Jodhpur is the Blue City of India.
Flew from Ahmedabad to Jodhpur.
Had booked Moustache Hostel for my stay.
Ubers and Tuk Tuk are easily available all across the city. Went to explore the Toorji ka Jhalra - a step well right in between the city.
Since the city lanes are narrow the best way to reach there is via Auto Rickshaw. Enjoy the way back through the hustle bustle of a small town, walking through the coloured homes.
Had a booked a guided tour of the Old Blue City from 4PM onwards. It was a walking tour where we walked through the old city of Jodhpur with the beautiful meherangardh fort in the backdrop while our guide explained the history of the place. The small homes all painted blue looked great in the sunset. We went to the Ranisar Talav and then to Pachetia Hills to view the sunset. That place is a hidden gem to see the entire of Jodhpur from a height and see the sun go down. The view point is behind a temple on a hill. So be careful!
Started the day by going to see the Umaid Bhavan Palace. It has a museum for the history of the place and Kings, another for the vintage cars and the access to the luxurious hotel is restricted.
I'd not recommend it to anyone since it's pretty small tour, plus the drive to the place shall take time.
I'd have to agree the palace looks stunning, even from far away. I wish to afford living that luxury.
Next we hired a car and went to Osian Temple in Rajasthan. It's a little few KMS from Jodhpur but pretty well known Jain temple. Prayed there, and at another Mara ji ja temple. Drank the nimbu soda to kill the heat and then spent the evening at the Camp Desert. Took a camel ride into the sand dunes of Jodhpur which aren't as delightful as Jaiselmer but since I was doing only Jodhpur I did it. Spent seeing the sunset on the sand dunes. Saw 2 wild deers fighting on our way up. Ate traditional Rajasthani food of daal baati and gatte ki sabzi with kadhi and drove back to Jodhpur for the night.
Kick started the morning by visiting the Mandore Gardens. The gardens are pretty unkempt but the temples inside the gardens are worth visiting. Mornings mean less public, hence good time to walk around. There are 5-6 temples there and then behind the gardens are the ruins of Mandore. It's a tiny hike which you should do carrying a bottle of water.
It's so stranded that I kinda was scared after a point of doing it alone that I came back to the gardens but since you hike to a height, it would be fun for the view.
Next stop was Jaswant Thada. It's a beautiful memorial built to cremate the dead. It has a lovely garden, intricate details on marbel for the main structures and a lot of history. It's right opposite the meherangardh fort, and by opposite I mean the opposite mountain. There is Rao Jodha rock park right next to it for you to hike as well.
Last for the day was the mighty Meherangardh Fort. I love places with history and audio tours are the best way to go through it all. Spent over 5 hours only at the fort. Pay the little extra to take an audio tour and go in the afternoon so you can enjoy the sunset there. End your day with a 6 line zip line at the fort Worth RS 2000. The fort has amazing history and a lot to offer. It's so huge that you could get lost without a map. I loved every minute of the time I spent at the fort. There are hidden gardens and small places to eat in the fort, if you spend your time wisely. Pre book a Tuk Tuk/ auto for the to and fro, for the fort since Ubers MAY not be always available.
3 days of sight seeing and running around was overwhelming.
Had a laid back breakfast and flew back to Ahmedabad in the afternoon.
