Rajasthan, the vivacious land of huge forts, kings, and gleaming deserts, has captivated travellers for centuries. Dipping your toes into its ironic combination of culture, history, and natural beauty requires careful planning, especially with only around a week at hand. This 8-day Rajasthan itinerary promises a glimpse into the soul of the land of kings, taking you on a whirlwind adventure through its most captivating cities.
Do not forget to check out my post on the 8-day Goa itinerary. Also, my post on the 7-day Lakshadweep itinerary might help if you plan a trip to this island.
How to Reach Rajasthan?
Before we begin our 8-day Rajasthan itinerary, you will be interested in learning how to reach Rajasthan. As far as our itinerary is concerned, we will start our itinerary from Jaipur. So, make sure to reach this city on or before the first day.
Jaipur is connected well to other important Indian cities. You can reach by different modes of transportation based on your origin city and travel budget. Jaipur Junction welcomes trains from major Indian metro cities like Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bangalore.
If you wish to travel by flight, you can book flight tickets from your hometown or a nearby city to reach Jaipur International Airport. However, this airport is located in the suburb of Sanganer, which is around 8 km away from Jaipur City. However, you can hire a taxi to reach your accommodation if you have booked only in Jaipur City.
You can also travel by bus if you are travelling from other parts of Rajasthan or nearby states.
My post on 7 offbeat destinations to consider for your next trip to Rajasthan might help you.
In case, you are thinking about Andaman & Nicobar Islands exploration, you might get useful information from my 7-Day Andaman & Nicobar Islands Itinerary post.
Where to Stay in Jaipur?
Jaipur offers a diverse range of accommodation options, catering to all budgets and preferences.
- For a luxurious stay, immerse yourself in royal heritage at Rambagh Palace or Jai Mahal Palace.
- Modern comfort awaits at The Lalit Jaipur or Radisson Blu Jaipur.
- Boutique hotels like Shahpura House or Umaid Bhawan offer a charming and personalized experience.
- Budget travellers can find comfortable options near the city centre at hotels like The Fern Residency or Hilton Jaipur.
Ultimately, the best place to stay depends on your priorities and budget. Consider factors like location, amenities, and desired ambience when making your choice.
Hope, my post on the 11-day West Bengal Itinerary will help you. In case, you plan a trip to Telangana, my post on the 9-day Telangana Itinerary will help you for sure.
My 8-day Rajasthan itinerary
Day 1 & 2: Arrival at Jaipur and Jaipur Exploration
Day 1: Arrival at Jaipur
On the first day of this 8-day Rajasthan itinerary, you will be reaching Jaipur. Your arrival time might differ. Irrespective of the arrival time, which may be morning or afternoon, check-in and finish your breakfast or lunch and rest for a few hours.
Evening
In the evening, visit the Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds. This iconic pink sandstone building was designed to allow royal ladies to observe street festivals while remaining unseen from the outside.
After spending some time in the palace, you can finish your dinner at one of the restaurants in Jaipur. You might find my post on a crisp guide to Jaipur helpful. The reason is that apart from spots to see, I have shared details of places to shop and eat in this post.
With this, the first day comes to an end. Come back to your accommodation and enjoy a restful sleep.
How about exploring Tamil Nadu? Do gain some useful insights from my post on 10-day Tamil Nadu itinerary.
Day 2: Jaipur Exploration
Let us spend our second day of this 8-day Rajasthan itinerary exploring important places in Jaipur. From my experience, I feel that you should not miss out on visiting these places if you are wondering about the best things to do in Jaipur.
Morning: City Palace and Jantar Mantar
Finish your breakfast in or near your accommodation and visit the following places:
- City Palace: Head to the City Palace, a complex of courtyards, gardens, and buildings right in the heart of the old city. Don’t miss the museum, which houses an extensive collection of royal costumes, armoury, and artefacts.
