Embarking on a Rajasthan roadtrip itinerary through the enchanting state of Rajasthan promises a journey steeped in history, culture, and architectural marvels.

This 8-day itinerary will share the top places to visit in Rajasthan. Starting from the bustling street markets of Jaipur to the golden sands of Jaisalmer’s Thar Desert, unfolds a culturally vibrant desert region known as Rajasthan. I’ll quickly explore the unique character of each city and its cultural highlights, which makes it a top Rajasthan roadtrip journey that travelers love to take.

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Why is Rajasthan popular with first time travelers?

RAJASTHAN is known as the “Land of Kings. “ It’s a popular, dry and arid Indian state on the western side of India bordering Pakistan. You can  experience historical lakeside palaces & havelis, desert safaris, bustling markets, expert craftsmanship and fabulous architectural monuments.

Each city has its unique character, that lends to the culture, history and architectural beauty of Rajasthan, allowing travelers to immerse themselves in the diverse facets of this enchanting state. Whether exploring the bustling markets of Jaipur, the desert heritage of Bikaner, the spiritual ambiance of Pushkar, the romantic lakes of Udaipur, the golden sands of Jaisalmer, or the blue-hued lanes of Jodhpur, Rajasthan promises an unforgettable journey through time and tradition.There’s a reason why travelers love it.

Read about getting an Indian Tourist Visa for U.S. Citizens

How many days to spend in Rajasthan?

The ideal duration to spend in Rajasthan depends on the cities and attractions you plan to visit, as well as your travel preferences and mode of transportation. A comprehensive exploration of the major destinations like Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer could require at least 10 to 15 or 21 days. If you have only 7 to 10 days, then you’ll want to focus on highlights.

Unless you’re traveling with a tour or a doing day tours, trying to see a city in one day is going to be hard. So it’s not advised to allot one day per city. You’ll want some down-time in between.  Read my tips on trip planning for India

Additionally, it’s vital to consider India travel times between cities,  and any additional side trips or activities you may want to include in your Rajasthan experience. The average time it can take to get between some of these top Rajasthan cities can take 5-6 hours by car if you’re connecting the dots from city to city. Train can take longer depending upon Express trains and local. So by the time you arrive in a new city, your day is already half over and you’ll need to stay the night. Read more about the trains in India.

Read Beginners Guide to Traveling in India

6 Top Places to Visit in Rajasthan: An Overview of Enchanting Destinations

1. Jaipur – The Pink City

Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is known for its history of palaces and forts. Known as the Pink City, it boasts architectural highlights like the Hawa Mahal, City Palace,  Patrika Gate and the magnificent Amer Fort (or Amber Palace). The bustling markets of Jaipur offer a kaleidoscope of colors, making it a paradise for shoppers seeking traditional Rajasthani handicrafts, street food and sweets. I especially enjoyed exploring the markets and its plethora of street foods. You can watch as local food vendors mix batter and deep fry mouthwatering snacks before your eyes.  Local vendors sell odd trinkets for locals, from odd office stationary and more.

At night, I checked out the old theater to watch a Bollywood film. I sat amongst locals and there are no subtitles, but it’s fun nevertheless and interesting if you’ve never watch a Bollywood film!

Tip: You’ll experience many touts at the top attractions. Visiting Amer Fort, I experienced a lot of heavy tout action, with locals wanting to sell me anything from elephant rides, souvenir t-shirts, and more. Touts in India can be quite aggressive and with Rajasthan being the top region for all first time travelers to India, I’ve always felt it had the most touts. Read how to deal with aggressive touts in India.

2. Bikaner – The Desert Gem

Nestled in the heart of the Thar Desert, Bikaner is a city steeped in history. The Junagarh Fort, an imposing structure showcasing Mughal and Rajput architecture, stands as a testament to the city’s royal legacy.

I stayed in Bikaner for an evening. It’s said to have lovely architecture but it helps to have a guide show you around and explain it. I wandered the neighborhoods but didn’t do research in advance and I regretted that. I missed a lot of gems in this city.

Bikaner is also famous for the Karni Mata Temple, which is home to thousands of rats considered sacred. This was what attracted me to Bikaner in the first place. The Karni Mata temple is not in Bikaner but in a small, nearby village Deshnok.  It’s definitely an off-beat temple to visit if you are not squeamish about walking bearfoot where rats roam. In actuality, the rats are more the size of a house mouse than a New York City sewer rat, so they are not very scary and locals prostrate on the grounds.

