Last Updated on February 27, 2024 by Natalia
Although you could easily fill a 2 week itinerary exploring just Rajasthan, it’s hard to justify being so close to Agra and not visiting the world-famous Taj Mahal. As India’s largest state you can easily spend 2 weeks in exploring incredible national parks, historic cities, the vast Thar Desert and more. We spent 6 weeks travelling the state in late 2019, and can honestly say it’s one of the most amazing places we’ve ever visited thanks to a mix of the friendly locals and the many outstanding destinations. Due to Rajasthan’s proximity to the state of Uttar Pradesh it’s easy to add a visit to the Taj Mahal onto the end of your trip, which means you can see some of India’s top destinations in just 14 days. Check out our full ultimate 2 week Taj Mahal and Rajasthan itinerary below!
2 Week Rajasthan Itinerary
Jaipur (Days 1, 2, 3, and 4)
Day 1
As the state’s capital city, Jaipur is the perfect place to begin your 2 week Rajasthan itinerary. The majority of countries don’t run direct flights to the city, so you’ll either need to catch a connecting flight or fly to Delhi and travel to Jaipur from there.
It takes around 4 hours 15 minutes to drive from Delhi airport to Jaipur, and it should cost around 4,000 rupees for a taxi. We recommend taking a look at the various flight options for your preferred travel dates and figuring out the best option for yourself.
Click here to find flight deals to Jaipur on 12GoAsia!
Day 2
Now it’s time to properly kick off your 2 week Rajasthan itinerary by exploring Jaipur’s Old City. Often referred to as the ‘Pink City’, many of the buildings in the Old City have a trademark pink colouring, and as a result it’s one of the most beautiful cities in Rajasthan.
Start your day off by visiting the magnificent Hawa Mahal, one of the city’s most iconic attractions. The Hawa Mahal is a stunning palace built in 1799 and made out of red and pink sandstone. It’s a truly remarkable sight, and in our opinion there’s no better way to start your trip!
To get the best view of the Hawa Mahal you need to visit one of the cafes opposite it, as many have rooftop terraces overlooking it. Our recommendation is the Tattoo Cafe and Lounge as it has a rooftop area providing brilliant uninterrupted views of the palace.
If you want to go inside the Hawa Mahal then you will need to visit the Hawa Mahal museum. The museum showcases a collection of antiques, weapons and other items belonging to the royals, with tickets costing 200 rupees per person as of 2022.
Alternatively you can buy a composite ticket for 1,000 rupees which includes entrance to Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort, Nahargarh Fort, Jantar Mantar, Albert Hall, Isarlat, Sisodia Rani garden and Vidhyadhar garden.
We only suggest visiting Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort and Nahargarh Fort on this itinerary, but if you have more time in the city or want to try and squeeze more in then the composite ticket may be worthwhile for you.
To get to the Hawa Mahal you can either take a tuk-tuk/taxi, or walk if your hotel is close enough. Spend time admiring the incredible architecture then either go to the museum or make your way to the next stop – the City Palace of Jaipur.
If you’re trying to keep costs down and just want to get a general look around then you should opt for the City Palace composite ticket. This ticket costs 700 rupees for foreigners, or 300 rupees for Indians, and gives you access to all palace courts and galleries, Jaigarh Fort and the Royal Cenotaphs.
There are 2 other options which allow you to see some of the palaces private rooms, but these tickets are more expensive. If you want to see as much as you can then for 3,500 rupees the Royal Splendour ticket grants you get exclusive access to private rooms in the Chandra Mahal with a personal guide.
Alternatively, the Royal Grandeur ticket costs 2,000 rupees and gives you a condensed tour of the Chandra Mahal’s private rooms. Both the Royal Splendour and Royal Grandeur tickets are 500 rupees cheaper for Indians.
Click here to book your tickets to the City Palace online!
It’s completely up to you which ticket you decide to get. We got the composite ticket, and although it’s the cheapest option we still felt there was enough to see and it gives you a nice glimpse into the City Palace.
One of the highlights is Pritam Niwas Chowk, which is known for its intricate and beautifully designed doorways.
After you finish up at the City Palace it’s probably time to grab some lunch. If you didn’t visit Tattoo Cafe and Lounge earlier then head back there to get a better view of the Hawa Mahal, and if you did eat there earlier either head back for more or find another spot for lunch!
