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Rajasthan Tour Packages & Travel Guide

Plan a Rajasthan trip with MIT — Jaipur's forts, Udaipur's lakes, Jodhpur's blue city and the Jaisalmer desert. Get a customised quote.

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Rajasthan — travel guide by Mysore International Travels

Rajasthan is India's largest state and its most concentrated collection of forts, palaces, and desert landscape. The standard circuit strings together cities that each have a distinct character: Jaipur with Amber Fort and the Hawa Mahal, Udaipur built around lakes and the City Palace, Jodhpur beneath the vast Mehrangarh Fort with its blue old town, and Jaisalmer, a living fort city on the edge of the Thar desert.

Beyond the big four, Pushkar has its lake and the annual camel fair, Ranthambore is one of India's more accessible tiger reserves, Bikaner and Mandawa add forts and painted havelis, and Mount Abu provides the state's only hill station. Six UNESCO-listed hill forts sit within Rajasthan, and the state's heritage-hotel tradition — palaces and havelis converted into places you can actually stay — is unmatched anywhere in India.

From South India, Rajasthan is reached by flying into Jaipur, Udaipur, or Delhi and travelling onwards by road or rail. Distances between cities are substantial, so pacing matters: a rushed Rajasthan trip becomes a driving holiday. MIT builds Rajasthan itineraries around the number of days you actually have, rather than trying to fit every city into every trip.

Best Time to Visit

October to March is the season, and it is not a close call. Days are warm and pleasant, nights are cool to cold in the desert, and sightseeing is comfortable — this is also when the Pushkar Camel Fair (October/November) and the Jaisalmer Desert Festival (February) fall. April to June is extremely hot, with temperatures in the desert regularly exceeding 45°C, which makes daytime sightseeing genuinely difficult. July to September brings some monsoon relief and green landscapes, particularly around Udaipur, but humidity rises.

Weather

Rajasthan has a hot, largely arid climate with big seasonal and daily swings. Summers (April-June) are severe, frequently above 40°C and exceeding 45°C in the western desert. The monsoon (July-September) brings limited but welcome rain, more in the east and south than in the desert west. Winters (November-February) are pleasant by day, generally 20-28°C, with cold nights that can approach freezing in Jaisalmer and Bikaner. Desert nights are always much colder than the day suggests.

Ideal Duration

8 to 12 days for a proper circuit covering Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Jaisalmer with a night in the desert. A shorter 5 to 6 day trip works well for the Golden Triangle extension — Jaipur plus one other city. Attempting the full state in under a week means spending most of it in a vehicle; the distances are genuinely long.

Budget

Rajasthan has the widest accommodation range of any Indian state, from budget guesthouses and havelis to genuinely spectacular palace hotels. The heritage-hotel category — converted forts, palaces, and havelis at mid to upper price points — is Rajasthan's distinctive offering and worth building at least one or two nights around. Costs peak from October to March and spike during the Pushkar fair, Diwali, and Christmas-New Year. Long inter-city distances make vehicle hire a significant line item. MIT quotes each Rajasthan itinerary to your route, dates, and stay preferences.

Must-see

Top attractions in Rajasthan

Amber Fort, Jaipur

A hilltop fort-palace of sandstone and marble above Maota lake, with the mirror-work Sheesh Mahal and extensive courtyards — part of the UNESCO Hill Forts of Rajasthan listing.

City Palace & Lake Pichola, Udaipur

A vast palace complex on the lake's edge, with the Lake Palace and Jag Mandir set on islands, best seen from a late-afternoon boat.

Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur

One of India's largest forts, rising directly from a rock escarpment above the blue-painted old city, with an exceptionally well-curated museum.

Jaisalmer Fort & the Thar Desert

A living sandstone fort where families still reside, above a desert city, with camel safaris and dune camps at Sam and Khuri nearby.

Hawa Mahal & Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

The five-storey honeycomb facade built for royal women to watch street processions, and the UNESCO-listed 18th-century astronomical observatory.

Ranthambore National Park

A tiger reserve built around a hilltop fort, among the more reliable places in India for tiger sightings, with safaris in fixed morning and afternoon slots.

Pushkar

A temple town around a sacred lake, holding one of the few Brahma temples in the world, and host to the annual Pushkar Camel Fair.

Jain Temples of Ranakpur & Dilwara

Extraordinarily intricate marble temple complexes — Ranakpur with its 1,444 individually carved pillars, and the Dilwara temples near Mount Abu.

