Rajasthan, the very name evokes the images of hilltop fortresses, maharajas in their lavish outfits, and bejeweled scimitars riding on ornately decorated elephants followed by a large entourage. Although a desert kingdom, the colorful turbans and saris that the populace of Rajasthan wear lend a vibrant and colorful enthusiasm to the former Rajputana princely states that now form modern Rajasthan.
The tales of the courage, romance, and luxury of the Rajput warrior princes are the stuff of legend. But despite all the decadence, these princes were patrons of art too. Under their tutelage, art and culture flourished. Today Rajasthan happens to have some of the most spectacular forts and palaces that were built in India. The list of best places to visit in Rajasthan in winter is so vast that it would keep even the fussiest of travelers on their toes.
Massive hill forts, wildlife sanctuaries, Havelis, bazaars, the Thar Desert, and various pilgrimage places make Rajasthan one of India’s most popular tourist destinations. In this post, we have tried to come up with some of the best places to visit Rajasthan and things to do in Rajasthan.
Without further ado, we bring to you the list of the best places to visit in Rajasthan in Winter.
1. Jaipur: The Pink City
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| Hot Air Ballooning is the new “hot” things to do in Jaipur |
Fondly referred to as the Pink City, Jaipur is one of the most vibrant places to visit in Rajasthan in winter. With its regal past and being one of the most influential and prosperous kingdoms of erstwhile Rajputana, Jaipur is bestowed with several majestic structures, including several forts and palaces.
Mighty hill forts with elaborate architecture, colorful bazaars, elephant villages, and tuk-tuk rides are some of the major draws of this magnetic destination in Rajasthan. Being home to former maharajas, Jaipur is sprinkled with an array of heritage hotels – the former residences of maharajas and princes – considered the most opulent and spectacular hotels in India. For example, the Taj Rambagh Palace hotel in Jaipur has been voted one of the best heritage hotels in India.
Jaipur’s eating and shopping scene are one of the major crowd-pullers. You can gorge on lip-smacking Marwari cuisine and cuisines from around the world in some of the most authentic local food joints and top-notch restaurants in luxury hotels.
The bustling bazaars of Jaipur are the shopper’s delight. You could shop for jewelry, footwear, Rajasthani artifacts, textiles, and clothing at some of the best shops selling these items in Rajasthan. From the Mowari, an UN-supported footwear shop, to Anokhi & Soma, two of the finest boutiques in Jaipur, even a fussy shopaholic will be on its toes with the range of shopping options available in Jaipur.
To enrich your Jaipur trip, you can also visit Bagru Village and Achrol Village. These villages are ideal places to visit near Jaipur for those who wish to experience local culture and nature closely. For an enriching experience, try a traditional Tonga ride and wander through the lush surroundings.
5 Days Rajasthan Desert Safari Tour
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Colorful Rajasthan TourPlaces to Visit in Jaipur
- Amer Fort
- City Palace
- Nahargarh Fort
- Hawa Mahal
- Snow Planet Jaipur
- Jal Mahal
- Chokhi Dhani
- Birla Temple
- Johari Bazaar
- Tripolia Bazaar
- Jaipur Best Season: October to March is peak season travel to Jaipur
- How to reach Jaipur by flight, train and road.
2. Jaisalmer: The Golden Kingdom
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| Barabagh is one of the most popular tourist places to visit in Jaisalmer |
Renowned for its ‘Sonar Kila,’ the burnished Jaisalmer Fort appears to rise out of the golden desert surrounding the citadel. Jaisalmer flourished even though surrounded by the stark Thar Desert as it was on the significant camel trade route. There is no doubt that this city always finds its place on the top of the best winter places in Rajasthan.
The mighty Jaisalmer Fortress, with 99 bastions, houses 5 palaces and several other structures, including temples, exquisite Havelis, and shops, all made up of golden sandstone. Nearby structures, too, are constructed using the same stone, thereby lending the name “golden city” to this former princely state of Rajputana.
The desert of Jodhpur comes alive every year during the Desert Festival, which exhibits the cultural tradition of the region. If you are planning to travel to Jaisalmer, a desert safari on camelback in the Sam sand dunes is a must on the list of things to do here. Desert safari is one factor that makes Jodhpur one of the popular places to visit in Rajasthan.
Most of the hotels and accommodation options in the city are located close to the fort. However, for an adventurous experience, go to one of the tent hotels or desert camps while in Jaisalmer. Several heritage Havelis, too, offers vintage stay and authentic experiences of this desert kingdom.
Places to visit Jaisalmer
- Jaisalmer Fort
- Sam Sand Dunes
- Patwon Ki Haveli
- Gadisar Lake
- Jain Temples
- Sadar Bazar
Know more about best tourist places in Jaisalmer here.
- Best Season: October to March is good time to explore Jaisalmer
3. Jodhpur: The Blue City
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| A Camel at the awesome Mehrangarh Fort Photo courtesy: grondragaj.com |
You only need a glimpse of the city from the top of the Mehrangarh Fort to realize why Jodhpur is fondly referred to as “the Blue City.” Now inscribed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites under the classification Hill Forts of Rajasthan, Mehrangarh Fort – the city’s fulcrum- is one of India’s most spectacular hill forts.
Located in the heart of the desert kingdom, Jodhpur is one of India’s most popular tourist places frequented by visitors from across the globe. There are plenty of activities to do in Jodhpur, which includes camel safari in the Thar Desert and the thrill of Flying Fox. Each element of this place has its own charm and the weather of winter will complement your tour. This is one of the charming places to visit in Rajasthan in December, as the climate is beautiful to indulge in activities and stroll in the local sites.
