Last Updated : Nov 06, 2025  |   Author : Tanya Parsad   |   View Count : 1206   |   Read Time : 8 min

How to Spend 7 Days in Rajasthan: The Perfect Week-Long Itinerary

Planning a week in Rajasthan can feel overwhelming. The state is huge, packed with incredible destinations, and you want to see as much as possible without spending half your trip in a car. After multiple visits and helping friends plan their trips, I've figured out what I think is the perfect 7-day Rajasthan itinerary that hits the main highlights without leaving you exhausted.

This route takes you through four of Rajasthan's most essential cities: Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Jaisalmer. Each one offers something different. Jaipur gives you that royal capital energy with its palaces and forts. Jodhpur shows you the dramatic blue city and imposing Mehrangarh Fort. Udaipur delivers romance with its lakes and palaces. Jaisalmer brings you to the Thar Desert with its golden fort and sand dunes.

Let me walk you through exactly how to spend each day to get the most out of your week in Rajasthan
 

 How can I see the best on a Rajasthan trip for 7 days?

A well-planned 7-day itinerary covers four essential cities without exhausting you. Start with two days in Jaipur exploring forts and palaces, spend a day discovering Jodhpur's blue city and Mehrangarh Fort, then relax for two days in Udaipur with lake cruises and palace visits. Finish with Jaisalmer's living fort and a desert safari experience. The key is booking a private chauffeur-driven car to handle the longer drives between cities, staying at heritage properties like Taj Rambagh Palace or Oberoi Udaivilas, and building in downtime so you actually enjoy each destination

Table of Contents

1. Days 1-2: How to Explore Jaipur in 2 Days?
2. Day 3: Can You Discover Jodhpur in 1 Day?
3. Days 4-5: Which are the must-visits in the City of Lakes?
4. Days 6-7: Where can I experience a Royal Desert Safari in India?
5. FAQ

Days 1-2: How to Explore Jaipur in 2 Days?

Most people fly into Jaipur to start their Rajasthan trip since it has good flight connections from Delhi, Mumbai, and other major Indian cities. Landing in the morning gives you most of day one to start exploring.
 

Day 1: Amber Fort and City Palace

Start with Amber Fort, about 20 minutes outside the city center. Get there early, around 9 AM, before the heat builds and crowds arrive. This hilltop fort complex is massive, and you could easily spend half a day exploring its courtyards, palaces, and temples. The Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) is the highlight, with thousands of tiny mirrors creating incredible light effects.

You can ride an elephant up to the fort entrance, but I prefer the jeep ride. It's faster, more comfortable, and honestly better for the elephants. The views from the fort over Maota Lake and the surrounding hills are spectacular.

After Amber Fort, head to City Palace in central Jaipur for the afternoon. This is where the current royal family still lives (in a private section), so you're visiting an active palace. The courtyards showcase different architectural styles, and the museum has an incredible collection of royal artifacts. The Chandra Mahal section requires a separate ticket but it's worth it for the panoramic city views.

Right next to City Palace is Jantar Mantar, the 18th-century astronomical observatory. The massive stone instruments still work and were incredibly advanced for their time. Spend 30-45 minutes here if you're interested in science and history. End your day at Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) for photos. You can't go inside much of it, but the facade with its 953 windows is iconic, especially in late afternoon light.

For accommodation, Taj Rambagh Palace offers the ultimate royal experience. This was the actual residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur until 1957, and staying there puts you right in the middle of that royal heritage. The property sits on 47 acres with beautiful gardens, and having breakfast on your suite's private terrace watching sunrise over Jaipur is pretty special.
 

Day 2: Jaipur Markets and Drive to Jodhpur

Spend your morning shopping in Jaipur's famous markets before heading to Jodhpur. Johari Bazaar is perfect for jewelry and textiles, while Bapu Bazaar has great handicrafts. Jaipur is known for block-printed fabrics and blue pottery, and watching artisans work is fascinating.

After lunch, start your drive to Jodhpur. The route takes about 5-6 hours, so leaving around 2 PM gets you there by evening. The highway is good, and having a private car means you can stop for tea breaks or photos of rural Rajasthan along the way.

Arrive in Jodhpur by evening, check into your hotel, and relax after the drive. Have dinner at your hotel or venture out to the old city if you have energy.
 

