Drenched in tales of chivalry and romance, and famous for its spectacular landscapes, majestic forts and glamorous palaces, Rajasthan encompasses for many quintessential India.
“With the bustling cities of Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Jaisalmer built by the mighty Rajput warriors, and the indigenous village and artisan communities, Rajasthan is a unique and striking combination of both royal and rural India. To get the most out of your visit, here are 15 of our favourite experiences:”
– Madeleine Hann, Co-Founder
1. Visit historic forts
A view of Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada; two of Jodhpur’s highlights
Alongside Rajasthan’s spectacular palaces are countless fortresses, built in conjunction with or in addition to royal residences, to offer protection against invaders. Jodhpur’s Mehrangarh Fort is perhaps the most majestic; created in 1459 and towering over the city, the fort is known for its beautiful murals and intricate filigree work. Jaipur’s Amber Fort is another highlight of the region, shimmering above Maota Lake just outside the city centre. Near Udaipur, Chittorgarh is one of India’s largest forts, covering 700 acres, and has changed hands multiple times over its 1,300 year history. A view of the sunset from Jaisalmer Fort is not to be missed when the fading sunlight changes the fort’s yellow sandstone to a dark gold.
A fantastic experience while in Rajasthan is to actually stay in one of these forts. In Nagaur, the stunning Ahhichatragarh Fort has now been converted into a stylish boutique hotel, and steering off the beaten track for a night or two here is well worth it.
2. Meet elephants at Dera Amer
Spending time with elephants at Dera Amer is a special experience
Dera Amer is a lovely green space on the outskirts of Jaipur. Here, they take care of elephants and offer experiences where guests can interact up close and personal with these magnificent creatures. During an evening at Dera Amer, you’ll be invited to help feed and bathe your elephant, while an expert is on hand to answer anything and everything you’d like to know about them. You’ll then head off through the surrounding forest area together for a gentle walk with a mahout during sunset. A buffet dinner is served in the courtyard before you’re chauffeured back to the hotel (private meals in a secluded area of the grounds can be arranged on request). We find Dera Amer is a much more enjoyable way to meet elephants than other excursions available in the city. The elephants are well cared for (they’re quite spoilt, really!) and visibly happy. Dera Amer do not encourage rides.
3. A private cooking class
A private cooking class with Divya Singh in Jaipur, Rajasthan
Learn to prepare a traditional Rajasthani dish in a local kitchen at the house of Divya Singh. After a hands-on demonstration, you can enjoy the meal you’ve prepared with her delightful family. It is possible to choose the dish that you wish to learn in advance, else Divya will suggest a staple such as dal (lentil curry) or lal maans (spicy mutton curry).
4. Celebrate a festival with locals
Lighting oil lamps at home for Diwali
The Pushkar Camel Fair is one of Rajasthan’s most beautiful spectacles, a five-day event in November in which nearly half a million people flock to Pushkar dressed in their most festive attire to see, trade and race camels. Cricket matches, dances and other competitions will give you plenty to do, although the people-watching is the best part of the experience (you can check out our Pushkar Fair sample itinerary, here). Diwali, also in November, is a famous festival celebrated all over Rajasthan in Hindu communities. Visit in March for Holi, the Hindu “festival of colours”. To experience Holi in all its glory, we invite you to visit your guides home to participate in throwing colours, eating delicious sweets, and performing puja (prayers).
> Click here for our helpful guide on the best festivals in Rajasthan
5. Experience rural Rajasthan
The welcoming team at Anopura in Jaipur, Rajasthan
Rajasthan is home to more than 73 million people, many of whom do not live near the large cities that attract most tourists. Away from the urban bustle, you’ll see a side of India mostly untouched by outside influence. Some of Rajasthan’s most charming hotels are located in off-beat, rural locations, where you can see this side of India. A few of our favourites include Lakshman Sagar (a hidden gem of a hotel, located in a remote rural setting between Jaipur and Jodhpur), Rawla Narlai (surrounded by forested hills and rocky outcrops, it is one of the most beautiful parts of the state), Devigarh (a historic 18th-century fort converted into a style boutique hotel) and Anopura (the world’s smallest luxury hotel, offering just two rooms in the small village of Anopura). Our Rajasthan with Boutique Hotels sample itinerary is a great starting point for those who’re looking to experience something a bit different.
> Click here to browse 8 of our favourite rural hideaways in Rajasthan
6. Take a safari in the jungle on the trail of tiger
We spotted this tiger, called Arrowhead, in Ranthambhore National Park
Ranthambhore National Park is one of the few places left on earth to spot wild tigers in their natural habitat. The 10th-century Ranthambore Fort provides a stunning backdrop to wildlife viewing in the park, where you can also see leopards, wild boars, hyenas, and several other native species. While in Ranthambhore, we recommend staying at The Oberoi Vanyavilas. Built to emulate the grandeur of the maharajas hunting camps, each of the luxury tents are vast and have finely embroidered canopies, luxurious bathrooms and private walled gardens while being spread across 20-acres of manicured gardens – the perfect contrast to the surrounding ruggedness of the jungle. Vibrant frescoes and richly detailed interiors of the main communal space create the ambience of a royal hunting palace which houses their restaurant and bar.
7. Immerse yourself in a musical performance in Jodhpur
Bhopa is a traditional and dying art form of Rajasthan
Bhopa is a rare Rajasthani art form which combines dancing, singing and painting. A long painted scroll, is, rather like a comic strip, crammed with paintings depicting dramatic events in the life of a Rajasthani hero. The Bhopa unrolls his scroll and narrates the story through song, highlighting relevant pictures on the scroll with a lantern, while his wife brings the tale to life with animated dance sequences. Throughout the performance, your guide will translate the story and explain key parts. Afterwards, you’ll move on to Khaas Bagh restaurant for a traditional Rajasthani thali dinner, surrounded by an eclectic collection of vintage cars. Our past guests have found this a very culturally rich experience, and a highlight of their stay. The thali dinner is a lovely way to experience many different tastes of Rajasthan, as you’re presented with a small amount of several different authentic dishes.
