Rajasthan

People also call it the Land of the Kings. That name is one big reason to go to Rajasthan. Long ago, Rajput rulers and princely states ruled this region. Even now, you can notice their old ways. You will find them in forts, royal palaces, havelis, temples, and old towns. In Mewar, some forts sit on cliffs. In Jodhpur and Jaipur, you can still walk past grand homes. For us in Rajasthan, it is not just a story kept behind glass. It feels like our own past, still here today.

October to March offer excellent sightseeing conditions in Rajasthan, with November and February being particularly pleasant. However, December and January nights can be a bit chilly, especially in the desert. Summers are exceptionally hot, while monsoons bring a green vista to eastern Rajasthan and the Aravalli region.

8 to 10 days will give you an introduction to Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur without a lot of travelling. 12 to 14 days is ideal if you want to include Jaisalmer and the Thar Desert. If you want a more relaxed Rajasthan trip that includes wildlife destinations such as Ranthambore, Pushkar, Shekhawati, and some smaller towns,n you will need 2 to 3 weeks. It's a big state, so don't try to visit everything in 3 or 4 days.

A more conventional tour could visit Jaipur (forts, palaces, the Pink City), Jodhpur (Mehrangarh Fort, Old Blue City), the romantic Udaipur (lakes), and the exotic Jaisalmer (living Fort in the middle of the desert); Ranthambore for wildlife enthusiasts; Pushkar, Chittorgarh, Ranakpur & Shekhawati for a unique insight.

The Rajputs were warrior and ruling clans who held power over many kingdoms in western and northern India. Several Rajput dynasties established important centres of power across the region, including the Kachhwahas of Jaipur, the Rathores of Marwar and Bikaner, and the Sisodias of Mewar. Rajput rulers had complex political, military, and diplomatic relationships with the Mughal Empire. After Indian independence, the former princely states of Rajasthan were gradually integrated into the Indian Union, with the present-day state taking shape between 1948 and 1956.

The 5-star escapes in Rajasthan are to be found everywhere, from a royal palace to somewhere as comfortable as you could wish for in a small heritage estate. The main centres are: Jaipur (The Rambagh Palace and The Oberoi Rajvilas); Jodhpur (The Umaid Bhawan Palace and Raas Jodhpur); Udaipur (The Taj Lake Palace, The Oberoi Udaivilas and Raffles Udaipur). Just outside Ranthambore National Park, Aman-i-Khas and The Oberoi Vanyavilas offer two laid-back escapes into the wilderness. Even smaller heritage bungalows, such as Rohet Garh and Rawla Narlai, can provide a more peaceful experience.

Rajasthani cuisine is rich and hearty, shaped by the state’s hot and dry climate. Popular non-vegetarian dishes include Laal Maas, while Dal Baati Churma, Gatte Ki Sabzi, and Ker Sangri are popular vegetarian dishes. Rajasthan is also known for its regional snacks, such as Jodhpur’s Mirchi Bada, Jaipur’s Pyaaz Kachori, and Bikaneri Bhujia. Traditional sweets like Ghewar and Mawa Kachori are also an important part of Rajasthan’s food culture.

Jodhpur and Barmer offer antique/reclaimed furniture and embroidered traditional textiles, respectively, while Amber offers blocks of colours, jewellery, and blue pottery. You can buy lac bangles, khajur, handmade decorative items, bandhani fabrics, and quilts from any destination, but buying expensive gemstones requires checking the shop properly and verifying documentation.

Wildlife safaris can be organised in Rajasthan's best-known tiger territory, Ranthambore National Park, or in Sariska Tiger Reserve. Bird watchers love Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur for its diverse variety of resident and migratory birds. Jhalana and Jawai offer thrilling leopard tours. Chambal is best explored for the gharial and riverine birds.

Rajasthan has several UNESCO World Heritage properties, including Keoladeo National Park, the Hill Forts of Rajasthan, the Jantar Mantar monument in Jaipur, and Jaipur's walled city. The Hill Forts of Rajasthan comprise six forts: Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore, Gagron, Amber, and Jaisalmer. Together, these UNESCO-listed sites reflect Rajasthan’s rich architectural, cultural, natural, and urban heritage.