The major attractions of this city are the forts, Havelis, Jaswant Thada, and Clock Tower, one of the best markets in Jodhpur for bargain shopping. One of the best times to visit the city is during the annual Jodhpur RIFF, a vibrant cultural fest.
Umaid Bhavan Palace is one of the must-visit places in Jodhpur. One of the most lavish luxury heritage hotels in India, Umaid Bhawan Palace is a sprawling building with 317 rooms that include the Maharani Suite with a 4850 sq ft area, 4-5 times the area of luxury apartments in metropolitan cities like Delhi or Mumbai.
Places to visit in Jodhpur
- Mehrangarh Fort
- Umaid Bhwan Palace
- Sarafa Bazaar
- Temples
Best Time to Visit: November till March is good time to travel Jodhpur
4. Ranthambore: The Tiger Kingdom
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| Jeep Safari, Ranthambore National Park |
Ranthambore National Park, located in Sawai Madhopur, is one of the finest tiger reserves in India for wildlife safaris, especially when spotting the Big Cat, the apogee of any game safari experience in the wild. This tiger reserve is counted as one of the best places to visit in Rajasthan in January as you can enjoy the safari while enjoying the pleasurable climate condition. Hence, the coolest month of the year, January is the ideal time to go for a jungle safari in Ranthambore.
Ranthambore National Park used to be the private hunting grounds of the maharajas of Jaipur, their favorite game being the Royal Bengal Tigers. The park came under Project Tiger in 1979 and is home to approx 30 tigers. Other major animal species in Ranthambore National Park include leopard, hyena, sambhar, nilgai, etc.
Approximately 300 bird species have also been recorded in this wildlife sanctuary in Rajasthan. Safaris into the park are allowed once in the morning and afternoon. However, private vehicles are not allowed; the authorities permit only jeep safari and canter (open-top bus) safari for wildlife excursions.
Opt for our tastefully crafted Rajasthan tour packages from Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Pune.
Best Season: October till April is best time to visit Ranthambore
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Delhi Agra Jaipur 4 Days Tour5. Mount Abu: The Holy Hills
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| Arbuda Mountain, Mount Abu, Rajasthan |
The only hill station in the otherwise stark Rajasthan, Mount Abu, is one of the popular summer destinations in North India. This hill station is an important Jain pilgrimage destination located on the border of Rajasthan and Gujarat. It is one of the most exquisite destinations to visit in Rajasthan in winter as it gives you a chance to explore the unique side of this state with perfect weather.
Located at an elevation of 4000 feet, Mount Abu is most famous for Dilwara Temples. However, there are several Hindu Temple as well. The region’s peaks are dotted with water streams and emerald Nakki Lake, one of the most popular tourist places in Mount Abu.
Yet another major attraction here is the sprawling 14th-century fort Achalgarh. Rana Kumbha of Mewar built it, and Nakki Lake is at the center of this magnificent hill fort.
Check here the best time to visit Rajasthan and how to reach Rajasthan.
Places to Visit Mount Abu
- Honeymoon Point
- Dilwara Jain Temple
- Khadi bazaar
For more information about best places to visit Mount Abu, Click here
Best Season: July to September is best time to visit Mount Abu.
6. Udaipur: City of Lakes
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| Taj Lake Palace Udaipur is the most iconic structure in Udaipur |
Popularly referred to as the ‘Venice of the East,’ Udaipur is one of the top places to visit in Rajasthan in winter. Floating palaces, gardens, and lakes make Udaipur one of the most romantic destinations in India. One of Udaipur’s most iconic structures is the Taj Lake Palace. This spectacular white marble palace has now been converted into one of the most romantic hotels in India.
This city’s attractions and activities are centered around Lake Pichola. The splendid City Palace is nestled on the Eastern bank of the lake. This massive complex is home to several gardens, courtyards, palaces, and the renowned City Palace Museum. The museum houses artifacts belonging to the maharanas of Mewar.
Other notable structures include Durbar Hall, Crystal Gallery, Jag Mandir, Vintage Car Collection, and Fateh Prakash Palace, which has been converted into one of the top palace hotels in Rajasthan.
Places to visit Udaipur
- Monsoon Palace
- Lake Pichola
- City Palace Museum
- Fateh Parkash Palace
- Saheliyon ki Bari
- Lake Palace
- Shiv Niwas Palace
Best time to visit Udaipur: October to March
Conclusion
Winter in Rajasthan is pleasing and offers a great chance to explore this state and indulge in fun-filled activities. During this season, you can enjoy each side of this stage with your close ones. The above destinations are must-visit sites for your winter holiday in Rajasthan. You can plan your tour with us by booking our well-designed tour packages.
Plan your trip with our Rajasthan Tour Packages.
Nikhil Chandra
Digital marketer by profession and a keen traveler, amateur photographer and avid book reader by passion, Nikhil Chandra’s writing and photographs have been published in various travel magazines and blogs including Travel & Leisure, Seat 61, Mode&Tendances, Oryx Magazine (Qatar air inflight magazine) among others. Holding a masters in Literature and Marketing Management, Nikhil Chandra applies his educational qualifications, professional experience, and wander wisdom to write on a range of topics that includes search engine, PPC, content marketing, photography tips and travel. He summarizes himself succinctly as a writer here and there and on this and that.
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