- Jantar Mantar: Adjacent to the City Palace, explore Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory featuring the world’s largest stone sundial. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Afternoon: Amber Fort and Jaigarh Fort
After exploring Jantar Mantar, finish your lunch in a nearby restaurant and head to the following places:
- Amber Fort: Visit the huge Amber Fort, standing on the top of the hill overseeing Maota Lake. Explore its ornate halls, courtyards, and the stunning Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace).
- Jaigarh Fort: A short drive from Amber Fort, visit Jaigarh Fort, known for its extensive cannon foundry and the world’s largest cannon on wheels, Jaivana.
My 3-day Jaipur itinerary will help you know about more places in this city of Palaces. If you love to plan a visit to Punjab for 9 days, check out my Punjab itinerary.
Evening: Nahargarh Fort
After this, you can have your evening snack and a cup of tea or coffee in a nearby stall before heading to Nahargarh Fort.
- Nahargarh Fort: Head to Nahargarh Fort for panoramic views of the city. It’s an excellent spot for photography and enjoying the sunset.
Now, it will be time for your dinner. Enjoy a traditional Rajasthani dinner at a local restaurant. Here, my post on places to eat in Jaipur might help you choose the best restaurant. From my dining experience at Jaipur, I suggest you try dishes like dal bati churma, gatte ki sabzi, and laal maas. After dinner, you can return to your accommodation. Relish the memories of the second day of the 8-day Rajasthan itinerary and get into a restful sleep.
Day 3 & 4: Travel to Pushkar, Pushkar Exploration & Travel to Jodhpur
Day 3: Travel to Pushkar
Morning
In the morning, you have the option to either finish your breakfast or you can plan to have your breakfast on your way to Pushkar. This holy town is located around 143 km from Jaipur. So, it might take around 5-6 hours to reach Pushkar from Jaipur. The earlier you start, the earlier you can reach. So, you can start after having a cup of coffee or tea. On your way to Pushkar, you can stop by a restaurant en route to finish your breakfast.
Afternoon
Pushkar’s charm lies in its diverse accommodation options:
- Budget travellers can find clean guesthouses and lively hostels near the lake, perfect for soaking in the town’s social atmosphere.
- For a touch of history, heritage havelis (mansions) offer character and comfortable stays.
- Gulaab Niwaas Palace or Pushkar Palace provide a taste of regal living.
- If you are seeking serenity, you can opt for eco-friendly resorts on the outskirts, offering stunning lake views and a peaceful escape.
The idea here is to choose an option that aligns with your budget and desired experience, whether it’s a bustling immersion or a tranquil retreat.
In the afternoon, after you reach Pushkar, finish your lunch in a nearby restaurant before getting into your accommodation. You also have the option to finish your lunch before reaching Pushkar. Rest for a few hours before heading to the Pushkar Bazaar in the evening.
Evening: Savitri Temple and Pushkar Bazaar
- Sunset at Savitri Temple: Hike up to the Savitri Temple for a mesmerizing sunset view over Pushkar.
- Pushkar Bazaar: Explore the bustling Pushkar Bazaar, famous for its colourful handicrafts, textiles, and jewellery.
In the bazaar, you can find many restaurants. You can choose one of these restaurants to finish your dinner before getting back to your accommodation.
My 11-day Madhya Pradesh itinerary post will help if you plan a trip to Madhya Pradesh.
Day 4: Pushkar Lake & Travel to Jodhpur
Morning
As soon as you get up, you can head to Pushkar Lake to take a holy dip.
- Pushkar Lake: Visit the sacred Pushkar Lake, surrounded by 52 ghats. Take a holy dip and explore the surrounding temples.
- Brahma Temple: Visit the Brahma Temple, one of the few temples in the world dedicated to Lord Brahma, the creator in Hindu mythology.
After the temple visit, you can finish your breakfast on the 4th day of this 8-day Rajasthan itinerary in a nearby restaurant.
After your breakfast, you can get back to your accommodation to check out so that you can travel to Jodhpur. This city is located around 185 km. So, you can expect around 6 hours of travel. Again, when you around 10 am, you will reach Jodhpur only by evening on the fourth day of this 8-day Rajasthan itinerary. Make sure to finish your lunch en route. You can find the best restaurants en route with the help of Google Maps.
