Bikaner itinerary

Plan 01

1 day in Bikaner

1. 01

   Day 1: The fort, old city and a camel ride

   Start at Junagarh Fort at opening time; allow two to two and a half hours with a guide to see the palace rooms, the ornate gates and the armoury. Have a light breakfast or tea stop inside or at a café nearby. Walk a short distance into the old city's main bazaar street, Kote Gate Road, to see the havelis and watch artisans. If the afternoon is too hot, rest at the hotel. In the late afternoon, take a one-hour camel ride into the desert from one of the tour operators near the fort, timed to end just before sunset. Finish with a light dinner at your hotel or in the quieter market lanes.

Guides for the stops on this route

Plan 02

2 days in Bikaner

1. 01

   Day 1: Junagarh Fort and the old city

   Spend the morning at Junagarh Fort with a guide, seeing the palace galleries, Durga Niwas and the weapons museum. Exit via the Fateh Gate and walk into the old city to explore the havelis on Kote Gate Road and the adjacent lanes; stop at a halwai shop for a Bikaneri namkeen snack. Lunch at a sit-down restaurant near the fort if the heat is manageable, or rest at your hotel and return in the late afternoon. Spend the late afternoon browsing the old-city shops and temples, and end with a camel ride at sunset.

2. 02

   Day 2: Havelis, craft and the Gajner lakes

   Visit a few key havelis such as the Dalmia Haveli and the Badri Niwas Haveli with their courtyards and stone carvings. In mid-morning, visit a namkeen or textile workshop to watch local artisans at work. After lunch and rest, drive out to Gajner Lake or Devi Kund cenotaphs, a short drive from the city, for a quieter afternoon and sunset views. Alternatively, visit the Camel Research Institute if you have an interest in camels or agriculture.

Guides for the stops on this route

Plan 03

3 days in Bikaner

1. 01

   Day 1: The fort and old city havelis

   Start early at Junagarh Fort with a guide, allowing two to three hours for the palace galleries, armoury and historical rooms. Walk into the old city to see the carved havelis and stop at a traditional sweet or savoury shop. If the afternoon heat is intense, rest at your hotel; otherwise, take a short walk through Kote Gate Road and the adjoining lanes to see daily life in the old city.

2. 02

   Day 2: Craft workshops, temples and a camel ride

   Visit a textile or brass workshop to watch artisans at work, and if interested, buy directly from them. Visit one or two temples such as Laxmi Narayan or Karni Mata temple to see the devotional side of the city (note: Karni Mata, 30 km away, is famous for its rats, which many find unusual; check if it suits your group). Have lunch and rest. In the late afternoon, take a two-hour camel ride into the Thar Desert with a local guide, timed to watch the sunset. Return for a light dinner in the old city.

3. 03

   Day 3: Lakeside cenotaphs, heritage gardens and a free afternoon

   Drive to Devi Kund cenotaphs or Gajner Lake in the early morning, about 30 km away, for a quieter, scenic morning away from the city. The cenotaphs are carved with delicate sandstone work and set on a landscape of low scrub. Return for a long lunch and rest. In the late afternoon, revisit your favourite old-city street or visit a museum such as the Camel Museum if you have energy left. Spend the evening in the bazaar or with a final camel ride.

Guides for the stops on this route

Pacing

Make the plan work for everyone

• Hire a car and driver for the whole day. Bikaner spreads over many kilometres, and the midday heat is intense. A car gives you a cool place to rest between sights.
• Do Junagarh Fort in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the worst heat. The fort has many stairs and uneven stone, but they are not extreme. Take breaks in the palace rooms, which are cooler than outside.
• Plan a long midday break, at least two hours, at your hotel or a shaded café. Even in winter, the midday sun is tiring when you are walking.
• The old city is best explored slowly on foot in the early morning or late afternoon. Hire a guide if you want stories about the havelis; they make the walk more interesting and give you places to rest.
• Carry water, a hat, sunscreen and socks for temple floors and fort courtyards. Stone can be hot underfoot. Sunglasses are essential—the desert glare is intense.
• Stay in a hotel with a good restaurant or close to sit-down eateries. The old city has wonderful food stalls, but eating while standing in the heat is tiring.