Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Drive from Himatnagar to Udaipur via Shamlaji and NH 48; allow around 4–5 hours door to door, including a comfort stop, and leave in the morning so you’re not arriving in the Old City after dark. Traffic and roadworks can stretch the journey, so keep your 14-year-old and cat comfortable with water, snacks and a secure carrier; don’t let the cat roam in the car. Confirm in advance that your accommodation accepts cats and has parking. Old City lanes are tight, so ask the hotel where to unload and leave the car rather than trying to drive up to the lakefront.
After checking in and taking a breather, head to Gangaur Ghat for an easy 30–45-minute lakeside wander. It’s a lovely first glimpse of Lake Pichola, especially in the softer late-afternoon light; the steps can be uneven, so take care if you’re tired from the drive. Continue on foot to Jagdish Temple—roughly 30–45 minutes to appreciate its intricately carved entrance and pillars. Check current visiting hours and visitor rules before setting out, and dress respectfully; temple access may be restricted during prayer times.
Walk or take a short auto-rickshaw ride through the Old City to Ambrai Restaurant, near Ambrai Ghat, for dinner with lake views. Budget roughly ₹700–1,500 per person and reserve if possible, particularly in busy November; confirm the restaurant’s current pet policy before arriving. If your cat can’t be accommodated, takeaway and dinner at your lodging may be the simpler option. Expect slow-moving traffic and limited parking near the waterfront, so walking from your hotel or arranging a drop-off is usually easiest.
Start around opening time, usually 9:30am, to give yourselves 2–3 hours for the palace museum, courtyards and viewpoints. Allow extra time for the Old City’s narrow lanes, parking and ticket queues; check current entry prices and booking requirements before you go, as fees and access arrangements can change. A taxi or auto can drop you near the entrance, but expect a short walk. Keep the cat comfortable and secure at your accommodation: pets are unlikely to be admitted inside, so arrange a trusted adult to stay with the cat rather than leaving it in a parked car.
Head to Natraj Dining Hall on City Station Road for a filling Rajasthani or Gujarati thali; budget roughly ₹300–600 per person. From the palace, a taxi or auto is easiest, with traffic and Old City access affecting the journey time. After lunch, continue by cab or auto to Saheliyon Ki Bari in Panchwati.
Spend about an hour wandering Saheliyon Ki Bari, known for its fountains, shaded paths and garden pavilions; check the day’s opening hours before setting out. Then take a short cab ride to Fateh Sagar Lake for a relaxed 1–1.5-hour waterfront stroll as the light softens. If you’d like a boat ride, verify current availability, prices and pet rules at the jetty—don’t assume the cat can board. For a calmer outing with the cat, keep it at your accommodation with a familiar carrier, water and a cool, quiet space.
With the long drive taking most of the day, aim to reach your accommodation in the afternoon, then allow time to check in, give your cat a quiet break and settle everyone before heading out. For a gentle first wander, spend 45–60 minutes around Jaisalmer Fort. Its lanes are part of a living neighbourhood, so keep voices low and follow signs at temples or private doorways; the fort area is generally open to walk around, while individual museums and attractions may charge admission and have their own hours.
From the fort, take a taxi or auto-rickshaw to Gadisar Lake—roughly 10–15 minutes, depending on traffic—and stroll by the ghats for about 45 minutes. November sunset is around early evening; arrive with a little leeway, as the light fades quickly. Boat rides, when operating, cost extra, and it’s worth checking conditions on arrival. For an easy dinner near your accommodation, Trio Restaurant is a popular fort-side choice, with rooftop seating and Rajasthani dishes; budget roughly ₹400–900 per person. Call ahead to confirm it’s open, and ask about pet arrangements—many restaurants won’t allow a cat inside, so takeaway or dining outdoors may be the simplest option.
Start around 9am at Patwon Ki Haveli; allow 1–1½ hours to look through the carved façades, courtyards and rooms. Entry is ticketed, and fees can vary by section, so check the current rate at the entrance. From there, it’s a short walk through the old-town lanes to Salim Singh Ki Haveli. Its distinctive projecting upper floors are the highlight; 30–45 minutes is plenty. Wear shoes with good grip—the lanes can be uneven, and the haveli steps are steep in places.
After lunch in town, drive out to Jaisalmer War Museum on the Jaisalmer–Jodhpur road. Allow roughly 20–30 minutes each way by car, plus 1½–2 hours at the exhibits and memorial. Check the museum’s current opening hours and entry charges before setting out, as they can change. In November, the afternoon is usually comfortable for the outdoor displays, but bring water and sun protection. Keep your cat settled in a cool, secure carrier in the car only if an adult can stay with it; don’t leave it unattended in a parked vehicle.
Return to town, take a breather, then head to The Trio for dinner and fort views. Budget around ₹700–1,500 per person; ask ahead about current hours and whether pets are permitted, since outdoor seating and policies may vary. It’s a good evening to linger rather than rush—reserve or arrive early if you’d like a table with a view, and arrange your ride back through the narrow old-town lanes.
Leave Jaisalmer around 8am for Kuldhara, roughly 30 km west; allow 40–50 minutes each way, with extra time for the final stretch and parking. Give yourselves 1–1½ hours to wander the old village and its ruins. The site generally opens during daylight hours, but check locally before setting out; expect a modest entry fee, which can change. Take water and sun protection, and keep your cat secure in the car only while an adult stays with them—never leave them alone in a parked vehicle, especially in the heat.
After Kuldhara, continue west to Sam Sand Dunes; it’s roughly 35–45 km and usually takes about an hour by road. Have lunch and a proper rest in Jaisalmer or en route, then aim to reach the dunes well before sunset so there’s time for the landscape and any pre-booked camel or jeep safari. Allow 2–3 hours including travel and activities. Confirm the safari’s exact timing, price and inclusions in advance, and agree on a cat plan before leaving: have a trusted adult stay with the cat in suitable pet-friendly accommodation, or arrange an explicitly pet-safe alternative with your camp. Don’t assume the cat can join a safari or stay unattended.
Stay on at a Sam-area desert camp for dinner and the cultural programme, then arrange your return transport to Jaisalmer in advance; the drive back is usually around an hour, and the evening can run late. Book a camp that clearly confirms transport, meal and programme inclusions, as well as your group’s and cat’s arrangements. Budget roughly ₹1,000–3,000 per person depending on what’s included, and check whether the quoted price covers the safari or only dinner and entertainment.
Have breakfast in central Jaisalmer before setting off; The Trio near the fort is a comfortable option, though check its current opening time and whether it suits your group’s budget (allow roughly ₹200–500 per person). If your cat can’t be left comfortably in the room, arrange takeaway and keep the carrier secured in the car. Settle the bill, water and luggage the night before so you can leave very early.
The drive to Himatnagar is a very long one—roughly 11–13 hours door to door with breaks. A practical route is via Barmer and Sanchore, continuing toward Palanpur and Himatnagar; confirm the day’s route and road conditions with your driver before departure. Plan a 30–45-minute stop at a fuel station with clean facilities to stretch, top up fuel and check your cat’s water, carrier and comfort. Stop for lunch at a well-reviewed highway restaurant along the way (budget around ₹250–600 per person); check recent reviews and facilities rather than relying on a particular outlet being open.
For five adults, a 14-year-old and a cat, this is a demanding final day. If possible, add an overnight stop en route; if you must complete it in one go, leave before sunrise, use two rested drivers if available, and take regular short breaks. Keep the cat secured in its carrier while the car is moving, and never leave it unattended in a parked car.
No packing list attached yet.