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Jodhpur sightseeing by cab

Jodhpur in 2 days: what to see, in what order

Day one is the fort and the old city: Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park at 08:00, Mehrangarh, Jaswant Thada, the Toorji ka Jhalra stepwell and the clock tower bazaar, about 11 km and back by mid-afternoon. Day two is Umaid Bhawan, Mandore Garden, Machia Biological Park and Kaylana Lake, about 41 km.

9 places52 km by cabtimed against opening hours
How long do you have?
Day 1

Mehrangarh, Jaswant Thada and the old city

Start at Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park when it opens at 08:00, under the fort walls. Mehrangarh at about 09:05 for two and a half hours, then Jaswant Thada at about 11:40 and lunch. The Toorji ka Jhalra stepwell at about 13:35 and the clock tower bazaar from about 14:05. About 11 km by cab, back by about 15:15, with the evening free for the old city's blue lanes on foot. Works on any day.

07:45 to 15:125 places11 km by cab
  1. 1Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park
  2. 2Mehrangarh Fort
  3. 3Jaswant Thada
  4. Lunch
  5. 4Toorji ka Jhalra stepwell
  6. 5Ghanta Ghar (clock tower) and Sardar Market
  7. Back
  1. Leave central Jodhpur
  2. 1

    Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park

    1 h here
    Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park
    Photo: T. R. Shankar Raman, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A park of desert plants and red volcanic rock right under the walls of Mehrangarh, replanted from 2006 with native Thar plants. Marked trails climb over the rocks and along old water channels, with views of the fort and the blue city.

    Lakes, gardens & the desertOpen 08:00 to 17:30 from October to March, 07:00 to 18:30 from April to September, every day. ₹100, or ₹200 with a guided walk

    Tip: Take water and a hat; there is little shade. The guided walk is worth it if you like plants and birds.

  3. 2

    Mehrangarh Fort

    2 h 30 min here
    Mehrangarh Fort
    Photo: Knowledge Seeker, Public domain

    One of the biggest forts in India, built from 1459 by Rao Jodha on a rock about 120 m above the city. Inside are carved sandstone palaces, the Moti Mahal and Phool Mahal, and a museum of royal palanquins, howdahs, paintings and arms. From the walls you look down on the blue houses of the old city. The Chamunda Mata temple sits at the far end of the ramparts.

    Forts & palacesOpen 09:00 to 17:00 every day; one listing gives last entry at 16:30. Tickets at the gate or online; the audio guide is included for foreign visitors and extra for Indians

    Tip: There is a lift from near the entrance up to the palaces, so you can skip most of the climb. Wear shoes with grip: the stone ramps are smooth. Allow at least two and a half hours.

  4. 3

    Jaswant Thada

    45 min here
    Jaswant Thada
    Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A white marble memorial built in 1899 for Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, with thin marble walls that glow when the sun is on them. Around it are small cenotaphs of later rulers, a stepped garden and a little lake, with a good view back up to the fort.

    Forts & palacesOpen 09:00 to 17:00 every day. Small entry fee

    Tip: Shoes come off inside the main hall. It is a quiet place for a rest after the fort.

  5. Lunch, about 1 h. Your driver will know a place nearby. The times after this include it.
  6. 4

    Toorji ka Jhalra stepwell

    30 min here
    Toorji ka Jhalra stepwell
    Photo: Dr. Raju Kasambe, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A deep stepwell from the 1740s, built by a queen of Maharaja Abhay Singh, with rows of carved sandstone steps going down to the water. It was cleaned out and opened up again in the 2010s, and cafes and shops now look over it.

    Stepwells & bazaarsOpen in daylight, free

    Tip: The steps are steep and have no rails, so take care with children. It is a short walk from the clock tower, where the cab waits.

