Introduction
Did you just search for Rajasthan tour packages and now you are completely overwhelmed about what to do? Too many cities, villages, forts & “luxury” hotels that all look the same online. And you’re sitting there thinking – How do I even plan this properly? Well, you have come to the right place.
Rajasthan is the land of culture & warriors. Every wall has a story involving either romance, betrayal, or someone jumping off a cliff for honor. You won’t experience royalty like this anywhere else in India.
Let’s see the royal experiences to include in your next Rajasthan travel package.
Top 5 Royal Experiences for a Visit To Rajasthan
Should you go to Jaipur? Jodhpur? Jaisalmer? All of them? And can you actually stay in a heritage property like a haveli? Below are the top places & experiences to include in your next trip. Trust us, they are worth the flight, the heat, and the inevitable bargaining battles in street markets.
Explore the Majestic Forts of Jaipur & Jodhpur
Everyone talks about Jaipur and Jodhpur. And yes, they are hell stunning cities. Check out the following forts & palaces in Jaipur & Jodhpur:
- Hawa Mahal
A palace with 953 beautiful windows made for royal women and queens to view the street festival in the city…isn’t that romantic? That’s Hawa Mahal in Jaipur for you. Made from pink sandstone, this is a 5-storey long building made in a honeycomb facade design to allow movement of air.
Come here and click pictures in the morning. You can also visit Hawa Mahal in the evening, when it is illuminated with lights. Visit the cafes opposite the Hawa Mahal for dinner and click pictures from the rooftop with the Hawa Mahal in the background. Some of our recommendations are Wind View Cafe and Tattoo Cafe & Lounge. - Amer Fort
Entering the Amber fort feels like you’ve stepped into a movie set. It is massive, dramatic, and genuinely impressive. Speak of diversity, and Amber Fort has caricature elements from both Hindu & Muslim architecture. The top attractions in Amber Fort are:- Diwan-e-Aam
- Diwan e Khas
- Sheesh Mahal
- Jai Mandir
When you stand inside Sheesh Mahal and imagine it lit by oil lamps… it’s not hard to see how royal life once looked here.
Pro tip: Go with a guide. Otherwise, you’ll miss half the stories.
- City Palace
Another fusion of Mughal and Rajput architecture, the City Palace is an iconic landmark to visit in the Pink City, Jaipur. It was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh I. Even today, the last ruling royal family lives in the private section of the village.- Mubarak Mahal (Palace of Reception): Now houses a museum displaying royal costumes, sarees, pashmina shawls, etc.
- Maharani’s Palace (Queen’s Palace): This has a display of very well-preserved Rajput weaponry. Swords, daggers, rifles, armor—basically everything you’d need to defend a kingdom
- Pritam Niwas Chowk – Four small gates representing the four seasons of India. We have peacock gate (autumn), lotus gate (summer), green gate (spring), rose gate (winter).
- Moon Palace – The seven-storied palace where the royal family still lives. You can only visit the ground floor.
Entry fees are a little higher, around ₹300-₹500 for Indian travellers and ₹ 700-1200 for international ones.
- Jantar Mantar Observatory
Just next to the City Palace is Jantar Mantar.At first glance, it looks like random giant structures in a field. But it’s actually an 18th-century astronomical observatory built by the same king who built the City Palace.This place is way ahead of science. There is a collection of 19 massive architectural instruments. They are used to track celestial bodies, predict eclipses, and measure time with remarkable accuracy – all without modern technology (we are talking year 1734).Jantar Mantar is UNESCO-listed, still used by astrologers, and proves that 18th-century Indians had some serious mathematical and astronomical skills. - Mehrangarh Fort, JodhpurNow, let us move to the blue city, Jodhpur. If Amber Fort is impressive, Mehrangarh is straight-up intimidating. Built in 1459 by Rao Jodha (the guy who founded Jodhpur), this is one of the largest forts in India and probably the most well-maintained. Inside, you’ll see:
- Galleries displaying royal life – Royal palanquins in which queens travelled, howdahs (elephant seats), and weapons.
- Museum collection: Paintings, textiles, armor, and artifacts that show how Rajput royalty actually lived.
- Stunning courtyards – Walk through them at sunset, and you will see how the red sandstone pillars turn golden.
- Latticed windows (jharokhas) – These are beautifully carved with motifs and drawings. Stand near one and you can see hundreds of indigo houses stretch endlessly below.
- Jaswant ThadaThe next on the list of must-visit forts & palaces in Rajasthan tour is the Jaswant Thada, built in honor of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Just a short walk from Mehrangarh, Thada is a
- Umaid Bhawan PalaceNow let’s talk about something grand. Umaid Bhawan Palace is not just a palace. It is one of the largest private residences in the world. Part of it is still home to the royal family of Jodhpur. Another part operates as a luxury hotel. And one section is open as a museum.Now let’s talk about something grand. Umaid Bhawan Palace is not just a palace. It is one of the largest private residences in the world. Part of it is still home to the royal family of Jodhpur. Another part operates as a luxury hotel. And one section is open as a museum, making it a highlight of any Rajasthan forts and temples tour.Back when famines came, this palace was made the epicenter to employ thousands of farmers who lost their crops. So this palace was not only a symbol of royalty but also of responsibility.The experience here is different from Mehrangarh. You can see vintage cars, massive lawns and manicured gardens, photographs of the royal family and a museum full of artifacts from the 20th century.