Getting there

How to reach Rajasthan

By Air
Jaipur International Airport is the main gateway, with Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer also served. From Bangalore and other South Indian cities there are direct flights to Jaipur and Udaipur, and many travellers also route via Delhi, which is roughly 270 km from Jaipur.
By Rail
Rajasthan is well connected by rail, with Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Ajmer on major routes. Overnight trains between cities are a practical and comfortable way to cover the long distances. The luxury Palace on Wheels operates a scheduled seasonal circuit for travellers wanting the train itself to be the experience.
By Road
Distances are substantial: Jaipur to Jodhpur about 335 km (5-6 hours), Jodhpur to Jaisalmer about 285 km (5 hours), Jodhpur to Udaipur about 250 km (5 hours), and Jaipur to Delhi about 270 km (5-6 hours). Roads are generally good, but a Rajasthan circuit involves real driving time that has to be built into the plan.
Make the most of it

Things to do

  • Explore Amber Fort in Jaipur early in the morning, before the crowds and the heat
  • Take a sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola with the Udaipur City Palace lit up behind you
  • Walk Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur and look down over the blue old city
  • Do a camel safari and stay a night at a desert camp near Sam or Khuri outside Jaisalmer
  • Book a tiger safari at Ranthambore, one of India's more reliable reserves for sightings
  • See the astronomical instruments at Jantar Mantar and the facade of the Hawa Mahal in Jaipur
  • Visit the marble Jain temples at Ranakpur and Dilwara for some of the finest stone carving in India
  • Time a visit for the Pushkar Camel Fair (October/November) or the Jaisalmer Desert Festival (February)
  • Eat dal baati churma, laal maas, and ker sangri where each is done properly
  • Stay at least one night in a genuine heritage hotel — a converted fort, palace, or haveli
Where to stay

Hotels in Rajasthan

Rajasthan's heritage hotels are the reason many people come — forts, palaces, and havelis converted into working hotels across mid-range to luxury, offering something no purpose-built property can. Alongside these, every city has modern hotels at all levels, and Jaisalmer and the Thar have desert camps ranging from basic to genuinely luxurious. Staying inside Jaisalmer Fort is atmospheric but comes with real drainage and conservation concerns for a living fort, which is worth knowing before you choose. MIT will tell you plainly which heritage properties are genuinely historic and which are recent builds in the style.

Where to eat

Restaurants & local food

Rajasthani cuisine developed around scarcity of water and fresh vegetables, which is why it leans on dried lentils, beans, and long-keeping preparations. Dal baati churma is the signature dish, alongside gatte ki sabzi, ker sangri, laal maas (a fiery mutton curry, especially in Jodhpur), and the sweet ghewar and mawa kachori. Jaipur and Udaipur have strong restaurant scenes including rooftop restaurants with fort and lake views; smaller towns are more limited. Vegetarian food is excellent and abundant statewide. Note that Rajasthani cooking is often generous with ghee and chilli — say so if you want it toned down.

Before you go

Travel tips

  • Travel between October and March; April to June is punishingly hot and makes daytime sightseeing genuinely difficult
  • Carry warm clothing for desert nights even in winter — Jaisalmer and Bikaner can approach freezing after dark
  • Book well ahead around the Pushkar fair, Diwali, and Christmas-New Year, when both rates and occupancy spike
  • Build the driving time into your plan honestly: inter-city distances of 250-350 km are the norm, not the exception
  • Consider overnight trains for the longer hops — they save a day and are comfortable in AC classes
  • Bargain in the markets of Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer, where quoted prices for textiles and handicrafts assume negotiation
  • Ranthambore safari permits are capped and zones are allotted; book well in advance, especially for weekends and holidays
  • Stay hydrated and cover up against the sun — even winter afternoons are strong, and the desert air is very dry
  • Verify whether a 'heritage hotel' is genuinely historic or a recent build in the style; both exist and are priced similarly
Nearby

Nearby attractions

  • Agra & the Taj Mahal – roughly 240 km from Jaipur, completing the Golden Triangle
  • Pushkar & Ajmer – sacred lake, Brahma temple, and the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, about 150 km from Jaipur
  • Mount Abu – Rajasthan's only hill station, with the Dilwara Jain temples
  • Bikaner & Mandawa – desert forts, the Karni Mata temple, and the painted havelis of the Shekhawati region
  • Rann of Kutch – the salt desert across the Gujarat border, sometimes combined with a western Rajasthan itinerary
FAQs

