Even today one can experience the royalty and glory of the era of raja-maharajas in its opulent palaces, havelis and forts, most of which have been converted into heritage hotels. The Lake Palace, Umaid Bhawan Palace, Amar Vilas Palace, Ajit Bhawan Palace and Fort Rajwada are the most popular. You you wish to step back in time to the days of raja-maharajas, then stay at the heritage hotels of the state. Starting from the entrance to the interiors, facilities and services, everything offers royalty and luxury in abundance. In these heritage hotels you will be treated like a king! High on hospitality quotient, these hotels make evenings of their guests entertaining by organising mind blowing dance and music performances.

The Rajput rulers and Mughal Emperors were great patrons of art and architecture and the architectural marvels in Rajasthan are a great testimony to it. City Palace; Jaipur, City Palace; Udaipur, Lake Palace, Amber Palace, Meharangarh Fort, Amber Fort, Golden Fort, Patwon-ki-haveli, Jantar Mantar and Hawa Mahal are some of the richest(in terms of beauty) attractions of Rajasthan.

Apart from this, an interesting and unique way of experiencing the richness of Rajasthan is by taking a ride in its “Palace on Wheels”, one of the most luxurious trains in the world. Offering luxury and comfort in plenty, the train offers 8 days/7 nights tour. It covers several fascinating destinations like Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Ranthambore National Park, Chittaurgarh, Udaipur and Agra.

In fact, everything about Rajasthan has a “royal” touch to it. Experience it for yourself.

 If I were to define the experience on Palace on Wheels in a single sentence I would sum it all up and describe it as an exhilarating lavish trip around some of the most captivating sights in Rajasthan. This trip is a dream cherished by a zillion people, but only few are lucky enough to experience the royal flavour.

 In the Palace of Wheels you will experience a unique style of roaming across Rajasthan to the Thar Desert, stunning palace and beautiful havelis. The ride begins from the capital, Delhi and then navigates through various destinations that include Jodhpur, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Chittaurgarh, Udaipur and also Agra. But the travel is hardly the entire story; the 5-star luxury inside the Palace on Wheels also feels like an enchanting fairy-tale.

 The beautiful interiors, the culinary skills of the cooks, the hospitality of the hosts are all meticulously planned to keeping in mind the sheer essence of magnificent Rajasthan. All coaches of this mobile palace are named after each of the Rajasthani towns and are decked up with delicate Rajasthani artwork. The train houses several recreation spots like the lounge and areas to sit and enjoy the beautiful view of the Desert over some refreshing coffee.

 The rooms in the Palace on Wheels are fully air-conditioned and is bejeweled with elegant décor and furnishing with finest of amenities a royal guest would beckon for. This forerunning luxury train also boasts of two restaurants that are rightly named The Maharani and The Maharaja. These restaurants not only serve lip-smacking authentic Rajastani food but all cuisine from around the world. The bar here is well-stocked with the finest of wines and spirits which keep up the spirits of the guest in the Palace of Wheels.

 The train palace on wheels traverses across some of the most delightful sites in North India. As Delhi is a junction that is well-linked to all parts of the world, the guests are welcomed here from where the journey begins. As you are taken through a number of popular destinations mentioned in a travel book about India, you can paint a beautiful picture of India in your mind which will remain forever. Each destination, be it Jaipur or Udaipur has a magnificent story to tell that gives the guests an exquisite experience and feel of India. It is more than just a culture and heritage tour. It is a journey of a lifetime.

There are many tourist detonations such as- Jaipur, Jodhpur Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Mandawa, Bundi, Pushkar, Kota, Ajmer, Mount Abu and Udaipur which has its own stories of heroism and romance that make excitement among guests, travelers and tourists to take a Rajasthan tour package. The culture and glorious history along with numerous heritage sites of each destination gives a mesmerizing experience to tourists.

