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...
Wildlife in Rajasthan
They are extraordinary, elusive and endangered, but there is a bit of a tourist mania to catch just one glimpse of the big cat. Don't forget the lions and bears too; Rajasthan offers so much more than the sacred stripes.
Well known already for the tiger, Rajasthan’s wildlife is as colourful and varied as its cultural heritage. There are many other cats that inhabit, for example, Sariska National Park and leopard that thrive in Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary. And birdlife that flits through Taal Chapper Blackbuck Sanctuary in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, a place where nilgai or blue bulls also gather in splendor. Also splendid is the most unexpected thing in a desert state: a vast wetland, Keoladeo National Park, albeit created by the Maharaja of Bharatpur as an 18th century shooting ground. That’s wildlife in Rajasthan for you. It always comes with a tale.
Our Rajasthan Vacations
India vacations, The Golden Triangle, tailormade
An ideal trip for the first-time visitor to India
From
£710 to £970
7 days
ex flights
Rajasthan vacation, Christmas time
A relaxing trip to Rajasthan with mixed activities
From
£2095
15 days
ex flights
Rajasthan Educational vacation on Art and Craft
Rajasthan Cultural Heritage and Educational Tour
From
£1110
14 days
ex flights
Rajasthan tours, India
Discover the evocative northern province of Rajasthan
From
US $1300 to US $1730
15 days
ex flights
Rajasthan cycling vacation
Explore the palaces, temples and wildlife of India's desert state
From
US $2245
15 days
ex flights
Rajasthan 15 day tour
A well crafted northern Indian and Rajasthani experience
From
£1749
15 days
ex flights
Rajasthan and Taj Mahal tour
Authentic experience of live like Royals of history.
From
£900 to £1650
12 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 $1855 to US $2095
13 days
ex 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 tailor made vacation, India
See the temples & palaces of Rajasthan
From
£755 to £900
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
Overland small group tour of India
Roam across India on this small group tour
From
US $825 to US $1299
20 days
ex flights
Rajasthan, off the beaten track tour
Discover the exotic extravagance of Rajasthan.
From
£1538
15 days
ex flights
Rajasthan photography vacation in India
Incredible Rajasthan palaces and The Pushkar Camel Fair
From
£3950
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
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
Rajasthan tour, India
Discover magnificent forts, palaces and deserts of Rajasthan
From
£2775 to £2875
15 days
ex flights
Vegan vacation in India
Intricately carved temples, splendid palaces, delicious food
From
US $2440
12 days
ex flights
Tailor made Rajasthan tour, India
Discover the cultural wonders of Rajasthan
From
£1575 to £1895
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 rural tour in India
Explore the romantic hill forts and palaces of rural India
From
£3249 to £5095
18 days
ex flights
Rajasthan private vacation
From palace hotels to luxury tents
From
£1777 to £1900
15 days
ex flights
Rajasthan small group tour, India
See the Taj Mahal, temples and tigers on this Rajasthan trip
From
£2635
16 days
ex flights
Northern India vacations
The best of northern India in a short itinerary
From
US $1485 to US $1745
9 days
ex flights
Rajasthan cycling tour, Udaipur to Jodhpur
See the best of Rajasthan on a short cycling tour.
From
€1059
8 days
ex flights
Thar desert road tour in Rajashthan
Adventure offroading in the sand dunes of Rajasthan, India
From
£2058 to £3896
10 days
ex flights
India horse riding vacations
Ride in Rajasthan to the horse-and-camel fair Balotra.
From
£3875
11 days
ex flights
Horse riding tours in Rajasthan, India
horseback safari adventure through rolling terrain of Rajasthan
From
£2230 to £2950
13 days
ex flights
Ranthambore National Park is one of the best places to try and see one of the super elusive Bengal tigers. There are just over 60 of them in the park, so you are not guaranteed to see one; they are rare beauties those Bengals, but it certainly does happen. Traveling with responsible tour operators expert in tiger watching is one of the best ways, working with experienced guides who know how to treasure jungle royalty.
