Rajasthan

Set in the heart of the Thar Desert where the sun shines the brightest - Jaisalmer was built in the 12th century during the reign of king Rawal Jaisal. What was once a city of commerce for traders on the silk route is the Golden City of dreams today. With larger-than-life palaces, multilevel muraled havelis and sculpted Jain temples, all sheltered within the walls of a citadel - this city is adorned with intricately carved honey-coloured sandstone architecture that glows under the warm sun. Festivals, art installations, handicraft stalls, food and music colour its landscape with local culture. 

To begin your journey, take part in one of the walking tours where guides narrate intriguing stories and folklore as you navigate the charming streets, discovering hidden spots and swooning over the street food. Visit Jaisalmer Fort - the most prominent landmark recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site -  also known as Sonar Qila for its golden visage. One of the largest forts in the world, it’s bustling with a myriad of temples, boutiques, tea shops, cafes and restaurants. Beckoning travelers with its grand doors the city is lined with havelis - 19th-century Patwa Haveli (Patwon ki Haveli) is notable not only for its size but for its stonework and art collection. Highlighting the remnants of a bygone era are the cenotaphs of Bada Bagh made in memory of Rajasthan’s royalty that are a must-see. At Gadisar Lake you can soak in in peaceful vibes, catch laser water shows, take a breezy boat ride, watch birds and savor sunsets. If you want to experience the Thar desert ecosystem along with wildlife, you should visit Desert National Park. No trip is complete without riding a camel into the sunset at Sam Sand Dunes - a quintessential experience. You can further live the Rajasthani lifestyle by attending the three-day Jaisalmer Desert Festival (Maru Mahotsav Jaisalmer) held every February.

For experiencing true hospitality, check into the luxurious Suryagarh where each room presents old world grandeur intertwined with every modern amenity. Its central courtyard is a visual delight as are the gardens that surround it. From sand and salt spas to dinner on the dunes - a stay here is all about living like royalty. Set on a 100-acre private estate, you can also stop over at Suján The Serai that draws inspiration from the designs of the royal caravan sites of Rajputana. White and gold and shining in the center of the Thar - their 21 tents are a symphony of refined styles and they offer experiences such as spas, cooking classes, craft workshops, private musical performances, bird-watching, desert treks, camel safaris, stargazing trails.

With a 5 hour drive from Jaisalmer you can make your way to an indigo-dyed cityscape that emerges from the surrounding desert - Jodhpur, the legendary Blue City. Founded in the 15th century by Rao Jodha it’s filled with clusters of homes bathed in blue, a color initially used by the city’s Brahmins to paint their houses. Embodying a medieval charm with its maze of age-old Rajput palaces, havelis and hidden stepwells - every alley is brimming with secrets. Its treasures, with its many historic sites, is perfectly balanced out by simpler narrow streets lined with bazaars, markets and street foods with interesting anecdotes attached to each dish.

Rising above Jodhpur is the massive Mehrangarh Fort that houses museums and a number of gilded palaces that you can’t miss. As twilight descends on it, rugged impregnable walls come alive - stop by its Sheesh Mahal, Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal and if you’re an adrenaline junkie you can zipline over the fort for a view of the city. Right next to this you can find the Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park - a hidden gem established with the aim of preserving the natural ecosystem of the region. Take a stroll to discover its native flora and fauna.

Perched on Chittar Hill, the highest point in Jodhpur and built between 1928 and 1943 - stay at Umaid Bhawan Palace, a living testimony to the royal ethos of India. Spread across 26 acres of landscaped gardens with dancing peacocks and home to the erstwhile Jodhpur royal family, it exhibits a blend of Renaissance and Rajput architecture. Designed by renowned architect Henry Vaughan Lanchester, its opulent artistry will leave your senses heightened with the Art Deco rooms that look out to the dunes. Soothe your mind and body with spas, meditation and yoga or take a heritage walk as the property houses a family museum for you to relive a past era. Made from sandstone and red ochre - The Rohet House is another option for you that embraces its roots. A serene hush envelopes this gracefully created boutique hotel that is aesthetic with the cozy comfort of a family home. This 8 room property is tastefully done up with bright pops of color, hand painted walls, Rajasthani murals and is plush with furniture fabricated by local artisans. You can either soak in the pool or wind down in the garden and terrace lounges.

Rich with tranquil lakes, illustrious history, Rajasthani heritage, architecture, sumptuous food scene - with another 5 hour drive from Jodhpur you can explore Udaipur, the City of Lakes. A one-of-a-kind historic capital of the kingdom of Mewar, it was built in the 16th century by Maharana Udai Singh II. 

While many choose this city for an idyllic quiet getaway and to enjoy the sunset over the glimmering Lake Pichola or Fateh Sagar Lake, you can fill your day with activities. Looming large over the skyline and located amidst the Aravalli Hills - a visit to the City Palace is a journey to the land of the brave that has stood the test of time. You can further experience the Vintage Car Museum, Sajjangarh Sanctuary, quaint ornamental Saheliyon-ki-Bari Garden known for its lush green lawns and fountains and Jagdish Temple reached by an elephant-flanked flight of steps.

