Rajasthan, India’s “Land of Kings,” is a living museum of Rajput forts, jeweled palaces, and desert-frontier legends. In this 9-day itinerary, you’ll trace royal footsteps in Jaipur and drift through Udaipur’s lake palaces, balancing must-see monuments with local food, markets, and craft workshops.

Expect pink-hued facades, mirrored halls, and sunset terraces that glow like embers. Between days of exploration, sip masala chai on breezy rooftops, taste flaky kachoris hot from the fryer, and learn timeless crafts like hand-block printing from masters.

Practical notes: October–March brings the best weather. Dress modestly for temples, carry small notes or digital wallets, and hydrate. Trains and short domestic flights connect cities; book in advance during festivals like Diwali and Holi.

Jaipur

Nicknamed the Pink City since 1876, Jaipur pairs royal swagger with artisanal soul. Climb through Amer Fort’s honeyed ramparts, duck into the City Palace’s painted courtyards, and watch the Hawa Mahal’s latticework glow at golden hour.

Top sights include Amer Fort, Panna Meena ka Kund stepwell, Jal Mahal on Man Sagar Lake, City Palace and the astronomical marvels of Jantar Mantar. Save time for bazaars—Johari (jewelry), Bapu (textiles, mojari shoes), and Tripolia (lac bangles).

Food is half the fun: bite into onion/mawa kachori at Rawat Mishthan Bhandar; try the famed paneer ghewar or Rajasthani thali at Laxmi Mishthan Bhandar (LMB); unwind with tea and snacks at Tapri Central; dine al fresco at Steam (a vintage train carriage) or the dreamy Bar Palladio.

• Stay: Palace splendor at Rambagh Palace, Jaipur; boutique-ethnic village vibe at Chokhi Dhani Resort, Jaipur; budget social hub at Zostel Jaipur. Compare more stays on VRBO Jaipur or Hotels.com Jaipur.
• Getting in: Fly into Jaipur (JAI) via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. From Delhi, trains take ~4.5–6 hours (AC Chair Car/2A, ~$8–25) via Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Arrive Jaipur, Bazaar Meander, Pink City Sunset

Morning: Fly or train into Jaipur. If arriving earlier, grab a cardamom-scented chai and almond croissant at Anokhi Café; it’s beloved for fresh salads and wholesome baked goods.

Afternoon: Check in and decompress—palatial courtyards invite you to linger. Ease into the city with a stroll along Johari and Bapu Bazaars; browse silverwork, block-printed textiles, and embroidered juttis. Sample kachoris at Rawat Mishthan Bhandar; the mawa version is sweet, the pyaaz (onion) is savory-spicy.

Evening: Aim for sunset views of the Hawa Mahal facade from a nearby rooftop café; watch the jharokhas blush. Dinner at Steam (Rambagh Palace) pairs wood-fired pizzas and grills with a retro railcar setting—fun, nostalgic, and family-friendly.

Day 2: Amer Fort, Stepwell, City Palace, Jantar Mantar

Morning: Reach Amer Fort when gates open to beat the heat. Wander through Sheesh Mahal’s mirror mosaics and Ganesh Pol’s frescoes; stop by the peaceful Panna Meena ka Kund stepwell for geometric photo perfection. Snap a lakeside photo of Jal Mahal en route back.

Afternoon: Lunch at LMB—order the classic Rajasthani thali or try dal bati churma and paneer ghewar for dessert. Continue to the City Palace (don’t miss the Pritam Niwas Chowk’s seasonal doorways) and the UNESCO-listed Jantar Mantar to see 18th‑century astronomical instruments still measuring the heavens.

Evening: Tea time at Tapri Central; their vada pav and cheese chilli toast are cult favorites. Optional upgrade: book a curated city tour to streamline logistics and storytelling:
Full-Day Jaipur Private Sightseeing Tour by Car with Guide

Day 3: Crafts & Cuisine—Block Printing, Bazaars, Heritage Night

Morning: Dive into Jaipur’s design DNA with a hands-on block printing class in a traditional workshop. You’ll learn carving, pigment mixing, alignment, and take your printed fabric home:
Learn Hand Block Printing Techniques & Print Your Own Fabric

Afternoon: Lunch light at Anokhi Café or Swirl into a sweet lassi at Lassiwala (MI Road). Continue shopping for gemstones (look for hallmarks), blue pottery, and hand-embroidered quilts in Tripolia and Gopalji Ka Rasta.

Evening: Golden-hour photo stop at Albert Hall Museum’s Indo-Saracenic facade; then dinner at Bar Palladio’s candlelit garden. Expect handmade pasta and bruschetta alongside excellent mocktails—a lovely reset after a day of color and pattern.

Day 4: Day Trip—Ranthambore Tiger Safari (from Jaipur)

Full-day wildlife adventure to Ranthambore National Park (approx. 3.5–4 hours each way by road). Early morning pickup, guided jeep safari through lakes, ruins, and scrub forests that shelter tigers, leopards, deer, and rich birdlife. Return to Jaipur by nightfall. Book here:

Full-Day Tour of Ranthambore from Jaipur

Day 5: Temples, Viewpoints, and a Home-Style Feast

Morning: Climb to Nahargarh Fort for sweeping views over Jaipur’s gridded streets; the step-like ramparts are a photographer’s delight. Alternatively, visit Galta Ji (Monkey Temple) in the Aravalli hills—arrive early when it’s calmer.

