If You Have 10 Days

If You Have 10 Days

Spend your first day exploring Jaipur. After a night in one of Jaipur's luxurious hotels, hire a car, and leave early for a trip to one of Rajasthan's wildlife parks. Bharatpur, on the eastern edge of the state, is one of the finest bird sanctuaries in India; if you prefer tigers, head to Ranthambhore National Park.

Spend the afternoon in the great outdoors and the night at a park lodge, then venture out early the following morning to watch the animals as they wake. Leave the park on Day 3 for Shekhavati (it's a long, approximately 300 km (185 mi) drive from Bharatpur or Ranthambhore to the heart of Shekhavati). Spend your third night at one of the Heritage Hotels in this region, and drive back to Jaipur on Day 4.

From Jaipur, fly to Jaisalmer and consider devoting Days 5 and 6 to a camel safari, which means you'll be sleeping in the desert those two nights. Fly or take the overnight train to Jodhpur for Day 7.

Fly the next morning to Udaipur, and splurge on one of the city's magical hotels for your last two nights here. If you like temple architecture, make a detour to the Jain temples at Ranakpur and Mount Abu or the Hindu temples at Nathdwara.

Leave Rajasthan on Day 10. This is a crowded schedule, but you'll get to see most of Rajasthan's highlights.