6 Cities You Must Visit as a Solo Female Traveller in Rajasthan, India
Last year ended in a blur. This year let us not leave any stone unturned to make it a memorable year. During a trip to India, is there anything better than visiting thy royal state of the art? Rajasthan is the ideal destination for solo women travellers who want to combine solitude with adventure in one go.
From the grandeur of landscapes to monuments, from the Great Indian Desert to experiencing cultural influences, from seeing the courage of Mewars, Rajasthan is a one-stop destination for the soul seeking and independent travellers. Carrying a strong lineage of fighters and warriors, Rajasthan kept their foot strong in preserving and spreading their values, tradition, and essence. You will be able to see this clearly on your trip to Rajasthan.
Coming from the West, this may surprise you. However, India has a long history of being governed by emperors and rulers, and Rajasthan is popularly known as the Land of the Kings. You will be surprised to know, Rajasthan is the largest state in India. The state has the highest number of monuments and forts in the entire country, so you are in a great spot if Rajasthan tops your itinerary.
It is a culturally and historically rich state, a huge number of travellers visit Rajasthan. During solo trips, safety is the first concern for me, especially in India. When it comes to Rajasthan, you can leave your worry aside. It is one of the most populated states in the country, and you can be assured of safety as people and police act as watchdogs of the place here.
Read my guide on 25 interesting things to do in Rajasthan.
Why you need to visit Rajasthan
Rajasthan is more than just exotic land, barren landscapes, and historical monuments. Moreover, it is filled with a colourful atmosphere, lively people, and rich vegetation. Be prepared to take a peek into the heart of Rajasthani culture and follow your heart in this fascinating journey. Just like me, you too will fall in love with the simplicity of people, rural villages, and heritage walk. And honestly, I never realised a simple meal shared with strangers would create the fondest memories for me.
A few must-go places in Rajasthan are Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Bikaner, Mount Abu, and well, my list can go on and on! Ideally, it should take you 7-8 days to roam the entire state, but you can stay longer if you really want to catch the true essence of this fantastic fort state. When it comes to the best suited season, you can visit Rajasthan from October to February as the weather is moderate, neither too cold nor too hot. Also, I will recommend visiting here in December as several fests and annual fairs are organised at that time.
For example, you can attend Rann Mahotsav at Runn of Kuchh and the Desert Festival at Jaisalmer. These celebrations are great for solo women travellers to interact with fellow travellers and see the real rural India. I was fortunate enough to attend these fests as they still stay fresh in my memory. I tasted the best food, watched folk dances, and shopped local antiques from here. This trip still tops in my Insta story!
Read my guide, 15 Non-Touristy Places in Rajasthan.
The mystical cities of Rajasthan
Since the major part of the land is covered with desert patches. Therefore, water is a precious resource here. Not only history or art lovers visit here, but, also, several scientists and nature enthusiasts come here. They travel to study the architecture of water reservoirs and techniques of water conservation. You will find many step-wells and water tanks created by the locals. When you spot one of these, do not miss photographing IT!
Without further ado, let us talk about the major six Rajasthan cities that are worth going to. They will add a perfect dose of spice to your trip to India.
1. Jodhpur
Jodhpur is known as Blue city and the Sun city of India. Wonder why? The major part of the town has houses painted in blue and good for us now that we can see a hue of blue colour painted all over the town. It is also called the Sun City since Jodhpur is geographically located such that it gets the maximum exposure time to the sun.
Visit Jodhpur to taste royalty. Monuments and forts like Umaid Bhawan, Mehrangarh Fort, Kalyana lake, Ghanta Ghar, and Mandore gardens are the key attractions. Jodhpur will be a muse for all the photographers, as it really will take away all your Monday blues.
After visiting these palaces and forts, I was inspired to treat myself with the touch of royalty. You are right, I went shopping crazy! You can find cute souvenirs in local market areas.
Talking about transportation, you can reach here by flight or train. For accommodation, five-star properties like Taj and Park plaza are available here too.
Read my guide, My Ultimate Solo Travel Guide to Jodhpur, India.
2. Jaipur
This pink city is the capital of Rajasthan. It is one of the most visited destinations in Rajasthan by tourists. Also, Jaipur is known for its grand festivals and celebrations. You can reach easily here by flight or commute a six-hour road journey from Delhi. There is a long list of historical sites that you must visit here. However, knowing what my girlfriends really want to know about, I will start with the shopping list first.
Hands down, you will find the best kind of souvenirs in Jaipur within your budget. I will recommend buying leather products.
The marvels to look at in Jaipur are Chittorgarh Fort, Amber Fort, and Birla Mandir. I loved my time at Chowkidhani that is 65kms north of Jaipur city. Do not miss visiting Chowkidhani, as it could be a lovely introduction to an entirely new culture. Chowkidhani is the best place to have the best Rajasthani feast.
Another major reason to visit Jaipur is its Ultimate Jaipur Literature Fest, and it seriously is lit! You will get to meet authors, novelists, and screenwriters from all walks of life.
Read my guide, My Ultimate Solo Travel Guide to Jaipur, India.
