Places to see:
1) Alwar – Sariska
Alwar, formerly known as ‘Ulwar’ is enveloped by the historic Aravali Hills.
Location: Around 160kms from Delhi
Places to see: The historic Alwar fort ‘Bala-Quila’, the ruins of Bhangarh, Haldia Bhawan,the Sariska Van Abhyaranya – the hunting camp of then rulers & now a Tiger Reserve, the Siliserh Lake, Sariska Palace, Jaisamand Lake (the largest artificial lake), City Palace, Museum, Chhatris, etc.
Best time to visit: October - March
2) Jaipur – Ramgarh - Jhunjhunu – Dausa
The ‘pink city’ of India, the state capital is not only famous for it’s historic splendor & magnificence but also because it’s the first planned city.
Location: 258kms from Delhi.
Places to see: The timeless Hawa Mahal, the magnificent City Palace, the Albert Hall, Jantar Mantar, Amber Palace, Jaigarh & Nahargarh Forts & Jal Mahal besides other monuments & gardens.
Excursion: A drive of 30 kms to the north-east of Jaipur, takes us to the Panoramic horizon where the sun sets over the mountains and below lies the Ramgarh Lake. The picturesque valley visit can be completed with the boatride in the lake.
Around 180kms from Jaipur lies the quiet town of Jhunjhunu. Places to see are Khetri Mahal, Bihariji Temple, Modi & Tibrewala Haveli besides the chhatris & temples.
Around 51 kms from Jaipur, is the Dausa town known for some small yet fascinating havelis, some temples & Dargah of Hazrat Khwaja Jamaluddin Shah Baba.
Best time to visit: Winter Season
3) Samode
Around 42 kms from Jaipur, is a perfect place Samode to spend a grand holiday.
Location: 300kms from Delhi
Places to see: Samode Palace, now a heritage hotel is the primary place of interest. A real visit to Samode cannot be considered complete without the camel ride across the village & a musical evening of folk dances and songs. The small village Samode, is quite famous for its havelis with murals and wall paintings for which many experts call this place the living art gallery of the world. Other tourist attractions are Sultan Mahal, Durbar hall.
Best time to visit: Winters
4) Ajmer – Pushkar
The Mecca of India is more famous as a pilgrimage site than a historical, even though it holds great historical importance.
Location: 389 kms from Delhi
Places to see: The foremost place to see is the Dargah Sharif, the tomb of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, who is revered & worshipped by thousands of devotees from all faiths. Other places to see are Taragarh – fort of ajmer, Adhai-din-ka-jhonpra, City Museum, Ana Sagar etc. Around 11kms from Ajmer lies Pushkar, the only pilgrim for the Brahma devotees. Pushkar is famous for the extravagant Pushkar Fair which is held during November.
Best time to visit: November (for the fair) and anytime for Dargah visit.
5) Mandawa - Shekhawati
In the heart of Shekhawati region lies the beautiful town of Mandawa, dotted with magnificent forts & havelis.
Location: Around 450 kms from Delhi
Places to see: Mandawa Fort, Chokhani & Ladia Havelis, Saraf havelis. The Binsidhar Newatia Haveli & Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli are two of the dominating havelis of that region.
Around Mandawa: Nawalgarh (37 km south), Parsurampura (43 km SE), Mukundgarh (25 km SE),
Dundlod (30kms SE). All these places are dominated with forts & havelis which not only reflect opulence but also stand testimony to the bygone era of the warriors.
Sikar, another region of Shekhawati is known for its Sikar Fort & Madho Niwas Kothi.
Best time to visit: Winters
6) Kalakho
Nestled at the foothills of Aravalli range, this tiny village is yet to be discovered by many. The quiet, untouched surroundings of the village make it a perfect weekend destination, away from the hustle-bustle of bigger cities.
Location: 298 kms from Delhi. It’s located few kilometres off the least-explored Golden Triangle.
Places to see: Chand Baoli, Abhaneri, Harshata Mata Temple, ruins of Bhangarh and the unexplored Kalakho.
Best time to visit: October – March
7) Jodhpur
The quiet, graceful medieval city of Jodhpur is home to probably one of the best Heritage hotels of India. A good concentration of heritage hotels can be found here & in its surrounds.
Location: Around 621 kms from Delhi
Places to see: The Mehrangarh Fort, the Jaswant Thada and Umaid Bhawan (now a heritage hotel) are must-visits. Jodhpur is a must-visit during its music festival in Oct – Nov.
Best time to visit: Winter season (like most of Rajasthan)
8) Udaipur – Rajsamand - Kumbalgarh
Located at the foot hills of Aravallis, Udaipur is a romantic heritage city also known as City of Lakes.
Location: 664 kms from Delhi
Places to see: Lake Pichola, the grand City Palace, Raj Angan, Laxmi Chowk, Bada Mahal. Some of the must-see heritage hotels are The Lake Palace, the Devigarh Fort, Shikarbadi.
Around 60 kms from Udaipur lies Rajsamand, the lake with many sights on the shores.
Located 64 kms north of Udaipur in the wilderness, Kumbhalgarh is the second most important citadel after Chittorgarh in the Mewar region. It’s cradled in the cluster of thirteen mountain peaks of the Aravali ranges. Besides, the Kumbalgarh Fort, Badal Mahal & ruins of some ancient temples are must visits.
Best time to visit: Winters
9) Jaisalmer
Located in the heart of Thar Desert, Jaisalmer stands on a ridge of yellowish sandstone crowned by a fort. It’s also known as Golden City because the sand gives a golden-yellow touch to the city.
