Bikaner, Jaipur and Ranthambore

Day 1: Bikaner

1 night · Easy · Desert city in north-west Rajasthan known for Junagarh Fort, camels and Bikaneri bhujia.

Day 1: Bikaner

• Visit Junagarh Fort when it opens at 10 am.
• Walk the old city to the Rampuria Havelis.
• See Bhandasar Jain Temple and its rooftop view.
• Visit Lalgarh Palace in the afternoon (closed on Sundays).

Getting here from Bikaner: Train or road, about 5 to 6 hours. About 340 km by road.

Days 2 to 4: Jaipur

3 nights · Easy · Rajasthan's capital, the Pink City, known for hill forts, palaces and old bazaars.

Day 2: Arrival day

• Travel from Bikaner to Jaipur (about 5 to 6 hours).
• Evening: spend the evening in the Johri Bazaar lanes for street food.

Day 3: Jaipur

• Start at Hawa Mahal in the morning and buy the composite ticket there.
• Walk to City Palace and spend about two hours.
• Visit Jantar Mantar next door around midday, when the sundials are easiest to read.

Day 4: Jaipur

• Reach Amber Fort by 8:00 am, before the heat and crowds.
• Go on to Jaigarh Fort, about 1 km above Amber.
• Stop at Jal Mahal on the way back for the lake view.
• Drive up to Nahargarh Fort for sunset, with your return ride arranged.

Getting here from Jaipur: Train or road to Sawai Madhopur, about 2.5 to 3.5 hours. About 190 km by road.

Days 5 to 7: Ranthambore National Park

2 nights · Easy · Rajasthan tiger reserve with jeep safaris, lakes and a hilltop fort near Sawai Madhopur.

Day 5: Ranthambore National Park

• Arrive at Sawai Madhopur by train and transfer to your hotel.
• Take the afternoon Ranthambore Tiger Reserve safari.
• Look out for Padam Talao and Raj Bagh Talao if your zone passes them.
• Early dinner and sleep, as the next start is before sunrise.

Day 6: Ranthambore National Park

• Morning Ranthambore Tiger Reserve safari, the most active time for tigers.
• Late breakfast and rest at the hotel.
• Go up Ranthambore Fort in a local vehicle and walk through the gates.
• Visit Trinetra Ganesh Temple inside the fort.
• Return to the hotel before dark.

Day 7: Ranthambore National Park

• Sunrise visit to Surwal Lake for birds, in winter.
• Stop at the Rajiv Gandhi Regional Museum of Natural History in Sawai Madhopur.
• Lunch in town.
• Leave from Sawai Madhopur station, or add a night for the Chambal River boat safari at Palighat.