Thinking of travelling to India and interested in seeing some of its best historical places? There’s no better place to start than Rajasthan.
This north-western state is one of India’s most popular destinations for international travellers, and should be at the top of anyone’s bucket list when visiting the country.
There are many reasons to visit Rajasthan, including its vibrant culture, diverse wildlife and natural beauty – but the main attraction is certainly its incredible historical sites. In fact, Rajasthan may be the best place in all of India for those interested in history.
This isn’t the only Rajasthan itinerary you’ll find online. There are many out there covering all the different things the state has to offer. But this is the only Rajasthan itinerary that focuses primarily on its historical destinations.
This 2 week Rajasthan itinerary is perfect for history buffs, but works just as well for those simply looking for ideas to add to their own itinerary.
Contents
Planning your visit to Rajasthan
Here’s some essential info to consider before jetting off and beginning your historical adventures in Rajasthan.
Best time to visit Rajasthan
Most of Rajasthan encompasses the Thar Desert, so naturally it can get pretty hot. While you can certainly visit Rajasthan year-round, choosing the right timing for your trip can make your experience much more pleasant.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what you can expect from each season:
- Warmer Months (April to June) – During this time of year, the desert heat is in full swing, and you can expect daytime temperatures to stay consistently around 40°C. The intense heat can make it difficult to enjoy the many outdoor activities, which often involve a fair bit of walking.
- Monsoon Season (July to September) – While Rajasthan as a whole does not receive much rainfall compared to other parts of India, it still experiences a small rainy season. While this does offer some relief from the heat, the occasional bursts of rainfall can put a damper on your outdoor activities.
- Cooler Months (October to March) – These months are the tourist ‘on’ season for Rajasthan. While the nights can get a little cold, especially during December and January where temperatures can drop below 10°C, during the day you can expect a much more pleasant 20°C to 25°C.
Overall, the best time to visit Rajasthan is between October and March.
Visa
Before jetting off to India, you’ll first need to arrange for a visa. Thankfully, getting a visa to India is super easy for citizens of most countries.
The e-Visa is the easiest option for most. It’s available for citizens of over 160 countries, including the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, and most European countries.
There are different types of e-Visas, but the most basic option is for 30 days, which is plenty of time if your trip to India is limited to this itinerary. You also have the option of a multi-entry 1 year or 5 year e-Visa, both of which allow you to stay in India for up to 180 days per calendar year.
The e-Visa usually takes around 3-5 days to process, and can be purchased online here.
The visa process is often changing and updating. While I endeavour to keep this article up to date, be sure to double check this information via the above link.
Budget & Money
CURRENCY: Indian Rupee (INR)
EXCHANGE RATE: 1 USD = about 84 INR (At the time of writing – click here for live updates).
If you’re travelling on a budget – including staying in hostels or guesthouses, using public transport, and maybe a little streetfood – Rajasthan is very affordable and you could get by on less than 2000 INR (about $30 USD) per day.
If you’re working with a mid-range budget, seeking more comfort while still keeping costs down – such as staying in private rooms, avoiding street food, booking the occasional guided tour. – Rajasthan still has plenty to offer and you can expect to spend around 5000 INR (about $60 USD) per day.
If money is no object and you’re seeking a more luxury travel experience – like staying in the fanciest hotels, dining at upscale restaurants, booking private cars and guided tours, etc – then you should expect to spend at least 10,000 INR (about $120 USD) per day.
TIP
While eftpos machines are becoming more and more common across Rajasthan and across India, cash is still king.
And while ATMs are easy to come by in all the destinations on this list, it can sometimes be a challenge to find one that both works and accepts foreign cards.
Your hotel/hostel will almost certainly accept card, but it’s always a good idea to always keep a handful of cash on you at all times (secured somewhere safe, of course), for activities, shopping, transport and emergencies.
Getting around Rajasthan
Rickshaw
The favourite, cheapest and most convenient method of getting around is the iconic rickshaw.
Whether it be the classic auto-rickshaw, the newer e-rickshaw, or the manual cycle-rickshaw, you’ll have no problem finding one at any of the destinations in this itinerary.
Uber
Yes, India has Uber too and it’s actually one of the best ways of getting around.
While the meters in taxis and rickshaws are little more than decoration (they’re supposed to use them by law, but never do for tourists), Uber charges the same for everyone, so you know you’re getting a fair price.
