Best 7 Day Rajasthan Itinerary (What To See And Where To Go)
When people dream of travelling to India, Rajasthan is often what they imagine. Lavish royal palaces, picture-perfect forts and incredible safaris are surrounded by the hustle and bustle and incredible colours India is synonymous with.
This 7 day Rajasthan itinerary will run through the main highlights for one week in Rajasthan from Jaipur’s pink city, to the city of lakes at Udaipur, to Jaisalmer’s sandcastle-esque fort and desert safari.
But first, we’ll start with one of the highlights of our first trip to India – spotting the majestic Bengal tiger at Ranthambore National Park.
Ranthambore National Park (Day 1)
What a place to start your 7 day Rajasthan itinerary! Ranthambore is your best chance of spotting tigers in India with around 80 spread throughout its lush greenery and many watering holes.
Coming from the UK, my only experience with these majestic creatures has been confined to safari parks so to see them in their natural habitat is an exhilarating experience that you’ll never forget.
Spotting tigers isn’t always easy and we met people who have failed to see them even in 10+ attempts! Although the will-we-wont-we is part of the thrill that can make spotting them even more special, you do want to maximise your chances. We did just 2 safaris over 1 day and managed to see a different tiger each time (100% success!).
Where to stay in Ranthambore –
When deciding where to stay, I recommend somewhere that is competent in booking your safari for you, where the Jeep can pick you up from and is close to the rail station so you can get there and away efficiently.
For these reasons, we chose Hotel Tiger Haveli. This hotel in Sawai Madhopur was perfect for us, they managed to book 2 Jeep safaris in the best zones for tiger-spotting. The hotel itself had big rooms, a nice breakfast on the roof terrace and a great heritage haveli feel.
How to reach Ranthambore (and get away) –
If you are following our North India itinerary, we recommend arriving here from Agra by train. Plan to arrive in the evening and you’ll be able to enjoy both morning and afternoon safaris the following day. There is a Rajdhani fast train that takes just 2.5 hours and arrives around 6pm, which would be perfect.
Alternatively, you can easily take trains from Delhi or Jaipur which take around 4 and 2 hours respectively.
For where to go next, we recommend Udaipur. Many cities in Rajasthan are vast distances apart; taking overnight trains reduces ‘wasted’ hours, cuts down on accommodation costs and gives you another great Indian experience. There’s a train leaving at 11pm, which will get you to Udaipur around 7:30 am, perfect!
Udaipur (Day 2-3)
Udaipur, ‘the city of lakes’, was our biggest surprise in Rajasthan. It’s incredibly beautiful, clean and very walkable by Indian city standards. It is certainly the most tranquil and romantic city we visited with whitewashed buildings providing the perfect contrast to the picturesque lakes.
Lake Pichola is the main highlight and if you choose to stay nearby you’ll have super quick access to opulent palaces, rooftop restaurants with stunning lake views and quirky bohemian cafes. It really is a great place to relax if you have more time than we have planned here.
Things to do in Udaipur
Here is a brief summary of the main things to do in Udaipur, for a full itinerary, see our ‘2 days in Udaipur Itinerary ‘.
- Visit the City Palace – Easily one of the most beautiful palaces we’ve seen in India, colourful royal rooms dotted with interesting history of the former rulers, you might even catch a glimpse of the current royal family who still resides here.
- Head to Jagdish Temple – This nearly 400-year-old Hindu temple was our favourite in all of Rajasthan because of its exquisite carvings. Try and visit during the many rituals, called aartis, for a real spiritual experience.
- Eat, drink and relax at many lake-view restaurants – Udaipur is blessed with an abundance of top-quality restaurants with some of the best views we’ve ever seen, Ambrai and Jagat Niwas Palace Hotel were our particular favourites.
- Check out incredible art – Udaipur is famous for its art styles and expressions. Both for its colourful, bold street art dotted around the city and its intricate Mewari miniature paintings you can find in many galleries and shops.
Where to stay in Udaipur –
There are many hotels located around the lake from which you could choose. Personally, we chose Jaiwana Haveli and loved it. We managed to get an amazing heritage-style room with lake views, and the vista on the rooftop terrace, while you eat breakfast, is enough to take anyone’s breath away.
How to reach Udaipur (and get away) –
As suggested previously, arriving via overnight train from Ranthambore is our favoured suggestion, but you could also take similar methods from Jaipur or Delhi.
