A Taste of Rajasthan

Rajasthan’s star shines bright in any itinerary, providing beauty and contrast at every turn. Dotting the countryside between its grand cities of Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur are tranquil villages and heritage forts that offer unparalleled glimpses of traditional rural life, while the region’s excellent safaris offer the opportunity to spot some of India’s regal wildlife, from leopards and tigers to crocodiles and eagles. A trip which begins in Delhi and takes in the Taj Mahal, but centres itself in Rajasthan, is the perfect nutshell experience of India; satisfying, but leaving you wanting more…

A Tale of Three Delhis…

Delhi perfectly encapsulates the whirlwind energy and assault on the senses of your first taste of India. There’s the rich culture and traditions of Old Delhi and New Delhi - the city’s dual historic faces - but there’s a ‘third Delhi’ to explore too, one of striking modernity and tech innovation. 

Plunge into the maze of narrow lanes in Old Delhi, previously known as Shahjahanabad, the capital of the Mughal dynasty. Weave between sleeping dogs, dawdling cows and speedy rickshaws, and marvel at the awe-inspiring architecture of the Red Fort and the Jama Masjid (India’s largest mosque). Flood your senses at Chandni Chowk, the city’s busiest market, then fill your stomach with some of the country’s finest street food. 

Head to New Delhi, India’s current capital, where tree-lined avenues of neoclassical architecture give way to ramshackle neon lights and historic sites like the 16th-century Humayan’s Tomb. Meet some of the city’s locals, including members of a multi-generational community of washer-men who do laundry for hotels, hospitals and residents, and see the city from a unique perspective with a community guiding project employing young adults who were once street children.

The Taj & Beyond...

What can we add to everything that has already been written about the majesty of the Taj Mahal? Built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal; constructed primarily of gleaming white marble and inlaid with 28 types of semi-precious stones; arguably the most beautiful building in the world. You’ll always be sharing the spectacle with countless other admirers, but it’s hard to imagine a first trip to India which doesn’t include the opportunity to contemplate its marble walls, domes and minarets slowly changing colour as the sun rises or sets.

Although much of Agra makes for a pretty low-key city, it has a few other impressive examples of ancient Mughal architecture to explore, including the striking Agra Fort. To see a different side to the city, visit a nearby community project to get the local view of the region’s Mughal heritage, and discover a different perspective on the opulence of the Taj from just across the river.

Sunsets in the Pink City

Watching the last rays of the sun enhance the rose-tinted walls of Jaipur’s fabled ‘Pink City’ is enough to bring out the romantic in even the harshest cynic - it’s a beautiful sight, and one you can even see by hot-air balloon, if that’s your thing! The city itself is one of contrasts and contradictions, splendor and chaos, history and modernity. As Rajasthan’s state capital, it holds a certain gravitas. Stretching out from that magnificent fortified interior is a busy, sprawling cityscape, full of crowded streets, busy traffic and hectic life. The Old Town feels a little more sedate (but only a little) thanks to its heritage atmosphere and gentler market bustle. 

Navigate the traffic and winding streets via rickshaw, powered by the fabulous “pink ladies” from the not-for-profit Pink City Rickshaw Company who provide supportive employment opportunities for women within the city. Ride between the city’s historic sites, including the gleaming Govind Dev Ji temple and the magnificent City Palace (still the home of regional royalty), and head for the winding alleyways of Hawa Mahal to feast on the city’s best street food snacks and watch the district’s artisans at work.

Home of the Royal Bengal

Ranthambore National Park is one of India’s largest reserves, and one of the best places in the country to admire Rajasthan's regal resident tigers in the wild. It’s a popular destination - arguably getting too popular in places, especially during peak seasons - and there are generally quite a few safari jeeps in the most visited spots. Morning and afternoon safari drives with a local naturalist on hand offer the best opportunity for a glimpse of the tell-tale orange fur with black stripes, as well as Ranthambore’s other residents, including leopards, hyenas, langurs and macaques. Be sure to look out for ancient temples, hunting pavilions, historic tombs and a crumbling 10th-century fort during your drive.

