Stay in Characterful Luxury
Where you stay is an integral part of travelling through Rajasthan and Gujarat. This is a region where historic forts, royal palaces and centuries-old havelis have been transformed into some of India’s most characterful places to stay, allowing you to experience the history and heritage of a destination long after the day’s sightseeing has ended.
At the grandest end are magnificent 5-star palace hotels, forts, havelis where suites, courtyards, gardens and private dining evoke the world of the Maharajahs. But characterful luxury doesn’t always mean opulence. Some of our favourite stays are smaller heritage hotels, converted forts and family-run havelis, where rooms may be simpler but the welcome is personal and the connection to local history is genuine. Many are still owned or managed by families whose stories are intertwined with the property itself.
We might choose a palace overlooking the lakes of Udaipur, a historic haveli within Jodhpur’s old city, a converted fort in rural Rajasthan or a desert camp beneath the stars near Jaisalmer. In Gujarat, heritage homes, former palaces and distinctive boutique properties bring you closer to the region’s communities, crafts and traditions.
From luxurious royal palaces to charming 3-star heritage stays, we select accommodation for its character, location and sense of place as much as its star rating — making where you stay part of the story of your journey.
Best time to visit Rajasthan & Gujarat
Best Time to Visit Rajasthan
The best time to visit Rajasthan is between October and March, when cooler days and crisp nights make sightseeing across its forts, palaces and desert towns far more comfortable. Desert travel in the Thar is at its most rewarding from November to February, with pleasant daytime temperatures ideal for camel safaris and overnight camping beneath clear skies. Wildlife viewing follows a similar winter window, though sightings often pick up from April as rising heat draws animals towards remaining water sources. Festivals add real colour to this season: the Pushkar Camel Fair in November, the Jaipur Literature Festival and vibrant Kite Festival in January, and the Jaisalmer Desert Festival in February all give travellers good reason to time a visit around the winter months.
Best Time to Visit Gujarat
The best time to visit Gujarat is between November and February, when mild temperatures make exploring the state’s varied landscapes far more enjoyable. This is also the ideal window for Gujarat wildlife viewing, with comfortable conditions for game drives and birdwatching alike. The Rann of Kutch is at its most spectacular during these same winter months, when the white salt desert takes on a stark, otherworldly beauty and cooler nights make camping in the desert genuinely pleasant. January brings its own highlight in the Kite Festival, celebrated on a massive scale across Gujarat as skies fill with colour during Uttarayan — another good reason to plan a winter visit.
Travel Rajasthan & Gujarat With Local Expertise
Every journey with Enriching Journeys is personally planned by founder and India travel specialist, Alok, whose destination expertise and first-hand knowledge of Rajasthan and Gujarat shape each itinerary, working alongside trusted local guides and partners. From personalised planning to one-on-one attention throughout, Alok is on hand to answer any questions and support you every step of the journey.