Alternatively, if you prefer to avoid trains, there are short direct flights from Delhi, Jaipur or Mumbai.
To continue your Rajasthan itinerary, take another overnight train to Jaipur. There is one leaving around 10pm that will get you to the pink city at 6am, with a full day of sightseeing ahead.
If you have already been to Jaipur, then you could head to Jaisalmer or Jodhpur. Unfortunately, there are no direct trains and so you will need to take a bus or hire a private car.
Jaipur (Day 4-5)
Jaipur, ‘the pink city’, is the city, in all of India, that feels like it is made for historical tourists. Its many majestic forts, palaces and temples mean you are always on the go and catching a glimpse of something unique to this part of the world.
It is not our favourite city, nor is it without its faults. It is not as walkable or relaxing as Udaipur, nor as extraordinarily unique as Jaisalmer, but it is quintessentially Indian in its mix of exceptional beauty and equally exceptional frenzy. But ultimately it is unmissable in any Rajasthan itinerary.
Things to do in Jaipur
- Hawa Mahal – The ‘wind palace’ is the picture postcard of any Jaipur trip. With an interesting and, in some ways, sad history it is worth the photo and the tour to truly understand its hidden purpose and royal past.
- Amber Palace (Amer Fort) – The most impressive complex in all of Rajasthan. With impressive fortifications, pristine courtyards and panoramic views from the surrounding hilltops, this place will leave you needing more storage for your many photos!
- City Palace – The highest entry fee we paid in all of India (and worth every penny). This truly is a demonstration of the height of luxury and opulent beauty. Ultra Instagramable whilst also teeming with history, it’s surely worth a visit.
- Monkey Temple (Galta ji) – Want to combine ethereal spirituality, striking architecture and… hundreds of exuberant monkeys? Look no further. As a more obscure landmark, many people will not visit here, but they’re missing out on a truly unforgettable experience.
Where to stay in Jaipur
As the capital of Rajasthan and part of the tourist-heavy ‘golden triangle’, Jaipur has an abundance of hotels to suit every type of traveller.
We stayed at Umaid Bhawan and couldn’t recommend it enough. A heritage-style hotel with beautiful rooms, wonderful food (the best kebabs we had in India) and located conveniently but away from the main hustle and bustle of the city.
How to reach Jaipur (and get away) –
Once again, you’ll know we recommend arriving by train from Udaipur, however, Jaipur is the most well-connected city in Rajasthan. A short train ride from Delhi, Agra or even a plane from Mumbai or further afield is possible.
To continue with our 7 day Rajasthan Itinerary, we recommend yet another overnight train (yes, we still weren’t tired of them yet!) to Jaisalmer. You can find trains that will get you there in time for your desert safari adventure.
Alternatively, if you have more time to spend in this incredible state, consider visiting Pushkar, known for its spiritual, slightly bohemian vibe, or Jodphur for its beautiful blue cityscape and imposing fort.
Jaisalmer (Day 6-7)
Last, but by no means list is the golden city of Jaisalmer. The only fort on this list, still in use with residents, Jain temples and restaurants all housed within its formidable walls. The fort is the focal point, protruding like a golden sandcastle over the surrounding city.
But the real highlight of Jaisalmer for us was the opportunity to partake in an overnight camp in the thar desert, miles away from any civilisation. Staying amongst the rolling dunes, eating freshly made Indian daal around a campfire and laying under hundreds of stars is breathtaking.
Things to do in Jaisalmer
- Desert safari in Thar Desert – Obviously. Be truly at one with nature, laying under bright stars after watching the most beautiful sunset in all of India. You can also ride camels and see them roam their desert wilderness (though please make sure to pick a tour company with a good reputation for their animal welfare).
- Explore the Fort – The fort is beautiful from the outside but is even more interesting within. Check out the ornate Jain temples and go shopping amongst bazaars down bustling narrow streets for vibrant clothes or trinkets to take home (maybe as gifts, maybe not).
- See Patwa Haveli – If you’re not tired of charming architecture yet, this is worthy of a visit. The Jaisal carvings are amazing from the outside and you can even go inside to see some knick-knacks from Jaisalamer’s past.