For wildlife spotting that steps away from this well-trodden trail, Sariska Tiger Reserve offers a wilder road for tracking those ever-elusive tigers, as well as opportunities to spot plenty of other species, including Rhesus macaques, wild boar and crested serpent eagles. If it really is all about the tigers for you, consider heading to Madhya Pradesh to walk on the wild side in India’s unspoilt wilderness.

Royal Palaces & Rural Idylls

The heart of any trip should include exploring some lesser-known delights. In Rajasthan, that might mean visiting a small town like Bundi, the ‘City of Stepwells’, with its narrow streets lined with Brahmin-blue houses, resplendent palace and imposing fort. Or maybe taking a turn off the main highways to visit a peaceful rural community, staying in one of the many forts and palaces, and hunting lodges, which have been beautifully maintained and restored to welcome travellers? In the past, these regal residences provided people in the surrounding areas with protection and income, and many of the current owners (often descendants of the original ruling families) are encouraging visitors to continue this age-old relationship.

Whether you choose the Rawla Narlai hunting lodge, nestled in the Aravalli hills, the elegant Shahpura Bagh, stately and modern Dev Shree Deogarh, or atmospheric Fort Barli, which is proudly run by the 16th generation of the original family owners, you’ll experience the thrill of staying somewhere rich with history. Settle in amid the towers, courtyards, carvings, lattice work, mirrored glass and bright textiles, and enjoy the pleasure and privilege visiting the surrounding communities to experience the rhythms of everyday rural life.

Brahmin Blues & Fort-view Feasts

Laid-back Jodhpur is dubbed the ‘Blue City’ after the Brahmin-owned houses, painted blue to reflect their owners’ status, and presided over by the impressive Mehrangarh Fort. Built by Jodhpur’s founder in the 15th century, the sturdy fort walls have been keeping watch over the city for over 500 years, becoming ever-more rooted to their rock cliff foundations.

As twilight falls over the city, settle in under the gradually appearing stars for a thali feast with a Mehrangarh view. In the shadow of the fort, tumbling, rambling streets peppered with houses in every shade of blue from cerulean to sky create the calming hues of the ‘Blue City’. Discover ancient stepwells, wander through atmospheric streets brimming with ancient temples, stay in gorgeous former palaces, and visit havelis where you can converse with a local family over a cup of chai.

Beside the Lakeside

As somewhere to end a first adventure in India, you can’t do much better than the ethereal lakeside city of Udaipur. Perhaps most famously, the city is home to a hotel which appears to float magically in the middle of the lake - frequently referred to as one of the most romantic spots in India, and the glamorous setting for a Bond film. Udaipur has a quality unlike anywhere else, and is a top contender for our favourite city in the region. Its dual lakes shimmer in the clear light. Cycle around Fateh Sagar Lake in the early hours, and take a cruise on Lake Pichola at sunset.

For those who haven’t had their fill of extravagant architecture, Udaipur’s City Palace is the largest complex in the state. This is a great place to slow your pace and wander the narrow streets passing temples, ornately decorated havelis and colourful bazaars selling everything from jewellery and traditional miniature paintings to spices and clay pots.

Not spicy enough for you?

When planning any trip to Asia, but especially a first visit to India, we recommend doing some research and talking to our specialists to help you pick out a bite-sized chunk that particularly fires your interest. We’ll then finely tailor your trip around that spark.

If this route doesn’t sound quite right for you, how about heading south-east from Delhi and Agra to Lucknow, the culture-rich home to some of India’s most mouth-watering cuisine, and Varanasi, long considered the country’s spiritual capital? Or head even further south, to laid-back Kerala, or tantalising Tamil Nadu.

Alternatively, extend your time in Rajasthan in the ‘Golden City’ of Jaisalmer, one of very few ‘living forts’ in the world, to appreciate the ornate carving or ride a camel out into the surrounding desert.

If your holiday isn’t complete without a bit of beach time, you can head to Goa, Karnataka, the Andaman Islands, or even the Maldives for a dose of paradise palm-fringed sands and blissful coastal relaxation…

Everyone's perfect first trip to India is different, and we guarantee that however much of the country you see, you’ll always want to come back for more - no-one can ever say they’ve ‘done’ India!