The largest state in North India, Rajasthan, promises an unforgettable experience filled with majestic palaces, colorful cityscapes, thrilling safaris, and desert scenery.
When planning your first trip, how many days are enough for Rajasthan? When is the best time to visit it? This guide will provide you with essential tips and insights to help you navigate the logistics and ensure a smooth, enjoyable adventure through it.
How to Choose Your Destinations in Rajasthan
Known as the 'Land of Kings', Rajasthan houses luxurious and intricate palaces/forts wherever you go. You could check out more highlights of various cities.
For the Most Classic Experiences in Rajasthan...
If you have limited time in Rajasthan, you could see the best of Rajasthan by briefly visiting Jaipur, Ranthambore, Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer.
For first-time visitors to India, Jaipur is a must as part of the classic Golden Triangle route alongside Delhi and Agra. The easy access and iconic experiences make it the most popular destination in Rajasthan.
If you seek a romantic and laid-back vacation, Udaipur would offer an unrivaled feel of an immersive old-world stay and an exclusive sunset boat ride over Lake Pichola.
For active travelers, you could venture into Ranthambore to spot wildlife, including tigers, and enjoy glamping experiences. If you like bird-watching, go to Keoladeo National Park.
If you prefer a more isolated feel, the golden city of Jaisalmer is great for desert fun, such as a camel ride, desert camping with a sunset dinner, and parasailing.
For photographers who are interested in cityscapes, Jodhpur would be a paradise with its blue-hued streets and peaceful life.
Lovely kids in JodhpurFor In-Depth Experiences...
If you have more time, you could also extend your trip to Bikaner, Pushkar, Bundi, and Ranakpur.
For less-touristy desert experiences, Bikaner is a great choice. You could also visit the best preserved Junagarh Fort and the unique Karni Mata Temple (Rat Temple).
Pushkar is famous for its camel fair in November and boasts the only Brahma Temple in India.
For history buffs, you could also delve into the Ranakpur Jain Temple for its massive sculptures. The undiscovered views of Bundi are the icing on the cake.
How Many Days to Spend in Rajasthan
If you're visiting Rajasthan as part of your first trip to India, spending 5–10 days there is a great choice. For most cities in Rajasthan, it's usually best to stay for 2 days in each. For the capital city of Jaipur, you could extend your trip to 3 days.
You could see the popular combos below:
- 5 days: Jaipur and Ranthambore or Jaipur and Udaipur
- 7 days: Jaipur, Pushkar, and Jodhpur, or Ranthambore, Jaipur, and Udaipur
- 10 days: Jaipur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Ranakpur, and Udaipur
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Rajasthan Itineraries for 5 Days, 7 Days, and 10 Days
We've handpicked the following three itineraries for your inspiration. Highly rated by our previous clients, we're experts at personalizing your itinerary to suit your preferred trip duration.
A 5-Day Trip to Rajasthan
- Days 1–2 in Jaipur
- Day 3: Jaipur to Ranthambore or Udaipur
- Plan A: Days 4–5 in Ranthambore
- Plan B: Days 4–5 in Udaipur
In Jaipur, you could capture iconic pictures with the pink Hawa Mahal, admire the architectural gems of Amber Fort, and take a sunset tea break at Nahargarh Fort. To interact with locals, experience traditional henna painting and block printing, and cook Indian food together with a local family.
If you choose Ranthambore National Park, you would venture into the less-crowded zones and spot wild tigers during thrilling jeep game drives. Camping outside the park adds a wild sense to your trip. For a cultural touch, discover the hidden fort inside the forest and learn to make a patterned design on cloth using block printing with the locals.
If you choose Udaipur, a relaxing vacation awaits. Take an exclusive sunset boat ride over Lake Pichola, enjoy a vintage car ride around the city, and indulge in the palatial hotels.
7 Days in Rajasthan
- Days 1–2 in Jaipur
- Days 3–4 in Pushkar
- Days 5–7 in Jodhpur
This itinerary is particularly crafted to celebrate the Pushkar Camel Fair in November.
After discovering the iconic highlights of Jaipur, you would visit Pushkar. During the festival, immerse yourself in the atmospheric camel trades, participate in festive activities, such as the exciting camel and horse racing, and watch the evening ceremony at the sacred lake.
In Jodhpur, a heritage walk inside the blue old town is a must. Stroll around the winding streets of Navchokiya, breathe in the various smells at the spice markets, and get a hands-on cooking class at a local family's home. The impressive Mehrangarh Fort is not to be missed, where you could have a panoramic view of the Blue City.
If you're interested in festival celebrations in Rajasthan, you could also consider celebrating Holi in March and Diwali in November in Jaipur.