Once you’ve finished lunch take your time to wander through more of the Pink City, and make sure to visit the beautiful Chand Pol. Known as the Moon Gate in English, it serves as an entrance to the Pink City and is one of the most stunning pieces of architecture in Jaipur.
Spend the rest of your day visiting Nahargarh Fort, the first of a number of forts you’ll visit over the course of this 14 day Rajasthan itinerary. The easiest way to get there is to take a taxi, which you can book via Uber or OlaCabs.
Built in 1734, Nahargarh Fort is situated on the edge of the Aravalli Hills. As a result it provides some fantastic and unmissable views overlooking Jaipur. Entry to the fort costs just 200 rupees, so it’s pretty good value really.
Take the time to wander along the fort walls and enjoy the views, and make sure to keep an eye out for the resident monkeys too! You’ll see more impressive forts later on in your trip, but Nahargarh Fort is still nice and is well worth visiting for the brilliant views of the city.
Day 3
The first stop of day 3 of this 2 week Rajasthan and Taj Mahal itinerary is the incredible Amber Fort, also referred to as Amber Palace. It’s one of Rajasthan’s most popular forts, so we recommend arriving early to try and avoid the crowds. Opening time is 8am so it requires a bit of an early start, especially as it’s located around 11 kilometres outside of Jaipur.
As there’s a lot of driving on this day we recommend hiring a driver for the day, which should cost around 1500-2000 rupees. It’s probably best to arrange this the day before so that you can negotiate a set price for the day in advance. Almost everywhere you go in Jaipur you will be offered a taxi so it shouldn’t be hard to find a driver.
Alternatively, you can click here to arrange a private car charter for the day through Klook!
Around 5,000 people visit Amber Fort every day, and during festivals this number can sometimes reach around 14,000 people a day. It’s an extremely popular spot, which is why we recommend visiting as early as possible.
Dating back to the 16th century the fort features an impressive palace complex with a mix of Hindu and Muslim designs. The palace, which was the residence of the Rajput Maharajas and their families, features a number of stunning rooms, intricate carvings and beautiful architecture.
There’s plenty to see as you explore Amber Fort, and you can easily spend an hour or two here exploring the palace. One thing to be wary of is the elephant rides offered here, which are unethical and should be avoided at all costs regardless of what anyone tells you.
For the record, elephant rides anywhere in the world are unethical so please don’t contribute to animal cruelty on your travels.
Entrance to Amber Fort costs 500 rupees for foreigners and 100 rupees for Indians. Guides cost an additional 200 rupees and it’s well worth the extra cost to bring the fort to life with an insight into its history through fascinating stories. Audioguides are also available if you’d prefer.
After you’ve finished exploring the fort ask your driver to take you to the nearby Panna Meena ka Kund stepwell. It’s an incredibly picturesque spot and is usually quieter than other stepwells around Rajasthan.
One thing to be wary of is that some people claim a guard stopped them from visiting the stepwell, but most people don’t have trouble. Some people said the guard charged them a few hundred rupees to visit, whereas some were asked for thousands of rupees so if this happens to you then you may have to miss out on this architectural beauty.
Next up get your driver to take you to see the the Jal Mahal – a palace situated in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake. Unfortunately it’s not actually possible to visit the palace itself as it’s partially submerged, but it’s still a beautiful spot to see.
If you want to get a closer look it is possible to take a boat ride on the lake, but if not it’s still an impressive spot to visit nonetheless.
The penultimate stop on your day trip around Jaipur should be the Hanuman Ji Temple, also known as the Monkey Temple. Located on a hill the temple has some lovely views of the city, as well as having a number of resident monkeys – hence the name!
Entry to the temple is supposed to be free, but you may be asked for a donation from holy men. If you’re asked to pay then it should be no more than 50 rupees for entry and potentially an additional 100 rupees for using a camera.
Beware of scammers in the area as some will try to charge you for whatever they can, but just insist you aren’t interested and you should be fine.
For your final stop of the day make your way to the Patrika Gate, located in the Jawahar Circle Garden. It’s one of the most beautiful sights in the city, and in our opinion is simply unmissable.
The Patrika Gate is magnificently decorated with pastel colours and various murals depicting elephants, flowers, Rajasthani royalty and more. Despite being a bit of an Instagram hotspot it wasn’t too busy when we visited, and you should be able to get some nice pictures with no other people in if you’re happy to wait a few minutes.