  7. 5

    Ghanta Ghar (clock tower) and Sardar Market

    1 h here
    Ghanta Ghar (clock tower) and Sardar Market
    Photo: Nishant.chawla123, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The clock tower, built by Maharaja Sardar Singh, who ruled from 1880 to 1911, stands in the middle of Sardar Market, the old city's main bazaar. The lanes around it sell spices, tie-dye fabric, bangles, silver and mojari shoes. Try a makhaniya lassi or a mirchi vada from the stalls by the gates.

    Stepwells & bazaarsThe square is always open; most shops are open about 10:00 to 21:00, every day

    Tip: Bargain with a smile. The blue lanes of Navchokiya and Brahmpuri, under the fort, are a walk from here; go with a local guide if you want to find the bluest ones.

  8. Back at central Jodhpur
Day 2

Umaid Bhawan, Mandore and Kaylana Lake

The Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum at about 09:30, then Mandore Garden at about 10:50 for the cenotaphs and the Hall of Heroes, and lunch. Machia Biological Park at about 13:40 and Kaylana Lake at about 15:20. About 41 km by cab, back by about 16:45; stay on at Kaylana for the sunset (about 17:50 in winter) and you are back an hour or two later. Not on a Tuesday, when Machia is closed.

09:15 to 16:434 places41 km by cab
  1. 1Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum
  2. 2Mandore Garden
  3. Lunch
  4. 3Machia Biological Park
  5. 4Kaylana Lake
  6. Back
  1. Leave central Jodhpur
  2. 1

    Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum

    1 h here
    Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum
    Photo: Prashantkovhal, CC BY-SA 4.0

    One of the last great palaces built in India, finished in 1943 for Maharaja Umaid Singh in golden sandstone with an art deco inside. The royal family still lives in part of it and part is a hotel. The museum wing shows clocks, crockery, paintings and photos of the family, and the maharaja's vintage cars stand in the garden outside.

    Forts & palacesOpen 09:00 to 17:00 every day in most sources; a few say closed on Sundays or open 10:00 to 16:30. The vintage cars in the front garden are on the same ticket

    Tip: Only the museum and the car garden are open to visitors; the rest is for hotel guests. On a Sunday, check that the museum is open before you go.

  3. 2

    Mandore Garden

    1 h 30 min here
    Mandore Garden
    Photo: Jon Connell from Cambridge, UK, CC BY 2.0

    Mandore was the capital of Marwar before Jodhpur, about 9 km north of the city. The garden holds the tall red sandstone cenotaphs, called devals, of the Rathore rulers, built like temples. The Hall of Heroes has big painted figures of gods and folk heroes carved out of one rock wall, and a small museum sits in the old palace. Langur monkeys live in the trees.

    Lakes, gardens & the desertThe garden is open every day in daylight and free. The State Museum inside is open 09:45 to 17:15 (₹20 for Indians, ₹100 for foreigners); one source says it is closed on Mondays

    Tip: Keep food out of sight: the monkeys grab it. The ruins of the old Mandore fort are up the hill behind the cenotaphs, a short climb.

  4. Lunch, about 1 h. Your driver will know a place nearby. The times after this include it.
  5. 3

    Machia Biological Park

    1 h 30 min here
    Closed on Tuesdays

    A big open zoo in the rocky scrub west of the city, with lions, leopards, sloth bears, blackbuck, chinkara, desert foxes and many birds, in large enclosures along a walking loop. There is a small fort on the hill above it.

    Lakes, gardens & the desertOpen 08:30 to 17:00 from October to March, 08:00 to 18:00 in summer. Closed on Tuesdays, and on Republic Day and Independence Day

    Tip: The loop is long and partly uphill, so take water and go early in the hot months.

  6. 4

    Kaylana Lake

    1 h here
    Kaylana Lake
    Photo: Archan dave, CC BY-SA 3.0

    A large lake in the rocky hills about 8 km west of the city, made in 1872 by Pratap Singh. It is the city's water store, ringed by red rock and scrub, with a lakeside road, a viewpoint and boats. Birds come in winter.

    Lakes, gardens & the desertThe lakeside is open in daylight and free. Boats run about 08:00 to 18:00 (one source), from about ₹100 to ₹250?

