Osian itinerary

Plan 01

1 day in Osian

1. 01

   Day 1: Temples and a dune sunset

   Leave Jodhpur early so you reach Osian in the morning. Start with the Mahavira Jain temple while it is cool, then climb to Sachiya Mata at an easy pace and take in the view. Stop at the Harihara temples and the Surya temple on the way back down. Have lunch and rest, then take a late-afternoon camel or jeep ride on the dunes before returning to Jodhpur after dark. Agree the driver's hours in advance.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Harihara Temples	30 to 45 minutes	Easy	Morning, October to March

   Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.

Plan 02

2 days in Osian

1. 01

   Day 1: Temples

   Arrive mid-morning and visit the Mahavira Jain temple first, then the older Harihara group and the Surya temple. Rest through the afternoon, then climb Sachiya Mata towards sunset, when the light is soft and the heat has eased.

2. 02

   Day 2: Dunes and villages

   Take a sunrise ride on the dunes, return for breakfast and, if your camp offers it, visit nearby villages and craftspeople. Leave for Jodhpur before midday or continue north or west along the highway.

Plan 03

3 days in Osian

1. 01

   Day 1: Arrival and the Jain temple

   Travel from Jodhpur, settle in and visit the Mahavira Jain temple late in the day when the crowds have thinned. Take dinner and an early night.

2. 02

   Day 2: Hill temple and the older group

   Climb Sachiya Mata early, then spend the late morning at the Harihara temples, the Vishnu temple across the road and the Surya temple. Rest through midday and take a sunset camel ride.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Harihara Temples	30 to 45 minutes	Easy	Morning, October to March

   Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.

3. 03

   Day 3: A slower desert day

   Choose a sunrise ride or a jeep trip, return for a long breakfast and use the rest of the day for revisiting a favourite temple, or for Khimsar or a village visit before you head on.

Read before you go

Guides for the stops on these routes

Pacing

Pacing a Osian trip for parents and children

• Visit temples in the morning; the stone floors are hot underfoot by late morning, so carry socks or a thin cloth.
• Sachiya Mata has a long stairway; rest at the landings and descend slowly, or limit yourself to the lower levels.
• Choose a jeep or a short ride over a long camel trek if you have back, hip or knee problems.
• Carry water, a hat and any medication; shops and clinics in Osian are limited.
• Hire a car for the whole day from Jodhpur so you have a cool place to rest between stops.
• Book camp stays through a reputable operator and confirm bathroom and tent distances before you go.

Osian with elderly parents: the full guide →