3. Pushkar – The Sacred Town with a Lake

One town that surprised me was Pushkar. It’s a tranquil town known for its annual camel fair and its surrounding the sacred Pushkar Lake, a significant pilgrimage site for Hindus. It’s very peaceful place with a mellow vibe. The town is small and very pedestrian friendly. The Brahma Temple, one of the few dedicated to Lord Brahma, adds a spiritual aura to the town, the evenings have an aarti on the lake and you can hike up to Savatri Mandir at sunset for a lovely view of Pushkar. I thought this was the best view of all of Pushkar and the hike was not intense. You can easily stop along the way.  There are shops if you love shopping Indian souvenir fashion and trinkets to take home. I got side-tracked often at these shops as the silk Rajasthani pajama pants are very cute.

Tip: Visit the Blue Cafe for lemon mint smoothie drink to quench your thirst in the heat. Be careful- they have a bang (aka hashish) version. If you try it, make sure you are with responsible friends who will not take advantage of you.

The annual Pushkar Camel Fair, a vibrant celebration of culture and tradition, attracts visitors from around the world. It is a very unique fair as it’s for camel and horse camps looking to sell their animals.

Tip: This town feels safe but you’ll find occasional touts by the lake trying to swindle you into buying a bracelet blessing for your donation. It’s a scam and they try to make you feel like you’ll be cursed without it. Take it with a grain of salt and avoid these people. Ordinarily it’s quiet but the camel fair draws large crowds with its carnival rides, contests and of course, camel traders.

4. Udaipur – The City of Lakes & Palaces

Udaipur  -often referred to as the City of Lakes – is a romantic destination with a backdrop of majestic palaces. In actuality, there’s one large lake in the heart of the Old city and a couple outside of it.  The Old City is where you want to be as most things are within walking distance or a short tuk tuk or motorbike ride. No cars are allowed into the city, so you’ll get in by tuk tuk.

The City Palace once lived in by the royal family, has a wing where the royal family still resides. The palace was one of my favorite gems of Udaipur, with its intricate history and stunningly designed rooms upon rooms of royal artwork and historical artifacts of bygone royal times. There is even a tree that grows out of the palace! Check out the miniature painting collection– it is intense and exquisite. A must see!

Overlooking Lake Pichola and the serene Jag Mandir are iconic landmarks. Boat rides on the lake provide a picturesque view of the city’s architectural splendor. Check out the intricate stone carvings of Jagdeesh temple – you cannot miss it as it sits in the center of the old city and explore the lines of souvenir shops in the neighborhood.  Take in the unique and brightly colored cultural performance at Lok Dharohar.  It feels like a community theater performance and it is so entertaining– I loved it.  Additionally, Udaipur has another Karni Mata temple, although the sacred rats are in a cage.

If you want to do some volunteering for a good cause, plan a few extra days to visit or volunteer at Animal Aid Unlimited. They are a sanctuary that rescues mistreated animals in Udaipur and their residences range from donkeys to cows, goats, dogs and more! They are a large facility with a big staff and the family that founded the non-profit organization still works there. They gladly accept volunteers and do tours of their facilities. they are located about 20 minutes outside of the old city and you can get there by tuktuk and do more sightseeing along the way! I visited there and took a tour.  If I had more time, I would love to volunteer.

Check out my Udaipur travel guide for more. There’s so much more to do .. these are just some of the highlights.

Tip: Definitely hire a tour guide to explore the city palace as they are quite knowlegeable and can move you through the wings quickly. It is a beheamoth palace with ongoing rooms. Arrive at opening as it gets crowded by late morning.

5. Jaisalmer – The Golden City & its Desert Life

Jaisalmer is located in the heart of the Thar Desert, and it is renowned for its sandy hued architecture. I really enjoyed it. If you’re looking for a desert community this is it!  It is the top spot that travelers visit to experience sand dunes and unfortunately, camel safaris which are a big form of entertainment despite animal exploitation. Otherwise the culture itself is quite beautiful.

The Jaisalmer Fort is a living fort which sits above Jaisalmer city. You cannot miss it. The markets within it, crafts shops and the intricately carved haveli architecture, such as Salim Singh Ki Haveli, showcase the city’s artistic brilliance in a sandstone like texture. I found it beautiful and unfortunately, I only had an afternoon in it, but you can spend longer.

Also, the Thar Desert offer a mesmerizing desert experience. Waves and waves of sand dunes cascade into the desert and you can even camp there.

I stayed at the Shahi Palace Hotel, a family owned haveli outside the walls of Jaisalmer Fort. The rooftop has a romantic view at night of Jaisalmer city below and the lit up fort towering over the city.

Alternatives to Jaisalmer: if you’re not into riding camels because it’s cruel exploitation, then doing a jeep safari tour in Osian or a leopard safari in Jawai Bandh are sustainable alternatives. Just research your operator to make sure they are ethical where wildlife treatment is concerned.