Rickshaws are also available to order on Uber.
After arriving at each destination in this itinerary, rickshaws and Ubers (and your own 2 feet) are really all you need to get around within that destination.
There are metro networks within some of the major cities – especially Delhi which has an extensive metro – but navigating this as a foreigner is not worth the effort when rickshaws and Ubers are so cheap and available.
Train
India has an extensive rail network that can take you almost anywhere.
Established by the British, then continued by India itself, this country boasts the world’s 4th largest rail network, and that extends to Rajasthan.
All of the destinations on this list can be reached by train. Although, it’s not always as direct as a bus, and the train to Pushkar will only take you to nearby Ajmer (you’d have to get a 30min taxi from here).
While there is an official government e-ticketing website (IRCTC), it’s notoriously unreliable. I’d recommend paying a slightly higher ticket cost and booking through 12Go Asia instead.
Bus
Another great way to get around Rajasthan is via bus.
While trains can take you virtually anywhere in this itinerary, buses can sometimes be more direct and drop you closer to where you want to be.
There are 2 great resources for booking bus tickets in India:
Accommodation in Rajasthan
Rajasthan is one of the most popular places in India for international tourists, so you’ll have no problem finding accommodation.
All of the destinations in this itinerary offer a broad range of accommodation options, from budget backpacker hostels, to mid-range private rooms, to luxury hotels – you’ll find what you’re looking for.
We’ll give some recommendations for accommodation as we go through the destinations in this itinerary, but ultimately it depends on your budget and preferences.
Your 2 best resources for booking accommodation in Rajasthan are:
- Booking.com – Best for hotels and guesthouses.
- Hostelworld – Best for backpacker hostels. While you can find some hostels on booking.com, Hostelworld has a much broader range of options.
How to use this itinerary
This 2-week Rajasthan itinerary is curated for those who want to see the state’s top tourist destinations, with an emphasis on historical attractions.
But I encourage you to use it however suits you.
Maybe you don’t want to base your entire 2 weeks around only the historical places in Rajasthan. And that’s okay. You could instead just use it for ideas to add to your own Rajasthan itinerary.
Feel free to add or cut out anything from this itinerary and tailor it to your preferences.
Rajasthan itinerary overview & map
Day 1-2: Arrive in Delhi
Day 3-4: Jaipur
Day 5-6: Jodhpur
Day 7-9: Jaisalmer
Day 10-11: Udaipur
Day 12-13: Pushkar
Day 14: Back to Delhi
Our 2 week Rajasthan itinerary begins in Delhi. India’s capital city makes for a great launch point into Rajasthan, on account of it being a major hub for international flights and situated right next door.
From here we’ll head to nearby Jaipur, which makes up one-third of India’s ‘Golden Triangle’ tourist circuit (the other 2 being Delhi and Agra).
From Jaipur we begin to make our way back north to the ‘Blue City’ of Jodhpur. Here, in one of Rajasthan’s most iconic cities, you’ll get to explore the massive Mehrangarh Fort, ancient stepwells and much more.
Jodhpur serves as our launch point as we head deep into the Thar Desert to the isolated fortress town of Jaisalmer. My personal favourite, this destination deverse 3 days as you not only explore countless historical sites (including one of the world’s last ‘living’ forts), but also get to experience a bit of desert adventure with an overnight safari in the sand dunes.
Next up is the scenic Udaipur, also known as the City of Lakes, the former capital of the Mewar Kingdom and one of Rajasthan’s most popular destinations.
Then we push on to Pushkar, an ancient temple town and one of the holiest places in India.
Pushkar will be our last destination before we head back to Delhi to finish up our 2 week Rajasthan itinerary.
Day 1 - Delhi
For most who’ve visited India, Delhi is usually not their favourite destination. As the world’s 2nd largest city (by urban population) Delhi is a densely crowded, chaotic behemoth of a city, and can be a bit overwhelming.
But for those interested in history, Delhi is a fantastic destination with many incredible historical places to visit.
Where to stay in Delhi
I’d suggest staying where most tourists do in the ‘old’ area of the city, in either Paharganj or Chandni Chowk.
Not only are these some of the more interesting areas of the city, with lively streets and markets to explore, but they’re also close to many of the historical places we’ll be visiting in this itinerary.