Evening: Arriving at Jodhpur
Where to Stay in Jodhpur?
- Jodhpur offers a unique stay within the majestic Mehrangarh Fort at heritage hotels like Mehrangarh Fort Heritage Hotel or Ajit Bhawan.
- For a luxurious experience with modern amenities, choose Taj Hari Mahal or Rao Jodha Desert Resort outside the city.
- Budget travellers can find comfortable options near the Clock Tower market, like Ghanipura First or Juna Haveli.
- Jodhpur also boasts charming boutique hotels within restored Havelis, like Ranbanka Haveli or Shahi Heritage, offering a taste of history and personalized service.
Consider your budget and desired experience – fort views, modern comfort, or historic charm – to pick your perfect Jodhpur stay.
When you arrive in the evening, you will be tired. So, spend some time relaxing in your accommodation after checking in. After a few hours, you can finish your dinner in a nearby restaurant. If your accommodation has a restaurant attached, you can finish your dinner with ease.
What to Eat in Jodhpur?
Jodhpur tantalizes taste buds with both hearty Rajasthani fare and delectable street food.
- Don’t miss the iconic Marwari thali, a platter overflowing with lentils, curries, and the staple dal baati churma (pulses, lentil dumplings, and crumbled flatbread).
- Savor laal maas, a fiery mutton curry, for a taste of local tradition.
- For a vegetarian option, indulge in ker sangri, a curry made with desert beans and berries.
- Jodhpur’s streets are lined with vendors offering crispy pyaaz kachori (flaky pastries with onion filling) and melt-in-your-mouth mawa kachori (stuffed with sweets and nuts). Wash it all down with refreshing makhaniya lassi, a creamy yoghurt drink.
However, some of these dishes might not suit for dinner. So, choose your dish wisely and you can try out other dishes the next day in Jodhpur.
After your dinner, come back to your accommodation for a restful sleep. You might feel tired travelling the entire day.
In case, you love to explore Andhra Pradesh, check out my post on Andhra Pradesh itinerary for 10 days.
Day 5 & 6: Jodhpur Exploration and Travel to Udaipur
Day 5: Jodhpur Exploration
The fifth day of the 8-day Rajasthan itinerary is going to be jam-packed. The reason is that you should not miss out on the important places of interest in the Blue City.
Morning: Mehrangarh Fort
Finish your breakfast and go to the Mehrangarh Fort. Explore its museums, courtyards, and palaces, and enjoy breathtaking views of the blue-painted city below.
After spending some time in the fort, you can get back to your accommodation. However, before that finish your lunch so that you can rest for a few hours after the lunch before heading to Jaswant Thada.
Evening: Jaswant Thada, Clock Tower and Sardar Market
- Jaswant Thada: Visit the Jaswant Thada, a beautiful marble cenotaph built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II.
- Clock Tower and Sardar Market: Stroll through the bustling Sardar Market near the Clock Tower, where you can shop for spices, handicrafts, and textiles.
So, you can get back to your accommodation with an interesting shopping experience in the Blue City. You can even finish your dinner in a nearby restaurant before you reach your accommodation. Spend the night peacefully relishing the memories and photos you captured on day 5 of the Rajasthan trip.
Day 6: Travel to Udaipur
On the 6th day of this 8-day Rajasthan itinerary, you can start as early as possible from Jodhpur to reach Udaipur. The reason is that you will have to travel around 250 km to reach Udaipur. In your Rajasthan itinerary, you should not miss out on exploring Udaipur. You can understand that Udaipur holds special importance in Rajasthan from my post on the 4-day Udaipur itinerary. Also, I have a post that shared 25 places to visit in Udaipur.
Morning: Start to Udaipur
As mentioned earlier, you can start as early as possible from Jodhpur. So, take a bath and have a cup of tea or coffee at your accommodation and start from Jodhpur. It will take around 7-8 hours to reach Udaipur from Jodhpur.
