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...
Staying in Indian palaces in Rajasthan
You will see the term ‘Heritage Hotels’ bandied all over Indian travel websites, with photos of gardens that make you feel like a goddess, balconies that are begging for a serenade and bedrooms that will make you feel positively regal. And Rajasthan really is the place to experience these palatial abodes, mainly due to the fact that this desert state was, over the centuries, home to many Maharajas and their royal residences. The residences survived British colonialism because Rajasthan had garnered status as a princely state, one of many privileged regions where India’s own royalty could maintain their luscious lifestyles and semi-autonomous rule. Indeed many of these royal families still exist today, and have opened up their homes, galleries and gardens to people passing through.
Our Rajasthan Vacations
Rajasthan tours, India
Discover the evocative northern province of Rajasthan
From
US $1352 to US $1750
15 days
ex flights
Luxury Rajasthan vacation, 14 days
Experience life as a Maharaja in wonderful Rajasthan
From
£4836
14 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 vacation, Christmas time
A relaxing trip to Rajasthan with mixed activities
From
£2855 to £2995
14 days
ex flights
Rajasthan 15 day tour
A well crafted northern Indian and Rajasthani experience
From
£1749
15 days
ex flights
India vacations, The Golden Triangle, tailormade
An ideal trip for the first-time visitor to India
From
£970
7 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 cycling vacation
Explore the palaces, temples and wildlife of India's desert state
From
US $2349 to US $2699
15 days
ex flights
Rajasthan private vacation
From palace hotels to luxury tents
From
£1777 to £1900
15 days
ex flights
The Golden Triangle cycling vacation in India
A fascinating introduction to Northern India
From
US $1760 to US $1820
11 days
ex flights
Rajasthan desert adventure
Explore India's desert state, tigers and Taj Mahal
From
US $1649 to US $1879
13 days
ex flights
Overland small group tour of India
Roam across India on this small group tour
From
US $880 to US $1299
20 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
India highlights tour, temples and tigers
Classic sights and off-beat places for first-timers to India
From
US $3100
14 days
ex flights
India tour, the real Exotic Marigold Hotel
Stay in the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel on this trip to India
From
£1575 to £1895
11 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
Rajasthan small group tour, India
Discover Rajasthan in depth
From
£1855 to £1975
16 days
ex flights
Rajasthan experience vacation
Explore the mysteries of Rajasthan
From
US $2355 to US $2670
15 days
ex flights
India horse riding vacations
Ride in Rajasthan to the horse-and-camel fair Balotra.
From
£3875
11 days
ex flights
Tailor made Rajasthan tour, India
Discover the cultural wonders of Rajasthan
From
£1875
14 days
ex flights
Northern India vacation, tailor made
Discover the vibrant and colourful culture of Rajasthan.
From
£3650
15 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 vacation vacation
Street photography tour to the most colourful state of India
From
US $3890
14 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
Adventure vacation in Rajasthan, India
Explore Rajasthan and cycle the country roads to Agra
From
US $2399 to US $2470
12 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
North India highlights tour
Journey around north India to experience the former Raj
From
£3038 to £4880
19 days
ex flights
Rajasthan tours with Pushkar camel fair
Fort cities, rural villages & camel fair
From
US $3640
15 days
ex flights
High end homestays
High end homestays
We are always quick to shout about the benefits of homestays and community led tourism, and it is important to highlight these hotels are also homes. And very much at the cultural heart of Rajasthan. They have also been home to people who have been wholly committed to preserving the traditional culture of Rajasthan, be they Maharajas, Sultans, Mirs, Nizams, Zamindars or Nawabs.
Over the centuries, wealthy influences have been prolific in Rajasthan, emanating from both Hindu and Muslim traditions. Regardless of their backgrounds, over a thousand years of culture, fine arts, architecture, music and cuisine have been protected by these families. Now, as they are opening up their doors for some of the most sumptuous overnight stays you could imagine, you can see that they have done so in a way that is both classy and culturally sound.
Royally
Rajput
Rajput
Royally Rajput
Most heritage hotels in Rajasthan are Rajput-owned, the word Rajput meaning ‘son of a king’, and these days it refers to an often privileged and aristocratic patrilineal clan. Today, Rajputs are the largest group with royal heritage to be involved in the cultural preservation and sustainability of their property and, in many cases, may even be tour guides in their own domains. Hospitality is fundamental to aristocratic etiquette in India, and treating people royally is part and parcel of this.
