It is said: “When you are baffled with the puzzling questions and paradoxes of life, just keep traveling… Either the questions will disappear or they just get answered”. India’s terrains are acclaimed for its propensity in apprising the travelers and seekers down its’ roads with most profound experiences that sometimes even serve as answers to the big questions of life.
Unraveling one such terrain is this travelogue that brings alive an interleaved photo story with the itinerary of Incredible India’s Rajasthan for the Royal YOU!
Route
The route to take depends on the number of days you are willing to spend here. Here are some options:
- If you have only a week you can visit the Highlights of Rajasthan via– Jaipur (2 days), Jodhpur (2 days), Udaipur (3 days – day trip to Chittorgarh Included)
- If you have just over 10 days you can treat yourself with Splendors of Rajasthan via– Jaipur (2 days), Jaisalmer (2 day) , Desert camp(1 day), Jodhpur (2 days) , Ranakpur and Kumbhalgarh (1 day), Udaipur (3 days). [ In this route: You can also maximize by visiting Haldi Ghati on the way from Kumbhalgarh to Udaipur and visit Chittorgarh as a day trip from Udaipur on the last day]
- If you have 2 weeks you can immerse yourself in all of Remarkable of Rajasthan via– Jaipur (3 days), Bikaner(2 days), Jaisalmer (2 day), Desert camp (1 day), Jodhpur (2 days), Ranakpur and Kumbhalgarh (1 day) , Udaipur (3 days). [In this route: You can also maximize by visiting Haldi Ghati on the way from Kumbhalgarh to Udaipur and visit Chittorgarh as a day trip from Udaipur on the last day]
If you have more than 2 weeks some places you can add are Mandawa(architecture and culture), Mount Abu(scenic), Pushkar(religious), Ajmer(religious) and Ranthambore(wild life).
Your best means of Transport is to rent a chauffeur driven car for the entire trip starting from the time you land in Jaipur Airport(or train/bus station) and you leave from Udaipur Airport(or train/bus station). The car rental companies are very professional, reliable and the drivers are very knowledgeable about the local demography which is a key contributing factor for a good, memorable, holistic experience in Rajasthan.
For trusted local contacts here is a site from Rajasthan Govt with approved travel agents/guides etc. http://tourism.rajasthan.gov.in/
Below is route map for the popular Option 2:
Jaipur
Suggested Hotel – Shahpura House http://www.shahpura.com/. It is a heritage property, one of regal inheritance from the yester year monarch, now turned into an exquisite hotel. The hotel will impress you with its mouthwatering local food, state-of-the-art hospitality and service, cleanliness and the taste of Rajasthan’s Royalty. Below are some of the pictures from Shahpura House.
Landmarks to visit
- Hawa Mahal – This is a 15 min photo stop.
- Amer Fort – This will take 3 hours. Good to reach early by 9am to avoid rush hour. You get guides in internal languages too.
- Jaigarh Fort – It’s close to Amer Fort and do this if you must in which case can take up the remainder of the day.
- Jal Mahal – This is again 15 min photo stop.
- City Palace Museum – This will take an hour.
- Jantar Mantar – This will take an hour.
Technically you can cover all of Jaipur landmarks in a day (if you exclude Jaigarh fort) and keep another day or 2 to shop and appreciate local arts & craft.
Places to shop – Johari Bazaar and Hawa Mahal Bazaar.
Recommended to Shop: Silver Jhumkis, Traditional Rajasthani Quilts, Bandini sarees, Ethnic Jackets, Hand stitched Jhootis(or footwear). The quintessential Amrapali Jewellry designs are originated here and you might want to get those to your designer repertoire.
Places to eat: Whilst Shahpura serves great food, for lunch stop by at Virasat or Pink City Restaurant(Close to Jal Mahal and a good stop for lunch after visiting Hawa Mahal, Amer Fort and Jal Mahal ). For dinner if you would need to accentuate the experience, visit Choki Daani where a traditional village is created and serves elaborate Rajasthani dinner in Royal style with folk dance and music.
Must try Rajasthani food are: Kadhi & Chawal, Dal Baati Churma, Ker Sangri with Bajre ki Roti, Papad ki sabji with Missi Roti. These are available in every part of Rajasthan. If you do not prefer spicy and oily food ensure to mention (Less Spicy and Less oily). Invariably the food is more oily even if you request for “less oily” – I would say, just indulge and you won’t regret it.
Jaisalmer
It’s a long journey from Jaipur which takes nearly 9 to 10 hours. One way is to take the night train from Jaipur to Jaisalmer to save a day but the service and cleanliness on this train might not match up to the service and cleanliness of international standards. Second option is to break the journey in Bikaner half way. Stay the night in Bikaner and enjoy visiting the Havelis in Bikaner and Chats (Indian snacks). Next day head to Jaisalmer. Third option to drive down all the way to Jaisalmer if you don’t mind the distance and time at one stretch.