8. Explore Jaipur by night
The bazaars come alive at night
The Pink City is beautiful during the day, but even more so at night. Our night tour begins by taking in the splendid Amber Fort and Jal Mahal, lit up in all their night-time glory. You’ll then move on to the bazaars of the old walled city, to sample delicious local street food and take in the markets at their liveliest. Here we will taste the best kachori (spicy dumplings), ladoo (sweet) chai (spiced tea), and kulfi (ice-cream flavoured with cardamom) in Jaipur.
> Click here to check out 9 of our favourite street foods to try in Rajasthan
9. Hot air ballooning over the Pink City
A hot air balloon ride is an exhilarating way to experience Jaipur
Take in Rajasthan from a unique point of view, flying over the glimmering Pink City of Jaipur on a hot air balloon ride with Skywaltz. It’s an exhilarating way to experience India and get a different perspective of the country. There are two flights each day; one in the morning, and one in the afternoon. Besides, flights also operate in Udaipur, Ranthambhore, and at the Pushkar Camel Fair.
10. Puppet making in the Blue City
Puppetry is a traditional Rajasthani craft
On our private puppet-making workshop in Jodhpur, you can learn not only the basic skills of puppet playing but also the art of puppet making. You’ll be presented with a semi-finished puppet, and can then follow the puppet maker’s advice to complete it. The puppet will be yours to take home as a memory of the experience.
11. Stepwell dinner at Rawla Narlai
Rawla Narlai’s Stepwell Dinner is a fairy-tale like experience
A stylish 17th-century hunting retreat of the Maharaja of Jodhpur, Rawla Narlai is located in the heart of the semi-arid, granite-boulder strewn Aravalli Hills halfway between Udaipur and Jodhpur in the village of Narlai. The Stepwell Dinner is magical: four courses of local specialities served beside a 1,100-year-old stepwell, spectacularly lit by thousands of oil lamps, and accompanied by soulful folk songs performed by a local musician on the tambura.
12. Find one of a kind souvenirs
Jaipur is retail heaven
When it comes to shopping, Rajasthan has something for everyone. From elegant silk saris to kitschy wooden camels, even the most frugal visitor is likely to leave the state with some goodies tucked in their luggage! Rajasthan is well known for its craftspeople, and each region has its distinct specialities. Jaipur is at the hub of the state’s tourism industry and has handicrafts from across the state, but is most famous for its jewellery; if you want something with local flair here, pick up a piece of blue pottery or a pair of emerald earrings. Jodhpur is an excellent place to shop for appliqued cloth, glass bangles, sequined bedspreads and wood furniture. Udaipur is known for miniature paintings and marble work. In Jaisalmer it’s camel leather – patchwork bed covers, shoes, purses, even book covers are made from the animals’ hide. Yellow sandstone statues are also famous here.
> Click here for Madeleine’s guide to luxury shopping in Jaipur
13. Make a palace your home
The Taj Lake Palace is one of Rajasthan’s most luxurious hotels
The Land of Kings is bursting with historic royal residences, many of which have now been converted into heritage hotels offering the ultimate in luxury accommodation. One of our favourites, the Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, is still home to the Maharaja himself and was recently announced by TripAdvisor as their ‘Best Hotel in the World‘ for 2016. We also love the Taj Rambagh Palace; once a hunting lodge and later a royal residence. Perhaps the most famous palace hotel in India, the luxurious Taj Lake Palace appears to float above Lake Pichola in Udaipur, built initially as a pleasure palace by Maharana Jagat Singh II in the 18th century.
14. Luxuriate at the world’s best hotel
A Premier Room at The Oberoi Udaivilas in Udaipur, Rajasthan
Voted as the ‘Best Hotel in the World’ by readers of Travel+Leisure magazine, The Oberoi Udaivilas is everything you would expect of the world’s top hotel. Built on the shores of Lake Pichola overlooking the Lake Palace and the City Palace, The Oberoi Udaivilas has been designed along the lines of an opulent Marwari Palace. Domes, turrets, fountains and reflection pools regularly feature throughout the hotel, and the beautifully bright and airy bedrooms are amongst the most comfortable in the country. To complete this experience in pampered luxury, visit the stunning spa, with views over the lake.
15. Sleep in the desert
Sundowners on the dunes at The Serai – a luxury desert camp in Jaisalmer
The stark, compelling beauty of the Thar Desert draws travellers to far-western Rajasthan for a good reason. Jaisalmer is a picture-perfect medieval city resplendent with golden homes and havelis and a towering citadel. It is an excellent base for camel safaris into the desert or day-trips to the photogenic Sam Sand Dunes and Desert National Park. It is easily one of India’s most unforgettable destinations and well worth the journey to this farthest corner of the state. For the ultimate luxury desert experience, we recommend The Serai – located just half an hour from Jaisalmer in the heart of the dunes. This luxurious desert camp offers a truly unique experience. There are only 21 tents with facilities one would expect at a hotel rather than a tent, each having a private veranda, a drawing room and en suite shower room. Using traditional products such as Jaisalmer stone floor and tribal dhurries (rugs), combined with state of the art technology and silent air conditioning, The Serai offers contemporary luxuries while remaining at home in the surroundings.
Are you feeling inspired and ready to get started? We’d love to assist with the planning of your holiday to Rajasthan. At Indian Excursions, all our tours are private and tailor-made to suit your taste, budget and requirement. To get started, please get in touch. Or, for inspiration, you might like to browse our sample itineraries by clicking here.
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