India guide
India is an explosion of colour. The Golden Triangle glistens with culture, Rajasthan has pink and blue cities, and Kerala has lush green Ghat Mountains...
Rajasthan map & highlights
Rajasthan’s tigers may be elusive but, just like all of Rajasthan, beauty jumps out to surprise you when you least expect it. The blue buildings of Jodhpur glisten like sapphires in the desert setting. The pilgrims of Pushkar adorning the waterside ghats look like sacred sculptures themselves. An old town market stall selling natural dyes illuminates a smoggy day in modern Jaipur. The coloured saris of women working in the fields pop up like flowers between paddy. And the sight of a peacock displaying and dancing in Ranthambore National Park takes your breath away. Until you see the eye of the tiger that is. Then you’ll be displaying and dancing too.
Our Rajasthan Vacations
Rajasthan tours, India
Discover the evocative northern province of Rajasthan
From
US $1330 to US $1750
15 days
ex flights
Rajasthan cycling vacation
Explore the palaces, temples and wildlife of India's desert state
From
US $2349 to US $2649
15 days
ex flights
India vacations, The Golden Triangle, tailormade
An ideal trip for the first-time visitor to India
From
£999
7 days
ex flights
Rajasthan and Taj Mahal tour
Authentic experience of live like Royals of history.
From
£900 to £1650
12 days
ex flights
Rajasthan cycling vacation with Taj and tigers
Enjoy cycling tour in Royal Rajasthan with Taj and Tiger.
From
US $2060
16 days
ex flights
Rajasthan 15 day tour
A well crafted northern Indian and Rajasthani experience
From
£1749
15 days
ex flights
Rajasthan vacation, Christmas time
A relaxing trip to Rajasthan with mixed activities
From
£2665 to £2795
15 days
ex flights
Luxury Rajasthan vacation, 14 days
Experience life as a Maharaja in wonderful Rajasthan
From
£4836
14 days
ex flights
Rajasthan desert adventure
Explore India's desert state, tigers and Taj Mahal
From
US $1749 to US $1879
13 days
ex flights
Overland small group tour of India
Roam across India on this small group tour
From
US $960 to US $1299
20 days
ex flights
Rajasthan private vacation
From palace hotels to luxury tents
From
£1777 to £1900
15 days
ex flights
Luxury India Tours, Taj, forts and palaces
Explore palaces,magnificent forts,sleep in the lap of luxury
From
£3400 to £3800
11 days
inc UK flights
India wildlife and culture tour, Rajasthan
Your stay in Jungle core, erstwhile hunting lodge of king.
From
£1270 to £2150
18 days
ex flights
Rajasthan rural tour in India
Explore the romantic hill forts and palaces of rural India
From
£3249 to £5095
18 days
ex flights
India Christmas vacation, land of the Maharajas
Christmas in colourful Rajasthan
From
£2665 to £2795
14 days
ex flights
Rajasthan vacation vacation
Street photography tour to the most colourful state of India
From
US $3890
14 days
ex flights
Rajasthan Christmas vacation in India
A truly unique place to spend Christmas & New Year
From
£2999 to £3599
16 days
inc UK flights
India 23 day luxury tour
Take in the very best of what India has to offer in style.
