Today’s blog post is about spending 24 hours in Jodhpur.

Recently, I travelled to Jodhpur and Jaipur. There was no fixed itinerary, only a list of places I wanted to visit in each city.

I expected it would take me two days to explore the Blue City. However, I was able to do it in one day.

Is that even possible? At first, even I was shocked. There was no way I could have visited all the places on my list in one day.

Later, before going to bed, I scribbled the day’s events on a small notepad. I rechecked to ensure I hadn’t missed a spot. I hadn’t.

It is doable if you don’t mind waking early.

So, here’s how to spend 24 hours in Jodhpur exploring all the must-visit sights.

Although, I recommend taking it slow and sightseeing over two days. But, if you have limited time in the city, this itinerary is for you.

Before we begin, here’s a summary of the itinerary for 24 hours in Jodhpur.

• Mehrangarh at 8:55 a.m.
• Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park at 11:30 a.m.
• Blue Street at 12:30 p.m.
• Jaswant Thada at 1:15 p.m.
• Panchkunda Chattriya at 1:50 p.m.
• Lunch at Crossroads at 3 p.m.
• Umaid Bhawan Museum at 4 p.m.
• Ghanta Ghar at 5:15 p.m.
• Dinner at Kalinga restaurant at 7:30 p.m.

MEHRANGARH AT 8:55 A.M.

The Mehrangarh Fort opens at 9 a.m. from Monday to Sunday and closes at 5 p.m.

I highly recommend arriving here before 9 a.m. because, despite the early hours, there is a small crowd. Also, you don’t want to walk around Mehrangarh for 2 hours in the afternoon sun.

Trust me, it’s not fun.

The parking area is a little ways from the entry point. If you have a driver, request him to drop you off at the entrance before parking the vehicle.

It takes 2-2½ hours to explore and marvel at the beautiful rooms of Mehrangarh Fort.

Purchase your entry tickets and begin exploring.

TRAVEL TIP:- Buy tickets for the elevator. They will save you a lot of walking and time.

The elevator takes visitors to the top floor. From there, you can make your way down after exploring each floor. Otherwise, you will have to walk to the top and back. It will add another hour of walking.

TRAVEL TIP:- A few feet from the ticket booth is the counter for foreign currency exchange.

I explored Mehrangarh with a guide. Just follow the numbers of the rooms and look for exit signs. If it gets confusing, ask one of the attendants for help.

Mehrangarh is an absolute delight. It is one place I wouldn’t mind coming back to.

When you enter the gift shop, know you have reached the end of the tour.

RAO JODHA DESERT ROCK PARK AT 11:30 A.M.

The Rao Jodha Park is 700 m from the Mehrangarh Fort parking lot.

But what is Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park? It wasn’t there when I travelled to Jodhpur back in 2009.

Well, Rao Jodha Park is the latest addition. It is a trail running through the Blue City. The objective is to increase awareness and curiosity about Jodhpur’s flora, fauna and vegetation.

After buying your tickets, you can choose which trail to follow. The trails are colour-coded.

Initially, I was following the shortest trail, the yellow one. However, my siblings and I were the only ones on the trail. It was spooky, so halfway through, we decided to turn around.

But, on our way back, we saw a couple returning from another trail. They were talking about the side view of Mehrangarh and a lake. So, that’s where we headed.

A clear view of the Mehrangarh city wall and the lake welcomed us.

We spent 45 minutes walking the trail before retiring to the car.

I know 45 minutes is not enough time. But the lack of people, spooked me. Therefore, don’t visit the trail if travelling solo.

TRAVEL TIP:- If you’re a nature lover, I recommend setting aside a whole day for Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park. Take the longest trail and explore all the beautiful sites along the way. But in a group.

BLUE (INDIGO) STREET AT 12:30 P.M.

The next stop, Blue Street, on the “24 hours in Jodhpur itinerary”, is optional.

If you want to skip the blue street, head to your next stop, Jaswant Thada.

