Rajasthan

Jaipur

The Pink City

Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is a delightful mixture of modernity and folk tradition. With its towering forts and impressive city Palace, Jaipur is a good indicator of what to expect as you progress to interior Rajasthan. Walking through the city’s busy markets, seeing colourful textiles, and hearing artisans at work, every sense is engaged. All the senses are stimulated. Jaipur is not only beautiful, but provides glimpses into the life, culture and history of kings and princes. Explore some of the best UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Jaipur.

Explore UNESCO World Heritage and other Historic Sites

  • Walled City of Jaipur
  • Jantar Mantar Observatory
  • Amber Fort
  • City Palace
  • Jal Mahal
  • Albert Hall Museum
  • Galta Ji Temple
  • Jaigarh Fort
  • Nahargarh Fort
Jaipur’s best and most Luxurious heritage Hotels & Resorts

Jodhpur

The Blue City

Jodhpur is known as the Blue City for its azure-painted houses, especially impressive when viewed from the ramparts of the Mehrangarh Fort. Explore Jodhpur with our experienced and knowledgeable tour guide by joining our Luxury Rajasthan Tour. Walk through the massive, impeccably maintained Meharangarh Fort, saunter through the Umaid Bhawan Palace museum and wander through the chaotic and colourful markets.

Places to visit in Jodhpur

  • Mehrangarh Fort: A massive fort with palaces,
  • Jaswant Thada
  • Bishnoi Village
  • Balsamand Lake
  • Ghanta Ghar
  • Umaid Bhawan Palace
Jodhpur’s best and most Luxurious heritage Hotels & Resorts

Jaisalmer

The Golden City

Jaisalmer is built of fragile, golden sandstone, often exquisitely carved. It has stood isolated in the Thar Desert since its founding by Rawal Jaisal in 1156. The magnificent Jaisalmer Fort is one of the most iconic landmarks of Jaisalmer. Unlike most forts in India, Jaisalmer Fort is a living fort, where thousands of residents still live within its ancient walls. Inside the fort are narrow winding lanes, traditional houses, temples, shops, and small cafes that preserve the historic charm of the city. Also, explore the beautiful havelis, which reflect a rich mercantile and royal history and other interesting sites, Bada Bagh.

Explore UNESCO World Heritage and other Historic Sites

  • Jaisalmer Fort (UNESCO Hill Forts of Rajasthan): A living fort with shops, temples, and residences still in use today, showcasing centuries of trade and architecture.
  • Patwon Ki Haveli
  • Gadsisar Lake
  • Nathmal Ki Haveli
  • Bada Bagh
Jaisalmer’s best and most Luxurious heritage Hotels & Resorts

Udaipur

The City of Lakes

Udaipur is Rajasthan’s most congenial and Romantic city with its gentle light, shimmering lakes and beautiful restored palaces. Explore the old city, a labyrinth of winding streets, which borders Lake Pichola’s eastern side. The old city itself is built on tiny hillocks and raised areas, so its lanes are full of twists and turns. It’s a perfect place to relax for a couple of days.

Places to visit in Udaipur

  • City Palace Complex: While not a UNESCO site, the palace represents centuries of Mewar royalty and architectural ingenuity, with balconies, gardens, and museums showcasing art and royal artifacts.
  • Jag Mandir
  • Lake Pichola
  • Saheliyon ki Bari
  • Jagdish Temple
Udaipur’s best and most Luxurious heritage Hotels & Resorts

Kumbhalgarh

The Great Wall of India

Isolated and serene, this formidable fort was a refuge for Mewari rulers in times of strife. Built by Rana Kumbha in the 15th century, the fort ramparts run 4km, and the outer wall encloses an area of 83 square km. Surrounded by forests and mountains, the fort offers breathtaking views and a glimpse into the military strength of the Mewar kingdom.

Chittorgarh

Symbol of Rajput Valour

Chittorgarh Fort is the largest fort in India and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spread across a vast hilltop plateau, the fort tells legendary stories of courage, sacrifice and heroic battles fought by Rajput rulers.

Chittorgarh Fort:

Inside the fort complex, visitors can explore palaces, temples and historic towers such as the magnificent Vijay Stambh and Kirti Stambh. The site remains a powerful symbol of Rajput pride and heritage.