Not only breakfast, you will have to finish your lunch as well en route from Jodhpur to Udaipur.
Evening: Reaching Udaipur
Udaipur offers a stay fit for royalty or a cosy haven for explorers. Here are some options to choose for your stay in Udaipur:
- For an unforgettable splurge, consider staying on iconic Lake Pichola in a palace hotel like the Taj Lake Palace or the Oberoi Udaivilas.
- Luxurious comfort awaits at The Leela Palace Udaipur or Kodiyat Haveli.
- Travelers seeking heritage charm can find restored havelis like Shiv Niwas Palace or Fateh Prakash Palace transformed into beautiful hotels.
- Budget-friendly options like Hotel Lakend or Aaram Bagas Guest House offer clean stays near the city centre or scenic lakeside locations.
Ultimately, choose an experience that aligns with your desires – majestic lake views, historic elegance, or a cosy base to explore.
Upon reaching Udaipur, check in to one of the accommodations mentioned above. Based on the time of arrival, you can spend one or two hours relaxing in your accommodation.
Dinner
It will be dinner time. So, head to a nearby restaurant to finish a simple dinner.
Go back to your accommodation. You might be planning for your next day’s Udaipur exploration. My post on things to do in Udaipur might help you at this juncture.
Do not forget to go through my post on the 10-day Maharashtra itinerary.
Day 7 & 8: Udaipur Exploration & Departure
Day 7: Udaipur Exploration
Morning
You can get up a bit late on the 7th day of this 8-day Rajasthan itinerary. Whenever you get up, take a bath and finish your breakfast. You can find restaurants in or near your accommodation to finish your breakfast.
After your breakfast, visit the following places:
- City Palace: Explore the grand City Palace, a complex of palaces, courtyards, and museums overlooking Lake Pichola.
- Lake Pichola Boat Ride: Enjoy a serene boat ride on Lake Pichola, offering stunning views of the City Palace, Jag Mandir, and the picturesque ghats.
After this, you can finish your lunch and get back to your accommodation. You can rest for a few hours to refresh yourself for the evening exploration.
Evening
Bagore Ki Haveli: Visit Bagore Ki Haveli for an evening cultural show featuring traditional Rajasthani dance and music.
After spending a few hours watching traditional dance, you can finish your dinner. After dinner, go back to your accommodation for a restful night.
Day 8: Udaipur Exploration and Departure
Morning
On the final day of this 8-day Rajasthan itinerary finish your breakfast before heading to the following places:
- Jag Mandir: Take a boat ride to Jag Mandir, a beautiful island palace on Lake Pichola. Explore its gardens and architecture.
Afternoon
- Saheliyon Ki Bari: Visit Saheliyon Ki Bari, a historic garden with fountains, lotus pools, and marble pavilions.
- Shilpgram: Explore Shilpgram, a rural arts and crafts complex showcasing the rich culture and traditions of Rajasthan.
After exploring these places, get back to your accommodation and finish your lunch. You should have booked flight or train tickets to your hometown from Udaipur.
The Maharana Pratap Domestic Airport in Udaipur operates domestic flights from different Indian cities. Otherwise, you might have booked train tickets from Udaipur City Railway Station to your hometown. Make sure to book your tickets early regardless of whether you have plans to get back to your hometown by a flight or train.
To travel from one city to another in Rajasthan, you can book local cabs. This mode of transportation even though costs you more will make your trip comfortable. No issues if you have driven your car to Rajasthan. However, in this case, you need a lot of rest in the middle. Only then, you can drive comfortably. So, plan your trips accordingly. If you are a solo traveller, a Solo trip to Udaipur by a guest might help you. If you have come with your friends and more than one person can drive. One person can drive when the other friends rest when driving.
With this 8-day Rajasthan itinerary, you can gather a lot of wonderful memories. Make sure to capture some stunning pictures like me in the important places of interest in Rajasthan. Happy travelling!