Our complete guide to travel in Rajasthan! From princely and colorful cities to remote deserts, rural village life, and tiger inhabited jungles. Make yourself comfortable for a good read of our Rajasthan travel Packages – here’s everything you need to plan your perfect trip to Rajasthan.
Rajasthan Tour Packages – Your Complete Rajasthan Travel Guide.
Welcome to the “Land of Kings”. Rajasthan is a true state of contrasts, and Rajasthan travel reflects that!
From desert scrub to holy lakes, one thing that is hard to grasp for the first-time (or even repeat) visitor is the sheer size of the place. I was fortunate enough to have three weeks to explore the desert state. Even that wasn’t sufficient to get to all of the major sights. I did, however, linger longer in areas that would be easier to pass through in a shorter time frame. I also went well off the path more trodden on a couple of occasions—which meant more travel time.
In researching a state of contrasts, I was happy to find that the relatively well-developed tourism infrastructure is matched by the gradual appearance of eco-friendly options. More than that, were the options which make an effort to connect visitors to Rajasthani culture beyond a superficial level. Thereby creating more opportunities for responsible travel in Rajasthan.
This guide to travel in Rajasthan covers best places to visit in Rajasthan, best places to stay, attractions and activities, as well as mindful and ethical travel in Rajasthan. Our guide also covers how to see a less touristy side of Rajasthan – should you wish to – and tips for ethical and responsible travel in Rajasthan.
When is the Best Time to Visit Rajasthan?
The best (and therefore most popular) time to visit Rajasthan is during winter, between October – March, with the busiest months being December, January, and (sometimes) February. During this time the weather in Rajasthan is pleasant – you’ll be warm under the daytime sun, but it does get cold at night!
An alternative time to plan your trip to Rajasthan is during the monsoon (mid-June – September). Rajasthan gets far less rain – after all, it is largely a desert – than other states in India, the crowds are fewer during this time and the prices cheaper. The weather tends to be overcast and humid (and can be humid/hot) so admittedly if you’re focused on clear blue skies, winter is your time to visit.
Stay clear during the months of April and May as temperatures soar and can reach over 50 degrees centigrade…
Planning a Trip to Rajasthan
The first thing to work out for planning your trip to Rajasthan is to work out how much time you have to spend here. Although Rajasthan is “only” one state of India, it’s huge! There is no “ideal” length of time to spend in Rajasthan – you could fit the key sites into a week, but you could easily keep yourself busy for a month here. Most people have around two weeks to travel in Rajasthan, which is a good starting point.
There are a few options for how to plan your trip to Rajasthan.
The first being to travel independently and plan everything yourself. You can travel independently no matter your budget – this option is not only for backpackers! Independent travel in Rajasthan allows maximum flexibility and the best opportunity to absorb the Rajasthani culture, local food and meet fellow travelers independently, but it also means more time upfront making your own travel arrangements which can take a bit of time. If you choose this option we suggest having an idea of where you want to go first so you know which order to visit places in (see our getting around section below). This is the way we travel.
If you’re a solo female traveler wanting to travel independently in Rajasthan we have some tips on solo female travel below.
A second option is to get help with planning your itinerary, and/or hiring a private car and driver to get around. This has the advantage of taking the weight of planning off your shoulders but maintaining flexibility in how long you spend in each destination, where you stay, and how to spend your time in Rajasthan.
Your third option is to take a group tour, which is perfect for when you would rather travel with others, have a trusted company take care of the itinerary and planning, and be accompanied by a local guide. We have a comprehensive comparison guide to some of our favorite India group tours here and recommend companies such as Intrepid Travel, G Adventures, and Exodus.
How to Travel Around Rajasthan
Most of Rajasthan is well connected to Delhi and other parts of the North West of India by rail. Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Bikaner serve as the main train station hubs, although it’s also possible directly from Delhi to Jaisalmer by train (daily, 18 hours). Delhi to Jaipur takes 5-6 hours. Distances even within Rajasthan are still large to cover – for example, the train from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur is 8 hours, Jaipur to Jodhpur 5-6 hours.
You can now book popular train routes in Rajasthan easily (without having to sign up for your own Indian Railways
Hiring a driver for some parts of the journey provides more flexibility and depending on your budget can be cost-effective if a few people share for shorter routes. Udaipur to Jodhpur has no train service, so many hire a driver for the 6-hour route, going via the Jain temples at Ranakpur – or you can take the bus.
An alternative is to take the bus. Buses in India tend to be less comfortable than the train, but have the advantage that they can easily be booked last minute
Safe Travel for Solo Female Travelers in Rajasthan
Most Indians are incredibly kind hearted, warm, and welcoming, and will do anything they can to make sure you have an amazing time in India. Unfortunately, though, there’s the odd bad apple – like anywhere around the world.
