Visiting the magical land of erstwhile royalty is on everyone’s bucket list. Rajasthan has a lot to offer and how! From the palace forts to the colourful flea markets, each city of Rajasthan has its charm. A holiday in this state seems like a costly affair, but is it? Fret not, because even interns on a stipend can visit this beautiful region! Presented here are 5 budget-friendly options which actually lead to a closer look into Rajasthan’s culture and also amp up your fun quotient.
Shoe-string budget travel has some ground rules. Travel using the cheaper transportation, make a trip during the off-season, opt for backpacking hostels, use the foot to explore, hunt for lesser-known eateries, buy local. Importantly, keep your travel short – between 2-5 days.
Jaipur
According to budgetyourtrip.com’s findings, the per person, per day cost amounts to an average of 1,194 Rs. Therefore keep a daily budget in mind and do not exceed that. Zostel is a backpacking hostel in Jaipur which is centrally located within the famous walled/pink city area. Staying in such a hostel – gives you access to all the major sites, saves your buck, and also helps you make great new friends! Next, as the hostel is centrally located, walk around the famous Johri and Bapu Bazaars. Buy beautiful mojris and tan bags at these markets. Do stop at the iconic LMB and M.M. Khan restaurants to satisfy your food cravings
Udaipur
The City of Lakes is a quaint little city that has its sites to offer. The average hotel/hostel cost comes to 745Rs in Udaipur. Moustache Hostel is another budget-friendly backpacking place where you can stay at. They offer a cool reading nook and a place for everyone to socialize. Enrol in an old city cycle tour, which is an extremely cost-effective and environment-friendly way to explore the city. Shop for exquisite handicrafts at Bada Bazaar and Hathi Pol Bazaar. Local markets are where all the fun is! Then gorge at the Ambrai or the Jasmin restaurant for an open-air setting.
Jodhpur
The Blue City exudes old-world charm, whether it is through its winding lanes or the historical forts. A tourist’s favourite – the per person, per day cost is also an average of 846 Rs only over here. It has a plethora of budget-friendly accommodations. HosteLaVie is one such option. It has dorms and private rooms and all other amenities for a comfortable stay. Coming to the itinerary, you have to visit the Mehrangarh fort. 120cm above, it defines the whole city. Visiting such historical places is always cheap. Also, visit the clock tower and the surrounding Sadar market. Affordable and colourful Indian trinkets are in abundance here. The market area has a lot of food options to gorge on. Shahi Samosas is one of them. Also famous is Shri Mishrilal Hotel for its makhaniya lassis.
Jaisalmer
A Rajasthan trip is incomplete without visiting Jaisalmer. This place is what one envisions when one thinks of Rajasthan. Stretches of sand and extreme day-night temperature, that’s Jaisalmer for you. There are multiple cheap options in Jaisalmer to stay in. Camping and camel rides are a big part of visiting the city. There are options like Sam Sand Dunes with 300 Rs for two and other tour packages which allow for a once-in-a-lifetime desert experience. They are extremely reasonable too. Jaisalmer fort and Gadisar lake are popular tourist spots. Finally, enjoy some dal bati churma at Desert Boy. Here too there are some old markets for cheap shopping.
Ranthambore
This place was made for a quick weekend getaway. There are a couple of OYO properties to choose from. The first thing is to take the Safari to Ranthambore National Park. Opt for a Canter instead of a jeep to save money. Do witness the sunrise at Surwal lake which costs nothing. If you are a fan of art then visit the Ranthambore Schools of Art for an informative stroll. The Village Women Craft is a place where you can buy traditional handicrafts from women and support them. Hitting two birds with one stone! You can also finish off the visit with a hot air balloon ride and enjoy the greenery of Ranthambore from above.
Mentioned here is just a quick outline to help you plan a budget-friendly vacation to Rajasthan. Make sure to do proper research and set apart fixed amounts for all activities. A stipend should not deter your travel goals and bucket lists.
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