I'm travelling to India in early April and our plans will allow us to visit Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, a few days on the beach in Goa, and two of the following: Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur. Any recommendations for which to pick and which to miss? We'd love to see them all but it's just not realistic.

Definitely visit Udaipur (its unique), and was one of my favorite stops in Rajasthan. Personally, I was underwhelmed by Jaipur. I didn't make it to Jaisalmer, but from what I have seen and heard from friends, that would be my second stop. So, Udaipur and Jaisalmer.

I agree with Udaipur as a must. I vote for Jodhpur for the second city, I liked seeing all the houses painted blue and visiting Meherangarh (sp?) fort.

Jaipur was ok, I liked the elephants on the ride up to amber fort.

I haven't been to Jaisalmer.

we spent 4 nites in jaipur and were very glad we did....tons to see and do...

Haven't been to Udaipur, but have visited the other three. I loved Jaisalmer, but with limited time I'd be inclined to drop it on the grounds it's the furthest away. On balance, I think I'd give the edge to Jaipur over Jodhpur, as although both forts are impressive, I enjoyed the inside of the Amber fort more. If you have time, the painted havelis in the Shekawati region north of Jaipur are well worth visiting.

I would drop Mumbai, the least interesting of all of the places on your list, IMO. If you have to transit there overnight fine, then stay at a hotel near the airport, but don’t bother spending the 2-3 hours going into the Marine Drive area. Mumbai has some very good restaurants and some interesting shopping, but in reality has very few sights for tourists, and traffic is horrendous. To give up one of those marvelous desert cities or shortchange Delhi which has so much more to see and do is a waste, IMO.

I would need to know how long you have for the trip, how much time you have budgeted so far for each place, and how you plan to get between the places before I could give advice. I would tend to agree the Jaislamer is the furthest and usually the hardest to get to because it has no air service. Bear in mind the April will be quite hot, so don’t try to do to much. If you can give a full itinerary, that would be more helpful to me in giving complete advice on which cities to add/drop.

If you have to pick just two, then Udaipur is a must. For the second city you could pick either Jaipur or Jodhpur. While Jailsalmer is an interesting place, it is more difficult to get to and is also further and the weather will be quite hot in April.

I would agree with Cicerone about dropping Mumbai and adding that time to either Delhi or maybe one other place in Rajasthan. While I love Mumbai for shopping and nightlife, I'm not sure it has too much to offer in terms of sightseeing. It definitely is a vibrant city though.

I say Udaipur and Jaipur, though to be fair I know nothing about Jaisalmer. I also liked Pushkar a lot.

Glad you posed this and I'm reassured by reading the discussion. For my December touring in Rajasthan I've decided to do 2 or 3 nights Udaipur, 1 or 2 nights Deogarh and 2 nights Jodhpur with car and driver; just need to determine number of nights in Udaipur. Recommendations?

I visited only Udaipur and Jaipur, and I liked both.There is a lot to visit there, we are glad that we included them in our tour.

Have been to all four. From a photography standpoint (my primary focus), I would choose Jaisalmer and Jodhpur, and would recommend staying in the fort at the former. Jodhpur, as others have mentioned, has the massive and massively spectacular fort, but I could spend hours shooting the Blue City (behind the fort, not the area near the new city).

For vacation, I would probably choose Udaipur first and foremost. It's very relaxing especially if you stay on the lake. Lots to do in the nearby area, too, including some great hikes. When I was there, the lake was completely full and very beautiful. Jaipur, underwelmed, too, but that may have been because it was at the end of a very grueling Rajasthan jaunt.

Regards, Bruce
India Travel Photos -- http://www.brucegcollier.com/galleri...level2_all.htm

Although I liked it a great deal, I would skip Jaisalmer--unless you are now able to fly there. The train ride is long and boring in a filthy train car. We took the day train there and back last year.

Hello Hammerthumbs,
I've been to all of the above. My choice in order of preference are:
1) Udaipur

Lake Palace By Night
http://www.pixagogo.com/6869954241

Lake Picola Boat Ride
http://www.pixagogo.com/6864954254

Lunch At The Lake Palace
http://www.pixagogo.com/4863964633

Udaipur City Palace
http://www.pixagogo.com/6867964107

Udaipur Monsoon Palace
http://www.pixagogo.com/4864964231

Udaipur Temple
http://www.pixagogo.com/6866964243

Jagat Niwas
http://www.pixagogo.com/1872904216

2) Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer
http://www.pixagogo.com/5869984411

Bara Bagh
http://www.pixagogo.com/5866984690

Gadisar Tank
http://www.pixagogo.com/5868984304

Jaisalmer By Night
http://www.pixagogo.com/6860984200

Sam Sand Dunes
http://www.pixagogo.com/7862974136

Killa Bhawan
http://www.pixagogo.com/9866974481

3) Jaipur
Hawa Mahal
http://www.pixagogo.com/7869984170

Jaigarh Fort
http://www.pixagogo.com/4869984110

Jaipur City Palace
http://www.pixagogo.com/5861984157

Jantar Mantar
http://www.pixagogo.com/5862984112

Nahagarh Fort
http://www.pixagogo.com/5863984151

Shahpura House
http://www.pixagogo.com/5864984171

4) Jodhpur
Jodhpur-Shopping (Best Shopping)
http://www.pixagogo.com/7865974217

Meherangarh Fort
http://www.pixagogo.com/7866974239

On the Rock
http://www.pixagogo.com/7867974217

Devi Bhawan
http://www.pixagogo.com/7863974242

I hope to post my travel journal when I have some time.

Cheers,
Travel holic

Udaipur. Udaipur. Udaipur. Loved it and regretted not spending more time there. Take a day trip to Rankapur as well. Jaipur is OK but a very bustling, busy, dirty city. I've heard that Pushkar is lovely, too, during the non-camel festival season (most of the year).

I also agree on Udaipur. It is a beautiful city and is a good contrast to Delhi and Agra. We found the people lovely, the art work fasinating and surrounding areas very interesting.

If you can fit it in, I thought Jaisalmer was amazing. If you are driving it will require an overnight in Jodhpur-- (very worthwhile to see the fort and get a feel for the blue city). Driving to Jaisalmer is on a very good road and I found scenic.

Spending time in the living fort, surrounding areas and the camel safari at Kuri (sp) was a highlight of India.
Enjoy

I have just been to India and I would recommend trying to see them all. Both India Airlines and Jet Airways offer 7 day airpasses for unlimited travel for USD400 and USD350 - this would save a lot of travelling time by road - check out their websites.

Definitely Udaipur!!! My favorite city - amazing in so many ways. the market is fantastic. Skip Jaipur - wish I did. I debated and should of done Jaiselmer...I really liked jodphur especially if you want to do shopping.

I would dump Mumbai and all the other cities you mention for the chance to see a tiger.

Not that you mentioned that...

But of course the only way to guarantee seeing a tiger is to go to a zoo.........

Udaipur definitely #1. Jaisalmer #2. Jodhpur #3 and Jaipur #4.