This is Part 6 of Incredible India, our state-by-state travel series. Start from Part 1: Ladakh or read the previous part, Part 5: Punjab.
Rajasthan, the "land of kings", is India at its most colourful. Each city has its own colour and character: the pink of Jaipur, the blue of Jodhpur, the lakes of Udaipur and the gold of Jaisalmer. Add tiger reserves, desert camps and lively bazaars, and it's easy to see why it tops so many first-time India itineraries.
Best time to visit
October to March is ideal. Summers (April-June) are extremely hot. The monsoon brings greenery to Udaipur and Mount Abu. Festivals like the Pushkar Camel Fair (November), the Jaipur Literature Festival (January) and the Jaisalmer Desert Festival (January-February) are great times to visit.
Top places to see
- Jaipur: Amber Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal and the UNESCO-listed Jantar Mantar.
- Udaipur: City Palace, boat rides on Lake Pichola and sunset at Ambrai Ghat.
- Jodhpur: the mighty Mehrangarh Fort above the blue city, and Umaid Bhawan Palace.
- Jaisalmer: the living Golden Fort and desert camps. See our Jaisalmer travel guide.
- Pushkar: the sacred lake, ghats and the Brahma temple.
- Ranthambore: tiger safaris around a ruined fort.
- Chittorgarh and Kumbhalgarh: huge hill forts, part of a UNESCO World Heritage listing.
- Mount Abu: Rajasthan's only hill station and the marble Dilwara temples.
Getting there and around
Jaipur, Udaipur and Jodhpur have airports with good domestic links. Rajasthan is well connected by trains, including overnight services between major cities. Hiring a car with a driver is the most popular way to do a multi-city trip. For a splurge, the Palace on Wheels luxury train covers the main circuit.
Sample itineraries
- 7 days: Jaipur (2), Pushkar (1), Jodhpur (2), Udaipur (2).
- 12 days: Jaipur (2), Ranthambore (2), Jodhpur (2), Jaisalmer (2), Udaipur (3), with a stop at Kumbhalgarh.
Practical tips
- Buy composite tickets in Jaipur to save on monument entry.
- Book Ranthambore safaris early on the official portal.
- Bargain politely in bazaars and use registered guides at forts.
- Carry a scarf and sunglasses for dust and sun.
What to eat
Dal baati churma, laal maas, gatte ki sabzi, pyaaz kachori and ghevar. Try our dal baati churma recipe.
Next in Incredible India: Uttar Pradesh.
