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Saif Ali Khan’s Rajasthan road trip has us dreaming of ancient forts, heritage hotels and scenic highways. Here’s a 7-day itinerary covering Ramathra, Deogarh and Narlai.
Saif Ali Khan’s Rajasthan photo diary has us looking beyond Jaipur and Udaipur. Explore the state’s quieter, royal corners with this seven-day itinerary.
(Image: Instagram/@saifalikhanpataudi)
Saif Ali Khan has just reminded us that Rajasthan is best explored with a good playlist, an open road and absolutely no hurry to get anywhere. And honestly, we’re ready to hand over the car keys. His latest Instagram throwback has us looking beyond the usual Jaipur-Udaipur-Jodhpur circuit and towards Rajasthan’s quieter, rather enchanting corners.
The nostalgia came courtesy of Saif’s Instagram post on Friday, November 13, when he shared a series of photographs from the making of his 2019 film Laal Kaptaan. Recalling the Rajasthan road trip, he wrote: “What a road trip! Great music and great highways! What an adventure making Laal Kaptaan… Ancient forts and stunning, rugged locations in romantic Rajasthan… we had a really great time on this ambitious, mad and sadly, ultimately doomed adventure!! But what a ride!! Ramathra, Deogarh and Narlai!! (among others!)”
And naturally, Kareena Kapoor Khan had to join the conversation. “You know yours is the best account on the gram saifu ❤️❤️⭐️⭐️⭐️,” she commented, before adding, “Finally you can post all your favourite pictures love❤️❤️”.
Saif’s rather amused response? “Whaaaat?? Wowww!!! Thanks kkk!! ♥️♥️😘😘”. Kareena then explained, “It’s fun! Like a photo diary.” Honestly, we’re with Bebo on this one. If the pictures have us mentally packing our bags, we’re certainly not complaining.
Saif Ali Khan’s Rajasthan Road Trip: Here’s A 7-Day Itinerary To Follow
This isn’t your usual Rajasthan circuit of palace-hopping and ticking off tourist attractions. We’re talking about a slower, more atmospheric journey through three destinations that offer a different side of the state: Ramathra’s lakeside wilderness, Deogarh’s heritage grandeur and Narlai’s dramatic Aravalli landscapes.
Day 1: Jaipur To Ramathra – Trade City Chaos For Fortside Calm
Start your journey in Jaipur and drive towards Ramathra in Karauli district. The change of scenery is part of the appeal: busy city roads gradually give way to rural stretches, farmland and the rugged landscapes of eastern Rajasthan. Check into Ramathra Fort, a heritage property perched on a hill overlooking Kalisil Lake.
The fort dates back to the 17th century and was granted as a jagir in 1645. Spend your first evening soaking up the views from its ramparts, enjoying a leisurely dinner and watching the countryside settle into dusk. No packed sightseeing schedule, please. You’ve earned a slow evening.
Day 2: Ramathra – Lakeside Picnics And A Little Wilderness
This is where you give your inner nature enthusiast a little attention. Start with a leisurely breakfast before heading out for a village trail, where you can experience local farming and rural life. Later, take a rowing boat out on Kalisil Lake, particularly around sunset, when the landscape turns wonderfully cinematic. Keep your binoculars handy: the lake attracts a variety of waterbirds, including kingfishers, storks and herons.
If you’re in the mood for something more adventurous, arrange a guided wilderness drive across the Daang plateau, with its rugged gorges, hamlets and hidden cave temples. Ramathra also offers excursions towards the Kaila Devi National Park buffer zone. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but the landscapes alone make the outing worthwhile.
Day 3: Ramathra To Deogarh – A Long Drive, A Grand Arrival
Time to point the car west. The drive from Ramathra to Deogarh is the longest transfer of this itinerary, so set off early, keep a playlist ready and plan for food and fuel stops. This is a substantial cross-state drive, not a quick hop between neighbouring villages.