Once you’ve got some nice shots and admired the gate’s beauty it’s time to grab dinner and head back to your hotel.
As with all of these places to visit in Jaipur as part of your 2 week Rajasthan itinerary it is possible to book tours with Get Your Guide click here to see what amazing tours they offer for this city!
Where to stay in Jaipur
Budget
Trimrooms Mount Blue
The Trimrooms Mount Blue Hotel is one of the best quality budget hotels in Jaipur. Rooms at the property are spacious, modern and fitted with air conditioning. The hotel is in a good location too, just a 10-minute drive from the City Palace – so a tuk-tuk there should be very cheap!
Click here to take a look at the great value Trimrooms Mount Blue Hotel on Booking.com!
Mid-Range
Dera Rawatsar
Dera Rawatsar is a great value heritage hotel located just a short distance outside Jaipur’s famous Pink City. The spacious rooms feature lovely heritage decor as well as air conditioning and fans. To top it off there’s a decent-sized swimming pool at the hotel, which is ideal for cooling off after a day of exploring the city in the heat!
Click here to arrange a stay at the Dera Rawatsar Heritage Hotel on Booking.com!
Treat yourself
Samode Haveli
Samode Haveli is a beautiful heritage hotel built over 175 years ago as a royal family manor. With stunning architecture, luxurious rooms and a large outdoor pool it’s the perfect place for a relaxing stay in Jaipur.
Click here to book a stay at the wonderful Samode Haveli on Booking.com!
Jaisalmer (Day 4, 5, 6 and 7)
Day 4
The second stop on your Rajasthan itinerary is the Golden City of Jaisalmer, known for its towering fort and location in the Thar Desert. It’s one of the most unique places we visited in India and is bound to be a highlight of your trip.
With around 500 kilometres separating Jaipur and Jaisalmer it’s not a quick journey. The best way to travel between the two is by train, but it takes around 12-13 hours. Fortunately the trains offer sleeper carriages, so if you’re happy to travel like a local you can take an overnight train.
Alternatively you can take a train in the morning and arrive close to midnight, but that will end up taking a whole day out of your trip. If you really don’t want to travel by train or if you want more information then read our guide on how to get from Jaipur to Jaisalmer!
Personally we recommend taking the night train on the 3rd day of your trip, so that you arrive on the morning of your 4th day.
Day 5
Hopefully after a good night’s rest you’re ready to discover what Jaisalmer has to offer. We recommend starting by exploring the city’s famous fort.
Jaisalmer Fort is unique as it’s one of the last living forts in the world, which means people still actually live inside the fort itself. There are a number of hotels, hostels and homestays in the fort, so you can actually stay in the fort too.
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jaisalmer Fort is a fascinating place to explore. Allow yourself to get lost amongst the various alleyways and streets of the fort.
There are some great viewpoints over the city from the fort, so make sure not to miss these. Some of the viewpoints are more hidden than others, so keep an eye out and walk up any staircases you discover as there’s a chance they may lead you to a brilliant vantage point.
One spot you shouldn’t miss in Jaisalmer Fort is the impressive Jain Temple. It’s unmissable due to the temple’s wonderfully intricate designs and carvings.
Entry to the temple costs just 200 rupees, and it’s definitely worth it to see the amazing interior. Alternatively you can just admire the temple from the outside or get a view from above at one of the rooftop restaurants nearby.
Tourists can only visit the Jain Temple before 12pm, so make sure to be there before then.
When you’ve finished exploring the fort it’s probably time to grab some lunch. We recommend checking out one of the rooftop restaurants in Jaisalmer Fort so that you can enjoy views of the city while you eat.
After lunch it’s time to explore what lies outside the fort. Your first stop should be Patwon Ji Ki Haveli, Jaisalmer’s most famous Haveli. The city is well-known for its havelis – traditional and beautifully decorated mansions.
Patwon Ji Ki Haveli is a stunning sight, and thankfully is just a short a walk from the entrance to the fort. It’s up to you whether you want to go inside, but there is an entrance fee of 100 rupees and an additional fee of 50 rupees if you have a camera.