Stay in Heritage Palaces and Luxury Hotels
If your Rajasthan tour package doesn’t include at least one palace stay, you’re missing the point. Rajasthan has more heritage hotels than anywhere else in India. These are actual palaces where actual royalty lived (some even today). Now, they are open to people like you and me.
- Shiv Niwas Palace, Udaipur – A crescent-shaped palace on the banks of Lake Pichola. It used to be the royal guesthouse of the Mewar royal family. Now it is a luxury hotel with beautiful courtyards and a pool that looks straight out of a movie.
- Pushkar Fort – Sitting right near the famous Pushkar lake, this one gives you that quiet, heritage feel without being too over the top. Good pick if you want something calm and spiritual.
- Ajit Bhawan Palace – Set close to Mehrangarh Fort, Ajit Bhawan was built in the 1920s for Maharajadhiraj Sir Ajit Singhji. Fun fact – It became India’s first heritage hotel in the 1970s when it was transformed by his son, Maharaj Swaroop Singhji. For the stay, this place is cozy, personal, and has a very warm family-run feel to it.
- Mohangarh Fort Palace – This one is believed to be the youngest fort in India, built in 1944. It sits about 60 km from Jaisalmer city. One part of the fort is now a heritage hotel with a pool, spa, and rooms that still feel very royal. If you have Jaisalmer in your Rajasthan tour package itinerary, then staying here is a great idea over a regular hotel.
- Bal Samand Lake Palace – Built in 1159 AD around an artificial lake. The highlight here are the gardens…they are huge and the whole place looks like something from an old painting.
Desert Safari Adventures in Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer is called the Golden City, and once you see it, you will understand why. The yellow sandstone buildings, the sand dunes, and the sunset views…they just hit different.
The best experience for any Rajasthan tour package has to be the Desert Safari. There are a lot of options, but the famous ones are:
Sam Sand Dunes – Want some fun and entertainment? Sam Sand Dunes is the best option for a Desert Safari. Take the classic camel ride out to the dunes, watch the sunset, and come back after dark. There are also desert camps and an evening show with folk music and dance.
Khuri Sand Dunes – If you are looking for a less commercial safari with minimal crowds, then Khuri Sand Dunes is the perfect pick. Top activities to try are jeep or camel safari, stargazing, bonfire, cultural music & dance show, and desert camping.
Cultural Performances and Rajasthani Cuisine
You can’t understand Rajasthan without its culture. But what most tours don’t do is they rush you from city to city. At Discover Prime Tours, we offer authentic Rajasthan tour packages that don’t just connect big cities. We connect you to villages, their music, their food, and the people who have been carrying these traditions for generations.
From village-style thalis to royal dining experiences, here are the top experiences to include in your Rajasthan trip itinerary:
- Folk Performances – Kalbelia dance, Ghoomar, Bhavai, puppet shows. These are not just shows for tourists. These are art forms that go back centuries. If you get a chance to see a live performance at a village or a heritage hotel, do not skip it.
- Rajasthani Food – When in Rajasthan, you eat Rajasthani food. The food here is bold, heavy, and cooked with a lot of ghee. The best part? Locals will treat you with a lot of Manwar, i.e., hospitality by pouring in sweets and food even when you are full.Some dishes you must try:
- Dal Baati Churma with Panchmali Dal (lentils) – The OG dish. Wheat balls stuffed with almonds and made in a fire oven. They are dunked in ghee. You add dal and jaggery from the top. Heavy? Yes. Is it worth it? 100%.
- Gatte Ki Sabzi – Gram flour dumplings cooked in a rich yogurt gravy. You can have it with roti and rice.
- Papad ki Sabzi – a classic Rajasthani comfort dish where roasted papad is cooked in a tangy gravy
- Ker Sangri Achar – a desert vegetable delicacy you won’t find anywhere else.
- Pyaaz Kachori & Mirchi Bada – Breakfast dishes you can find while street food hopping.
- Laal Mas (non veg) – Fiery red mutton curry cooked with Mathania chilies from Jodhpur. Not for the faint-hearted but absolutely worth trying.
- Sweets like Ghevar, Rabri, badam halva, Feeni, Malpua, Mohanthal, Dudhiya Kheech.
Shopping for Handicrafts and Traditional Textiles
Rajasthan is one of the best places to shop in India. The craft here is world class, and you will find things you genuinely cannot find anywhere else.
Here is what to look for in each city:
Jaipur – Blue pottery, block printed fabrics, gemstone jewelry, lac bangles, and Jaipuri quilts called razais (blankets). Johari Bazaar and Bapu Bazaar are the best streets to explore. Bargain hard but be fair.
Jodhpur – Wrought iron furniture, leather goods, antiques, and tie-dye fabrics called bandhani. The Clock Tower market area is great for spices and textiles.
Jaisalmer – Camel leather products, mirror work embroidery, and woolen shawls. The lanes inside Jaisalmer Fort have small shops that are run by local artisans.
Udaipur – Miniature paintings, marble work, and wooden toys. The area around Jagdish Temple has good options.
Conclusion
There’s a reason why Rajasthan is the crown jewel of India. Where else can you:
- Walk inside 500-year-old forts,
- Stay in real palaces,
- Ride camels into the sunset and
- Eat royal recipes passed down the generations?
Whether you are planning a 7 day Rajasthan trip covering the golden triangle of Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer, or a longer 14 day route, we have got you covered.
