India is a massive and diverse country that will pull you in with its uniqueness. It has more than 20 states that could take several years to explore.
If you’re strapped for time and want to see the country beyond Delhi and the Taj Mahal, I recommend visiting Rajasthan. This state is home to distinct architectural influences, a vast desert, a storied past, and other features that make it a tourist destination.
Getting a visa
Visitors to India need a visa to enter. Filipinos can get an e-visa. You can apply for a visa here and check all the requirements, fees, and instructions to complete the process.
Get into India
You’ll have to pass through a different country to get to India from Manila. You can book a flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, then another direct flight to Jaipur. AirAsia operates a Kuala Lumpur-Jaipur route. However, the flights aren’t every day, you’ll have to plan your trip based on the number of paid time off you can get and the flight schedules. You can also browse Skyscanner to find flights suitable for your schedule.
Getting around
The best way to explore Rajasthan is to by train. It connects you to different cities in the state and is affordable. I’ve taken the long and short distance trains in India. You can choose which class you want to take based on your budget. You can visit this website for more information about train routes and schedules. You can also book bus tickets here.
My first choice for traveling around India would be by train, especially for overnight trips in this itinerary. You’ll have to register and create an account before you can book online. I suggest buying tickets in advance (as soon as the tickets are available) for overnight trips so that you can get the cabin class you want.
Itinerary
*This itinerary assumes you start with one full day.
Jaipur
Day 1
After getting a good night’s sleep, get an early start in exploring Jaipur. Make the centuries-old City Palace your first sightseeing stop. This grand structure (much like the other forts and palaces in Rajasthan) has plenty of beautiful buildings, courtyards, and exhibits that give visitors a glimpse of royal life. Your next stop is the famous and stunning Hawa Mahal. The latter is probably the most recognizable building in Jaipur as it is often a featured photo on websites promoting Rajasthan. It deserves the acclaim it receives because it’s simply a beautiful piece of architecture with its honeycomb-like exterior and pinkish hue.
One tidbit about the Hawa Mahal is that what most people see and admire is its back and not its front. Medieval Indian women used the windows of the Hawa Mahal to see street scenes without being seen because of the social mores of the time. Your last stop of the day is the Jantar Mantar. The structures you see look like they were randomly placed; however, these are actually astronomical tools that measured time and the heavens centuries ago. After sightseeing, you can grab a bite in one of the restaurants in the city.
Day 2
Check out of your accommodation and soak in the atmosphere of Jaipur after extensive sightseeing the day before. The Pink City is a photogenic destination because of its distinct architecture and color. Visit the markets and walk around the historic center to get a feel of local life. You can buy souvenirs in one of the bazaars in the city or you can do this before departing for Kuala Lumpur towards the end of your trip. After exploring the city, take the late afternoon overnight train bound for Jaisalmer.
Jaisalmer
Day 3
Jaisalmer, also known as the Golden City, is a fascinating place to visit. Its distinct golden buildings will grab your attention. Start your sightseeing with a visit to Jaisalmer Fort. The latter is a massive historically significant structure looming over the city. Sitting atop Trikuta Hill, it is a popular tourist attraction and a noteworthy addition to your itinerary. The fort isn’t just an open-air museum but is bustling with local life. It’s a living fort with shops, locals, restaurants, centuries-old temples, and houses.
After exploring the fort, go visit the city’s havelis, mansions of rich merchants. These buildings have elaborate and attention-grabbing facades, beautiful chambers, and detailed latticework. You’d want to have a picture taken with them during your trip.
The most famous one is the Patwon Ki Haveli, owned by Guman Patwa, a rich merchant who had the huge mansion built for his sons in the early 1800s. You can also visit the Salim Singh Ki Haveli and the Nathmal Ki Haveli.
Day 4
Jaisalmer is a jump-off point to desert safaris, whether as a day trip or a multi-day excursion. The time constraints of this itinerary only allow you to do a day trip. You can find a travel agency in the city or ask your accommodation if they can book a trip for you. The trip to the Thar Desert was a highlight of my trip to this part of India. My friend and I joined a group tour which saved us a bit of money. The excursion lasted the whole day. We left after watching the sunset and dinner. The rolling sand dunes were a sight to behold. It was also my first time riding a camel.