There’s a collection of art and artefacts inside the haveli, but if you’d prefer you can simply admire the amazing architecture from the outside for free. If you want to see more havelis then they’re easy to find using google, but in our opinion this is the most impressive one in the city.
Now it’s time to venture slightly outside the city to visit the fascinating Jaisalmer War Museum and the cenotaphs of Bada Bagh. It’s best to visit the war museum first as then you can hopefully arrive to Bada Bagh during the golden hour just before sunset, when the cenotaphs glow thanks to the sunlight.
You should be able to arrange a tuk-tuk to take you to both spots for around 600-800 rupees, including waiting time and transport back to the city.
The war museum covers the history of the Indo-Pakistani wars throughout the 20th century. In particular, the museum was built to honour the soldiers of the ‘Battle of Longewala’, which happened in 1971.
It’s a relatively small museum but has plenty of interesting information to offer, as well as fighter jets, tanks and more on display. Entry to the museum costs just 30 rupees, which is a small price to pay for so much information!
After finishing up at the museum get your driver to take you to Bada Bagh. There’s a small entrance fee of 100 rupees for foreigners or 50 rupees for Inidians, but this beautiful complex is well worth it.
The cenotaphs are wonderful works of architecture, and so it’s a beautiful place to visit. You can get some stunning photos, particularly during the golden hour just before the sun sets.
We recommend heading back to the city before the sun actually sets so that you can watch it from one of the rooftop restaurants. It’s possible to watch the sun set at Bada Bagh or alternatively at what is known as ‘sunset point’, but we personally think it’s nicer to watch it set from the fort itself.
Day 6
A day trip into the Thar Desert is essential when visiting Jaisalmer and this 2 week Rajasthan itinerary. It’s a unique chance to see some incredible desert landscape and beautiful sand dunes.
We recommend arranging your trip on your first day in Jaisalmer, but you can also book online or via email. Don’t be tempted by the tours offering camel rides, as riding a camel is unethical.
Operators insist the animals are treated well but personally we don’t think being chained up and forced to ferry tourists around is particularly ethical. If you’re unsure, make sure to read our article on whether camel riding in Jaisalmer is ethical.
Fortunately it’s easy to arrange a jeep safari, which takes you to exactly the same places as the camel safaris. The only difference between the two tours is you don’t have to contribute to animal suffering.
Not all operators advertise jeep safaris, but if you ask them in person or contact them via email then most will be happy to arrange it for you – just make sure to specify you absolutely do not want to ride a camel. We recommend booking with Ganesh Travels as the owner is very helpful and will happily arrange a jeep safari for you.
There are a variety of options available for desert tours in Jaisalmer, from half day trips to overnight stays camping under the stars. It’s completely up to you what you want to do, but at the very least take a half day or full day trip.
As you venture into the desert you’ll visit small villages, giving you the chance to see how desert people live. It’s a unique chance to discover the way of life for locals that live in the harsh conditions of the desert. Depending on your operator’s itinerary you may make additional stops including at a desert oasis.
Undeniably though, the highlight of the trip is the chance to see the Thar Desert’s amazing sand dunes. The majority of tours visit the famous Sam Sand Dunes, but as a result these dunes can be quite busy.
We personally opted for a more ‘off the beaten track’ tour, so we didn’t visit the Sam Sand Dunes. Instead we went to some lesser-known dunes and were the only people there.
An off the beaten track tour is a great option if you want to peacefully wander along seemingly endless sand dunes and then have dinner on the dunes whilst you watch the sun set. For us it was a highlight of our 2 week Rajasthan itinerary, and so we fully recommend it!
Whatever your tour itinerary includes, it’s bound to be a highlight of your 2 week Rajasthan trip. You won’t have much time for anything else in the day, so we recommend taking a full day tour or even an overnight tour if you want!
For more information on how to spend your time in the Golden City check out our 2 day Jaisalmer itinerary!
Alternatively you can book private day tours around Jaisalmer by clicking here with Get Your Guide.
Where to stay in Jaisalmer
Check out some of our top recommendations of where to stay below, but if you want more information make sure to read our guide to the best places to stay in Jaisalmer!
Budget
Diamond Guest House
A great budget option with fantastic views over the old town – Click here to book your stay!
Mid-Range
Boutique Helsinki
One of the best mid-range options with a luxurious feel – Click here to book your stay!
