Our recent trip to Jodhpur was an unforgettable adventure, filled with excitement, challenges, and heartwarming moments. As a mom traveling with my son Yuvaan, along with Ms. Simmi Vasu ma’am and her son Karthik, we had to plan carefully, considering the weather, off-season, and the unique needs of our kids.

To ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience for our children, we undertook meticulous planning and curation of the entire trip, commencing two months prior to our departure. This involved booking flights and hotels, as well as crafting a tailored itinerary that catered to our kids’ unique preferences and interests, all well in advance.

We chose to visit Jodhpur during the off-season in March, knowing that the crowds would be smaller and the heat more bearable. We packed accordingly, with comfortable cotton clothing, sunglasses and caps to protect us from the sun.

Day 1- 22nd March’25
Our journey began early morning at the airport, where we had a smooth and hassle-free check-in experience. The airport staff were helpful and accommodating, providing us with extra assistance and support. We were also impressed by the airline staff, who were patient and understanding of our needs by helping us out with the priority check-ins and boarding.

Upon arrival and checking into our hotel at Jodhpur, we were greeted with a warm and welcoming reception. We settled into our rooms and then indulged in a delicious, traditional Rajasthani lunch at the hotel’s rooftop restaurant. Following a brief, hour-long respite, we embarked on our first evening’s sightseeing excursion, commencing with a visit to Toorji Ka Jhalra (Toorji’s Step Well).

The Toorji’s Step Well Square is a veritable architectural treasure trove, showcasing over 250 years of building traditions. At its centerpiece lies Toorji’s Step Well, a marvel constructed in the 1740s and painstakingly restored in recent years, revealing over 200 feet of exquisite, hand-carved craftsmanship.

Next, we spent several captivating hours exploring the narrow and picturesque bylanes of the Blue City and also had the opportunity to dine, shop, and relax at the iconic Clock tower–Ghanta Ghar, which offered breathtaking views of the city. We also walked through the bustling Sadar Market, where we saw local women celebrating their regional festival of Gangaur. The kids enjoyed the vibrant colors and lively atmosphere of the market.

Further, we visited the beautiful Mandore Gardens a marvelous architectural wonder. The kids had a blast exploring the toy train, adventure park, and Mandore temple. We were also mesmerized by the breathtaking light show. The gardens were a sensory delight, with beautiful flowers, trees, and more.

Upon returning to our hotel in the evening, we dined at the rooftop restaurant, which offered a breathtaking panoramic view of the city, particularly at night. With the majestic Mehrangangarh Fort situated just a mile away, its illuminated façade provided a stunning backdrop to our dining experience. The ambiance was further enhanced by the live telecast of the IPL cricket match on a large screen, while we savored the delectable Rajasthani cuisine. The combination of the fort’s nocturnal splendor, the excitement of the cricket match, and the exquisite dinner made for a truly unforgettable and delightful experience.

Day 2- 23rd March’25
Our hotel manager expertly planned our daily itinerary, recommending a visit to the Sarpura Dam and park, followed by a thrilling Desert Camp Safari and a stop at the revered ‘Sachiya Mata’ Temple in Osian village for the day 2. This carefully curated excursion allowed us to immerse ourselves in the authentic village life and traditions of rural Rajasthan. The experience was further enhanced by exciting Jeep and Camel safaris, a home stay at Osian village, interacting with villagers, trying hands on various traditional Rajasthani activities including tying Rajasthani turbans, cooking on ‘Chulah’ providing us a comprehensive and unforgettable experience of the region’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Yuvaan enjoyed the camel ride, Jeep safari, making small ‘bajra roti’ and playing in the sand dunes, the most. He also explored the traditional village life, visiting local home, farms, and learning about their customs and traditions.

