Rajasthan Tours & Holidays

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Learn more about Intrepid’s COVID-19 policy

Rajasthan's main cities and regions are well-connected with Delhi, Mumbai and other major entry ports in India. Rajasthan is a huge state, and while the quickest way to travel around is via flight, the train is recommended. Not only is it affordable and convenient, but it's one of the most popular ways to get from A to B for locals and is a memorable experience for many travellers in India.

The weather is at its best during the winter between November and February when the temperatures aren't too high. That said, the nights are chilly (often dipping to 0°C or lower) so you'll definitely need warm layers to rug up. Many of the state's most exciting festivals are also held in winter, including the Pushkar Camel Fair, Jaisalmer's Desert Festival and the Udaipur World Music Festival.

Visiting in the summer months between March and September isn't off the cards, but the weather is dry and hot with intense temperatures that often climb to 40°C and higher, especially in places like Jaisalmer and Bikaner. The monsoon runs from July to September, but the rain is generally less severe compared to other states, so visiting during these months is an option if you don't mind the humidity.

Oh, boy are your tastebuds in for a treat! Many of India’s most beloved dishes hail from Rajasthan. Here are a few favourites you absolutely must try:

• Laal maans: This meaty curry turns up the heat. It's made by simmering mutton in a fiery gravy spiced with red Kashmiri chillies, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cumin seeds and cloves. Mop up the leftover sauce with fluffy rice or warm naan.
• Kachori: Kachori is one of the most popular snack foods in Rajasthan and you'll often smell it cooking on street corners. It's essentially a fried flatbread filled with a delicious mix of spices, potatoes, daal or whatever else you fancy. It's usually served with chutneys and cool yoghurt.
• Gatte ki subzi: This delicious curry consists of chickpea flour dumplings cooked in a creamy yoghurt-based gravy. It's flavoured with red and green chillies, coriander powder, fenugreek leaves, garam masala, turmeric and various other spices.
• Dal bati churma: This traditional Rajasthani dish is made with batis (spicy baked wheat balls) served with daal, either on the side or poured generously on top. It's a great lunch dish or snack.
• Kadhi: Kadhi is a curd-based curry often eaten with rice or roti. It's thickened with gram flour and flavoured with a range of spices such as turmeric, chilli paste, mustard seeds, cumin and asafoetida.
• Ker sangri: This Rajasthani delicacy is the signature taste of the Thar Desert. It's made with dried ker berries and sangri beans that are boiled in a pressure cooker and then fried in oil, spices and yoghurt.

Learn more about what to eat in India

We don't recommend ever drinking tap water in India. India is notorious among travellers for sickness and you should avoid drinks with ice and foods that haven’t been cooked or peeled. This means salad is off the menu for now!

Learn more about drinking the tap water in India

Yes, all foreigners (except those from a visa-exempt country) must apply for a visa before travelling to India. You can do this online (e-visa) or by post at your nearest Indian embassy. Eligibility for an e-visa depends on your nationality, trip duration, and how you plan to enter the country.

Learn more about India visas

India isn't the type of place where you can rock up and stroll around in a bikini or short shorts. It's best to follow a conservative dress code to respect the local culture. Avoid showing your shoulders, cleavage and thighs or wearing tight-fitting clothing. Aim for long, loose-fitting trousers and shirts, ideally made from linen or a linen blend if you're visiting in the warmer months.

If you're travelling in winter, light layers should suffice during the day but you'll need a warm fleece or jacket for the evenings when the temperature drops.

A few basics to pack include:

• Long, loose and breathable layers
• Comfortable shoes
• Water bottle
• Day bag
• Warm layer, e.g. hoodie or fleece

You sure do. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their tour. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

Learn more about travel insurance.

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. We’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries. 

Learn more about Accessible Travel with Intrepid