Treat yourself
Jaisalmer Marriott Resort & Spa
An amazing treat yourself property with first class service and a pool – Click here to treat yourself to a stay!
Jodhpur (Day 7, 8, 9 and 10)
Day 7
Next up on your 2 week Rajasthan itinerary is the state’s second largest city, Jodhpur. A large chunk of day 7 will be spent getting there, and once again travelling by train is the best option.
It normally takes around 6 hours to travel from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur by train. For more information on how to get between the two cities make sure to read our guide on how to get between Jaisalmer and Jodhpur.
Jodhpur is famously known as the ‘Blue City’, so if you want to then wander the streets and admire the pastel blue buildings.
Don’t expect streets full of blue houses though, and in honestly there weren’t as many blue buildings as we had hoped. Despite this the ‘Blue City’ is still a lovely place to wander as long as you don’t expect most of the buildings to be colourful.
The best spot to explore in the Blue City is the neighbourhood of Chandpole as this area seems to have the most blue buildings. Aside from going in search of the blue, allow yourself to relax a bit for the rest of the day before exploring properly the following day.
Day 8
The next day will be spent exploring Jodhpur’s bustling Old City, starting with the Clock Tower and Sardar Market. Known as Ghanta Ghar, the Clock Tower is found at the centre of the hectic marketplace.
Sardar Market is one of the oldest markets in Jodhpur, and is busy with both locals and tourists for the majority of the day. The market’s vendors sell a mix of goods from handicrafts to clothes to local foods. Make sure to haggle if you want to buy something, as the market does have a bit of a reputation for being pricey.
Take the time to wander through the market and enjoy the somewhat organised chaos. It’s a great introduction to Jodhpur, especially with the iconic Clock Tower standing as a focal point at the very centre of it all. You’ll be heading back to the clock tower later to see it lit up at night too.
Around a 5-minute walk from the market is one of Rajasthan’s most beautiful stepwells – Toorji’s stepwell. Built in the 1740s, the stepwell is a beautiful piece of architecture complete with intricate carvings and many symmetrical staircases.
It’s an incredibly picturesque spot that simply shouldn’t be missed when in Jodhpur. We recommend visiting the nearby Stepwell Cafe for a drink, as it has a lovely view of the stepwell from above.
After that we recommend just wandering the streets and discovering some of the city for yourself. If you didn’t explore the blue houses in Chandpole the day before then we recommend doing that.
By now it’s probably time for some lunch, so once again we recommend visiting one of the city’s rooftop restaurants. It’s hard to get bored of the brilliant view of the city and the towering fort.
As soon as you’ve finished lunch start making your way up to the fort to discover one of Jodhpur’s main attractions.
Mehrangarh Fort stands 125 metres above Jodhpur and is one of the largest forts in India. Dating back to approximately 1459, the fort towers over the Blue City below.
To visit the fort you need to buy a ticket to the fort museum, which gives you access to the palaces, courtyards and lavishly decorated rooms. Inside the museum you’ll find fascinating artefacts including royal palanquins, weapons, furniture and more.
The fort also has some great viewpoints of Jodhpur, including one of the best views of the ‘Blue City’. From up here the blue houses seem much closer together than they do when you’re on the streets below.
There is an entrance fee of 600 rupees for foreigners or 120 rupees for locals at the Mehrangarh Fort Museum, As it’s so big you can easily spend 2-3 hours exploring the fort, or more if you take things slowly. The opening hours are from 9am-5pm, but these can vary on public holidays. Make sure to get to the fort in plenty of time to see it all before it closes!
After you’ve explored the fort make sure to find a good spot for sunset. We recommend finding somewhere just outside the fort or heading to a rooftop restaurant so you have a good vantage point of the city.
The last stop at the day should be the Clock Tower once again, as it lights up come nightfall. After that either enjoy a few drinks or head back to your hotel and rest up for the next day.
Day 9
Day 9 of your 2 week Rajasthan itinerary takes you to some of the attractions slightly outside of Jodhpur. We recommend arranging a driver and agreeing a price in advance, but you can also use Uber or OlaCabs to book taxis for each journey.
Your first stop should be the lovely Mandore Gardens, which is one of our favourite spots in Rajasthan. If you’re looking for a peaceful escape from the often chaotic cities of India then the gardens are the perfect place for this.
