Hoping for some advice from you experienced India travelers....

We are traveling from Jaisalmer to Udaipur with a car and driver. Is there a recommended route other than through Jodhpur. We will have already driven from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer and would like to take a different route. We understand we would likely need to break the trip up with a night on the way. Any recommendations???

Thanks!

Do stop to see the Jain temples in Ranakpur on the way.

Thanks Marija, it's on my list. I've read they are not to be missed.

We drove from Jodhpur to Udaipur via the Ranakpur Temple. The temple is on the outskirts of the Aravelli Hills, a beautiful, rural area where we were able to see more about what rural India appears to be --- women carrying firewood or water jars balanced on their heads, small huts with thatched roofs, camels doing heavier jobs. There were lots of monkeys, too. Up into the Hills there is a wonderful fort at Kumbhelgarh that boasts the second longest defensive wall outside of China. There was an interesting temple complex at the foot of the fort.

Remember at Ranakpur: no leather of any kind, including belts, watchbands, purses, shoes.

Hi Indianapearl, thanks so much for your advise. I do really want to explore that area around the Ranakpur Temple. I have read many reports that talk about how wonderful the area is.

We are going from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer and then to Udaipur - it's the section of the drive between Jodhpur and Jaisalmer that I was hoping to not do twice and wondered if there was another route, but it seems that back-tracking is the best way to do it.

I loved your trip report!!! I had been waiting for it - we are also having Ramesh drive us and we were in contact with him when he was on the road with you. He mentioned to look for your trip report for a reference... I really didn't feel I needed another Ram reference, but found your report so helpful and fun to read.

I have been constantly surprised, but absolutely thrilled, at the information the folks on this site are willing to share. I definitely would have felt the need to hire a tour company if this information wasn't available.

So....thanks again everyone!!

You won't be disappointed with Ram! There is a whole subgroup of Fodorites who are members of his fan club. I took a leap of faith to go so far without anything other than reccos from people I'd never met, but it turned out really well.

I agree about the good info on this site --- one that is especially good -- from Dogster -- was to get your hotel to pick you up and drop you off at the airports. While I was waiting to fly out of Delhi to go home, I heard some young man with a north American accent telling anyone who would listen about how he'd gotten a pre-paid taxi, but was taken to another hotel than the one he'd booked -- "your hotel is full, stay at this one," said the driver.

Hello all,

My husband and I are planning to drive from Udaipur to Jaisalmer, starting March 12th(Friday). We have a car and 3.5 days total. Our current plan is to leave Udaipur by afternoon on Friday and spend the night at Rohetgarh or Jodhpur. Any other suggestions to break journey will be great. We have already seen Jodhpur. So leave Saturday morning, early for Jaisalmer. I understand its about 5 hrs drive. We spend half saturday and full sunday at Jaisalmer. We need to get back to Ahmedabad on Monday night so we will be on the road whole of Monday. I understand that the route from Jaisalmer to Ahmedabad is not via Udaipur, but through Barmer. Any suggestions on places to stop/eat/see on that route would be great.

Also, anyone been there around this time - I am hoping it wont be too hot.

Thanks!
Stuti