The well-travelled have long been lured to the enchanting state of Rajasthan, and with its splendid architecture, feudal romance and rich heritage, it’s easy to see why. Who wouldn’t be dazzled by the history of Jaipur’s city palace, or the beautiful carvings of Ranakpur’s Jain temple? Well, possibly your children…
But, here at Indian Excursions, we’ve had the pleasure of welcoming lots of children to Rajasthan. We’ve carefully developed several unique activities and excursions to keep them engaged, while at the same time immersing them authentically into the colourful culture of Rajasthan. So, don’t worry that your children will be restless or uninspired – all our tours are tailor-made to our guest’s tastes and personalities, and we’ll create a balance the whole family will enjoy. For your inspiration, here are 10 of our favourite child-friendly activities in Rajasthan, India:
1. Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur
Embark on a private tour of Mehrangarh Fort
Lots of our parent-guests are worried their children will become tired of forts and palaces when in Rajasthan. For that reason, we often decide (together) to focus on two or three of the best. One you should be sure not to miss, and one the kids will enjoy too is the mighty Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur. Rising sheer out of a 410 ft. high rock, Mehrangarh is perhaps the most magical of all Rajasthan’s forts, and your children are sure to run away with their imagination while exploring its ramparts. The royal apartments within now form part of an outstanding museum, full of exciting memorabilia such as a large golden throne, traditional costumes, beautiful miniature paintings and fascinating weapons. The skilfully restored royal chambers will bring the experience to life for your children and paint a vivid picture of yesteryear in Rajasthan. Older children and brave parents can even fly around the fort on an adrenaline-pumping zip-lining course with Flying Fox.
“One of the grandest sights in India….the work of angels, fairies and giants” – Rudyard Kipling describing Mehrangarh Fort in 1899
2. Puppet-making workshop, Jodhpur
Learn the art of traditional puppet making at a private workshop in Jodhpur
Puppetry has been performed in Rajasthan for over a thousand years. Wooden puppets, known locally as kathputli, are used to portray folk tales and ballads. Traditionally, puppeteers would travel from village to village entertaining to earn their living. Maharajas were fond of the art, too. Our puppet-making workshop was developed specifically for families travelling with children who’re looking for a more hands-on interpretation of Rajasthani culture. During the workshop, you and your children will learn basic puppet-playing skills, as well as the art of puppet making – you’ll be presented with the raw materials and invited to follow the master as he/she makes one in front of you. The puppets make a lovely memento to carry with you back home.
3. Kalbelia dance class, Jodhpur
Give traditional Rajasthani dance a go with your kids for a fun and lively experience
Music and dance in India are synonymous with worship and celebration. Different regions of the country have their particular dance forms; in Rajasthan, one of those is Kalbelia, native to the Kalbelia tribe. A popular activity for young girls, our private Kalbelia dance class is hosted by experienced performers. To really get into the swing of things, we can even arrange to hire traditional Kalbelia dress (for little boys, little girls, and grown ups too!) during the class.
4. Safari in Ranthambhore National Park, Ranthambhore
Ranthambhore National Park is one of the best places in the world to spot wild Bengal tigers in their natural habitat
Bring the Jungle Book to life for you and your children as you travel through the Indian jungle on a private Jeep safari. The most famous resident of Ranthambhore National Park is the beautiful Bengal tiger, and sighting one in the wild is an exhilarating experience for children and adults alike. Even if you’re not lucky enough to spot one, what you’re guaranteed to see are numerous peacocks, monkeys, deer and crocodiles – what child wouldn’t be excited about that? Between safaris, climb the 10th-century Ranthambhore Fort on a guided tour and feel as though you’re exploring King Louie’s monkey lair!
5. Amber Fort, Jaipur
Ladies at Amber Fort, Jaipur
Like Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, Jaipur’s 16th-century Amber Fort is not to be missed. Give the children an inspiring dose of Rajasthani history by exploring this splendid citadel and the beautiful rooms within. Each room displays a taste of its former glory, notably the Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace), with sparkling mirrored mosaic work adorning the ceiling. Another highlight is the Ganesh Pol (Ganesh Gate); a pair of huge, elaborately carved and painted gates named after the revered Hindu elephant god, Ganesh.
6. Meet elephants at Dera Amer, Jaipur
Spending time with elephants at Dera Amer is a unique experience
For those who’d like to get up close and personal with elephants, we recommend Dera Amer, a lovely green space on the outskirts of Jaipur. Here, they take care of elephants and offer special experiences where guests can interact with these magnificent creatures. On reaching Dera Amer, you and your children will 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 through the surrounding forest area for a gentle walk together at sunset (riding is not encouraged). The evening ends with dinner served in the courtyard, before you’re chauffeured back to the hotel. Those with very young children might prefer to do this in the afternoon over lunch instead. Dera Amer is a particularly enjoyable way to meet elephants as they’re well cared for. You can check out our recent visit by clicking here.