Your destination is Deogarh Mahal, a heritage palace with old-world architecture, courtyards and plenty of royal character. Once you’ve checked in, take a breather, explore the property and settle in for an evening that feels rather removed from the everyday. If you fancy a special dinner, the hotel can arrange a meal on its ramparts.
Day 4: Deogarh – Vintage Train Rides And Village Adventures
Deogarh is not a place to spend the entire day admiring palace walls, although nobody would blame you for doing so. One of its most distinctive experiences is a rural rail ride through the Aravalli hills on a heritage metre-gauge track. The approximately 17-kilometre journey takes around two hours and crosses U-shaped bridges and tunnels. It is a wonderfully unhurried way to see the countryside.
Back on solid ground, sign up for a rural ramble by jeep, explore nearby villages, visit Gokal Garh Fort or head towards the Shiva cave temple at Anjana Mahadeoji. You can also arrange a village walk or a picnic by the countryside lakes. This is Rajasthan beyond the postcard palaces, and it deserves your time.
Day 5: Deogarh To Narlai – Into The Aravalli Country
After breakfast, drive towards Narlai in Pali district. The landscape changes yet again, with rugged granite formations and the Aravalli hills setting the scene. Check into Rawla Narlai, a heritage retreat that makes a particularly compelling base for exploring this part of Rajasthan.
Once you’ve settled in, spend the afternoon wandering through the village, discovering its temples and soaking up the slower rhythm of rural life. Save the evening for the property’s famous Stepwell Soirée, held at an 11th-century stepwell. Arrive by bullock cart or jeep, enjoy the atmospheric lighting and Jogi music, and settle in for a Rajasthani-inspired dinner. Now that’s an evening worth dressing up for.
Day 6: Narlai – Leopard Country, Elephant Hill And A Very Good Breakfast
Wake up early because Narlai is particularly rewarding when the day is just beginning. One experience worth booking is breakfast at first light on a hillock, surrounded by ancient granite formations. The hotel serves breakfast from a jeep hood, with the countryside providing a rather spectacular dining room.
Later, tackle the Elephant Hill Expedition, which involves climbing approximately 750 steps with a local guide to reach a 300-year-old statue. Prefer to keep your feet firmly on the ground? Book a guided wildlife expedition through the Godwar belt, known for its leopard habitat and rich birdlife. You can also explore the countryside on horseback, visit local temples or take a rural jeep safari.
Day 7: Narlai – One Last Slow Morning Before Heading Home
Don’t rush your final morning. Enjoy breakfast, take one last walk around the village and perhaps squeeze in some time by the pool before checking out. If you have a little more time, ask the hotel about its village experiences or a visit to the nearby Kumbhalgarh camel dairy.
From Narlai, Udaipur is a practical onward departure point, with road connections to the airport and railway network. You could also extend the trip with a night or two in Udaipur if your calendar allows. After all, ending a Rajasthan road trip with a little more palace-hopping isn’t exactly a hardship.
When Is The Best Time To Take This Rajasthan Road Trip?
The sweet spot is October to March, when temperatures are generally more comfortable for long drives, outdoor excursions and exploring heritage properties. Ramathra Fort itself recommends this period for its lake and countryside experiences.
A few things to keep in mind before you set off:
Transport: Hire a private car with an experienced driver. A comfortable SUV is a sensible choice for the longer drives and rural stretches.
Bookings: Reserve heritage stays and experiences in advance, particularly the Deogarh rural train ride, Rawla Narlai’s Stepwell Soirée and guided wildlife excursions.
Driving: The Ramathra–Deogarh leg is particularly long. Treat Day 3 as a travel day rather than squeezing in sightseeing.
Budget: This is a heritage-stay-led itinerary, so accommodation and curated experiences will account for a significant part of your spending.
Saif may have been reminiscing about a film that he calls an ambitious, mad and ultimately doomed adventure, but the Rajasthan road trip itself sounds like anything but a doomed proposition.
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November 14, 2026, 14:00 IST
