Jodhpur’s Best View: Sneaking to Photography Point

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Full Disclosure:  I don’t know if this trail the the most epic Jodhpur viewpoint is legal. I don’t know the punishment if you get caught. I’m just sharing something that we *theoretically* could have done while visiting Jodhpur. Adventure at your own risk. 

This is THE photo of Jodhpur, India’s Blue City. Even if you haven’t seen it before, every photographer and avid Instagrammer has. Usually, I’m not one to go after iconic photos, they tend to be at overtouristed and overrated places. But this shot is a little different. Getting it is an adventure in itself.

Getting to My Favorite Jodhpur Viewpoint

Under cover of darkness, we diverted from the main road and stretched ourselves over the shortest section of the chain link fence. The hillside beneath the iconic horseman statue was covered in shale rock and scrub brush but a straightforward path was surprisingly easy to pick — even without our phone light.  We stayed to the back of the hill away from the crest, knowing our silhouettes would be easily seen by the guards of Jaswant Thada. 

Jaswant Thada is a stunning white marble historical tomb (otherwise known as a cenotaph) located just outside the old city of Jodhpur.

The guards aren’t technically there to prevent visitors from taking the path to Photography Point. They are there to protect the white marble monument of Jaswant Thada. It opens at 9 AM and visitors pay a fee of 100 rupees to visit the grounds. Unfortunately, the only way to Photography Point is through these desert paths. 

I’m not 100% sure if you visit Jaswant Thada in the daytime hours (legally) if the guards would permit you to follow the dusty path that is clearly visible behind the building to the ancient wall where this viewpoint is. I’m guessing not. Because we didn’t see a single person there when we visited Jaswant Thada in daytime to scope out this route. But if sneaky isn’t your thing— you could always give it a try. 

This is NOT a way to avoid paying the fees of Jaswant Thada. We visited the monument and paid our dues another day. This is simply how to visit the best viewpoint in Jodhpur during the most spectacular lighting— which just so happens to be sunrise. 

Sneaking Past the Guards 

We didn’t want to break any more rules than we absolutely had to. So we decided our best bet was to cross the paved path between the two guard stations and circumnavigate the lake on the side AWAY from Jaswant Thada. This way you could claim ignorance if caught. You weren’t trespassing— you were simply on a desert hike.

Also, we figured the guards were much less likely to embark on a trek across the lake if they happened to spot us. Hypothetically, we made the journey easily. The trail was easy to follow even in the dark. And it is a trail. There are even a few small signs talking about the desert foliage. 

Map of our *Hypothetical* Route to Photography Point

The Epic View from Photography Point 

TA-DA.

It’s stunning. Climbing up to the ancient wall just as the sun began to crest over the valley was gorgeous. The golden light falls on the massive marble catacomb in the distance and the fort rises behind it impressively. Even better— there was not a single soul there. You could see a handful of people up on the ancient wall in the distance nearer to the radio tower but this section was totally vacant. 

In the bright illuminating light of day, we decided to give Jaswant Thada (and its many now more awake guards) a wide berth. We followed our trail back down the lake brazenly, knowing we could clearly be seen, and then continued following the desert path until we reached a barbed wire fence. The lower wire had been cut and the trail clearly continued through the brush on the other side. If you were to duck under it and continue for another 50 feet you would reach a public road. This would be perhaps another great entry point if you wanted to REALLY steer clear of the guards near Jaswant Thada. 

Once on the road— you’re free and clear. A morning adventure completed. Hopefully, in the future, they reopen Photography Point to the public again and this hassle will no longer be necessary

I have a sinking suspicion that the country is trying to find a way to monetize the viewpoint. It seems there are starting to be tours up to the Photography Point with certain companies so it’s definitely not about the degradation of the wall itself.

Practical Tips if you want to Hike to Photography Point 

Here are a few tips to help you along the way to Photography Point…should you decide to try it.

• The entire walk from our guesthouse took about an hour. Be sure to leave enough time to reach the wall before sunrise. 
• Theoretically, you can take epic drone photos here. Because of the close proximity to the airport, you can only fly 15 meters high but that’s plenty high enough. 
• Bring a zoom lens. That’s how you get stunning photos of the fort and Jaswant Thada together.
• Wear comfy quiet shoes. 
• Maybe don’t be obviously sneaking. This way you maintain plausible deniability. Casually sneak. You’re just on a desert sunrise hike after all.

I’d love to hear from others who have taken epic shots of the Fort from this Jodhpur viewpoint and other magnificent scenery in the blue city. There are tons of other (more legal) photos to be taken in the city but Jodhpur is by far my favorite of the historical Rajasthan towns in India.

Save This Jodhpur Viewpoint For Later!