Commonly prefixed with words
like “princely”, “royal” and “majestic”, Rajasthan
gives the impression of being vividly larger than
life, calling to mind grand histories and
magnificent landmarks. Indeed, the vivacity of the
state and its colors and spaces are things that have
been eagerly and repeatedly captured by
photographer-storytellers the world over (the most
critically-acclaimed probably being Pauline van
Lynden’s “Rajasthan”). Luxury is a mainstay of
Indian hospitality and the country is replete with
world-class luxury hotels- historic havelis,
luxurious fort conversions as well as the luxury
India-based chains such as the Oberoi and Taj.
Rajasthan features as one of the main highlights of
any trip to India, frequently seen as a culmination
of much of India's regal history and wealth. Any
luxury trip to India feels incomplete without a trip
to Rajasthan, staying in its luxury fort conversions
and taking in the various sights that India has to
offer. Rajasthan has a wealth of tourist sights, in no
small part encouraged by the government’s efforts to
improve the industry over the recent years. In the
capital of Jaipur (also popularly known as the Pink
City from the time when it painted most of its
buildings pink to welcome Queen Elizabeth II), there
is the spectacular Palace of Winds, Hawa Mahal, the
Amber Fort complex, renowned for its beautiful
harmony of Hindu and Muslim architecture, as well as
the Jaigarh Fort, from which gorgeously picturesque
views of the Aravalli mountain range (one of the
world’s oldest mountain ranges) can be enjoyed. The luxury take to a tour
of India is, in large part, your mode of
transportation as well. There is that iconic ad by
the luxury hotel chain that invokes- 'Of course
you'll be staying with the Maharaja- you're his
guest!', a tagline inserted against the dramatic
backdrop of a fully liveried chauffeur driven
limousine. Those looking to partake of train travel
in India will find an ultra-luxury version as
offered by Urbane Nomads, where guests are
accompanied by their own private butler who'd lay
your bed and make sure that your personal toiletries
are in stock. We could even ensure that your stay is
personally hosted- literally- by the Maharaja,
staying in his own personal holiday home.
Horseback safaris escorted by Indian royalty,
romantic camps in less-trodden corners of
tourist-weary Rajasthan, spectacular views of the
Taj Mahal from the suite in the Oberoi Amarvilas or
a polo match in the lawn of a private home during
polo season- luxuries afforded by a trip to India as
orchestrated by Urbane Nomads!
Remote luxury- one of the
mainstays of a trip with Urbane Nomads to most (if
not all) our destinations is presented as a few
days' break in India in a remote Himalayan outpost.
Ridiculously difficult to get to ( part of the
experience, of course), a trip here rounds off a
visit to India nicely. The Indian safari-
capitalizing on India's famed tiger population also
offers new benchmarks in luxury with the opening of
the CCAfrica-Taj outposts. Here, once again, the
experience is in the journey- what with some place
requiring a good three days to get there. Staying in
quaint, undiscovered boutique hotels along the way,
the quest for the Indian safari, quite unlike its
African counterpart (with all the delightful stories
of buzzing airstrips) focuses on the journey as much
as it does on the destination.