TL;DR: Spend two days exploring Jaipur's Amber Fort and City Palace before shopping the famous markets and driving to Jodhpur.

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Day 3: Can You Discover Jodhpur in 1 Day?
 

You've got one full day in Jodhpur, which is enough to see the main attractions if you use your time well.
 

Morning: Mehrangarh Fort

Start early at Mehrangarh Fort, one of India's largest and most impressive forts. The fort towers 400 feet above the city, and the views are incredible. The museum inside has an outstanding collection showing how sophisticated Rajput culture was. The Moti Mahal (Pearl Palace) and Phool Mahal (Flower Palace) showcase different periods of royal life.

The audio guide is excellent and included with admission. Plan to spend 2-3 hours here exploring thoroughly. The fort is huge, and there's a lot of walking on uneven surfaces, so wear comfortable shoes.
 

Afternoon: Blue City and Jaswant Thada

After the fort, explore the blue city below. The old city around the clock tower is a maze of narrow streets filled with shops selling spices, textiles, and handicrafts. The houses painted in different shades of blue create this unique atmosphere. Walking through these streets gives you a feel for daily life in a historic Indian city.

Visit Jaswant Thada, the white marble memorial to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. It's peaceful after the busy fort and city, and the marble work is intricate. The small museum has portraits of Jodhpur's rulers.

Spend your evening at the hotel. Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace is the ultimate Jodhpur accommodation. The current Maharaja still lives in part of it, so you're literally staying where royalty lives. The Art Deco architecture sets it apart from other Rajasthani palaces, and the rooms are spectacular. The underground Zodiac Pool is incredible, with zodiac signs inlaid in gold.
 

Evening Drive to Udaipur

After dinner, start your drive to Udaipur. I know, driving at night isn't usually ideal, but this particular route is safe and well-maintained. Leaving around 8 or 9 PM means you drive through the cooler evening hours and arrive in Udaipur by 2 or 3 AM. Your driver will know the route well, and you can sleep in the car.

The alternative is leaving very early morning (like 5 AM), but that means cutting your Jodhpur sightseeing short. The overnight drive lets you maximize your time in both cities.
 

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Days 4-5: Which are the must-visits in the City of Lakes?

Arriving in Udaipur in the middle of the night means you check in and sleep. Wake up refreshed for your first full day in the city.
 

Day 4: City Palace and Lake Pichola
 

Start with City Palace, the massive complex overlooking Lake Pichola. This palace took over 400 years to build, with different rulers adding sections. The palace museum has incredible collections including miniature paintings that Udaipur is famous for. The Mor Chowk (Peacock Courtyard) has beautiful mosaics.

The views over the lake from various palace terraces are spectacular. You're looking right at the Lake Palace floating in the middle of the water, with the Aravalli hills in the background. Plan 2-3 hours here.

After the palace, visit Jagdish Temple nearby. Even if temples aren't usually your thing, the stone carving here is impressive and it's an important part of Udaipur's cultural landscape.

Spend your afternoon wandering the old city. The narrow streets around the palace have shops selling miniature paintings, textiles, and jewelry. Udaipur's miniature painting tradition is still alive, and you can watch artists working in their studios.

The highlight of your day is the sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola. Book a private cruise through your hotel for the best experience. You'll cruise past the Lake Palace, Jag Mandir island, and get beautiful views of the City Palace from the water. The sunset over the Aravalli Hills with the palaces silhouetted against the sky is magical.

Have dinner at one of Udaipur's famous rooftop restaurants. Ambrai sits right on the lake's edge with direct views of City Palace and Lake Palace. Watching the palaces light up while you eat is as romantic as travel experiences get.

The Oberoi Udaivilas is my top accommodation pick in Udaipur. The property sits on Lake Pichola's banks with architecture that references traditional Rajasthani design. Every room has lake views, and the domes, courtyards, and water features throughout create incredible atmosphere. If your budget allows, this is the place to splurge.
 

Day 5: More Udaipur and Relaxation

Your second day in Udaipur can be more relaxed. Visit Saheliyon ki Bari (Garden of the Maidens) in the morning. The garden has fountains, marble pavilions, and a peaceful quality that makes it a nice contrast to busier sites.

Spend time at your hotel enjoying the facilities. Udaipur rewards slowing down. Sit by the pool, get a spa treatment, have a long lunch. The city encourages you to relax rather than rush between attractions.