Today’s Itinerary
- The Red Fort
- Jama Masjid
- Purana Qila
- Agrasen ki Baoli
- Jantar Mantar
Our first day in Delhi starts at the Red Fort. This massive 17th century fort was built by the Mughals. It was once the capital of the entire Indian subcontinent and is now one of the top historical attractions in Delhi. You can spend at least 2 hours exploring its grounds, which house several palaces, a bazaar, a mosque, a stepwell and more.
- Read More: Red Fort Guide
After the Red Fort, you need only walk across the road to visit the largest mosque in India: Jama Masjid. This mosque (whose name means Friday Mosque) was built by the Mughals in 1656 and served as the imperial mosque for centuries, until the British takeover.
It’s open to tourists except during prayer hours, which happen periodically throughout the day. Being a mosque, dress codes apply so bring some covered clothing. If you don’t have any, you can hire some robes at the entrance.
From here we’re going to get an Uber or rickshaw and head to another part of the city to visit Purana Qila. This massive fort, built in 1533, is assumed to be the oldest fort in the city and is one of Delhi’s best historical places. You’ll need 2 to 3 hours at Purana Qila, as there’s a lot to see inside the fort, including the walls, a mosque, several buildings, and the Archeological Museum which houses a collection of artefacts from the fort’s history.
After exploring the fort, we’ll get another Uber/rickshaw and start making our way back towards Chandni Chowk, stopping Delhi’s best stepwell: Agrasen ki Baoli. Not much is known about the origins of this particular stepwell, although it is assumed to have been built in the 12th century CE, and undergone some major changes around the 14th century.
From the stepwell, it’s only a 15min walk to our last stop for the day. Jantar Mantar (meaning ‘instruments for measuring the harmony of the heavens’) is one of 5 across northern India (3 in Jaipur, 1 in Ujjain, and this one) and was built in the early 1700s to measure the movements of the sun and planets in our solar system.
You don’t need to spend much time at this site. Visually it looks more like a modern park sculpture than a historical site, but it’s an interesting insight into India’s scientific history, and makes for a quick stop before calling it a day
TIP
We’ve created this itinerary assuming this is your first full day in Delhi, but if this is also the day you fly in you may not have the time (nor the energy) to see all these places.
If you’re short on time, I’d recommend just visiting the Red Fort and Jama Masjid before calling it a day.
Day 2 - Delhi
Our 2nd day in Delhi will be a half-day. We’re going to spend the morning exploring some historical sites in the southern area of the city, before heading to Jaipur in the afternoon.
Today’s Itinerary
- Mehrauli Archeological Park
- Qutab Minar
- Humayun’s Tomb
To make the most of today, I’d recommend setting off relatively early and getting an Uber or rickshaw to our first stop: Mehrauli Archeological Park. This sprawling archeological site, with over 100 structures spread out over 200 acres, is considered the oldest part of Delhi, with the earliest structures here dating back at least 1000 years. The site is pretty big, but 2 hours is enough to stroll around and see the highlights.
From the Archeological Park, it’s only a 10mi walk to Qutab Minar Complex. Here you’ll find a collection of structures from various different eras, but primarily from the Delhi Sultanate (14th century CE). The star attraction here is Qutab Minar (meaning ‘victory tower’). Standing at 62 metres, it’s among the tallest minarets in the world and one of Delhi’s most popular attractions. You’ll need about 2 hours here.
As we make our way back to the city centre, and prepare to leave Delhi, we’re going to fit in 1 more historical site: Humayun’s Tomb. This impressive structure was built in 1556 in honour of one of the Mughal Empire’s most renowned rulers. 1 hour is enough to stroll the grounds and admire the architecture.
Getting to Jaipur
The journey from Delhi to Jaipur takes about 6 hours via bus or train.
This is a frustrating amount of time, because it’s a lot to take out of your day, but arguably too short for an overnight sleeper bus/train.
We’ve got a lot to do in Jaipur tomorrow and want to get up nice and early, so we’re going to sacrifice this 2nd afternoon in Delhi and use it to travel to Jaipur.
You can find buses and trains at all times of the day on 12Go Asia. I recommend booking one in the afternoon, perhaps around 2 or 3pm, which will get you to Jaipur by 8 or 9pm.