7. Camp on the dunes, Dechu
During your stay at Samsara, you and your children can experience a camel ride on the dunes
Much-loved by many of our past guests, a night camping on the dunes in the middle of the Thar Desert is an unforgettable experience for children and adults alike. Our favourite desert camp for children is Samsara (two hours from Jodhpur). During a stay at Samsara, families can experience a camel ride through the golden sands, take an exhilarating Jeep safari over the dunes, and enjoy an alfresco barbeque dinner with music and entertainment in the evening. Kids, what’s not to like about that? (If a night on the dunes sounds up your street, do check out our suggested Dreamy Deserts of Rajasthan sample itinerary).
8. Family dinner, Udaipur
Do something a bit different in the evening by having dinner with a local family in Udaipur
A fantastic part of any foreign holiday is connecting with a new culture. One of the best ways to do that is to interact with local people. In Udaipur, you and your children and enjoy a friendly dinner at a family home, for a warm and authentic insight into the local way of life. Enrich the experience by arriving early for a private cooking class with your host, before sitting down to enjoy the meal you’ve prepared, together. The family have two young children of their own – a girl and a boy – who can discuss their favourite music, school subjects and hobbies with your children.
9. Boat ride on Lake Pichola, Udaipur
Exploring Lake Pichola by boat is a refreshing way to absorb the sights of Rajasthan
Explore the City of Lakes by boat and offer your children a new perspective. The kids will enjoy jetting around the shimmering waters, taking in exciting scenes such as children playing cricket by the banks, or ladies washing their clothes at the ghats. Parents can relish a beautiful panoramic view of the City Palace, and the grand Lake Palace, which appears to float in the middle of the water.
10. Visit a local school, Ranthambhore
Meet local children at a school in Ranthambhore
Take a break from the forts and palaces of Rajasthan to visit a local school. For children, seeing what a school looks like on the other side of the world can be very insightful. In comparison to schools in the West, the little ones here don’t have much, but all have big smiling faces and are incredibly enthusiastic about meeting other children from abroad. Bring pens or notebooks with you (from home, or the local market), and the school kids will be bursting with excitement!
When to go to Rajasthan:
Rajasthan is best visited from October to April. The Christmas holidays are a very popular time to visit, and our favourite hotels book up fast; we recommend planning a good six months in advance [of the Christmas holidays] to avoid disappointment. March can be a fun time to visit if you’d like to take in a festival – the colourful festival of Holi falls in March (the exact date differs per the lunar calendar), and on this day people playfully drench each other in brightly coloured powders. Like our Family Dinner experience in Udaipur, we can arrange to celebrate Holi authentically with a family. Read more about when’s the best time to visit Rajasthan by clicking here, and Rajasthan’s best festivals, here.
Eating with children in Rajasthan:
Parents visiting Rajasthan often worry that their children will get fed up of the food, or find it too spicy. The majority of hotels and restaurants in the region offer Western and Chinese dishes alongside Indian and are happy to adjust the spice level to suit your child’s palette. If you find your kids don’t get on with Indian food or need a break for a day or two, your guide and driver can make recommendations on other places to eat. For familiar flavours, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, Subway, KFC and Dominos are widely available too. We provide all our guests with a list of our recommended restaurants before travelling to Rajasthan and can highlight the more family-friendly ones if you ask.
Accommodation for families:
From a luxury palace to a modest haveli, Rajasthan offers a plethora of great hotels to suit all tastes and budgets, though family rooms don’t tend to exist in this part of the world. If they do, you are limiting yourself in terms of choice, location and price. As a solution, almost all hotels are happy to place an extra roll-away bed in the room, or in some cases two beds depending on the size of the room, but any more than this and you’ll need two bedrooms. Interconnecting sets can be arranged; where this is not possible (for example in tented accommodation), we’ll ensure you’re next-door neighbours.
The Lodhi is one of the few hotels in north India which offer two-bedroomed suites; ideal for families
Travelling on long drives with children:
One of the arduous points of exploring Rajasthan is long road journeys. Rides between cities are often as long as five or six hours. This can be particularly difficult for children. We recommend spacing longer drives out or breaking them up with a night or two off-the-beaten-track en-route (take a look at our Favourite Hideaways in Rural Rajasthan here, for your inspiration). And pack diversions such as a tablet full of pre-downloaded movies and music, a favourite toy, books and games.
If you’d like to begin planning your family holiday to Rajasthan, please get in touch. We’d love to hear your ideas so far and help you bring those to life. With Indian Excursions, you can expect high-quality service and seamless arrangements, allowing you to forget about logistics and focus on the fantastic memories you’re making in India with your children. To get you started, a popular itinerary of ours for families is our Golden Triangle Tour, our Highlights of Rajasthan Tour, or our Classic Rajasthan Tour, though please remember these are merely a starting point and can be completely transformed to suit your tastes and requirements.