Day 3- 24th March’25
On the 3rd day of our trip in Jodhpur, we first visited The Mehrangarh Fort which was another breathtaking experience. We all enjoyed the interactive exhibits, pictures, art and artifacts on display, the museum shop, the local music and the stunning views of the city from the top of the fort.
Next, we visited the Umaid Bhawan Palace whose stunning architecture, rooms and exhibits on display especially the beautiful vintage car collections left us all in awe. We spent a few hours exploring the palace, taking in the intricate details and learning about its rich history. The kids were mesmerized by the palace’s grandeur. Yuvaan was particularly fascinated by Room No. 7, also known as the “Clock Room“, which showcased an impressive array of timepieces in diverse shapes and sizes. The unique collection included a lighthouse clock, airplane clock, ship clock, and many other intriguing designs, captivating Yuvaan’s imagination and attention.
Following lunch, we proceeded to visit Jaswant Thada, a magnificent memorial erected in honor of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. From there we proceeded to the Machiya zoo, where we saw a variety of animals and birds including tiger, bears, hyena, fox, deers, antelopes, gazelle, civet, python, crocodiles, alligators, birds, parrots, ducks, Emu, etc.
Finally, we ended our trip with a visit to the beautiful Kaylana lake, where we enjoyed the peaceful surroundings and scenic views during evening.

Day 4- 25th March’25
On the final day of our trip, we kept plenty of time in hand for ourselves for packing, hotel clearance, check out of our hotel and making our way to the airport for our return flight, well in time. We were once again grateful for the exceptional assistance provided by the airport and airline staff, who facilitated a seamless check-in, security screening, and boarding process. Their kindness and efficiency ensured a stress-free departure, bringing our wonderful trip to a satisfying close.

Memorable moments

The trip provided many opportunities for bonding and creating memories for Yuvaan with his Karthik Bhaiya and Simmi Aunty. He shared laughter, excitement, and wonder, strengthening their relationship.
• The trip gave us a renewed sense of confidence and competence in planning and executing trips with Yuvaan.
• It also provided us with countless memories and fun experiences that we will cherish forever.
• This trip exposed Yuvaan to new sights, sounds, and experiences, broadening his horizons and expanding his knowledge.
• One of the most heartwarming aspects of our trip was Yuvaan’s ability to connect with everyone he met. The most remarkable thing about Yuvaan’s behavior was his concern for those around him. He was always making sure that Simmi aunty and Karthik Bhaiya were with him and not left behind. He would often look back to make sure they were following him, and if he didn’t see them, he would quickly run back to find them and hold their hands and moved ahead. He always kept a check on their whereabouts.

• Least we forget, the staff of the hotel we chose and their tour and travel partners were incredibly helpful and accommodating. They went out of their way to ensure that our stay was comfortable and enjoyable. They provided us with extra amenities, even a free extended stay for a few hours as our flight was in the afternoon, and helped us navigate the city quite comfortably.

Highlight

One of the highlight moments from our trip that still stands out in my mind was when we arrived at the desert camp in Osian village, where we were hosted at a village homestay. Upon arrival, we were offered water to drink, which turned out to be hard water (khara). After taking a sip, Yuvaan astutely exclaimed, “This is Sea-water! Please give me 3% water.”
His remark left us all astonished, as it revealed his impressive knowledge. (P.s.- only 3% of the Earth’s water is freshwater( not khara and be used for drinking purposes, while the remaining 97% is Sea-water)
This display of Yuvaan’s insightful understanding of the world around him left us speechless and proud, showcasing yet another remarkable example of ‘Yuvaanism‘- his unique perspective and intellect.

Now, in my next blog I shall be discussing that throughout our trip, we used various special education strategies and tips to ensure that the kids were comfortable and enjoying themselves. I shall also be pointing out the challenges and triumphs, the lessons learned, the bonds made.
Till then ‘Khamma Ghani’..

Pictures and Videos of our memorable trip Click here and enjoy the snippets of the trip

Author Shilpi Mayank Awasthi
Founder SpecialSaathi