Highlights
- Mehrangarh fort and the blue city
- Jaisalmer's living fort and havelis
- Sunset on the Sam dunes by camel or jeep
- A night in a desert camp with folk music
- Junagarh fort and Karni Mata at Deshnoke
- Amer fort and the old city of Jaipur
This is the desert half of Rajasthan, the one with the sand dunes and sandstone forts. It starts in Jodhpur because the Mumbai train gets there first thing in the morning, and finishes in Jaipur because Jaipur has the best trains and flights home. The drives between cities are long, so we put a sightseeing day after each one and keep Bikaner to two nights instead of rushing through.
Day-wise itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Jodhpur, Mehrangarh fort
The overnight train from Mumbai reaches Jodhpur early, so after breakfast and a rest we head up to Mehrangarh. Take the lift up and walk down through the palace rooms and ramparts. Afternoon at Jaswant Thada and the clock tower market.
Day 2: Jodhpur to Jaisalmer
A long day’s drive west into the Thar, with a lunch stop on the way. Arrive in time for sunset at Gadisar lake. Night in Jaisalmer.
Day 3: Jaisalmer fort, then the Sam dunes
Morning walking tour of the fort, where families still live inside the walls, and its Jain temples, then the carved havelis in the old town. After lunch, drive out to the Sam dunes for a camel or jeep ride at sunset. Dinner with folk music and a night in a desert camp.
Day 4: Sam to Bikaner
After breakfast at the camp, the second long drive of the trip, north-east to Bikaner. Evening at leisure in town.
Day 5: Bikaner: Junagarh fort and Deshnoke
Junagarh fort in the morning for its painted palace rooms. In the afternoon, a drive to the Karni Mata temple at Deshnoke, about 30 km away, where thousands of rats are fed and protected. Back to Bikaner for the night.
Day 6: Bikaner to Jaipur
Drive to Jaipur, again most of the day. Evening in the bazaars around Johari and Bapu Bazaar.
Day 7: Jaipur sightseeing
Amer fort in the morning, with a photo stop at Jal Mahal on the way. After lunch, City Palace, Jantar Mantar and Hawa Mahal, all close together in the old city. We’ll buy the composite ticket at Amer so the rest is covered.
Day 8: Departure from Jaipur
Drop at Jaipur airport or station for your flight or train home.
Camel, jeep or both at Sam?
The camel ride at Sam is short, usually out to a dune for the sunset and back. It’s fun for children but uncomfortable for anyone with back or knee trouble, so a jeep across the dunes is the better choice for parents. You can do both. If you’d rather fly than take two long drives, Air India’s winter flight from Mumbai lands in Jaisalmer; we can start you there and finish with the train home from Jaipur.
What's included and what isn't
Included
- Hotels for 6 nights (Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner 2, Jaipur 2) with breakfast
- One night in a desert camp at Sam with dinner, folk music and breakfast
- Private car with driver from Jodhpur to Jaipur
- Pickup at Jodhpur station or airport, drop at Jaipur airport or station
- All sightseeing as per the itinerary
Not included
- Train or flight tickets (quoted on request)
- Monument tickets, including the Jaipur composite ticket
- Camel or jeep rides at Sam
- Lunches, and dinners outside the camp
- Tips and personal expenses
Visa, costs, best time and travel tips: Rajasthan Tour Packages.