Want to recreate the iconic Instagram photo among the blue houses? Well, then head to the Blue Street of Jodhpur.

The only way to get there is by taking an auto to the nearest lane and then walking.

From Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park, take an auto (if you haven’t hired one) to Blue (Indigo) Street.

If you’re travelling in a taxi or private vehicle, leave them at Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park. After touring the blue streets, return here.

Due to a few Instagram photos, this has become a must-do item on the Jodhpur travel list.

I, however, skipped this one.

Before leaving for Jodhpur, I researched the supposedly “blue street” only to realise it was a tourist scam.

Only a few houses are blue, and the paint was chipped and faded. The editing skills and filters make the place look extraordinary. And some people charge a fee to enter their houses for views of the “blue street”.

After walking the blue lanes of Jodhpur, head to Jaswant Thada.

JASWANT THADA AT 1:15 P.M.

Jaswant Thada is 800 m from Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park.

NOTE:- One of the Rao Jodha Park trails stops by Jaswant Thada.

After walking for hours, it’s time for a short refreshment break.

I was sweating profusely after walking in the sweltering heat. But the cool breeze made the heat bearable.

Somewhere between Rao Jodha Park and Jaswant Thada was a man selling refreshments.

A tall glass of ice-cold lime soda with mint and jal jeera was what I needed.

After downing the drink within seconds, I headed to my next destination, Jaswant Thada.

If a roadside vendor is not your style, no worries. There’s a cafe at Jaswant Thada. Grab a drink while sitting by the lake.

Jaswant Thada is a cenotaph built in honour of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II.

It is a stunning structure overlooking a lake. The skills of the artists are notable in the delicate details of the jali work.

Visitors can enter the cenotaph. Inside, you’ll find photographs of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II and other rulers of Jodhpur.

Walk around the tired garden; enjoy the view of Mehrangarh in the distance and the Blue City below.

After spending 20 minutes, which is ample, at Jaswant Thada, it’s time to head to your next stop, Panchkunda Chattriya.

PANCHKUNDA CHATTRIYA AT 1:50 P.M.

The Panchkunda Chattriya is a 15-minute drive from Jaswant Thada. En route, you’ll come across quarries of the famous red sandstone.

You can spot the cenotaphs from the road. Park your vehicle along the outer wall. Upon entering, register your name with the guard. Then, you’re free to explore.

TRAVEL TIP:- Entry to the Panchkunda Chattriya is free for all. So, you don’t pay the guards (unless you want to).

The Panchkunda Chattriya or Cenotaphs are the cremation grounds of the Jodhpuri queens. Following the Hindu rituals, the funeral rites of the queens took place at the Panchkunda Chattriya.

Maharani Surya Kanwarji’s Chattri (cenotaph) has 32 pillars and is a fine example of Marwari architecture.

Besides the queens’ cenotaphs, the Panchkunda Chattriya is home to the tombs of the rulers of Jodhpur, namely Rao Jodha, Rao Chunda and Rao Ranmal.

This red sandstone monument is a must-visit in Jodhpur. If not for the harsh afternoon sun, I would have spent more time here.

Visitors have to remove their shoes before climbing each cenotaph. I wouldn’t have minded doing this, but the red sandstone was scorching hot.

I gave up climbing the steps after doing it twice.

TRAVEL TIP:- Visit the Panchkunda Chattriya early morning or late afternoon.

LATE LUNCH AT CROSSROADS AT 2:40 P.M.

It’s time to replenish your energy with a delicious lunch at “Crossroads” restaurant.

Or you can head to “Kalinga” restaurant. Both restaurants serve tasty food, especially non-vegetarian items.

I went to Crossroads for a late lunch. Due to the late hour, my family and I were the only ones in the restaurant.

After long hours of walking, I was starving and ready to eat anything. I was confused about what to order as everything on the menu looked delicious.

