During my entire trip to India, I totally fell in love with one city and that was Jodphur. This city really left big marks on me. I’ll tell later you why. We even booked an extra night because we felt so comfortable there.
Accommodation and Transportation
In total, we stayed 3 nights in Jodphur. We booked a really great hotel, namely Ranbanka Palace, which we found on Groupon. Our rooms and services were outstanding and the staff always very helpful and friendly.
The best and fastest way to move around cities is the famous Tuk Tuk. For around 1-2€ they basically bring you anywhere you want.
Those are taxis that drive regardless and try squeezing into every tiny hole there possible could be.
They are very fast since they are not stuck in traffic as badly as other transportation means, such as busses or cars. It definitely is a big adventure you won’t forget and must do when visiting India.
What to do in Jodphur
Visiting Mehrangarh Fort
The Mehrangarh Fort was the first one we visited on our whole trip. Let me tell you, there are thousands of forts in India. Due to the fact, that it was the first one, the WOW-effect could be seen in our faces.
The entrance ticket, together with an audio guide, cost around 500RS (7€). There are always two queues, one for foreigners and one for locals.
We spent around 2h walking around the fort. We took some amazing photos, bought souvenirs and had lunch outside.
Flying Fox Zip Line
At the end of our walk around the Mehrangarh Fort, we discovered a Zipline. It is called Flying Fox and takes you across the fort.
With our group of around 10 people and our two guides, we had 6 zip lines of different lengths and height ahead of us.
If you book your zip line adventure with Flying Fox in advance online, you can even get a discount. Otherwise, with around 1800RS (25€) you are good to go.
Visiting Bishnoi Village
The next day we decided to leave the city and go remote for a bit. Our hotel helped us to rent a Jeep with a driver.
On our way to Bishnoi village, we were fortunate enough to see some wild Antelopes, real nomads traveling with their camels and beautiful nature.
Arriving in the village, we were welcomed by older people first. Very soon the rest of the family appeared, representing at least 3 generations.
It was a very educational and interesting stop. We learned that the ground, we walked on, is made out of cow feces and has to be renewed twice a year because the monsoon carries it away. This means, the family walks around the village, collects cow feces, flattens and dries it in order to use it for the ground later on.
Indians are very friendly hosts, who will always offer you at least tea along with great conversations. Wherever we went, we were offered Masala tea, a mix of black tea and herbs.
Visiting Potter House
The next village we visited still has a long-lasting effect on me. We unintentionally spent a few more hours than planned there because our Jeep broke down. We had to wait until the next one arrived to pick us up.
While waiting, the family, consisting out of a mother and their 4 sons as well as their wives and children, hosted us. They offered us food and of course Masala tea.
Being stuck there gave us the chance to experience the life of the lower class in India and exchange opinions. We had great conversations about their dreams, experiences, and life in India.
They all live together in one “house” (if you can even call it that) – an open space without doors. Beds, as we know it, did not exist. Their “beds“ were made out of wood and thick ropes. Placed between self-made, artistic clay pieces inside their shop, they were also being used as benches to sit on. The 3 of them (father, mother, baby) had to share and squeeze into one “bed“.
Their kitchen wasn’t more than a hole in the ground with an open fire.
This place is known as “Potter House“ because of its creative artwork with clay. We also had the pleasure to try making pieces ourselves. It isn’t as easy as it looks.
In the same village, we met another man, who sold his work here. He creates hand-printed tablecloths and duvet covers, which can take up to 14 working days.
He explains to us the stamping, sewing, and coloring process. I was pretty amazed that they do it all by hand.
He also explained to us the meaning of animals in India. The elephants stand for luck, camels for love and horses for power. Did you know?
Visiting Mohanlal Verhomal Spices
On our final day, we went downtown to the Tripolia Bazar (of course via Tuk Tuk) to buy herbs and tea for home.
A store I can recommend is Mohanlal Verhomal Spices, a tiny herbs store run by a really famous guy. Apparently he is also listed in Trip Advisor and ships internationally (if you happen to run out of herbs).
For more traveling around Rajasthan, read about our stays in Pushkar and Jaipur.