Bikaner

Desert Forts and Royal Heritage

Bikaner is less picturesque than Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. It’s a desert city that combines royal architecture with vibrant culture. Known for its imposing forts, ornate palaces, and unique temples, it was once a thriving trade hub on the caravan route through the Thar Desert. Mature travellers will enjoy exploring historical structures, sampling local Rajasthani cuisine, and experiencing cultural festivals. Bikaner offers a mix of history, heritage, and offbeat experiences.

Places to visit in Bikaner

  • Junagarh Fort: Famous for its massive walls, intricate palaces, and museum collections showcasing royal artefacts and Rajput history.
  • Karni Mata Temple
Bikaner’s best and most Luxurious heritage Hotels & Resorts

Bundi

A less-visited but alluring town, Bundi is a hidden treasure trove of stepwells (baoris), forts and mural palaces. The Taragarh Fort stands in the city and the Garh Palace is decorated with intricate murals showcasing scenes from the Ramayana and Krishna's life. Bundi also has famous stepwells, like the Raniji ki Baori, a marvel of carved columns and arched entryways. The narrow streets, blue-painted houses and rustic beauty make it seem like a smaller, calmer Jodhpur.

Places to visit in Bundi

  • Garh Palace's frescoes
  • Raniji ki Baori stepwell
  • Taragarh Fort
  • Walk the blue- painted streets

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is one of the world's ancient cultural landscapes, a continuous cultural landscape with a 3,000-year-old history.

Rhino in Water

The Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram,

Tamil Nadu, comprise 40 ancient monuments and temples, and represent the high quality of rock-cut architecture of the 7th and 8th century Pallav Dynasty, innovative at the time. These monuments include the monolithic Panch Raths, or five processional chariots richly carved with artistic motifs and wall panels depicting many Hindu divinities and royal portraits.

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The Great Living Chola Temples

Chola Temples of Tamil Nadu are recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and comprise three Shiva temples, the Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram.

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Western Ghats

A natural masterpiece teeming with biodiversity and myth, the Western Ghats cradle Tamil Nadu’s mist-draped Nilgiris and sacred Anamalai Hills. This ancient mountain chain is not just an ecological treasure but a spiritual refuge.

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Nilgiri Mountain Railway (UNESCO, 1999)

A marvel of colonial engineering, this century-old railway connects Mettupalayam to Ooty through 46 tunnels and 250 bridges. The rhythmic climb, powered by vintage steam locomotives, reveals forests, waterfalls, and the quiet grace of hill life.

Elephant Safari

Bikaner – Desert Forts and Royal Heritage

Bikaner is less picturesque than Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. It’s a desert city that combines royal architecture with vibrant culture.

Elephant Safari

Bundi

A less-visited but alluring town, Bundi is a hidden treasure trove of stepwells (baoris), forts and mural palaces. The Taragarh Fort stands in the city and the Garh Palace is decorated with intricate murals showcasing scenes from the Ramayana and Krishna's life.

Elephant Safari

Ajanta Caves

The world-renowned UNESCO Ajanta Caves consist of 30 Buddhist cave monuments excavated into a rock surface nearly 76 metres high, exemplifying some of the greatest achievements in ancient Buddhist rock-cut architecture.

Elephant Safari

Brihadeshwara Temple, Thanjavur

significance.  Stp through the majestic gopurams (entrance towers) into vast courtyards and beautifully sculpted wals.  Each element serves a purpose, reflecting the celestial and earthly realms, incorporating elements of astrology, symbolizing the connection between the divine and the universe.

Elephant Safari

Pancha Rathas

Tamil Nadu is an outdoor museum for the heritage traveller, with Dravidian architecture. Its UNESCO World Heritage sites, Mahabalipuram's rock-cut sculptures, the Great Living Chola Temples at Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram, and the Nilgiri Mountain Railway are the products of centuries of artistic creativity and symbolism. Temple cities like Kanchipuram, Madurai, Chidambaram, Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, and Srirangam are still vibrant cultural habitats, in which ritual rituals are still performed and its architecture is organically integrated in the fabric.

Elephant Safari

Mahabalipuram,

Tamil Nadu, comprise 40 ancient monuments and temples, and represent the high quality of rock-cut architecture of the 7th and 8th century Pallav Dynasty, innovative at the time.

Elephant Safari

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is an outdoor museum for the heritage traveller, with Dravidian architecture. Its UNESCO World Heritage sites, Mahabalipuram's rock-cut sculptures, the Great Living Chola Temples at Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram, and the Nilgiri Mountain Railway are the products of centuries of artistic creativity and symbolism.

Elephant Safari