Jodhpur, Jaisalmer & Bikaner Tour Review: An 8-Day Desert Adventure

Considering an 8-day trip through Rajasthan’s desert cities? You might be asking yourself if the ‘Jodhpur Jaisalmer Bikaner Guided 8 Day Desert Adventure’ is worth your hard-earned cash and, really, your valuable time. We, like your cautious explorers, undertook that exact adventure. Here’s an honest breakdown to help you decide if it’s the adventure you have pictured.

First Stop: The Blue City – Jodhpur

Our adventure started, just like it should, in Jodhpur, which some people refer to as the “Blue City”. And I will say, seeing it from above, so it really lives up to that name. What struck me pretty hard as a contrast to all the blue was Mehrangarh Fort. Basically, a massive structure rises high above the city. Honestly, you should allow a good chunk of a day to really explore it. The views? Breathtaking, almost spiritual. The history? Full of captivating stories from a past time, so tales about bravery and, perhaps, a little bit of treachery, too.

We visited the usual must-see locations, like Umaid Bhawan Palace. Currently, parts of the palace serve as a hotel and a museum. Depending on how you’re positioned financially, perhaps you could enjoy an extremely extravagant stay. The museum offers a good peek into the royal family’s lifestyle, which can be nice. You may find the local markets extremely captivating, that are absolutely filled with vibrant textiles, fragrant spices, and tons of handicrafts. Haggle respectfully, if you will, that way you can find some fantastic souvenirs to remind you of your desert explorations. Basically, the city is amazing in this particular stop.

Jaisalmer: The Golden City Beckons

After Jodhpur, we moved right into Jaisalmer, nicknamed “The Golden City” thanks to its yellowish sandstone architecture. The main attraction? I mean, it is fairly obvious; Jaisalmer Fort, also called Sonar Quila (Golden Fort). The interesting point about it, it is not just a historical monument. It is, in a way, a living, breathing city within a city. People still live inside its walls. The place is amazing, too, with shops and temples everywhere. You will, quite possibly, want to take your time. Wander all the slender alleyways, just absorbing the vibes.

Outside of the fort, a camel safari into the Thar Desert really is something else. Spending a night in a desert camp, below the starlit sky? Basically, unforgettable. However, bear in mind that “desert camps” can vary in quality significantly. Some are bare bones. Others offer a seriously lavish experience. In a way, make sure you investigate, before booking to manage those expectations properly.

Bikaner: A Hidden Gem

Bikaner often goes overlooked by the casual tourist crowds, yet that’s part of its unique allure. Junagarh Fort, unlike most forts in Rajasthan, wasn’t built on a hilltop. That makes it somewhat special. The fort itself features a blend of architectural forms. And what it also showcases, it displays the history of the area.

The Karni Mata Temple, dedicated to the rat goddess, is rather peculiar. It isn’t for everybody, particularly if you find rodents bothersome. It does provide a really crazy glimpse into local beliefs and customs. Be ready for an experience that, in a way, you are unlikely to forget. Some parts of Bikaner really is not for everyone, but the experience is absolutely authentic.

Accommodation and Transportation

So, in a lot of tour packages, the standard of accommodation can be spotty, so I suggest that the hotels selected for our tour, tend to, meet our expectations. They weren’t five-star luxury, however, they offered fairly comfortable stays, and fairly clean rooms. Breakfast was normally included, which actually is really helpful when you’re attempting to stick to a budget.

Transportation between cities was normally by vehicle. They can be somewhat comfy private cars. Be prepared for a good few hours on the road between cities, since the distances in Rajasthan can be sort of large. Also, your driving capabilities of local drivers, can and might, test your nerve, because the traffic is usually a bit crazy.

Food and Drink

Rajasthani cuisine truly is flavorful. Often, it might be rather spicy. Most meals during our tour weren’t included. It may, however, provide a good possibility to taste local eateries and street food. Do try the dal baati churma, that will likely become a fairly typical dish. Be aware of your tummy, mostly with street food, but honestly, everything tasted outstanding.

Tour Guide and Itinerary

The knowledge and attitude of your tour guide will really impact the whole experience of your adventure. Basically, our guide was insightful, fairly friendly, and told us quite a lot of each location’s past. A good guide tends to be accommodating, answering questions, and delivering recommendations.

The itinerary may need some time for customization. Check in advance how rigid the tour is, and how much flexibility there really is to pursue particular passions. Perhaps you’re much more interested in culture, as opposed to history, so in a way, talk it out before hand. Also, a tiny warning, “optional activities” often involve a supplementary cost. Plan for that in your budget, so you will have a much more convenient time with purchases.

Is this tour worth your investment?

Basically, the ‘Jodhpur Jaisalmer Bikaner Guided 8 Day Desert Adventure’ tour has highs and some lows, as do every tour. It offers a fairly convenient way to visit three unique cities in Rajasthan without the tension of solo planning. In a way, if you appreciate having logistics taken care of, also appreciate having a tour guide, this particular package might be something you could potentially appreciate.

Yet, the accommodation, transportation, and also level of flexibility, probably might not suit much more separate travelers. If you are trying to stay within a certain economical amount, it could be fairly viable to plan all of this individually. Depending on who you pick, this particular tour is quite costly, because you are spending your budget to afford the ease, safety and expertise that is offered.

So, finally, after everything, here is what I have:

• Jodhpur: In a way, Jodhpur gives a great introduction into Rajasthan because of its striking Mehrangarh Fort, along with vibrant culture.
• Jaisalmer: Is amazing, especially visiting Jaisalmer Fort, together with the unbelievable desert camping experiences.
• Bikaner: Typically offers an real glimpse into culture. That may not be for everybody but it is amazing in the same way.
• Tour Guide: The insights into your trip, along with their proficiency, has an impact on everything you learn during the travels.
• Worth It?: Provides a simple manner for visiting a number of destinations without all of the headaches of actually planning everything, but make sure to investigate other economical factors before jumping directly in.