The Mandore Gardens are home to temples, cenotaphs, statues and the ruins of the ancient town of Mandore. Our personal favourite thing about the gardens though was the chance to see the playful monkeys/langurs.
We struggled to find the monkeys at first, but eventually found them congregated towards the back of the gardens, alongside the river. If you struggle keep looking as we ended up seeing at least 50 monkeys – so they shouldn’t be too hard to find!
There is no entrance fee to visit Mandore Gardens itself, but there’s a museum which costs 100 rupees for foreigners or 20 rupees for locals. We personally suggest just sticking to the gardens and enjoying one of the more tranquil spots you’ll visit in Rajasthan.
It should cost around 400 rupees for a return journey from Jodhpur to Mandore Gardens. After you finish up at the gardens head back to the city for lunch before continuing your day.
Your next stop should be Jaswant Thada – a cenotaph built in honour of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. The mausoleum features some of the best architecture in the city, thanks to several intricate carvings.
You won’t need too long here, but spend time wandering through the garden, enjoying the views and going inside the mausoleum. Entrance costs just 50 rupees per person, with a guide costing 100 rupees if you want to learn more about the history.
Jaswant Thada is around a 30-minute walk or a 10-minute drive from the Clock Tower, depending on how you’d prefer to get there.
The last stop of the day is the wonderful Umaid Bhawan palace. It’s one of the world’s largest private residences with 347 rooms in total, and it’s an extremely impressive sight.
Part of the palace now serves as a luxury hotel, so if you have the budget then staying there is the best way to visit. The alternative is to visit the Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum, which costs 100 rupees and showcases a collection of antiques and historical artefacts, as well as some classic cars in the front garden.
You’ll need to take a taxi to reach the palace, which is why we recommend getting a driver for the day as it means they can take you to all 3 spots. If you’d prefer to walk to Jaswant Thada then just arrange taxis individually to take you on return trips to Mandore Gardens and Umaid Bhawan Palace.
Once you’ve finished at the palace head back to Jodhpur for your final night in the city before heading onwards to Sawai Madhopur and the amazing Ranthambore National Park.
For more information on how to spend your time in the city make sure to read our Jodhpur itinerary!
Where to stay in Jodhpur
Budget
Durag Niwas Guest House
The Durag Niwas Guest House is a beautifully decorated traditional Indian House that’s sure to make your stay in Jodhpur memorable. It’s relatively basic but has all you need for a comfortable enough stay, and also has great city views from the rooftop restaurant.
Click here to arrange a stay at the Durag Niwas Guest House on Booking.com!
Mid-Range
The Almond Tree
The Almond Tree offers several modern rooms and suites at a great price considering the high quality. Located in a peaceful area outside of the city, the hotel’s rooftop has brilliant views of the Umaid Bhawan Palace.
Click here to book a stay at the Almond Tree on Booking.com!
Treat yourself
Umaid Bhawan Palace
If you already recognise the name ‘Umaid Bhawan Palace’ it’s because it’s one of the stops in Jodhpur during your itinerary. As well as being one of the city’s attractions, the palace has also been partially converted into an exclusive luxury hotel complete with 2 swimming pools, a spa, yoga studio and more!
Click here to treat yourself to a stay at the amazing Umaid Bhawan Palace!
Sawai Madhopur (Days 10, 11 and 12)
Day 10
Prepare yourself for another long journey as you make your way from Jodhpur to Sawai Madhopur.
The train journey takes between 7½-12½ hours depending on the specific train you catch.
Click here to book a train from Jodhpur to Sawai Madhopur!
Different days do have different options so make sure to check them out in advance, but if not you should be able to arrange a taxi to Sawai Madhopur for around 8,000 rupees. The journey will still take around 8-9 hours by taxi, assuming there are no traffic delays, but if you travel by car you can make a few stops if you want to break up the journey a bit.
As you’ll spend most of the day getting from Jodhpur to Sawai Madhopur there won’t be any time for a safari the same day.
Day 11
For us this part of the 2 week Rajasthan itinerary was our favourite!
To give yourself the best chance of seeing a tiger in Ranthambore National Park you need to do as many safaris as time allows. For that reason we’ve included both a morning and afternoon safari on day 11 of your Rajasthan itinerary.
We recommend arranging your safari in advance to make sure you have the best experience. The main things that can vary between safaris are which zone of the national park you visit, and whether you take a jeep or canter safari.