Suggested Hotel: http://www.thegulaal.com/. It is a luxury boutique hotel designed in traditional Haveli architecture with an exquisite touch of ethnicity in every corner of the hotel. The hotel will impress you with its mouthwatering local and international cuisine, state-of-the-art hospitality and service, cleanliness and the taste of Rajasthan’s Royalty. Below are some pictures taken at The Gulal.
2. Landmarks to visit
- Golden Fort – If you would search for world’s best alleys, you see listed Mykonos in Greece or Alberobello in Italy and after visiting Golden Fort you would wonder why this did not find its place on that list. This is a LIVING FORT…yes a living fort. There are people still living here and you would love walking through the alleys within the fort. Every step you will be amazed by the architecture and aesthetics so much that after a point your eyes start to hurt! (Read: Your eyes will well with happy tears). You can spend a minimum of 3 hours here.
- Bada Bagh – Visit this place during sunset. The cenotaphs gleam in golden rays of sun. This place is a photographer’s delight. Spend an hour or 2 here. Also a great place for contemplation watching sunset.
- Gadi Sagar lake – This place would take 30 mins and if you would be interested in boating, an hour.
- Patwon ki Haveli – This is the magnificent among the Havelis in Jaisalmer. Take a guide for sure to hear the stories and history about the Haveli.
- Nathmalji ki Haveli – A 10 min photo stop.
- Salim Singh ki Haveli – A 10 min photo stop.
Places to shop – Street shopping and around the Fort. This is the relatively cheaper to shop than other places in Rajasthan but I would still recommend this place for collecting some home decor and jewelry that are finely crafted.
Recommended to Shop: Jhumkis, Puppets, Arts & craft mostly home décor, hand stitched bed covers.
Places to eat: Gulaal, the recommended Hotel serves great food but highly recommend to try Desert boy’s Dhani for dinner. Dal Baati Churma is a must have here. They serve dinner usually with display of cultural music, dance and puppet show.
Thar Desert
There are a few desert camps in Rajasthan and it’s an experience not to be missed to camp on the dunes, take a ride on the ship of the desert, find expression to the rugged you through a desert safari and at night lie star gazing on the bed of soft desert sands with the traditional Rajasthani background score.
Some of the desert camps you can try are:
- Thar Oasis(http://www.tharoasis.com/)
- Manvar (http://manvar.com/)
- Jaisalmer Desert Camp (http://www.jaisalmerdesertcamp.com)
Thar Oasis and Manvar are on the way from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur. So you save time by travelling almost midway from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur. Jaisalmer Desert Camp is just off Jaisalmer and has lot more sand dunes compared to Thar Oasis or Manvar. So from scenic beauty Jaisalmer Desert camp that’s close to Sam Sand dunes would be better but Thar Oasis/Manvar have commercial fame and you save on travel time in arriving to Jodhpur as you would have come midway from Jaisalmer closer to Jodhpur.
All the desert camps cover lunch, dinner and next day’s breakfast. Camel ride, desert safari and all foods are included in the price. Evenings are extravagant with cultural dance and music performances.
What you should not miss is the Sunset, Moon and Star gazing lying on the sand. The feel just cannot be put to words and can only be felt!
Jodhpur
Suggested Hotel: There are many options in Jodhpur to recommend.
- Umaid Bhavan Palace – Stay at Jodhpur Royalty’s residence now turned into Hotel http://www.tajhotels.com/luxury/grand-palaces-and-iconic-hotels/umaid-bhawan-palace-jodhpur/overview.html
- Welcome Heritage – Bal Samand Lake Palace http://www.welcomheritagehotels.in/hotel-overview/balsamand-lake-palace-jodhpur
- Raas – A hotel with view of the magnificent Meherangarh Fort http://raasjodhpur.com/hotel.html
- Ranbanka Palace – A simple elegant property with great value for money. http://www.ranbankahotels.com/
Landmarks to visit
- Umaid Bhavan Palace – The Jodhpur’s Royal residence now turned into Hotel. They have a part of hotel turned into a museum with history and artifacts from Royal family. The best part of Umaid Bhavan Palace is the Vintage cars displayed. The visit will take 1.5 Hours.
- Meherangarh Fort – A magnificent fort and will take 2 to 3 hours.
- Jaswant Thada – A very scenic place with white marble architecture. Will take an hour to visit this place.
- Ghanta Ghar(Clock tower) – Just two mechanical clock towers in the whole world. One is London’s Big Ben and other you will find in chock-a-block Jodhpur market. Walk up to the top of clock tower when it’s just about to strike the hour and you can see how the mechanical clock functions.
- Mandore Gardens – This was my favorite part of Jodhpur. There are temples with mind blowing architecture which will give birth to a poet in you. I couldn’t stop gazing at the temple edifice.
Shopping : Any shopping, I would recommend in Meherangarh Fort. Get yourself a nice ethnic coat or an elegant piece of jewelry designed by the designers of the Royal Family.
Places to eat: Janta Sweets – you must try the Mawa Kachori here. You will see the dance of the senses at the taste of this dessert.