Location: From New Delhi (864 km) & from Jaipur (558 km)
Places to see: Jaisalmer Fort (the Goldenn Fotress whose the tawny lion color sandstone turns honey-gold during sunset), the Patwon-ki-Haveli, Salim Singh-ki Haveli, Nathmalji-ki Haveli, Desert Museum, Folklore Museum, Govt Museum, th Gadsisar Lake, the famous Sam sandunes, Desert National park & more. One must not miss the camel safaris as well.
Best time to visit: Jan/Feb every year when the Desert Festival take place.
10) Bikaner
The imposing palaces, beautiful and richly sculptured temples of red and yellow sand stones at Bikaner, exhibit some of the finest creations of Rajput civilization.
Location: 548 kms from Delhi
Places to see: The meticulously detailed Junagarh Fort, the splendid Lalgarh Palace, Gajner Palace, Prachina Museum, Devi Kund Sagar (Cenotaphs), Shri Laxminath Temple, Bhandasar Jain Temple, Camel Breeding Farm, Bikaner Havelis, Shiv Bari, Rajasthan State Archives, Karni Mata temple and many more palaces.
Best time to visit: Winters
11) Chittaurgarh
Chittorgarh is the epitome of Rajput pride, romance and spirit. The massive fort of Chittaurgarh still reverberates history of heroism and sacrifice.
Location: 588 kms from Delhi
Places to see: The imposing Chittaurgarh Fort, the Saas-Bahu Temple, Vijay Stambh (Victory Tower), Kirti Stambh (Tower of Fame), Rana Kumbha’s Palace, Kirti istambh, Padmini’s Palace, Kumbha Shyam Temple, Gardens and Parks, other havelis & temples are the historic attractions of the place.
Some more tourist attraction spots are the Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhainsrogarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Sanwariaji temple, Mati Kundiya temple, Gotmeshwar and some more temples.
Best time to visit: Winters
12) Bharatpur
One of the finest bird parks in the world, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Keoladeo Ghana National Park) is a reserve that offers protection to faunal species as well.
Location: 185 kms from Delhi
Places to see: The major attractions in the park are the numerous migratory birds, from as far away as Siberia and Central Asia, like species of Cranes, Pelicans, Geese, Ducks, Eagles, Hawks, Shanks, Stints, Wagtails, Warblers, Wheatears, Flycatchers, Buntings, Larks and Pipits, etc.
Other Travel Attractions: Bharatpur Government Museum, Bharatpur Palace, Lohagarh Fort, Deeg Palace.
Best time to visit: August-November
13) Ranthambore - Sawai Madhopur
Ranthambore is a national park and tiger reserve located in Sawai Madhopur district around 130 km from Jaipur.
Location: About 388kms from Delhi
Places to see: The famous Ranthambore National Park, Bakaula, the historic Ranthambore Fortress, Lakarda & Anantpura, Rai Bagh ruins, Padam Talao, Kachida Valley & some more lakes.
Best time to visit: October to March.
14) Karauli
Karauli, a green delight set in a rustic ambience is famous for its pale red sandstone.
Location: 306kms from Delhi
Places to see: Many old monuments could be seen here, apart from exploring the rambling countryside and the game sanctuary. There are excellent opportunities for jeep safaris and boating too.
Best time to visit: February-March, when a big cattle fair is also held.
15) Kuchaman
Kuchaman in Nagaur district of Rajasthan is known for its impressive fort that has been converted to a heritage hotel.
Location: Around 421-km drive from Delhi
Places to see: The most important attraction of this place is the Kuchaman Fort, the Meena Bazar, Meera Mahal, China Pole & the Sambar lake.
16) Dholpur
A fascinating town to visit, Dholpur is quite 'undiscovered' and has a history to tell. It’s also known for its excellent sandstone.
Location: Around 266kms from Delhi
Places to see: Laswari, a historical site of Dholpur where Daulat Rao Scindia was defeated by Lord Lake, the ruins of the oldest Mughal garden, the Damoh Waterfall, the Kanpur Mahal,
Shergarh Fort, the Khanpur Mahal & the Shiva Temple are all worth seeing.
Excursions: Machchhkund (8Km.), is a must visit. Ramsagar Sanctuary (34Km.), historic lake known as Talab-E-Shahi (40Km.), Van Vihar Wild Life Sanctuary are also travellers delight.
Best time to visit: October - March
17) Mt. Abu
Set amidst the lush wooded hills, Mt. Abu is a green oasis in the barren deserts of Rajasthan.
Location: Around 746 kms from Delhi
Places to see: The elegant Dilwara Jain Temple, Museum and Art Gallery, the Gaumukh Temple, Adhar Devi Temple, the Sunset Point, the Honeymoon Point along with Gardens and Park.
Besides these, the Trevor’s Tank (5 km), Achalgarh (8 km) and the highest peak Guru Shikhar (15 km) are also must visits.
Best time to visit: Summer. Unlike most of Rajasthan, this place is best visited in summer as well.
18) Kota
Kota leads to the fascinating & mostly undiscovered Hadoti region of Rajasthan.
Location: Around 600kms from Delhi
Places to see: Kota Barrage, City Palace, Rao Madho Singh Museum, Chambal Gardens, Jag Mandir. 18kms away from Kota is the Gaipernath (a waterfall) & 20kms away Alnea (pre-historic carvings) along with the beautiful Garh Palace in Bundi are also wroth seeing.
Best time to visit: September - October of every year when the Dussehra Mela is held.