Plan a Rajasthan tour covering the Thar Desert, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur and its famous lakes with a practical itinerary
I recommend a Rajasthan tour package with desert and lakes for those wishing to see two very different aspects of Rajasthan in a single trip: the Thar Desert around Jaisalmer and the lakes of Udaipur and Mount Abu. A practical 7-day route features Jaisalmer, Sam Sand Dunes, Jodhpur and Udaipur with desert camping, forts, havelis, lake visits and local food along the way. I am Ghansham Suthar from Rajasthan Tour Packages and have put together this guide to assist in planning the route without a long time spent between destinations. I will cover the places I would prioritise, the best time to visit, suggested trip durations, activities and check points before booking.
Why Is a Rajasthan Tour Package with Desert and Lakes a Good Choice?
A Rajasthan tour package with desert and lakes combines two very different aspects in one trip. Jaisalmer offers the dry Thar Desert, sandstone architecture and desert camps, whereas Udaipur provides the facilities of Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar Lake and the City Palace. Mount Abu includes Nakki Lake and a cooler hill environment. Jodhpur fits naturally between Jaisalmer and Udaipur and provides the route with the fort and old-city area.
Desert and Lake Experiences in One Trip
For a Rajasthan tour package with desert and lakes, I would recommend keeping enough time for the old city before heading to Sam Sand Dunes. I would also include Jaisalmer Fort, Patwon Ki Haveli and Gadisar Lake before spending an evening at a desert camp.
Then Udaipur changes the pace of the trip, featuring Lake Pichola and Fateh Sagar Lake as the main sights, particularly around the City Palace and the ghats. Fateh Sagar Lake is another useful stop for an evening visit.
Why Add Jodhpur?
Jodhpur is not a desert camp destination like Jaisalmer, but it fits geographically and includes Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada and the blue lanes of the old city. The route changes scenery before heading to Udaipur.
In short: I recommend this route where a trip seeking the desert, lakes, forts and local city is wanted without limiting to one region of Rajasthan.
Which Desert Places Should You Include in Rajasthan?
For the desert of the journey, I recommend Jaisalmer and Sam Sand Dunes as the main stops. Jaisalmer is the base for exploring the Thar Desert, while Sam is one of the easiest places to arrange a desert camp and safari. Khuri is another option if you prefer a quieter desert setting. I would not try to cover several desert villages in a single day because the experience would be rushed.
What Should You See in Jaisalmer Before Going to the Dunes?
Start with Jaisalmer Fort, which still has residential areas, shops and temples inside its walls. Patwon Ki Haveli is useful for seeing a merchant history, while Gadisar Lake provides an easy stop before the desert excursion.
The local markets around the fort are also worth including if you want textiles, leather products, handicrafts and small souvenirs.
What Can You Do at Sam Sand Dunes?
A typical desert visit can include a camel ride, jeep safari and evening cultural programme, depending on the camp and season. The dunes are particularly suited to sunset visits, but I recommend checking the exact activity timings with the camp before travelling.
For an overnight stay, choose the camp based on its location, room type, meals and included activities rather than selecting only by the advertised price.
Is Khuri Better Than Sam Sand Dunes?
Khuri can suit those wishing to have a less commercial desert setting. Sam has a larger concentration of camps and activities, so it is generally easier for first-time visitors seeking a straightforward desert experience.
Practical advice: If the desert is one of the main reasons for the trip, keep one full evening and overnight stay for the Jaisalmer desert area rather than treating it as a quick photo stop.
Which Lakes Can You Visit on This Rajasthan Tour?
Udaipur should be the main lake destination in a Rajasthan tour package with desert and lakes, with Lake Pichola and Fateh Sagar Lake taking priority. If your itinerary extends to Mount Abu, Nakki Lake provides an additional lake experience in a hill-station setting. Gadisar Lake in Jaisalmer can also be included because it fits naturally into your Jaisalmer sightseeing day.
What Makes Lake Pichola Worth Visiting?