Where to stay in Jaisalmer
It’s not every day you get to stay inside a real, still active Fort. But you can fulfil your dreams here with stunning views of the surrounding city and dessert. We stayed in Hotel Garh Jaisal Haveli, and it couldn’t have been more perfect. The rooms were the most beautiful. We stayed in Rajasthan and had a view to match. They were also perfectly happy to look after our luggage while we did the desert safari.
For the desert safari, we booked with Trotters. They took care of everything: taking us deep into the desert dunes in a Jeep, taking a short camel ride to our final destination where they lay out the beds and cooked a delicious meal over the campfire. We did a 1-night safari and felt it was perfect but you can stay for longer to really detox away from society.
How to reach Jaisalmer (and get away) –
Arriving by train from Jaipur (or Jodhpur) in the morning will ensure you can go on your desert safari on the first day, leaving you more time to explore the city and relax on your second.
There is a small airport allowing you to arrive by plane from either Delhi or Mumbai.
This would also be the best way to leave Rajasthan, either return to Delhi to potentially fly home or Mumbai to continue your Indian journey.
10 Day Rajasthan Itinerary
- Ranthambore (1 day)
- Udaipur (2 days)
- Jaipur (3 days)
- Jodhpur (2 days)
- Jaisalmer (2 days)
With 3 extra days, I would recommend adding the blue city of Jodhpur for another adventure and staying an additional day in Jaipur to see all the tourist places at a more relaxed pace.
More options are:
- Pushkar – For peaceful relaxing vibes in a location famous for its serenity, spirituality and Hindu mythology.
- Bikaner – Visit for its rich cultural heritage and nearby famous rat temple.
- Kumbhalgarh – Home to the second longest wall in the world (after the Great Wall of China), this impressive fort is located close to Rankapur, one of the largest Jain temples.
Useful Tips for a Rajasthan Trip
When is the best time to visit Rajasthan?
November to January is the busiest but also the best time to visit. Expect cool mornings, especially in Ranthambore and Udaipur but reasonable (20-25c) peak temperatures, making exploring comfortable. February is also fine but it will start to feel very hot, particularly in the Jaisalmer desert.
How Should I dress in rajasthan?
For men, we recommend a thin breathable shirt, colourful if you want to fit in with the Rajasthan vibrant aesthetic. I also feel trousers give you greater flexibility than shorts as you will want to visit many temples, but check your itinerary for the day and plan ahead.
Poorva Says:
For women, I recommend avoiding crop tops or thin strappy tops if you want to avoid uncomfortable glares from some of the men. This is not to say it’s not safe and if you want to feel empowered to do so I’d support your choice completely. Just be aware that dressing more conservatively can sometimes help reduce unwanted attention, especially in the less touristy areas such as train stations. Udaipur is slightly more relaxed and you’ll see more ‘Western-style’ dress there.
What about Alcohol in Rajasthan?
As one of the more conservative and religious states, you won’t find much alcohol here. Head to a metropolitan city such as Mumbai or the beach paradise of Goa if you are after party vibes.
The only socially acceptable ‘drug’ here is Bhang, an edible form of cannabis. You will find it all over Rajasthan in Lassis and cakes. It has a history in Hindu tradition for its proposed natural healing properties. It has an effect similar to smoking cannabis but takes longer to take effect and can last longer too, so take precautions and research more thoroughly if you plan to try.
What should I eat in Rajasthan?
The food in Rajasthan is very unique, even in India. Check out our ‘What to eat in Rajasthan (and where)’ guide for a more detailed look at the cuisine. In terms of hygiene, the same rules apply to all of India: try and stick mainly to a vegetarian diet, avoid salads and tap water, and for street food, stick to fried foods from busy stalls.
Have you travelled around Rajasthan or now want to? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
How to stay connected in Rajasthan (and all of India)
Most mobile network plans do not include India as part of your package. We found this out the hard way by paying £5 a day for mobile network, for some it can be much more.
To solve this, we recommend getting an e-sim from Airalo.
We’ve used Airalo in all of our travels outside Europe, including in Brazil and India. It is normally less than £20 for 10GB, enough to cover you for your whole 7-day Rajasthan itinerary and beyond.
Tip: Turn off automatic backup of photos to iCloud with mobile data, it can drain your data very quickly if you are taking lots of snaps! Don’t make the same mistake we did.
Have you visited Rajasthan or would like to? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