3. Udaipur
You will be surprised to see elephants and camels walking by, just like this is no big deal! From the range of animals to grand palaces, traditional Indian cuisine to handicrafts, Udaipur will amaze you in every manner. It is called a city of lakes in Rajasthan. To see the beautiful artificial lake within the town, visit City Palace, Moti Magri, Ahar Museum, Maharana Pratap Museum, and Ambrai Ghat. You will find the heavy influence of the imperial and vernacular style of architecture in these buildings.
I was lucky enough to attend their local fest, Shilpgram. It is also called a man-made crafts village. I was amazed to see the variety of beautiful handicrafts available here. If you are a foodie like me, try out Daal, Baati, Choorma to complete your trip to Udaipur in Rajasthan.
For the accommodation, you can book budget-friendly heritage hotels with a stunning lake view. Read my guide, My Ultimate Solo Female Travel Guide to Udaipur, India.
4. Bikaner
Dotted with ruins and remains of ancient forts, pavilions, and temples, Bikaner city has made its way to restore what it is known for. Here is another reason to visit the majestic city of Rajasthan. You can see the city’s dusty yet charming beauty in its temples, Havelis, palaces, and forts. You must also visit the 16th-century old Jain temple as its architecture and intricate designs are splendid!
Adding to the list, Junagarh Fort stands tall in all its glory. I cherished my trip to the fort having the famous Bikaneri Bhujia (Indian snack). This fort will treat the photographers as every backdrop is covered with wall paintings, glass, and latticework.
Bikaner is a paradise for food lovers. While you are in Bikaner, try onion kachori and lots of pickles. They surely will leave your taste buds craving for more. And I’m not even kidding!
While I was travelling in the city, my rickshaw-driver told me about this Rat temple. He mentioned that the rats were considered as spirits of human beings in the temple. Firstly I was a little hesitant to go there, but then I thought, where else in the world would I ever get to see something like this. No matter how disgusting it sounds, it actually is quite a funny experience. Watch this video of the temple of Rats on Planet D, and you’d know what I’m talking about!
5. Ajmer & Pushkar
As a journey of thousand steps begins with a single step, your trip to Pushkar & Ajmer will be long and exhausting but rewarding at the end. It is a blend of colour, valour, and spirituality. Like Pushkar has got the largest Brahma temple for Hindus, Ajmer has also got the biggest Dargah Sharif for the Muslim pilgrimages. These places are known for their notable white architecture and Camel Rides.
I also enjoyed a lot at the Pushkar Festival in January. It is like a carnival where locals take part in many competitions like wrestling, buttermilk drinking challenge, etc.
6. Mount Abu
Have you heard of paradoxical nature? Well, you will get to see it here yourself. It is a beautiful tiny hill station amidst the desert. You can visit here at any time of the year to enjoy its natural fauna and flora. This city is famous for its wildlife sanctuary too. You can book yourself a play date with a leopard, hyena, or a bear. I bet many solo women travellers come here and go back with tons of adventurous and loving memories.
My favourite spots
Apart from these cities, I extended my trip to visit Nakki Lake, Ranthambore National Park, and Jaisalmer.
Nakki Lake is like the Geneva of India. This place is indeed a travel therapy. You can enjoy breathtaking sunset by the beach or even go boating in this clean lake. Do not miss taking pictures of birds, as you will spot a wide variety of exotic birds if you are an early riser.
Read this blog to have complete insight on an adventurous turn of Rajasthan here.
Ranthambore National Park is one of the biggest Tiger reserves of India. It is known for its ferocious and majestic Royal Bengal Tigers. Travellers from around the world visit here just for the sake of seeing endangered Indian species. This comes under UNESCO and, thus, is very well maintained, secured, and organised. A Safari within the forest is the best way to spot animals and feel the true spirit of being in the jungle. During my jeep safari, my heart skipped a beat as soon as we spotted a tiger crossing the path in front. It was truly a thrilling experience for sure!
Jaisalmer is one of the beautiful cities in the royal state of Rajasthan. Visit here to see forts, monuments, and deserts of Jaisalmer. It is also popularly known as the Desert Capital of India as it houses the Thar Desert. I enjoyed savoury food, sunsets, and camel rides here. From visiting the haunted fort to appreciating the folk songs, from buying the local costumes to eating all kinds of spicy treats, Jaisalmer is one hell of a place! You should also definitely stay in luxury tents since they provide a great view of the desert area. It also provides on-site food delivery, sanitisation, and security. Practically, everything that you want!
What are you waiting for?
There is only once to a first time to any place. So make sure you make it a memorable one and take lots of pictures. Also, dress perfectly to the occasion and place. Here is my helping guide on What to wear in India: 15 Outfit Ideas for Solo Women Travellers.
Ensure that you carry sunscreen, hats, tote bags, comfortable footwear, and cotton clothes during your trip to these must-visit cities of Rajasthan. Shopping will be a big treat during your visit as each of the cities has its own local speciality in products and foods that you must try.
So pack your bags and keep exploring. The only mantra I follow is Work, Travel, Save, And Repeat!