Overview
This 10-day route covers Rajasthan's greatest hits: Jaipur (Pink City) → Pushkar (holy lake) → Jodhpur (Blue City) → Jaisalmer (desert fort) → Udaipur (City of Lakes). Travel by overnight trains and buses to maximise time. Best done October-February when temperatures are pleasant.
Day 1-2: Jaipur
Day 1: Amber Fort (morning, hire a guide), City Palace, Jantar Mantar. Lunch at LMB on Johari Bazaar. Evening: Nahargarh Fort for sunset over the city. Day 2: Hawa Mahal (photograph from the cafe across the street), Albert Hall Museum, bazaar shopping in Bapu Bazaar. Evening: Chokhi Dhani for Rajasthani dinner and folk performances.
Day 3: Pushkar
Bus from Jaipur to Pushkar (3 hours). Afternoon at Pushkar Lake — holy ghats, Brahma Temple (one of the few in the world). Rooftop sunset dinner. Evening walk through the bazaar. Stay in a lakeside guesthouse. Pushkar is vegetarian and alcohol-free (officially) — respect the holy town rules.
Day 4-5: Jodhpur
Bus to Jodhpur (5 hours) or via Ajmer train. Day 4: Mehrangarh Fort — one of India's most impressive, with an excellent audio guide. Blue City walking tour through the old town lanes. Zipline across the fort walls. Day 5: Clock Tower market, Toorji Ka Jhalra stepwell, Umaid Bhawan Palace museum. Overnight train to Jaisalmer.
Day 6-7: Jaisalmer
Day 6: Jaisalmer Fort — the only living fort in India (people still live inside). Patwon Ki Haveli (sandstone mansion), Gadisar Lake. Day 7: Desert safari — camel ride to sand dunes, overnight camp under the stars with Rajasthani folk music and dinner. This is the trip highlight for most people.
Day 8-10: Udaipur
Overnight bus to Udaipur (or fly Jaisalmer→Udaipur). Day 8: City Palace, Jagdish Temple, old city lanes. Sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola. Day 9: Day trip to Kumbhalgarh Fort (the "Great Wall of India", 36km wall) and Ranakpur Jain Temple (1,444 marble pillars, each unique). Day 10: Monsoon Palace for valley views, Bagore ki Haveli folk dance show. Depart from Udaipur airport.
Budget
Budget (₹2,500/day): Guesthouses, trains, street food. Total: ~₹25,000 ($300). Mid-range (₹5,000/day): Heritage hotels, AC transport, restaurant meals. Total: ~₹50,000 ($600). Hiring a car with driver for the entire circuit costs ₹25,000-35,000 ($300-420) total and is the most comfortable option for 2+ people.