From
£4154
23 days
ex flights
Rajasthan photography vacation in India
Incredible Rajasthan palaces and The Pushkar Camel Fair
From
£3950
14 days
ex flights
Horse riding vacation in Rajasthan, India
Explore Taal Chapper Wildlife sanctuary on Mawari horses
From
£2626
8 days
ex flights
Rajasthan tours with Pushkar camel fair
Fort cities, rural villages & camel fair
From
US $3690
15 days
ex flights
Horse riding tour in Rajasthan, India
Recce ride across Rajasthan's desert by Royal Marwari horse
From
£3745 to £3935
11 days
ex flights
North India highlights tour
Journey around north India to experience the former Raj
From
£3038 to £4880
19 days
ex flights
Tailor made Rajasthan tour, India
Discover the cultural wonders of Rajasthan
From
£1635 to £1949
14 days
ex flights
Adventure vacation in Rajasthan, India
Explore Rajasthan and cycle the country roads to Agra
From
US $2570
12 days
ex flights
Rajasthan tour, India
Discover magnificent forts, palaces and deserts of Rajasthan
From
£2655 to £2875
14 days
ex flights
India Golden Triangle tour, a journey beyond
Of ancient cultures, Himalayan abodes & rich architecture
From
£4938 to £6500
25 days
ex flights
Northern India vacations
The best of northern India in a short itinerary
From
US $1549 to US $1749
9 days
ex flights
Rajasthan cycling tour, Udaipur to Jodhpur
See the best of Rajasthan on a short cycling tour.
From
US $1200
8 days
ex flights
1. Bundi
2. Jaipur
3. Jodhpur
4. Keoladeo National Park
5. Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
6. Maharajas Express
7. Pushkar
8. Ranthambore National Park
9. Sariska National Park
10. Shekhawati
11. Thar Desert
12. Udaipur
2. Jaipur
3. Jodhpur
4. Keoladeo National Park
5. Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
6. Maharajas Express
7. Pushkar
8. Ranthambore National Park
9. Sariska National Park
10. Shekhawati
11. Thar Desert
12. Udaipur
Bundi
1. Bundi
Off the main tourist trail, it has a wonderful location on Bundi Lake, which is covered in lotus flowers in September and overlooked by Bundi Palace, where peacocks roam around shabby chic splendor like time never stripped them of any beauty. Taragarh Fort is worth the climb, and you can also descend the 200 steps of the Queen's Step Well, just one of 50 17th century step wells in this small, charming city.
Jaipur
2. Jaipur
Capital and gateway to the rest of the state, but so beautiful it feels like the gateway to heaven. In fact there are seven gates into its old, walled city bursting with flower markets and fortune tellers, artisans and animals. And not one palace, but two: Hawa Mahal and Jal Mahal. Everything pretty in pink, thanks to sandstone and a lot of paint. Amber and Nahargarh forts are also feisty feats of architecture.
Jodhpur
3. Jodhpur
A colourful stop on Rajasthan’s multicoloured magic carpet, this time blue. The mammoth Mehrangarh Fort oversees the city like a lion overseeing its pride, the ancient houses all painted blue seeming to worship at its feet. Delve deeper, and you’ll discover markets bursting with every colour of the rainbow. This is the gateway to the Thar Desert, inhabited by contrasting desert dwellers, the Bishnoi and Bhil.
Keoladeo National Park
4. Keoladeo National Park
Unusually for a desert state this park has a stunning wetland, thanks to the Maharaja of Bharatpur who artificially flooded it in the 1700s and created a shooting ground for Maharajas and British viceroys. Luckily today, the only things you will shoot are photos, capturing the stunning array of over 360 bird species including kingfishers, egrets, coots and storks, as well as the elusive fishing cat.
Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
5. Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
Believed to be the best place to see leopard in Rajasthan, it is rare to go on a game drive here and not see one. In a beautiful setting among the Aravalli Hills, it is the backdrop for the Kumbhalgarh fortress, a Mewar fort and world heritage site. The natural heritage is what people seek here, however, with other wildlife including wolf, hyena, nilgai, hyena and superb birdlife.
Maharajas Express
6. Maharajas Express
Rajasthan by train is not only ‘slow travel’ it is sumptuously nostalgic travel, capturing the times when bespoke trains were created for Maharajas as toy things. Spend a week on board this beauty, with luxurious cabins, panoramic viewing compartments, bars and fine cuisine, with daily stops at the likes of Jaipur, Jodhpur and Ranthambore. Or go for a tailor made vacation that mixes rail with real life.