    Tip: Sunset is at about 17:50 in winter and 19:25 in June. Boats may stop before sunset, so take one first and then watch from the shore.

  7. Back at central Jodhpur

Drive times come from road routing without traffic. The old city's lanes round the clock tower are narrow and crowded, so the cab waits by Sardar Market and you walk in. The road up to Mehrangarh is slow when the tour buses arrive at about 10:00. On the Osian day, plan on about 30 minutes more each way than the map shows. Opening hours marked ? are not yet confirmed, so check them before you go.

Book a cab for these 2 days

Call or message a local Jodhpur operator with this plan. Tell them your hotel and dates, and they send a price for the car and driver.

2 × full day, 8 h / 80 kmSedan, SUV or InnovaPrice from the operator

Opening times for this plan

The hours we planned around. Check before you go on a public holiday.

PlaceOpenBest timeVisit
Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park08:00 to 17:30 from October to March, 07:00 to 18:30 from April to September, every day. ₹100, or ₹200 with a guided walkEarly morning, when it opens and before the rocks get hot.1 h
Mehrangarh Fort09:00 to 17:00 every day; one listing gives last entry at 16:30. Tickets at the gate or online; the audio guide is included for foreign visitors and extra for IndiansWhen it opens at 09:00, before the heat and the tour buses.2 h 30 min
Jaswant Thada09:00 to 17:00 every day. Small entry feeStraight after Mehrangarh, a few minutes down the hill.45 min
Toorji ka Jhalra stepwellOpen in daylight, freeAfternoon, when the sun lights up the carved steps.30 min
Ghanta Ghar (clock tower) and Sardar MarketThe square is always open; most shops are open about 10:00 to 21:00, every dayLate afternoon and evening, when the market is busiest.1 h
Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum09:00 to 17:00 every day in most sources; a few say closed on Sundays or open 10:00 to 16:30. The vintage cars in the front garden are on the same ticketMorning or early afternoon.1 h
Mandore GardenThe garden is open every day in daylight and free. The State Museum inside is open 09:45 to 17:15 (₹20 for Indians, ₹100 for foreigners); one source says it is closed on MondaysMorning or late afternoon, when it is cooler.1 h 30 min
Machia Biological Park08:30 to 17:00 from October to March, 08:00 to 18:00 in summer. Closed on Tuesdays, and on Republic Day and Independence DayMorning or early afternoon; animals rest in the midday heat.1 h 30 min
Kaylana LakeThe lakeside is open in daylight and free. Boats run about 08:00 to 18:00 (one source), from about ₹100 to ₹250?Late afternoon; the lake faces west, so stay on for the sunset if you can.1 h

More or less time in Jodhpur?

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Jodhpur in 1 day

Mehrangarh, Mandore, Umaid Bhawan and the clock tower

See the 1-day plan →
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Jodhpur in 3 days

Mehrangarh, Jaswant Thada and the old city · Umaid Bhawan, Machia park and Kaylana Lake · The temples of Osian and Mandore

See the 3-day plan →

All 13 places in Jodhpur

Every sight with what to see, opening times and how long to stay.

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Questions people ask

Is 2 days enough for Jodhpur?

Yes, for the city. Two days covers the fort, the old city, Umaid Bhawan, Mandore and Kaylana Lake at an easy pace. Add a third day for the temples of Osian.

Which day of the week should I avoid?

Keep day two off a Tuesday, when Machia Biological Park is closed. Day one works on any day, so swap the days if your trip has a Tuesday.

Why is day one short?

The fort morning is the most tiring part of Jodhpur, and the old city is best on foot in the evening. You are back by about 15:15, with time for the blue lanes of Navchokiya and Brahmpuri or a rooftop dinner facing the fort.

Can I see the sunset at Kaylana Lake?

Yes, if you stay on. The plan reaches the lake at about 15:20; sunset is at about 17:50 in winter and 19:25 in June. Tell the cab driver at the start of the day, as it makes the day longer.