If you’re traveling to Rajasthan as a (solo) female, there are a few extra things to be mindful of. My first trip to India solo was to Rajasthan and I had an amazing time, but there are a few things I wish I would have known beforehand.
Despite being a popular tourist destination, Rajasthan is relatively conservative. It’s uncommon to see many women on the streets after dark, especially outside of the cities for example. I chose to mostly go out during the daytime and eat dinner at my hostel/hotel. If you want to go out, ask for advice from your hotel or guesthouse and always let someone you trust know where you are going. Stick to well-lit, busy areas, preferably with women and families around.
Avoid arriving in a new place after dark. This can be tricky with India’s train and bus timetables, but you’ll always feel more comfortable arriving during daylight. If your train arrives in the middle of the night, you can wait a couple of hours in the ladies waiting room or busy area on the station until it gets light (I did this in Bikaner), or book a nice hotel and pay a little extra to arrange for them to come and meet you. Make sure you have a clear arrangement about how you will be able to identify the driver.
Get a local sim card. This is super useful not only for being able to avoid rickshaw “detours” but you’ll be able to use Uber, Ola (Indian version of Uber, recommended), and generally have a way to contact people. Airtel and Vodafone both have good networks throughout India. Get a sim card on arrival at Delhi airport or at any of their stores – you’ll need your passport, visa, and some patience.
Dress a little conservatively. If you look un-Indian you’ll already be attracting attention. It’s best not to add to that by avoiding revealing & tight clothes. Covering your legs, shoulders, and chest is important. See our what to wear in India guide for more below. Draping a scarf across your chest helps a lot.
Be aware of your surroundings and use your common sense. Avoid secluded areas in general – if someone is bothering you or tries to touch you the best thing to do is shout at them and make a scene, or seek a place where there are families. If you create a scene there will likely be many kind hearted Indians coming to your rescue.
On trains, choose the uppermost bunk and travel in AC classes – read my tips for solo female train travel here.
Don’t tell men or strangers that you are travelling alone, what your travel plans are, and where you are staying.
SELFIES. There’s a huge selfie culture in India and you’ll likely have been in Rajasthan five minutes before someone wants to have a selfie with you. That’s up to you of course, but know that guys have sometimes been known to widely distribute selfies with western women and claim that you are their “girlfriend” or other stories. Personally, my rule is I say yes to families and no to single men or groups of men. If they are being annoyed I get out my phone and video them. Being firm or ignoring is often the best tactic, or you can tag on to a family for a bit if it gets too much!
Stay in reputable guest houses and hotels that are available on major platforms such as Booking.com and check your door bolts securely. If you don’t feel good about a place – book a new one and leave, trust your intuition.
Of Elephants and Camels
One of the challenges of ethical travel in Rajasthan can be negotiating the ethics of some of the wildlife activities. The negative effects of elephant riding are well-publicized, yet elephant rides continue to be an option in parts of Rajasthan. Camel rides, on the other hand, are a much less talked – of topic. In my mind, the problem was this: why am I not ok to sit on an elephant, but ok on a camel? I decided to reserve judgment until I was in India.
From what I saw firsthand, the camels used for riding are often not well looked after. The camels that I saw in Pushkar were decidedly skinny, had sores on their skin, and generally did not look healthy. They also all have wooden sticks pierced through their noses to which the ropes for steering are then attached, something that does not seem to be done in other countries such as Morocco. I was told that this does not hurt the camel. All I know is that personally, I’d prefer not to have a wooden stick with ropes attached to it driven through my nose.
On the flip side, the familiar arguments of there being few uses left for camels are raised in defense of camel riding. This much is certain: it brings a huge amount of revenue to the Region and is a financially important tourist activity in Rajasthan.
The happiest camels I saw in Rajasthan were a herd that I saw in desert scrub, completely wild and happily munching at the trees with not a tourist in sight.
Whether we want to endorse such activities is ultimately a decision we have to make for ourselves, basing our decisions on what we can see of the animals’ welfare.
Responsible Travel in Rajasthan
Rajasthan is probably the most famous state of India when it comes to tourism, and is the number one region for travelers to India. It has also seen steadily increasing popularity within India with domestic travelers, too. In 2017 visitor numbers to Rajasthan in 2017 reached nearly 50 million.
Instagram is partly to blame, as the colorful palaces of Rajasthan make for exotic backdrops. Luckily, Rajasthan is a big place, and it’s easy to avoid getting caught in large crowds if you have some flexibility in your travel plans and itinerary.