Lake Pichola sits beside several of Udaipur’s best-known landmarks. From the lake area, you can see parts of the City Palace complex, Jag Mandir and the historic buildings along the waterfront.
Boat rides are available at designated points and operate according to local conditions and timings. I recommend checking the current ticketing and operating arrangements on the day rather than assuming a particular departure time.
What Can You See at Fateh Sagar Lake?
Fateh Sagar Lake is north of Lake Pichola and is easy to include during a Udaipur sightseeing day. Nehru Garden and the lakeside road are among the places visitors commonly include.
I usually prefer this lake for an evening stop because it does not require the same amount of sightseeing time as the City Palace and Lake Pichola area.
What Is Special About Nakki Lake?
Nakki Lake is in Mount Abu, Rajasthan’s main hill station. You can combine it with Toad Rock, the local market and other Mount Abu sights.
The setting is different from Udaipur because the lake sits among hills rather than within a historic city landscape.
Key takeaway: Lake Pichola is the priority for a Rajasthan lake tour, Fateh Sagar Lake is an easy second stop and Nakki Lake works best when Mount Abu is already part of the route.
How Can You Combine the Desert and Lakes in One Itinerary?
I recommend a Jaisalmer → Jodhpur → Udaipur → Mount Abu route for those with around seven days. It starts with the Thar Desert, moves through Jodhpur and finishes with Udaipur’s lakes and Mount Abu’s hill landscape. The exact travel time depends on road conditions, stops and the transport arrangement, so I would keep reasonable margins rather than planning every transfer to the minute.
What Does a 7-Day Rajasthan Itinerary Look Like?
Day Destination Main sightseeing
| Day | Destination | Main Sightseeing |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Jaisalmer | Jaisalmer Fort, local market, Gadisar Lake |
| Day 2 | Jaisalmer | Patwon Ki Haveli, old city and local sightseeing |
| Day 3 | Sam Sand Dunes | Camel ride, jeep safari and desert camp |
| Day 4 | Jodhpur | Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada and old city |
| Day 5 | Udaipur | City Palace, Lake Pichola area |
| Day 6 | Udaipur | Fateh Sagar Lake and local sightseeing |
| Day 7 | Mount Abu | Nakki Lake, Toad Rock and local market |
If you have limited time, you can remove Mount Abu and use the extra day in Udaipur. This makes the trip less rushed and gives you more time around Lake Pichola and the old city.
How Does the Route Flow?
Jaisalmer handles the desert section, Jodhpur provides a useful intermediate stop and Udaipur handles the main lake section. Mount Abu is best treated as an extension rather than a compulsory stop.
For longer holidays, I would add more nights rather than simply adding more cities. This gives you time for local markets, meals and unplanned stops.
In short: A seven-day route can cover the main desert and lake experiences, but removing Mount Abu gives you a more relaxed Jaisalmer–Jodhpur–Udaipur itinerary.
What Can You Do Besides Desert Safaris and Lake Boating?
A Rajasthan tour becomes more useful when you leave some time for forts, markets, food and walking through the older parts of each city. I would not fill every day with scheduled activities. Jaisalmer, Jodhpur Rajasthan and Udaipur all have areas where walking for an hour or two can show you more than moving quickly between listed attractions.
Which Forts and Historic Areas Should You Visit?
In Jaisalmer, spend time inside Jaisalmer Fort and explore its narrow lanes. In Jodhpur, Mehrangarh Fort is the major historical stop, followed by Jaswant Thada.
In Udaipur, the City Palace complex is the main heritage attraction. I recommend checking the official opening hours and ticket information before fixing your sightseeing schedule.
Which Rajasthani Dishes Should You Try?
For food, look for dal baati churma, gatte ki sabzi, ker sangri, bajra roti and laal maas where available. Jaisalmer and Jodhpur also have their own local snacks and sweets worth trying in established local shops.
I would keep at least one meal flexible rather than including every meal in the package, particularly if you want to explore local restaurants.
Where Can You Shop?
Jaisalmer Rajasthan is known for leather goods, textiles and handicrafts, while Jodhpur has markets around the old city and Clock Tower area. Udaipur has shops selling miniature paintings, textiles, jewellery and handicrafts.
