Overview

The Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park may have come up in the year 2006, but the volcanic rock that dominates what was a vast rocky wasteland near the Mehrangarh Fort goes back at least 750 years. It gives you food for thought does it not this volcanic feature so close to the desert sands near Jodhpur. The park offers some interesting trails to explore this desert landscape where you will encounter rocks and fossils from the Palaeolithic era.

Cycling through the antique alleys and historic localities of Jodhpur is a great experience. From views that take you back in time to a panoramic view of the blue city from a 500-year-old haveli, this trail is nothing but a feast for your eyes. The tour takes you to hidden areas of the city where you will discover artisans who continue to preserve the ancient craft of making lac bangles, an art passed down from generation to generation.

Things you will love it

• Riding to Rao Jodha Rock Garden and a 500-year-old haveli.
• Visiting public waterworks from the 17th century.
• Meeting the artists who are preserving the art of making lac bangles

What you will experience

We start our ride from one of the famous stepped waterbodies of Jodhpur. Popularly known as Toorji ka Jhalra, it is a centre point for many activities. Jhalra is a kind of stepped pond, one of the many traditional water architectural features of the city for conserving this precious life-sustaining substance for this desert outpost.

Twists and turns through old alleys on electric bikes will lead us to Mehrangarh Fort. We will ride on towards Jaswant Thada, where a cenotaph was built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh. We can also enjoy stupendous views of the Blue City from this spot. Pedalling on we arrive at the amazing Rao Jodha Rock Garden, with its rocks and fossils dating from Palaeolithic era.

We will make a stop at the twin Ranisar and Padmasar lakes which were built to conserve water through rainwater harvesting from public waterworks built during the 17th century. Breakfast awaits us at a 500-year old haveli from where you get fabulous panoramas of the Blue City.  Riding on we will arrive amidst the artisans of Jodhpur’s lac bangle craft. You will enjoy learning how to make these bangles which are a very important part of the history of these families.

Tour by Government approved Local Guide

INR 2000 per person | 2.5 hours |  Tour by Walk/ Private Car