Here are a few tips to help you get the best out of your visit to Rajasthan:
Most of the crowds can be found in Jaipur, Udaipur, and Jaisalmer, at the forts and inside the colored old cities. Even here you can avoid the coach-loads if you show up early in the morning (ideal, too as it’s much cooler at this time!). You can read my story about having Udaipur fort practically to myself below…
For fewer crowds get off the beaten path. Stay at homestays and ask locals for their recommendations on where to travel – see our off the beaten path section below.
Rajasthan is used to tourism and you’ll find some less-scrupulous vendors/travel agents who will not be shy about making an extra dollar where they can. Bargain for everything and try to research the market price before handing over your hard-earned cash. Over-paying for goods does not help in the long run as it sets the precedent for future visitors being overcharged too. Case in point: I found chai tea spices for sale in one grocery store in Udaipur for an optimistic 250 rupees. It was labeled “tea masala” and was clearly targeted at wealthy tourists. Tea masala should cost you about 20 rupees for a small bag…
Try to get away from establishments (restaurants, cafes) that are obviously set up for tourists and support smaller places instead. If in doubt, dismiss anywhere serving banana pancakes 😉
Despite the high number of tourists, Rajasthani culture is still relatively conservative, and wandering around in hot pants and spaghetti straps will result in more hassle for you. See our tips for female travelers below.
Rajasthan is a dry, desert state and is rapidly running out of water. Avoid hotels with pools as much as possible and be very conservative with your water use. Turn taps off while brushing teeth, take showers instead of baths, turn the shower off while shampooing… etc. Many remote Rajasthani villagers are without access to clean water and have to walk each day to pump groundwater.
Avoid single-use plastic. It’s not hard to see, that India has a huge plastic problem. Avoid adding to it. Take your own refillable water bottle and water purification method, or re-fill with filtered water, called “RO Water” (reverse osmosis purified water which is fine to drink). See our recommendations for which water filters are safe for India in the packing section or see our full comparison guide here.
It’s difficult to escape poverty when traveling in India. Compassion is the best thing you can give and support local organizations that are actively involving the local community in their work and profits (we’ve included recommendations throughout this guide). We don’t endorse giving money, pens, sweets or anything else to children or adults who ask for them while traveling in India. Volunteering in India can be a tricky business and is not something we necessarily recommend unless you are bringing highly needed skills.
The Best Places to Visit in Rajasthan
Rajasthan’s best-known and loved destinations include Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaipur, and Jaisalmer, and these are not-to-be-missed destinations on any Rajasthan itinerary. But there is more to Rajasthan than these colorful cities, with alternative destinations such as Bikaner and Bundi being well worth a look for their history and old towns, Pushkar is a must for the spiritually curious, and Bharatpur offers some great wildlife-viewing opportunities. We cover all of these in this Rajasthan blog.
But to understand Rajasthani culture is to glimpse the rich village life and tapestry of Rajasthan. Marwari culture is seen in all its color not in Rajasthan’s bustling cities, but in its quieter villages and desert camps. I learned more about the Marwari (Rajasthani) way of life from spending time at homestays and villages than I did from wandering the ancient Pink City of Jaipur. In this guide we’ll show you how to do the same, should you want to!
Have you been to Rajasthan and have tips to share with other readers for their trip? Let us know in the comments section at the end and I’ll add them to this Rajasthan travel blog.
Jaipur
Part of the “Golden Triangle” and the capital of Rajasthan, travel in Jaipur was very different from how I thought it might be.
Famous for being the “pink city” and for its wonderful palaces, I’d developed a somewhat romantic vision of Jaipur. The reality is a dusty, noisy and crowded city (even by Indian standards) that is used to tourists with plenty of money and little time to negotiate. The hustle starts on arrival at the train station where you can expect to be met with persistent offers of transport from the moment you have one foot out of the train.
But this doesn’t mean you can skip Jaipur!
What it does mean is that you may be better off to keep your shopping until later during your trip, or if you do shop in the Bazaars of The Pink City, be prepared to haggle very hard. Pre-arranging pick-ups from your hotel/guesthouse from the train station is also a great idea, especially if your train arrives after dark.
Things to do in Jaipur
The main sights of Amer Fort(also known as the Amber Fort) and City Palace are un-missable and the top sights for good reason. If you go to the City Palace it is worth paying the extra to see parts of the palace that are not open to the general public – some of the rooms are stunning. I didn’t go into the Hawa Mahal—the view from outside was enough for me, and reports are that it gets pretty claustrophobic inside the corridors.
Visit the Anokhi block printing museum, a short walk from the Amber Fort in Amber. Block Printing is a beautiful, traditional Rajasthani art that is fast dying out.
In Jaipur itself, you can visit the Anokhi store which sells clothing made from hand-printed fabrics, or enjoy lunch at their organic cafe. If organic eats are your thing, you can also check out the Poppin Organic Cafe.
