The romance, art and magnificence of Rajasthan attract many travelers. In a setting from One Thousand and One Nights, surrounded by palaces and immense fortresses, this Indian state which includes Jaipur, Jodhpur or even Udaipur, has so much to offer. What to do in Rajasthan? Which monuments to visit? Here are our must-see spots.
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What to do in Rajasthan: Fort d’Ambert, Jaipur
10 kilometers northeast of Jaipur, the extraordinary Amber Fortress is perched on a cliff and surrounded by a 9 kilometer long wall. The wall that surrounds the fort is a bit reminiscent of the Great Wall of China. From there, it is possible to see, a little lower, the ruins of the ancient city whose stone walls are collapsing, and a splendid Hindu temple, jewel of the ancient city of Amber. In the surrounding area, open pavilions and landscaped gardens with canals and fountains, but above all the Amber Palace, which can be visited. It is reached on the back of elephants who tirelessly climb the main access ramp every morning.
Palace of Winds, Jaipur
Impossible to miss this pink sandstone palace in the heart of the city. Called Hawa Mahal (literally Palace of the Winds), this most famous monument in Jaipur, if not in Rajasthan, is more of a facade than a palace, since the building has almost no thickness. Five stories high, the Palace of the Winds is made up of 953 airy windows. Its name comes from the openings that let in a refreshing breeze. It was built in such a way that the wind could circulate through it. Formerly, it housed the women of Zenana, the Hindu harem. These women of the court who were not allowed to go out, placed themselves at the many windows in order to keep a link with the outside and observe what was happening in the street, without exposing themselves.
Monkey Temple, Jaipur
What to do in Rajasthan and Jaipur if not visit the Monkey Temple (Galwar Bagh)? Take a rickshaw (local tricycle) which will drop you in front of a site where you will have to walk another hour, before reaching the entrance of the temple. Winding paths, sloping hills and an incredible lush landscape are waiting for you. Further on, you will see monkeys, to find some in the temple. More than 6,000 monkeys roam freely there.
Where to sleep in Jaipur ? At the Rambagh Palace, a stunning and luxurious hotel set in 47 hectares of landscaped gardens and Indian architecture. You will travel through time in one of the 79 spacious rooms and suites, once the refuge of kings, princes and their guests, like the echo of the aristocracy.
Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur
If there is one thing to do in Rajasthan and especially in Jodhpur, it is to visit the fort of Mehrangarh. Nicknamed the magnificent fort, this historic monument overlooks the city from the top of its 122 meters. Inside, there are several palaces richly decorated and embellished with numerous courtyards.
Where to sleep in Jodhpur ? At the Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace, a luxury hotel that boasts squash and tennis courts, a billiards room, table tennis, a smoking room, a spa, as well as indoor and outdoor swimming pools . In all, 64 rooms make up the hotel, all spacious and luxurious, decorated in a unique style.
Udaipur Palace, Udaipur
Udaipur Palace, or City Palace, is the most imposing palace of the Maharajas in Rajasthan. This fortress is an important example of mixing Rajput and Mughal style in the world. It also reveals all the wealth of the royal families in India. Inside, you can admire Pratap Singh’s armor of 75 kg and that of his horse, with an elephant’s trunk.
Jagdish Temple, Udaipur
Jagdish temple is among the things to do in Rajasthan. This religious heritage of Udaipur, housed in the city palace complex, was built in the Indo-Aryan style of architecture. It houses authentic sculptures and statues. Its tower rises about 22 m in height and dominates the skyline of Udaipur. Ideal for an impressive panorama of the city.
Where to sleep in Udaipur ? At the Oberoi Udaivila hotel, one of the finest hotels in Rajasthan, to sleep like a maharaja. This palace shines with its majesty and the grandeur of its premises (the hotel extends over more than 20 hectares). The luxurious rooms and suites are adorned with mixtures of precious woods, marble and silk.
Bhandasar Temple, Bikaner
In Bikaner, in the far north of Rajasthan, the temple of Bhandasar is famous for its works of art, its sculptures and its murals evoking the life of the tirthankars (holy men), processions or court scenes. On the first floor, you will admire a collection of miniatures retracing the life of Jain saints.
Safari in Ranthambore
Going on a safari in the country of the Maharajas is possible, even recommended during your trip to India. Travel to Ranthambore, a national park covering an area of 392 km². It is here that you will observe the famous Bengal tigers. You can also admire 40 species of mammals, about 320 species of birds and more than 35 species of reptiles.
Thar Desert, Jaisalmer
Among the things to do in Rajasthan, there is the discovery of the city of Jaisalmer. This city, located 100 km from Pakistan, is home to the Thar Desert, also called the Great Indian Desert or Mârusthali. This large semi-arid steppe covers 200,000 km² and ranks ninth among subtropical deserts. Rich in biodiversity, it is home to incredible local fauna: caracals, wild donkeys, great Indian bustards… Ride a camel and explore the dunes and then sleep under the stars. An unusual experience to make your stay in India as successful as possible.
Best time to visit Rajasthan
While Rajasthan’s summers are sweltering and dry, the temperature remains warm and pleasant throughout the day during winters, which is the perfect time to visit all the palaces, temples, and forts. Also, all the major fairs and festivals of Rajasthan are held only in this period. Nights during winters are very cold, and one should avoid going out at night.
Summer (March – June)
The summer season in Rajasthan starts from March and lasts until June. This season is quite harsh, and you can see the bright sun directly overhead. The scorching heat makes it uncomfortable to explore the state. The temperature sometimes rises to 48 degrees Celsius. It is better to avoid visiting cities like Jaipur , Bikaner or Ajmer during summers. However, there are certain destinations that offer suitable weather to explore like Mount Abu , Kumbhalgarh or Ranakpur . Therefore, it is better to first check the temperature of the place before leaving.
Monsoon (July – September)
Monsoon (July – September) July marks the beginning of the monsoon season in Rajasthan, which lasts until September. Temperatures drop throughout the state, with some parts witnessing heavy rainfall in this period. Hailstorms are also common. However, the national parks and state lakes are fascinating right now. Also, you can get a stunning view of various forts like Nahargarh Fort or Chittorgarh Fort.
Winter (October – February)
Starting in October, the winters begin to take over the monsoon season and last until February. The temperature sometimes drops to 0 degrees Celsius and below. This is the best time to visit Rajasthan , as the days are pleasant and the desserts are not too hot. You can easily explore the status as the rain level falls. However, it is better to check the temperature of the place before visiting because too cold weather can obstruct outdoor activities.
