Rajasthan is a royal state known for its beauty, heritage, stunning architecture, vibrant culture, and more. Numerous palaces, forts, camps, and hills in the city captivate travelers and evoke them to make a Rajasthan trip once in a lifetime. Moreover, this Land of Kings is perfect for family vacations too. You can plan a family trip to Rajasthan and create memories that will last forever. All you need to do is plan your trip the right way. But the question is how and where to get started. Luckily, this post is all about planning a family trip to Rajasthan explaining helpful tips to make your trip efficient. So, go through the tips in this write-up and plan your trip perfectly.
Here, you will find everything, like what places to visit, how to travel, which hotels to book, how to make the trip budget-friendly, and more. Dive deep into it and get the information you need.
1. Sort Out Your Favorite Destinations
Shortlisting destinations is the first and foremost step you can take while planning for a trip. Rajasthan has numerous places to visit and, thus you should list out places to visit based on your preferences, schedule, and family size. Once you become aware of the top places to visit in Rajasthan you can pick all or a few of them saving your time. To help you brush up, here is a roundup of the top destinations.
Udaipur
Udaipur, also known as the City of Lakes, has manmade lakes, water palaces, and other beautiful sights. Since it is an ideal destination, couples prefer it for pre-wedding shoots and honeymoons. Apart from that, there are wonderful resorts and hotels that you can enjoy on the trip with your family. Plan for a 2 to 3-day trip and you will be amazed by visiting attractive destinations such as Chittorgarh, Ranakpur, Kumbhalgarh, etc. However, if you want to wrap up the trip in just one day, move forward to Chittorgarh. It is just at a distance of 113 km from the city.
Jaipur
Jaipur is another top destination you should not forget on your family trip. Take your kids on a Rajasthan adventure while exploring the state capital. Your family members will appreciate the trip exploring their favorite spots such as Jal Mahal, City Palace, Amer Fort, and Rusirani village along with the Hot Air Balloon ride. So, while taking Rajasthan tour packages ensure you include these attractions. Moreover, there are local markets in the city where your family can shop at affordable rates.
Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer, known as the Golden City, has many havelis, temples, and bazaars. The city is best known for desert camps and you will have many experiences such as Camel Safari, Desert Camp stay, and more. Patwon ki Haveli, Gadisar Lake, and Jaisalmer are a few top tourist attractions you can explore here. Other things you can do in this city are quad biking, visiting Sam Sand Dunes, exploring the desert by driving an SUV or hiring a professional driver. The buildings are made of local yellow stone that gives the look of Golden City. What is more exciting about this city trip is that you will cover everything in around half a day.
Mandawa
You must visit Mandawa to explore Rajput’s art and culture. It houses Mandawa Fort comprising attractive mirror inscriptions on the walls and ceilings. This fort was built in 1755. Apart from this, many beautiful havelis are here that serve as a trademark of the Shekhawati region (open-air art gallery). Mandawa is known as the Bollywood of Rajasthan and is famous specifically for its fresco wall paintings. Age-old illustrations of this village say a lot about Indian culture. If you are on a family trip to Rajasthan from Delhi, you can cover the top spots of this place in just one day.
Mount Abu
Are you a hill station lover? Mount Abu is the only destination you will find in Rajasthan. Dilwara Temple and Sunset Point in this hill station will leave you speechless with their beauty. Moreover, the green hills of the Aravalli range make it a preferred leisure destination. Apart from the scenic beauty, many architectural wonders attract history and architecture enthusiasts. To explore every beautiful spot in Mount Abu, you will require a minimum of 3 to 5 days trip. Since it is a cooler destination, you can plan to visit it in the summer months, too.
Pushkar
Pushkar trip can be exciting with family. This sacred village is around 14 kilometers away from Ajmer and is among the holiest places in India. The best part of this destination is The Cattle Fair, which is held annually here between October and November. Your family will enjoy this trip. Moreover, the centerpiece lake of this holy city is sanctified by the creator of the universe (Lord Brahma). The lake (having 52 ghats) and around 400 blue-colored temples, make the place more spiritual and divine.
Jodhpur
If you are visiting with family, Jodhpur can be an ideal destination. This blue city offers many attractions such as temples, forts gardens, etc. Some of the popular places you should visit in Jodhpur are, Jaswant Thadas, Umaid Bhawan Museum, and Mandore Garden. Balsamand Lake, Phool Mahal, etc. Therefore, while planning your Rajasthan trip do include Jodhpur in your list. Also, you can drive to nearby Bishnoi Village. It will take approximately 2 days to cover popular attractions.
