Quick Travel tips if you are traveling in Rajsthan

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Quick Travel tips if you are traveling in Rajsthan

Here are some quick travel tips that might be useful if you are traveling in Rajasthan



1. When Hiring a Guide :



Being a local and experienced, the guides are all well trained and very knowledgeable, they obviously worked to a timetable and as a consequence you will feel rushed. So feel free to mend them to your speed, after all you are the one paying don't hesitate.



2. Stay at least one night in Jodhpur and Jaisalmer Fort.



inside the city walls. There are several cheap hotels, most with a roof terrace to view the desert sunset. Nearly all visitors are day-trippers so you have the old city to yourself to explore in the evening when it's cooler – mind the mess made by the cows.



3. Make sure you visit the palaces



Visit as many of the palaces in Rajasthan as possible, including those turned into hotels, such as Rambagh Palace in Jaipur, the Samode Palace or Umaid Bhawan in Jodphur. . The guards in the City Palace, Jaipur – bedecked in their magnificent uniforms (and moustaches) – will entreat you to photograph them, but will then expect a small financial "award". Go to the Observatory in the centre of Jaipur– completed in 1734 by Maharaja Jai Singh II – even if you have no interest in astronomy. The various "instruments" are like fantastic huge sculptures. Take a "motorised rickshaw" through the cities, and see the roadside barbers and dentists, the camel carts, the sacred cows and the wonderful colours of the saris



4. Clothing for Female Traveler:



Wear long skirts as they are easier to manage than trousers in the loo on trains and elsewhere – and cooler, too. Also wear sandals without buckles for frequent removal when required; and cotton socks to cover bare feet when crossing hot courtyards to temples.



5. What to eat and what to not:



The spices, the smells, the value for money may be tempting but there's still no need to risk the street food. Go, instead, to one of the local restaurants for a feast. Don't accept food or drinks from fellow travelers, no matter how charming. Trust me with this one



6. While Shopping :



No trip would be complete without a factory visit, though whether it's tea or carpets, be aware that they won't "give you good price". There will be many small kids who will like to show you around for free and will end up taking you to shops, from where they get commissions. Buy only if you want to and make sure to bargain a lot.



7. How to behave with the locals:



Give children sweets or pens as you leave, not when you arrive. Government hostels are often great places to stay. Tip the people who matter – the room boy, guard, gate man. Smile. Be ready to be teased, share a joke, and be friendly on your own terms. You'll be amazed by all you see. Don't be fooled by the snake-charmers, but be prepared to respect the locals and ready to hold the baby and smile for the family photograph as they won't always respect your "privacy".



So here are some of the tips that you will find useful. Please feel free to comment, as suggestions are always helpful.



Take care

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