Rajasthan in 10 Days: Forts, Palaces and the Thar Desert
By Ganesh ·
A 10-day Rajasthan loop through Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Udaipur, with an optional stop in Pushkar, plus advice on the best season, trains and road travel.
Rajasthan is the India of the postcards: hilltop forts, carved sandstone mansions, lakeside palaces and the golden dunes of the Thar Desert. It is also big. The distances between cities are long, and if you try to see everything you will spend the trip in transit. This 10-day loop covers the four classic cities, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Udaipur, and leaves time to slow down. If you can add a day or two, Pushkar fits in neatly between Jaipur and Jodhpur.
When to go
The most comfortable time to visit is roughly October to March. Days are warm and sunny, and nights in the desert can be properly cold in December and January, so pack a warm layer. From April to June, temperatures in much of the state climb very high and sightseeing in the middle of the day becomes hard work. The monsoon, roughly July to September, brings some rain and greener landscapes, particularly around Udaipur, but heat and humidity remain.
Festival dates follow the Hindu lunar calendar and move every year. Diwali, Holi and the Pushkar camel fair are spectacular, but towns fill up and rooms get scarce, so check the dates early and book ahead if you plan around them.
The 10-day route at a glance
- Jaipur (3 nights): the Pink City, Amber Fort and the bazaars.
- Jodhpur (2 nights): the Blue City under Mehrangarh Fort.
- Jaisalmer (2 nights): the living fort and a night near the dunes.
- Udaipur (3 nights): lakes, palaces and an easier pace.
Many travellers arrive via Delhi and take a train or drive to Jaipur, and fly out of Udaipur at the end. Running the loop in reverse works just as well.
Day-by-day outline
Day 1: Arrive in Jaipur
Settle in and take an easy first walk through the old city. The rose-coloured walls of the old town are at their best in late-afternoon light. End the day at a rooftop restaurant.
Day 2: Amber Fort and the old city
Go to Amber (Amer) Fort early, before the heat and the crowds. Its mirrored halls and courtyards above Maota Lake are the highlight of Jaipur for many visitors. In the afternoon, visit the City Palace, the Jantar Mantar observatory with its giant astronomical instruments, and the honeycomb facade of the Hawa Mahal.
Day 3: Jaipur at your own pace
Pick between Nahargarh Fort for views over the city, a cooking class, block-printing workshops or simply wandering the bazaars for textiles, gems and blue pottery. Bargaining is expected in markets; fixed-price government emporiums are an easy benchmark.
Day 4: Travel to Jodhpur
The journey takes most of a day by train or road. If you are adding Pushkar, stop here instead for a night or two: a small pilgrimage town around a sacred lake, with ghats, temples and a relaxed backpacker scene. Pushkar is a holy town, so alcohol and meat are not generally served, and visitors should dress modestly near the ghats.
Day 5: Jodhpur
Mehrangarh Fort rises from a sheer rock above a sea of blue-painted houses and is one of the most impressive forts in India; give it a full morning. Then visit the marble memorial of Jaswant Thada, the clock tower market, and the stepwell at Toorji ka Jhalra. Walking the blue lanes of the old city at dusk is a highlight in itself.
Day 6: Travel to Jaisalmer
The road and rail route crosses the edge of the Thar Desert. Arrive in time to see the fort glow gold at sunset from a rooftop.
Day 7: Jaisalmer and the dunes
Jaisalmer Fort is one of the few forts in the world where people still live inside the walls, among temples, shops and guesthouses. Explore the Jain temples and the carved havelis, especially Patwon ki Haveli. In the afternoon, head out to the dunes for a camel ride and sunset. Sam is the best-known dune area and gets busy; Khuri and other quieter spots exist. An overnight in a desert camp under the stars is a classic experience. Choose an operator carefully, read recent reviews and agree clearly on what is included.
Day 8: Travel to Udaipur
This is the longest leg of the loop. Many travellers go back via Jodhpur, and some break the journey at the Jain temples of Ranakpur or the hill fort of Kumbhalgarh, whose walls stretch for many kilometres. Breaking the drive is worth it if you have a car and driver.
Day 9: Udaipur
Udaipur, the City of Lakes, is the gentlest stop on the route. Tour the vast City Palace, take a boat on Lake Pichola, and visit the gardens of Saheliyon ki Bari. Sunset over the lake, with the Lake Palace floating in the water, is a fitting end to the trip.
Day 10: Slow morning and departure
Browse for miniature paintings, visit Jagdish Temple or simply sit by the ghats before heading to the airport or station.
Getting around
By train
Indian Railways connects all four cities, and trains are a comfortable, affordable and very memorable way to travel. Overnight sleeper trains save a hotel night on the long legs. Popular trains fill up quickly, especially in peak season, so book as early as reservations open. Use the official IRCTC website or app, or an authorised agent, and check the current booking window and class options there.
By road
Hiring a car with a driver for the whole loop is very common and gives you flexibility to stop at places like Ranakpur, Kumbhalgarh or roadside villages. Agree on the itinerary, hours, driver's accommodation and what is included before you set off. Self-driving is not recommended for most visitors. State and private buses also link the cities and are the budget option.
By air
Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and (seasonally) Jaisalmer have airports. Domestic flights can save a long day on the road, for example when you are short of time.
Practical tips
- Start early. Forts are best in the cool, quiet morning; rest in the afternoon heat.
- Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, especially at temples. You will often need to remove shoes, and Jain temples may have additional rules about leather items.
- Carry water and sun protection. The desert sun is strong even in winter.
- Check official sources for entry tickets, opening hours and photography fees at monuments; they change, and some sites have different rates for Indian and foreign visitors.
- Visas: most foreign visitors need a visa for India. Check the current rules on the official Indian government visa portal well before travel.
- Use registered taxis or ride apps where available, and agree on auto-rickshaw fares before getting in.
- Eat well. Try dal baati churma, laal maas, ker sangri, pyaaz kachori in Jodhpur and a glass of makhaniya lassi.
Plan it in Sancharees
Create a trip in Sancharees and add Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Udaipur as stops on the right days, with the forts and palaces you want to see. Forward your flight, train and hotel confirmation emails to your booking inbox and they will land on the correct days automatically. Then share the trip with your travel companions so everyone sees the same plan.
Photos: Amber Fort above Maota Lake, Jaipur by Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Hawa Mahal, Jaipur by Chainwit., CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mehrangarh Fort over Jodhpur by Sanhitasinha, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Jaisalmer Fort by Gérard Janot, CC BY-SA 3.0 · City Palace, Udaipur by Henrik Bennetsen, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Evening lights on Pushkar Lake by Felipe Skroski from Wellington, New Zealand, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
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