was crazy to discover in real life that it’s not much more than a beautiful facade in the middle of a busy street. There’s a small sidewalk in front of it with a fence but the best view is from across the street in one of the rooftop bars.

Hawa Mahal means the “Palace of Winds” and it has 953 small windows that were built to keep the wind on blowing through the palace so it would cool off.

Another legend actually states that Hawa Mahal was constructed by the Maharaja as a separate complex for the ladies of his harem. For each lady there was a window through which they could watch the daily life unfold down below.

• Opening hours – Every day from 9am to 5pm
• Entrance fee – INR 200
• Duration – 30 minutes

7. Caffé Palladio

Caffé Palladio is the perfect spot to have lunch after a busy day of exploring the city of Jaipur! It’s one of the most beautiful restaurants in Jaipur and the Art Deco vibes are splendid.

8. Patrika Gate

The Patrika Gate is another one of those unique things to do in Jaipur. A couple of years ago its popularity blew up on Social Media but besides that it’s not visited by a lot of tourists.

It’s a beautiful and colourful series of gates located at the start of the Jawahar Circle park.

• Opening hours – 24/7
• Entrance fee – Free
• Duration – 30 minutes

DAY 3 – JAIPUR

9. Monkey Temple

The Monkey Temple, also known as Galta Ji, is a large Hindu complex located about 10km from the city centre of Jaipur. It’s not hard to see where it gets its name from. The temple is literally lined with monkeys and none of them are afraid of tourists! If you’re brave enough to feed them be prepared to get robbed as well.

FOR MORE FUN & UNIQUE ACTIVITIES IN JAIPUR CHECK MY DETAILED TRAVEL GUIDE ON THE PINK CITY INCLUDING A LOT MORE PHOTOS – 14 UNIQUE THINGS TO DO IN JAIPUR

WHERE TO STAY IN JAIPUR

• Fairmont Jaipur – Built in the tradition of the region’s grand Mughal palaces, this majestic hotel offers the best in modern amenities and truly is a royal destination.
• Samode Palace – Located a little outside of Jaipur but one of the most beautiful hotels I have ever seen.
• Umaid Bhawan – Heritage Style Hotel – A stunning 4 star hotel once crowned as one of the best hotels in Jaipur!
• Umaid Mahal – Heritage Style Hotel – A Jaipur heritage style hotel providing true Rajasthani hospitality in Jaipur.

Now it’s time to head towards Pushkar and there are several ways to reach this holy city!

BY CAR
From Jaipur it’s about 3 hours driving to reach Pushkar and most of the drive is on National Highway 48.
A lot of people actually visit Pushkar as part of a day trip from Jaipur or Jodhpur.
BY BUS
You can take the Red Bus from Polo Victory in Jaipur and in a little less than 4 hours you’ll be dropped of in the centre of Pushkar.

DAY 4 – PUSHKAR

Pushkar is one of the holiest cities in entire India and definitely worth a stop during your 2 weeks Rajasthan itinerary!

From visiting a Bhrama temple, sipping a mango lassi while overlooking Pushkar lake to doing a sunrise hike to the Savitri Mata Temple. There are so many awesome and unique things to do in Pushkar!

10. Pushkar Lake

Pushkar Lake is one of the holiest places in the entire city so when visiting there are a couple of things you have to keep in mind.

As soon as you enter the area around the lake and down the stairs you have to take off your shoes. You can only walk around the lake barefoot but you may keep your shoes in your hand. You just have to make sure they don’t touch the ground. If you forget to do so you’ll definitely be “gently” reminded by a couple of locals who start shouting at you.

Another important factor is that if you’re taking photos of the lake you can only do so if there are no people bathing in it! It’s prohibited to take photos where people are bathing!

But besides all of these customs and rules it’s an incredible place to visit in Pushkar, pigeon poop included!

11. Rangji Temple

The Rangji Temple is one of the 400 ancient temples in Pushkar and it’s devoted to Lord Rangji who is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Visiting the Rangji Temple was one of my favourite things to do in Pushkar!