Make sure to check that your accommodation in Jaipur offers 24hr check-in, or at least contact them in advance to inform them of your arrival time.
Day 3 - Jaipur
Our first stop in Rajasthan is its capital, and it might be your favourite destination.
Jaipur is so jammed-packed with amazing historical sites that it almost feels like a crime to limit our visit to just 2 days. But in that time, we’ll cover the highlights; the best-of-the-best historical places in Jaipur.
Where to stay in Jaipur
I’d recommend staying in the ‘Pink City’ area of Jaipur – the old town.
This puts you right next to many of the places you’ll be visiting in this itinerary, making them much easier to reach. It’s also the most interesting and historically rich part of town – full of bazaars and old buildings.
I’d highly recommend staying in one of the old ‘havelis’ (mansions) scattered around this area. They were once the homes of wealthy Rajasthani families, some dating back centuries, but many of them have now been turned into hotels.
Today’s Itinerary
- Panna Meena ka Kund
- Amer Fort
- Galtaji Temple
- Sunset over Jal Mahal
Start the day early and get an Uber or rickshaw up to the hills north of the old town. Our first stop here will be one Panna Meena Ka Kund, a 16th century stepwell and arguably the best stepwell in Jaipur. The stepwell opens at 7am, and is free to enter.
After exploring the stepwell, you should have just enough time to walk over to Amer Fort by the time it opens at 8am, beating the crowds. This massive 16th century Mughal fort is Jaipur’s star attraction, and one of the best forts in Rajasthan. There’s a lot to see, so you should expect to spend 3 to 4 hours here.
TIP
Save yourself some money by purchasing the ‘composite ticket’ when you enter Amer Fort.
This gets you entry into the fort plus a bunch of other sites you’re going to visit in this itinerary, making it cheaper than buying the entry tickets individually.
From Amer Fort, it’s about a 30min Uber/rickshaw ride to our next stop. Now’s a good time to grab some lunch, so feel free to stop in the old town for a bite on the way to Galtaji Temple. This 15th century temple, built into a rocky crevice in the hills, has been an important Hindu temple and pilgrimage site since the 15th century. Also called ‘Monkey Temple’, it’s certainly one of the most interesting temples in Rajasthan.
To finish our day, we’re going to head back down to Jaipur’s old town to watch the sunset over Jal Mahal (meaning ‘Winter Palace’). This 17th century palace is built in the middle of a man-made lake, and is supposedly 5 stories tall, with 4 of those being underwater.
The palace is not open to the public, but you can still admire its architecture (and unique locale) as you watch the sun go down. The best place to view the palace is from the south-west shore of the lake.
Day 4 - Jaipur
Today’s Itinerary
- Hawa Mahal
- Jaipur City Palace
- Johari Bazaar
- Albert Hall Museum
- Nahargarh Fort
For our 2nd day in Jaipur, we’ll spend the morning exploring some of the historical places in the southern area of the old town. Then, for our afternoon, we’ll head up to the foothills just west of the old town to explore the scenic Nahargarh Fort, which is also a great place to watch the sunset over the city.
Start by getting an Uber/rickshaw to Jaipur’s most mesmerising work of architecture: Hawa Mahal. This 18th century palace opens at 9am but its best feature is the outside of the building, which you can see anytime.
Right next door is Jaipur City Palace, the residence of the Jaipur royal family since 1727. The no-longer-royal family still lives in part of the palace, but the rest is open to the public and offers an insight into the lives of Rajasthan’s royalty.
It’s about a 20min walk to our next stop, and along the way we’ll pass through the centuries old Johari Bazaar (meaning Jewellery Market). This crowded and chaotic market traces back to Jaipur’s founding, when it was renowned for its trinkets and precious stones.
Keep walking south and you’ll reach Albert Hall Museum, one of the most unique museums in India. Supposedly the oldest museum in Rajasthan, it was built by the British in 1887 and is largely made up of random artefacts that several British noblemen managed to collect from around the world, including an Egyptian mummy.
If you haven’t had lunch yet, now’s a good time to get something to eat before we get an Uber or rickshaw and head up to the hills for the remainder of the day.
