Places to go around for a weekend getaway from Jaipur

1. Sambhar Lake

It is the largest salt lake in India, situated 80 kms from Japiur. You can plan a road trip to Sambhar with your friends and family. The best time to visit is during winters. It is one of the best sites for bird watching near Jaipur and also welcomes migrating birds from all across the world. You can also camp at the lake during the night.

2. Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary

It is the UNESCO-listed national park, situated in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, a 3-hour drive (180 kms) from Jaipur. This bird sanctuary is a royal reserve and previously used as a hunting ground by Maharajas of Rajasthan. It is currently home to 350 species of birds including both migratory and non-migratory birds.

3. Agra

Agra is most populary known for Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world. This city is a 4-hour drive (240kms) from Jaipur and can be easily covered during a weekend or long weekend. Apart from Taj Mahal, Agra has some more places to offer. The first one is Agra Fort or Lal Qila, which is also a UNESCO world heritage site and is situated right opposite to the Taj Mahal. The fort is built using teh red sandstone at the banks of the river Yamuna. Apart from visiting the tomb of Mumtaaz, Taj Mahal, Agra also homes the tomb of Akbar and Itimad-ud-daulah's tomb. When visiting during the long weekend, the town of Fatehpur Sikri can also be covered on this trip, which is a 40-km drive from Agra. Fatehpur Sikri is a famous tourist destination and is popularly known for being the capital of Mughal Emperor Akbar's Empire's capital for fifteen years during his reign. This town is also home to Jodha Bai's Palace, a must-visit place for people from Rajasthan.

4. Ranthambore

Ranthambore is one of the most popular tourist destination in Rajasthan, not only for common people but also for Indian Bollywood celebrities. Ranthambore National Park is one of the biggest national park in North India and is best known for spotting tigers, leopards and crocodiles. During my visit to this park, I got a feeling of reliving Ajay Devgn's movie Kaal, not the horror element but yes definitely the jungle vibes. Apart from the National Park, you can visit the Ranthambore fort and the famous trinetra Ganesh Mandir, after a short hike on the Ranthambore Fort. It is a 3.5 hour drive (200 kms) from Jaipur.

5. Sariska

Sariska Tiger Reserve is another great location for wildlife lovers situated in Alwar district, a 3-hour drive (180kms) from Jaipur. Apart from the serene wildlife spotting, it also gives a relaxing view of Aravali Ranges.

6. Bhangarh

This place is not for weak-hearted as Bhangarh is also known as the Asia's most haunted place. Bhangarh is a 1.5 hour drive (80kms) from Jaipur. Bhangarh fort is considerd to be haunted and is closed by 5p.m. and hence, it is best to either do a day trip to Bhangarh or cover it along with Sariska Tiger Reserve during a long weekend. It is highly recommended to rent a Bike or Activa, if you are planning to visit only Bhangarh with a group of friends.

7. Pushkar

Puskar, located in Ajmer district, is one of the oldest cities in Rajasthan, popularly known for Pushkar Fair and its amazing Holi Festival. Apart from this, Pushkar Ghats are also famous and is also a pilgrimage site for Hindus and Sikhs with many temples and Gurudwaras. The most famous temple is Savitri Mata Temple which can be accessd by either a ropeway or can be reached on foot through the stairs. This trip can further be extended to Ajmer, which is a famous pilgrimage site for Muslims and people of all religions all across the world come to visit the Ajmer Sharif Dargah.

8. Udaipur

Udaipur, also known as teh City of Lakes, is one of my personal favourites city in Rajasthan. It is situated around 400kms from Jaipur which can be an approx 7-hour drive from Jaipur. Both teh cities are well-connected by National Highways, still I would personally suggest to take an overnight train from Jaipur to Udaipur to stay afresh the next morning and enjoy the trip to teh fullest. Udaipur is famous for its lakes- Fateh Sagar Lake and Pichola Lake. You can also try and visit Badi Lake which offers serene views of the hills and teh lake. The main spot at Badi Lake can e reached after a short hike of 10 mins. The City Palace is a must-visit place in Udaipur with an entry ticket of 300Rs. Sajangarh is another highlight of Udaipur, which must be visited during monsoons for best views. I have highlighted teh ain spots however, a separate itinerary is required to cover all the places in Udaipur. Let me known in the comments, if you want one.

9. Delhi

The Indian capital, Delhi, can also be visited on a weekend from Jaipur. It is a 4.5-hour drive (270kms) from Jaipur and is a dream location for all people, be it food lovers, shopping lovers or party lovers. Delhi is also home to several popular historic and regional monuments including Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Akshardham Temple, Lotus Temple, Jama Masjid, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, India Gate and many others. It is famous for the variety of food dishes and cuisines it offer. Several theme parks and shopping malls are also an attraction for young people.

10. Samode Palace

Samode Palace is a luxury resort near Jaipur, which can be visited by people with an intention to spend a relaxing weekend away from the city hustle and usy lives. It is less than one-hour drive from Jaipur and gives a vibe of royalty to all its guests. Apart from Samode Palace, there are several luxury resorts in Kukas and suburban regions of Jaipur that can be selecetd for a relaxing weekend getaway.