Rajasthan Tour Packages: Forts, Palaces and Desert for NRI, OCI and Foreign Travellers

Today you see the best of Jaipur. Start early at Amber Fort, about 11 km from the city. Raja Man Singh finished this hilltop fort in 1599, and it took about 25 years to build. Inside is the Sheesh Mahal, a hall of tiny mirrors that shine in low light. You can ride a jeep up to the gate. Please choose the jeep over the elephant ride, which is kinder to the animals. Later see the City Palace, where the royal family still lives in part of the block. Then visit Hawa Mahal, the pink Palace of Winds from 1799, with its 953 small windows. Near the palace stands the Jantar Mantar, a stone observatory finished in 1734 by Sawai Jai Singh. Its great sundial, the Vrihat Samrat Yantra, is about 27 metres tall and can tell the time to a couple of seconds. In Jaipur you should try dal baati churma, a hearty local dish. Drones are not allowed over the forts. For elders, take the jeep at Amber and rest at midday.

Special Tips for This Day: Buy a Jaipur composite ticket if you plan many sites, and confirm the current rate at the counter. Reach Amber Fort by opening time to beat the crowd.

Today you drive to Ranthambore for a tiger safari. The road to Sawai Madhopur is about 160 to 180 km, roughly 3 to 4 hours. Reach by afternoon and rest before your evening safari. Ranthambore National Park had about 69 tigers as of the 2022 count. You ride in an open jeep or a larger canter with a park guide. The park splits into numbered safari zones, and each safari runs morning or evening. Remember the core zones close each monsoon, from about 1 July to 30 September. So plan a Ranthambore stop only from October to June. In this area you can try simple Rajasthani thali food at your lodge. Book only on the official Rajasthan forest portal at forestrajasthan.com. Do not feed or shout at the animals, and stay seated in the jeep. For elders, the evening safari is cooler and gentler than the midday heat.

Special Tips for This Day: Book your safari zone weeks in advance, because slots are limited. Carry a hat, sunglasses and a light dust scarf for the open jeep.

Today you take a morning safari, then drive to the holy town of Pushkar. Try to catch the early jeep, when tigers are most active in the cool light. After breakfast you drive about 250 to 280 km, roughly 5 to 6 hours, towards Pushkar. The road passes Tonk and Ajmer on the way. Pushkar holds one of the very few temples to Lord Brahma, the creator. Beside it lies the sacred Pushkar Lake, ringed by about 52 ghats. Tradition says a bath in this lake is part of a full pilgrimage. At the Brahma temple, remove your shoes and dress modest. Leather belts and bags are often not allowed near the shrine. In Pushkar you should try malpua, a sweet local pancake. For elders, the lake ghats have steps, so take a hand and go slow.

Special Tips for This Day: Treat the ghats as a holy place and do not wear shoes there. Watch for self styled priests who push a paid blessing, and agree nothing in advance.

Today you drive to Jodhpur, the Blue City. See the sunrise over Pushkar Lake before you leave. The drive is about 180 to 200 km, roughly 4 to 5 hours. Reach Jodhpur by afternoon and settle into your hotel. If you have energy, take an evening walk in the old town under the fort. The blue homes near the fort glow softly at dusk. In Jodhpur you should try a hot mirchi bada, a spicy fried snack the city loves. Tradition says the blue colour once marked the homes of priests, and later spread. Keep to the main lanes after dark, and carry small change for tea. For elders, keep this arrival day easy, with the big fort saved for tomorrow.

Special Tips for This Day: Jodhpur old town lanes are narrow, so a small auto rickshaw beats a big car here. Keep your camera ready for the blue rooftops at sunset.

Today you climb up to Mehrangarh, the great fort of Jodhpur. Rao Jodha laid its foundation in 1459, and it rises about 122 metres above the plains. From the ramparts you see the blue city spread far below. Inside are royal rooms, old palanquins and a fine museum. A quiet fact is that the fort walls still show cannon marks from old sieges. After the fort, see Jaswant Thada, a white marble memorial nearby. In Jodhpur you should try the famous makhaniya lassi, a thick saffron drink. Big bags and drones are not allowed inside the fort. The fort has a lift in one section, which helps elders and tired legs. For older travellers, use the lift and rest often in the shaded courtyards.

Special Tips for This Day: Wear easy walking shoes, because the fort has steep ramps and smooth stone floors. Start early to enjoy the fort before the midday heat.

Today you cross into the Thar desert to reach Jaisalmer. The drive is about 285 to 300 km, roughly 5 to 6 hours. The land turns dry and golden as you go west. Reach Jaisalmer by afternoon and rest before the heat drops. In the evening, walk up to the Golden Fort, called Sonar Quila. Rawal Jaisal built it in 1156 from yellow sandstone. About 4,000 people still live inside the fort today, which makes it a living fort. Its lanes hold homes, shops, small temples and havelis. In Jaisalmer you should try ker sangri, a dry desert vegetable dish. Please do not litter in the fort, as its old drains are fragile. For elders, the fort ramp is steep, so go slow and rest at the top.

Special Tips for This Day: Break the long drive with a tea stop and short walks every two hours. Carry water, as the desert air dries you out fast.

Today you enjoy Jaisalmer and its golden desert. In the morning see the carved havelis, like Patwon Ki Haveli, cut from soft sandstone. Walk the fort lanes and small Jain temples at an easy pace. In the late afternoon, drive to the Sam sand dunes, about 40 to 45 km west of the city. Here you ride a camel across the sand as the sun sets. You can take a jeep too, but the camel is calmer and quieter. Stay the night in a desert camp near the dunes if you like. You watch folk music and dance under an open desert sky. For a quieter spot, the Khuri dunes lie about 40 km south west, near the Desert National Park. In the desert you should try a simple Rajasthani dal, bati and churma dinner. For elders, a short camel ride and a camp chair by the fire may suit better than a long ride.

Special Tips for This Day: Carry a warm layer, because desert nights turn cold even after a hot day. Confirm your camel or camp rate in advance on the operator's own site.

Today you make the long journey south to Udaipur, the city of lakes. This is the longest leg, about 490 to 560 km, so it can take 8 to 9 hours. Start early and keep the day gentle with rest stops. To save time and energy, you can fly instead from Jodhpur or Jaisalmer where flights run. If you drive, you may break the trip near Mount Abu, the state's one hill station. Reach Udaipur by evening and rest by the lake. In Udaipur you should try a plate of dal baati or a sweet ghevar. Long car days tire older travellers, so plan short leg stretch breaks every two hours. Keep water and light snacks in the car. For elders, the flight option is far kinder than this full day drive.

Special Tips for This Day: If you dislike long drives, book an internal flight for this leg well ahead. Keep your passport and tickets in one folder for the airport.

Today you enjoy Udaipur before you head home. Maharana Udai Singh founded the city in 1559 around Lake Pichola. Start at the City Palace, a long line of palaces on the east bank of the lake. From its balconies you see the blue water and the island palaces. Later take a gentle boat ride on Lake Pichola in the soft evening light. You pass Jag Mandir island and see the old royal ghats. In Udaipur you should try a hot kachori and a cup of masala chai. If your flight is later, shop for local miniature paintings and silver. Boats do not run in rough weather, so keep a backup plan. For elders, request wheelchair help at the airport, as the terminal has long walks.

Special Tips for This Day: Take the boat ride near sunset for the calmest water and best light. Keep any craft receipts for customs on your way home.