Rajasthan
India · South Asia
Forts, palaces and desert cities in north-west India, with fortress hotels, tiger reserves and the Maharajas' Express.
Why visit
Why visit Rajasthan
Go for the forts. The hill forts of Rajasthan are among the great sights of India, and some of them can be slept in. Six Senses Fort Barwara occupies a restored fourteenth-century fort beside the tiger reserve of Ranthambore.
Go also for the way of travelling. The Maharajas' Express runs several seasonal itineraries across Rajasthan and beyond, moving by night and stopping by day; routes and dates change, so check the operator.
Explore
What to see
Udaipur. The lake city of the rulers of Mewar.
Kumbhalgarh. A fifteenth-century fortress north of Udaipur, behind 36 kilometres of wall, and quieter than the best-known forts; see our guide to Kumbhalgarh. The Jain temple of Ranakpur lies within about an hour's drive.
Jaipur and Jodhpur. The best known of the fortress cities, and seldom empty.
Ranthambore. The tiger reserve in the east of the state, visited by jeep at dawn and dusk; sightings are never guaranteed. See Look for tigers in Ranthambore.
Hotels
Where to stay in Rajasthan
Raffles Udaipur occupies an island in a lake outside the city. Six Senses Fort Barwara is the fort hotel for Ranthambore. There are country hotels near Kumbhalgarh for those who want a night at the fort.
Raffles · Udai Sagar lake, UdaipurRaffles UdaipurA palace-style hotel of 101 rooms on its own island in Udai Sagar lake, the first Raffles in India, with a lakeshore wing.Explore →
Six Senses · Chauth ka Barwara, near RanthamboreSix Senses Fort BarwaraA restored fourteenth-century fort with 48 suites, a large spa and Ranthambore's tiger reserve half an hour away.Explore →The Journal
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Before you go
Practical information
Best time to visit
October to March is the season. The Maharajas' Express runs from October to April. Summer is extremely hot.
Getting around
Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur have airports with flights from Delhi and Mumbai. Road journeys between the cities take several hours each. The drive from Udaipur to Kumbhalgarh takes about two hours.
Practical notes
A week allows two or three cities. Those who want to linger can take the shorter train journey round Delhi, Agra, Ranthambore and Jaipur and then stay on at a fort or palace hotel.
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