It’s about a 20min ride up to Nahargarh Fort. Built in 1734, this is one of the 3 main forts protecting Jaipur (alongside Jaigarh and Amer Fort), and it has a lot of things to see, including 2 lavish palaces, 2 incredible stepwells, and a wax museum.
The palace at Nahargarh Fort closes at 5:30pm, but this is the perfect time to head to the western part of the grounds to a restaurant called Padao, which is open until 9:30pm and is the best place to watch the sunset over Jaipur. It cost 200 INR to enter, but this includes a drink and is worth the view.
More historical places in Jaipur
- Jaigarh Fort – The one fort not included in this itinerary. Located just above Amer Fort.
- Gatore Ki Chatriyan – A collection of 18th century Cenotaphs.
- Jantar Mantar – An 18th century astronomical structure. The equivalent of the same Jantar Mantar we saw in Delhi.
- Abhaneri Stepwell – One of the best stepwells in India. A day trip from Jaipur.
Day 5 - Jodhpur
Getting to Jodhpur
The journey from Jaipur to Jodhpur takes about 5 hours by bus or train.
That’s a little too short for an overnight sleeper ticket, so we’re going to sacrifice the morning of day 5 to make that journey.
The earlier you’re willing to get up, the more time you’ll have on your first day in Jodhpur. For this itinerary, we’re going to assume you’ll get there by midday and have the afternoon free.
Welcome to Jodhpur, also known as the Blue City on account of its many blue-painted buildings.
This is possibly the most underrated destination in this 2 week Rajasthan itinerary, and is skipped by many travellers. But for those interested in history, Jodhpur is unmissable.
Where to stay in Jodhpur
Just like Jaipur, Jodhpur has an ‘old town’ area, and this is where you want to be.
This charming quarter, which sits just below Mehrangarh Fort, puts you within walking distance to most of the places on our Jodhpur itinerary.
Today’s Itinerary
- Ghantaghar
- Toorji Ka Jhalra
- Mahila Bagh Zalhra
Since we’ve only got the afternoon, we’re not going to cram too much in on our first day in Jodhpur. This is a great chance to stroll around the old town, which has several historical sites within walking distance.
I’d recommend starting at the central square and seeing Ghantaghar, Jodhpur’s iconic colonial clock tower. This is also where you’ll find Jaipur’s oldest market, which is worth checking out. From here it’s a 5min walk to Toorji Ka Jhalra, the best stepwell in the city. If one stepwell isn’t enough for you, only a 5min walk east to find another: Mahila Bagh Zalhra.
Depending on how much time you spend exploring the streets of the old town, you may have time to visit Jaswant Thada (a cenotaph with mesmerising architecture) before it closes at 5pm. It’s about a 20min walk to get there from Mahila Bagh Zalhra.
Day 6 - Jodhpur
Today’s Itinerary
- Mehrangarh Fort
- Umaid Bhawan Palace
- Mandore Gardens
Start your 2nd day in Jodhpur by visiting its star attraction: Mehrangarh Fort. This massive 16th century fortress towers over the old town, and inside its walls you can explore its gates and fortifications, multiple royal palaces, the royal temple and a museum. It’s a big place, so you’ll need about 3 hours here.
- Read More: Complete Guide to Jodhpur’s Mehrangarh Fort
Now that you’ve seen where the royal family used to live, it’s time to see where they live now. Umaid Bhawan Palace was built in the 1920s, and it’s split into 3 parts: a residence for the former royal family, a luxury hotel, and a museum. With a visit to the museum you can not only see the palace’s amazing architecture, but also a collection of artefacts from the royal family’s history, such as classic cars, vintage photos & paintings, centuries-old weaponry, and more.
I’d recommend spending the remainder of the afternoon visiting Mandore Gardens. About a 30min Uber or rickshaw ride from Jodhpur’s old town, Mandore is the former capital of the kingdom before it was moved to Mehrangarh Fort. The real highlight here are the Gardens, a lush green space filled with 18th century Cenotaphs (monuments/tombs).
- Read More: A History Buff’s Travel Guide to Jodhpur
Day 7 - Jaisalmer
Jodhpur serves as the perfect launch point as we head deep into the Thar Desert to the fortress town of Jaisalmer.
My personal favourite destination in Rajasthan, Jaisalmer is a small town that’s filled to the brim with historical places. It’s home to one of the world’s last remaining ‘living forts’ (meaning people still live in it), and the town itself feels like a historical site in its own right.
