Many people see Rajasthan as a dangerous place to travel, especially for solo female traveller.
Well, it is NOT.
People there are amazing, it is a touristic place so easy to travel and many nice hostels, restaurants, coffee places etc.
If you:
dress up properly
don’t go out alone at night
travel by day
stay in hostel chains with security
have an Indian SIM card
You will be all good!
Here are my tips about Rajasthan.
I only had 2 weeks so I did not go to Jaiselmer and Pushkar but I only heard amazing things so I would recommend those places too.
I usually narrate a lot my blog and add a lot of pics but this time because of time management I will “just” give you the tips :) I posted A LOT on my IG so have a look: https://www.instagram.com/mc_followsthesun/
UDAIPUR:
My favourite place in Rajasthan.
It is so chill, calm, in nature. I could have stayed easy and days.
I would recommend minimum 3 days!
How to access:
Plane from Delhi
Bus or train from others cities, just check timings
Remark: cabs cannot enter the very city centre
What to do:
Shri Manshapurna Karni Mata Temple: great view over Udaipur! Go for sunset. You can walk up or take the cable cars.
Lake Pichola: you can do a boat tour, perfect at sunset
Tiger Lake: for trekking
Jagdish Temple: main temple
Jagmandir: I did not go because of the price but it is iconic so up to you
Walking tour by Moustache Hostel. They will take you to places you would not have been alone.
Kanwarpada: public school
Radha Temple: not the main temple so less crowded. Beautiful sculptures.
Lal Chat: amazing view on the lake.
Gangaur Chat: my favourite place, on the river, local, peaceful, spiritual, gorgeous.
Shiv Ji Temple: by the lake, spiritual.
City Palace: gorgeous
The dharohar show at Bagore Ki Haveli. Be careful you have to arrive at a certain time to take the tickets. Check online.
Ambrai Chat: breathtaking view over the Place and the city
Ambrai hotel: sneak in to see the hotel and the view
Bluemoon Kinaraz: breathtaking rooftop, at anytime of the day, really nice staff.
Badi Lake: beautiful, especially the view from Bahu Bali Hill. REALLY negotiate the prices with the Tuktuk so he drives you, wait and drives you back.
Jheel’s: great rooftop once again. Good breakfast and cakes.
Fateh Sagar Lake and the Nehru Garden: nice walk from the city centre. You can do boat tours, it is cheap and chill.
Street food along the Fateh Sagar Lake: nice way to test local food.
Saheliyon Ki Badi: A nice garden to rest and chill
Monsoon Palace: Amazing view, go at Sunset! We WALKED all the way up which was super nice but don’t over estimate the time to go up so arrive at least 1h before sunset. Then you will have to ask for people to drive you done. Or you pay for the car shuttles that take you up and down.
Where to stay:
Moustache hostel: breathtaking rooftop, great staff, good food, chill atmosphere, great tours
Where to eat:
Moustache serves food
Grasswood Coffee: vegan and healthy
Edelweiss, German Bakery: chill spot for coffee and cake
Cafe La Comedie: fro breakfast
The Bake affair: delicious cakes
Jodhpur:
How to access:
Bus or train.
Where to stay?
Zostel: great team, clean, INSANE rooftop, great tours
Where to eat?
The blue turban: on the rooftop of Zostel, INSANE view and delicious food
Bluebird: chill rooftop with great view
Gopal: great view but not the best decoration
The men cave: inside but read atmosphere and good food
Join the Zostel food tour
Vijay restaurant: take the Kabuli Kaju
Ghanta Ghar: great for the atmosphere and for shopping
The street food around the clock tower is insane
Stepwell coffee: beautiful!
WHAT TO EAT: Malai roti, Kabuli kaju curry, Arora Samosa, Gulab jamun (at Chaturb huj), Mogar kachori (at mool ji hotel), Ghevar (desert), Patasa (a lot during weddings), Dahibada, drink Chai teas.
What to do:
Mehrangarh Fort: Insane
Flying fox: zip-line in the fort!
Singhoria hill: gorgeous for sunset
Mandore Garden: nice for a stroll
Blue houses district / Nav Chakiya: gorgeous, just walk around.
Maa Jwalamukhi Devi temple. AMAZING view from there. Go at day time and at sunset ^^
Jaswant Thada: beautiful, especially at sunset
Stepwell: so beautiful
In general I would say just walk around and get lost in the gorgeous streets.
Jaipur
Where to stay:
Moustache Hostel: great atmosphere, great staff, clean, great tours.
Where to eat:
The Indian Coffee House: local place
Curious Life Coffee Red: amazing breakfast but super occidental style
Thali house: for thali
Street food is delicious everywhere
What to do?:
Amber Fort: beautiful!
Stepwell: ok after Amber fort but the one in Jodhpur is better.
Jah Mahal: peaceful and beautiful. On the way to the forts.
Pink City walking tour from Nomad Tours: you will see amazing and hidden places and try some local street food. Ask for Ajiith as a guide.
Hawa Mahal: beautiful, especially at night
The market: SO many things, all segmented by themes. It is a lot, be ready ^^ Bargain a lot. The wedding market is impressive.
Tadkesh warnath Mahadev Mandir: amazing atmosphere in this temple
Adarsh Nagar: just pass by at night
Trove: to party. Ladies night on Thursday. In general Jaipur is famous for the parties
Club Cabana: to party
Monkey temple: so so nice! It it FAR so go all the way by tuktuk, to walk there is really long.
Nahargarh Fort: Nice, especially the ride there. Great view on the city.