Best route to take in Rajasthan?

Hi,

I am planning a trip in India and want to visit the following places:

Fly into Delhi, then..

Agra
Jaipur
Jaisalmer
Jodhpur
Udaipur

then on to Mumbai.

What is the best route and the best form of transport to visit these places? I have heard that getting to Jaisalmer and Udaipur is a bit of a nightmare.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks,

Ian

Hiring a car is the best way to see Rajasthan. The itinerary defined by you is the most popular route, except that you can add a bit more variety to your trip by going from Jaipur to Jaisalmer via Bikaner. You have the added bonus of seeing the havelis of Shekhawati and a visit to the simply amazing temple of Karni Mata (known in the West as the temple of the holy mice).

If you more time you can add Ranthambore and a tiger safari between Agra and Jaipur.

Once you decide on a car, there is no additional difficulty in getting to either Jaisalmer or Udaipur.

Irrespective of the mode of transport you choose, do not miss the Ranakpur temples between Jodhpur and Udaipur. For transport costs, please see my earlier post

car costs

Thanks for the info. How do you arrange a reputable driver?

Ian

I am sending you a PM

Lily,

Thanks for the info. I have a couple more questions:

Is it possible to hire a driver from most places in India?

Can we get a driver, for example from Delhi to Jodhpur, and leave the driver to make his own way back o Delhi? Do we have to pay for the the time it takes the driver to get back to Delhi?

Thanks,

Ian

Yeah you heard right It sure can be a nightmare.... If you end up on a buss anyways (most go that way I belive) hold on to your things, its a popular route with theifs as well... I got my camera and watch stolen on that buss and I was holding that bag IN MY HAND the whole time. Problem is the driver of the buss was making some extra baksheesh putting anyone on the buss during the whole trip... It ended up beeing Insanely Cramped with people trying to climb on my lap etc... NOT funny... But in the end you quickly forgot about it once you got there course Rajastan is everything you read in fairytales such as "Aladin" including the collors and shoes... The Most important for me was Udaipur (The James Bond movie Octepussy plays every night) Its a really beatyfull city... Go live in the Old part of it (cheap and nice) and rent a bike to travel some day... Its obvious seeing Agra but besides the Taj its really the worst place there is... (Loads of hassel etc) be prepared... And I think you might consider to throw in Pushkar in the mix, allthough comercial and pseudospirituall in many ways (dont throw flowers in the lake unless you want to spend some cash) it has a Strong special ennergy to it and ozing of it... (like so manny places in India (will have to go again I guess, strating to get that feeling...)... Good luck to you!

Yes, you have to pay the driver for the return, whether you go along or not.

UJM,

Before I read this, I answered the same question in reply to a PM I received from you. I repeat the reply here.


Rates may vary a bit but yes, it is posible to hire a driver at most places in India.

Delhi - Jodhpur

The normal practice is to pay the return fare - unless you are very lucky and you meet with a Jodhpur taxi that is returning to Jodhpur from Delhi. But don't count on that. Conservatively, you will have tp pay for another 600KM.

However, it may be advantageous if you are using the taxi for a number of days. The taxi will charge for a minimum of 250 KM per day. So if you take seven days to reach Jodhpur from Delhi, stopping on the way, the taxi will charge you for 1750 KM. If the KM you have already covered and the KM to return to Delhi falls within this, you have to pay nothing extra.


From Delhi to Jaipur, which is on the way, the best option is the Volvo Bus. There are about eight of these which run at various times and are as comfortable (nearly) as a train. The Delhi Jaipur airconditioned Express leaves too early in the morning to permit a good sleep at night.

A train leaves Jaipur in the evening for Jodhpur and this is a good choice too!

Do let me know if you need more details.

I would say the best way to see Rajasthan is by train!! Then perhaps hire a taxi in Jaipur or Udaipur to see the smaller places which are not covered by rail.

Trains

I suggest Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaiselmer, Udaipur, by train Kumbhalgargh, Ranakpur, Deogargh, Pushkar by taxi, From Ajmer by train to Agra
For some general advice about travel in India try my website!

Here

Happy Traveling

Nothing beats car for convenience, especially in Rajasthan. But really there is no bad way to see Rajasthan, unless ofcourse you get the seat in the bus over the rear axle...that is NOT a good way.

What Ian does not say is how long he has. That might influence which mode of transport makes the most sense.

We had a prospective client recently who was quite put off because we could not/would not drive them from Delhi to Jaisalmer in one day. There's no Autobahn in Rajasthan.

Hi Ian,
I agree with cyberhippie , a combimation of trains and car can be more fun and much easier on the pocket ...This is the way to see real India. All the best in your travels. If you decide to stop over in Ranthambhore , let me know we can get together.

Hi,

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately I don't have a great deal of time in India. I only have 12 days in Rajasthan, which is not very long, I know!!!

Am I being realistic? Can I fit those places mentioned earlier in 12 days?

Thanks,

Ian

yeah but you will have more fun if you stay longer in a feaw...
If I had to choose three places, I would choose Pushkar 4 days Udaipur 5 days and Jaisalmer 4 days...

Interesting..... No Jodhpur then? Is Pushkar a better place to visit?

Almost half of my trip is gonna be in Rajahstan:

I was planning to do some 3-4 days in Jaipur, 2-3 days of Pushkar(&Ajmer), 3-4 days of Udaipur(&Ranakpur)

At first 4 days of Jaisalmer but since I realised the temperature is going to be close to 50 degrees I'll probably stay for 2-3 days if I can last that long.

A transitday in Jodhpur and a transitvisit to Bikaner/deshnoke. Maybe a short drive trough shekwati 2 days or so and otherwise I have two extra days to spend on any of the locations I mentioned.

That's the current plan but I still got 4 weeks to turn it all around Making plans is half the fun!!

I think with all the trainschedules and busschedules I have collected so far this should work out fine.

And otherwise i'll take a car and driver for parts of it!