Rajasthan: The Ultimate 1-Month Travel Itinerary

Last Updated on: 4th February 2026, 10:14 am

It’s no secret why Rajasthan is one of India’s most touristic states. It’s home to some of the country’s most stunning architecture, not to mention beautiful lakes and desert landscapes. It also boasts a unique culture which visitors can experience through Rajasthani music or traditional cuisine. While places like Jaipur and Udaipur are famous for good reason, this one-month Rajasthan itinerary also features many of the state’s lesser-known gems.

This itinerary is intended for slow travelers, though you could certainly take things even slower if time allows. In India, it’s also always a good idea to give yourself some extra buffer time in case of illness or train delays.

We will, however, briefly be summarizing what a two-week version of the following itinerary would look like further below.

ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE: Let’s keep things simple and assume you’ll be flying in and out of Delhi. You’ll want to also give yourself at least a few days in Delhi and nearby Agra, so allow five weeks at the minimum to carry out this full Rajasthan travel itinerary.

Of course, you can also customize it however you see fit, or do the loop described below in reverse if that suits you better.

In my case, I actually arrived in Kota from the south via Madhya Pradesh, and then headed directly to Agra from Jaipur.

GETTING AROUND: Thanks to India’s comprehensive rail network, you can visit nearly every destination featured below by train. Just keep in mind that many of the trains you’ll be taking from city to city are part of much longer routes across the country. As such, many trains in India have inconvenient departure times.

If following each step of the Rajasthan itinerary below, none of the night trains would be long enough for a comfortable sleep. As such, this itinerary assumes you’ll be doing all of your travel on day trains.

Having done it myself, I can confirm that this is indeed possible, but not every train route runs daily. Therefore, it’s important to double check everything in advance as you plan your travels.

If you’re doing a long trip through India, it’s best to create an account on the official Indian Railways (IRCTC) website. But that’s much easier said than done!

If you’re just doing a shorter trip, it’s best to book train tickets through 12GoAsia. You’ll pay a significantly higher fee, but it’s a much smoother experience.

Buses are also an option for getting around Rajasthan, though most Indian cities lack proper bus stations. I’ve also heard horror stories of people booking bus tickets online, arriving at the designated pickup point, and then getting stranded when no bus comes!

As we’ll cover below, a couple city-to-city transfers can even be done by Uber.

WHEN TO GO: Rajasthan can get extremely hot in summer, with temperatures soaring to over 40°C. While it’s still possible to travel then, you’ll thank yourself for visiting in a cooler month.

Visiting between October-March lets you experience the coolest and driest weather. It can get cold at night in winter, however, so be sure to bring some extra layers.

Day 1: Arrive in Kota

If you’re arriving in India via Delhi, it would be wise to stop in Agra on your way to Rajasthan. As you can learn in our dedicated guide, Agra is home to lots more than just the Taj Mahal, so give yourself at least three days there.

When finished, you can hop on a train from Agra to Kota. The Jan Shatabdi (12060) leaves daily, departing from Agra at 14:25 and arriving in Kota around 18:55.

As for Kota? Despite being Rajasthan’s third-largest city, it’s almost entirely void of foreign tourists. But it has enough interesting attractions to warrant a stopover, while, as we’ll cover shortly, you can then easily move on to Bundi via Uber.

WHERE TO STAY IN KOTA: Kota isn’t quite like your typical city in Rajasthan. Don’t expect any backpacker hostels or cafes serving Western breakfasts.

Your main options will be typical Indian hotels catered to domestic tourists. In my case, I spent a couple of nights at the confusingly-titled ‘Super Townhouse Jhalawar Road Gumanpura formerly Rockland.’

The location was central, the staff were friendly, and the room was okay. But unfortunately, the building was home to a nightclub that blasted music past 11:00 each night. If that sounds annoying, you’ll probably want to look elsewhere.

Remember that when traveling even a little bit off the tourist trail in India, you can’t just stay at any hotel you like. Only certain hotels will accept foreigners, and sites like Booking will not specify this!

You’ll have to double-check with your hotel that you’ll be allowed, or at least check to see if people with foreign names and flags have left reviews.

But as far as this Rajasthan itinerary goes, Kota is one of the few locations where you’d have to worry about this.

Day 2: Explore Kota

Get an early start this morning and head to the City Palace. It easily holds its own against other prominent palaces in Rajasthan, yet with only a small fraction of the tourists.

