Jodhpur was the number five city we visited in North India, which should be on everyone’s list. But, of course, there’s so much to see and experience in India.
When planning this trip, it was challenging to see all the country’s highlights, but with little time, we focused on the most pretty places. As the second-largest city of Rajasthan, it’s a bit chaotic; however, the population is hospitable and less pushy, reminding me of Jaipur and Pushkar.
We made a two-week round trip through Rajasthan, though I had difficulty regulating initially. However, accepting this will end soon and having to get used to hordes. As well, it was nice comparing places to one another. Jodhpur was the friendliest city we have been to on this trip, an ideal place to stay for a couple of days before heading for adventure in the Thar desert.
Where To Stay In Jodhpur
Jodhpur has many options to stay overnight, from comfortable hotels in all price ranges that still offer decent quality at low rates. We stayed at Polo Heritage Hotel. However, the location is about three kilometers from the old town, a bit far for walking. And a tuk-tuk cost 100 rupees, but some drivers were unfamiliar with the area. So we guided them using our mobile GPS.
When booking this trip through Namaste India Tours, I requested a quiet place, and we could also suggest a hotel, so by looking at booking.com, you’ll find a list of hotels in Jodhpur.
They have beautiful spacious rooms, but some have wifi problems. At first, we got a room on the backside without internet reception, but I requested to allocate us next to the office for a better internet connection.
There’s a swimming pool on the premises surrounded by beautiful gardens. The only problem is if staying outside the center of Jodhpur, there are no restaurants nearby. You were likely obligated to order food at the hotel restaurant, which is very expensive.
Jodhpur In Two-Days Unmissable Things To Do
There is no shortage of things to do in Jodhpur; this lively city is loaded with historical wealth and can easily cover in a short time. Despite a disorderly, it’s a pleasant city to wander around without being bothered by intrusive sellers. In opposition to other places like Agra and Delhi, it’s pretty challenging to walk around without annoyances, which gives me a hard time.
To make the most of it, we spent two nights in Jodhpur. Below is an orderly list that we’ve done in two days.
- Stroll through the Mandore Gardens
- Clock tower and Bazaar
- Jodhpur ancient stepwell (Toorji Ka Jhalra)
- Mehrangarh Fort
- Umaid Bhawan Palace
- Bishnoi Village
Stroll Through The Mandore Gardens
These were the first thing we did on the first day. However, the location is 10 kilometers from the main center of Jodhpur, but free admittance. There’s a blend of reviews about this place. However, I put it on the list, and without regret, the garden was genuinely worth the visit. This beautiful garden has long been forgotten—a relatively quiet place to wander if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle and worth spending a couple of hours. The Mandore Garden has rich with history! You discover some ancient temples, monuments, and other shrines during the walk; it’s a mind-blowing place.
Clock Tower And Bazaar
Sardar Market and the clock tower can be visited together. Both locations are in the old town in the heart of Jodhpur. The lively activity around the market is the best place in Jodhpur to watch the locals how life is brought together. Also, it is an excellent place to spend some hours rummaging in the numerous shops in the area.
If you plan some shopping, Jodhpur is the place to be. You can touch and try things without obligation, making me purchase some beautiful scarves. And they are cheaper than elsewhere; however, haggling skills are needed. In the same area, you’ll find the clock tower in carved stone, the landmark of Jodhpur. It is a crazy busy place where all traffic is going through—the noise, smell, and chaos like most places in India. And if you happened to be here late in the afternoon, the Clock Tower began to turn colors, making it captivating for a picture.
Jodhpur Ancient Stepwell (Toorji Ka Jhalra)
Toorji Ka Jhalra is one of the best examples of an amazingly well-designed and constructed stepwell. You can see the steps have been cut using minimum space to go deep down. Rajasthan is a dry region, so wells are scattered throughout the state. The most substantial stepwell in Rajasthan is located in a small village of Abhaneri near Jaipur. If you are going to Jaipur, visit Chand Baori stepwell. The immense structure was imposing. It’s my first time seeing such a creation, and I can’t believe it exists.
The stepwell has been built for centuries in India and used for water supply. These staircases of the stepwell are masterpieces like an inverted pyramid with zig-zag stairs to the water reservoir for easy access for people to draw water.
How to get there: Toorji Ka Jhalra it’s a short walk from the clock tower market. The location is right next to the Raas hotel; otherwise, if you have the app Maps.me type the name Toorji Stepwell or ask any locals, and they’ll point you there.
Mehrangarh Fort
Jodhpur’s rank spectacular is the Mehrangarh Fort, which towers high above the city on the edge of the old town. The wall towers in the fortress were built with stones chiseled from the rock. Having traveled over Rajasthan for a week has taken in most of the main tourist spots, I was getting enough palaces. Though after we went around this one, my overall impression was wow. It’s genuinely the best one I’ve seen on the entire trip.
The fort is an unusual sight because of its richly decorated palaces and beautiful courtyards. Underneath are the blue-painted houses of the old town that are packed together like in a cubic painting. It’s quite a large site, allowing plenty of time in the fort. We easily spent two hours without noticing the hours.
More info: The entrance fee is 600 INR for foreign visitors. It’s a steep walk to the entrance, but there’s an elevator for 50 rupees at the bottom.
Umaid Bhawan Palace
On the other side of Jodhpur is the Umaid Bhawan Palace, one of India’s most famous palaces, built-in 1929. The impressive complex has various functions and is partly inhabited by the royal family of Jodhpur. A significant part of the building has been converted into a five-star hotel. For people with a particular budget, this would be an excellent place overnight.
The building is a natural attraction, but the hotel area is off-limits. The museum is open to the public, as a small part of the palace functions with an entrance fee of 100 rupees. Inside has a large display of photographs and information about the palace’s construction.
Bishnoi Village
I was looking for something different while in Jodhpur, and I came to a website about the tribal community in Bishnoi village. It was nice to get out of the bustle and see some countryside. This tiny village is a must in my view to understand where the city is coming from historically and culturally. The people are kind enough to invite you to their homes and show you their lifestyle.
A visit to Bishnoi Village enhances the experience of our travel to India; otherwise, it would have been incomplete. The drive on the dirt road was enjoyable; we could see people leading their ordinary lives as we drove through the countryside.
How to get there: regular cars are not permitted in the village. Visitors can only go with a safari jeep, which costs 2500 INR for two-person. Travel agencies in Jodhpur can arrange a trip to the town, while we didn’t bother anything as our driver arranged the transport for us.