The temple is guarded by priests 24/7 and before entering the holy premises you’ll have to take off your shoes. But as a tourist it’s also possible to worship the incarnation of Lord Rangji. The priest will chant the holy mantra after which you repeat everything. After the proceedings the priest will shower you with holy water from Pushkar Lake and you’ll receive a ’tilak’ on your forehead as a blessing.

• Opening hours – The temple is open every day from 6am to 7pm. Between 1pm and 4pm the temple remains closed to visitors due to lunch hour.
• Entrance fee – Free. There’s a donation box at the entrance if you wish to make one. Since we were taking a lot of photos we put some money in it.

12. U-turn Rooftop Bar

There are a lot of rooftop bars and restaurants in the centre of Pushkar but the one from U-turn Hotel is my absolute favourite. Definitely try the mango lassi!

DAY 5 – PUSHKAR

13. Savitri Mata Temple

The Savitri Mata temple is located on the Ratnagiri hill which is a popular pilgrimage site for the Hindus. The temple is dedicated to the goddess Savitri, the estranged wife of Brahma.

Ratnagiri hill is located on the outskirts of Pushkar and from the lake it’s about 15 minutes walking to reach the base. After that it’s a steep climb up the stairway’s but after about 30 minutes you’ll reach the top.

It’s a pretty brutal climb up at times, especially for me and my short legs, but the panoramic view that you get at the finish line definitely makes up for it!

After that you can simply sit here and relax, grab something to drink for the local shop and wait until the sun rises behind the mountains.

• Opening hours – The Savitri Mata temple is open every single day from 5am until 12pm and from 4pm until 9pm.
• Entrance fee – The temple is free to visit but you can always drop a little donation.
• How to get there – Like I said before the best way to go up is by use of the staircases. There is also the Savitri Mata ropeway wich is open every day from 6am until 7.30pm and which costs around INR 127 per person.

FOR MORE FUN & UNIQUE ACTIVITIES IN PUSHKAR CHECK MY DETAILED TRAVEL GUIDE ON THIS HOLY CITY INCLUDING A LOT MORE PHOTOS & A SCAM YOU SHOULD LOOK OUT FOR – 10 UNIQUE THINGS TO DO IN PUSHKAR

WHERE TO STAY IN PUSHKAR

• Ananta Spa & Resorts – It’s one of the finest hotels in Pushkar and offers a bespoke luxury.
• The Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa – A haven of wellness and renewal next to the Aravalli mountains.
• Inn Seventh Heaven – A hundred year old haveli (mansion) which has been restored from disrepair and converted into a small hotel.
• Kanhaia Haveli – Located in the centre of Pushkar and guests rave about the clean rooms and rooftop terrace.

From Pushkar we are now heading towards Udaipur! If you’re going by car you can make a quick pit stop along the way at the largest fort in India!

14. Chittorgarh Fort

The Chittorgarh Fort is the largest fort in India and considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most talked about forts in Rajasthan as well. It was built in the 7th century by the Maurya rulers and has since then been home to many different rulers.

Once seen as an invincible and impenetrable fort it did fall into the hands of the Mughals and they completely tore the place apart. The remains that are now left are a reminder of how beautiful the architecture once was and for that reason the fort is a soft spot for a lot of Indians.

• Opening hours – 9.30am until 5pm
• Entrance fee – INR 100
• Duration – 2 to 3 hours

MAKE SURE TO READ MY FULL GUIDE ON VISITING CHITTORGARH FORT FOR A LOT MORE DETAILS & PHOTOS – VISITING CHITTORGARH FORT, THE LARGEST FORT IN INDIA

DAY 6 to 8 – UDAIPUR

Udaipur, also known as the City of Lakes, is the next stop on this 2 weeks itinerary of Rajasthan! Udaipur is often seen as the crown jewel and the most romantic place in India.

You can explore the wonderful City Palace, go on a romantic boat ride on Lake Pichola or simply wander around the old city. Udaipur is a lot less touristic than Jaipur and the atmosphere here is a lot calmer.