Rajasthan — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to visit Rajasthan?
October to March, without much doubt. Days are warm and pleasant, nights cool, and sightseeing is comfortable. This window also holds the Pushkar Camel Fair and the Jaisalmer Desert Festival. April to June exceeds 45°C in the desert and is genuinely difficult for daytime sightseeing.
How many days do I need for Rajasthan?
Eight to twelve days for a proper circuit covering Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Jaisalmer with a desert night. Five to six days works for Jaipur plus one other city, often as a Golden Triangle extension. Less than a week for the full state means mostly driving.
Which cities should I include in a first Rajasthan trip?
Jaipur for the forts and the old city, Udaipur for the lakes and palaces, Jodhpur for Mehrangarh and the blue city, and Jaisalmer for the living fort and the desert. If you only have time for two, Jaipur and Udaipur give the widest contrast.
How do I reach Rajasthan from Bangalore or Mysore?
There are direct flights from Bangalore to Jaipur and Udaipur; Jodhpur and Jaisalmer are also served. Many travellers route via Delhi, which is about 270 km from Jaipur. From Mysore or Coimbatore, most connect through Bangalore or Delhi.
Is Rajasthan safe for solo and female travellers?
Rajasthan is one of India's most-visited states and is well set up for tourism, with established hotels, guides, and transport. Standard precautions apply as anywhere: prefer pre-arranged transport at night, stay in established properties, and be firm with persistent touts at major monuments. We can arrange female guides on request.
What is a desert safari at Jaisalmer like?
Typically a camel ride into the dunes at Sam or Khuri in the late afternoon, sunset over the desert, then dinner and a folk music and dance performance at a camp, with an overnight stay. Camps range from basic tents to genuinely luxurious. Jeep safaris are also available for those who would rather not ride.
Can I see tigers at Ranthambore?
Ranthambore is one of India's more reliable tiger reserves, but no sighting is guaranteed anywhere. Safaris run in fixed morning and afternoon slots with allotted zones and capped permits, so book well in advance. Taking multiple safaris meaningfully improves your chances.
What are heritage hotels in Rajasthan?
Forts, palaces, and havelis converted into working hotels — a category Rajasthan does better than anywhere else in India, spanning mid-range to luxury. Note that some properties marketed as heritage are recent builds in the traditional style; we will tell you plainly which is which.
What food is Rajasthan known for?
Dal baati churma is the signature dish, alongside gatte ki sabzi, ker sangri, and laal maas, a fiery mutton curry associated with Jodhpur. Sweets include ghewar and mawa kachori. Vegetarian food is excellent and abundant. The cooking is often generous with ghee and chilli, so ask for it toned down if you prefer.
How far apart are the main Rajasthan cities?
Jaipur to Jodhpur is about 335 km (5-6 hours), Jodhpur to Jaisalmer about 285 km (5 hours), Jodhpur to Udaipur about 250 km (5 hours), and Jaipur to Delhi about 270 km. These are real driving days and need to be planned for honestly.
Should I travel between cities by road or train?
Both work. Road gives flexibility and lets you stop at places like Ranakpur or Pushkar en route. Overnight trains save a day and are comfortable in AC classes, which suits the longer hops. Many itineraries mix the two, and we will suggest which legs suit which.
What is the Pushkar Camel Fair?
An annual livestock fair and religious gathering at Pushkar, usually in October or November around Kartik Purnima, combining camel and horse trading with competitions, folk performances, and pilgrimage to the sacred lake. It is a remarkable event, and accommodation must be booked months in advance.
Is Rajasthan good for families with children?
Yes. Forts and palaces capture children's imagination, camel rides and desert camps are memorable, and Ranthambore adds wildlife. The main constraints are heat — avoid April to June entirely with young children — and the long drives, which are worth breaking up.
What should I buy in Rajasthan?
Block-printed and bandhani textiles, blue pottery from Jaipur, mojari leather footwear, miniature paintings, silver jewellery, and Jaisalmer's carved sandstone and embroidered work. Bargaining is expected in the markets, and quoted opening prices assume it.
How cold does the Rajasthan desert get at night?
Much colder than the daytime suggests. Winter nights in Jaisalmer and Bikaner can approach freezing, and even the shoulder months have cold nights, because dry desert air loses heat rapidly after sunset. Carry warm layers regardless of how hot the afternoon was.
Can Rajasthan be combined with the Golden Triangle?
Yes — Jaipur is already one of the Golden Triangle's three points, so extending from Delhi and Agra into Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Jaisalmer is the most natural way to build a longer North India trip. Agra is roughly 240 km from Jaipur.
Are there UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Rajasthan?
Yes. Six Hill Forts of Rajasthan are collectively listed — including Amber, Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore, Gagron, and Jaisalmer — along with Jaipur's Jantar Mantar observatory and the walled city of Jaipur itself.
Is Udaipur worth including?
Yes, and for many travellers it is the highlight. Its lake setting, City Palace, and the surrounding Aravalli hills give it a completely different feel from the desert cities, and it is a natural base for day trips to Ranakpur, Kumbhalgarh, and Mount Abu.
What is the Palace on Wheels?
A luxury tourist train operating a scheduled seasonal circuit through Rajasthan, where the train itself is the accommodation and the experience. It suits travellers who want to see the major cities without organising ground logistics, and it runs on fixed departure dates that need booking well ahead.
How much does a Rajasthan tour package cost?
It varies a great deal with your route, dates, stay category — heritage and palace hotels span a huge range — and the vehicle needed for the long inter-city distances. MIT prepares a customised quote for your exact itinerary; contact us for current rates.
Does MIT arrange Rajasthan tour packages from South India?
Yes. MIT arranges Rajasthan itineraries including flights, inter-city transport by road or rail, heritage and standard hotels, desert camps, and safari bookings. Call or WhatsApp +91 96119 57301 or email mitb2btravels@gmail.com to plan.
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