How to plan a magical Rajasthan itinerary for 7 days (or more)

Any traveller to India will be well-rewarded with a wealth of natural, cultural and architectural marvels, especially if you venture out of the major cities and megalopolises like New Delhi and Mumbai. For example, head to the northeast of the country, and you’ll find the remarkable state of Rajasthan. Centuries of struggles for power, as well as rulers eager to leave a legacy, have left this part of India full of famous forts, magnificent palaces and other awe-inspiring structures.

Also home to many natural attractions like the expansive Thar Desert and one of the largest populations of tigers in the wild, Rajasthan has much to offer the curious traveller whether it’s your first or fifth trip, but it is possible to condense the main sights into one power-packed week – read on for our suggestions on how to plan a Rajasthan itinerary for 7 days (or more) that’ll take you through the province’s most magnificent sights!

Travel tip: Many cities throughout Rajasthan feature haveli hotels, or historic mansions that have been converted into tourist accommodations. Do spend at least one night in these unique lodgings to soak in the ambience and warm hospitality, and imagine yourself as a maharaja or maharani of old.

1. Immerse yourself in local culture in Jaipur (2 days)

The many windows on the Hawa Mahal’s façade were designed to allow female members of Jaipur’s royal court to observe happenings in the street below without being seen.

Jaipur, also known as the Pink City for the pinkish orange hue of many of its buildings, is the capital city of Rajasthan and is a natural first stop in your tour of the state. It is home to many palaces where the aristocrats of the city used to live - make sure to stop by the photogenic 18th century Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, and admire its intricate and symmetrical façade. 

Step back further into time at the 16th century Amer Fort, several kilometres out of town. Looming over Amer town, you can spend several hours exploring the massive structure. Despite the constant throng of tourists, you can find empty corridors and rooms where you can get an IG-friendly shot of yourself.

When you’re back in Jaipur City, make your way to one of the many bazaars in the city to pick up textiles and fabric products like tablecloths, shirts and women’s dresses that feature the state’s signature block-printing technique.

Be sure to take some time to explore the impressively maintained grounds of the Rambagh Palace.

And like how Singapore has the Raffles Hotel, so too does Jaipur have the Rambagh Palace, one of India’s most celebrated heritage hotels dating back to the 19th century. There’s no better way to cap off a busy day of sightseeing than to explore the manicured hotel grounds and admire the many peacocks freely strutting around, and then enjoy a delicious sundowner at the Polo Bar.

2. Hunt for tigers in Sawai Madhopur (2 days)

Jaipur, together with Delhi and Agra, make up the three points of the Golden Triangle, a common tour route for many first-time visitors to India. However, Rajasthan has much to offer travellers who venture a bit off the beaten path. One notable example is the town of Sawai Madhopur, a couple of hours via car or train southeast of Jaipur, and right on the doorstep of Ranthambore National Park.

Ranthambore is famed for being possibly the best place in India for doing some tiger watching out in the wild. You can do that by embarking on safaris within the park, either in 20-seater ‘canters’ or 6-seater jeeps. The park is divided into 10 zones, and you’ll need to select your zone when booking your safari (best done via your hotel). There is a quota for the number of canters and jeeps in each zone for each morning and afternoon, and the popular zones (3 to 5 – where popular consensus is that it’s more likely that you’ll see a tiger) sell out fast, so book your safaris as early as possible! 

A tip – jeeps are only slightly more expensive than canters, and offer a much quieter and more comfortable and personalised experience, so do opt for them if they’re still available. 

The unusual-looking nilgai antelope is a near-guaranteed sighting on safaris in Ranthambore National Park.

Regardless of your mode of transport, each safari lasts about three hours, and during those hours, your driver and nature guide will be driving around within your allocated zone, in the hopes of catching one of the elusive predators. You might also catch sight of other exotic wildlife like sloth bears, hyenas and mongooses, while coming across sambar deer, spotted deer and nilgai antelopes are almost guaranteed.

Two days in Sawai Madhopur should allow you to go for two morning and two afternoon safaris, maximising your chances of catching sight of the largest predator in Asia! 

3. Join the pilgrims at Pushkar (2 days)

Also about two hours out of Jaipur, Pushkar is a holy city for both Hindus and Sikhs, many of whom come to cleanse themselves in the lake that lays in the middle of the city. 

Temples and gurdwaras abound in the city, but one that you definitely shouldn’t miss is the hilltop Savitri Devi Temple, which is accessible by cable car, or if you’re up to it, a 30-minute hike up many, many stairs. Besides offering breathtaking views of Pushkar and the surrounding valleys, the Savitri Devi Temple is also home to a colony of cheeky gray langur monkeys, whose antics are sure to amuse you. After taking off your shoes to enter the temple, you may want to carry them with you to ensure that a langur doesn’t run off with them!