If you have planed to visit Rajasthan to make your holiday more memorable and enjoyable then don’t miss to explore any of the above mentioned destinations because the elegantly designed fort and majestic palaces of each destination is distinct with another one.  The lively desert life of Thar Desert area in Bikaner and Jaisalmer, historical monuments and temples, adventure of camel safari (Camel riding), majestic forts, tombs havelis and palaces of Shekhawati region, hill station of Mount Abu and rich flora and fauna in wild life areas are such some factors, which magnetize tourist to take a royal Rajasthan trip. Many tourists wish to avail Rajasthan tour package to experience the royal charm of stay in heritage hotels of the state, which can not be experienced in any other destination in the world. The royal architectural design along with all the modern day’s facilities and warm hospitality of the heritage hotel gives a King type of feeling during your stay in the hotel.

Some of the most popular tourist spots of various destinations in Rajasthan are- Amer fort and Hawa Mahal of Jaipur, Rat temple of Bikaner, Lord Brahma temple of Pushkar and Pushkar fair, Castles of Mandawa, Lakes of Udaipur and Jaisalmer fort of Jaisalmer. Apart from these tourist spots, you can also explore some wildlife sanctuaries such as Ranthambore National Park (famous for royal tiger), Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Sariska National Park and Desert National Park. If you are a wildlife lover, bird watcher and adventure seeker then you must explore these exotic wildlife sanctuaries of Rajasthan.

The royal state of Rajasthan is most preferred tourist destination for every leisure seekers who wish to explore age old regal Indian charm and heritage monuments set by Raja and Maharajas of this state. The glory of Rajasthan is also well accepted due to its rich cultural heritage and colorful festivals celebrated in the state. Rajasthan tour packages in India, give you a chance to experience all these spellbinding beauty in a single tour.

There are many tourist detonations such as- Jaipur, Jodhpur Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Mandawa, Bundi, Pushkar, Kota, Ajmer, Mount Abu and Udaipur which has its own stories of heroism and romance that make excitement among guests, travelers and tourists to take a Rajasthan tour package. The culture and glorious history along with numerous heritage sites of each destination gives a mesmerizing experience to tourists.

If you have planed to visit Rajasthan to make your holiday more memorable and enjoyable then don’t miss to explore any of the above mentioned destinations because the elegantly designed fort and majestic palaces of each destination is distinct with another one. The lively desert life of Thar Desert area in Bikaner and Jaisalmer, historical monuments and temples, adventure of camel safari (Camel riding), majestic forts, tombs havelis and palaces of Shekhawati region, hill station of Mount Abu and rich flora and fauna in wild life areas are such some factors, which magnetize tourist to take a royal Rajasthan trip. Many tourists wish to avail Rajasthan tour package to experience the royal charm of stay in heritage hotels of the state, which can not be experienced in any other destination in the world. The royal architectural design along with all the modern day’s facilities and warm hospitality of the heritage hotel gives a King type of feeling during your stay in the hotel.

Some of the most popular tourist spots of various destinations in Rajasthan are- Amer fort and Hawa Mahal of Jaipur, Rat temple of Bikaner, Lord Brahma temple of Pushkar and Pushkar fair, Castles of Mandawa, Lakes of Udaipur and Jaisalmer fort of Jaisalmer. Apart from these tourist spots, you can also explore some wildlife sanctuaries such as Ranthambore National Park (famous for royal tiger), Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Sariska National Park and Desert National Park. If you are a wildlife lover, bird watcher and adventure seeker then you must explore these exotic wildlife sanctuaries of Rajasthan.

During your Rajasthan tour in India, you must enjoy the exclusive delicious cuisines of Rajasthan which contains appetizing Mrwari fragrance. Another delightful activity which you can pursue during your Rajasthan Tour is –‘shopping in Rajasthan’. Rajasthan shopping is famous to buy art and craft items, decorated clothes, precious and semi precious stones, lather items, sweets and of course the Bikaneri snacks. Don’t forget to buy Bikaneri bhujiya for your nearer and dearer while you are returning back from the Rajasthan tour, India. If you wish to explore all major destinations of Rajasthan through a luxury train tour then you can board on ‘Palace on Wheels’, which will give you a king type experience throughout the journey. If you will make your trip through this luxurious train then you will certainly bring with you a sweet memory of your Rajasthan tour in India and you will realize it when you will come back to your own destination.

