Tailor-made Rajasthan Tour Packages

If India is the land of culture, then Rajasthan is perhaps the best place that exemplifies this. Filled with colours and heritage, the state transports you to a different era- Rajasthan’s old-world charms come alive through the heritage mansions, forts and beautiful streets.

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OVERVIEW

RAJASTHAN TOUR PACKAGES

While personalising our Rajasthan Tour Packages for our clients, we at Flying Squirrel Holidays ensure that your holiday is filled with a variety of experiences to make the trip as memorable as possible. A well-planned Rajasthan Tour is key to having a great vacation here!

Rajasthan tours and experiences usually cover the following:

A Taste of Royalty

Rajasthan literally means the ‘Land of the Rulers’ and the countless forts, palaces and museums in the state attract millions of visitors every year. They are beautifully detailed, with carvings and paintings made of gold. Palaces such as the Amer Fort are decorated with stunning meenakari works. Elements like the Jharoka Windows and Step Wells recur throughout the state offering a peek back in history. Guided walking tours are a much-loved way to explore these heritage structures.

The Amer Fort, locally called the Amer Kila, is a red sandstone edifice straight out of a fairytale. It is located around 11 kilometres outside Jaipur in the town of Amer. The walk up to the fort is rugged and difficult, and the romance and beauty that the palace exudes stands in sharp contrast.

A unique mixture of Hindu and Mughal styles, the walls of the Amer Fort are decorated with stunning minakari work. The stunning Hall of Mirrors, called Sheesh Mahal, is located inside the Amer Fort.

The opulent Junagarh Fort in Bikaner is one of the longest standing palaces in India. Unlike other palaces, it is not built on a hilltop, suggesting that it aimed for luxury rather than defence.

The Fort houses many beautiful palaces, including the Badal Mahal, the Hawa Mahal, the Anup Mahal and the Vikram Vilas. Anup Mahal showcases stunning usta artwork from the Mughals, while Vikram Vilas has European elements.

The Bundi Palace in Bundi is another fascinating palace. Described by Rudyard Kipling to have been made by “goblins rather than humans”, the once glimmering structure is now a ruin. However, the baolis (stepped wells) are a treat for history lovers, and the stunning artwork displayed is made of real gold. The huge elephant statues at the entrance are iconic.

It is hard to make a Rajasthan Tour Plan without including its stately palaces. The palaces of the state represent its history and culture, and exploring and absorbing their grandness is delightful.

Deserts

40 per cent of Rajasthan’s population lives in the Thar Desert and contrary to what people think, the desert part of Rajasthan is no less colourful than its palaces.

Jaisalmer is the most popular place to enjoy the charms of the Thar. It is fondly called the “Golden City” and many desert safaris operate in the area allowing one to explore the dunes and the rich culture of its neighbouring villages.

Quad biking and jeep safaris are the best ways to explore Jaisalmer’s sand dunes, which sometimes are as high as two floors! As part of the safari, guests enjoy traditional songs, dance and food and camp in the middle of the desert in luxurious tents. These safaris are a great way to appreciate the beauty of the desert.

Food

Rajasthan’s cuisine is distinct owing to its history and climatic conditions. The scarcity of water means that the ‘thalis’ or platters do not have a lot of fruits and green vegetables, but the state’s history of royalty ensures that there is a never-ending variety of dishes on the menu.

Though vegetarian options are more common in Rajasthan cuisine, the meat curries are also well-loved. The ‘laal maas’ is a spicy, flavourful tomato-based meat curry while the ‘mohan maas’ is a more delicate curry of milk and dried fruits with meat.

Rajasthani cuisine is a delight for vegetarians. The traditional ‘dal-baati-churma’ is a three-element dish- fried or roasted wheat dumplings dunked in ghee, a spicy lentil soup and the sweet wheat churma. ‘Besan ki kadi’ is perhaps the most popular curry from the state.

It is a spicy and delicious curry made of gram flour. Another gram flour delicacy is ‘gatte ki curry’. The ‘mirchi vada’, a popular fried street snack, is spicy and hot.

