Amongst the Maharajas

Overflowing with monuments and heritage buildings, many of which are now open to guests, Rajasthan offers the most interesting accommodation options: historical forts, elegant palaces, traditional mud huts, desert tents, and wonderful home stays.

In many of these castles, palaces and mansions, the erstwhile royal families still keep their residence, allowing a more personal insight into the living history that is all around you.

 

The pink city of Jaipur is one of the most interesting cities in India with exuberant 18th and 19th century palaces and an exotic street life. Within the walls of the Old City life continues much as it has for the last few hundred years and you can watch craftsmen such as carpet weavers and silversmiths continuing the traditions of their ancestors.

Most towns and cities in Rajasthan grew around strategic forts. Jodhpur is dominated by the massive Meherangarh Fort and Jaisalmer by its golden sandstone fortress. Aside from their impressive stalwart ramparts, the forts of Bundi and Kota also feature palaces covered with delicate miniature frescoes.

Other cities such as Bikaner, Mandawa and Nawalgarh developed because of their important location on the camel trade from central Asia to the east. Nowadays the camel caravans have stopped but you can still ride camels on the golden sands of Osian where you will sleep in luxury tents under clear, starlit skies.

There are impressive forts and castles in Bambora, Neemrana, Roopangarh, opulent palaces in Deogarh, Dungarpur and Samode, and beautiful old mansions such as in Shahpura. Nowadays many of these stunning examples of the royal past of India have been converted into beautiful heritage hotels.

The abstemious Jain religion flourished in the arid deserts of Rajasthan and its wealthy followers gave away many of their riches for the construction of glorious temples in white marble in Ranakpur, Mount Abu, and Delwara.

Water bodies are considered sacred in most parts of India but in the porous sands of Rajasthan they take on a special significance as in the case of the desert oasis of Pushkar and the romantic lake city of Udaipur.

Once one of the most popular places for a shikaar (hunt) during the British Raj, Rajasthan's parks and sanctuaries now attract a large number of wildlife enthusiasts. Sawai Madhopur's Ranthambore National Park promises high chances of seeing a tiger. The fine bird sanctuary in Bharatpur holds the distinction of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other good places to stay for bird watcher's are Gajner Palace (near Bikaner) and Chhatra Sagar (near Nimaj).

The vast majority of people in Rajasthan still live in rural areas. It is therefore a rewarding experience to stay in a village as it offers the perfect opportunity to experience rural life, interact with local communities, learn about the arts, crafts, culture and heritage of Rajasthan.

The accommodation in these villages can be in the form of converted mansions and hunting lodges as in the case of Bhenswara, Bijaipur, Chandelao, Jojawar, Khempur, Narlai and Rohet, or beautifully renovated forts such as at Barli, Khejarla, Pachewar and Luni. Each place has its own unique attractions, history, and village economy.

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Delhi to Jaipur
From 228

Delhi to JaipurExuberant palaces and exotic street life

Stay two nights in the Pink City of Jaipur, one of the most interesting cities in India with exuberant 18th and 19th century palaces and an exotic street life. You enjoy a half day orientation tour of Jaipur which includes the City Palace & Museum, the Palace of Winds and the Observatory. You also make an excursion to the nearby Amber Fort. There will be time at leisure to wander through the colo

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Dungarpur
From 237

DungarpurStay at the fabulous Udai Bilas Palace

Travel from Udaipur to Ahmedabad via the Udai Bilas Palace in Dungarpur, now converted into a heritage hotel. The palace is located on the shore of a peaceful lake, which attracts a large number of aquatic birds like pelicans and spoonbills. Guests of the Udai Bilas can also visit the 13th century Juna Mahal, situated on a hill above the village. It has excellent frescoes, miniatures, glass and

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Deogarh
From 276

DeogarhBe a guest in a Maharaja's Palace

Travel to Deogarh and stay in the fabulous Deogarh Mahal, a building of yellow ochre with ornate domes and white accents. Many rooms have original furniture and some have exquisite frescoes and murals with mirrors. There is a well designed swimming pool in its own secluded area. The hotel organises interesting jeep safaris into the surrounding countryside.

