DIY Rajasthan trips from Urbanaut
While we can’t help you with the flight ticket prices that continue to confound and astound, we can definitely help you enjoy a seamless holiday in Jaipur and Jodhpur—our destination picks for this edition.
A reminder from Urbanaut: We know downloading an app is a pain—but you will not regret getting the Urbanaut app (and if we’re wrong, it’s easy to delete!). We’ve got tons of curated recommendations that you can save and plan with, and fantastic experiences that you can book with your kids, folks, pets and friends. What you see in this newsletter is but a tiny slice of all the options that await on the app. And if you really don’t want to get the app, check out our less exciting but altogether functional website where you can book our experiences with ease.
Jaipur in the winter, what could be better?
Indians often leave Jaipur feeling underwhelmed. In many ways, it can be a crowded, dusty and hot city—sounds unlike a holiday destination, right? Allow us to change your mind.
Stay: For the boutique-minded and budget agnostic, keep the Johri Jaipur on your list along with Villa Palladio—the new on the block that will make every guest feel like they’re in the pages of a design magazine. 28 Kothi and 47 Jobner Bagh are also top choices while being slightly more forgiving on the wallet. And if you’re looking for a really homely experience, then you can pick between Mukam Jaipur or Art Ghar Jaipur.
Experience: Our Jaipur experiences are live! Just in time for high season, we’ve got a stellar selection of walks, cultural experiences and more. Get familiar with the best parts of the city—including the Panna Meena stepwell—with our Amber Palace walk or dive straight into absorbing one of Rajasthan’s many craft wonders with the Art of Block Printing experience. If you’re a fan of Jaipur Rugs, then the Weaving Tales: A rural tour is a must-try—they have curated this tour especially for Urbanaut customers. But if spending time with rescued elephants in a wilderness camp is more your thing, then pick this absolutely delightful experience a little away from Jaipur.
Eat/drink: Don’t miss the OG kulfi shop of Jaipur, Pandit Kulfi as you navigate Johri Bazaar. A visit to the inimitable (many have tried and failed) Lassiwala is a must. Laxmi Mishtan Bhandar or LMB is an essential for a variety of delicious Rajasthani snacks and thaalis. For a royal indulgence, head to Rambagh Palace for High tea. Coffee lovers—or addicts—will be ecstatic with Jaipur’s lovely cafes and coffee shops like Half-Light Coffee Roasters, Curious Life Coffee Roasters, Anokhi Cafe and Tapri Ashram. To end the day, head to the delectable Bar Palladio or the Johri.
Do: Multi-arts centre Jawahar Kala Kendra is housed in a gorgeous building designed by architect Charles Correa and has an in-house cafe to soak up the inspiration. The Jaipur Blue Pottery Art Centre is a wonderful choice if you’re on the hunt for the famous blue souvenirs. Nila House is a stunning haven for art and design lovers, and there are plenty of architectural and historical wonders to visit to soak in the majesty of the city, like the stunning Galta Ji temple.
Point to note: The kite festival, Sankranti takes place in January and the much-loved Jaipur Lit Fest makes a comeback in the same month next year. Both these times are great to visit Jaipur and soak in that little ‘extra’ spirit of the city.
Visit the ‘underdog’ of Rajasthan, Jodhpur
To be honest, our first experiential holiday to Jodhpur—curated with exclusive experiences at some iconic locations—is really the only itinerary you need. An exploration of food and nature without compromising on that warm Rajasthani hospitality. So even if you’re unable to join us (we’ve filled our cosy little group!) from 2-4 December, feel free to reach out to us to curate this holiday for you on your own time.
Stay: Your best bet for an affordable yet delightful stay in the Blue City is the gorgeous Daspan House—a boutique homely experience built on a refurbished and upcycled property from the 1920s. Raas Jodhpur is another stunning property, as is the Rohet House.
Experience: A visit to the Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park is a slightly off-beat Jodhpur experience where you can spot some interesting rock formations. Mandore Garden is another spot that could be a top pick for the history nerds. If you’re looking to explore the Blue City with a deeper understanding of it, then try our Through the Blue Cascades of Jodhpur walking tour complete with tasty street food—all guided by an expert. And no visit to Jodhpur is complete without seeing the restored ancient stepwell, Toorji ka Jhalra.
Eat/drink: Janta Sweet Home is a Jodhpur legacy and surely a no-brainer—the perfect spot for namkeens and mithais both. Don’t forget to pack some to bring back home! On the Rocks is a classic restaurant that is famous for their Laal Maas—a special Rajasthani mutton preparation which you can devour in their garden area. Stepwell Cafe has a great view of the Toorji ka Jhalra and is a good place to get non-Indian food if you’re looking for a break. A couple of bespoke experiences: A bonfire breakfast at a farm or a more decadent plat-forward and farm-to-table seven course meal.
What's up @urbanaut
Ok, it’s time for introductions—so you know who we are. Urbanaut curates authentic recommendations from those who know best—creative, discerning locals in different cities. We often joke that even if no one else ever uses Urbanaut, we have a treasure trove of places that we would have never heard of without this job. So win-win for us! But 30,000+ travellers use our app just in case you were wondering!
We’re an early-stage travel tech startup (fancy lingo for the win!), female-founded, and with dreams of being in cities and countries around the world. The discerning traveller is having their moment, and we’re here for it—and we sure as hell plan to be a part of it!
We’ve got recommendations in 30+ cities and bookable experiences that you’ve never heard of, but definitely want to try in Goa, Mumbai, Alibag, Manali, Ladakh, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Garhwal and Dharamshala—and we’ll be launching soon in plenty of exciting new destinations in India and abroad.
Download Urbanaut on the App Store or Play Store to get started. Or visit our website (we’re better on the app, but we get it) to view our experiences and recommendations!
