Rajasthan Tourism | How to Plan a Trip to Rajasthan

“Padharo Mhare Desh” (Welcome to My Land) is a Marwari message for all travelers from all across the world to visit Rajasthan and revel in the state’s warm hospitality and the real essence of India. The land of sand dunes, legendary forts, and luxury palaces, Rajasthan has an enriching history of the various clans in the one half of Rajasthan, whereas the second one is all about the rural flavors of the state.

Endowed with natural beauty and rich history, the cities of Rajasthan like Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and more are famed for their architecture and city structure. From the ancient palaces of Jaipur to the sand dunes of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan has a treat for everyone. Moreover, the state houses some of the best structures in the world. The Amber Palace, Castle Mandawa, Fort Delaware, Hawa Mahal, City Palace in Udaipur, Khimsar Fort, Jaisalmer Fort, and Umaid Bhawan Palace are the few on the long list of archaeological marvels of Rajasthan.

Besides creations of human civilization, Rajasthan is also acknowledged as a spiritual gateway. Be it the ancient temples of Mount Abu and Dilwara or the rare yet sacred Brahma temples in Pushkar, Rajasthan gets a whole new range of pilgrims every year.

Through this Rajasthan travel guide, explore the places to visit, things to do, and activities in Rajasthan to familiarize yourself with the people, culture, cuisine, tourist attractions, and shopping centers of Rajasthan. Know how to plan a Rajasthan trip and then, get a peek into the vibrant culture and rich history of Rajasthan.

Rajasthan – The Incredible State of India

Languages Spoken in Rajasthan 

The main language spoken in Rajasthan is Hindi. When the state was founded, many princely states were combined, which led to the emergence of different dialects. The Marwaris dialects are widely spoken in the state of Rajasthan.

Where is Rajasthan located?

Rajasthan is a large state and is located in the northwestern part of the Republic of India. It shares its borders with the Pakistani provinces of Punjab and Sindh in the northwest. Also, it is bounded by the Indian states of Gujarat in the southwest, Madhya Pradesh in the southeast, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab in the northeast.

Why should you visit Rajasthan?

If you want to witness grand palaces, ancient temples, savor authentic Rajasthani delicacies and enjoy camel safaris, visit the ‘Land of the Kings’, Rajasthan. Visit here and embrace the culture of new cities and learn more about the states’ famous folktales and traditional art forms.

Despite India being a melting pot of flavors, Rajasthan offers one of the richest cuisines in the country. So all the foodies must head to Rajasthan and try dal bati churma, laal maas, and more mouth-watering delicacies. In addition, Rajasthan hosts a number of festivals, some of them being known worldwide like the Pushkar Camel Festival, Jaipur Literature Festival, and more.

For architecture lovers, Rajasthan has an array of marvels, including Amber Fort, Amer Palace, Jaisalmer Fort, Mehrangarh Fort, and Chittorgarh Fort. Wildlife can be explored at one of India’s most famous national parks, Ranthambore National Park.

Apart from all this, staying in a royal palace or heritage hotel for a night or two and feeling royalty is one of the best experiences you will ever have.

This comprehensive Rajasthan tour guide will help you get more Rajasthan travel information about one of the largest states in India and plan your trip accordingly.

• Wildlife in Rajasthan – Ranthambore National Park, Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary), Sariska National Park, Mukundra Hills National Park

• Shopping in Rajasthan – Mewar, Bundi, Kota, Marwar, Bikaner, Jaipur, and Kishangarh for jutti or mojari, lampshades, shields, vases made out of camel hide, musical instruments, blue pottery

• Adventure in Rajasthan – zorbing, cycling, ATV bike ride, hot air ballooning, sand dune bashing, camel ride, parasailing

• Religious Places in Rajasthan – Brahma Temple, Deo Somnath Temple, Jagdish Temple, Kunj Bihari Temple, Karni Mata Temple, Kaila Devi Temple, Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chishti, Ranakpur Jain Temples, Dilwara Temple

• Local Food in Rajasthan – Moong Dal and Pyaaz ki Kachori, Bikaneri Bhujia, Bajre ka khichda, Kher Sangri, Lehsun ki Chutney, Churma, Lapsi, Malpua, Ghewar, Alwar ka Mawa, Gond ke Laddoo

• Royal Hospitality – Leela Palace, Taj Lake Palace, Umaid Bhawan, Jal Mahal Palace

How to Reach Rajasthan

Being a popular destination in India, Rajasthan is well connected with the major states of the country. Here is how you can easily how to reach Rajasthan via air, rail, or road-

• By Flight: The main airports in Rajasthan are located in Jaipur, Udaipur, and Jodhpur. These airports operate both domestic and international flights. They are also well-connected to major states in India like Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Trivandrum.
• By Train: To reach Rajasthan by train, take trains to major railway stations in Jaipur, Ajmer, Udaipur, and Jodhpur. These are well-linked to prominent cities in the state itself like Kota, Bikaner, Alwar, Bharatpur, Jaisalmer, and more.
• By Road: Rajasthan has a great network of roads connecting all the major cities within the state and with other states as well. Many national and state highways connect Rajasthan via NH8 to cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Jaipur.

How to get around Rajasthan

From trains to buses, auto-rickshaws to jeeps, there are many ways to move within the state of Rajasthan. There is a well-connected railway network in the state and also regular train services of Indian Railways. Inter-state and intra-state buses also operate regularly, which makes traveling more convenient. You can also use jeeps and jeep cantors (open jeeps) to have a unique experience. For short distances, auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws are quite famous. Also, cycling tours in Rajasthan are quite famous for exploring the state on your own terms.