Bikaner
Are you a great fan of architecture? Bikaner is the place you must add to places to visit in Rajasthan. Travelers who want to learn about the city’s culture and visit many tourist attractions can find this place worthwhile. Apart from attractions and handicrafts, it owns Asia’s biggest camel farm. Furthermore, Bikaner is called the Red City of Rajasthan because of several red sandstone buildings, stunning palaces, inclusive markets, etc. Junagarh Fort, camel festival, Karni Mata temple, and camel festival make this city worth visiting.
Narlai
Located on the Jodhpur-Udaipur highway, Narlai is a beautiful village in Rajasthan. The village is good for exploring the countryside. All you can explore here are, 22 well-carved temples, Jackal hills, enjoy the magic of nightshade, explore lush countryside and traits while doing nature walks. Plan to visit this village during monsoon season. Moreover, it is close to Kumbhalgarh Fort and the Jain temples. Please note that, to get the Rajwadi experience you need to book your stay at Rawla Narlai. When you visit Jodhpur or Udaipur extend your trip a day to explore this village.
Alwar
Alwar is a famous district in Rajasthan. This place holds royal heritage, palaces, and forts, plus scenic beauty. Moreover, it witnesses Rajput’s history and has several heritage homes, tombs, and more. Choose to visit this place during Winter, i.e. from October to March. Explore the majestic Alwar Fort, Sariska Tiger Reserve, and Royal Bengal Tiger. Also, it is a one-stop destination where you can shop for anything. You can buy handicrafts, shoes, Jootis, traditional dresses, and more.
These are the ten destinations you can visit on your trip. If you lack time, sort them out and make your trip efficient.
2. Decide on the Duration of Your Family Trip
The second important thing while planning is deciding how long will be your travel. For a family trip in Rajasthan, around 8 to 12 days are ideal. However, if you plan a 3-day trip, stay in Jaipur and explore the nearby village and Markets. Take the Golden Triangle Tour for happy and convenient traveling. However, if your trip is for around 5 days, you can explore the exciting attractions while traveling from Udaipur to Jodhpur. To visit many gems, invest more time, and do all sorts of activities.
3. Choose How to Travel the Destination
After you decide about the city and the duration of your travel, the next step to take is deciding on how to travel between cities. Choose from the possible traveling means i.e., airways, railways, and roadways, and then plan accordingly. Here is a brief insight into the three main ways of transportation.
By Road
Do you love to travel by road? The best part of the Rajasthan trip is that you can make it exciting by road too. Choose NH-8 as it is one of the most preferred ways of traveling because of smooth roads. Rajasthan has a supreme bus service with more than 56 depots connecting major states like Haryana, Delhi, Gujarat, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. So, whether you hire a taxi or drive by yourself you will find it amazing to travel as roads are easy to navigate. Besides, there are dhabas (food eateries) to give justice to your hunger. Plan a road trip with some snacks and good music and your Rajasthan tours will turn out to be memorable. Take state government businesses if you are on a tight budget. Buses connect every village, town, and city.
By Air
Rajasthan has a lot of domestic and international tourists. There are three main airports you can choose from based on your convenience. These are the domestic airports in Jodhpur and Udaipur & an international airport in Jaipur. It makes traveling by air effortless for both Indian and international travelers. Please note, that you will have to rely on railways and roadways for smaller destinations.
By Rail
Those traveling within India can choose to travel by train. The state has a good network and there are several routes connecting different cities. Many hubs connect the major cities like Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Mumbai. Thus, you can choose to travel by rail and cover your trip in a budget-friendly way. For more, you can google how to plan a Rajasthan family trip by train.
Now, you have three options to head to a Rajasthan trip with your family. Decide on what is best depending on your pocket and convenience. By getting the best route you will head to an exciting and successful trip.
4. Add Experiences You Want to Take Back
Make your trip memorable by adding various exciting experiences. You can make a plan to do adventures and share them with your close ones on Instagram and more. Experience a never-ending saga – involve kids and other family members in adventurous activities. Here is a list of a few things you can add to make your trip exhilarating.
- Plan to take a Desert Safari. You can camp in the deserts of Jaisalmer and spend absolute wild nights.
- Walk in the Bishnoi and Rusirani villages of Rajasthan.
- Take your kids to Ranthambore National Park.
- An Elephant ride will add up to your trip. Take the ride to Amer Fort, Jaipur.
- Enjoy hot air ballooning activities in Puskar and Jaipur.
5. Book Hotels
Various hotels, from modest havelis to luxurious palaces are in Rajasthan. If you want to experience the royal charm, book royal hotels, and resorts with eye-catching settings. Below is a glimpse of some of the best hotels you book in a particular city in Rajasthan. Have a look at them and choose the one that is the best based on your location and budget.
Luxurious Hotels in Major Cities of Rajasthan
Booking hotels is a crucial part of an exciting traveling experience. If you prefer to spend your day in royalty, we have listed a few hotels below.