Next, take a walk down the Chambal Riverfront Project which will blow your mind with its scale. When finished, take an Uber to admire the Kshar Bagh cenotaphs from above.

History lovers should check out the Brij Vilas Palace Government Museum, and nearby, you can admire the Kishore Sagar lake. To get to the island in the center, however, you’ll have to first go to the opposite side.

Learn more about the top things to do in Kota here.

Day 3: Onward to Bundi

From Kota, you can easily hail an Uber ride to Bundi. The town is just about an hour away, and you should be able to get there for under Rs 1000. Otherwise, trains and local buses are also available.

Fortunately, many Indian hotels allow early check-in provided that they have a clean room available. Therefore, it would be wise to make the most of your time and start exploring Bundi on this day.

You may be able to squeeze in a tuk tuk tour to various ticketed attractions on this afternoon. Or, at the very least, explore central Bundi and the area around Nawal Sagar lake on foot.

Learn more about attractions in Bundi here.

WHERE TO STAY IN BUNDI: Bundi’s historical center is very compact, but it has everything you’d expect to find at a tourist district in Rajasthan. And in regards to your hotel, you’ll be fine as long as you stay within walking distance of Garh Palace. Bundi is very affordable, even by Rajasthan standards.

I spent a few nights at Haveli Taragarh Palace and had a good experience. The manager, Michael, was very helpful and accommodating, and while my private room was basic, the covers kept me warm during the cold winter nights.

If you’re not on such a tight budget, other popular options include The Castle View Homestay and Hotel Bundi Haveli, among others.

Day 4: Explore Bundi, Onward to Chittorgarh

As this day culminates with an evening train to Chittorgarh, you’ll want to get an early start. Begin with a visit to Garh Palace before the crowds arrive. You can also walk further uphill to Taragarh Fort, but it isn’t essential.

When finished, return to the main tourist district and arrange a tour with a local tuk tuk driver.

For a very reasonable fee, someone should be able to take you around to various sites like Raniji Ki Baori, Dabhal Kund, the 84 Pillar Cenotaph, Sukh Mahal, and Kshar Bagh.

If you get along with your driver, also arrange for an onward trip to the train station after you return to town and pick up your luggage.

At the time of writing, evening trains from Bundi to Chittorgarh (2-3 hours) are running most days of the week except for Wednesdays and Sundays. Alternatively, you could spend another night in Bundi, take a morning train to Chittorgarh and still have time to explore the fort.

Note that when traveling from Bundi to Chittorgarh, you can find more routes to Chanderiya station, which is still an easy tuk tuk ride to central Chittorgarh.

WHERE TO STAY IN CHITTORGARH: The closer you are to the fort, the better. I stayed at Hotel Royal Inn (not to be confused with Hotel Royal Palace). While it was a reasonable distance from the fort, it wasn’t the cleanest, while they set me up with an unreliable driver.

Other nearby hotels with good reviews that you might want to look into include Hotel Keshav Residency and Hotel Pride Of Chittor.

You could also consider heading directly to Udaipur from Bundi and then visiting Chittorgarh Fort as a day trip with a tour like this one. But there aren’t that many direct trains between the two cities, which is why at least a night in Chittorgarh is ideal.

Day 5: Explore Chittorgarh Fort, Onward to Udaipur

Chittorgarh Fort is India’s largest fort. It’s so large, in fact, that you’ll need a vehicle to get around. While your hotel should be able to arrange a driver for you, be sure to refer to our Chittorgarh Fort guide for a list of essential attractions that you shouldn’t miss.

It would also be wise to confirm exactly how long your tour will last to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

At the very least, be sure to check out landmarks like the Rana Kumbha Palace, Mirabai’s Temple, Vijaya Stambha and the Jain temples.

When finished, pick up your belongings from your hotel and head to the station. At the time of writing, the JP-Udaipur Express departs daily at 19:17, arriving in Udaipur at 21:50.

WHERE TO STAY IN UDAIPUR: When choosing accommodation in Udaipur, you’ll want to stay as close to the lakes as possible, specifically Pichola Lake.

If you’re a budget traveler, consider the guest house Black Pepper. The rooms are simple but have a private bathroom with good internet, not to mention one of the best showers in India.

