I finally completed my dream 9-night, 9-day trip to Rajasthan, a journey I had been planning for a long time. It was a bit challenging as I was traveling with my 3-year-old daughter, accompanied by my wife and sister.
The roads of Rajasthan are truly remarkable. The journey began on an 8-lane highway, gradually transitioning to 6-lane, 4-lane, 2-lane, and even single-lane roads, eventually leading to the sand dunes. Yet, every stretch of road was so smooth that it felt seamless, without a single bump.
The major destinations we covered included Udaipur, Mount Abu, Jawai, Jaisalmer, Sam Sand Dunes, Jodhpur, and Jaipur. Each place added a unique charm to the trip, making it an unforgettable experience. I will list the ticket prices for most of the places at the end of this guide. However, please note that these details are based on my preferences and may vary depending on individual budgets and travel plans.
Our journey began with a drive from Gurgaon to Udaipur, covering around 700 km. We started at 11:30 PM and reached Udaipur at 10:00 AM the next morning. The trip took an hour longer than expected due to a 45-minute traffic jam. Upon arrival, we managed to visit the Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace. The next day was packed with activities: we visited the Mata Karni Temple, enjoyed a boat ride on Lake Pichola, witnessed a Rajasthani folk dance and puppet show, explored the City Palace, and ended the day relaxing at a lakeside café.
On the third day, we left Udaipur for Mount Abu, a 3.5-hour drive covering 180 km, including approximately 22 km of scenic mountain roads. The roads were excellent, making the journey delightful. At Mount Abu, we visited the Gurushikar, located about 10 km uphill from the town, followed by an evening visit to Nakki Lake and the bustling local market.
The fourth day brought a change of plans as we headed to Jawai, about 120 km from Mount Abu, upon my sister’s suggestion. Adjusting our itinerary and hotel bookings turned out to be a fantastic decision. Jawai was the most adventurous part of the trip, and I highly recommend visiting it. The leopard safari was exhilarating, taking us through village roads and hilltops. There’s a 99.9% chance of spotting a leopard, and we were fortunate to see a leopard and her two cubs — a truly mesmerizing sight. The safari, which lasts 2–3 hours, was an unforgettable experience. We stayed overnight in Jawai.
On the fifth day, we embarked on a longer drive to Jaisalmer, taking about 8–9 hours to reach the city. That evening, we visited the Jaisalmer Fort and Gadisar Lake, ending the day with snacks at a rooftop restaurant inside the fort. This is a must-do experience, as the panoramic view of the city at night is absolutely breathtaking.
On the 6th day, we headed to the Sam Sand Dunes with plans to visit the Tanot Mata Temple and the Longewala War Memorial. Our first stop was the Tanot Mata Temple, located about 120 km away — a drive of approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. This temple holds significant historical importance due to its role during the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971. I highly recommend reading about its history; it’s fascinating. From the temple, you can also visit the India-Pakistan border, which is about 20 km away. However, visiting the border requires a free pass from the BSF, which we skipped due to long queues.
Next, we drove 30 minutes to Longewala, where we had lunch at a canteen run by the Border Security Force. The meal was simple but satisfying. From there, we made our way to our hotel near the Sam Sand Dunes. A quick note: Google Maps can be confusing here. It’s better to take the route via the Sam Sand Dunes side to avoid single-lane village roads, which can feel a bit isolated. However, your hotel location will ultimately determine the best route.
In the evening, we enjoyed a thrilling jeep safari and a peaceful camel ride on the sand dunes. Later, we relaxed at the hotel and wrapped up the day with a mesmerizing Rajasthani folk dance performance.
On the 7th day, we left for Jodhpur from Jaisalmer, which turned out to be the most exhausting stretch of the trip. It’s crucial to stick to the national highways for this journey. Unfortunately, Google Maps showed multiple routes, and we accidentally ended up on a state highway, which was less smooth. After a long drive, we reached Jodhpur around 7 PM and visited Mandore Garden, one of the few places open in the evening.
The next morning, we explored the majestic Mehrangarh Fort and Umaid Bhawan Palace. Afterward, we left for Jaipur, choosing to break our journey instead of heading directly back to Gurgaon.
On the 8th day in Jaipur, we took it easy as we had already visited most of the city’s attractions on a previous trip. It was a day of rest and relaxation.
Finally, on the 9th day, we had breakfast and visited Patrika Gate in Jaipur before heading back to Gurgaon. We reached Gurgaon around 3 PM, marking the completion of our incredible journey.
I hope this detailed itinerary provides helpful insights for anyone planning a similar road trip. Apologies for the length, but I believe such a comprehensive guide is valuable for a trip of this scale.
Ticket Details:
Udaipur:
Boat Ride MCD: Normal 180/head Premium:320/head
Palace Visit: 450/ head
Karni Mata Temple Ropeway: 110/head
Jawai:
Jeep Safari: Approx 4000 per jeep
Jodhpur:
Mehrangarh Fort: 200/head
Umaid Bhawan Palace: 60/head
Mandore Garden: 50/head
Note: Prices may change. These were the charges which i have been charged.
Tip: Book a hotel by directly calling them. You can save a lot of money.