- For the Royal Rajasthani experience in Udaipur, you can book your stay at the Leela Palace, the Lalit Laxmi Vilas Palace.
- Umaid Bhawan in Jodhpur has a unique taste of royalty.
- Book your stay at palaces, like, Raj Palace, and Jal Mahal Palace, and enjoy the perfect family holiday.
- A luxurious stay at Jaisalmer Marriott Resort & Space in Jaisalmer is the best for a luxurious stay.
These are some luxurious hotels that you can opt for rich stay in the cities of Rajasthan. But what when you want to have a budget-friendly stay? Well, here is another list of budget-friendly hotels.
Budget-friendly Hotels to Stay in Major Cities of Rajasthan
If you want to save on accommodation while visiting Rajasthan, look for budget-friendly hotels. Also, you can book Rajasthan tour packages based on your budget. Look at the list of some budget-friendly hotels with quality services below.
- Booking Hotel Raj Palace in Udaipur is a budget-friendly option for a stay.
- In Jodhpur, you can find various affordable hotels such as Juna Mahal Boutique Homestay, Singhvi Haveli, and more.
- Sher Vilas and Ranthambore National Resort are budget-friendly options for booking a stay in Ranthambore.
- Surya Villa, Krishna Palace, and Sarang Palace hotels provide affordable stays in Jaipur.
- If you are in Jaisalmer, book Deoki Niwas Palace for an affordable stay.
6. Pen Down the Places for Food and Shopping
When you visit Rajasthan how can you leave the place without trying the Rajasthani food and doing shopping? In this section, we will cover some awesome foods you should try and some popular shopping spots you should cover during your visit.
Foods to Try in Rajasthan
Dal Batti Churma is one of the popular Rajasthani foods that you should try during your visit. Other yummy dishes you can drool over, include Dal Kachori, Pyaaz Ki Kachori, Pheni and Ghewar, Smoked Laal Maans, and more. These foods taste delicious because of brands, lentils, and other delicious ingredients used in the making. So, when you visit Rajasthan with your family, don’t leave the place without tasting these foods.
Some Popular Spots From Where You Can Shop
Various colorful bazaars are in Rajasthan from where you can shop for leather goods, jewelry, dresses, and more. Find below the list of some popular destinations.
- Johari Bazaar in Jaipur to shop for ornaments.
- Babu Bazar is a one-stop destination with various choices,
- To buy leather goods, pagris, and bandhani suits, Nai Sarak is a perfect spot.
- In the Clock Tower Market, you get the chance to shop for spices, teas, etc.
- Mahatma Gandhi Road is ideal for Mojris and handicrafts.
7. Include Additional Destination for the Elderly and Kids
Kids love to perform activities and Rajasthan is a perfect destination for this. Apart from kids, you can pamper elderly members of your family with the taste of several attractions and royalty. Below, we will cover activities for kids and then top attractions that elderly members will enjoy during their visit.
Top Activities for Kids in Rajasthan
There are many fun activities that kids enjoy during their visit to Rajasthan. A few of them are as follows:
- Kids can go with Safari in Ranthambore National Park and bring their Jungle Book to life. A private Jeep Safari will take them through the entire jungle.
- Enjoy a boat ride on Lake Pichola and watch out for all the activities.
- Take your kids to the puppet-making workshop.
Places to Visit in Rajasthan or Elderly Family Members
If you have elderly members in your family, ensure to visit these places and make their trip meaningful. They will cherish the trip for a lifetime.
- Heartwarming welcome in the City Palace in Jaipur. It shows the royalty and traditions of Rajasthan.
- Jag Mandir which is situated on Lake Pichola (Udaipur).
- The unique way of dancing is snake-style dancing or the Kalbeliya dance.
- The Thar Heritage Museum is where you can learn about the history and culture of Rajasthan.
- Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti’s Dargah in Ajmer.
- Ranakpur Jain Temple in Udaipur.
8. Decide on How Much Will You Spend
Budget your trip to prevent yourself from underspending or overspending. Invest some time in calculating how much you will spend on certain things and you will return with a clear overview. A checklist for a family trip to Rajasthan cost should include travel expenses, money you are going to spend on lodging, expenses on visiting monuments, shopping expenses, and more. Include these in your checklist and head to a perfect and unforgettable Rajasthan trip with your family.
Conclusion
A family trip to Rajasthan can be exciting as the state has a lot to offer, from rich history to vibrant culture and traditions, architecture, and more. But, for a perfect holiday, you should plan it. Follow the right methods and then get ready to explore the city. To help you out, we have curated the complete planning process in eight eight-to-follow steps. Read them and follow them accordingly. Not only will your trip become stress-free but these will help create lasting memories for your family too.
Furthermore, you can take the help of a travel agent to get the best Rajasthan tour packages all exclusive. It will help you enjoy an effortless trip.