There are many other cats to purr over in Rajasthan however. Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is considered one of the best places to see leopard. In Sariska National Park you may also spot leopard, jungle cat and hyena as well as the caracal, an elegant feline that is sandy coloured to merge with desert landscapes. The fishing cat’s favourite habitat is Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, formerly known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.
The chinkara was the state animal of Rajasthan, before the camel took center stage, but this Indian gazelle is still gorgeous. A glossy golden colour with horns as long as 40cm, it survives for long periods without water, and so not surprising that it inhabits the Thar Desert, as do the blackbuck antelope, and Indian wild ass.
Our top Rajasthan Vacation
Rajasthan 15 day tour
A well crafted northern Indian and Rajasthani experience
From
£1749
15 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
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.
Wildlife tips in Rajasthan
Paul Goldstein, top tiger safari guide and expert at one of our leading suppliers, Exodus:
“Much like mountain gorillas, you have to be aware that this is a desperately endangered species, so please try and look beyond your camera. I have led countless tiger safaris in India, but probably only have half a dozen really good photos. So, particularly when you see your first one, put the camera away because, firstly, you might not see another one and also, it is a deeply emotive moment. The photo will probably be rubbish anyway as you will be sobbing or shaking, as you should be.”
“Much like mountain gorillas, you have to be aware that this is a desperately endangered species, so please try and look beyond your camera. I have led countless tiger safaris in India, but probably only have half a dozen really good photos. So, particularly when you see your first one, put the camera away because, firstly, you might not see another one and also, it is a deeply emotive moment. The photo will probably be rubbish anyway as you will be sobbing or shaking, as you should be.”
Guy Marks from Tribes Travel, our leading supplier in tailor made vacations to Rajasthan:
“Don’t expect tiger safaris to be like an African safari experience. The way the parks are run, the quality of guiding and the seeming lack of a need to be silent so as not to disturb the tigers, all have a very unique Indian style. Seeing a tiger is, however, one of the world’s wildlife highlights. Take your kids now while the last remaining tigers still exist. If they exist at all when they grow up, then we are going to need the next generation to continue the conservation fight.”
“Don’t expect tiger safaris to be like an African safari experience. The way the parks are run, the quality of guiding and the seeming lack of a need to be silent so as not to disturb the tigers, all have a very unique Indian style. Seeing a tiger is, however, one of the world’s wildlife highlights. Take your kids now while the last remaining tigers still exist. If they exist at all when they grow up, then we are going to need the next generation to continue the conservation fight.”
Andrew Appleyard from our supplier, Exodus:
“I have been to Ranthambore several times, but this last time in 2016 I was particularly impressed, as it was more regulated and controlled than it has ever been in the past, which is a great thing. The canters are going one way, the jeeps in another, there was a regulation of the numbers of people there. However, you do want to note that early on in the season, some parts of the park maybe closed so you will have a smaller area but with the same number of vehicles”.
“I have been to Ranthambore several times, but this last time in 2016 I was particularly impressed, as it was more regulated and controlled than it has ever been in the past, which is a great thing. The canters are going one way, the jeeps in another, there was a regulation of the numbers of people there. However, you do want to note that early on in the season, some parts of the park maybe closed so you will have a smaller area but with the same number of vehicles”.
Andrew Appleyard from our supplier, Exodus:
“The birdlife really is absolutely spectacular at the end of the monsoon season. I was completely blown away by it. The other thing that I was surprised about was seeing sloth bears and leopards at well. I saw a leopard on the entrance wall of Ranthambore National Park and we actually saw one sloth bear digging termites out from underneath a tree, which was quite unusual.”
“The birdlife really is absolutely spectacular at the end of the monsoon season. I was completely blown away by it. The other thing that I was surprised about was seeing sloth bears and leopards at well. I saw a leopard on the entrance wall of Ranthambore National Park and we actually saw one sloth bear digging termites out from underneath a tree, which was quite unusual.”
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.
Although it is well known as India’s desert state, it is far from culturally arid.
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.
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: Bernard DUPONT] [Oriental Darter: Ron Knight]
[Fishing cat: Cliff]
[Tiger: Bernard DUPONT]
[Cranes: Bernard DUPONT]
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