Deep Rajasthan: From Jaipur to Jaisalmer Through the Thar Desert
A 16-day journey through the most authentic Rajasthan: fortified cities, Bishnoi villages, Jain temples at Ranakpur, camel rides in the Thar and maharaja-era Udaipur.
Description
Rajasthan is India's most iconic essence condensed into one state: golden forts in the middle of the desert, palaces floating on lakes, colorful turbants and a culture that has withstood centuries of invasions. This itinerary travels Rajasthan from east to west, from the capital Jaipur with Amber Fort and the Hawa Mahal, to the sands of Jaisalmer on the border with Pakistan. It takes in the painted havelis of Shekhawati, spiritual Pushkar with its sacred lake, Jodhpur with the powerful Mehrangarh, the Bishnoi villages where people live alongside antelope and gazelles, the intricate marble temples of Ranakpur, and romantic Udaipur with its lake palaces. The trip culminates in a two-day camel safari through the Thar desert, sleeping under the stars among the dunes. Transport on local trains and buses, lodging in restored havelis. Tolerance for heat and for India's sensory intensity is required.
Health & safety
- Take probiotics before the trip: your stomach struggles in India
- Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines recommended
- Avoid street food the first few days
Day-by-day itinerary
Arrival in Jaipur
Jaipur
Arrival in Jaipur
Arrival in the Pink City. Afternoon exploring the City Palace and Jantar Mantar.
City Palace of Jaipur
Culture2hJantar Mantar
Culture1hForts of Jaipur
Jaipur
Forts of Jaipur
Ascent to Amber Fort by jeep. Hawa Mahal and the old city's bazaars.
Amber Fort
Culture3hHawa Mahal
Culture1hJohari Bazaar
Culture1hShekhawati: open-air gallery
Nawalgarh
Shekhawati: open-air gallery
Bus to the Shekhawati region. Painted havelis with mythological frescoes.
Tour of Nawalgarh's havelis
Culture4hPushkar: sacred lake
Pushkar
Pushkar: sacred lake
Train to Ajmer and bus to Pushkar. Stroll along the ghats of the sacred lake and the Brahma temple.
Sunset puja at Pushkar lake
Culture1hVisit to the Brahma temple
Culture1hJodhpur: the blue city
Jodhpur
Jodhpur: the blue city
Train to Jodhpur. Afternoon at the Mehrangarh fort, jewel of Rajput defensive architecture.
Mehrangarh Fort
Culture3hStroll through the blue city
Culture1hBishnoi villages
Jodhpur
Bishnoi villages
Excursion to the Bishnoi villages, India's first environmentalists. Living with the wildlife.
Jeep safari through Bishnoi villages
Nature4hTraditional opium ceremony
Culture1hRanakpur: marble temples
Ranakpur
Ranakpur: marble temples
Bus to the Aravalli forests. Visit to the white marble Jain temples.
Jain temple of Ranakpur
Culture3hUdaipur: the Venice of the East
Udaipur
Udaipur: the Venice of the East
Arrival in Udaipur. Afternoon at the floating palace on Lake Pichola.
City Palace of Udaipur
Culture2hBoat ride on Lake Pichola
Nature1hUdaipur: art and bazaars
Udaipur
Udaipur: art and bazaars
Miniature painting galleries. Afternoon in the Sahelion-ki-Bari gardens.
Miniature painting workshop
Culture2hSahelion-ki-Bari
Nature1hKumbhalgarh: India's Great Wall
Kumbhalgarh
Kumbhalgarh: India's Great Wall
Excursion to Kumbhalgarh Fort with the world's second-longest wall.
Kumbhalgarh Fort
Culture4hJodhpur to Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer
Jodhpur to Jaisalmer
Long train journey west. Arrival in the desert's golden city.
Overnight train Jodhpur-Jaisalmer
Culture6hEvening stroll through Jaisalmer Fort
Culture1hJaisalmer: Patwon ki Haveli
Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer: Patwon ki Haveli
Exploration of Jaisalmer's havelis. Jain temple inside the fort.
Patwon ki Haveli
Culture2hJain temple of Jaisalmer
Culture1hCamel safari day 1
Thar desert
Camel safari day 1
Camel departure toward the Sam dunes. Lunch under a khejri tree.
Camel trek through the Thar
Nature5hCooking at the camp
gastronomy1hNight under the stars
Nature1hCamel safari day 2
Thar desert
Camel safari day 2
Sunrise on the dunes. Return to Jaisalmer with stops at abandoned villages.
Sunrise on the dunes
Nature1hVisit to Kuldhara
Culture1hGadisar Lake and farewell
Jaisalmer
Gadisar Lake and farewell
Dawn at Gadisar Lake. Last day in the fort's bazaars.
Sunrise at Gadisar Lake
Nature1hShopping in the golden fort
Culture2hReturn from Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer
Return from Jaisalmer
Free morning. Flight or overnight train back to Delhi.
New destinations and itineraries, by email
Subscribe to receive newly published destinations and itineraries, plus seasonal travel ideas. One email, only when there is news.