Rajasthan is the land of kings, a land of vibrant culture, deep rooted history and amazing architectural magnificence. It is a state in India characterized by impressive forts, grand palaces and immense deserts, therefore it gives an unsurpassed experience of glory. Rajasthan Palace Trail curated tour is a refined journey through the history of some of the most iconic heritage hotels and Maharaja suites as the tourist experience luxury and history simultaneously. Through well-designed Rajasthan tour packages, a person is able to not only plunge into the grandeur of the vanished past but also live in its comforts with the innovations on offer. This 1000-word guide gives you the ultimate palace trail with the places you should not miss out in, the experiences you cannot live without and the planning tips on how to do it.
The Reason to select the Rajasthan Palace Trail.
The palaces in Rajasthan are not merely architectural wonders, but they are living museums which tells us the stories of courage, romance and royalty. Yellow sands of Jaisalmer to the pink colored city of Jaipur, every destination of the palace trail has a different taste of Rajasthan heritage. By staying in the heritage hotels, most of which were the homes of royal people, one will get to experience life as a maharaja, with luxurious interiors, huge courtyards and hospitality at its best. To complete the experience, these stays may be merged with well-designed activities such as the camel safari, cultural shows, or guided tour to the forts that come along with the Rajasthan tour packages.
This palace trail is a dream voyage of the history admirers, luxurious tourists and anyone who wants to get the pure cultural experience. One can eat Rajasthani food in a palace dining room or walk through the gardens which belonged to the royal families, but it will always be a memorable experience on the trail. Now it is time to take this royal voyage, and visiting some of the main stops.
In Jaipur: The Royal Homes of the Pink City
The palace trail is usually centered in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan and the centre of royal tradition. The beautiful City Palace that still hosts the Jaipur royal family also comprises a beautiful mix of Rajput and Mughal construction styles. It is a must visit to the palace but when one goes to a heritage hotel like Rambagh Palace, experience is multiplied. A former home of the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II, Rambagh Palace is today a Taj property which provides luxurious suites with four-poster beds, chandeliers and the view of the well-kept gardens. Visitors may also eat in the mirrored Suvarna Mahal which offers royal Rajasthani thalis.
The other gem is the Samode Palace just outside Jaipur. This 475-year-old hotel used to be a palace and was famous due to its elaborate frescoes and the Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors). Visitors can book Rajasthan tour packages that also includes day trips to Amber Fort which is located nearby under which the visitors can ride the elephant up to the ramparts of the fort and are amazed with the mixture of Hindu and Muslim architecture. The colorful bazaars at Jaipur, which deal in everything including gemstones as well as block-printed textiles are sister attractions to the palace trail.
Udaipur: The Palace City of Lakes
Udaipur, also known as the Venice of the East is the next place on the path with its sparkling lakes and romantic atmosphere. One of the most renowned heritage hotels in the world is the Lake Palace, white marble wonder that floats on Lake Pichola. Built originally in 1746 as a summer retreat by Maharana Jagat Singh II, it is currently run by Taj Hotels and there is a butler service and the rooms offer views across the lake. One of the most notable things about a Rajasthan tour package is to get a ride on a boat to the palace during the sunset when the face of the palace appears to be glowing in water.
What can be a more personal experience than staying in Fateh Prakash Palace, a component of City Palace complex; regal suites with antique furniture, and an overlooking of the lake in the balcony. Cultural performances are carried out in the Durbar Hall with its colorful crystal chandeliers and portraits of kings in the past, which takes the guests back to the rule of Mewar royal family. The itinerary will be complemented with the perfect gardens located in Udaipur- Saheliyon-ki-Bari or the Monsoon Palace located on a hill, which will show you the royal spare time and a magnificent view.
Jodhpur: Desert Magnificence of The Blue City
Jodhpur, or the Blue City, has some of the most lofty palaces as well as forts in Rajasthan. The Umaid Bhawan Palace is an artistic Art Deco and Rajput architecture palace built which ranks among the largest exclusive living quarter in the world. Constructed in the 1930s by Maharaja Umaid Singh, now it includes a museum, as well as a heritage hotel and the residence of the royal family. The room of the Maharani and the Maharaja suites of the palace present exalted luxury with luxurious bathrooms made of marble and private terraces as well as access to the collection of vintage cars of the palace. The Pillars restaurant has high tea where the guests can view sprawling gardens.
