Rajasthan Royal Trio: Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur

The Pink City, the Blue City and the City of Lakes, with Ranakpur's marble temple on the way.

Your route

1. 1 Jaipur 2 nights
2. 2 Jodhpur 1 night
3. 3 Udaipur 2 nights

1. Day 1 Jaipur

   Arrive, evening in the bazaars.

   Arrive in Jaipur, the Pink City, where our driver meets you at the airport or railway station and takes you to your hotel. After check-in and rest, visit Birla Mandir, a white marble temple lit up beautifully in the evening, or walk through Johari Bazaar and Bapu Bazaar for jewellery, block-printed fabric and mojari shoes. See the Hawa Mahal glowing at night. Try pyaaz kachori and lassi in the old city. Jaipur was planned in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Overnight in Jaipur.

2. Day 2 Jaipur

   Amber Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal.

   After breakfast, visit Amber Fort, a hilltop palace of red sandstone and marble, with its Sheesh Mahal of mirrors. Stop for photos at Jal Mahal, the palace in the lake. Then explore the City Palace, still home to the royal family, and Jantar Mantar, a UNESCO-listed observatory with giant stone instruments. End with the Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, with its 953 small windows. Entry fees are extra. We recommend reaching Amber early, before the crowds and the midday heat arrive. Overnight in Jaipur.

3. Day 3 Jodhpur

   Drive to Jodhpur, Mehrangarh Fort.

   After breakfast, drive to Jodhpur, about 340 km and six hours, the Blue City on the edge of the Thar desert. Check in and visit Mehrangarh Fort, one of the largest forts in India, rising on a cliff above blue-painted houses. Then see Jaswant Thada, a marble memorial with views back to the fort. In the evening, explore the clock tower market for spices and bandhani. The fort museum has fine collections of palanquins, turbans and old weapons. Overnight in Jodhpur.

4. Day 4 Udaipur

   Ranakpur temple, on to Udaipur.

   After breakfast, drive to Udaipur, about 250 km and five to six hours, through the Aravalli hills. On the way, visit the Ranakpur Jain temple, a fifteenth-century marvel of white marble with 1,444 carved pillars, no two alike. Modest dress is required, and leather items are not allowed inside. Arrive in Udaipur, the City of Lakes, in the evening. The road climbs through green Aravalli valleys and small villages, a lovely change from the desert, with tea stops along the way. Overnight in Udaipur.

5. Day 5 Udaipur

   City Palace, Lake Pichola boat.

   A full-day tour of Udaipur. Visit the City Palace, a grand complex of courtyards and balconies on the bank of Lake Pichola, the Jagdish temple, and Saheliyon ki Bari, the garden of the maidens with its fountains. Drive around Fateh Sagar Lake. In the evening, take a boat ride on Lake Pichola past the Lake Palace and Jag Mandir at extra cost, or watch a folk dance show at Bagore ki Haveli. Udaipur is especially magical at sunset. Overnight in Udaipur.

6. Day 6 Udaipur

   Departure.

   After breakfast, check out of your hotel. Depending on your flight or train time, shop for miniature paintings, silver jewellery and colourful textiles in Udaipur's markets. Our driver transfers you to Udaipur airport or railway station for your journey home. Please allow enough time, as the old city lanes can be slow. Udaipur airport is about 25 km from the city, a drive of around 40 minutes. Your journey through Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur ends here, with memories of forts, palaces and lakes.

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