Desserts in Rajasthani cuisine are its crowning glory. The crispy ghewar is one of the most popular dishes, especially loved during winters. Other items include moong dal halwa, almond halwa, balushahi and gujia.

There are countless restaurants in the state that sell traditional platters, so be sure to dig in!

Wildlife

Rajasthan’s varied topography is home to a myriad of rare flora and fauna. The deserts in Jaisalmer and Jodhpur, the wetlands of Bharatpur, the hilly terrain of Mount Abu to the dry forests of the Aravalis all house distinct species and exploring them is one of the most satisfying things to do on a Rajasthan trip.

There are many well-known wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in the state. Ranthambore National Park is one of the premier tiger reserves of the country, located in the Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan. Apart from a large number of tigers, the park is also home to sloth bears, leopards, jackals, chitals, nilgai, macaque and the Indian wolf.

Another famous tiger reserve in the state is the Sariska Tiger Reserve. The mountains, grasslands, and deciduous forests inside the reserve provide shelter to countless species, including the Bengal Tiger, hyenas, sambal, chital, nilgai and wild boar. Sariska also sees a lot of birds including peafowl, grey partridge, bush quail, crescent serpent eagle and the horned owl.

One of Asia’s best birding areas, the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary sees countless residents and migratory birds. The park has now been renamed the Keoladeo Ghana National Park. Birds such as pelicans, geese, ducks, eagles, hawks, shanks, warblers and wagtails can be found here.

The rare Siberian Crane also migrates to the sanctuary annually. Apart from birds, the park also has a large number of mammals, including golden jackal, nilgai, sambal and blackbuck.

Rajasthan’s diverse landscape houses many rare flora and fauna and exploring the species is an integral part of exploring the state’s culture. The many national parks operate well-guided safaris to sight the fauna in their natural habitat. The many resorts around the parks allow you to explore the wildlife in utter comfort.

Lakes

Due to its shortage of water, a lot of man-made lakes dot the cities of Rajasthan. Aside from being useful, the lakes are also mesmerising and draw a large number of tourists every year.

Udaipur, being the ‘City of Lakes’, is surrounded by many lakes. Lake Pichola is one of the most visited lakes in the state, and it stuns visitors with incredible views of the sunrise and the sunset. It is flanked by islands, temples, mansions and restaurants. The famous heritage hotel- Taj Lake Palace- sits in the middle of the lake on the Jag Nivas island.

The Gul Mahal on the Jag Mandir island is said to have inspired the Taj Mahal while the Arsi Vilas island houses a bird sanctuary. Make sure to enjoy a boat ride on the lake and marvel at the ornate bridges.

Another stunning lake in Udaipur is the Fateh Sagar Lake. Its clear, turquoise waters are surrounded by the Aravali Hills on three sides, making it incredibly picturesque. There are three islands on the lake offering fun activities, the largest housing Nehru Park which is a favourite picnic destination. The zoo and the boat-shaped restaurant in Nehru Park are great for family outings.

A slightly different experience awaits visitors at the Sambhar Lake, a saline wetland outside Jaipur. Encircled by the Aravali Hills, the surrounding area is a mixture of salt and sand, making it look white. The lake is also a great place for bird watching- it is a breeding place for flamingos and every winter other species migrate from as far as Serbia. The cenotaphs around the lake are striking, and the sunset views from the top are stunning!

Mount Abu

The sole hill station of the state, Mount Abu, lies near the Gujarat-Rajasthan border. Apart from its splendid natural beauty, it is also an important pilgrim site.

The Dilwara Jain Temple in Abu is stunning and ornate- its marble carvings, intricate details and sculptures attract a lot of visitors. It is as famous among religious travellers as it is among art enthusiasts. The Nakki Lake is a clear water body and watching the hues of the sky reflect on it is fascinating. The Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary has a large leopard population. Trevor’s Tank is a manmade crocodile breeding spot that is popular among tourists. Bird watching is also a well-loved activity here.

Mount Abu is a popular honeymoon destination in Rajasthan. The sunset point affords gorgeous views and unique rock formations, like Toad’s Rock, are interesting.