Things to Do in Rajasthan: Experiences Worth Planning Around

The experiences most worth planning around in Rajasthan are Jaipur's forts and bazaars, Udaipur's lakes and palaces, Jodhpur's Mehrangarh Fort, a night in the Thar desert near Jaisalmer and a tiger safari at Ranthambore. With a week, choose three bases and a handful of experiences in each.

Rajasthan is large and rich in experiences, so choosing well matters. This guide groups 20 experiences by place and type and explains who each one suits, so you can build a balanced trip. Pair it with our 7-day Rajasthan itinerary and Rajasthan cost guide.

At a glance

Jaipur

1. Amber Fort. A hilltop fort-palace with mirrored halls. Go at opening time; a jeep or walk up is kinder than an elephant ride.

2. City Palace and Jantar Mantar. The royal residence and an observatory of giant astronomical instruments.

3. Hawa Mahal and the bazaars. The Palace of Winds and the old city's markets for textiles, jewellery and blue pottery.

4. Nahargarh at sunset. Views over the pink city from the hill fort.

5. Block printing in Sanganer or Bagru. Watch artisans print fabric by hand, and try it yourself.

Udaipur and Mewar

6. A boat on Lake Pichola. Views of the City Palace, Jag Mandir and the ghats at sunset.

7. The City Palace. A vast palace complex above the lake, with museums and courtyards.

8. Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur. A fort with one of the world's longest walls and a carved Jain temple.

9. Chittorgarh. Rajasthan's largest fort, steeped in Rajput history.

Jodhpur and Jaisalmer

10. Mehrangarh Fort. A towering fort and museum above the blue city.

11. The blue city lanes. A walk through Jodhpur's old quarter with a local guide.

12. Jaisalmer Fort. A living fort of golden sandstone, with havelis nearby.

13. A desert camp. Dunes at sunset, folk music and a night under the stars.

Wildlife and countryside

14. Ranthambore tiger safari. Jeep or canter safaris in a park with old fort ruins.

15. Jawai leopards. Leopards among granite hills, often seen from jeeps at dusk.

16. Sariska. A tiger reserve close to Jaipur and Delhi.

17. Bharatpur birds. Keoladeo National Park, a UNESCO-listed wetland, in winter.

Beyond the big cities

18. Pushkar. A holy lake town with ghats and temples, and the camel fair in autumn.

19. Shekhawati's painted havelis. Frescoed mansions around Mandawa.

20. Bundi. Stepwells and palace murals in a quieter town.

Food experiences

Dal baati churma, gatte ki sabzi, kachoris and a Rajasthani thali are classics, and vegetarian and Jain food is easy everywhere. A cooking class with a local family is a good experience. Food lovers can follow our Royal Flavours of Rajasthan.

Heritage stays

A night in a palace, fort or haveli hotel is an experience in itself, with courtyards, rooftops and history. Mix one or two heritage nights with simpler hotels.

Festivals

The Pushkar camel fair in October or November, the Desert Festival in Jaisalmer, Gangaur in spring and Diwali bring colour and crowds.

When to go

October to March is the main season. April to June is very hot, and the monsoon greens Udaipur and Mount Abu.

What you can safely skip

You do not need every fort. Choose Amber, Mehrangarh and one more, and enjoy the cities at a slower pace.

Getting between experiences

A car and driver is the most comfortable option; trains help on long legs such as Jodhpur to Jaisalmer.

Shopping

Block prints, blue pottery, leather juttis, miniature paintings and silver are popular. Buy from trusted shops and avoid commission stops.

Free and low-cost experiences

Old-city walks, ghats in Pushkar and Udaipur, and sunsets from public viewpoints cost little.

More of Jaipur

Beyond the classic sights, Jaipur has the Albert Hall Museum, the Panna Meena ka Kund stepwell near Amber, Jal Mahal floating in Man Sagar Lake, and the Patrika Gate. A morning heritage walk through the old city's bazaars, with chai and kachori stops, shows daily life. Craft workshops for gem cutting, block printing and blue pottery can be arranged with a guide. Jaipur is also the easiest base for day trips to Abhaneri, Sambhar Lake and Ranthambore.

More of Udaipur

Udaipur rewards slow evenings. Take a sunset boat on Lake Pichola, walk the ghats at Gangaur and Ambrai, and visit Saheliyon-ki-Bari gardens and the Bagore ki Haveli dance show. The Monsoon Palace on a hill gives views over the lakes. Day trips go to Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur, Chittorgarh, or Eklingji and Nagda temples. Udaipur suits couples and parents who want a gentler pace.

More of Jodhpur

Below Mehrangarh, the Jaswant Thada memorial, the clock tower market and the stepwell of Toorji ka Jhalra are worth an afternoon. Umaid Bhawan Palace, part museum and part hotel, shows the more recent royal story. Bishnoi village tours and rural crafts make a good half-day outside the city.

Planning a Ranthambore safari

Ranthambore's zones vary in terrain and sightings. Jeeps (gypsies) take six guests and canters about twenty, and both are booked through official channels with a limited number of permits. Morning safaris are cooler in summer; in winter, carry warm layers. Plan at least three or four drives to improve your chances of seeing a tiger, and enjoy the fort, lakes and birdlife along the way.

Choosing a desert experience

Sam is the most popular dune area near Jaisalmer and gets busy at sunset. Khuri and private dunes further out are quieter. Camps range from simple tents to luxury camps with private bathrooms and heating in winter. A camel ride at sunset, a jeep ride over the dunes, folk music and dinner by the fire are standard. Bring a warm layer, as desert nights are cold in winter.

How to choose

With a week, combine Jaipur, Ranthambore and Udaipur, as in our Wild Trails and Royal Tales, or explore our Jaipur and Udaipur pages.

For families and parents

Children enjoy safaris and desert camps; parents may prefer forts with lifts and shorter driving days.

For couples

Couples often favour Udaipur's lake views, a desert camp and a palace hotel.

Practical tips

Carry water and sun protection, dress modestly at temples and use licensed guides. Read our Rajasthan planning guide for more.

A BagPackerMe planner can choose and plan these experiences privately, with one named planner, WhatsApp support throughout and vegetarian and Jain food planned in.

Your questions, answered

What is the one thing not to miss in Rajasthan?

For most first-time visitors, Amber Fort in Jaipur and a sunset over Lake Pichola in Udaipur. Visit forts early in the morning for cooler weather and fewer crowds.

Which Rajasthan experiences suit families?

Children usually enjoy Ranthambore safaris, a desert camp with camel or jeep rides, Amber Fort and the zip-line at Mehrangarh for older children.

Is a desert camp worth it?

Yes, for one night. A camp near Jaisalmer with dunes at sunset, folk music and a starry sky is a highlight. Choose a quieter location away from the busiest dunes.

How many days do I need?

A week covers Jaipur, Udaipur and Jodhpur, or Jaipur, Ranthambore and Udaipur. Ten to twelve days adds Jaisalmer.