Notable events include the Pushkar Camel Festival (October/November), the Jaipur Literary Festival (January), the Desert Festival in Jaisalmer, the Camel Festival in Bikaner, and the Gangaur and Teej celebrations.

International travellers can fly into Delhi or Mumbai, then travel to Rajasthan by flight or rail. Jaipur has a well-connected airport. Domestic airlines also fly from major Indian cities to Jaipur, Udaipur, and Jodhpur. From Delhi, you can reach Jaipur by rail.

Car hire with a driver is convenient for sightseeing and makes it easy to stop at hidden places and villages. Rail connections are good between major Rajasthan cities like Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Jaipur. Direct flights save time for far-off locations but are less effective for short distances.

Jaipur, the most popular destination in the Golden Triangle, also serves as a key hub for connecting to other destinations in the itinerary. You can also add Ranthambore as a wildlife extension after Rajasthan. Bharatpur and Keoladeo are important stops to include before or after an Agra trip, with a little detour, to see and watch different birds.

Yes, in particular, Shekhawati for the amazing painted merchants' havelis (Mandawa, Nawalgarh & Fatehpur especially); Bundi for a more relaxed pace of life than Jaipur or Udaipur, its famous palace and beautiful step-wells; Deogarh for a rural experience in the Aravalli Hills; the Chambal area (Karauli and Dholpur) for wildlife-oriented river safaris. Use one or more of these as a perfect alternative to the more touristy places.

Rajasthan is a surprisingly good proposition for an Indian honeymoon; the state has just the right mix of stunning scenery, magnificent architecture, luxurious hotels, and, of course, the ever-important ability to do something romantic. Udaipur is obviously the prime location – for many it’s simply the quintessential Indian wedding honeymoon with boat trips on Lake Pichola and evenings looking over the lake. In contrast, Jaipur has the glamour of the palace hotels and private heritage visits. Then there’s Jaisalmer and the desert setting for something more dramatic and a remote stay. At the same time, the area around Deogarh, Narlai and other sites in the Aravalli hills offers a quiet rural alternative in a Heritage Property or a Rural homestay.

India's strongest artisan heritage undoubtedly lies in Rajasthan, which excels at everything - block printing in Sanganer & Bagru, Bandhani tie-and-dye work from its western areas, blue pottery and fine meenakari and enamel work around Jaipur, and miniature paintings, carpets and dhurries, as well as traditional stone carvings. Indeed, buying genuine souvenirs here takes some skill and know-how to choose what's worth your money.

Many solo women tourists can travel widely across the country; major cities such as Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Udaipur offer efficient tourism, transport, and hospitality services, and most women enjoy their trips here thoroughly. The advice to dress discreetly around religious centres, use only licensed taxis, stick to well-lit streets after dark, avoid touts selling you things, and check accommodation in advance is the same general safety advice recommended everywhere when visiting an unknown country. Still, booking inter-city transport and accommodation in advance also helps reduce stress.

Rajasthan is, of course, renowned for its magnificent desert vistas, regal forts and palaces, thriving artisan heritage, distinctive cuisine, and outstanding wildlife attractions such as Ranthambore National Park, known for tiger sightings, and Keoladeo National Park, one of India’s most important bird sanctuaries. The state’s best-known destinations each have their own character: the Blue City of Jodhpur, with its massive and imposing Mehrangarh Fort; the desert city of Jaisalmer; Udaipur, the City of Lakes, with its beautiful lakeside palaces; and finally, the Pink City of Jaipur, an excellent base from which to explore Rajasthan’s rich royal heritage and discover the many unique sites and experiences this culturally rich destination has to offer.

The average trip to Rajasthan can work out very costly when one considers using private chauffeurs to traverse the country, whilst conversely, a ‘backpacker adventure could make use of train stations to transfer and eat local food in some small local eateries, all of which save some very considerable monetary outlay on your vacation, or indeed, perhaps a semi-luxury tour that compromises between private hire cars and luxury accommodation for your travels. In this regard, there appears to be no set average price for a journey here, due to the wide range of travel options in Rajasthan and what it promises to offer holidaymakers on an excursion to India.