In Rajasthan, sumptuous landscapes intertwine, between the countryside of Shekhawati, the silent desert of Thar, the superb savannah of Ranthambore where you could spot tigers, or the undulating mountains of the Aravalli. This region of North India is also of course the road to the palaces of Rajasthan where it is possible to visit and even stay in the magnificent and mythical residences of the maharajas.
Rajasthan also has beautiful cities with evocative names found in all Rajasthan travel guides because they are essential: Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, which has a multitude of temples and marvelous palaces, Jaisalmer and its fascinating fortress with golden walls, Jodhpur is known as the “blue city” because most of the houses in its old town are painted this color… Rajasthan is truly a region of India that marks travellers who visit it forever.
In 2022, Rajasthan has rated as the second-best travel destination in India after Ladakh. Rajasthan has also been the most visited state in India, in terms of the number of tourists, for many years. Therefore, if you don’t know this part of India yet, this is the right time to plan your trip to Rajasthan with a reliable tour operator and driver.
Jaipur: The capital of Rajasthan
Capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is a huge bustling city, home to more than 3.6 million inhabitants and which owes its name to its founder, Jai. It is nicknamed the Pink City, because of the facades of the old town painted in the same color, in more or less dark tones. Here the cows wear flower necklaces and the monkeys live peacefully. Many other animals have taken up residence there: squirrels, pigeons, dogs, cats…
At any time of the day, thousands of rickshaws crisscross the shopping streets of this place with an infinitely rich heritage. Temples are nestled, even hidden, between the shops and stalls of the city, sheltered from prying eyes. They remain identifiable thanks to the sculpted terminals, located at the entrance of the temples, and at the bottom of the steps.
Pollution and noise make the stay in Jaipur often unpleasant! Many tourists who assiduously criss-cross Rajasthan consider that a stopover in Jaipur is not essential. However, nowhere else will you see the equivalent of the Hawa Mahal (the Palace of Winds) or Jantar Matar (the astronomical site), the star monuments. It is also good to stroll through the bazaars of the old town. Jaipur is full of stalls and local craft shops where you can shop.
Don’t be afraid to get out of town either; in barely a quarter of an hour, you will have reached isolated sites, dotted with fortresses, ramparts, and temples.
Jaisalmer: The Golden City
Jaisalmer one of the most precious jewels of India is nicknamed the Golden City. The city is on the ancient silk route, at the gates of the Thar desert, near the Pakistan border. Surrounded by fortifications, it has 99 bastions and its blond stone walls give it a very special character. Visitors can only be seduced by the architectural beauty of the city and the finely carved facades of its Havelis. There are 8 temples which are called “Seven Sisters and a Brother”. Indeed, feminine energy is very important: at birth, each child receives, generally from the hand of his grandmother, a pendant on which the eight temples are represented. Despite its isolation, Jaisalmer tops the list of favorite tourist spots. Its golden fortress overlooking the desert alone reveals all the medieval charm of the region. Its lively streets, spared from motorized traffic, contain countless architectural treasures – palaces, Havelis, Jain temples – which justify the trip. But its main interest is its proximity to the desert.
To see the mix of populations here (turbaned cameleers, traditional musicians and rawanata players, soldiers, women in multicolored saris, and tourists from all over the world), one would be inclined to think that the desert only exists to bring people together. Obviously, tourism being the main source of income, this is affected: traders are tough, and prices tend to double, or even triple, in high season… But we must also take into account that the season is short, barely 5 months. From March to September, an overwhelming heat falls on the city, and tourists are nothing but ancient history.
Jodhpur: The Blue City
The “Blue City”, traditional and teeming with life (2.9 million inhabitants), lying at the gates of the Thar desert, deserves a closer look. Its magnificent fortress, the most beautiful in Rajasthan, stands at the top of a plateau dominating the whole region. You also have to get lost in the maze of the old city with walls painted milky blue. Despite the passage of a few auto-rickshaws, we discover a very traditional India, with medieval accents. If you are not particularly attracted by luxury, you will probably choose to stay in the old town. The rest of the city is much less picturesque, with its large avenues crowded with vehicles and its residential areas, quiet but uninteresting.
In addition to these 3 famous cities, there are dozens of other mesmerizing must-see attractions in Rajasthan, including temples, forts, palaces, and natural sites. That is the reason it is recommended to spend around 10 days in Rajasthan to have enough time to see most of the top attractions during the tour.