Getting to Jaisalmer
The journey from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer takes about 5 hours.
In this itinerary, we’ve got 3 days in Jaisalmer, so we can afford to sacrifice the first morning to make the journey.
I’d recommend taking a bus, since the route is a little more direct than the train. You can book your bus from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer on 12Go Asia.
Today’s itinerary
- Explore Jaisalmer Fort
If you left Jodhpur in the morning, you’ll probably arrive in Jaisalmer around midday, leaving the afternoon free to explore.
I’d recommend using this time to explore Jaisalmer Fort. Once upon a time the whole town lived within its walls. Skip forward 900 years to the present and it still houses about a quarter of Jaisalmer’s population.
There’s so much to see inside Jaisalmer Fort, such as walking along its walls and fortifications, shopping at the many artisan stores, and visiting the multiple Jain Temples. Take your time and spend the rest of this afternoon exploring its narrow streets.
Where to stay in Jaisalmer
One of the best things about visiting Jaisalmer is that you can actually stay inside the fort. In fact, this is where many of the best hotels are located, often with amazing views of the town below.
Personally, I stayed at Zostel, which is a great backpacker hostel with incredible views. But you can find all kinds of accommodation types inside Jaisalmer Fort on Booking.com.
Day 8 - Jaisalmer
Today’s Itinerary
- Explore the Havelis
- Overnight Desert Safari
I’d recommend spending this morning exploring the town outside of Jaisalmer Fort, and visiting the famous Havelis. These lavish mansions were once the home of Jaisalmer’s most wealthy and influential families back in the early 19th century. Today, many of them have been turned into ‘living’ museums, and kept very much the same as they were back then.
Patwa Haveli is the best of them, but there’s also Nathmal Haveli and Salim Singh Haveli.
The reason this itinerary gives 3 days to Jaisalmer, and one of the top reasons people visit Jaisalmer, is to do an overnight desert safari. Most Jaisalmer desert safaris begin around midday, and drop you back in town around the same time the following day, so now’s the perfect time to do it.
You can book your safari adventure either online via GetYourGuide.com. Personally, I went with this one, which I highly recommend. Not only does it include the standard activities, like camping in the sand dunes, camel riding, and dune bashing in a Jeep, but it also stops by the abandoned ghost village of Kuldhara – another of Jaisalmer’s top historical attractions.
Day 9 - Jaisalmer
Today’s Itinerary
- Return from Desert Safari
- Gadisar Lake
- Bada Bagh
If you did the overnight desert safari, you’ll probably get back to Jaisalmer around midday, leaving you with the afternoon free before catching an overnight sleeper bus to Udaipur (more on that below).
I’d recommend using this time to visit Gadisar Lake. This manmade lake traces its origins back to the 12th century, and is one of the most scenic places in Jaisalmer, with a number of temples and chhatris along the water’s edge.
If you’ve got more time in your afternoon, you could get a rickshaw about 5km out of town and watch the sunset at Bada Bagh, a collection of 18th century cenotaphs.
Getting to Udaipur
The journey from Jaisalmer to Udaipur is the longest leg of this 2 week Rajasthan itinerary and takes about 9 to 10 hours.
There are no direct trains from Jaisalmer to Udaipur, so a bus is the only sensible option, and this is the perfect opportunity take advantage of the overnight sleeper buses.
You can book a bed on a bus leaving Jaisalmer usually as late as 8pm, which gets you to Udaipur around 5 to 6 am. That may not sound ideal, but the alternative option is taking a day from the itinerary and spending it on a bus.
You can book overnight sleeper buses from Jaisalmer to Udaipur here.
Day 10 - Udaipur
Welcome to Udaipur, the City of Lakes.
Udaipur traces its origins back to the 16th century. It served as the capital of the Mewar Kingdom for centuries and today is one of Rajasthan’s most popular tourist destinations (and one of its most scenic).
Today’s Itinerary
- Explore the old town
- Bagore ki Haveli
- Gangaur Ghat
- Watch the sunset from Ambrai Ghat
If you opted for the overnight sleeper bus from Jaisalmer, you probably didn’t have the greatest sleep, so use this morning to settle into your hostel and rest before heading out to explore.