Pushkar
7. Pushkar
A sacred town for Hindus, and spectacular, spiritual experience for all travelers. Pushkar Lake is considered holy water and, therefore, surrounded by over 400 temples, including the multi-coloured Brahma temple. There are ghats galore, steps that take worshippers into the waters. Pushkar is a place to be immersed in Rajasthani culture. You’ll be tempted to snap all day. But please respect the spirituality.
Ranthambore National Park
8. Ranthambore National Park
As well as being one of the top habitats for the Bengal tiger, this park is the veritable Jungle Book. Indeed, there are sloth bears (on which Kipling’s Baloo was based), nilgai antelope, sambar deer and jungle cats. Spend a few days on safari feasting your eyes on all of its fauna, tucked in amongst the wild array of tropical forest and ruined temples. It is definitely a ‘bear necessity’ on a visit to Rajasthan.
Sariska National Park
9. Sariska National Park
A national park and also a tiger reserve although numbers are small. However, don’t come here for tigers. Come to see other magnificent wildlife including leopard, jungle cats, hyena, and chowsingha and sambar deer. And take a hike around some of its ancient landscapes, such as up to the ruins of both Kankarwari Fort and the ongoing restoration of a temple complex dating as far back as the 6th century.
Shekhawati
10. Shekhawati
This region is like an art gallery in the desert where you will see the historic remains of once magnificent mansions, or havelis, bedecked with murals and all round beautiful imagery. Some fading fast, others being rightly preserved. These are not to be missed. Mandawa is a particularly fine example of one of these towns. In contrast, it’s also an area where you can stay in glamped up mud huts, all eco, all exquisite.
Thar Desert
11. Thar Desert
Think of this not simply as the natural backdrop to the artists’ dream that is Rajasthan, but also as its most beautiful blank canvas. Spend a few days in the sands and dunes to discover desert forts and villages, see black buck running wild across the semi arid zones and camels or cattle being sold at extraordinary vibrant markets. Jaisalmer is the main starting point for safaris into the sands.
Udaipur
12. Udaipur
Udaipur is called ‘Venice of the East’, as its complex lake system winds its way around palaces, temples, ancient waterside dwellings and a wonderful collection of heritage hotels. Stunningly romantic, the Aravali Hills proffer the perfect backdrop reflected in the city’s water, where you can saunter the City Palace on the bank of Lake Pichol or head to Lake Palace and Jag Mandir Palace on offshore islands.
Our top Rajasthan Vacation
Rajasthan tours, India
Discover the evocative northern province of Rajasthan
From
US $1330 to US $1750
15 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 31 Oct, 3 Nov, 5 Nov, 7 Nov, 12 Nov, 14 Nov, 15 Nov, 17 Nov, 19 Nov, 22 Nov, 26 Nov, 29 Nov, 6 Dec, 8 Dec, 13 Dec, 15 Dec, 20 Dec, 24 Dec, 27 Dec, 29 Dec, 31 Dec
2020: 3 Jan, 5 Jan, 7 Jan, 14 Jan, 17 Jan, 21 Jan, 24 Jan, 28 Jan, 31 Jan, 2 Feb, 4 Feb, 9 Feb, 11 Feb, 13 Feb, 14 Feb, 18 Feb, 21 Feb, 23 Feb, 28 Feb, 1 Mar, 6 Mar, 8 Mar, 10 Mar, 13 Mar, 14 Mar, 15 Mar, 17 Mar, 20 Mar, 22 Mar, 24 Mar, 27 Mar, 3 Apr, 9 Apr ...