Afternoon: Lunch at Sethi Bar-Be-Que or Peacock Rooftop Restaurant for North Indian grills and tandoori breads. Stop by the Patrika Gate (Jawahar Circle) for a riot of painted arches.

Evening: Experience Rajasthani hospitality with a home-style cooking session or a thali dinner—look for options featuring ker sangri, gatte ki sabzi, and baati with lashings of ghee. Early night to prep for travel.

Udaipur

Udaipur, the “City of Lakes,” is Rajasthan’s soft-focus side: marble ghats, island palaces, and terraces reflecting in Lake Pichola. It’s slower, romantic, and best explored on foot and by boat.

Sights you’ll love: the City Palace museum complex, Jagdish Temple’s carved spire, Saheliyon-ki-Bari gardens, and sunset panoramas from Sajjangarh (Monsoon Palace). Don’t miss a boat ride at golden hour to watch the lake turn to liquid gold.

Eat by the water at Ambrai (Amet Haveli), Upre by 1559 AD, or Khamma Ghani for candlelit views. For daytime bites, Jheel’s Ginger Coffee Bar & Bakery is a traveler’s favorite; Natraj Dining Hall serves a whirlwind vegetarian thali that locals swear by.

• Stay: Splurge on lakefront grandeur at The Oberoi Udaivilas or Trident Udaipur; go social and central at Moustache Udaipur. Browse more on VRBO Udaipur or Hotels.com Udaipur.
• Jaipur → Udaipur: Morning flight ~1h15 ($30–120) via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com; trains take ~6–8 hours (AC classes ~$10–25) via Trip.com Trains. Private car ~7–8 hours ($110–180).

Day 6: Travel to Udaipur, City Palace, Sunset Boat

Morning: Fly or train to Udaipur. Check in and refresh with lime soda and a lake view.

Afternoon: Explore the City Palace: peacock mosaics, glass-inlaid chambers, and arcaded balconies over the water. The museum’s armor and miniature paintings tell Udaipur’s story in dazzling detail.

Evening: Take a shared or private Lake Pichola boat ride near sunset for views of Jag Mandir and the shimmering palace facades. Dinner at Ambrai—order laal maas (spicy mutton curry), tandoori prawns, or a vegetarian thali while the ghats twinkle.

Day 7: Old City Stroll, Gardens, Monsoon Palace

Morning: Start at Jagdish Temple to watch morning rituals and admire the carved elephants and dancers. Coffee and cinnamon rolls at Jheel’s Ginger Coffee Bar & Bakery overlooking the ghats.

Afternoon: Saheliyon-ki-Bari’s fountains offer cool respite. Stop by a miniature painting studio to see brushes of squirrel hair trace impossibly fine lines; consider a lesson if you’re artsy.

Evening: Drive up to Sajjangarh (Monsoon Palace) for panoramic sunsets over Aravalli ridges and lakes. Dine at Upre by 1559 AD—its terrace is made for starry nights; the smoked paneer tikka and garlic naan are standouts.

Day 8: Village Crafts, Badi Lake, Cultural Night

Morning: Visit Shilpgram (craft village) for handloom, pottery, and tribal art; it’s great for meeting artisans and buying direct. If you’re an early riser, hike Bahubali Hill above Badi Lake for sunrise reflections.

Afternoon: Thali lunch at Natraj Dining Hall—servers glide by with kadhi, dal, veggies, churma, and endless rotis. Cool off at Badi Lake or Fateh Sagar’s promenade with a coconut water in hand.

Evening: Catch a traditional dance and puppetry show (evening cultural performances run most nights). Late dinner at Khamma Ghani by the water—excellent sizzlers and North Indian curries with mellow live music.

Day 9: Leisurely Morning & Departure

Morning: Last-minute shopping for textiles, marble inlay coasters, and miniature paintings. Brunch with views—think masala omelet and cold coffee by the ghats.

Afternoon: Transfer to the airport or station. For onward flights, compare routes on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com; trains across India via Trip.com Trains.

Optional Add-On: Sunrise Taj Mahal from Jaipur (Long Day)

If seeing the Taj is a must, dedicate a very early day for Agra (outside Rajasthan but doable). Depart pre-dawn, arrive for sunrise glow, then visit Agra Fort, and return to Jaipur at night. Book this skip-the-line option:

Skip The Line: Sunrise Taj Mahal & Agra Day Tour From Jaipur

Bonus for planners: If you prefer an all-in-one escorted experience across the region (including Jaipur), consider this multi-day option that covers key highlights with logistics handled:
Full-Day Jaipur City Tour - Private

In nine days, you’ll experience Rajasthan’s kaleidoscope—pink palaces and mirrored halls, lake breezes and desert sunsets, craft traditions and generous meals. Jaipur energizes; Udaipur exhales. Together, they’re a perfect duet of history, color, and calm.