Rajasthan: Jaipur to the Thar Desert

Days 1 to 2: Jaipur

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

Day 1: 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.
• Spend the evening in the Johri Bazaar lanes for street food.

Day 2: 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 to Ajmer, about 2 hours, then 15 km by road to Pushkar. About 150 km by road.

Day 3: Pushkar and Ajmer

1 night · Easy · Twin holy towns in the Aravallis: a sacred Hindu lake at Pushkar and a Sufi shrine at Ajmer.

Day 3: Pushkar and Ajmer

• Arrive at Ajmer and travel 15 km to Pushkar.
• Walk the Pushkar Lake and ghats.
• Visit the Brahma Temple.
• Take the ropeway to Savitri Temple for sunset.

Getting here from Pushkar and Ajmer: Road, about 4 to 5 hours. About 220 km by road.

Days 4 to 5: Jodhpur

2 nights · Easy · Rajasthan's second-largest city, on the edge of the Thar Desert, below Mehrangarh Fort.

Day 4: Arrival day

• Travel from Pushkar and Ajmer to Jodhpur (about 4 to 5 hours).
• Walk the trails of Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park beside the fort.
• Visit Jaswant Thada in the late afternoon.
• Dinner at a rooftop restaurant in the old city.

Day 5: Jodhpur

• Visit the Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum when it opens.
• Lunch and shopping at the Clock Tower and Sardar Market.
• Try mirchi bada and makhaniya lassi in the market.
• Spend the evening at Toorji Ka Jhalra.

Getting here from Jodhpur: Train or road, about 5 to 6 hours. About 280 km by road.

Days 6 to 9: Jaisalmer

3 nights · Easy · A yellow sandstone fort city in the Thar Desert, with carved havelis and sand dunes nearby.

Day 6: Arrival day

• Travel from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer (about 5 to 6 hours).
• Evening: end the day at Gadisar Lake for boating and sunset.

Day 7: Jaisalmer

• Start early at Jaisalmer Fort (Sonar Qila) before the heat and crowds.
• Walk down to Patwon Ki Haveli.
• See the carved front of Nathmal Ki Haveli.

Day 8: Jaisalmer

• Drive out to Bada Bagh in the morning.
• Continue to Kuldhara on the way to the dunes.
• Reach Sam Sand Dunes by late afternoon for a camel or jeep ride.
• Stay overnight in a desert camp with dinner and folk music.

Day 9: Jaisalmer

• Leave Sam Sand Dunes after sunrise.
• Visit Desert National Park, which is close to Sam, to look for birds and chinkara.
• Return to the city and shop around the old market.
• Take an overnight bus or train onward.