After you’ve come down from the Savitri Devi Temple, Pushkar Lake is nearly completely ringed by a pedestrian street that features many shops, cafes and restaurants for you to browse. (Note that due to Pushkar’s sacred status, the consumption of meat is not permitted in the city.)

The Pushkar Camel Fair is your opportunity to get up-close with these intriguing beasts.

Pushkar is also famed for being the site of a massive annual Camel Fair, where nomads and ranchers from surrounding areas converge on the city to buy and sell camels and horses. In parallel, a cultural festival featuring events like a ‘most impressive moustache’ competition, a camel decorating contest and a ‘locals vs tourists’ tug-of-war is also organised – definitely worth scheduling your visit so that you can check these out! The fair starts on the first of the Hindu calendar month of Kartik (around October/November), and culminates in a full-moon ritual where pilgrims bathe in Pushkar Lake en masse.

4. Wander the blue streets of Jodhpur (1 to 2 days)

Jodhpur is a vision of blue from the vantage point of the Mehrangarh Fort.

Founded in the 15th century and on the eastern edge of the arid Thar Desert, Jodhpur is known as the Blue City for the many buildings in its old quarter painted a vibrant cerulean shade, a sight more reminiscent of the Mediterranean than of South Asia. There is no single explanation for this – some people say it helps to repel insects, while others argue that it keeps the buildings cool in the desert heat. Regardless of the actual reason, I think we can all agree that it looks amazing!

For the best vantage point of the sea of blue, head to the Mehrangarh Fort that lays on a hill just north of the centre of town. The fort looms over the city like a battleship, and its many rooms are home to a museum where you can learn more about the rich history of the city.

The Jaswant Thada was built by a former maharaja of Jodhpur in memory of his father.

On the same plateau as the fort and just 15 minutes’ walk away, you can step into the Jaswant Thada memorial complex, which also offers fine views of the city. Constructed out of white marble reminiscent of the Taj Mahal, the memorial structures make for an interesting visit, and the shaded grounds offer great respite from the Thar Desert’s afternoon sun.

Back in the city, try to find one of the many rooftop restaurants in the city for a taste of Rajasthani food, while enjoying great viewpoints of Mehrangarh Fort and its evening light show.

5. Check out other sites in Rajasthan and the rest of northern India

A wealth of other sights and attraction awaits the traveller who has more time to explore Rajasthan, and the surrounding areas.

Can you say you’ve visited India if you haven’t gone to the Taj Mahal?

Most notably, Agra in Uttar Pradesh state is about four hours’ train ride away from Jaipur, and is home to the Taj Mahal, one of the great wonders of the world. This enduring symbol of India itself is a vision of symmetrical beauty, and its intricate tilework and decorations make it as stunning up-close as it is from afar. 

Elsewhere in Rajasthan, head further west of Jodhpur, deeper into the desert, and you’ll find the city of Jaisalmer. The fort that crowns the city is unique in that it is both a display of architectural brilliance and a living structure – about a quarter of the city’s population still lives within the fort walls. Jaisalmer is also the jumping-off point for jeep or camel excursions into the desert, where you can spend the night under star-filled skies.

The Taj Lake Palace hotel, in the middle of Lake Pichola, is only accessible via ferry from the mainland.

The city of Udaipur in the south of the state is famed throughout India as a romantic resort town and is a favourite destination for domestic honeymooners. You can find several luxury hotels, some of which were converted from palaces, along the banks of its idyllic lakes, and you can even treat yourself to a stay on the water – the uber-luxe Taj Lake Palace lays in the middle of Lake Pichola, and has become an instantly recognisable symbol of Udaipur.

Meanwhile, in the north, near the city of Bikaner, lies the Karni Mata Temple, famed for being the home of thousands of free-roaming rats. The rats are revered as sacred, and temple workers lay out milk and food for them to feast on. If you visit this unique destination, be sure to not accidentally step on any of the rats! If you accidentally kill any of them, you’ll need to replace it with one made of solid silver or gold. 

With an endless list of things to do and sights to see, Rajasthan definitely needs to be on everyone’s list of bucket list travel destinations! Explore even more underrated destinations in India through our guides – from the ancient temples and marvels of Madurai to the lush greenery and untouched nature near Guwahati.

For more updates on Changi Airport, follow on Facebook, Tiktok, Instagram, X, Telegram and YouTube. You can also sign up for a Changi Account and have the latest news and articles delivered right into your inbox.