Pick a palace
Pick a palace
When you take a look through the luxury vacation itineraries that have been carefully crafted by our Rajasthan experts, you will see that many of them book you into these stunning restorations of forts, palaces and castles along the way. Such as a Beaux-Arts palace in Udaipur built by ruler Udai Singh in the 16th century and overlooking the iconic Lake Pichola; or a 19th century former home of the Maharaja of Jaipur. You can stay in a Maharaja’s palace where the family is still resident in eastern Rajasthan, or head into the Aravelli Hills to stay in a restored fortress, originally built by the Jhala Rajputs who ruled the Mewar Kingdom. In Jodhphur, you can stay at the Ajit Bhawan, a Rajput palace hotel and in Jaisalmer, you can stay in a hotel inside the walls of its famous fort built in the 12th century by the Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal.
One example of restoring architectural heritage in a sustainable way is at Ramathra Fort. Just a few years ago it was a ruin, but it has now been carefully rebuilt using local materials and traditional methods, and employing men and women from small rural villages around the area. Ramathra dates back as far as 1645, when it was granted as a fiefdom to Thakur Bhoj Pal, the son of the Maharaja of Karauli. It is still in the hands of his descendents who are doing more than their fine share to contribute to fine Rajasthani tourism.
Our top Rajasthan Vacation
Rajasthan tours, India
Discover the evocative northern province of Rajasthan
From
US $1352 to US $1750
15 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
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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.
Palatial pastimes
When staying in a restored palace or fort in Rajasthan, you will be able to get involved in activities enjoyed by the privileged few in the past. The Aravelli Hills, which translates as ‘line of peaks’, is a luscious green belt that straddles the otherwise desert state. It's alive with the sound of wildlife. Go horse riding here to quietly follow in the trails of monkeys, langurs, sloth bear, spotted deer, sambar deer and many more, just as they would have in times gone by. Although hunting may have been more on the cards back then, sadly.
If you go on a horse riding vacation in the Jagnath Wildlife Sanctuary, you enter the world of the Sonagara family of Kaniwara, in the Jalore District, which was a gift from the Royal Family of Marwar (now Jodphur) seven generations ago. As well as staying in nearby restored castles or forts, you can spend time on safari here, as it is not only habitat to the endangered Asiatic wild cat, but also leopard, hyena, Indian gazelle and blue bulls. You will also get a chance to ride the Marwari horse, bred in the 12th century by the Rathores, then rulers of Marwar and famous cavalry fighters. These elegant equines are recognisable by their prowess in dressage, their inward turning ear tips and their ability to cope with desert landscapes.
For those seeking artistic rather than equine expertise, Rajasthan’s palaces and historic hotels are very often curators of fine art and local crafts, as there is a long history of artistic skills in this state. This is because these palatial dwellings were often so much more than homes, many of the privileged rulers opening up their residences in the past for public use, such as artisan workshops or scholarly debates. On tailor made vacations in Rajasthan you can, therefore, go shopping with local experts at jewellers and meet artists who are celebrated for being ‘by royal appointment’. Or learn the fundamentals of classical Indian miniature painting from an art scholar and have guided tours of some of the finest private art collections in the world. And of course, you will always be invited to enjoy the finest of local food. Because, in these palaces, many royal banquets await.
More about Rajasthan
The best time to visit Rajasthan is October to March for less humidity and cooler nights.
Discover the delights of the northwest Indian beauty with our Rajasthan travel guide.
Rajasthan is known as India’s desert state, but it's far from culturally arid.
In Rajasthan wildlife may be your focus, perhaps architecture and culture, or photography.
Our top 10 things to do in Rajasthan reveal one authentic experience after the next.
Seek out Rajasthan street food and you might be surprised as to what lies in store.
Do your mind and body a favour by escaping into the silken sands of the Thar Desert.
There are tigers shining bright, but also myriad other wildlife to see in Rajasthan.
Responsible tourism in Rajasthan makes for a pretty long list as you can see below.
Explore Rajasthan, India’s largest and most iconic state, through a lens.
More relevant guides
protection
Photo credits: [Page banner: Nick Kenrick] [Palace of the winds - Jaipur: lensmatter]
[Palace garden - Udaipur: amira_a]
[Fort interior: Glavo]
[Rajput: Jean-Pierre DalbéraBy: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra]
[Palace - Udaipur: Mitchell Ng Liang an]
[Ramathra Fort: BluesyPete]
[Aravelli Hills - Kumbhalgarh Fort: ipercher]
[Marwari horse: BOMBMAN]
[Natural paints: Amanjeev]
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