Other options in the area, meanwhile, include Kotra Haveli A Boutique Hotel, Baba Palace, and Madri Haveli. And if you’re REALLY looking to splurge, stay somewhere right by the City Palace, such as Shiv Niwas Palace.

Days 6-8: Explore Udaipur

After a hectic start to this itinerary, it’s finally time to slow down a bit and take in the gorgeous scenery of Udaipur. There’s a lot to see around town, including the City Palace, Jagdish Temple, Bagore Ki Haveli Museum, Saheliyon Ki Bari and more.

But the real highlight of Udaipur is taking in the views of Pichola Lake from various angles. You can experience the lake with a boat ride, while you can also hike up to Karni Mata Mandir, a hill that offers some of the best views of the lake from above.

Day 9: Day Trip to KumbalGarh Fort & Ranakpur Temple

A visit to Kumbalgarh Fort and Ranakpur Temple from Udaipur is one of Rajasthan’s most essential day trips. In a single day, you can enjoy one of India’s most impressive fortresses and one of its very finest temples.

With no public transport going to either site, hiring a private driver is a must. You can either arrange one through your hotel or book a tour online.

But be forewarned that despite only including two locations, this is a long and exhausting trip (as such, you’ll probably want to do it in the middle of your Udaipur stay).

Kumbalgarh Fort served as the Mewar Kingdom’s second most important fort after Chittorgarh, and it’s arguably the more visually impressive of the two.

Ranakpur Temple, meanwhile, is one of India’s most stunning Jain temples, most known for its incredibly detailed marble carvings.

Day 10: Onward to Pushkar (via Ajmer)

To reach Pushkar, you’ll first want to take a train to the city of Ajmer. There are frequent trains from Udaipur leaving throughout the day, with the journey lasting around five hours.

While there are buses from Ajmer to Pushkar, it would be easiest to just hail an Uber which only costs around Rs 500 at the time of writing. The journey takes roughly 30 minutes.

WHERE TO STAY IN PUSHKAR: As a popular backpacker destination, Pushkar has plenty of options to choose from, many of them quite affordable.

I stayed at Hotel Kanhaia Haveli which was just fine for the price, but the lack soundproofing was sometimes an issue.

Conveniently, the hotel has a rooftop restaurant, and one of the staff members even gives massages for around Rs 1000 per hour.

Other highly-rated yet affordable hotels in the area include Hotel 777 Pushkar, Inn Seventh Heaven, and Heli Pushkar.

Days 11-12: Explore Pushkar

Centered around a picturesque sacred lake, Rajasthan’s Pushkar holds the distinction of being the only place where Brahma – the Creator of the Universe himself – is actively worshipped in India.

Most people would only need a full day to take in all the highlights. But the area is home to some scenic hilltop temples that are worth hiking up to, while the central sacred lake is so photogenic that you’ll want to admire it at different points of the day.

With that said, Pushkar is easily the worst place in Rajasthan when it comes to scams and dishonest touts, so you must be on your guard at all times. Check out our dedicated guide for more information.

With that said, if you don’t have time for a full month in Rajasthan, shorten your time in Pushkar.

Day 13: Onward to Jodhpur

First, head back to Ajmer, which may be easiest with a driver arranged through your hotel, as Uber is unreliable in Pushkar. A few trains from Ajmer to Jodhpur depart per day, with the journey lasting roughly five hours.

WHERE TO STAY IN JODHPUR: If you stay within the Old City, many attractions will be accessible on foot, but there are still some more remote landmarks that you’ll need an Uber or local tuk tuk to see.

The downside of the Old City is that reckless motorbike drivers make walking highly unpleasant. Nevertheless, it’s still the best location for shorter stays.

I stayed at Madhur Villa Guest House which is situated within a family home not far from the fort. The family was very kind and the location was great.

Other highly-rated budget options in the Old City include Dev Kothi – Boutique Heritage Stay and Krishna Prakash Heritage Haveli. And for those able to splurge, Khamma Heritage has excellent reviews.

You may instead decide to stay in a more modern section of Jodhpur and commute to the Old City. In that case, Aashirwad Homestay and Baijoo Niwas both seem like good options.

Days 14-16: Explore Jodhpur

Known as the ‘Blue City’ thanks to its vibrant blue houses, Jodhpur is also known for Mehrangarh Fort, one of India’s most top fortresses. But there’s still plenty more to see.

