Padharo mhare desh: welcome to our land. Rajasthan is where GoingForTour was born, and we never tire of sharing it. Here are nine reasons to make this the year you visit.
1. Magnificent forts and palaces
Few places on earth can match Rajasthan’s collection of forts and palaces, each built by Rajput rulers with its own architecture and style. Climb the ramparts of Amer Fort above Jaipur, take in the sweeping views from Mehrangarh in Jodhpur and the living fort of Jaisalmer, or lose yourself in the grandeur of Jaipur’s City Palace.
2. A cuisine fit for royalty
Despite its arid climate, Rajasthan has one of India’s richest culinary traditions, often described as food from the royal kitchen. Try dal baati churma, gatte ki sabzi and, for the adventurous, fiery laal maas. Save room for sweets, many named after the cities that created them, such as Jaipur’s ghewar and Jodhpur’s mawa kachori. Exploring local eateries and markets is one of the great pleasures of any visit.
3. Festivals all year round
Rajasthan’s fairs and festivals reflect its rich traditions, and there is one for every interest. Book lovers gather at the Jaipur Literature Festival each January, while the Pushkar Camel Fair, the Desert Festival in Jaisalmer, the kite-filled skies of Makar Sankranti and the monsoon celebration of Teej are spectacles in their own right.
4. Wildlife and wide horizons
Beyond its cities, Rajasthan is a land of desert, hills and lakes, and a rewarding destination for wildlife lovers. A tiger safari in Ranthambore National Park is the highlight for many, while Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur is a haven for birds and the Desert National Park near Jaisalmer reveals the wild side of the Thar.
5. Stay like royalty
Many of Rajasthan’s palaces are now celebrated heritage hotels, where you can live as the maharajas and maharanis once did. Icons include the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, the Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur, and the Rambagh and Samode palaces near Jaipur. For a different perspective, visit rural towns such as Deeg and Barmer, where age-old architecture and craft traditions endure.
6. Tranquil lakes
Rajasthan may be famous for its desert, but it is also a land of serene lakes lined with ghats, temples and palaces. Lake Pichola and Fateh Sagar in Udaipur, sacred Pushkar Lake and Nakki Lake in Mount Abu each feel a world away from the bustle of the bazaars.
7. Bazaars full of treasures
Shopping here is an experience in itself. Browse gemstones and jewellery in Jaipur’s Johari Bazaar, textiles and miniature paintings in Udaipur’s Bada Bazaar, spices around Jodhpur’s Clock Tower Market, and handicrafts in Pushkar’s Sadar Bazaar.
8. A state painted in colour
Rajasthan is one of the most colourful places on the planet. Discover Jaisalmer, the Golden City; Jaipur, the Pink City; Jodhpur, the Blue City; Udaipur, the City of Lakes; and the holy city of Ajmer. Each is beautiful in its own way and quite unlike the next.
9. Adventures to remember
Rajasthan’s varied landscape is made for adventure. Ride camels across the dunes of Jaisalmer, look for leopards at Jawai, zipline over the ramparts of Mehrangarh, float above Pushkar in a hot-air balloon or glide across Lake Pichola at sunset. Hikers will find rewarding trails around Mount Abu and in the green hills of Alwar.
Plan your Rajasthan journey
Our Jaipur team will be delighted to welcome you with a traditional khamma ghani and take care of every detail.