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Major Attraction in Rajasthan

Camel Safari- A Camel safari taking you through the sand dunes of the  Thar desert in Rajasthan is surely an experience of a lifetime.Majority of the Camel Back Safari in Rajasthan originate at Jaisalmer. Amber Fort- Amber Fort also called the Amer Fort is a must-see if you are visiting Rajasthan. The tourists to this fort can either approach the fort by road or take an elephant ride, which though is quite slow yet is a lot of fun. Heritage on Wheels- New luxury train for Rajasthan Mainly cover heritage palace, havelis and wildlife in the region of Jaipur – Bikaner – Tal Chhapar & Shekhawati. Pushkar Fair- In the month of November, the vibrant land of Pushkar, Rajasthan comes alive with the glistening colors of joys, vivacious events and huge crowds to relish the famous Pushar Fair. Palace on Wheels – The journey of a lifetime begins at the Delhi Cantonment station where the guests are accorded a warm, traditional welcome before the Palace on Wheels pulls out into the night … for a week-long luxury cruise through fascinating Rajasthan. Sand Dunes – Located at a distance of 42 kilometers from Jaisalmer, Sam Sand Dunes is the closest point to witness the total sandy desert.

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Rock climbing in India is very important adventure activity as there is no dearth of rocks.  Rocky Mountains in high altitude places like Manali Valley, Manikaran in Himachal Pradesh, Mount Abu, Sariska in Rajasthan are popular for soft rock climbing.  The trekkers who love high altitude places like Sonmarg, Gangotri, Garhwal and Uttaranchal are a blessing. The Himalayan ranges are a full of scenic landscapes and Indian tourism has grown due to the beauty of this place. Garhwal and Kumaon regions are very well known amongst trekkers.

Skiing has caught up and the adventure tourism India has got another activity which can boast of. The hill stations of this country provide excellent facilities for skiing. For example Glmarg in Jammu and Kashir, Auli in Grawhal, Kufri, Narkanda in Himachal Pradesh etc are some places which have fantastic slopes to offer. Heli skiing in Asia was first offered in India in the state of Kashmir way back in 1988. This is a more intricate sport which can be easily done in here.  Camel safaris in the deserts are one unique experience which you can take advantage of while in India. Camle safari is fun and people who know horse riding can enjoy it more thoroughly. Once you get the hang of the activity you understand how the animal reacts to your movements hence this activity is also very much in demand amongst visitors who come to India for a holiday.  Camel safaris are done in places like Jaisalmer, Bikaner or Jodhpur. Jeep safari and wildlife safari are most popular among the tourists.

Adventure tourism in India also gets an impetus due to its large water supply. India can boast of being the only sub continent which has the largest network of rivers.  This is good news for white water rafters as the rivers offer some amazing white water rapids. Tourists go to the north to enjoy the indian river rafting experience.

Places like Goa and Kerala are well known for its water sports. Adndaman and Lakshadweep are known for scuba diving and it’s under water marine life. Places like Bangalore and Rajasthan are known for Hot air ballooning, para gliding, and bungee jumping. And the extreme east is known for its mountains and treks.

Such diversity combine with warm hospitality and different flavours of Indian life make a tourists visit to India memorable. No wonder people in large numbers come here every year for the sheer joy of experiencing thrill.

Some of the famous wildlife destinations of Rajasthan are:

Ranthambhore National Park

Famous for its enchanting tigers, this Park is visited by tourists from all over the world. It was once the hunting reserve of the ruler of Jaipur. And today it is one of the most popular national parks of India. Set ideally between the Aravalli and Vindhya mountain ranges, the Park is a home to a variety of wildlife with the main attractions being tigers and leopards. The Ranthambore Fort inside the Park is also a great attraction, which is around a thousand year old. The most propitious time to visit the park is from November to April.