Other highlights include Jaswant Thada, Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park, the Government Museum, Mandore Garden, and Umaid Bhawan Palace. See our dedicated Jodhpur guide for more details.

While you don’t need to prearrange any drivers or look up bus schedules, some of the above attractions are located on the outskirts of the city, which is why multiple days here is ideal.

Day 17: Onward to Jaisalmer

Next, it’s time to head to the western edge of Rajasthan – and the country!

In addition to early morning departures, there’s a daily 17:00 train from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer which takes around 6 hours. That should have you arriving in Jaisalmer around 23:00 (or later in case of delays), so be sure to inform your hotel in advance.

WHERE TO STAY IN JAISALMER: Jaisalmer used to be known as a rare haven of calm amidst the chaos that is India. But that’s sadly no longer the case. However, if you find somewhere within the fort – ideally down a narrow alleyway – you’ll get a glimpse of the old, laidback Jaisalmer that used to win so many travelers’ hearts.

Budget travelers can’t go wrong with Diamond Guest House, situated right in the heart of the fort. The family that manages it are incredibly friendly and helpful, and if you’re lucky, you can get a room overlooking the adjacent Jain temple.

Day 18: Explore Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer, situated at the western end of Rajasthan by the edge of the Thar Desert, has long been touted as one of India’s top hidden gems. Today, however, the secret is very much out, and the small city of 65,000 is practically overflowing with tourists. Be that as it may, there are still plenty of things to do in Jaisalmer, like exploring its fascinating ‘Living Fort’ and ornate havelis.

Spend this first day walking around the city to get a feel for the place. You could easily spend hours inside the fort alone, which is home to a museum and some fascinating Jain temples.

Days 19-20: A Jaisalmer Desert Safari

Experiencing a Desert Safari is often touted as one of the can’t-miss experiences in Jaisalmer, if not Rajasthan as a whole. The tour consists of a jeep ride out to the Thar Desert, followed by a camel ride, and then a night under the stars.

Just bear in mind that the Thar Desert has changed a lot in recent years, and it’s not nearly as picturesque as it used to be. Check out our dedicated guide to learn more.

You can easily book a tour through your hotel or any travel office in town, with the standard price being roughly Rs 2500.

It’s also possible to pay a bit more and book something online in advance. That allows you to read reviews so you can know exactly what to expect.

If I had to do things again, I would’ve booked something like this tour. Not only do they take you to an interesting abandoned village before the camel ride, but looking at the photos, they also seem to take visitors to a part of the desert that hasn’t yet been ruined by wind turbines!

Whichever tour you choose, the total price will include a night out in the desert. You’ll depart at around 14:00 in the afternoon (allowing for some more Jaisalmer sightseeing this day) and get back the next morning around 10:00.

As this is an overnight excursion, you could technically check out of your hotel in Jaisalmer, leave your luggage somewhere, and then check-in again the next day.

But if you find a cheap enough hotel, it would be easiest to just pay for this night so that you have a place to crash as soon as you return. I barely slept in the desert, and needed much of the following day for rest and recovery.

Days 21-22: More Around Jaisalmer

You should still find plenty more to do around central Jaisalmer to occupy two extra days. And in any case, Jaisalmer is a good place to take things slow.

You can fill half a day with an excursion to the Bada Bagh Cenotaphs and some interesting Jain temples on the outskirts of town.

Other highlights outside of the fort include Mandir Palace, Gadisagar Lake, and Kothari’s Patwa-Haveli.

Day 23: Onward to Bikaner

Next, it’s time to head back east. But if you look up trains from Jaisalmer to Bikaner online, you’ll see that you can only buy advanced tickets for a night train. Confusingly, however, there’s an extra train that doesn’t appear on the Indian Railways (IRCTC) website or other booking apps.

The train is called Lalgarh Express and it departs every day at 11:00, with travel time taking around six hours.

As the name suggests, it terminates at Lalgarh Junction, which is situated in northern Bikaner but still an easy tuk tuk ride to the center.

WHERE TO STAY IN BIKANER: Despite its large size, relatively few foreign travelers visit Bikaner, and you won’t have the abundance of hotel options that you’ll find in other parts of Rajasthan.

Traveling on a budget, I stayed at Jamna Vilas Guest House, which was located about 15-20 minutes on foot from the entrance to Junagarh Fort. It was also possible to walk from the hotel to Rampuria Haveli, not to mention the bus stop for the Karni Mata Temple.

