Tour Activities - The Royal Rajasthan

Jaipur

The "Pink City of India" which is also capital city of Rajasthan

Jaipur has many sightseeing highlights including the City Palace, the former royal residence built in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal styles, and the Palace of Winds, an elaborate facade from which the ladies of the royal house would watch parades and festivals. Just out of town is the Amber Fort in the Aravalli Hills - a superb example of Rajput style architecture. The fort sits high on a ridge above the town of Amber, and a walk in the oldest parts of the town itself is an interesting aside to visiting the fort. The markets and bazaars in the walled Pink City still house thousands of shops, offering everything from local handicrafts to silverware, precious gems, plastic knickknacks, fabrics and textiles and much more. If you have 2 or 3 nights in Jaipur, this is a great place to buy fabric and have it made into made-to-measure clothing by a local tailor.

There are also many excellent walking tours in Jaipur, some visiting old neighbours, others focusing on street foods, or perhaps a visit to some of the 'hidden' temples around the city. Jaipur is the most modern and cosmopolitan of the cities of Rajasthan, but it still harbours a lot of history and traditional as well.

Jodhpur

The charismatic "Blue City"

Known as the "Blue City" for the characteristic indigo colour of its traditional homes, a day in Jodhpur can include a visit to the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, built atop a 400 ft. promontory. Below the fort, visit the Jaswant Thada, a graceful marble cenotaph built 1899 for Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, and monuments to other Maharajahs of Jodhpur. A half day jeep trip out into the Bishnoi villages gives an insight into the lifestyle of this conservation minded community. They preserve the local wildlife, including the blackbuck antelope. You can also visit small Dhurrie weaving centres where brightly coloured throw rugs are created. A walking tour in the old city is often cited as a highlight by many of our clients and we work with a team of people who are really passionate about their city- exploring it on foot offers a glimpse into the traditional ways of life which sit just below the surface of the (gradually) modernising city of Jodhpur.

Udaipur

The most "Romantic City of Rajasthan"

Udaipur is easily the most picturesque city in Rajasthan, built on the shores of Lake Pichola, surrounded by hills and dominated by three palaces. The Lake Palace is a hotel (only open to guests) in the middle of the lake, the City Palace overlooks it from the shore and is a sightseeing highlight, while the Monsoon Palace occupies a nearby hilltop and makes a great viewpoint from which to take in the vistas below. Another very atmospheric old city awaits in Udaipur, and is home to silversmiths, painters and other artisans. This region is famous for the schools of miniature painting done with one or two hair brushes, recreating the scenes of the old Mughal courts, processions and Hindu deities. The hills around Udaipur offer numerous options for rural walks, light hiking, farm visits, cycle tours and more. Udaipur is definitely quite a touristic city, but if you have a bit of time to spend here, the lesser-seen side of the place will gradually reveal itself.

Jaisalmer

The Golden City.

A remote outpost in the vastness of the Tahr Desert, Jaisalmer takes a bit of effort to reach, but the rewards are plentiful. The 'living' fort is unique in that people still live and work within its walls- all the other forts of Rajasthan either museums or in some state of abandonment. Below the Fort, the magnificent sandstone havelis are a must-see element to the city. Numerous desert viewpoints are perfect for sunset (or sunrise) viewing. The nearby 'ghost village' of Kuldhara has a fascinating story behind it and is worth considering during your time in this area. We don't suggest any engagement with the camel-riding industry around Sam Dunes as this is very over-exploited. There are much more serene places to view the desert on camelback around Pushkar and Jodhpur.

Pushkar

Home to the world's largest Camel Fair

The small lakeside town of Pushkar is a major pilgrimage site as well as playing host to the annual Camel Fair, held over the lunar period of Kartik Purnima, typically late October/early November, but the date moves every year. One of the great fairs of India, the population of Pushkar increases perhaps tenfold to around 200,000 people, and a very large number of camels and other livestock. During the other 50 or so weeks of the year, Pushkar is most notable for its Brahma Temple, one of only 2 in India, so a major draw for devotees, as well as being something of a magnet for backpackers from around the world. The picturesque Pushkar valley, the holy lake, a number of other temples and the nearby city of Ajmer are all worth visiting. If the opportunity arises, and your budget allows, why not hop on to a hot air balloon for an astounding aerial view of the entire area.

Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh and Beyond

The Aravali Hills, small towns and rural enclaves

The range of hills known as the Aravalis is the only high ground in largely-flat Rajasthan, and the most scenic section of the range, between Udaipur and Jodhpur, is home to many very interesting destinations, as well as some wonderful hotels. Near to Udaipur are Kumbhalgarh- a vast and imposing fort, and the Jain Temples at Ranakpur. Just to the north of these is an area with a large and thriving leopard population- a great place to see these majestic cats in a hassle-free environment, and further north still are some very interesting small towns, Narlai, Jojawar, Ghanerao and more, all very walkable places, as well as being home to lovely, affordable, heritage hotels. No trip to Rajasthan is really complete without a few days outside of the big cities, and the area between Udaipur and Jodhpur is a perfect way to incorporate this into your visit.