And I tell you a boat ride on lake Pichola will be enough to show you why Udaipur is the pride of Rajasthan!

15. City Palace

The City Palace in Udaipur, located on the banks of lake Pichola, was one of my favourite palaces to visit in entire India! It’s the second largest palace in entire India after Mysore Palace.

The palace is a fusion of Chinese, Mughal, European and Rajasthani architecture and because of that it’s one of the most beautiful palaces in entire Rajasthan.

• Opening hours – 7am to 11pm
• Entrance fee – INR 30
• If you want to visit the museum as well the opening hours are 9.30am until 5.30pm and ticket prices are INR 250
• The camera fee is INR 250
• Duration – 2 to 3 hours

16. Ahar Cenotaphs

The Ahar Cenotaphs are located right outside of Udaipur but definitely worth a visit, especially in the early morning! Cenotaphs are royal graves and they built more than 250 here over 350 years ago, all dating back to the Mewar rulers.

You can walk through the several cenotaphs but make sure you bring your camera with you cause you’ll probably want to click over a hundred photos!

• Opening hours – From 6am until 6pm
• Entrance fee – Free
• Duration – 1 hour

17. The Leela Palace

The Leela Palace is one of the most beautiful hotels in Udaipur and the perfect place to enjoy a romantic dinner in the evening. Located on the banks of Lake Pichola you’ll overlook the entire scenery while sipping on your cocktail!

And the best part is that you don’t have to stay here. You can call up to the reception and ask to have lunch or dinner. However it is one of the best hotels to stay in Udaipur so you can check for rates and availability here.

18. Taj Lake Palace

Taj Lake Palace is a 5-star luxury hotel in the middle of Lake Pichola in Udaipur and holds 83 rooms and suites covered in white marble walls. When it comes to forts and palaces in Rajasthan, Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur truly takes the cake!

It’s formerly known as Jan Niwas and was built by Maharana Jangat Singh II between 1743 and 1746. It’s walls of black and white marble are all lined with semi-precious stones and the entire palace is full with columns, pillared terraces, gardens and fountains.

They restored it to it’s full glory and it even became world famous after it was featured in the James Bond movie “Octopussy”. It’s the only hotel in Udaipur that is located on the lake and therefore gives you the best views over the City Palace, Jag Mandir and the hills.

At the back of the hotel you’ll find the spa facilities and the swimming pool. This used to be the Queen’s private swimming pool that is now open to guests of the Taj Lake Palace.

Click here to check the best current rates and availability of Taj Lake Palace.

MAKE SURE TO READ MY FULL GUIDE ON TAJ LAKE PALACE INCLUDING A LOT MORE DETAILS & PHOTOS – TAJ LAKE PALACE UDAIPUR, AN HONEST REVIEW

19. Jagmandir

Jag Mandir is a palace built on an island in Lake Pichola and is also called the “Lake Garden Palace“. In total it took 3 maharaja’s to complete this stunning palace in Rajasthan. The royal family used the palace as a summer resort and pleasure palace for holding parties.

Jag mandir palace can only be reached via boat ride from Bansi Ghat jetty. There are private boats and cruise rides available from the ghat and take about 30 minutes to 1 hour to reach the palace. The boat ride ticket price to Jag mandir is Rs. 450 per person from City palace. After 3:00 pm, the ticket fee for boat ride is Rs. 700 per person.

Besides all of that Jagmandir Palace is also a beautiful luxury hotel! Click here to check for current rates and availability.

WHERE TO STAY IN UDAIPUR

• Taj Lake Palace – Hands down the most beautiful and authentic place to stay in Udaipur.
• The Leela Palace – A little less expensive as the above but with stunning views on lake Pichola nonetheless.