2019: 31 Oct, 3 Nov, 5 Nov, 7 Nov, 12 Nov, 14 Nov, 15 Nov, 17 Nov, 19 Nov, 22 Nov, 26 Nov, 29 Nov, 6 Dec, 8 Dec, 13 Dec, 15 Dec, 20 Dec, 24 Dec, 27 Dec, 29 Dec, 31 Dec
2020: 3 Jan, 5 Jan, 7 Jan, 14 Jan, 17 Jan, 21 Jan, 24 Jan, 28 Jan, 31 Jan, 2 Feb, 4 Feb, 9 Feb, 11 Feb, 13 Feb, 14 Feb, 18 Feb, 21 Feb, 23 Feb, 28 Feb, 1 Mar, 6 Mar, 8 Mar, 10 Mar, 13 Mar, 14 Mar, 15 Mar, 17 Mar, 20 Mar, 22 Mar, 24 Mar, 27 Mar, 3 Apr, 9 Apr ...
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Rajasthan or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
Sample Rajasthan itineraries
Cultural vacation (16 days):
Jaipur > Pushkar > Khimsar > Thar Desert > Jodhpur > Mehrangarh Fort > Deogarh > Udaipur
Cycling vacation (12 days):
Jaipur > Kishangarh > Pushkar > Aravalli Hills > Fort Khejarla > Jodhpur > Ravla Bhenswara > Kumbhalgarh WildlifeSsanctuary > Kumbhalgarh Fort > Udaipur
Horse riding vacation (13 days):
Royal Marwari horses > Udaipur > Novi > Ranakpur Jain temples > Desert ride > Tribal village of Mera > Bhenswara > Desert horseriding > Rama Valley > Bishnoi villages > Jodhpur
Jaipur > Pushkar > Khimsar > Thar Desert > Jodhpur > Mehrangarh Fort > Deogarh > Udaipur
Cycling vacation (12 days):
Jaipur > Kishangarh > Pushkar > Aravalli Hills > Fort Khejarla > Jodhpur > Ravla Bhenswara > Kumbhalgarh WildlifeSsanctuary > Kumbhalgarh Fort > Udaipur
Horse riding vacation (13 days):
Royal Marwari horses > Udaipur > Novi > Ranakpur Jain temples > Desert ride > Tribal village of Mera > Bhenswara > Desert horseriding > Rama Valley > Bishnoi villages > Jodhpur
Rajasthan sample travel times
More about Rajasthan
The best time to visit Rajasthan is between October to March as you’ll find less humidity and cooler nights.
Discover the delights of this northwest Indian beauty as you read our Rajasthan travel guide and find out how to make the most of your time in this parched, yet perfect, province.
When seeking out things to do in Rajasthan, we represent some of the finest tour operators who can either tailor make you a trip or show you some of the most carefully crafted itineraries for traveling in a small group around the state.
Our top 10 things to do in Rajasthan let you peer inside the Golden Triangle to discover what else is glittering alongside the tourist-packed highlights.
One of the best ways to find out more about the Mughal era of India is through its architecture.
Even if you can only do one night, it is always worth staying in one of Rajasthan’s palaces.
Seek out street food in Rajasthan and you might be surprised as to what lies in store.
If you’re traveling in Rajasthan then do your mind and body a favour by escaping into the silken sands of the Thar Desert.
There certainly are tigers shining bright, but there is also myriad other wildlife in Rajasthan, from birds to blue bulls to sloth bears.
Like so much of India, the responsible tourism in Rajasthan makes for a pretty long list as you can see below.
More relevant guides
protection
Photo credits: [Page banner: Nick Kenrick] [Bundi Palace: Arian Zwegers]
[Jaipur: Annie Spratt]
[Jodhpur: Jyotirmoy Gupta]
[Keoladeo NP: Prateek Katyal]
[Kumbhalgargh Wildlife Sanctuary: Srikaanth Sekar]
[Maharajas Express: Aswin Krishna Poyil]
[Pushkar: Jason Rufus]
[Ranthambore NP: C Fotografia]
[Sariska NP: Nav Nirvana]
[Shekhawati: Jean-Pierre Dalbera]
[Thar Desert: plusgood]
[Udaipur: Palaste von Udaipur]
[Udaipur sunrise: Surajit Das]
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