Rajasthan most popular tour Itinerary for 5 days
The trails chalked out in this book crisscross their way across the state of Rajasthan, beginning at the major cities of Jaipur and Jodhpur. They cover all the important circuits and the must-see sights: wildlife parks, the frescoed havelis of Shekhavati, forts and palaces, historic towns, villages that haven’t changed for centuries, the heart of the Thar Desert. There are, of course, many more routes one can take, and we offer suggestions, within routes, for more places one can visit. It all depends upon how much time one has at one’s disposal, and how much moolah- and Rajasthan waits! As the locals say, “Padharo mhaare des” — welcome to our land.
Trail 1: Shekhavati (357 km)
Arguably one of Rajasthan’s most popular circuits (partly due to its proximity to Delhi and Jaipur), the Shekhavati circuit is a neat 5-day tour that travels north-westwards into the heart of Shekhavati, passing through Samode and from there, via Shahpura, to Mandawa. Mandawa, or its nearby town of Nawalgarh, are perfect bases for exploring many of the most colourful havelis of Shekhavati, such as those in towns like Jhunjhunu, Ramgarh, Laxmangarh and Mahensar. Ideally, one should spend a few days here, exploring the area, which is rich in a cultural heritage that is completely unparalleled. At the minimum, however, a day is necessary — at least to see the main havelis around. From Mandawa, the road goes west to Fatehpur, then heads south towards Sikar and finally to Jaipur, where it ends.
Trail 2: South from Jaipur (856 km)
Very different from the painted havelis and the grandeur of Trail 1, Trail 2 offers a glimpse of wild Rajasthan at its best. This trail too begins at Jaipur, from where it first heads south to the nearby village of Sanganer, famed for its block-printed fabric, its blue pottery and its handmade paper. Beyond Sanganer, the next place of interest is Tonk, once ruled by the Pathans and now home to the Arabic and Persian Research Institute. After Tonk, the road continues to quaintly medieval Bundi, known for its much-lauded fort palace; and beyond Bundi, to Kota, from where the excellent Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary forms a great day trip. Once back at Kota, the trail moves onto Sawai Madhopur, gateway to one of India’s finest tiger reserves-the Ranthambhore National Park-where an entire day’s wildlife-watching awaits before one takes the road back to Jaipur, via Tonk.
Trail 3: East from Jaipur (424 km)
The trail heading north-east from Jaipur, towards the state’s border with Delhi, is similar to Trail 2 in that, this one too covers two important wildlife parks: the Sariska Tiger Reserve and the amazing Keoladeo Ghana National Park, the latter amongst the world’s finest bird sanctuaries. The trail first heads north from Jaipur, towards the forts of Amer and Samode, then to Shahpura, on the periphery of the renowned Shekhavati region. At Shahpura, the trail heads off eastwards to the ancient town of Alwar, from where Sariska is a hop, skip and jump away. After a day’s wildlife-watching at Sariska, it’s time to head back to Alwar again, and then on to Keoladeo Ghana (at Bharatpur), via the exquisite medieval summer palace at Deeg. At Keoladeo, a day’s bird-watching should be enough to suffice for most enthusiasts, after which the route wends its way back to Jaipur.
Trail 4: West from Jodhpur (929 km)
The famed ‘Desert Circuit’ of Rajasthan’, Trail 4 goes deep into the heart of the awesome and mysterious Thar Desert, beginning and ending at the blue-tinted city of Jodhpur, from where it first goes to Barmer, home to a flourishing textiles industry, a ruined fort and a trio of Jain temples. Beyond Barmer, the trail heads for the Thar’s most stunning city, golden and glorious Jaisalmer, where there is a wealth of palaces, havelis and colourful bazaars, all dominated by the fort above. After exploring Jaisalmer and its environs- including the Desert National Park. Lodurva and Amar Sagar Lake, travellers head to Pokaran and its majestic fort, and from there onto Gajner and its majestic fort. From Gajner, it’s a hop, skip and jump to nearby Bikaner, replete with attractions within the city and outside-such as the Karni Mata temple at Deshnoke and the Camel Breeding Farm. After Bikaner, the trail moves south, past Nagaur (venue for the renowned Nagaur Cattle Fair), the fort town of Khimsar and the gardens of Mandor, before returning to Jodhpur.
Trail 5: East from Jodhpur (800 km, 5 days)
A combination in parts of the cooler and the hotter parts of Rajasthan of east and west, of desert and hills- Trail 6 is for those who have comparatively little time but want to see as wide a variety as they possibly can of Rajasthan’s attractions. This is for those who want to experience the wild beauty of the Thar Desert without missing out on the exquisitely soothing ‘City of Lakes’, Udaipur, the magnificent temples and cool wooded hills of Mount Abu, and the spiritual up liftmen offered by a visit to the Dargah Sharif of Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti at Ajmer. The trail begins at the desert town of Jodhpur, as exotic as it gets; and after wandering down south past Pali, reaches Mount Abu and then heads for Udaipur. From Udaipur, the trail makes its way up north towards the eastern half of Rajasthan, going through the pilgrim town of Ajmer, past the art centre of Kishangarh, and ending finally at the state capital, Jaipur.
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