Routes · Asia

Chicago to Rajasthan: Udaipur, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer

Chicago → Udaipur → Jodhpur → Jaisalmer

Lake palaces, blue city & desert fort Best season (general guide): Oct–Mar

Rajasthan is India's land of forts and palaces, from lakeside Udaipur to the desert city of Jaisalmer. This route spends six nights in Udaipur, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. From Chicago you'll connect through Delhi or Mumbai.

How to pace it: Spend days one and two in Udaipur: day one, City Palace; day two, boat on Lake Pichola. Then spend days three and four in Jodhpur: day three, travel via Ranakpur to Jodhpur; day four, Mehrangarh Fort. Then spend days five and six in Jaisalmer: day five, travel west to Jaisalmer; day six, fort and desert camp.

Udaipur is built around lakes. The City Palace looks over Lake Pichola, and boat trips pass palaces on islands.

The road to Jodhpur passes the Jain temple of Ranakpur, carved in white marble. Jodhpur's old town is painted blue, and Mehrangarh Fort rises on a cliff above it.

Jaisalmer, in the Thar Desert, is built of golden sandstone. Its fort, listed by UNESCO among the Hill Forts of Rajasthan, is still lived in. Desert camps outside the city offer camel rides and nights under the stars.

October to March is the best time. Summer is very hot.

Udaipur's lakeside rooftop restaurants offer views of the palaces at sunset. In Jodhpur, the old town around the clock tower market is busy and colourful. Rajasthani food includes dal baati and laal maas, a spicy meat curry. Jaisalmer's havelis, merchants' houses with carved stone facades, are among the finest in Rajasthan. Evenings in the desert are cool, and the sky is full of stars.

Safety note: Canada advises a high degree of caution in India because of terrorism, and advises avoiding all travel within 10 km of the Pakistan border in Rajasthan (updated 13 Jul 2026). The US rates India Level 2 and says do not travel to the India–Pakistan border area; it also notes that parts of Rajasthan near the border need a Restricted Area Permit (issued 16 Jun 2025). Jaisalmer city and the usual Sam/Khuri dune camps are well outside 10 km, but confirm the location of any border-side excursion (Tanot, Longewala) before booking.

Trains also link the three cities, and booking ahead is wise. Dress modestly at temples, where you remove your shoes. Bargain politely in markets, and drink bottled or filtered water.

Hire a driver for flexibility, as roads are long and busy, and allow extra time for stops along the way.

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