So, I ordered a few things. For starters, chicken manchow soup, followed by a chicken curry (I don’t remember which one), tawa roti and a glass of cold buttermilk for the main course. Since a meal is incomplete without rice, I ordered the Schezwan Fried rice.

After the finger-licking good meal, I didn’t want to move.

But I still had some exploring to do. So, I got in the car and headed to the Umaid Bhawan Museum.

UMAID BHAWAN MUSEUM AT 4 P.M.

The last stop is the Umaid Bhawan Museum, not the Palace.

The Umaid Bhawan Palace has three wings: the museum, hotel and royal residence. While the royal residence is off-limits to the public, visitors are allowed entry to the museum and need a reservation to enter the Taj Hotel.

Search for Umaid Bhawan Museum not Umaid Bhawan Palace. There are separate entrances for the museum and hotel.

I went to the hotel’s entrance, where the guard informed me that entry to the museum was from the back.

After driving to the correct entrance, I paid an exuberant parking fee of Rs.100.

The museum would close soon, so I quickly headed inside.

Umaid Bhawan Museum is a glimpse into the royal family’s history, political relations, collections, and more.

My favourite was the room with the murals. I wouldn’t have guessed they were scenes from the Ramayan. They looked more like scenes from Percy Jackson. Thanks to the Greek artist, the murals have many Greek elements.

Also, don’t forget to browse the classic car collection.

NOTE:- One hour is ample time to browse through the museum.

GHANTA GHAR AT 5:15 P.M.

If you’re not too tired, you can add the Ghanta Ghar to your itinerary. Or you could head back to the hotel for some rest before dinner.

Unfortunately, I was too tired to make the trip to the Ghanta Ghar. Now that I think back, I regret not going.

In 1910, during Raja Sardar Singh’s reign, the clock was installed at the centre of Sardar Market. The clock is one of a kind. The king paid a sum of three lakh rupees for the clock, its installation and copyright.

Another feature of the Ghanta Ghar is it’s mechanism. Every Thursday, the clock has to be reset. So, who resets it? Since its installation, one family has been taking care of the clock.

Mr Ikbal and his son are the only two people who know how the clock functions.

You can meet and learn the click’s inner mechanism from Mr. Ikbal or his son at the Ghanta Ghar.

After exploring the Ghanta Ghar, you can spend some time shopping for clothes, antiques, souvenirs, spices and lots more.

DINNER AT KALINGA AT 7:30 P.M.

That’s the last stop on our “24 hours in Jodhpur” itinerary.

For dinner, head to Kalinga restaurant, 5 minutes from Ghanta Ghar.

I was supposed to dine at Kalinga restaurant. After returning to the hotel, I didn’t want to doll up again to go for dinner. So, I had dinner delivered from Kalinga restaurant.

The food was delightful. I had chicken tandoori, biryani, a flavoured spicy curry and raita.

After a long and busy day, head back to the hotel after dinner (if dining out).

CONCLUSION

That brings us to the end of how to spend 24 hours in Jodhpur.

I didn’t think exploring Jodhpur in a day was possible. But this blog post proves it’s possible.

The temperature in Jodhpur was in the low 40°s. I planned to explore as long as the heat was bearable. So, when I sat down for lunch, I was shocked to know only one item remained on my Jodhpur must-visit list.

Here’s a summary of spending 24 hours in Jodhpur.

• Mehrangarh at 8:55 a.m.
• Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park at 11:30 a.m.
• Blue Street at 12:30 p.m.
• Jaswant Thada at 1:15 p.m.
• Panchkunda Chattriya at 1:50 p.m.
• Lunch at Crossroads at 3 p.m.
• Umaid Bhawan Museum at 4 p.m.
• Ghanta Ghar at 5:15 p.m.
• Dinner at Kalinga restaurant at 7:30 p.m.

I hope the 24 hours in Jodhpur blog post was helpful. If you have any queries, let me know in the comments.

Planning a trip to Jodhpur? Here’s my complete Jodhpur travel guide.

I hope this ignites your wanderlust because

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.

mae west