Fort Adventuring

Duration : Half Day

Tips : Wear breathable clothing and comfortable shoes. Wear a cap/hat, sunscreen, or carry an umbrella.

Available at : RAAS Jodhpur

Without a doubt Mehrangarh Fort is the site to see in Jodhpur and it is worth making a day of it. Though it's open from 9 to 5, the fort itself is best to see first thing in the morning, when it's coolest, maybe after some sunrise yoga on the rooftop of Baradari. The walk up is ten or fifteen minutes winding uphill. Once you get there we highly recommended getting an audio guide with your museum ticket (Rs 600*). The history is simply fascinating, a blend of elephant battles, Mughal sieges and political machinations.

The fort is in such good condition because Jodhpur's royal family lived there until the 1950s! Indeed the fort museum has a beautiful collection of the families' most extravagant paintings, palanquins and even cribs, which continued to be used well into the twentieth century. From the top rooms of the museum the view of Jodhpur is incredible, so bring your cameras (the camera fee is worth it!).The fort’s shop is well curated and is the source of some lovely books and paintings and, should the mood takes you, the palmistry shop is always well-received.

*Prices mentioned are indicative

Flying Fox Zipline

For the more adventurous types, the Flying Fox Zipline is definitely worth doing. Six different zip lines crisscross the top of the fort; shooting around Mehrangarh on zip cables is exhilarating and you get fabulous views of Jodhpur whilst doing it. It is extremely safe and secure but can get booked up in high season so make sure you reserve a spot (Rs. 1900  per person*) while you can. For this experience, your height should be a minimum of 4’7″ (139.7 cm) and a maximum weight of 115 Kgs (253.5 lbs).

Jaswant Thada

After the heart-racing ziplines, Jaswant Thada, the white stone cenotaph, is a lovely place to cool off. Sit in the gardens and take in the beauty of the memorial, or try and spot kingfishers in the small lake. It is a lovely place for a picnic. Inside, you can explore the amazingly carved white marble screens, so thin they seem to glow in the sunlight.

Chokelao Bagh

Make sure you head down to Chokelao Bagh, the garden which nestles at the foot of the Mehrangarh Fort. The route to the gardens lets you explore more empty parts of the fort, so it’s good to take your time looking around, on the way there. The 18th-century Rajput garden has recently been restored with its traditional flowers and designs. For only Rs. 30, it is a lovely place to visit at night; the Mehtab Bagh (Moonlight Garden) is designed to be especially magical under the stars. It is filled with the white flowers of Chandni (Tabernaemontana Coronaria) and the sweet-smelling Kamini (Murraya Exotica), great for a romantic walk. Afterwards, the Chokelao restaurant, on the upper terrace of the gardens, is the perfect place for an atmospheric dinner, you can get no better view of the fort and Jodhpur and the food is great.

*Prices mentioned are indicative

Discover other experiences available at RAAS Jodhpur