This was my first longest solo trip in my life when I actually started to travel as solo. It was in 2016 and I have joined the new company before 6 months to this trip. Luckily; I got the leave and I booked the train and flight ticket. I was eager to visit Rajasthan from many years. I visited total four cities Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Jaipur. By the way I am Ninad. I travelled to Rajasthan from Mumbai.
Day 01: Mumbai to Udaipur (by Bus)
First day to leave I started this trip from Mumbai by private sleeper bus to Udaipur. I booked it on redbus.com in advance. I left from my office on time at 6.00 pm and went to Borivali West near Sanjay Gandhi National Park from where my bus was going to leave. My departure time was 9.00 pm but reached at 8.00 pm at departure point. I packed my dinner from nearby restaurant and boarded a bus around 8.45 pm. But was regular sleeper bus and staff being quite rude. It was on time. Bus departed at correct time. From Mumbai to Udaipur it is approx. me 17-18 hrs by road.
Also read: Magical Bus – Coorg trip by Ravikanth
Day 02: Arrival in Udaipur
At around 1.00 pm I reached at Udaipur but bus dropped a little far away from main city. I dropped from bus and took the auto. Now It is time to search the hotel. When I was in bus, I already booked one hostel for same night only. I heard about hostels in my office many times. So, I booked online for just one night to get an experience to stay hostel. So, I reached that hostel and checked in to my room. I booked private room for myself as I need my own privacy. But I got to know that there is no T.V. in room and there is no intercom facility…no towel… in my room. Then, I spoke with hostel manager, he told me that this is a hostel and here are facilities are limited. Hoooo… now every time I had to go down and ask for something. It’s quite hectic. So, let it be and I stayed there for one night. After checked in I had freshened up and took some rest as it was afternoon and I was bit tired. After that at evening I went outside for hang around nearby.
Pichola Lake: Then I got to know that Lake Pichola is just near to my hostel. I went up there and I wanted to take that boat ride in lake Pichola. I booked the ticket at the counter and sat in boat. It was medium size motor boat. I need to wait to fill the boat for almost half an hour. Then, that boat was filled with other tourists (most people were foreigners) and it started to roam around the lake. In this beautiful ride, you can see outer side of City Palace, Taj Lake Palace, Jag Mandir Palace and entire view of Lake and surroundings nearby lake. Mostly, people visit Udaipur because of the unique feel of Lake Pichola.
Lake Pichola Boat Ride: Rs. 250 – Rs. 500 Per Person for Indians / Rs. 750 – Rs 950 Person for Foreigners for 45 min ride
Bagore Ki Haveli: After that boat ride, I went to Bagore Ki Haveli to enjoy a beautiful Rajasthan Cultural Dance show. Bagore ki Haveli is located just adjacent to Gangore Ghat on lake Pichola. It plays everyday from 6.00 PM to 7.00 PM in Bagore ki Haveli (For Indian and Foreigners both). In this show, some folk performers perform traditional Rajasthani dances like Ghumar Dance, Puppet show and many other cultural dances. After attending this programme, I returned to my hostel and had my dinner and went to slip.
Dharohar Dance Show (Bagore ki Haveli): Rs. 80 Per Person for Indians / Rs. 150 Per Person for Foreigners for 1-hour show.
Also read : The Crazy Dandeli trip, River Rafting and Jungle stay by Varsha
Day 03: Udaipur local sightseeing
This day I wanted to change my stay to different hotel. I woke up early in the morning and gone out to search another hotel. I checked 2-3 options nearby this hostel and I got a small hotel cum home stay. I booked that hotel immediately and check out my hostel and moved to that hotel. I checked in and put my luggage in room.
After that, I wanted to go for full day sightseeing to Udaipur city. So, I needed a vehicle to travel around the city. Hotel manager arranged Auto for me and I went for sightseeing.
Firstly, I went to Fatehsagar Lake. Beautiful serene lake uses for tourism and water sports activity purpose. I clicked some pictures and moved to Sahelion Ki Bari. On the way stopped for photo at other small lakes in Udaipur like Swaroop Sagar, Dudh Talai, Rang Sagar, Govardhan Sagar etc. Sahelion Ki Bari is a garden which was made in 17th century and has fountains and kiosks, a lotus pool and marble elephants. It was built by Rana Sangram Singh. There is also a small museum here. The museum is nice and has a lot of information about Indian history.
