Udaipur

Udaipur is the calm one on this list. Lakes instead of dunes, rooftop dinners instead of late nights, and short distances between everything worth seeing. It suits groups that want a relaxed two nights rather than a packed itinerary.

How to spend two days

City Palace and Jagdish Temple on the first morning, then a Lake Pichola boat ride at sunset. Second day: Saheliyon ki Bari, Bagore ki Haveli for the evening folk dance show, and Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace for the view over the lakes. Everything in the old city is walkable, which makes coordinating a group far easier here than in Jaipur.

Where to stay

Lal Ghat and Hanuman Ghat guesthouses put the group within walking distance of the lake and the old city. Rooftop rooms facing the palace cost a little more and are worth it, especially if the group plans to eat where it sleeps.

If you have a third day

Kumbhalgarh fort and the Ranakpur Jain temple make one long but rewarding day trip, roughly two hours out. Booking a single vehicle for the group works out cheaper and far simpler than arranging cabs on the day.