The short answer
- Ideal length
- 12 to 14 days
- Start and end
- Delhi
- Best months
- October to February
- Transport
- Private car and driver
Rajasthan is India's land of maharajas: hilltop forts, palace hotels, painted havelis and the Thar Desert. A loop from Delhi takes in its four great cities, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Udaipur, with Agra and the Taj Mahal at the start or end.
Day by day
Best for: A first or second trip to India with two weeks to spare
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Delhi. Evening at India Gate or a food walk | Delhi |
| 2 | Old Delhi by rickshaw, Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar | Delhi |
| 3 | Train to Agra. Agra Fort, Mehtab Bagh at sunset | Agra |
| 4 | Taj Mahal at sunrise, Fatehpur Sikri, drive to Jaipur | Jaipur |
| 5 | Amber Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal, bazaars | Jaipur |
| 6 | Drive to Pushkar (about 3 hours). Ghats and temples at sunset | Pushkar |
| 7 | Drive to Jodhpur (about 4 to 5 hours). Old city at dusk | Jodhpur |
| 8 | Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, the Blue City lanes | Jodhpur |
| 9 | Drive to Jaisalmer (about 5 hours). Sunset at the city lakes | Jaisalmer |
| 10 | Jaisalmer Fort and havelis, camel ride, night in the dunes | Desert camp |
| 11 | Long drive back east towards Udaipur, breaking at Jodhpur or a rural fort hotel | Jodhpur or Rohet |
| 12 | Ranakpur Jain temple on the way to Udaipur | Udaipur |
| 13 | City Palace, Jagdish Temple, sunset boat on Lake Pichola | Udaipur |
| 14 | Fly to Delhi or Mumbai for your flight home |
Drive times are approximate and depend on traffic and stops.
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Shorter versions
| Time | Route | What you skip |
|---|---|---|
| 8 days | Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur (fly Jaipur to Udaipur) | Pushkar, Jodhpur and the desert |
| 10 days | Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur | Pushkar and Jaisalmer |
| 11 days | Delhi, Agra, Ranthambore, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur | Pushkar and Jaisalmer, but adds tigers |
Where to stay: Rajasthan's heritage hotels
Rajasthan has some of the most memorable hotels in the world: former royal palaces, hunting lodges and merchants' havelis turned into hotels. Many tours offer a heritage upgrade, and even one or two nights makes a trip special.
Udaipur's lake palaces, the forts above small villages such as Rohet and Deogarh, and Jaisalmer's havelis inside the fort walls are all popular choices. Simpler heritage guesthouses in old havelis are good value and full of character.
Weather in Rajasthan
Jaipur's averages are a good guide to most of the state. The desert around Jaisalmer is a few degrees hotter by day and colder at night.
Average daily high / low and monthly rainfall
| Month | Jaipurmost of Rajasthan | DelhiAgra is similar |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 22° / 8°8 mm | 20° / 8°19 mm |
| Feb | 26° / 11°7 mm | 24° / 11°21 mm |
| Mar | 32° / 16°4 mm | 30° / 15°17 mm |
| Apr | 37° / 22°5 mm | 36° / 21°16 mm |
| May | 40° / 26°15 mm | 40° / 26°30 mm |
| Jun | 39° / 27°60 mm | 39° / 28°74 mm |
| Jul | 34° / 26°190 mm | 35° / 28°210 mm |
| Aug | 32° / 25°200 mm | 34° / 27°225 mm |
| Sep | 33° / 24°80 mm | 34° / 25°125 mm |
| Oct | 33° / 19°15 mm | 33° / 19°15 mm |
| Nov | 29° / 13°4 mm | 28° / 13°6 mm |
| Dec | 24° / 9°3 mm | 22° / 9°8 mm |
Rounded long term averages. Blue shading marks the wetter months. Individual years can be hotter, colder or wetter.
Getting around
- Private car and driver: The most common and comfortable choice, and good value for two or more people.
- Trains: Useful for Delhi to Agra or Jaipur, and the overnight train to Jaisalmer, but stations and timings limit flexibility.
- Flights: Udaipur, Jodhpur and Jaipur have airports, handy for flying out at the end instead of driving back to Delhi.
Food to try
- Dal baati churma: Baked wheat dumplings with lentils and sweet crumble, Rajasthan's signature dish.
- Laal maas: A fiery red mutton curry.
- Ker sangri: Desert beans and berries, a taste of the Thar.
- Pyaaz kachori: Flaky onion pastries, best for breakfast in Jodhpur and Jaipur.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Jaisalmer worth the long drive?
For most people, yes. The golden fort and a night in the dunes are highlights of Rajasthan. If you are short on time, skip it and spend the extra days in Udaipur.
How many days do you need for Rajasthan?
Ten days covers Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur. Twelve to fourteen days adds Jaisalmer and the desert at a comfortable pace.
What is the best time to visit Rajasthan?
October to February. March is warm but fine; April to June is extremely hot, especially in the desert.
Sources we checked
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