Then, I visited City Palace after having lunch enroute visited Jagdish Temple. Then, I took the entry ticket to City Palace. City Palace is most iconic and visited place in Udaipur. City Palace has built in 16th Century by Maharana Udai Singh II from Mewar Dynasty. This palace is divided into three parts. One is Museum for visitors/tourists, second is Hotel and third is the residence of royal family of Udaipur. Tourists are allowed to go to Museum only. If you want to stay in palace, then you have to pre book the room and there is a separate entry for guests. I visited the museum. This is museum gives us the information about Udaipur city and its history as well as Mewar dynasty and Royal family of Udaipur. Udaipur is a capital of Mewar Dynasty. After visiting City Palace, I came out and back to hotel at evening. After that, I was planning to go Jodhpur so I need to book a bus. I booked the bus on redbus and ready to go to Jodhpur.
Also read : The mighty Himalayan trek : Kedarkantha
Day 04: Udaipur to Jodhpur (By Bus)
Tyre puncture: Today, I was ready to go Jodhpur. I boarded the bus at out of city at 9.00 am morning. And it started. But unfortunately, around 1.30 pm Bus got stuck in between due to tyre puncture. The driver stopped the bus at one small village which was so dirty everywhere. But need to stay there because the driver wants to change the tyre. We got stuck there for almost one and half hour. Tyre had changed and driver has started the bus and we continued our journey to Jodhpur.
Jodhpur: And I reached Jodhpur around 4.00 PM. After dropped down from Bus and took the Auto. I need to search the hotel as I have not booked the hotel. Auto Driver had dropped me at some point where I could get some hotel options (I don’t remember the name of spot but it is nearby Mehrangarh Fort). Immediately I got one hotel in that area and I checked in a room. It was a budget hotel where I got Single room for Rs. 600 per night. After freshen up, I wanted to eat something as I was bit hungry. There was a roof top restaurant where you can get food. In Rajasthan and some north Indian cities most of the budget hotels has a roof top restaurant. There cook has made me egg omelette with bread and Coffee. After that, I left for Mehrangarh Fort which was close to my hotel. But unfortunately, I reached late so the fort was closed. So, I turned back and hanged around nearby fort. Then, I came back to hotel. I was planning to go to Jaisalmer on next day. So again, I booked the bus on Redbus. Then, I ate my dinner and went to sleep.
Also read : Kalavantin Durg – The worlds most dangerous fortress, A trek not for the faint-hearted
Day 05: Jodhpur – Jaisalmer in Sam Sand Dunes (By Bus)
This was the day, I woke up early around 5.00 am as I had to catch the bus at 6.30 am from Jodhpur. I checked out from Jodhpur hotel at 6.00 AM and arrived at stop from where my bus was standing there. I got the bus and started the journey to Jaisalmer.
I reached Jaisalmer around 12.30 PM at city centre then I wanted to go to Sam Sand Dunes where I had booked the tent in campsite in advance. I wanted to stay at sand dunes. So, I got auto for sand dunes and went to there. It took me to go around 45 to 50 mins to reach at my campsite. I reached at campsite and I got a beautiful royal traditional Rajasthani welcome by hotel staff like Tikka and flowers with welcome drink. I checked at my tent. Tent was Non-AC and very big in size. The bathroom was like a budget hotel room as big as. There is no TV and Wi-Fi in room so I felt quite bored. I had my lunch there and took afternoon sleep. I slept for almost 2 hrs but it was not a good sleep because it was very hot inside the tent. But I was quite ok with it. Around 4.30 PM our resort manager came in my tent to ask for Desert Safari. He has given a cost and bargained it and booked it immediately.
After that I left for Safari. One Jeep Safari came to the gate to pick me. These are typically used for desert safaris only. These are Mahindra Thar jeeps. In between this I got to know some interesting that I was the only guest in that campsite for that particular night and entire campsite was completely vacant. And it was vacant for next two weeks also. This is because of War like situation between India-Pakistan due to Uri Terrorist Attack. Due to these tensions, most of the guests has cancelled the bookings. The resort manager had told me that since last two weeks and next last two weeks I was the only guest in this campsite. I just surprised about this. The campsite management had suffered 10-12 Tents cancellation for every day. It’s a big loss for them. And this for all other campsites in Sam area.
Then, I went to Safari. Firstly, I did Jeep Safari in same jeep and then I did Camel Safari. Both are exotic. I had seen a beautiful sunset on the dunes. I heard a lot about that the sunset looks beautiful from sand dunes and now got the experience. After that, I came to resort. And I got to experience the traditional Rajasthani Cultural dance for me only as I was only guest. They performed specially for me which I have not expected this. I am really thankful to Resort staff and performers for this. Actually, It was included in my package. Most of resorts include this Rajasthan Folk Dance and Song show with Breakfast and Dinner in their costs. Then, it was a dinner for me (not buffet dinner) and slept for the day.
