Rajasthan & The North Tours & Holidays

Rajasthan and the north of India – a region also incorporating Gujarat, Delhi and Agra – simply bursts with life and vitality, beauty and colour, unrivalled architecture and fine traditions of hospitality.

Rajasthan is home to theRajput warrior caste who variously claim descent from the sun, the moon and the flames of the sacrificial fire. Over the centuries theRajputs have developed a highly evolved code of chivalry and honour similar to that of the European medieval knights. Rather than face the dishonour of being taken captive by a victorious enemy they would don the saffron robes of martyrdom and ride out to certain death.

And their women would fare no better, hurriedly building huge pyres and committing a grim mass-destruction in an event known as Jauhar. Fiercely defending their territory to the death, the Rajputs built mammoth forts such as at Chittorgarh, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer, and the fabulous palaces of Udaipur, Jaipur and Amber which, of course, can still be seen - and even stayed in - today.

Although Rajasthan is full of amazing spectacles, perhaps the most striking aspect of a visit to the land of kings today is the abundance of colour. As an antidote to the harsh, monotone desert landscape, the people of Rajasthan have created through their luminous canary yellow turbans, lime green saris and flame red headscarves, a vibrancy of colour unequalled anywhere on the subcontinent. And nowhere is this more in evidence than at the rarely visited Chandrabagha Animal Fair.

But that’s not all. In this part of India lies Gujarat, an extraordinarily diverse region of temples, palaces, unique textiles and, in the Rann of Kutch, some of the most surreal landscapes and interesting wildlife the subcontinent can offer. Also worth a visit is Amritsar, home of the Sikh religion and their famous Golden Temple.

And then of course there is Agra and the eternal Taj Mahal – a place that never disappoints and always amazes with its sublime symmetry and exquisite changing colours.

Maintaining our unique blend of luxury and adventure, here in Rajasthan and the north of India we specialise in getting you off the beaten track and into the more secret parts of this amazing state. We offer a variety of group trips and can work with you to tailor-make the perfect private holiday.