Jodhpur

Jodhpur’s Mehrangarh Fort stands sentinel over a city famously washed in indigo, a sea of blue houses that spill across the desert floor below its colossal walls.

The Rathore kingdom chose this arid landscape, and the blue, a mix of cooling effect and traditional Brahmin pigment, became a defining characteristic of the old city, contrasting vividly with the desert’s ochre tones.

Fly into:

• Jodhpur Airport JDH
• Jaipur International Airport JAI

Within Jodhpur, auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws are plentiful and cheap for short distances. For day trips to Bishnoi villages or Osian, hire a taxi or book a guided tour.

The old city comes alive in the early morning and late evening; find a rooftop cafe to watch the sun cast its shifting light on the blue houses, or listen to the call to prayer echo through the fort. Engage with market vendors, who often have stories to share.

Best in Winter

Winter: dry and pleasant days around 20-28C, with cooler desert evenings often dropping to 10-15C.

• light layers for day and evening
• sturdy, broken-in walking shoes
• a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
• a small backpack for day trips