Activities and experiences that bring Rajasthan to life
Rajasthan has many layers. Its forts rise from rugged hills, palaces open into courtyards filled with light, and old markets carry on traditions passed down through generations. There are markets to wander through, food to taste and sunsets to linger over. There is a great deal to see, but perhaps the real beauty lies in the experiences that allow travellers to look beyond the landmarks and understand the cities, their people and their culture. Here are some of the experiences worth making time for, across Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur.
1. Explore Jaipur through its grand landmarks
One of the best ways to begin discovering Jaipur is with a guided tour of Hawa Mahal, the City Palace and Amber Fort. With a knowledgeable guide sharing the stories behind these landmarks, travellers get to see the city’s royal past in a more personal way. They can look out from the jharokhas of Hawa Mahal, wander through the courtyards of the City Palace and take in the grand architecture of Amber Fort, while hearing the stories, traditions and little details that bring Jaipur’s history to life.
2. Explore Jaipur’s bazaars with a local guide
For those who see beauty in everyday objects, a private shopping tour is a lovely way to discover Jaipur through its crafts. Travellers can wander through Johri Bazaar for Kundan and Meenakari jewellery, silver ornaments, Bandhani and Leheriya textiles, or head to Bapu Bazaar for camel-leather mojris (sandals), fabrics and handicrafts. Along the way, they will find block prints, carpets, pashminas and miniature paintings, each reflecting the city’s rich craft traditions. With a guide, they can also meet local artisans and see their work up close, making the experience feel less like shopping and more like discovering another side of Jaipur.
3. Discover Jaipur’s traditional crafts
Jaipur’s story is not told only through its palaces and forts; some of it lives in the hands of the artisans who have been keeping its crafts alive for generations. Travellers can spend some time with local artisans and see how blue pottery, block printing, jewellery making and carpet weaving have been passed down through generations. Blue pottery, made with a mix of quartz, glass and Multani Mitti rather than ordinary clay, is especially distinctive, while the nearby towns of Sanganer and Bagru are known for their hand-carved blocks and natural dyes. It’s a beautiful chance to see these crafts up close, meet the people who keep them alive and perhaps take home something travellers have made themselves.
4. Eat your way through Jaipur
Jaipur’s food scene is too good to miss. One can start with fuss-free favourites at Rawat Mishtan Bhandar, known for its pyaaz kachori, dal kachori and jalebi. Then there is Laxmi Misthan Bhandar, a much-loved sweet shop with a long history, where crispy pyaaz kachori and rich ghewar are among the treats worth trying. For lassi, Kishan Lal Govind Narayan Agarwal, operational since 1944, is a local favourite and often sells out by the afternoon. A guided food tour can be one of the easiest ways to discover local favourites, while learning about the food traditions that the people of Rajasthan have preserved for centuries.
5. A tuk-tuk ride through Jodhpur
In Jodhpur, a private tuk-tuk tour is a relaxed way to explore the city, taking in sights such as the Clock Tower and Mehrangarh Fort, which rises about 125 metres above the city. Inside, travellers will find grand palaces, quiet courtyards and richly decorated interiors, each offering a glimpse into Jodhpur’s royal past. The tour can then continue to Umaid Bhawan Palace, commissioned by Maharaja Umaid Singh in 1929 in response to famine. Built over 16 years and designed by British architect HV Lanchester, the vast sandstone palace is another fascinating chapter in the city’s royal story.
6. Wander through Jodhpur’s blue lanes
Jodhpur is made for long, unhurried walks, especially through the old city, where houses painted in countless shades of blue create one of Rajasthan’s most recognisable landscapes. We suggest a heritage walking tour of the old city, where a local guide can share fascinating stories of its past as the lanes and old neighbourhoods unfold. Colourful murals by local artists add unexpected bursts of character to the blue streets and make for the perfect addition to travellers’ camera roll.
7. Taste Jodhpur’s street food
Jodhpur’s food is as distinctive as its architecture, and a street food tour offers an easy way to sample several local specialities in one go. At Shandar Sweet Home, one can try the unusual gulab jamun ki sabzi, in which unsweetened, dry gulab jamuns are placed in a rich curry made with khoya. At Janta Sweet Home, pyaaz kachori, mirchi bada and mawa kachori pair naturally with hot chai, while lassis and local sweets such as ghevar and lapsi offer something sweeter to finish.
8. Take a boat across Lake Pichola
There is something about Udaipur from the water that feels especially magical. Our recommendation? A guided walk through the city’s historic ghats with a private boat ride on Lake Pichola, where a local storyteller can bring alive tales of its kings, queens and changing way of life. The boat can glide past the City Palace, Jagmandir and Jag Niwas, with Jagmandir’s marble pavilions and stone elephants rising from the lake. As the sun sinks behind the Aravallis, the palace facades catch the changing evening light, creating one of Udaipur’s most memorable scenes.
9. Shop for Udaipur’s crafts
Shopping in Udaipur can be as much about meeting the people behind the crafts as it is about taking something home. A guided shopping experience offers a more intimate way to discover the city’s authentic bazaars and family-run boutiques, while learning the stories behind its traditional arts. Travellers can meet local artisans, explore the Arts & Crafts markets and take part in an authentic art and craft workshop. With a local guide helping navigate the city’s lesser-known shopping spots, the experience becomes less about simply buying souvenirs and more about understanding the skill, time and tradition behind them.
10. Spend an evening with Rajasthan’s performing arts
For a different side of Udaipur, an evening at Bagore Ki Haveli, where the Dharohar cultural show brings together Rajasthani music, puppetry, humour, colourful costumes and traditional dance in an atmospheric courtyard, is perfect. Ghoomar, with its sweeping movements and embroidered skirts, and the fast, mesmerising turns of Kalbeliya are among the highlights. It’s an intimate experience that brings Rajasthan’s traditions to life through music, movement and storytelling.