Rajasthan

Rajasthan is the India of the imagination. So here are the maharajas’ palaces, the camel-coloured forts and the bazaars spilling with silk and silver. Each city wears its own colour, from Jaipur’s pink to Jodhpur’s blue and Udaipur’s shimmering white. We have travelled the Land of Kings for decades, so we know its hidden courtyards as well as its icons. Every one of our tailor-made holidays is private and built around you. As a result, Rajasthan rewards first-timers and old hands alike.

Why Travel to Rajasthan

Few regions anywhere pack in so much splendour. So palaces, forts, temples and tiger reserves follow one another in easy day-long hops. Meanwhile, the heritage hotels let you sleep inside the history itself. The colours and festivals dazzle in every season. As a result, Rajasthan remains the cornerstone of most first journeys to India.

Jaipur: The Pink City

Most circuits begin in Jaipur, the famously pink capital. So you explore the city from the Palace of the Winds to the great observatory. The hilltop Amber Fort glows gold in the morning light; the ramparts of Amber reward an early start. A dawn balloon flight drifts over forts and villages. You might stay at the regal Rajmahal Palace or charming Samode Haveli.

Udaipur and the Lakes

Udaipur is Rajasthan at its most romantic. So white palaces float on Lake Pichola beneath the Aravalli hills. An immersive tour winds through ghats, temples and miniature-painting studios. The lake city of Udaipur is loveliest at dusk from a boat. You might stay at the boutique Bujera Fort or hilltop Raas Devigarh nearby.

Jodhpur and the Desert

Westwards, the land dries into the Thar. So the mighty Mehrangarh Fort towers over Jodhpur’s blue old town. A walking tour threads the lanes, while the flying fox zips you over the ramparts. Further out, golden Jaisalmer rises from the dunes like a sandcastle; an immersive tour brings its havelis to life. You might stay at the stylish Raas Jodhpur beneath the fort or at Mihir Garh in the scrub.

Tigers and Wild Leopards

Rajasthan is wild as well as regal. So dawn safaris in Ranthambore track tigers among ruined temples; the lakes of Ranthambore make India’s most photogenic tiger backdrop. You might stay at the superb tented Aman-i-Khas or Sujan Serai. Further west, the leopards of Jawai prowl granite hills; days around Jawai mix big cats with shepherd culture. You stay at the remarkable Jawai camp.

Rural Rajasthan and Heritage Stays

The countryside hides the region’s warmest welcomes. So fort-homes like Ramathra, Rohet Garh and Shahpura Bagh open family doors to guests. Our Homestays and Havelis journey strings them together beautifully. Meanwhile, riding on Marwari horses crosses land little changed in centuries. As a result, rural days balance the city pomp perfectly.

Our Rajasthan Itineraries

There is a route here for every traveller. So Classic Rajasthan and The Forts and Palaces of Rajasthan gather the icons. With more time, Rajasthan in Depth and Hidden Rajasthan go further off the map. For the finest hotels throughout, try Rajasthan with Oberoi Hotels, or add the holy Ganges with Holy and Regal India.

When to Travel

Generally, October to March brings warm days and cool desert evenings. By contrast, summer is fiercely hot before the monsoon. The festival calendar, meanwhile, adds colour year-round, from Pushkar’s camel fair to Diwali. So we tailor the timing to your plans. Either way, we advise on the ideal window for your dates.

Plan Your Trip

Rajasthan pairs naturally with Delhi and the Taj Mahal, or with Kerala for a southern finale. So one journey can hold palaces, tigers and backwaters. When you are ready, simply get in touch with our specialists. We will then craft a private itinerary around your interests. As ever, every detail is arranged for you.

Craft, Colour and the Table

Rajasthan’s bazaars are a treasury of craft. So an arts and crafts tour of Jaipur meets block-printers, gem-cutters and jewellers at work. The cuisine matches the setting, from laal maas feasts to rooftop thalis under fort walls. Meanwhile, a family day in Jaipur keeps younger travellers spellbound. As a result, the senses never rest here.

Travelling with Millis Potter

Everything we arrange in Rajasthan is private and hand-built. So you travel with your own car, driver and the guides we trust personally. We know which palace suites face the lake and which forts deserve dawn. Meanwhile, our partners on the ground are on call throughout. As a result, the Land of Kings feels effortless.

A Region That Stays With You

In the end, Rajasthan colours every memory of India. So the forts, the fabrics and the fanfare linger for years. Many of our travellers return for the corners they missed. Meanwhile, the rural welcome calls people back most of all. As a result, one journey is rarely enough.

Festivals of the Desert

Time it right and Rajasthan turns carnival. So Pushkar’s camel fair fills the dunes each autumn, while Jaipur’s literature festival draws the world in January. Holi splashes the palaces with colour in spring. Meanwhile, Diwali sets every haveli glowing. As a result, a festival can crown the whole journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I need?

Ten days covers the classic triangle of cities comfortably. So two weeks adds tigers, Jaisalmer or rural stays. We will advise on a realistic pace.

Are the heritage hotels comfortable?

Wonderfully so. Most blend palace grandeur with modern comfort. So sleeping in history is half the joy here.

Can it be tailored?

Entirely. Every itinerary is private and shaped around you. Simply share your dates and interests, and we will craft the rest.