A Travel guide for places to visit in the Rajastan area in India, accommodation, transport, food and activities in Udaiphur, Jodhpur, Jaipur and Jaisalmer. Travel map and itinerary. We loved backpacking for a month in this amazing and cheap area!  The unreal Holy Festival, a Camel Safari in the Thar desert and falling in love with the desert food!

Where to go in India

My India trip started in Mumbai since the flight to Mumbai was the cheapest option to get to India for me. From Mumbai I took a night bus north to Udaipur, see all about transport later in this article. I travelled north and finished my backpack Rajastan trip in Jaipur. See this guide for things to do in Mumbai. From here I took a train to Varanasi, which was a must see in India. I ended this trip by exploring West Bengal and the north before moving on to Nepal.

A good travel itinerary for India and travel through Rajasthan is by flying to Delhi and  travel south. There are so many things to do in Delhi, from here go and see the Taj Mahal in Agra, then take a short train from Agra to Jaipur. Travel my trip in reverse. From Udaipur you can go south towards Goa and explore the beach party scene here or dive the Andaman islands.

INDIA – a ‘must travel’ destination for all real nomads.

India is one of those countries that all real nomads should try and visit. It is not as overrun by tourists like South East Asia. The country is rich in history and the culture is very different and interesting. It is not the easiest and most comfortable place to travel, but exploring India is so worth the effort. Some seasoned travel families explored India and described traveling India with kids as possible and enjoyable.

I loved the food, the street food here was some of the best and cheapest that I have ever tasted. Everything in India felt real, it was not just a show for tourists. I never had stomach problems traveling in India. The impeccable dress sense of the men is something we are not used to, nobody wears t-shirts or shorts always long shirts and pants even in unbearable heat.

Don’t feel like organizing or traveling by yourself? Join this awesome G-adventures hitting all my favorites; the colorful cities of the Rajasthan, a camel safari from Jaisalmer and Varanasi, until today one of strangest cultural experiences I have ever had, want to experience India? Check out this awesome 20 day trip!

Rajasthan with G-Adventures

From the monuments of Delhi to the colourful cities of Rajasthan, experience three weeks of northern India’s best. Marvel at Jaisalmer’s mud fortress and Bikaner’s unique temple before journeying into the desert for an overnight camel safari. Follow in the footsteps of pilgrims and make your way to the Ganges River at Varanasi. Your expert Chief Experience Officer (CEO) will take care of the hassles so you’re free to see the sights or just soak up the vibe — India is home to great food, fascinating culture, alluring sights, and friendly and inviting people. Discover the charms and mystery that make up this incredible country.

IS INDIA DIRTY?

Sure, India it is a dirty place with about 600 million people being without toilets and many of them squatting outside. I could never get used to the constant spitting and accompanying noises. Combine that with thousands of cows sleeping on the street and shitting everywhere does not make for very hygienic conditions. Try to see it as part of the country’s charm, wash your hands and be a little street wise when buying food.

Backpacking in Rajasthan

Rajasthan is India’s largest state. It is located on the western side of the country and comprises most of the  Thar Desert also known Great Indian Desert. With a lot to do and see, excellent street food and cheap prices this is a very popular state for backpackers to travel. There is a well treated tourist route, but finding cool of the beaten track places to explore is not to hard.

Rajasthan is very colorful state being home to Jodhpur the blue city, Jaisalmer  the yellow city and Jaipur the pink city.

Visiting Udaipur

The city is often referred to as the most romantic city of India with its three lakes Fateh Sagar Lake, Lake Pichhola and  Swaroop Sagar Lake. There are beautiful forts, palaces, temples, gardens and mountains. The narrow lanes lined with stalls in the medieval historic center is an excellent place to shop for paintings and souvenirs.

Things to do in Udaipur

Octopussy! The city is also well known as the site were the James Bond movie, Octopussy, was filmed. This movie shows daily at most restaurants and hostels.

Some of the great sites not to miss are the beautiful Udaipur City Palace built entirely in granite and marble and the impressive Jagdish temple and a boat ride at night on Lake Pichola

Want to do something cool and different? book a  private Spiritual Yoga Session anywhere in Udaipur! check it out

I loved walking around Udaipur, discovering little shops and restaurants in the alleys. The big Hindu temple in the centre of the city was impressive with unreal marble pillars and statues.