Another must visit is a Mehrangarh fort which is above Jodhpur. The museum it displays royal artifacts like palanquins, miniature paintings. The tour packages in Rajasthan usually entail tours of the fort and then accommodation in the heritage house such as RAAS Jodhpur, an upscale hotel designed in a modern way, but with shades of Rajput haveli. The houses of the old city of Jodhpur painted blue are visible in the fort, and this brings about a very good attraction to the view of the photography lovers.
Jaisalmer: Desert Palaces of the Golden City
Any palace trail will never be complete without the Jaisalmer, the Golden City, whose sandstone architecture in basking under the desert sun. Jaisalmer Fort is one of the living forts owned by the UNESCO World Heritage Site. In its confines, there are heritage hotels, such as Killa Bhawan, which provide comfortable suites with jharokha balconies, which look into the desert. To experience luxury in their accomodation, one can go to Suryagarh Palace, located outside the city where the grandiose of a desert castle is rediscovered by use of sandstone carvings and luxurious interiors.
One of the attractions of Jaisalmer is a camp in the desert that can be found in the tour packages including Rajasthan. Camps such as The Serai allow guests to reside in luxurious tents and have performances of folk music under the starlit skies as well as camel desert safaris into the Thar Desert. There are intricate lattices of the Patwon-ki-Haveli and the Gadisar Lake that accord the Jaisalmer leg of trail some cultural depth.
Bikaner: The well hidden Jewel of Royalty
Less popular, but not less charming, Bikaner is the place where one can have a more peaceful idea of what Rajasthan was like in its glory days. The Laxmi Niwas Palace was a palace that served as the family home of Maharaja Ganga Singh and offers heritage-style suites with grand ceilings frescoed and old-fashioned furniture. There is an option to visit the royal memorabilia-filled museum within the grounds of the palace, or go on a camel ride to the adjoining Junagarh Fort whose walls and interiors are adorned with precious treasures.
A rat population of the Karni Mata Temple in Bikaner, a specimen allegedly held sacred is another special inclusion of Rajasthan tour packages. The camel breeding farm in this city and the sweets of this region such as rasgulla and ghevar give a unique flavour to the palace tour.
How to plan Your Rajasthan Palace Trail
Book Rajasthan tour packages that are aimed at heritage stay to make the best of the Rajasthan Palace Trail. The entire packages usually include stays in palace hotels, tours of forts and museums and other cultural experience like folk dances and cooking lessons. It is preferable to visit it between October and March since weather conditions during this period are comfortable to visit outdoor attractions. The vast majority of packages provide an opportunity to create an individual itinerary, where the traveller can select the luxury oriented itinerary or just some cheaper variant with mid-range heritage hotels.
One should fairly anticipate a minimum of 10-14 days to comfortably go through the cities of Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner. Another option to see the trail is taking luxury trains, such as Palace on Wheels, which features suites on board and gives the passengers the right to see the main tourist attractions. A more intimate approach is to engage the use of tour operators to hire a private car plus a driver, which is flexible and comfortable.
A Recipe of a Memorable Journey
- Dress to be Respected: Do not wear provocatively or in such a way that would be against the tradition or culture of the people you are visiting.
- Indulge in food: Do not pass up Rajasthani specialties such as dal baati churma, laal maas, and ker sangri and they are usually served in palace eating rooms.
- Make a reservation: The Heritage hotels particularly during peak season are very busy and get booked out fast. Fine of 1000.00 dollars fined.
- Taking Cash: It might be good to carry cash as not all places in the countryside will accept cards, particularly on the local markets or smaller heritage places.
- Go Catch it On Camera: Beautiful palaces are very colorful and in some way or the other highly ornamented– bring a nice camera.
Conclusion
Rajasthan Palace Trail is a walk to the past where each of the palaces and forts is narrating the tales of courage and glory. It provides a slice of luxury mixed with history, ranging all the way through the Maharaja suites of Umaid Bhawan to the more homey appeal of heritage havelis. Rajasthan tour packages give the tourists a chance to embrace the rich history of the Rajasthan royalty which is blended with all the modern features of comforts. And be it enjoying tea in a palace garden or watching a sunset in a desert, the Rajasthan Palace Trail will surely be a king-like escapade to be savored in the heart way after the journey is finished.