Day 06: Sam Sand Dunes to Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer Sightseeing
This day I woke up at 6.00 am as I wanted to go to Jaisalmer for sightseeing. So, I need to leave early from campsite and I wanted a hotel where I can put my bag and go for Sightseeing. So, I had my breakfast and checked out from resort. But there was an issue that how I have to go to Jaisalmer? Because there was no source of transport. Resort manager helped me and arranged one jeep. Actually, the jeep driver was supposed to go to Jaisalmer so he can drop me there. Coincidently, it happened at same time and he dropped me at Jaisalmer city centre. Now, my challenge begins that I wanted to search a hotel. I dropped at city centre nearby fort. Searching for hotel and got one budget hotel. I wanted the hotel till night at 10 pm because I had a train to Jodhpur back. So, I checked in that hotel. I kept my bag their and sat with the hotel manager as how and what to be seen in Jaisalmer. After speaking with him he arranged an auto for me. And Auto driver had taken me for sightseeing.
Firstly, I visited Jaisalmer Fort. This is an iconic fort where every tourist visits at least once in their visit to Jaisalmer. This entire fort was built by white Sand stones and the interesting thing about this fort was this is only residential fort in the world. That means the people lives in this fort. This is the most populous fort in the world where around 5000 people lives there. With that, there are many hotels, lodges, hostels, restaurants are built in this fort. That’s why this fort never close its entry and exit, only museum is closed every day. This fort is open 24 X 7 in an year.
Then, I went to Haveli tours. Firstly, I visited Patwon Ki Haveli. Patwon Ki Haveli is built by Patwas of Jaisalmer for their residence. Patwa means local businessmen/merchants who are richer than King/Ruler. Kings borrowed their money as a loan. They built up a museum here where you can see some antique things like Refrigerator and washing machine in old days like in 19th century where these things they bought from abroad. Apart from this, I liked a great architecture with exterior and interior both. After that, I had a lunch and then I went to Jaisalmer War Museum. It was built just 1 year before as there were no war museum in Rajasthan. So, Indian Army has built this war museum. It’s a small museum dedicated to battles fought in Jaisalmer and Bikaner sector. Here is a depiction of battles fought like 1965 war, 1971 war. It is located around 12 kms from Jaisalmer city. Then, I went to Gadisar lake which is small and very beautiful lake and famous for photography also. A very photogenic lake. You can take hundreds of photos and videos. You can get a very good sunset shots from here. And here you can do Boating also in lake. After that, I returned back to hotel at evening. I stayed there for some time and ate my dinner and checked out that hotel. Hotel manager had dropped to at Jaisalmer Railway station. At around 11 pm at night. My train time was 11.30 pm but unfortunately the train has delayed for almost 2 hrs due to some technical reasons. After 2 hrs around 1.30 am the train has come and boarded.
Day 07: Jaisalmer – Jodhpur (By Train)
Around 8.00 am I reached at Jodhpur. But I have not booked any hotel for this stay. After dropping from the train, I took the Auto and went to same hotel where I stayed earlier night. I reached there and I got different room there. I checked in and took the bath. I had my breakfast in roof top restaurant. I wanted to do sightseeing. So, after freshen up and having breakfast I went out and took local auto for Mehrangarh Fort. I took the entrance ticket and went inside the fort. The interesting part of this fort is that this fort is owned and managed privately that means this is owned by the Royal Family of Jodhpur. There is a trust established by the royal family which manages Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada. This fort is built on rock on a hill by Maharaja Rao Jodha in 15th Century. It has a great collection of Rajput artefacts, arms and ammunition. This fort takes almost 2-3 hrs to see entire fort. This fort is also popular for film shootings also. Many Indian films are shot here.
Then, I visited Jaswant Thada. Jaswant Thada is tomb of Maharaja Jaswant Singh to give him a tribute. This entire monument is built in pure marble which was used to built a Taj Mahal. This is also known as Taj Mahal of Rajasthan. After visiting both these places, I took the Auto and went to Umaid Bhawan Palace. Umaid Bhawan is actually divided into there parts: One is Museum for visitors, second it is a one of the world’s biggest luxury and expensive hotel and third it is an official residence and office of Royal family of Jodhpur and considered to be as one of the world’s largest private residences. H. H. Maharaja Gaj Singh ji leaves in this palace with their family. This palace has a small collection of history of Umaid Palace and royal family. The palace is famous for wedding and other cultural events. This palace witnesses so many Royal Weddings. There is no such sightseeing in Jodhpur. I visited only 3 sightseeing only. I came back to hotel.
