Roughly speaking the geographical area south of Jaipur and Jodhpur and west of Ranthambore, Southern Rajasthan is a fascinating and unspoilt area of India that is only just opening up to tourism. This is an area that is rich in temples, palaces and forts, but an even bigger draw is the many small towns and villages which are full of the colour of traditional India, and the excellent heritage hotels where you can base yourself to experience this culture.
Udaipur is the biggest and most interesting city in the region. The White City has a spectacular location nestled in the Aruvali Hills around Lake Pichola, and is home to numerous temples and palaces, including the famous City Palace Museum. There is characterful accommodation for a wide range of budgets within the city, and the beautiful Devigarh not far from the city is one of the top heritage hotels in India.
The fascinating sites of Kumbalgarh and Ranakpur can be found about halfway between Udaipur and Jodhpur. This immense fortress and beautiful Jain Temple are well worth visiting, and this scenic region is rich in wildlife and culture. Look out for the Persian Wheels, ox-powered water wells which are unique to this area.
Chittorgarh, a couple of hours east of Udaipur, is another site that is brimming with life and colour, the many temples inside the massive walls still attracting pilgrims from around the country. Chittorgarh can be visited in a day trip from Udaipur, or en route to one of the many heritage hotels in this area.
Shahpura and Bhainsrorgarh and two small towns with excellent heritage hotels which are ideal places to break your journey and relax for a day or two in rural Rajasthan. Fascinating village visits can be arranged to see the traditional way of life in this area that is unspoilt by tourism, and there are several fine temples and fortress that can be seen around here.
The small town of Bundi is a short journey from Ranthambore or Jaipur, and has several characterful small hotels. Although it sees relatively few tourists, Bundi is a gem with a well preserved fortress rich with murals overlooking a lively blue-washed town.
There are only limited rail links in this area, and travelling around is best done by car. We arrange for you to have your own driver and vehicle, and you can stop off whenever and wherever you like. Although travel times can be long and roads bumpy, travelling in this area is a very rewarding experience. You can stop off in small villages to see the local way of life that is impossible to see if you rush past by train or plane, and if you are lucky you may see a blackbuck crossing the road, an elephant carrying a heavy load or a gypsy caravan breaking camp.