In addition to the convenient location, the staff were very friendly and helpful. Unfortunately, however, the room was not exactly clean, while I could clearly hear sounds from the guests on the other floors due to a large ventilation shaft.

Those with a bit more money to splurge should consider the centrally-located Cavalry Villa Bikaner or Hotel Bhairon Vilas, located next to the Ganesha Coffee Lounge.

Day 24: Explore Bikaner

Bikaner was founded in 1488 by Rao Bika of the Rathore Dynasty in 1488. Notably, Bika was the son of Jodhpur’s founder, Rao Jodha, but he desired to found a brand new kingdom of his own. And it seems to have been a wise move, as Bikaner’s legacy has survived for centuries.

The main attraction here is Junagarh Fort. While not built atop a hill like many of Rajasthan’s other forts, the artwork of its palace is among India’s best.

When finished, go on to admire the classical architecture of Rampuriya Street and then visit the Bhandasar Jain Temple.

Day 25: Visit the Karni Mata Rat Temple

This excursion is certainly not for everyone. And if it sounds like something you’d want to skip, remove this day from your itinerary and head to Jaipur instead.

As the name suggests, the Karni Mata Rat Temple is home to thousands of live rats. Locals believe them to be incarnations of the former devotees of medieval holy woman Karni Mata. As such, they’re considered holy and allowed literally everywhere!

And given that this is a temple, all visitors must remove their shoes to enter. Fortunately, you’re allowed to wear plastic covers over your feet, but there are also some extra precautions you should take. Learn more in our dedicated guide.

Visitors can reach the temple via direct bus from central Bikaner. This excursion only requires half a day, though you may want to spend the rest of this day relaxing and taking a long hot shower.

Day 26: Onward to Jaipur

Multiple trains depart from Bikaner to Jaipur per day, with the most convenient option departing Bikaner at 13:30 and arriving in Jaipur around 20:00.

WHERE TO STAY IN JAIPUR: Given the sheer sprawl of Jaipur, figuring out accommodation can be tricky. For example, I chose a small guest house with excellent reviews that seemed to be centrally located in the historic district. But it turned out to be located in a slum!

Therefore, it would be wise to aim for a well-established hotel rather than a room in a family home. Hotel Arya Niwas, Ratnawali, and House of Backpackers all seem like good mid-range options in the Old City.

If you’re on a budget, you can also find some extremely cheap yet decent hotels in the city’s outskirts, such as Blue King.

Day 27-29: Explore Jaipur

Jaipur, also known as the ‘Pink City,’ is Rajasthan’s largest and easily one of India’s most touristic. And for good reason. Its imposing forts, refined palaces, and scenic natural surroundings offer visitors plenty to see.

As many of the attractions are spread far apart, you’ll want at least three full days here.

You can save money by purchasing a Composite Ticket which allows access to most of the city’s attractions for two consecutive days. Therefore, it would be wise to save attractions not featured in the ticket for another day.

Jaipur’s must-visit attractions include the Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Isarlat Tower, Nahargarh Fort, the Albert Hall Museum. traditional gardens, the Monkey Temple, and of course, Amber Fort.

Day 30: Onward to Delhi (or Elsewhere)

And that wraps up this Rajasthan itinerary. When finished in Jaipur, you can hop on a train to Delhi and be there in 4-5 hours. But since it’s such a major city, you can also head directly to just about any other transport hub in India.

Rajasthan in Two Weeks?

It’s certainly possible to shorten the above itinerary, though you may end up feeling like you’re spending as much time on trains as you are sightseeing.

With only two weeks in Rajasthan, a shortened version of the loop detailed above would look something like this:

Day 1: Skip Kota and head straight to Bundi (you might still need to take a train to Kota and then a bus or Uber from there)

Day 2: A day around Bundi, evening train to Udaipur (they only depart on certain days)

Day 3: Around Udaipur

Day 4: Day Trip to Kumbalgarh Fort and Ranakpur

Day 5: Onward to Pushkar (via Ajmer)

Day 6: Explore Pushkar

Day 7: Onward to Jodhpur

Day 8: Explore Jodhpur

Day 9: More Around Jodhpur

Day 10: Onward to Jaisalmer

Day 11: Explore Jaisalmer