From Udaipur we’re now heading towards Jodhpur

BY AIR
Jodhpur has its very own domestic airport which is only 5km away from the city. The nearest international airport is New Delhi but there are also several national airports that fly to Jodhpur such as Udaipur.
BY TRAIN
Jodhpur is well connected by railroad and traveling by train is undoubtedly the cheapest and most affordable option for commuting till Jodhpur. Do know that from Delhi it takes around 11 hours to reach the Blue City. The better option is to first spend a couple of days in Udaipur. From there it’s only a 5 hour commute.
BY CAR
All roads in Jodhpur have been well-constructed and connected and for instance from Udaipur it’s only a 4 hour drive!

DAY 9 – JODHPUR

Imagine blue houses as far as the eye can see and an impressive fort perched on top of a hill overlooking the entire city. That’s Jodhpur, also known as the Blue City of India, thrown together in just one sentence.

Jodhpur is the second-largest city in the Indian state of Rajasthan and historically it used to be the capital of the Kingdom of Marwar.

It’s often called the gateway to the Thar desert since it’s literally located at the edge of the Thar desert.

Jodhpur is one of the most enchanting cities of Rajasthan, with its mighty Mehrangarh fort overlooking the city. However, the magic lies in the old city itself with hundreds of shops, guesthouses, eating joints and vendors make it a chirpy bustling city, especially near the landmark clock tower and Sardar Market.

20. Mehrangarh Fort

Mehrangarh fort is one of the largest forts in India and one of the top things to do when visiting Jodhpur. The majestic fort is perched on top of a hill about 125 meter above the city and inside of its walls there are several palaces.

From the city you can easily reach the fort on foot by hiking up the winding road and if you look closely you can still see the impact of former wars when cannonballs were fired by the attacking armies of Jaipur. Before you enter through the many gates you’ll be greeted by several local musician’s playing traditional folk music.

Besides palaces there are also two temples and a museum located in the fort.

• Opening hours – Every day from 9am to 5pm
• Entrance fee – INR 400
• Duration – 2 hours

21. Umaid Bhavan Palace Museum

The Umaid Bhavan Palace is an architectural marvel located next to the blue city of Jodhpur and it’s one of the most beautiful places to visit.

So what you have to know is that this palace is one of the largest private residences and it’s divided into three functional parts: the residence of the royal family on one hand and part of it is owned by the Taj group and transformed into a hotel. It’s not possible to visit this part of the palace unless you’re staying there but another part has been converted into a museum which is of course available to visit.

• Opening hours – Every day from 10am until 4.30pm
• Entrance fee – INR 100
• Duration – 1 to 2 hours

22. Jaswant Thada

Jaswant Thada is also known as the Taj Mahal of Mewar and a visit to this marble marvel is one of the best things to do during your stay in Jodhpur.

This beautiful mausoleum is one of those monuments that you absolutely can’t miss while visiting the Blue City. I mean look at the view you get over the Mehrangarh fort in the back.

• Opening hours – 9am until 5pm
• Entrance fee – INR 30 and a camera fee of INR 15
• Duration – 1 hour

DAY 10 – JODHPUR

23. THE OLD CITY

Jodhpur was made for long afternoon strolls and there’s no better place to do so than the old city center. The houses here are coloured in 50 different shades of blue and you’ll discover one hidden gem right after the other!

24. Chand Baori

Chand Baori is one of the ancient step-wells in India that you simply have to see for yourself! And while the Panna Meena ka Kund stepwell is one of the top things to do in Jaipur, this one in Abhaneri is on an entire other level!

With its 13 floors it’s the largest and deepest stepwell in entire India and the narrow steps on the sides of the well are built in a unique pattern with the utmost precision to form a maze-like structure.

Chand Baori really is a hidden gem located near Jodhpur and one of the most beautiful places to visit in Rajasthan!