I recommend using this first day to get to know Udaipur by exploring its vibrant old town. You could spend half a day walking around its streets and checking out all the interesting stores, particularly the many miniature painting artisan stores that the city is known for.
You could also visit Bagore ki Haveli, a massive 18th century mansion that’s now a ‘living museum’, offering an insight into the lives of Udaipur’s wealthy families of the past.
Just nearby, by the water’s edge, is Gangaur Ghat, the main Ghat in Udaipur with some great views over the lake.
Then, at the end of the day, head to Ambrai Ghat for the best place to watch the sunset over the lake. It costs money to enter, but it’s worth doing at least once.
Day 11 - Udaipur
Today’s Itinerary
- Udaipur City Palace
- Jagdish Temple
- Jag Mandir Palace
- Monsoon Palace
Today’s a full day in Udaipur, and we’re starting off by visiting Udaipur’s most popular attraction: the City Palace. This massive and lavish palace was built in the 16th century and is still owned by the former royal family, who have opened it to the public. You’ll need at least 2 hours to explore its many rooms and courtyards.
- Read More: Complete Guide to Udaipur City Palace
After Udaipur City Palace, it’s only a short walk down the hill from the front entrance to reach Jagdish Temple. Built in 1651, this is the main Hindu temple in Udaipur, and offers some amazing architecture for you to see.
Now’s a great time to head down to Bansi Ghat and get a boat onto Lake Pichola for a visit to Jag Mandir Palace. Built in the 16th century, this palace, which appears to be almost floating on the lake, was used as a summer resort by the royal family. It’s now a tourist destination and historical site, as well as a restaurant and events venue.
By now it’s probably late afternoon, which is a great time to get a rickshaw (or Uber) and head up to the Monsoon Palace. Built in 1884, this palace sits on a hilltop overlooking Udaipur, and was built by the former royal family as a hunting lodge. I recommend going there about 2 hours before dusk, so you have time to explore the Palace before watching the sunset over the city.
Day 12 - Pushkar
Getting to Pushkar
The journey from Udaipur to Pushkar takes about 5 hours.
You have the option of a train or a bus, both of which take roughly the same amount of time.
Since there’s more to do in Udaipur than in Pushkar, I’d recommend using the first half of today to make the journey, which will still leave you with plenty of time to see Pushkar’s historical sites.
You can book your ticket from Udaipur to Pushkar here.
Welcome to Pushkar, the holiest place in Rajasthan.
Tracing its origins back to at least the 12th century CE (although it is assumed to be much older), this is one of the most sacred places for Hindus, and it’s all centred around the lake and its 52 Ghats.
The central theme here is temples, which make up the majority of the historical sites we’ll be visiting in here. By the time you leave Pushkar, you’ll probably feel like you’ve seen enough Hindu temples to last a lifetime, but they are all worth it thanks to their amazing architecture and atmosphere.
The town of Pushkar is also a historical site in its own right.
Today’s Itinerary
- Walk around the lake.
- Explore Pushkar Bazaar
- Explore the Ghats (Gau Ghat, Varaha Ghat)
- Hike up to Gayatri Mata Temple for the sunset
If you left Udaipur in the morning, you’ll presumably have the afternoon free to explore Pushkar. After you’ve settled into your accommodation, I recommend spending the afternoon walking a lap around Pushkar Lake.
There are so many things to see along the way. I’d recommend starting Brahma Temple (which we’ll visit tomorrow), and walking clockwise around the lake.
First you’ll pass through the lively Pushkar Bazaar, where you can take your time browsing the many clothing stalls and artisan shops.
As you walk around the lake, stop by the many ghats along the way. There are 52 ghats in total, but you don’t need to visit them all. Some of the best ones that I recommend visiting include Gau Ghat and Varaha Ghat.
If you’ve got the time after walking around the lake, I recommend walking up the hill to watch the sunset from Gayatri Mata Temple. If you don’t have time to make it there in time, you can still catch an amazing sunset from any of the Ghats along the lake.
Avoiding the ‘Lake Scam’
Despite being such a holy place, Pushkar is a hotspot for tourist scams.
As you wander around town, you may find a lot of individuals trying to convince you to visit a particular temple. These people are paid by temples to lure tourists there.