There are 10 zones in Ranthambore, and you can only visit one zone per safari. Zones 1-5 are generally considered the best zones to see tigers, which means getting a safari in these zones can be hard work.
The difference between a jeep and canter safari is the vehicle you’re in. Jeeps seat a maximum of 6 people, whereas canters sit up to 20 people. In our experience jeep safaris are better as they’re more mobile and able to reach areas that canters can’t, as well as being more comfortable.
It’s important to plan ahead a bit when arranging your safari, so it’s best to sort it before your trip begins. You can either arrange it through your hotel or a tour operator, with the latter being our recommended option.
To find out everything you need to know for arranging your safaris we recommend reading our guide to safaris in Ranthambore National Park.
For your morning safari you will be picked up at around 6am, although your operator will confirm the exact time you need to be ready. You’ll arrive back to your hotel at around 10.30am, and have a few hours before your afternoon safari which should depart at 2pm.
Although the national park is most famous for its tigers, there are a variety of other animals in the park including sloth bears, monkeys, leopards and crocodiles. There’s no way to guarantee a tiger sighting, but hopefully you’ll be as lucky as we were – we managed to see tigers on 3 out of the 4 safaris we did.
If you do manage to see a tiger it’s bound to be one of the highlights of your entire trip. Seeing these amazing creatures in the wild is one of the best experiences we’ve ever had, so we cannot recommend it enough!
It’s a long and tiring day doing two safaris, but it’s well worth it to see a variety of amazing wildlife. Fortunately you should have time for a little nap in between the safaris if you’re feeling tired.
If you’re pushed for time you can always take a day trip from Jaipur to Ranthambore National Park, but this means you’ll only get to do one safari. It’s best to do as many as you can, so if you want to extend your stay in Sawai Madhopur we recommend doing so as it gives you more chance of seeing a tiger!
Where to stay in Sawai Madhopur
Before deciding where to stay check out our guide to the best hotels and resorts in Ranthambore and Sawai Madhopur. Alternatively we’ve provided a quick list of our top picks below!
Budget
Hotel Tiger Haveli
One of the best budget options we’ve seen as the rooms are spacious – Click here to take a look!
Mid-Range
Ranthambore Regency
A great option with a pool to unwind after your safari – Click here to see this lovely property!
Treat yourself
Nahargarh Ranthambore
Feel like a royal in this former Palace complex – Click here to a book a stay at one of the best luxury hotels in the area!
Agra (Day 12, 13 and 14)
Day 12
The Taj Mahal is one of the 7 modern wonders of the world, and although Agra isn’t actually in Rajasthan we recommend adding it to your itinerary anyway. It’s possible to get from Sawai Madhopur to Agra in around 3¾-4½ hours if you book one of the express trains.
Considering you’re so close to India’s most famous attraction, it seems a bit silly not to add the Taj Mahal onto the end of your 2 week Rajasthan itinerary!
Travelling to Agra by train is the most budget friendly option, but if you’d prefer then you can travel by taxi. A taxi from Sawai Madhopur to Agra should take around 5½-6 hours and should cost around 5,000 rupees.
Depending on the time you decide to leave then you may have the chance to do another morning safari. It will be a long day if you decide to do this, but it’s worth adding in if you want to maximise your chances of seeing a tiger!
If you plan to travel by train take a look at the timetable on the Indian Railways website and decide in advance what train you want to get. As a foreigner it’s only possible to book tickets through a third party, and we personally recommend using 12GoAsia.
Click here to book train tickets from Sawai Madhopur to Agra!
Like many of the days getting between cities you’ll spend a lot of time travelling and have little time for sightseeing when you arrive. We recommend just relaxing and taking it easy before an early start the next day to see one of the modern wonders of the world!
Day 13
The Taj Mahal is one of the most iconic and instantly recognisable buildings in the world, attracting around 7 million visitors every year. As India’s most famous attraction it’s understandably very busy, but if you visit early enough it’s possible to see it before the crowds arrive.
It’s important to plan your itinerary carefully as the Taj Mahal is closed to tourists every Friday, so make sure the days line up to allow you to visit. Every other day the Taj Mahal is open from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes before sunset, which is generally from around 6am-6.30pm.