A good day trip from Udaipur is Kumbhalgarh Fort and the Ranakpur Jain Temple, both about an hour outside of Udaipur. The wall at The Kumbhalgarh Fort is the second longest wall in the world, after the Great Wall of China.

Don’t miss the highlights of this awesome city! Book this full-day tour for a bargain at $25 ! in Udaipur to visit some of the most popular attractions including City Palace, Jagdish Ji Temple, Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal, Saheliyon-ki-Bari, Fatehsagar Lake, and Sajjan Niwas Garden.

Go for a boat ride on Lake Pichola, get picked up by car at your hotel, see the breathtaking sunset view and spectacular sites on a sunset cruise for $31 !

Accommodation in Udaipur

Accommodation in India is excellent value for money. Dormitories in Udaipur start at $4 for a bed in a nice hostel and double rooms at $10. There are many tourists in Udaipur and the hostels were a great place to meet travelers.

• Backpacker budget The Hostel Crawl awesome hostel with nice staff, great for backpackers.
• Medium budget Jai Villa Homestay most guests can’t believe the awesome facilities for the price.
• Treat yourself Little Garden Guest House

Transport to Udaipur

Book transport to and from Udaipur Here.

Visiting Jodhpur

The famous blue city is a place not to miss on most Rajasthan itineraries for good reason. Impressive fords, picturesque lakes and a unique view of the blue city makes Jodhpur a feast for the eye. I arrived here by night bus, but the exiting sights, sounds and smells of Jodhpur had me up and exploring this city without even taking a nap!

Places to Visit in Jodhpur

The Sardar Market

Explore the Sardar Market, a labyrinthine of bazaars surrounding the Clock Tower in the centre of the city.This market spreads out in all directions from the clock tower with persistent hawkers selling street food, silk, cashmere, spices, sweets, jewelry and everything you can imagine!

Jodhpur is a foodie’s paradise!

A number of famous sweets and dishes have their origin in Jodhpur. Wandering around the colorful streets I loved tasting the streetfood!

The city is well known for Mirchi bada  and that made by the small shop, Chaudhary Namkeen, is not to miss! Mirchi bada  is a spicy snack with potato and chilli stuffing, served hot with tomato sauce or  with mint and tamarind chutney.

Pyaz ki kachori is a  delicious, spicy,  circular fried dish that originated in Jodhpur. It can be found at all the Namkeen shops, but the most famous shop is Surya Shahi Namkeen located at the Jalori Gate Circle. You can actually smell this delicious dish as you walk past the store!

Go on a classic food journey in Jodhpur! You will be a part of a local Indian family in Jodhpur where you will be taught the art of Rajasthani style of cooking during lunch or dinner.

Mehrangarh Fort

Explore one of the largest forts India. Follow the winding road leading to the massive fort towering 125m above the city. Buy a cup of coffee at one of the little shops on the way and take some photos of the blue city below. The museum in the Mehrangarh fort is one of the most well-stocked museums in Rajasthan. I did a audio tour of the fort. It was on a awesome treasure hunt for about 3 hours investigating the history, jewels and weapons in this amazing fortress.

I was lucky to be in Jodhpur for the 2 days leading up to the Holy, the festival of colors. Preparation for the festival resulted in a very festive atmosphere in the colorful streets.

Go on a private full day tour of Jodhpur includes Entry fee to Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada and Umaid Bhawan Museum. Get picked up at your hotel for full day tour, experience food in Jodhpur, lunch included.

Accommodation in Jodhpur

• Backpacker budget CrashPad Hostotel Jodhpur amazing place for $3 for a dorm bed in the heart of the city,  family house, great reviews.
• Medium budget Madhur Villa Homestay most guests can’t believe the awesome facilities for the price.
• Treat yourself Kesar heritage boutique home stay Great homestay, good location, check out the king suite with balcony.

Looking for more ideas for places to visit in Jodhpur?

Transport to Jodhpur

Book transport to and from Jodhpur Here.

Visiting Jaisalmer

From Jodhpur I went Jaisalmer to celebrate the festival of colors. Moving to Jaisalmer was a great decision. I came here by local public bus, which was an interesting and very hot trip. I had an amazing time here and Jaisalmer is one of my favorite places in India!