An alluring jewel made of marble floating in the middle of the pristine Lake Pichola on its own little island: welcome to Taj Lake Palace where to checki in for an exceptional experience - right from when you arrive on a boat on gleaming waters to a shower of rose petals. This former summer palace of royalty retains all its regal charms featuring architecture influenced from Mughals, led by Mewari techniques. Take things up a notch with a dinner for two on the boat as the moonlight dances off the waters and the spa is worth saving some time for. Another sprawling estate on the banks of the sweeping Lake Pichola - the Oberoi Udaivilas is an architectural delight and a long standing favorite. Spread over 30 acres of luxuriant gardens, it has a layout of interconnecting domes and corridors that reflect the layout of Udaipur itself; whose seven lakes are linked by canals. Its rooms come with Mewar-inspired motifs and you can savor live music, yoga lessons, personally curated spa therapies and regional delicacies. Set on its own 21 acre island lapped by the gentle waters of Udai Sagar Lake and surrounded by the verdant Aravalli range - you can also stop over at the spectacular Raffles Udaipur. Its gardens, tumbling fountains, stately Indo-Saracenic architecture describe a love story between India and the West.

“And though there are so many different types of loves, the kings of the Pink City know that there will always only be one true sweetheart. And that is the City itself.”

Steeped in love and wonder, the tale of Jaipur began when it was founded in the 17th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. The capital city of Rajasthan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the iconic rosy-hued Pink City (a name earned for the color harmoniously woven throughout the city) - there’s no place like it. Refreshing green hills, blue lakes, pink sandstone structures, breathtaking palaces, formidable forts and stunning gardens: start your journey within its historic core. The ideal time to visit is between October and March.

The best way to discover Jaipur is on foot via a guided walking tour that breathes in life to the surroundings. Amongst the places you shouldn't miss is the mesmerizing Hawa Mahal or the Palace of the Winds - the heart of the pink city. This five-storey honeycomb-like architectural marvel with a soaring red and pink sandstone façade is known for its 953 small latticed windows (jharokhas) that was built so that the women of the royal family could observe the market below without being seen. It sits at the edge of the City Palace that is just as spellbinding and boasts walls adorned with murals and lattices, showcasing a remarkable fusion of Mughal and Rajput artistry. Within its hallowed halls, you can walk through a display of regal portraits, royal costumes, priceless artifacts, weaponry and paintings. Just outside the gateway of the City Palace complex is Jantar Mantar, an astronomical beauty that is home to the world's largest stone sundial. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this fascinating observatory constructed from solid masonry was the creation of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II - a devoted astronomer who was on a quest to unravel the wonders hidden in the sky with instruments to measure time and position and movement of planets. You should then take a detour to the ancient city of Amber, where the Amber Fort stands tall. Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, its Sheesh Mahal, the hall of mirrors is unmissable. No visit to Jaipur is complete without seeing Jal Mahal, Albert Hall Museum, the literal treasure trove Amrapali Museum, shopping at the famous Johri Bazaar and the jewelry store Gem Palace. And if you’re a design lover, you can’t leave the city without sipping a drink at the ethereal Bar Palladio. 

A former residence of the Maharajas of Jaipur - stay at the heavenly Taj Rambagh Palace that offers an unbeatable combination of history, impeccable service, Indian wellness therapies and fine dining. Mirroring its past, an epitome of style and glamor, it retains its splendor as it’s extravagantly decorated with hand-carved marble latticework (jalis), sandstone balustrades, cupolas (chattris), cenotaphs, elaborate Mughal Gardens. Another dazzling heirloom and heritage residence turned hotel - Rajmahal Palace RAAS seamlessly unites classic and contemporary styles lending a cinematic feel with its rose-tinted façade, eclectically decorated rooms with Art Deco furniture and bespoke wallpaper, gardens, swimming pool, palatial spa. This unique oasis that exudes luxury has walls that narrate the stories of Jaipur. The Leela Palace is another option, spread over 8 acres of landscaped gardens with the backdrop of the Aravalli range. Its Rajputana heritage, traditional Thikri craft, inlaid mirrors, Shekhawati paintings, the state-of-the-art spa and the decadent restaurants make this place divine.

An unparalleled experience: if you’re a wildlife enthusiast, Ranthambore National Park is one of the finest places to spot wild tigers in their natural habitat. Situated in the Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan, it’s a 4 hour drive from Jaipur and has gained its popularity for the freedom with which predators roam. Royal Bengal tigers here bask in the sun, roam by the water bodies - their strength lies not only in their numbers but in their ability to coexist with humans. With the wilderness alive with wonder - keep your eyes peeled for crocodiles, leopards, jackals, Sambar deer, bird species in this majestic forest filled with stark natural beauty. 

Since you're here for the tigers - you can stay for the food, spas and oodles of luxury at Aman-i-Khás. Set on the threshold of the reserve, with 10 tents that echo Mughal pavilions. This intimate tented camp offers daily safaris seeking out the reserve’s wildlife along with spa therapies, swimming and dining beneath the stars that take center stage. Suján Sher Bagh, on the other hand, is another exquisite camp that is nestled on a border of Ranthambore National Park under a canopy of indigenous trees. Its 12 white cotton canvas tents kitted out with handcrafted campaign furniture in rosewood and teak and accouterments are a celebration of true elegance. You can end the day - sharing stories around crackling campfires, with meals cooked from homegrown organic produce, unwinding into the golden bathtub with the memory of the magnificent king of the jungle and the flawless luxury at this home away from home.