• Opening hours – Every day from 8am to 6pm
• Entrance fee – INR 40
• Duration – 1 hour

FOR MORE FUN & UNIQUE ACTIVITIES IN JODHPUR CHECK MY DETAILED TRAVEL GUIDE ON THE BLUE CITY INCLUDING A LOT MORE PHOTOS & UNIQUE THINGS TO DO – 8 UNIQUE THINGS TO DO IN JODHPUR

WHERE TO STAY IN JODHPUR

• RAAS Jodhpur – The very first boutique hotel in Jodhpur with a rooftop pool overlooking the Mehrangarh fort.
• Umaid Bhawan Palace Jodhpur – One of the largest royal residences in the world, the golden-yellow sandstone Umaid Bhawan Palace is a monument to Jodhpur’s gallantry and romance. Oh and this is also where Priyanka Chopra married Nick Jonas!
• Ratan Vilas – Ratan Vilas Jodhpur, a heritage hotel today, was once the private home of Maharaj Ratan Singh.

After Jodhpur it’s time to visit one of the most beautiful places in Rajasthan: Jaisalmer!

BY CAR
From Jodhpur it’s an average of 4,5 hours driving by car and both cities are connected by National Highways. If you prefer this option you should be able to get a private transfer for around €31.
Book your private transfer: Jodhpur to Jaisalmer
BY BUS
There are two busses each day that drive from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer and you take it on the Main Pal Road in Jodhpur. There’s one at 5.45am and one at 2.45pm and it takes around 5 hours to reach the town of Jaisalmer.
BY TRAIN
There’s an average of 9 trains that run from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer on a daily basis and the approximate time is 5 hours. There’s also a sleeper train but I don’t recommend it cause it’s only 6 hours of driving so you won’t be able to get a decent nights sleep.

DAY 11 – JAISALMER

Jaisalmer is located in the middle of the Thar desert, the Great Indian desert, and almost all of the buildings and temples are made out of finely sculptured sandstone. This is also how Jaisalmer got its nickname of “The Golden City of India”: the architecture of both the fort and the town below reflects a golden-yellow light.

Go on sunset tour through the vast Thar desert, relax in the comforts of an authentic havelli or sip some tea on a roof top terrace overlooking the city. There are so many unique and epic things to do in Jaisalmer and I guarantee that you’ll immediately fall in love with this city!

25. Jaisalmer Fort

The Jaisalmer Fort is one of the very first places that you should visit during your stay in Jaisalmer. As I said before this is one of the last “living forts” remaining in the world and over a quarter of the original population still lives here.

Most forts in India are heavily guarded and require an entrance fee but not this one. The Jaisalmer Fort is completely free to visit and since it’s actually a city inside a fort it’s always open.

Make sure to make your way up for sunrise to get the most spectacular hazy view over the city. If you’re not a morning person then go here for sunset and you’ll see with your very own eyes why Jaisalmer is called ‘The Golden City’ of India.

• Opening hours – 24/7
• Entrance fee – free
• Duration – 2 hours

26. Gadisar Lake

The Gadisar lake, also known as the Gadi Sagar lake, is a manmade reservoir in Jaisalmer and used to be the only source of water for the city.

The banks of the Lake consist of shrines, temples, ghats and Chattris and you can either indulge in a boat ride or simply enjoy a leisure walk.

• Opening hours – 24/7
• Entrance fee – Free. Boating charges: row boat INR 10, paddle boat INR 50, Shikara INR 100 for a 30 minute ride.
• Duration – 2 hours

27. Jain Temples

One of the most famous Jain temples can be found in the Jaisalmer fort, the Astapadhi Temple. It’s a little tucked away in the many, many alleys of the fort but there are multiple signs throughout the city pointing you in the right direction.

• Opening hours – Every day from 7am to 12pm
• Entrance fee – INR 10 (+ INR 50 for a camera fee)
• Duration – 1 to 2 hours

DAY 12 – JAISALMER

28. Thar Desert

Jaisalmer is located in the heart of the Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert which also forms the natural border between India and Pakistan.

You can go for a camel ride along the Sam sand dunes or enjoy a bonfire dinner underneath a starlit sky.

Often your hotel can organise a tour for you and I highly recommend doing so!

29. Kuldhara

Kuldhara is an abandoned village 17km from Jaisalmer and was originally founded in the 13th century. And about 300 years ago, it used to be a prosperous village of Paliwal Brahmins under the state of Jaisalmer. 

