This route heads west from Jaipur into the Thar Desert. You get two days among Jaipur’s palaces and bazaars and two in Jodhpur under Mehrangarh Fort, then three in Jaisalmer with a night at a desert camp. Each leg is a five- to six-hour drive or train ride, so the travel days are light on sightseeing.
Rajasthan itinerary for 8 days: day by day
Day 1: Jaipur’s old city
Start at the City Palace and Jantar Mantar, the 18th-century observatory next door, whose giant stone instruments still tell the time. Then walk across to Hawa Mahal. The famous view is the one from the street, but go inside too and look out through its small windows. End the day in the bazaars around Johari and Bapu Bazaar.
Day 2: Amber Fort and Nahargarh
Be at Amber Fort when it opens, before the heat and the tour buses arrive. On the way back, stop at Panna Meena ka Kund, a stepwell with criss-crossing stairs, and look at Jal Mahal from the lakeside road. Late in the afternoon, go up to Nahargarh Fort, which looks down over the whole city at sunset.
Day 3: Jaipur to Jodhpur
By road or by train, it takes five to six hours. In the evening, walk around the Clock Tower and Sardar Market, then have dinner on a rooftop with Mehrangarh lit up above you.
Day 4: Mehrangarh and the blue city
Mehrangarh Fort sits on a cliff above Jodhpur and is one of the best-kept forts in India. Take the audio guide. Afterwards, visit Jaswant Thada, a white marble memorial nearby, before walking down through the blue-painted lanes of the old city to Toorji ka Jhalra. It’s a restored stepwell with cafés all around it.
Day 5: Jodhpur to Jaisalmer
It’s about five hours across the desert to Jaisalmer. Catch the sunset from Gadisar Lake or the Vyas Chhatri cenotaphs.
Day 6: Jaisalmer Fort and a night in the dunes
Jaisalmer Fort is a living fort, and thousands of people still make their homes inside its golden sandstone walls. Wander its lanes and visit the Jain temples inside, then head down into the town for the carved balconies of Patwon ki Haveli.
In the afternoon, drive about an hour out to the Sam sand dunes. There’s a camel ride at sunset, then folk music and a night at a desert camp. If you’d like somewhere quieter, Khuri has dunes too.
Day 7: Sunrise on the dunes, Kuldhara and Bada Bagh
Wake early for sunrise over the dunes. On the way back to Jaisalmer, stop at Kuldhara, a village its people abandoned two centuries ago, and at the royal cenotaphs of Bada Bagh. Leave the afternoon free.
Day 8: Leave Jaisalmer
Few flights use Jaisalmer’s airport, so most people take an overnight train to Jaipur or Delhi, or drive back to Jodhpur (about five hours) and fly from there.
With two more days: add Udaipur
To fit in Udaipur, go Jaipur → Udaipur → Jodhpur → Jaisalmer. Give Udaipur two nights, for the City Palace, a sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola and the evening dance show at Bagore ki Haveli. On the drive from Udaipur to Jodhpur, go by way of the Ranakpur Jain temple. Its marble halls hold well over a thousand carved pillars, and no two are alike.
Best time to visit Rajasthan
- October to March is the time to go, with warm, sunny days. Desert nights in December and January get close to freezing, so bring a jacket for the camp.
- April to June is very hot, and Jaisalmer is often above 45°C. Sightseeing is only practical early and late in the day.
- July to September brings the monsoon, which is humid with occasional heavy rain. It’s when Udaipur’s lakes are at their fullest.
Some festivals are worth planning around. The Pushkar camel fair falls in October or November, and the Jaisalmer Desert Festival is usually in February. Diwali in Jaipur is another.
How to reach Rajasthan
- By flight: Jaipur has direct flights from most large Indian cities. If you’d rather fly home from the far end, use Jodhpur.
- By train: Delhi to Jaipur takes about four to five hours by train, and Jaipur, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer are all linked by rail.
- By road from Delhi: it’s about five hours to Jaipur. Many people tack Jaipur onto a Delhi and Agra trip, the route known as the Golden Triangle.
- Getting around: hiring a car and driver for the whole loop is the easiest choice, especially with family.
How many days are enough for Rajasthan?
Five days is enough for Jaipur with either Jodhpur or Udaipur. Eight lets you go from Jaipur all the way to Jaisalmer without rushing. Ten to twelve leaves room for Udaipur, Pushkar, or Ranthambore and a chance to see a tiger.
What affects the cost of a Rajasthan trip
- Where you stay: every city in Rajasthan has heritage havelis, palace hotels and simple guesthouses, and this choice changes the cost more than anything else.
- Season: late December and early January are the most expensive. October, February and March are better value.
- The desert camp: camps range from basic tents to ones with private bathrooms and dinner shows.
- Transport: a car and driver costs more than the train but saves time and effort, and your group shares the cost.
Rajasthan travel tips
- Start early: forts get hot and crowded by late morning, even in winter.
- Guides: hire official guides at the ticket counters of the big forts, or take the audio guide.
- Jain temples: leave your shoes and anything made of leather outside, and dress modestly.
- Markets: bargaining is expected in the bazaars, but not in shops with fixed prices.
- Water and sun: carry water and a hat, even on cool days.
Updated . Roads, ferries and rules change, so check the latest before you book.