And once you arrive at a temple, you may be strongly encouraged to take part in a ritual, being told it will bring you good fortune. What they won’t tell you until the end is that the ritual requires you to pay a hefty fee to the temple in order to complete it.
It’s a classic scam technique in which there’s no mention of payment until after the service is provided, putting you in a situation where you’re obliged to pay for something you did not ask for.
To avoid getting roped into such scams just don’t agree to partake in anything, or be handed anything, unless the cost is confirmed first. This is a good rule to follow when travelling India in general.
Day 13 - Pushkar
Today’s Itinerary
- Brahma Temple
- Rangji Temple
- Varaha Temple
- Sunset at Savitri Temple
For our final day in Pushkar, we’re going to visit some of Pushkar’s most significant temples. I suggest starting at the Brahma Temple. Built in the 14th century CE, this temple is the most important Hindu temple dedicated to the creator deity Brahma, and one of the most revered in Pushkar.
Then there’s Rangji Temple, which was built in the 19th century and has some of the most impressive architecture of all the temples in Pushkar. Finally, there’s Varaha Temple, which is one of the oldest in Pushkar, dating back to the 12th century CE.
Seeing these 3 temples is unlikely to take all day. But Pushkar is known as a place to relax, so if you’ve got some time to kill I recommend using it to explore more of the Bazaar and streets of Pushkar, or see some more ghats along the lake.
To end our day, we’re going to visit one more temple. Savitri Temple is a 17th century temple that sits on a hilltop overlooking Pushkar, and is one of Hinduism’s most important sites. It also happens to have the best views in Pushkar, and is a great place to watch the sunset.
To reach Savitri Temple, you can either hike up, which will take up to 1 hour, or you can take the cable car at the base of the hill.
Day 14 - Back to Delhi
Our historical journey across Rajasthan has come to a close, and it’s time to head back to Delhi.
Getting from Pushkar to Delhi
The journey from Pushkar to Delhi takes about 7 hours via train.
Taking a bus is also an option but generally takes up to 10 hours.
If you opt for the train, you may need to get to Ajmer to catch it, which is about a 30 to 40 min Taxi/Uber ride from Pushkar.
Depending on what your plans are after this itinerary, such as what time you fly out of Delhi, you can choose to either use this last day to make that journey, or book an overnight sleeper ticket for the night before, leaving you with an extra day to explore India’s capital.
Depending on how much time you have, you could use this last day in Delhi to see some of the historical sites you didn’t have time to see when you arrived.
For example, you could visit Lodhi Gardens, a green oasis among Delhi’s city chaos, which hosts a collection of 500 year old tombs dating back to the Delhi Sultanate.
Just a 5min walk away is the Tomb of Safdar Jang, an 18th century tomb built by the Mughals, designed to look like the Taj Mahal.
There’s also the National Museum, the largest museum in India which houses a collection of artefacts from India’s ancient history to today.
Or you could check out Hauz Khas Fort, an amazing 13th century fort built by the Delhi Sultanate.
Your options are endless. Delhi is filled to the brim with historical sites and even this is only scratching the surface.
How to change this itinerary with more or less time
With less time
If you’re short on time, you can still follow this historical Rajasthan itinerary, but you’ll have to cut some things out.
If you have to remove 1 place from this itinerary, I’d recommend Pushkar. While it’s an interesting place and great for those interested in Hinduism, it has less variety of historical sites than the other places in this itinerary.
You could also reduce Jaisalmer to 2 days instead of 3. It will be a busy 2 days, especially if you still want the overnight desert safari, but it’s doable.
With more time
If you’ve got more time to spend in Rajasthan, and are looking for places to add to this historical Rajasthan itinerary, then you’re spoiled for choices.
The obvious choice is to complete the ‘Golden Triangle’ and visit Agra, home to the famous Taj Mahal.
There’s also Bikaner, which is rarely visited by international tourists in Rajasthan but offers some amazing historical places, such as Junagarh Fort.
You could stop by the town of Chittorgarh to see the massive Chittorgarh Fort. The town also has a few smaller historical sites to see, such as Vijaya Stambha, but the main reason to come here is the fort.
There’s also Mount Abu, an old British colonial hill station in the Aravali Range.
Or you can go all the way to Ahmedabad. It’s a little off-track, being located in the state of Gujarat, but it can be reached via one overnight sleeper bus, and has some of the best stepwells in India.
