Hello, we are planning a 11 day trip to Agra and Rajasthan.

Our itinerary is
Spend a day in Agra, take the train to Jaipur and spend a day there. Take the train to Jaisalmer and spend 3 to 4 days there, with an overnight camel safari. From Jaisalmer, head to udaipur, via Ranakpur and spend 3 days at udaipur.

Please post any of your recommendations for a camel safari to Khuri or Sam sand dunes, with an overnight at the dunes. Can we book in advance or do we book this once we get there?

also, any recommendations on hotels at jaipur, udaipur, jaisalmer would be appreciated
thanks!

Check out the theatre in Jaipur if you can get tickets. Udaipur is fabulous with lots of hotels around the Lal Ghat area (we stayed at the Lal Ghat Guest House - not sure if you can book in advance). Have dinner or breakfast at Jagat Niwas Palace Hotel on the roof. Ranakpur is amazing, by the way.

you probably will need more than one day in jaipur.....we spent four days there ....

Thanks Bethwhitwa and rhkkmk

Looking at the recommendations on the web, we decided to spend more time in udaipur and jaisalmer, and unfortunately we had to compromise on the time we get in jaipur.

Personally, I was underwhelmed by Jaipur -- its most noteworthy site is a facade (which, to me, was a metaphor for the city). I found Udaipur, for example, much, much more interesting and tourist-friendly (ie, walkable).

You know that's why they make 31 Flavors, we all have different taste. I loved Jaipur and have visited twice and could go for a third while Udaipur (athough wonderful) 2 full days were enough.
My favorite hotel in Jaipur is Jaipur Havelli. While in Udaipur we were at the Lake Palace.

Also, I second the theatre experience!

Thanks, everyone! By the way, we are going to be in Rajasthan middle of august. Is that monsoon there? Will that be a problem at all?

Re: theatre in Jaipur do you mean the Maratha Mandir -- the famous movie palace -- or something else? I am dying to go to the Maratha Mandir as I love HIndi movies.

Sorry - not the Maratha Mandir, that is the movie theatre in Bombay I am also planning to go to: it's the Raj Mandir in Jaipur. Anyhow, is that what you mean?

We stayed at the Lake Palace in Udaipur and think it was th most romantic hotel in the world. There was water on the lake at that time and the welcome ceremony is incredible. Umaid Bhawan is my choice in Jodhpur (I see it's not on your itinerary, do visit if you can).

Yes, August is the middle of monsoon. The redeeming feature is it is the desert so rain dries fast.

If you are planning just a camel safari, go to Khuri for it is as yet less commercial. However, if it is a case of a camping out on sand dunes, you must go to Sam. The accomodation/arrangements imo is better at Sam.
Happy Travels!

Hello there! Greetings from a American who lives in India!

I have been to all the destinations mentioned, and yes they are all wonderful!

And yea, one day in Jaipur is a bit of a quickfire, but i see u do need to cut and plan wisely as u want to see so many far-away places.

And yes, evereyone likes differnt places to! And yes, although i do love jaipur and have been there zillions of times and call it my home in India after Delhi, *i do think that it is perhaps more interesting to get out to more far-away places like Udaipur, Jaislamer, Ranakpur, etc, as u are planning.

Oh, and let us not forget Jodphur,.That too is well worthy of exploration.

Sticking with ur route, well, in terms of hotels reccos, well, there are endless amazing places to stay and can certainly give ample reccos/advice as i have stayed in so many places in route, (i lead tours in the region)!
It really depends on your budget and what type of places u like, so for more detailed specifics feel free to drop me a line, but for now i will mention some places of note..

Of course if your budget is over the top, i love the AmarVilas in Agra, and in jaipur, i love Rambagh Palace or Jai mAHAL palace and for a lower budget can try Samode Haveli or even madawa Havali, and in Udaipur, i like UdaiVilas, Lake pAlace or Udai Kothi and in Jaisalmer, well, well, there are quite a few interesting options, really depending on budget and the creature comforts u like, to name a few Fort Rajwada, Gorbandh Palace, HImmatgarh Palace, Shreenath Palace and some less expensive options Killa Bhawan and Garh Jaisal haveli to name some.

Take care, happy travels, and feel free to drop me a line. hAPPY to help. [email protected]