Practical advice: Leave some unscheduled time in Jaisalmer and Udaipur for markets and local food rather than treating the itinerary as a checklist of monuments.
When Is the Best Time for a Desert and Lake Tour of Rajasthan?
For a Rajasthan tour package with desert and lakes, I generally recommend October to March because desert temperatures are more manageable and outdoor sightseeing is easier than during the peak summer months. December and January can become cold at night in the desert, so warm clothing matters if you stay at a desert camp. Udaipur Rajasthan and Mount Abu can also have cooler winter evenings.
How Does Each Season Compare?
| Season | Desert | Udaipur and Lakes | Planning Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| October–November | Comfortable evenings | Pleasant | Good overall period |
| December–February | Cold nights | Cool mornings and evenings | Carry warm clothes |
| March | Warmer days | Generally manageable | Plan outdoor sightseeing carefully |
| April–June | Very hot | Hot | Desert activities become less comfortable |
| July–September | Hot with monsoon influence | Greener landscape | Conditions vary by destination |
Key takeaway: October to March offers the most practical combination of desert sightseeing and lake visits, with winter nights requiring extra layers for Jaisalmer.
How Much Time Do You Need for This Rajasthan Tour?
I would plan seven days if your priority is to experience both the desert and lakes without making the journey too compressed. Five days can work for a shorter Jaisalmer–Jodhpur–Udaipur route, while ten days gives you room to add nights and explore at a slower pace.
Which Duration Should You Choose?
Trip length Suggested route Travel pace
| Trip Length | Suggested Route | Travel Pace |
|---|---|---|
| 5 days | Jaisalmer–Jodhpur–Udaipur | Fast |
| 7 days | Jaisalmer–Jodhpur–Udaipur–Mount Abu | Moderate |
| 10 days | Extended Rajasthan circuit | Relaxed |
With five days, I would avoid adding too many extra destinations. Seven days gives you more flexibility, while ten days works better if you want additional cities, slower sightseeing and extra time in Udaipur.
In short: Seven days is my preferred starting point for combining Rajasthan’s desert and lakes, while five days suits those needing a shorter itinerary.
What Should You Check Before Booking the Package?
Before booking a Rajasthan tour package with desert and lakes, check exactly what the quoted price includes. Two packages can have similar prices but provide different hotel categories, vehicle types, desert camp arrangements and sightseeing inclusions. I recommend asking for a written day-by-day itinerary and checking whether entry tickets, meals, safari charges and boat rides are included or payable separately.
What Should Be Included?
Hotel category and number of nights Private vehicle and transfer details Desert camp accommodation Camel ride or jeep safari inclusions Breakfast and other meals Sightseeing locations Driver charges and parking Entry tickets and activity fees
Why Should You Check the Desert Camp Details?
Desert camps can differ significantly in location and facilities. Ask whether the stay is at Sam Sand Dunes or another desert area, what type of accommodation is provided and which activities are included.
I also recommend checking cancellation rules, payment terms and any seasonal price changes before confirming the booking.
Practical advice: Compare the complete inclusions rather than comparing package prices alone. This helps you understand the actual cost of the Rajasthan trip.
Conclusion
A Rajasthan tour package with desert and lakes can bring together Jaisalmer’s Thar Desert, Sam Sand Dunes, Jodhpur’s Mehrangarh Fort, Udaipur’s Lake Pichola and Fateh Sagar Lake, and Mount Abu’s Nakki Lake in one route. I recommend seven days for a balanced trip, with additional nights if you want slower sightseeing. At Rajasthan Tour Packages, I would plan the route around your available days, preferred hotels, transport and activities rather than adding destinations simply to make the itinerary longer.
Book Your Rajasthan Desert and Lakes Tour
Plan your Rajasthan trip with a route that covers Jaisalmer’s desert, Jodhpur’s forts and Udaipur’s lakes. Contact Rajasthan Tour Packages to customise your itinerary, hotels, transport and sightseeing according to your travel dates and budget.
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