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Indian Highlights
From 510

Indian HighlightsDelhi, Jaipur & Agra

The ideal itinerary for anyone wanting to see the best of India in less than a week. The magical Golden Triangle in India is one of the country's most popular tourist circuits. Comprising Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, it gets its name from the triangle that these cities form. Roughly located an equal distance of around 200-250 kilometers (125-155 miles) from each other in northern India, the cities pro

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Journey through Rajasthan
From 649

Journey through RajasthanPushkar, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bhenswara & Udaipur

Rajasthan is one of the most visited states in India. It's not surprising because it shows India at its most colorful and exotic best. All the things that come to mind when you think of India can be found in Rajasthan - forts, palaces, deserts, tigers, rivers, jungles, temples and just about everything else that the word `India' brings to mind! Women are dressed in colourful saris with chunky jew

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Classic India
From 913

Classic IndiaTimeless traditions and fantastic sites

A classic adventure in northern India. The journey includes the palaces of Jaipur, the immortal beauty of the Taj Mahal, the medieval temple town of Orchha, the erotic statues of Khajuraho and sunrise over the sacred Ganges. A boat ride on the Ganges at dawn, when it is full of pilgrims making their sin-cleansing dip in the holy river is an amazing experience.

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Rajasthan Explorer
From 1,108

Rajasthan ExplorerThe quintessential Indian state

This journey starts with a visit to the Taj Mahal, one of the most famous buildings in the world. From here you travel to some of Rajasthan's most enchanting cities such as Jaipur and Udaipur. In the walled desert city of Jaisalmer you have ample time to explore the traffic-free streets. There's also time to relax in the laid back oasis town of Pushkar and visit the fantastic Meherangarh Fort in

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Beyond the Golden Triangle
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Beyond the Golden TriangleTigers & the Taj

Rajasthan is India at its most exotic and colourful best with forts, palaces, deserts, tigers, rivers, jungles, temples and just about everything else that the word `India' brings to mind! Women are dressed in colourful saris with chunky jewellery whilst men wear elaborate turbans and sport huge moustaches. Here you can travel by coach, train, camel, cycle rickshaw, jeep and boat to explore the

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North Indian Highlights
From 1,465

North Indian HighlightsThe major highlights of northern India

India has hundreds of attractions just waiting to be discovered, from stunning scenery to beautiful architecture, from colourful characters to an incredible array of wildlife. The combination of adventure and culture guarantees a stimulating travel experience for the ultimate holiday! It is a magical trip through one of the most colourful parts of India.

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Rajasthan Safari
From 1,465

Rajasthan SafariExperience Rajput hospitality

Traces of kingdoms and warriors stand as a testament to a feudal land of majestic palaces and proud people, where history lives on amongst its rocky outcrops and romance flourishes in the shade of the Taj Mahal. Forts, palaces, towns and villages rise obliquely against a backdrop of jungles and undulating dunes, and bright gaudy temples draw the faithful in a continuous parade of lively spiritu

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North India in Style
From 1,513

North India in StyleEnjoy India's highlights in comfort

This tour combines the well-known cities of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra with lesser-known but equally attractive places off the beaten track. You stay in some heritage properties which are widely diverse in their architecture, location and atmosphere, but they all offer a unique experience. From the foothills of the Himalayas to the deserts of Rajasthan, this is a remarkable journey that will prov

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Amritsar, Dharamsala & Rajasthan
From 1,756

Amritsar, Dharamsala & RajasthanFrom desert cities to to alpine hills

You travel from the deserts of Rajasthan to the lush green valleys of the Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. You stay in the hill-station of Dharamsala, the present home of the Dalai Lama, where you can savour the atmosphere of Tibetan Buddhism. Your journey ends with a visit to the Golden Temple of Amritsar, the holiest shrine of the Sikh religion.

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Amongst the Maharajas
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Amongst the MaharajasExperience the romance of the Maharajas

This fascinating journey visits major highlights such as Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur but it also includes some off the beaten track places which gives you the chance to see how life continues in India's villages. Your nights are spent at a number of exquisite heritage hotels which vary from elegant Maharajas' palaces and lavish tented camps to more simple but equally atmospheric old build

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Rajasthan in Style
From 2,020

Rajasthan in StyleA stylish Indian experience

Nowhere else in India is the romance of the Maharajahs as strong as in Rajasthan, the land of kings. Impressive forts and castles, opulent palaces, and the simpler havelis built around courtyards dot this desert state. In this very special tour, we take you to some stunning examples of the royal past of India. Most of the overnight halts on this tour are spent in castles and princely homes, whi

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Wildlife of India
From 2,301

Wildlife of IndiaIn search of the Three Big Cats

India has an extremely rich and varied wildlife. On this remarkable wildlife tour you focus on the three big cats: you search for tigers in Ranthambore National Park, leopards in the remote areas of southern Rajasthan and Asiatic lions in the Gir National Park in Gujarat. Add to this, the Rann of Kutch, famous for the Indian Wild Ass, and you'll understand why this Indian wildlife tour is bound

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