Jodhpur

The second largest city in Rajasthan, Jodhpur looks out proudly over the edge of the Great Thar Desert. The city's massive fort (Meherangarh) dominates the town and is perched atop a rocky ridge smack-bang in the middle of Jodhpur. It's possibly the most formidable fort in the state, and certainly one of the finest. The view from its mighty walls over the old town with its blue buildings will surely make you fall in love with Rajasthan. The best way to discover the city is to wander the tangle of streets that comprise the old town, which is completely encircled by a city wall and has eight gates leading into its heady maze. You'll no doubt ...

The second largest city in Rajasthan, Jodhpur looks out proudly over the edge of the Great Thar Desert. The city's massive fort (Meherangarh) dominates the town and is perched atop a rocky ridge smack-bang in the middle of Jodhpur. It's possibly the most formidable fort in the state, and certainly one of the finest. The view from its mighty walls over the old town with its blue buildings will surely make you fall in love with Rajasthan. The best way to discover the city is to wander the tangle of streets that comprise the old town, which is completely encircled by a city wall and has eight gates leading into its heady maze. You'll no doubt stumble across the clock tower and Sadar market, where bazaars are crammed with Indian spices, sweets and handicrafts. It's well worth exploring. Village safaris rate as one of the highlights of a visit to Jodhpur. Uniquely Indian, they allow visitors access to traditional peoples and cultures, such as the Bishnoi, a people whose culture revolves around protecting the environment.

About the Expert

Alan Murphy is coauthor of Lonely Planet's Britain, Scotland, India and North India. He has been writing and updating travel guidebooks for the past eight years.