Keoladeo National Park

Synonymous with birds, this Park is an abode of a huge variety of birds. There are more than 300 bird species inside the Park. The beautiful migratory birds make this Park a temporary home during the months of winter. It is a World Heritage Site attracting ornithologists and nature lovers from different parts of the world. The landscape of the Park is very picturesque, adding more charm to it. Boat ride opportunity is available for tourists to enjoy the wildlife safari in an exciting way. The best time to visit is from October to March.

Desert National Park

Covering an area of 3000 sq km, this Park encompasses undulating sand dunes, fixed dunes and salt-lake bottoms, wood fossils and rough rocks. Some of the enchanting wildlife found here are black buck, chinkara, desert wolf, desert cat and the endangered great Indian bustard.

Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary

A home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, this Sanctuary is a wonderful destination to visit. Apart from sighting the wild animals one can also treat one’s senses with the delightful views of a variety of orchids. A wide range of orchids are found here. The best time to visit is from October to February.

lore of heroism and romance resound from the formidable monuments that majestically stand to tell the tale of a bygone era. The Magic of vibrant Rajasthan - its rich heritage, colourful culture, exciting desert safaris, shining sand-dunes, amazing variety lush forests and varied wildlife – makes it a destination nonpareil. Rajasthan is often portrayed as one vast open-air museum, with its relics so well preserved that it delights even the most skeptical traveler.

It is an incredible destination for the outdoor-tourist – take a safari on horses, camels, elephants or even in jeeps, with the Aravalis – India ‘s oldest mountain range as the backdrop. Feast your eyes on spectacular sand-dunes, take the tiger trail, or just watch the birds in the wetlands. You can also choose to pamper yourself in the lavish heritage properties. Rajasthan has something for everyone –  one just has to choose an activity appropriate to one’s temperament.

The Architecture of Rajasthan

The mixture and brilliance of Rajasthan’s architectural heritage can amaze a visitor. Majestic forts, intricately carved temples and havelis (meaning mansion) and even step wells make Rajasthan a paradise for an architecture buff. The desert State of Rajasthan is a land of irony and extremes. This vibrant and striking region is the home of the Rajput warrior clans who had ruled here for many years. Rajasthan is also home to some of India’s most romantic cities. The Rajputs were prolific builders and have dotted the arid Aravali landscape with their legacy of some most imposing and magnificent forts and palaces in the world. Today the structures defy time to tell the story of gallantry, courage and tragedy of the bygone era and its story of survival in the harsh Thar Desert. Some of the prominent structures that represent the architectural heritage of Rajasthan are Jantar Mantar, Dilwara Temples, Chittaurgarh Fort, Lake Palace Hotel, City Palace and Jaisalmer havelis.

Culture of Rajasthan

Rajasthan is culturally rich and has extensive tradition in art and culture, which reflects the Indian way of life. The dance, music and art forms have been consciously cultivated and patronized by the erstwhile royal courts. An equally rich and varied folk culture from villages is both fascinating and mesmerizing. The music is of uncomplicated innocence and songs depict day-to-day relationships and chores, more often about the bringing of water. Rajasthan’s cultural tapestry takes in simple folk to highly cultivated classical music and dance, in its own distinct style.

Tourist Destinations

Jaipur – Jaipur is 260 km from Delhi and 240 km from Agra and forms the  golden triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. It a bustling capital city and a business centre with all the trappings of a modern metropolis but yet flavoured strongly with an age-old charm that never fails to surprise a traveller. The old Jaipur painted in Pink can grip any visitor with admiration. Stunning backdrop of ancient forts: Nahargarh, Amer, Jaigarh and Moti Doongari are apt testimonials of the bygone era and a reminder of their lingering romance and chivalry.

Jodhpur – This bustling desert city is the second largest in Rajasthan after Jaipur. It was founded by Rao Jodha, the leader of the Rathore clan, in 1459 AD. The mammoth, imposing fortress (Meherangarh) has a landscape dominating a rocky ridge with the eight gates leading out of fortress. The new city is outside the structure.