Here’s 30 responsible tips to shed a guideline

6. Jodhpur – The Blue City

Jodhpur, known as the Blue City, captivates with its azure-painted houses and the towering Mehrangarh Fort.  This is one city I have yet to explore – I only passed by it to get to Jodhpur station to catch my train. I’ve  heard mixed reviews about it. The blue houses are the main draw for travelers, but they are only a small neighborhood of the city.

Aside from the fort, top attractions are Jaswant Thada, a marble cenotaph, and the busy Sardar Market. There’s even stepwells tucked away and it’s ideal to hire a tour guide to lead you through or you can explore it and get lost on your own.

Alternatives to Jodhpur:  Osian and Bishnoi Village make great day trips if you’re looking for hidden gems. At Osian, you can do a jeep safari in the desert and visit village. At Bishnoi Village, they live harmonious with the wildlife surrounding their village and you can take a safari there as well.

Wanna join a my India group trip or make it a private tour? Dive into local culture, food and off-beaten-path gems without the stress

An 8-day Rajasthan roadtrip itinerary

Delhi– Jaipur– Bikaner- Deshnok– Bikaner – Jaisalmer– Jodhpur

Day 1 & 2: Delhi to Jaipur – A Royal Beginning

Our Rajasthan road trip itinerary starts in India’s capital of Delhi, but we’re leaving it to head towards the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur.   Buckle up for a 5-6 hour dive. Known for its splendid palaces, bustling markets, and colorful streets, Jaipur is a blend of tradition and modernity.  Jaipur, with its iconic Hawa Mahal, Red Fort and City Palace, set the tone for a royal adventure. The narrow lanes of the old city, are vibrant with local markets and culture.

Side trips: On your way to Jaipur, take a side trip to the famous Chand Baori Stepwell in Abhaneri. This ancient architectural marvel, with its intricate steps and geometric patterns, is a testament to the engineering prowess of ancient India

Another side trip is Ranthambore to do a tiger safari at the Rathambore

Day 3: Jaipur to Bikaner – Of Forts and Temples

Leaving the Pink City behind, our Rajasthan road trip itinerary ventures northwest towards Bikaner. This desert city is famous for the Junagarh Fort, a remarkable structure that showcases a fusion of Mughal and Rajput architectural styles. Bikaner also houses the Karni Mata Temple in Deshnok, home to thousands of rats considered sacred by devotees. The temple is devoted to the 15th century goddess and is really in the small village of Deshnok outside of Bikaner. It is fun if you like odd things like me, but it’s not for those squeamish with mice as they roam the grounds freely.

The city’s local markets, characterized by narrow lanes and vibrant shops, offer a chance to explore Rajasthani handicrafts and indulge in some souvenir shopping. Bikaner’s unique charm lies in its well-preserved heritage and the warm hospitality of its people.

Day 4: Bikaner to Jaisalmer – Into the Golden Horizon

As we journey further west, the landscape transitions to the golden hues of the Thar Desert, leading us to Jaisalmer. The ‘Golden City’ is renowned for its stunning Jaisalmer Fort, a living fort with a bustling market and intricately carved havelis. The Sam Sand Dunes, just outside the city, beckon with a desert dune experience with breathtaking sunset views.

Exploring Jaisalmer offers insights into the Rajasthani way of life, with its rich cultural heritage and traditional architecture. Inside Jaisalmer Fort, the city’s narrow lanes are lined with havelis, and artist crafts shops, adding to the special character of this desert gem.

Day 5: Jaisalmer Sightseeing – Sand Dunes

A full day in Jaisalmer allows for a deeper exploration of its cultural treasures. Gadisar Lake, surrounded by temples and ghats, offers a serene escape. The Desert Cultural Centre provides a glimpse into the region’s artistic and historical legacy. As the day draws to a close, the Sam Sand Dunes invite you to witness the magical colors of the desert at sunset, an experience that will stay etched in your memory .

Day 6 & 7: Jaisalmer to Jodhpur – The Blue City Beckons

Heading south, our Rajasthan road trip itinerary takes us to Jodhpur, the ‘Blue City,’ known for its blue-hued houses and towering Mehrangarh Fort. In actuality, the blue colored houses are in a small section of Jodhpur and not the entire sprawl.

But it still offers a unique charm. The Jaswant Thada, a marble cenotaph near the fort, adds to the city’s architectural grandeur.

The bustling Sardar Market offers a variety of local handicrafts, spices, and textiles. Jodhpur’s distinct character lies in its vibrant streets, adorned with shades of blue and bustling with the energy of daily life.