Day 5
Check out, but leave your things, in your accommodation. You’ll have a few more hours to explore the city before leaving for Jodhpur in the afternoon. You can revisit some of your favorite spots in the city or just hang out in a café or restaurant. Jaisalmer is an atmospheric place because of its unique architecture.
Jodhpur
Day 6
Rajasthan has plenty of forts, including the region’s most famous one, Mehrangarh Fort. The fort dates to the 15th century and is an imposing structure overlooking the Blue City of Jodhpur. Its walls are more than 100 feet high and more than 60 feet wide in some sections. Inside you’ll find elaborate windows, palaces, and courtyards which are all architectural examples of its era. Notable sections include the Hall of Mirrors, Flower Palace, and the Pearl Palace. It takes around half a day to explore the complex. The fort also provides you with bird’s-eye views of Jodhpur.
After your fort visit, you can explore the winding alleys of the Blue City and visit its many markets. The city is atmospheric and photogenic. There’s a lot going on (like in many other famous cities in India) which gives you a glimpse of local life.
Day 7
You can relax and unwind during your second day in Jodhpur. I often do the same whenever I travel, after a few days of heavy sightseeing and moving from city to city. You can check out more places if you’re interested such as the Stepwell, Jaswant Thada, Umaid Bhawan Palace, and the Mandore Gardens, just to name a few.
Day 8
Leave your things at your accommodation’s storage area after checking out. The bus schedule you choose determines if you still have enough time to do another round of sightseeing or just relaxing in your favorite place in the city. I recommend choosing a schedule that won’t arrive too late at night at your next destination, Udaipur.
Udaipur
Day 9
On your first day in Udaipur, make the City Palace your first stop. Rajasthan is home to a number of palaces of various sizes because of the lavish lifestyle of the rich, powerful, and influential. Maharana Udai Singh II had the palace built in 1559. It expanded over the centuries after successive rulers invested in the palace. Inside you’ll find smaller palaces turned into museums where visitors can get a glimpse of the lives of ancient royalty. You’ll find lavishly decorated rooms, paintings, and others. You can easily spend half a day in this huge museum.
You can check out Lake Pichola and the ancient Jagdish Temple after exploring the City Palace.
Day 10
As I’ve mentioned, I like taking even just short breaks while traveling and you can do just that in Udaipur. Like the cities on this list, Udaipur is an atmospheric place conducive to long walks. Soak in the culture, get local food, and simply get lost exploring. Check out of your accommodation and prepare for your overnight trip back to Jaipur.
Jaipur
Day 11
After your overnight train ride from Udaipur, leave your things in your accommodation before heading out to Amber Fort, one of the most popular forts in Rajasthan and a must-visit, in my opinion. It takes a short walk up a hill to reach the fort. It has gardens, courtyards, and palaces that display the opulent living of its residents. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with other forts in the region. It could take you hours to explore the fort but it’s your last full day in Jaipur so you might as well spend it wisely.
While in the fort’s vicinity, you can also check out Panna Meena ka Kund, a centuries-old stepwell. You can make a quick stop to see Jal Mahal on your way back to Jaipur from Amber Fort.
Day 12
Leave your things in your accommodation’s storage area after checking out. If your return flight to Kuala Lumpur is with AirAsia, you’ll have plenty of time to relax, revisit some of your favorite places in the city, and buy souvenirs before leaving. Other places you might be interested in visiting before leaving include the Albert Hall Museum, Birla Mandir, and the Museum of Legacies.
*You can shorten the itinerary depending on your schedule and interests.
How much will you spend?
India is an affordable destination. A budget of P30,000 or roughly INR 43,150 per person covers the itinerary mentioned above and includes:
- A bed in a hostel dorm or a shared private room in a budget hotel
- Budget meals with the occasional splurge
- Public transportation
- Overnight sleeper trains and buses when traveling from city to city
- Entrance fees
This budget doesn’t include the money you’ll spend during your stay in Kuala Lumpur or any other transit city en route to Jaipur. This also excludes your flights to and from Metro Manila and your flights to and from Kuala Lumpur , as well as shopping. You can go over or under the budget mentioned above. It depends on your travel style. – Rappler.com
Joshua Berida is a writer who loves to travel. He blogs at www.thewanderingjuan.net.