Best time to visit Rajasthan

A beautiful state, Rajasthan is frequently visited by architecture lovers, history buffs, and simply keen travelers. It experiences a sub-tropical climate, which is what you need to know before planning a trip to Rajasthan. Let us see the weather of every season in this Rajasthan travel guide.

• Summer (April to June) – Summer in Rajasthan starts in April and lasts till June. During this time, the temperature ranges from 24°C to 48°C, making it extremely uncomfortable to roam around and enjoy sightseeing or any activity. Therefore, avoid visiting Rajasthan during the summer season.
• Monsoon (July to September) – Starting in July, Rajasthan receives heavy rainfall, and the temperature hovers from 21°C to 35°C. You can visit during this time and enjoy a stay at a heritage hotel. It is a good time to visit Rajasthan but remember the heavy rainfall may hinder your plans.
• Winter (October to March) – Winter is the best time to visit Rajasthan. It begins in October and ends in March, and between these months, the temperature fluctuates from 13°C to 30°C. The weather is extremely favorable, and you can enjoy sightseeing tours and other activities to their full potential.

Places to Visit in Rajasthan

Dreamy, magnificent, and royal, the places to visit in Rajasthan are not just attractions but an experience. There is much to learn, look at, and explore while visiting tourist places in Rajasthan. From hill stations to deserts and heritage cities to small charming villages, the cities in Rajasthan exhibit elegance, romance, adventure, and more.

Some famous cities to visit in Rajasthan are Jaipur, Udaipur, Ajmer, Jaisalmer, Mount Abu, Sawai Madhopur, Jodhpur, Pushkar, etc. These tourist places are not only limited to beauty but also have plenty of adventures. And you can feel the royal essence of Rajasthan in every nook and corner of the famous spot.

Things to do in Rajasthan

One of India’s historically and culturally rich states, Rajasthan offers ample things to enjoy. Whether you are a culture enthusiast, an adventure lover, or a history buff, you will find a lot of activities as per your interest. Some of the best things to do in Rajasthan are – stand in awe of majestic forts, marvel at the beautiful lakes, visit the ancient temples, explore the wildlife, explore off-the-beaten-path places, savor authentic Rajasthani thali, and much more.

Where to Stay in Rajasthan

Rajasthan is known for its royal hospitality and rich experience, and to live like a royal, many havelis and heritage hotels have been converted to provide you with the best experience. From ultra-luxurious palaces like Umaid Bhavan Palace or Shiv Niwas Palace to mid-range and budget-friendly ones, you can find a lot of accommodation options throughout the state. These hotels/resorts/homestays offer luxury to decent amenities depending upon your budget and requirements and give you a lifetime experience.

What to Eat in Rajasthan

Rajasthani cuisine is consumed by many people across India and is one of the most flavorful cuisines. Due to the lack of resources back in the day during hunting expeditions, the local warriors gave rise to a whole range of dishes and ingredients. Thus, many lentils, beans, milk, and buttermilk are commonly used in cooking. On your Rajasthan tour, you cannot miss a few foods in Rajasthan: Dal baati churma, Gatte ki Sabzi, Laal maans, Ker sangri, papad ki sabzi, Bajre ki roti with lehsun chutney, Onion kachori, and more.

Festivals and Fairs in Rajasthan

The state is cheerful and celebrates all its festivals with much enthusiasm. This gives a chance to tourists to get to know the culture, art, and glaring fairs and festivals. Out of all such festivities, the major festivals and fairs in Rajasthan are Pushkar Fair, Gangaur Festival, Kite Festival, Bikaner Camel Festival, Mount Abu: Winter Festival, Mahashivratri, Holi, Urs Fair, and many more.

Nightlife in Rajasthan

From low-cost drinking bars to dim-lit lounges and exquisite bards to unique dance clubs, there are many options for enjoying the nightlife in Rajasthan. The state is packed with countless options for traditional folk music performances, puppet shows, sound and light shows, a movie hall/ theater, and more lively nightlife. You can have the best time of your trip in Rajasthan at night time. So, next time you are planning to go to Rajasthan, make sure to head out at night and choose to have a blast.

Is it safe to visit Rajasthan?

Yes, Rajasthan is a safe place to travel. It is also a safe place for solo female travelers. Just do not roam alone in quiet places at night, and you will be fine.

How to save money on a Rajasthan trip?

• Travel to Rajasthan during the monsoon as you will get discounts at the hotels.
• Book your flights to the state in advance and take an early or a late flight.
• Use shared or public mode of transport like a bus or jeeps.
• Choose to stay at affordable accommodations like guesthouses or budget-friendly hotels.
• Dine-in at locally owned or small restaurants.
• Explore off-the-beaten tracks to save some money.
• Go on a backpacking tour.
• Avoid buying unnecessary things.
• Visit places that do not charge a penny, like temples, museums, etc.

Rajasthan Travel Tips

• Respect the local culture, the art, the food, the clothing, etc.
• Famous tourist attractions can be quite crowded. If you want to avoid that, visit early.
• If you get stuck somewhere, ask the locals for help, they are very friendly.
• Remember to book hotels and flights in advance, especially during winter. The state is jam-packed during winter.
• If you wish to extensively explore some of the sightseeing locations of popular cities in one trip, then you can plan your schedule accordingly.
• The overall experience will depend on the type of stay you choose. So, choose wisely.
• If any significant document gets stolen or lost, immediately inform local police. Your documents can be misused.
• Do not overpack if you are on a backpacking trip.
• Hindi is spoken widely, but in smaller regions, people speak the local language. So, try to learn a few local phrases for better communication.
• Go with a registered tour guide, if needed. Local tour guides can charge you extra with inauthentic information.