The city is a former medieval trading center located in the heart of the Thar Desert, close to Pakistan. It is also known as the “Golden City,” named after it’s yellow sandstone architecture. The magnificent Jaisalmer Fort overlooks the city. Behind its massive walls stand the ornate Maharaja’s Palace and beautiful Jain temples. This is a living fort not a museum with more than a hundred people still living inside.

Places to visit in Jaisalmer

Visit the Jaisalmer Fort

This magnificent fort is one of the largest fully preserved fortified cities in the world. It is situated above the city of Jaisalmer and is a World Heritage Site. The name is derived from the Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal that built the fort in 1156 AD. It is unreal that such an old structure is still home to people.

Explore Kuldhara the Ghost Town

Kuldhara is an abandoned village located about 18km outside Jaisalmer. In the 13th century it was once a prosperous village inhabited by Paliwal Brahmins.  It was abandoned by the early 19th century for unknown reasons. There are various stories as to why an entire town was abandoned overnight not be inhabited ever  again. A popular legend is that Salim Singh, the minister of Jaisalmer, fell in love with a beautiful girl from the village and wanted to marry her, threatening the locals if this was denied. The girl’s father was the chief of the village. He abandoned the town and all the inhabitants followed him. The local legend claims that the Paliwals set a curse while deserting the village that no one would be able to re-occupy the village.

Another possibility is that most of the wells in the village had dried up and people left because there was no water left.

Gradually Kulkhara aquired a reputation as a haunted site, and the Government of Rajasthan  develop it as a tourist spot.

Walk around the Gadisar Lake

Gadisar lake is a man-made water reservoir and was once the only source of water in Jaisalmer. It was constructed by the first ruler of Jaisalmer, Raja Rawal Jaisal. The lake is located about a km from the fort and is popular picnic place.

The sunset at the lake is beautiful. There are thousands of Cat fish in the lake. Locals call them Rajistan fishes because they have a mustache like most Rajistan men. In the shallows there are so many of these  fish the y crawl out of the water!

Experience the Desert

Sleeping in the desert under a full moon, seeing the sun rise over the dunes with a cup of chai and chilling next to my camel after a long day in the hot sun was fantastic. We are not big fans of organised tours, but this camel safari in the Thar desert was awesome.

The food was awesome. We had some amazing opportunities for taking photos. Be careful, sitting on a camel is far from the ground, I was bouncing around like a sack of potatoes. I have heard some scary stories of travelers getting badly injured falling off, so sit tight! The camel safaris are not cheap, it is a touristy thing to do, but I loved it some of my best memories of India!

Don’t miss this Overnight Camel Safari, check it out and book here!

For more information about places to visit in Jaisalmer.

Holy Festival

I was very lucky to be in Jaisalmer for ‘Holy‘, the festival of colors. The festival signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter and the biggest color fight in the world. Loud music, paint of all colors, people from all countries and ages dancing and singing. The image of this huge ancient ford covered in a massive multi colored cloud is one of my most treasured travel memories!

Accommodation

Double rooms to luxury suites I stayed in the Mystic Jaisalmer, and loved it. They sent a porter to come and pick me up at the bus station, even though I stayed in a budget room. The view over the fort and the desert is amazing, had such a great time; met some awesome people, nice rooms, friendly staff can only say good things.  $35 – $80.

Treat yourself Jaisalmer Marriott Resort & Spa – if you want 5 star luxury you can never go wrong with The Marriot, ultimate luxury in Jaisalmer

Backpacker budget Staying on a budget? book the Magic Guesthouse, located inside Jaisalmer Fort! Unreal that you can stay in such a cool place inside the fort with a rooftop view for under 5 bucks!

Transport to Jaisalmer

Book transport to and from Jaisalmer Here.

Full Day sightseeing trip in Jaisalmer with a guide and a sunset camel safari in the desert.

Visiting Jaipur

Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan state, the city is also known as ‘the pink city’. The city got this title because all the buildings in the city was painted pink in the year 1876. This year the prince of the Wales and queen Victoria, came to visit the city. The king of Jaipur Maharaja Ram Singh  painted the whole city in pink color to welcome them. This was my last destination in Rajastan.