10-Day In-Depth Exploration of Rajasthan
- Days 1–2 in Jaipur
- Day 3: Jaipur to Bikaner (5–6 hours)
- Days 4–5: Bikaner to Jaisalmer (5–6 hours)
- Days 6–7: Jaisalmer to Jodhpur (5 hours)
- Day 8: Jodhpur to Udaipur (5 hours) and visit the Ranakpur Jain Temple en route
- Days 9–10 in Udaipur
This classic road trip to Rajasthan showcases the royal charm with the forts and palaces of colorful cities (pink Jaipur, golden Jaisalmer, blue Jodhpur, and white Udaipur).
In addition to the above-mentioned highlights, you would take a desert safari in Jaisalmer via a camel ride or a jeep ride at sunset. For milestone celebrations, enjoy a special candlelit dinner above the sand dunes and camp under the stars with your loved one(s).
This trip also takes you to the hidden treasures of Bikaner and Ranakpur. Apart from the less-crowded fort, you could visit the intriguing Karni Mata Temple in Bikaner, the only place in the world where live rats are worshipped. In Ranakpur, you could admire the Jain temple with intricate sculpture carvings.
Get more details from our classic Rajasthan tour.
Special Accommodation in Rajasthan
In Rajasthan, staying in a luxurious palace hotel is a must. These hotels, converted from real palaces, give you a truly royal experience. You could find great options from hotel brands like Oberoi, Taj, and Leela in Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, and Udaipur. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly heritage stay, check out the Haveli hotels.
Glamping is another must-try in Rajasthan. Alongside the wildlife safaris, it would bring you closer to the wilderness with luxurious tented camps. Sher Bagh, Ranthambore is one of the best-value examples.
How Much Does a Trip to Rajasthan Cost?
A private tour with drivers and guides is necessary to gain a better insight into Rajasthan, particularly the historical gems. You could expect a daily cost ranging from US$160 to 230 per person for a private tour with 4/5-star hotels. If you travel in its offseason (April to September), you could enjoy a discount of 30% to 40%.
Best Time to Visit Rajasthan
Rajasthan shares its best time with most of India: the dry season (October to March). The weather in Rajasthan is best from December to February when you could expect sunny weather with a temperature of about 26°C (79°F). If you could bear the hot temperatures (about 30°C (86°F)), then March, October, and November would be great choices with fewer crowds in attractions, potential discounts from hotels, and vibrant festivals (Holi, the camel fair, and Diwali).
Scorching temperatures of about 40°C (104°F) dominate Rajasthan from April to June due to the desert climate. The sweltering weather keeps tour groups away, but it brings wild tigers out in search of water.
If your schedule is limited, try to arrange your outdoor activities in the early morning. When choosing your destinations, you could opt for cooler places like Mount Abu (a hill station) and Udaipur (the "City of Lakes").
The offseason benefits continue in the monsoon season from July to September. Palaces and forts are doable for more of the day as Rajasthan cools down to about 33°C (91°F) and most of the rainfall is short and occurs in the evening. However, the national parks and desert camps are shut down due to the rainfall.
How to Get to Rajasthan
For European and American travelers, you could easily fly to Mumbai or Delhi first to connect with a direct flight to Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, or Udaipur. Most Rajasthan travelers fly to Jaipur first and leave from Udaipur, or vice versa.
How to Get Around Rajasthan
When traveling in Rajasthan, road trips are necessary as only direct Jaipur–Jaisalmer and Jaipur–Udaipur flights are available. Traveling by road in India, you can't really go fast, even on highways. The same 300 kilometers (186 miles) that might take 3 hours to drive in your country could easily take 5–6 hours in India.
Instead of using the inconvenient and time-consuming public bus, a door-to-door private transfer would be the best option. It could easily free you up from carrying luggage and dealing with navigation. Travel with us and you would have the flexibility to take breaks in vibrant villages, admire the desert landscapes, and explore temples and havelis (traditional manors).
A luxury sleeper train is also a good way to avoid checking into another hotel and to fully enjoy the scenery along the way. Check out the itinerary of the 7-Day Maharajas' Express Luxury Train Tour from Delhi to Mumbai via Rajasthan.
However, regular trains are more time-consuming and far more tiring than private transfers after adding the waiting time at the stations, the hassle of transfers between hotels and train stations, and frequent train delays.
Local buses are not recommended due to the inconvenience. Their frequent detours to pick up more passengers make buses the most time-consuming way to travel. You also might have difficulty in getting to your destination with the language barrier and little-to-no English announcements.
Explore Rajasthan with Asia Highlights
Full of history and unique culture, Rajasthan is an incredible place to spend some quality family time or celebrate your milestone moments, like a honeymoon or anniversary.
With Rajasthan's abundant choices, are you confused about how to plan a perfect itinerary? Just tell us your interests and needs. We specialize in customizing private tours for a wide range of clients.
Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries
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