In late afternoon, visit Fateh Sagar Lake if you want another lake perspective. It's less built up than Lake Pichola, giving it a more open feeling. Local families come here for evening walks and picnics.

Have your final evening dinner at another rooftop restaurant or arrange something special through your hotel. Udaipur's restaurant scene is excellent, and trying multiple spots gives you different views and atmospheres.
 

TL;DR: Two days in the City of Lakes lets you explore the sprawling City Palace, take a sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola, and actually relax instead of rushing between attractions.

Days 6-7: Where can I experience a Royal Desert Safari in India?

Day 6: Drive to Jaisalmer and Fort Exploration

The drive from Udaipur to Jaisalmer is the longest of your trip, about 8-9 hours. Start early, around 6 or 7 AM, to make the most of the day. The landscape gradually changes from Udaipur's greener Aravalli hills to the stark beauty of the Thar Desert approaching Jaisalmer.

Stop for lunch along the way. Your driver will know good highway restaurants. The drive is long but the changing scenery keeps it interesting, and a comfortable car with a good driver makes it manageable.

Arrive in Jaisalmer by mid to late afternoon. Check into your hotel and freshen up, then head out to explore Jaisalmer Fort for the evening.

Jaisalmer Fort is different from other forts you've seen. It's still a living fort with people actually residing inside the walls, running shops, restaurants, and guesthouses. Walking through the fort lanes feels like stepping back in time. The golden sandstone glows in evening light, which is why Jaisalmer is called the Golden City.

The Jain temples inside the fort are beautifully carved, and several havelis (traditional mansions) like Patwon Ki Haveli showcase the intricate stone work Jaisalmer is famous for.

Suryagarh sits outside the city in the desert and offers luxury fort hotel experience. The property combines traditional Rajasthani architecture with modern amenities. The desert location means incredible star-filled skies at night.
 

Day 7: Desert Safari and Departure

Your final full day focuses on the desert experience that makes Jaisalmer unique.

Spend your morning visiting more havelis in the city if you have time. Salim Singh Ki Haveli and Nathmal Ki Haveli both showcase incredible stone carving and are worth seeing.

The afternoon and evening are for your desert experience. Most properties arrange desert excursions to the Sam Sand Dunes, about 40 minutes from Jaisalmer. You'll do a camel ride through the dunes (or jeep safari if camels aren't your thing), watch the sunset over the desert, and experience desert culture with traditional music and dance performances.

Many luxury camps set up dinner in the dunes with traditional Rajasthani food served under the stars. The combination of the stark desert landscape, the cultural performances, and the incredible night sky creates a memorable final evening in Rajasthan.

If you're flying out the next morning, you'll drive back to Jaisalmer for the night. If you have a late flight or are continuing your travels, some people spend the night at a luxury desert camp, which is an incredible experience if your schedule allows.
 

Talk to Our Experts
 

How You Can Plan Your Luxury Rajasthan Itinerary?

Transportation: A private chauffeur-driven car for the entire week is the way to go. Book through a reputable travel agency who provides well-maintained vehicles and experienced drivers.

Timing: October through March is best for Rajasthan. Weather is pleasant for sightseeing and desert experiences. Avoid April through June when temperatures can hit 110°F or higher.

Booking: Reserve accommodations and your car at least 2-3 months ahead, especially for peak season. The best palace hotels fill up quickly. Working with a luxury travel agency simplifies everything. They handle bookings, arrange guides, and provide 24/7 support if anything needs adjusting.
 

FAQs

1. Is 7 days enough for Rajasthan?
Seven days covers the four most essential cities well. You won't see everything Rajasthan offers, but you'll get a comprehensive introduction to the state's main attractions. If you have more time, add a few days for wildlife at Ranthambore or extend stays in your favorite cities.

2. Is it safe to drive between cities at night in Rajasthan?
The Jodhpur to Udaipur route I suggested is safe and well-traveled. The highway is good and maintained. Your driver should be experienced with night driving. That said, if you're uncomfortable with night driving, leave very early morning instead. Other routes I recommended are for daytime driving.

3. Should I book hotels independently or use a travel agency?
A good travel agency adds value beyond just bookings. They often get better rates at luxury properties, can arrange special experiences, provide knowledgeable drivers, and offer support if plans need adjusting. For a complex multi-city trip like this, their expertise and support usually justify any additional cost over booking everything yourself.