Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park, Jodhpur

Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park is a restored desert landscape below Mehrangarh Fort, with four walking trails and guided naturalist walks.

Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park spreads over about 72 hectares of rocky land beside Mehrangarh Fort. It was created in 2006 to restore the natural ecology of the large rocky area below and around the fort, and opened to the public in February 2011. The park contains restored desert and arid-land vegetation set among distinctive volcanic rock and sandstone formations.

A visitor centre with an interpretation gallery, a native plant nursery, a small shop and a cafe are on site; the Mehrangarh Museum Trust says the visitor centre is about 800 metres from the main fort gate. There are four colour-coded trails, yellow, green, red and blue, between about 880 m and 1,115 m long, and trained guides and naturalists can be hired.

Per the Trust's page, general admission is Rs 100, students up to class 12 enter free with ID, and a naturalist-led walk costs Rs 200. Hours are 7:00 am to 6:30 pm from April to September and 8:00 am to 5:30 pm from October to March, open every day of the year. It makes a quiet contrast to the fort and gives good views of the walls from below. Carry water and a hat.