Udaipur – Udaipur is often called ‘Venice of the East’. It is also the ‘city of lakes’. The Lake Palace (Jag Niwas) located in the middle of Pichola Lake is the finest example of architectural and cultural  marvel. The grand City Palace on the banks of the lake along with the Monsoon Palace (Sajjan Garh) on the hill above enhances the beauty of this magnificent city. Udaipur is also the centre for performing arts, crafts and its famed miniature paintings. The Shilpgram festival is a great crowd-puller on new year.

Jaisalmer – The name Jaisalmer evokes utter magic and vibrancy of the desert. It’s straight out of an Arabian Nights fable. The hostile terrain notwithstanding the warmth and colour of people is simply overwhelming. One of the main draws is the daunting 12th century Jaisalmer Fort. The beautiful havelis which were built by wealthy merchants of Jaisalmer are yet another interesting aspect of the desert city. And you can let your eyes caress the sloping sand dunes while you ramble your way in a camel safari. The desert citadel is truly a golden fantasy in the Thar Desert. Bhati Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal, after whom the city finds its name, founded Jaisalmer in 1156 AD.

Bikaner – Lying in the north of the desert State, the city is dotted with scores of sand dunes. Bikaner retains the medieval grandeur that permeates the city’s lifestyle. More readily called the camel country, the city is distinguished for the best riding camels in the world and hence boasts of having one of the largest Camel Research and Breeding farms in the world. The ship of the desert is an inseparable part of life here. A camel besides being a mode of transport, also works on wells. These are built on high plinths with slender minarets on each of the four corners and can be noticed even from a distance.

Ranthambhore – Ranthambhor National Park, once a princely game conserve is the scene where the celebrated Indian tigers are best seen. Ranthambhor Tiger Reserve lies on the junction of Aravali and Vindhyas just 14 Kms from Sawai Madhopur in Eastern Rajasthan. It sprawls over a varying and undulating landscape.

Alwar – Alwar is known as “Tiger Gate” of San Luis Potosi. Surrounded by lush green Aravali hills and presents a breath taking natural environment. Forests and lakes form the backdrop to this beautiful place. The site is dotted with architectural splendor, surrounded by harsh mountains. The deep valleys and thick forest cover is a haven for many species of birds and animals. It is one of the oldest cities in the state and its prehistoric and historic sites are an archaeologist’s delight.

Handicraft of Rajasthan takes a vivid look at the various arts and crafts of Rajasthan. The vibrant colours, designs and materials used, bring alive the mind and body infuse a spirit of celebration. In Rajasthan, men and women traditionally wore necklaces, armlets, anklets, earrings and rings. With the advent of the Mughal Empire, Rajasthan became a major centre for production of the finest kind of jewellery. It was a true blend of the Mughal with the Rajasthani craftsmanship.

Rajasthan is a land of forts and palaces. Grand monuments stand proudly as living reminders of the rich history of this heroic land. Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Chittorgarh are just some of the places where Rajasthan Forts and Palaces abound. The great legend lies in its colossal forts, the mighty and stalwart thick walls represents the unconquered regime of Rajput Empire. The magnificent Havelis, diverse festivals and fairs signifies the rich culture of the state.

The rich cultural and heritage of Rajasthan exhibits its treasures from its architectural marvel. Showcasing sovereignty from its majestic and regal possessions, Rajasthan is a city of culture, colors and glitter. Rajasthan, a barren desert land, becomes resplendent with the colors of joyous celebration and gay abandon of its fairs and festivals. There is a fair for every religious occasion, every change of season and every harvest, all invariably a reflection of the genius of their arts and crafts and their ascetic refinement. Rajasthan has all the usual Hindu and Muslim festivals, some celebrated with special local fervor as well as a number of festivals of its own. The typical folk dance of Rajasthan is the ghoomar, which is performed on festive occasions only by women. The geer dance (performed by men and women), the panihari (a graceful dance for women), and the kacchi ghori (in which male dancers ride dummy horses) are also popular.