D DKnown for its extravagant palaces and the vast unparalleled deserts, Rajasthan truly is a “Land of Kings”. Located in the northern region of the Indian subcontinent, Rajasthan is the largest state in the country with a major portion of it being comprised of the Thar Desert. This is a region rich in history dating back to the time of the British Raj. Even today, influences of the Colonial Period remain in Rajasthan in the form of its architecture and several folklore.
If you are planning to visit Rajasthan soon but unsure about the places to visit, here is a list of Must Visit Places & Must Do Things in Rajasthan.
1. Jaipur – The capital city
Jaipur, being the capital and the largest city of Rajasthan should be an obvious start to your journey. From five-star hotels to roadside Dhabas, from metro culture to centuries-old traditions, from BMWs, Audi and Porsche to camel carts, you can find a lot of things in Jaipur that will leave you speechless. So, mark it as the first place to visit.
The best time to visit Jaipur is between October and March. Winter season is a relief from the scorching sunlight and the pleasant breeze makes the travel all the more beautiful. Flights to Jaipur are available round the year and its well connected by road and rail as well. Most of the time, Jaipur is the weekend getaway for the residents of Delhi, Gujarat and other neighbouring states. Once you arrive in Jaipur, the first thing to do is visit Choki Dhani in the evening. Choki Dhani offers one stop shop of hands on experience of Rajasthani culture, dance, food, camels, puppet show and much more. All under one roof!
2. Ranthambore National Park
Another must visit place in Rajasthan should be the Ranthambore National Park. In Ranthambore, not only do you get a first hand sight of the animals in their natural habitat but you also get to experience the beauty of the Aravalli range and the River Chambal. This guided tour allows you to experience nature in its true essence concluding with a visit to Ranthambore Fort which was built in the 10th century.
3. Thar Desert, Jaisalmer
Every year during winter, The Desert Festival is held for three days in the sands of The Thar Desert in Jaisalmer. This is a great experience as there is an authentic customary display of Rajasthani art and culture. It is one of the most popular desert festival in the world. During the three days, there is a lot of entertainment including singing, dancing along with many camel-centered activities like camel racing and camel polo. The traditional Rajasthani attire is also displayed by the performers who really put on a great show for their audience.
4. Udaipur
If you want to spend a few days amid old mansions, intricate temples, beautiful gardens, and massive palaces, visit Udaipur. Umaid Bhawan Hotel in Udaipur has been ranked as the most luxurious hotel of India. Apart from the hotel, temples, gardens & old mansions, Udaipur offers many beautiful lakes to laze around on a silent breezy evening.
5. Sariska Tiger Reserve
The 800 sq. km sanctuary is a worth your visit if you want to witness a calmer side of life in jungle. Apart from wild animals, there are several small yet beautiful tea stalls, eateries and simple yet beautiful temples which follow age old rich traditions and rituals in its daily life. Experiencing this side of Rajasthan will leave a long lasting impact on you.
6. Pushkar Camel Fair
After the ferocious cats of Ranthambore, its time to make merry with the camels at Pushkar. It’s not about how many camels you get to see at one place, but how many memories you create along the way. Pushkar Camel Fair is a beautiful experience of 5 days for tourist. While it begun as a camel and other livestock trading affair but soon gained lot of popularity for its attractions like matka phod, bridal competition, longest moustache display and so on. Organized by the banks of Lake Pushkar, the fair is held mostly in October- November.
Interestingly, Pushkar also happens to be the only place in India which has a temple for Lord Brahma.
7. Mehrangarh Fort
From mesmerizing architecture to devotional attention, this fort has many stories to tell. We do not want to be your kill joy and so would suggest you to go and witness this historic fort on your own.
8. Bundi & other Rural Places of Rajasthan
Rajasthan has changed a lot in the last 50 years; however, you still want to have a glimpse of old peaceful and beautiful Rajasthan then you must Bundi and other rural places of Rajasthan. Bundi has a population of just over 2 lakh people but its exceptionally beautiful for its ornate forts, step wells, palaces and other water reservoirs.
9. Bikaner
A Rajasthan trip can never be complete without Bikaner’s name on your list. The city is famous for its forts, sweets, and snacks. You will regret forever if you forget eating ‘Bikaner Ke Rasgulle.’
10. Bhangarh
What stories will you tell to kids back home if you miss a trip to Bhangarh – one of the ten scariest places in the world. If you ever visit Bhangarh, make sure you leave the place before sunset, else be ready to face the consequences.
Read: 10 Haunted Places In Places To Stay Away From
11. Chittorgarh
Visit this beautiful ancient city and witness the richness of Rajasthan’s Rajput culture. The fort of Chittorgarh has many stories to tell about its king queen and guests it served.
Palace On Wheels
If you intend on embarking on a guided tour, The Palace on Wheels is an experience to live with. The train departs from New Delhi station arriving at a new destination of Rajasthan every morning. Palace of wheels is the epitome of luxury in train travel.
The bogies are decorated with wood panels, beautiful carvings and carpeted floor. They offer a wide range of exclusive royal food varieties to choose from. The dine in experience in silverware cutlery will make you feel no less than a king/queen. The attendants are extremely courteous and trained to pamper you all throughout.
Itinerary of Palace on Wheels
The journey begins in Jaipur and concludes with a visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra. During the week-long journey, there will be visits to the iconic heritage sites like The Palace of Winds or Hawa Mahal and to The Chittorgarh fort in Jaipur. This will be followed by a visit to Udaipur, the city of bounteous lakes and to Jaisalmer with its magnificent forts. The fourth city on the tour is Jodhpur or ‘The Blue City’. The land of history and culture with its houses arranged in varying shades of Indigo. This journey will be under the supervision of informed tour guides who will provide all the requisite information about each location.
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