We recommend booking fast track tickets in advance and getting there before sunrise so that you can queue up and be one of the first in. This way you’re able to appreciate this beautiful monument in somewhat peace and without the crowds. Just an hour after sunrise the Taj Mahal is packed with tourists, so it’s much nicer to visit early if you can!
It’s possible to book tickets by visiting the Taj Mahal’s official website, but we personally found it easier to book using Klook. If you book through Klook tickets to the Taj Mahal cost 1,325 rupees per person, and it costs an additional 200 rupees if you want to go inside the mausoleum itself.
Click here to book your tickets for the Taj Mahal on Klook’s website!
Try to book the earliest possible time slot for your visit, which will most likely be 6am. We then suggest arriving around 20-30 minutes in advance of the opening time to queue up and be one of the first visitors of the day. This allows you to appreciate this magnificent sight without crowds of people surrounding it and getting in your photos!
We were pleasantly surprised by how empty it was when we first got in, but within an hour it was much much busier – so it’s worth the early start if you want to beat the crowds!
Make sure to walk around the site and enjoy the beautiful architecture from every possible angle. If you’ve paid for a ticket to the mausoleum then you’ll actually get to go inside the Taj Mahal itself. We personally didn’t think the inside was as impressive, but if you’re here then it’s probably worth doing anyway considering it only costs an extra 200 rupees!
Take your time admiring this truly magnificent place and make sure to take plenty of photos. If you’re lucky you’ll get some lovely colours at sunrise too.
Once you’ve finished up at the Taj Mahal then you may want to head back to your hotel for a nap before you continue your day. If not then just power through and maybe add in a visit to Agra Fort. Combined tickets to the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort can be bought through Klook using the link above, or alternatively through Get Your Guide who offer some fantastic tours around the Taj Mahal.
Our main recommendation for the rest of the day is to visit the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre. The centre does some truly amazing work rescuing and rehabilitating abused and exploited captive elephants.
A donation of 1,500 rupees per person is required to visit the centre, where you’ll be given a tour and told about the brilliant work they do.
Although the elephants at the centre aren’t wild, they are well cared for and are given the chance to roam free at certain times of the day.
Whilst at the centre you’ll also get chance to learn about Wildlife SOS’s Refuse to Ride initiative. All elephant rides are unethical and are a way of humans exploiting them for money, having tortured the animals into allowing humans to ride them.
We cannot recommend visiting the Wildlife SOS Elephant Centre enough, so it’s a great way to end your Rajasthan and Taj Mahal itinerary. There’s a shop on site if you want to buy T-Shirts or anything else to help support the centre even more.
The centre is around a 45-minute drive from Agra itself, so you’ll need to arrange a taxi to take you there and back. Your hotel should be able to help arrange this for you, or alternatively you can use Uber or OlaCabs and ask the driver to wait before taking you back to Agra after your tour.
Once you’ve finished up at the centre it’s time to make your way back to the city for your last night in India. When you get home you’re bound to miss the delicious Indian food, so we recommend eating somewhere local on your final night.
Day 14
The last day of your 2 week Rajasthan itinerary depends on the time of your flight and where it leaves from.
Once you get to the airport it’s time to wave goodbye to this beautiful country before catching a flight home. If you’ve got a long haul flight we suggest enjoying a drink or two on board and reminiscing about the incredible memories you’ve just made.
Hopefully you enjoy the wonderful places Rajasthan and India have to offer as much as we did in this 2 week itinerary.
If you have extra time or want to change the itinerary slightly then another idea is to add Udaipur to your 2 weeks Rajasthan itinerary.
Where to stay in Agra
Treat yourself!
Taj Hotel and Convention Centre
The Taj Hotel and Convention Centre boasts a brilliant rooftop infinity pool with an amazing view of the Taj Mahal. Not only that, but rooms at the property are comfortable and luxurious, making it one of the best places to stay in Agra!
Click here to take a look at the amazing Taj Hotel and Convention Centre on Booking.com!
ITC Mughal
Part of the illustrious Luxury Collection of hotels and resorts from the Marriott, the ITC Mughal is a truly outstanding hotel. The hotel has both an outdoor swimming pool and spa on site, as well as high quality, comfortable rooms. If you want a luxurious stay, this is the place for you!
Click here to see the wonderful ITC Mughal Hotel and Resort on Booking.com!
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