• Opening hours – Every day from 8am to 6pm
• Entrance fee – Free
• Duration – 1 hour and Kuldhara is 45 minutes driving from Jaisalmer.

DAY 13 – JAISALMER

30. SURYAGARH

One of the best and most unique things to do in Jaisalmer is spending the night in a fort such as the Suryagarh Jaisalmer. As soon as you arrive you feel like you’ve been transported to another world. One wear maharaja’s ruled the land and where every evening is a celebration.

This hotel is located a little outside of the centre of Jaisalmer and perfectly knows how to combine the old traditions with a more modern feeling.

Saying you’ll feel like absolute royalty when staying here is an understatement. And for me it was one of the main reasons why I fell head over heels with this beautiful region in Rajasthan.

FOR MORE FUN & UNIQUE ACTIVITIES IN JAISALMER CHECK MY DETAILED TRAVEL GUIDE ON THE GOLDEN CITY INCLUDING A LOT MORE PHOTOS & UNIQUE THINGS TO DO – 10 UNIQUE THINGS TO DO IN JAISALMER

WHERE TO STAY IN JAISALMER

• WelcomHeritage Mohangarh Fort – Mohangarh Fort is not only one of the best heritage hotels in Rajasthan, but it has been the top choice for several Bollywood movie shoot locations over the past couple of decades too.
• Hotel Jaisalkot – Get the celebrity treatment with world-class service at Hotel Jaisalkot. It offers its customers, what no other property can – a chance to go back in time.
• WelcomHeritage Mandir Palace – The Badal Vilas is a part of the exquisite WelcomHeritage Mandir Palace, which was built for the royals. The Palace can pass as a piece of art that stands as a testament to the talent of the local artisans. 

From Jaisalmer we’ll now be traveling to Delhi to go on an exciting day trip to the Taj Mahal!

DAY 14 – AGRA

31. Taj MAHAL

Is there any building more iconic than the Taj Mahal?

The Taj Mahal was built in Agra, between between 1631 and 1653, as a pure token of love and dedication. How else can you explain someone building a white-marble mausoleum for their favourite wife? The monument is a token of love from Mughul Emperor Shah Jahan to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal who’s grave also lies within.

It’s considered one of the New Wonders of the World and attracts over 2.5 million visitors every year for its symmetry, structural beauty, intricate calligraphy, inlaid gemstones, and magnificent garden.

• Opening hours – Open every day from sunrise to sunset, except on Friday.
• Entrance Fee – INR 1100 + INR 200 to see the main mausoleum.

MAKE SURE TO READ MY FULL GUIDE ABOUT THE TAJ MAHAL INCLUDING A LOT MORE DETAILS & PHOTOS – PLAN THE PERFECT DAY TRIP FROM DELHI TO THE TAJ MAHAL

Essential tips for traveling to India

• Visa – When flying into India you’ll need an international passport. Depending on your country of origin, you may need a visa to travel to India. You can apply for an e-visa online. The cost also varies depending on your nationality.
• ATM’s & Credit Card – Cash is absolutely king in India so make sure you take out enough cash. It’s not always easy to find a working ATM so when you do make sure to take advantage of it!
• Language – Did you know that there are more than 22 languages spoken in India? The first official language was Hindi but English is the second-most widely spoken second language. India thrives on touristic activities and in the more popular cities you’ll have no problem communicating in English.
• Currency – The official Indian currency is the Indian Rupee which is the equivalent of 1 INR = 0,011 Euro.
• Prepare yourself for a culture shock – Try to open your mind and leave your expectations at home cause it will happen for sure.
• Bring Anti Diarrhea tablets – Unfortunately, one of the common experiences that many travelers to India encounter is the dreaded “Delhi Belly.” Your body isn’t used to certain bacteria that you’ll find in the water and food in India.
• Get a SIM card – It’s always one of the first things I do so I don’t have to rely on the local WiFi networks. I usually buy mine at the airport.

PIN IT FOR LATER