Also read : St. Mary’s Island – A Hidden Gem
Day 08: Jodhpur to Jaipur (By Train)
Today I woke up 8.00 AM. I needed to catch the train at 10 AM. I booked the train at last night on tatkal basis. I had my breakfast and left to railway station to board the train. I boarded the train at 10 AM. I reached at 4.00 PM at Jaipur. I came out from station. There are so many Auto Drivers came to in front of me and asking for Aapko Auto Chahiye sir? (Do you want Auto to go somewhere?). This is typically Auto drivers always asks to the passengers in India at every Station or airport or Bus Stand. But that’s funny. I haven’t booked the hotel so I needed to search hotel also. So, Auto driver told me to go in Bani Park area where you will get the cheaper hotels. So, he took me to that area and I checked 2-3 hotels there and I got one cheaper hotel in 800 Rs per night. I checked into that hotel and relaxed in a room. After small rest and freshen up I went out for hang around the hotel and I wanted a vehicle for full sightseeing in next day. My hotel staff was given me one travel agency’s card and they told me to go that company whose office was near to our hotel. I went there and I got a sedan in just Rs. 500 for a day with driver. Obviously, toll and parking were then and there. After that I went to my hotel room and relaxed there.
Day 09: Jaipur Sightseeing
Today I wake up at 7.30 AM and had my breakfast. The car and driver have come to hotel to pick me for sightseeing. I sat in a car and went for sightseeing.
Firstly, I visited to Birla Temple. and is one of many Birla mandirs. It was built by the B.M. Birla Foundation in 1988 and is constructed solely of white marble. There is no entrance fee for Birla Temple. Then, I went to Albert Hall Museum which is the oldest museum of state. The museum has a rich collection of artifacts including paintings, jewellery, carpets, ivory, stone, metal sculptures, and works in crystal. The collection includes coins from the Gupta, Kushan, Delhi Sultanate, Mughal and British periods. An Egyptian mummy is the main attraction of this museum. Then, I had a lunch in local restaurant.
Then, I continued to visit Pink city where I will visit City Palace, Hawa Mahal and Jantar Mantar. As these are at one place only and part of City Palace Complex. took the ticket for both three places. You can take all tickets for these three places at one place only or you can take separate ticket at individual counters. In fact, you can take all sightseeing tickets at one sightseeing place also. E.g. If you are visiting Albert Hall and next you are visiting city palace the you can take all tickets at Albert Hall for City Palace Complex.
So, firstly I entered in City Palace. City Palace was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 18th Century. This is the most iconic tourist spot in Jaipur. The palace complex has several buildings, various courtyards, galleries, restaurants, and offices of the Museum Trust. The Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum Trust looks after the Museum, and the royal cenotaphs (known as chhatris). Then I visited Hawa Mahal which is net of Zharokas (Windows). Hawa Mahal is a part of City Palace Complex.
Then, I left for Amer Fort (Amber Fort) enroute stopped at Jal Mahal which is built in middle of the lake. Nobody can visit inside the Mahal because it is closed due to disputes in Court. This is beautiful lake and palace surrounded by small mountains. You can do boating in the lake. I clicked some pictures here and continued to Amer Fort. I reached Amer Fort and entered in fort premised by taking entrance ticket which is at Rs. 150 + 200 for camera fee. This fort is located 15 kms from Jaipur. Amer Fort was a capital of Amer Dynasty (Kuchwaha Dynasty) and one of the greatest forts in Rajasthan as well as in India. A very strong and standalone fort built up on small hill and followed by its subsidiary fort called as Jai Garh fort. Jai Garh fort is a part of Amer Fort complex and built to secure Amer Fort. The main attraction of this fort is the ambience and architecture inside and outside both. After that, I came back to the hotel at evening. Now it is time to end this trip. Tomorrow I am flying back to Mumbai to my home.
Also read : The Festival of colours @ Mathura and Vrindavan
Day 10: Jaipur to Mumbai (By Flight)
I wake up little late today at 9.00 am. I had a flight 3.00 pm. So, I had some time to relax in the hotel. I had my breakfast and left from hotel at 12.00 pm. I reached at Airport. Had lunch at the airport only. I boarded a flight and reached at Mumbai Airport. Trip ends here…..
Khammaghani Sa……!!!
Few more clicks from the trip:
Notes from BCF:
Article by Mr. Ninad Hindupur. Thanks a lot Ninad for penning down your experiences from your trip. Great trip!
Link to Ninad’s personal blog and Insta ID – escapetoworld_ninad
Link to his facebook page – escapetoworldwithninad
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Great experience you have gained and really defined it well.
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