Consider taking a tour with Virasat Experiences, a community tourism initiative.
To avoid riding the elephants at the Amber Fort. Debates about the ethics of riding elephants aside (see more above), recent government inspections have revealed inadequate housing conditions and animal abuse. Limits have apparently been put in place for the number of rides an elephant can do per day. Unfortunately, the demand for elephant rides continues to rise.
Pushkar
A stay in Rajasthan’s holiest town, Pushkar, was one of the highlights of my Rajasthan trip.
A visit to Pushkar is the kind that turns from one night into two, into far longer than expected. Pushkar does not have any eco/responsible travel qualifications as such, but it is a great way to experience some of the cultures of Spiritual India in Rajasthan. Pushkar Lake – around which the town is formed – is said to have been formed when a lotus flower fell from the hands of Lord Brahma. It’s also the only place in India where you can find Brahma temples. Aside from the odd temple visit, there’s also not a huge amount to do in Pushkar, which I found to be one of its charms. Seeing as it's a Hindu Pilgrimage Town, alcohol is not allowed in Pushkar.
Early morning or evening walk around town and soaking up the atmosphere by the lake will give you all the introduction needed to this place. The cafes at Jaipur Ghat are a great spot to sit with a chai and watch the sunset, or morning goings-on.
Pushkar is famous for its Camel Fair each year, which depending on your love for crowds and dust you may wish to come for or avoid. The town gets incredibly full during the festival so book well in advance. Ajmer is the nearest large city with train and bus connections, trains run frequently from here to Jaipur.
Udaipur
The “City of Lakes” or “Venice of the East” is branded as India’s most Romantic city. I also found it to be Rajasthan’s most touristic.
Visiting in January 2017, I think I got lucky as the crowds were elsewhere. The centre of the city around the lake has been set up almost entirely around tourism (with most buildings being a travel agency, hotel, shop, restaurant), but that does not mean Udaipur should be overlooked. Watching the morning mist clear over the mountains beyond Lake Pichola from the battlements of the City Palace is a memorable sight. My best advice? Do get up earlier than everyone else for some moments of solitude.
Udaipur is well connected by bus and rail – I arrived by train from Ajmer (5 hours). There are no trains between Udaipur and Jodhpur – the bus journey is 6-7 hours.
Things to do in Udaipur
The City Palace and a boat trip on Lake Pichola are the main attractions of Udaipur.
Boat trips: The City Palace arranges boat trips from the grounds, but a cheaper option is to go yourself to the booking office on the end of Lal Ghat, from where boat trips also operate.
The City Palace: reports are that it gets unpleasantly crowded later in the day, so go for opening time (09.30 am). I walked in through the gates at 09.15 am and pretty much had the place to myself.
Art of Bicycle offer tours which are a great way to see Udaipur beyond the lake and the surrounding countryside
Millets of Mewar is a great spot to eat some of the healthiest food in Udaipur – of both Indian and International varieties. They’re the owners of the above-mentioned guesthouse and also offer food tours of Udaipur and Cooking Classes.
Jodhpur
The Blue City has a real local charm that leaves many travellers smitten. Despite being a popular spot, that doesn’t seem to bother the locals who seem as friendly as can be. I didn’t go to Jodhpur with particular expectations, but found that there is something special about this place. Even the travel industry heavy weights such as Conde Nast have put Jodhpur on their hotlist.
The Mehrangarh Fort is as dramatic as forts come – even in Rajasthan. Towering over the city it’s visible from wherever you are, and many hotels and guest houses in Jodhpur have wonderful views of the fort. Jodhpur’s charms reach beyond its fort however. Once you’ve seen as many blue houses as you can manage in Jodhpur’s old blue city, or reached your shopping limit in the bazaars, there’s plenty more to see outside of Jodhpur. and About an hour’s drive away is the remoter town of Osiyan which boasts some magnificent Jain Temples and a chance to experience the Thar Desert away from the crowds of Jaisalmer.
Things to do in Jodhpur
As well as being one of the most spectacular, the Mehrangarh Fort is also one of Rajasthan’s best organised when it comes to tourism – the included audio tour is of very high quality.
On the way down from the Fort, don’t miss Rao Jodha desert rock park. In 2011 this eco tourism project opened. The former wasteland has lovingly been transformed into a desert garden, planting species native to the region that require little water. There are different paths / trails to wander along and appreciate the landscape with the view of the fort and city below as a backdrop. Best enjoyed outside of the mid-day heat!
I took a half day tour with Virasat Experiences of the Blue City. It was great to see the old part of Jodhpur through the eyes of a local and discover where the best tea and snack stands were. What left the greatest impression on me was the friendliness of the locals who all