Rajasthan: Land of the Maharaja's
Rajasthan is probably one of the most visited regions in India. This is the 'classic India' as many people know it from coffee table books and movies. Rajasthan is the India of the Maharaja's, feudal rulers and royal families who dotted the state with impressive forts and elegant palaces.
The people of Rajasthan are amongst the most colourful in India. Men with turbans and mustaches, woman with saris in different colors and silver jewellery. Different ethnic groups, all with their own customs and traditions, live in vibrant cities and authentic rural communities.
The landscapes are more than impressive: the vast Thar Desert, mountain ranges like the Aravelli, big lakes and wetlands where migratory birds flock together, rock formations where leopards roam, thick forest that are home to the elusive Bengal Tiger,...
A trip to Rajasthan certainly is a great introduction to Indian culture and nature, and will leave no one untouched!
What to do in Rajasthan ?
For many travellers Rajasthan is the first introduction to travelling in India as it offers some of the main cultural attractions of the country. Although the Taj Mahal is not situated in Rajasthan, but in Uttar Pradesh, it is a part of many Rajasthan trips. The cultural beauty of Rajasthan lies in the different palaces, temples, forts and old cities all over the State. Cities like Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodphur, ... all have enormous fairytale palaces, loaded with history. Impressive Forts can be found in Kumbalgarh, Chittorgarh, Jaisalmer,... These are highlights that feature in almost every itinerary. Personally, we think that some smaller medieval cities with old merchant's houses and old royal residences in lesser visited parts of Rajasthan, certainly are a worthwhile alternative to visit.
Travelling from highlight to highlight, people tend to forget that Rajasthan has a great natural diversity as well. The famous Thar Desert is wellknown, but the Aravelli Hills are for many travellers just a transit-area. This mountainrange offers great (light) hiking and cycling options.
Wildlife is abundant in Rajasthan. Large artificial lakes and wetlands are the home of thousands of birds, crocodile and deer. Leopards hide in the hills and rockformations. The Pali-district close to Jodphur for instance, has the biggest concentration of Leopards in the whole subcontinent. Ranthambore is one of the most famous Tiger Parks in India.
Sleep in Royal Palaces and Luxury Residences
The choice of accommodation is part of every Rajasthan Experience. Many old palaces are now converted into so-called 'Heritage Hotels'. Although the bigger palaces are sometimes part of international hotelgroups, they still maintain their original atmosphere and throw you back into the era of the Raj. Smaller palaces and forts are still owned by local royal families who welcome you as their guests. Staying in some of these Heritage Hotels is the perfect way to get familiar with the culture and traditions of Rajasthan.
Next to the Heritage Hotels, Rajasthan has a wide range of accommodation with some of the highest standards in India. All the major luxury hotelbrands like Taj, Oberoi and The Leela have their branches in Rajasthan. On more remote locations, some luxury tented camps offer a complete glamping experience in the wilderness.
Travel to Rajasthan
Rajasthan is quite close to Delhi, so most travellers come through Delhi Airport and visit the Eternal City as well. Coming from Mumbai, you will need an extra domestic flight. In Rajasthan cities like Jaipur, Jodphur, Jaisalmer and Udaipur are served by domestic flights.
Travelling around is mostly done with a private car and driver. You can make plenty of photostops in villages and scenic spots. Longer distances can sometimes be covered by a (overnight) train ride or even with a short domestic flight.
To get a good impression about Rajasthan, you will need at least 8 - 10 days, though 2 weeks is better. But we recommend to take more time to stay for a couple of days longer in one of the delightful Heritage Hotels or Wildlife Camps.
Many travellers extend their Rajasthan trip with visits to Taj Mahal, Varanasi, Kajuraho or even Kolkatta and Mumbai.
Best time to travel to Rajasthan
Although travellers come to Rajasthan all year round the best time to go is between October and March - April. It is generally dry and the temperatures are not too hot to Indian standards. In wintertime it even can get chilly in the evenings. . The closer you get to summer, the hotter it gets.
The summer months are hot and wet in Rajasthan, though most rain falls in the afternoon and in the evening. If you don't mind the heat, travelling around with an aircon vehicle and planning most activities in the morning and late afternoon, can be a good option.
Rajasthan with Asia Travel Design
Rajasthan remains one of our favourite destinations in India. The combination of the vibrant city life, the old palaces and the stunning scenery, make Rajasthan a very popular tourist destination in India. Staying in some of the royal residences or in a boutique wildlife camp is always a pleasure.
Over the years, we travelled extensively through Rajasthan and we are sure we can offer you a Rajasthan Experience that will certainly suit you and leave you with unforgettable memories
We design Rajasthan tours for single travellers, couples, families and small groups. All tours are carefully designed around your personal interests, desired hotelstandards and available time.