Things to do in Jaipur

The Jaipur City Palace and Hawa Mahal are two of the city’s most iconic buildings and  probably the most famous pinkish buildings in the city. Dont miss the Nahargarh Fort on the edge of the Aravalli Hill. The Jantar Mantar has the largest sundial of the world and is something interesting to see.

Go on a Two Day Tiger Safari in Ranthambore National Park and see these magnificent animals in the wild! This park is probably your best chance of spotting tigers, we chose to go on a tiger safari by boat in West Bengal, it was great but we spent a couple of days on the boat and unfortunately no tigers.

Accommodation in Jaipur

• Backpacker budget Vinayak Guest HouseI won’t recommend going to cheap in Jaipur, I heard some terrible stories,  comes highly recommended for less than $10
• Medium budget  Magpie Villa, awesome location, not cheap, but still great value.
• Treat yourself Trident Jaipur At about $120 a bit over our budget, but sounds fantastic, most luxurious 5-star hotel in Jaipur.

Food in Rajasthan

India is a foodie’s paradise! Each of the colorful cities of Rajasthan state  is known for some spectacular dishes. In this arid province dried lentils, beans, buttermilk and oil is used in many dishes, red chillies help preserve the food.

Eat in Udaipur

Udiapur is well known for it’s excellent street food. Kachori is a deep-fried, crispy snack usually stuffed with dal (pulses) and spices, and served with chutney. Can also be stuffed with pea and potato.

Eat in Jodhpur

Mirchi bada  is a spicy snack with potato and chilli stuffing, served hot with tomato sauce or  with mint and tamarind chutney, buy at Chaudhary Namkeen!

Eat in Jaisalmer

Don’t miss the Dal baati in the Thar desert! It is an Indian dish comprising dal (lentils) and baati (hard wheat rolls).

Laal Maans was a favorite! It is spicy mutton gravy, cooked in yogurt and red chilly paste. It can be very spicy and is eaten with roti.

Eat in Jaipur

Laal Maas A spicy mutton curry you have to try!

Traveling around India I lived on Dahl fried and Mashala Dosa. Dahl is a thick lentil soup/paste eaten with chapati/roti (Indian flatbread baked in a pan when you order).  Mashala Dosa is fermented rice batter pancake served with chutney, chilli and Dahl. Both dishes are very tasty and very cheap.

Transport to Jaipur

Book transport to and from Jaipur Here.

Transport in India

Traveling by train in India is a must. Other travelers told me to book AC class 3 tickets online in advance. Many long boring stories, but this did not work out very well for me. I traveled mostly in sleeper class (the cheap way) and I bought Tat Cal tickets on the day of departure. You can read all about train travel ticket in our India Train Travel Guide.

Some times the train did not work out and I traveled by bus. Tickets can be bought at most hotels/travel agents. The bus is sometimes faster than the train, you also have AC non-AC options. The AC bus was very nice, I had a big sleeper booth just for me with curtains. The no AC bus was not bad, but sometimes bit hot and smelly. Just set an alarm about an hour before estimated arrival, you can miss your stop!

Taking a normal local daytime bus was also a crazy experience. These buses are very full and squeezing into a seat with my backpack was an interesting struggle and long, uncomfortable, slow ride. Just by a ticket at a local bus station.

Book transport online all over India Here.

Rajasthan Tour Packages

Independent travel is not everybody’s cup of tea, this 13 day tour includes all the main destinations in Rajasthan, for just over $50 a day including all hotels, breakfast, transport by car, certified guide and even entrance to Ranthambore National Park on a Tiger Safari!

Travel Insurance

Getting sick, injured or robbed in a foreign country is horrible, we never had any problems traveling in India, but it if something goes wrong it is great to be insured! Expensive mistakes that traveling friends made in India was falling off a camel, eating contaminated food and not locking away electronics, try not doing these! I will always recommend you travel with insurance, check out World Nomads, it takes 2 minutes to get an online quote and you can join while on the road.

Good local food was prepared by our guides on the fire. The camels looked very tired just lying around in the sand at our camp site. Sleeping out side the night sky was truly spectacular.

We would love to hear from you, so don’t be shy to comment give suggestions or ask questions!