Jodhpur Side Trip: Bishnoi Village and Osian

For an alternative experience of Jodhpur and if you’re into rural Rajasthan and an informal safari,  visit the Bishnoi Village to experience a trraditional pottery community coexisting harmoniously with the neighboring wildlife in the area. Safaris are offered there and you can do a village stay.

Osian is another substitute for desert safaris. Jaisalmer is the hotspot for desert safaris and many of them are camel safaris, which I do not endorse as it is difficult to know which safari treats their camels well. Osian offers a desert dune and village experience and you can take 4×4 jeeps to them.

Day 8: Jodhpur to Delhi

The journey back to Delhi, we can take the overnight Indian train.

Rajasthan roadtrip : What to Expect of Highways and Roads

It’s hot and dry: Rajasthan, being Northern India, is shrouded mostly in desert.  Sand, dry heat, arid landscape,  rural farming … and camels. The Indian highway is more interesting than western highways. There doesn’t seem to be any rules as to what can be on it. Bicycles, farm carts and tractors… It’s common to see camels pull farm carts here, as well as pedestrian traffic walking on the side of the road.

It’s colorful: Tan women in bright colored saris balance huge straw baskets or metal pots on their heads after coming from their farming work. Sometimes, they carry water jugs after having come from a well.

It can be noisy: If you haven’t heard the noise pollution in Indias cities yet, then let me spill it– there’s a lot of honking! The honk is the rule of India driving. You’ll see hand-painted “Blow Horn” signs on the back of many trucks. The reason is that honking alerts fellow drivers, rickshaw drivers, bike riders, pedestrians, cows, etc… that someone is coming up behind you and will pass. It’s like saying to someone- “Hey you, I’m going to crash into you if you don’t turn around.” This is the one courtesy rule of driving in India.

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Personal side note of Getting Scammed in Delhi

Reflecting back on what I originally wrote here in 2008 on my first trip to India, when my friends and I were suckered to take a scam tour…  I call it a scam tour because it is a common scam in Delhi…. redirection.  We  were taken to a fake “Delhi tourism office” and sold a tour that was an upsell of one we had planned ourselves, but the quality was bland, mediocre and didn’t justify the money we paid. We were naive and feeling vulnerable, as strangers to India. We second guessed ourselves.  But the operator did give us a tour with a driver that was occasionally our guide, a small and worn Tata car and hotels. The quality was bland but decent and only at times, uncomfortable. But the price tag was higher than it should’ve been for four of us and no extras were included, like guide tours, entrance fees or activities. It was bare bones. Additionally, we were taken to many shops that gave our operator – or driver (it wasn’t quite clear at times)- commission kickbacks for bringing us.

Friendship dynamics

Additionally, we were four “friends” who only knew each other through one point-of-contact friend “Margaret”. So we were all meeting each other for the first time and were in different places in our travel experience, career and budgets. Of course, there’s different friendship dynamics at play. My friend Margaret and I worked on the trip planning and it was a backpacker’s itinerary. Regina was also from Hawaii but more of an independent and experienced traveler and joined us for parts of the trip, because she had already been to India. Dan, was joining us in India but he required more comfort; backpacking was not his style and wanted nice hotels.  Ultimately, you can guess how the vote swung.

The desert landscape and passing villages are a blur and while I am excited about the newness of this all, I DO spend half of the time sleeping sandwiched between another body and the door, with my ass pinched tight into the back of a little Tata car. Shitty idea to take this scammy tour. I can’t help but feel annoyance and regret for not having voiced my dislike in a stronger way. It grates on me. Lesson learned.

No one wants to outright admit it for fear of feeling stupid, but we’ve been scammed into taking an Indian tour we didn’t want or need. We bought a tour from one of those scam tour agencies you read about in traveler forums. Having a driver was supposed to lend more time and freedom to our sightseeing. It doesn’t feel that way. Four people in a small Tata car is not comfortable. Myself, Regina and Dan (the biggest and tallest of the group) co-mingle sweat in a cramped backseat, while tiny Margaret assigns the luxury of the front seat with the air-conditioner. Time and freedom was Margaret and Dan’s push for the tour package over the local trains we planned to take. No freedom. No breathing room to roam.

Time? It’s been hours and I’ve been my ass has been welded one position. Why don’t we rotate? No one speaks up. I infuriate myself further by not speaking up… a truly useless Asian habit. Either way, Margaret is Kul’s favorite, so it feels a little safe to keep her there, as we don’t know if Kul is trustworthy or if he’ll be the future aid to more scams . I certainly don’t trust him right now.