Ranakpur
On the way from Jodhpur to Kumbhalgarh, Ranakpur can be visited. The main attraction here is the Jain temple that has the most spectacular architecture. You would have to deposit any leather you are wearing/carrying in a locker before you are let to visit the temple. Recommend to visit the temple just after 12pm so that you can take pictures inside the temple as until 12pm you would be compelled by temple rules to leave the mobile cameras or still cameras in a locker you can rent for INR 10.
Highly recommend a lunch at the temple canteen. Lunch is served at a very nominal amount of INR 50 and you would have a humbling experience of eating in an unpretentious environment. The taste of food is enhanced in that modesty. Post lunch, drive to Kumbhalgarh.
Kumbhalgarh
Suggested Hotel: Fateh Safari lodge http://www.fatehsafarilodge.com/
I am not even going to bother suggesting any other hotel as “hands down” this would be the place to stay. Full value for money, great food, fantastic location, very hospitable staff and all-in-all a pristine property to spend the night.
Landmark to visit : Kumbhalgarh fort. This is the key attraction and do not miss to watch the “Light and Sound” show in the evening. When you buy tickets for the entry, also buy tickets for the “Light and Sound show”
Places to eat: Eat at the Fateh Safari Lodge.
The drive from Ranakpur all the way to Udaipur is through the picturesque Aravali Range of mountains. One of the most scenic drives in Rajasthan.
Haldi Ghati
On the way to Udaipur from Kumbhalgarh, visit Haldi Ghati. The Haldi Ghati Museum will bring to light the story of one of the most patriotic rulers of India – Maha Rana Pratap and a heartwarming story of a Horse- Chetak’s love and sacrifice for his master Maha Rana Pratap. The story is told in a way it will linger in your minds for long…
There are aesthetic piece of arts and craft from the villagers displayed in the museum available for sale. You may want to get a few souvenirs from here.
Do not miss the “Haldi(turmeric colored) rocks” from where the place gets its name Haldi(Turmeric colored) Ghati(mountain pass).
Udaipur
Suggested Hotel
- Chunda Palace – If you would to literally live in a palace, stay here. Every corner is a treat to the eyes. http://www.chundapalace.com/
- Trident – This is a property just next to Chunda Palace and the best part of this property is its space and luxury. Lots of greenery to let you sink into relaxation. http://www.tridenthotels.com/trident-holidays-winter?gclid=CIWa5qXXvMoCFRcjaAodS3gMYw
Below are some pictures from Chunda Palace Hotel.
Landmarks to visit
- City Palace – The visit will 2 to 3 hours. Each palace in Rajasthan is very unique and there is so much of creativity in architecture to be witnessed here.
- Lake Palace, Jag Mandir, Lake Pichola – Once you visit the City Palace, get on to take a boat ride on Lake Pichola. It’s a scenic ride with great views of City Palace, Lake Palace and you can get down at Jag Mandir to spend some time before return to City Palace. Visit the City Palace in the afternoon so you take the lake ride around sunset. Enjoy a pensive moment of sunset from Jag Mandir before your return to City Palace.
- Sajjangarh Fort – This is a place exclusively for Sunset. Whilst you can visit the Monsoon palace here, Sajjangarh fort offers the most spectacular views of the Sunset. If you want to practice photographing the sunset, this is your classroom.
- Fateh Sagar Lake – Just drive through or a 10 min stop.
Places to eat – Both the hotels offer an elaborate spread of traditional Rajasthani dishes and international cuisine. In Chunda Palace, as we savored our breakfast there was maestro who charmed us with his sitar and santoor renditions so much that I cried out of ecstasy. Through his music he made my soul dance in euphoria. The other place to grab a bite is Jag Mandir. When you take a boat ride from City Palace over the Pichola lake to Jag Mandir, enjoy a cuppa with some nibbles in the Jag Mandir Café with the view of palatial city palace and Lake Palace.
Places to shop – Just outside the City Palace there is fanciful market exhibiting once again the Rajasthan quintessential arts, crafts, accessories and clothing all of which are handmade.
Recommended Shopping – Bags, Handmade paper books, wallets and Jhootis(footwear). Yes hand-made paper books! In this tech savvy world, if ever you want to hold a pen, this paper is your pen’s rightful compliment for your calligraphy.
Chittorgarh
Chittorgarh is home to one of the largest forts in India. This place also has been the stage to the eternal stories depicting the height of divine love(that of Meera to Lord Krishna), a home to one of the most beautiful queens(Rani Padmini) ever born on this blue planet that evoked extremities of lust even leading to bloodshed between kingdoms and a forlorn ground to the heartwrenching “Jauhar” , a self-immolation ritual practiced by female royals when their men were defeated/killed at the hands of an enemy(committed by Rani Padmini along with 16000 royal females). Ensure to take a guide along to hear these stories in detail.
The fort hosts some of the breathtaking architectures which will compel you to wonder why they are not named in the “Wonders of the World”!
This place can be visited as a day trip from Udaipur. The drive is 2 hours and you can spend 2 to 3 hours in the fort. At the exit of the fort there is emporium for some great shopping — yet again exquisite piece of artifacts, jewelry, clothing etc.
Written by Archana Sundareshan – Editor and Chief of Someday Nomadic
So beautifully captured!