Rajasthan, India's largest state by area, is a land of vibrant colors, majestic forts, and royal palaces that transport visitors back to an era of Maharajas and ancient trade routes. From the pink-hued city of Jaipur to the blue alleys of Jodhpur and the shimmering lakes of Udaipur, Rajasthan offers an unparalleled tapestry of history, culture, and natural beauty. The Thar Desert in the west and the Aravalli mountain range create dramatic landscapes that make Rajasthan one of India's most photogenic and culturally rich destinations.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Camel Ride at Sam Sand Dunes
A classic Rajasthan family experience — everyone rides camels through the golden sand dunes near Jaisalmer at sunset. Operators assist even the smallest children safely onto the camels.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Tiger Safari at Ranthambore
A shared jeep safari into Ranthambore National Park in search of Bengal tigers — one of the most thrilling wildlife experiences in the world that children absolutely love
Duration: 4 hours per safari
Elephant Interaction at Amber Fort
Meeting, feeding, and if booked in advance, riding elephants at the base of Amber Fort — a classic Rajasthan family photo opportunity (note: ethical concerns exist about riding; meeting and feeding is a gentler alternative)
Duration: 30-60 minutes
Chokhi Dhani Village Resort (Jaipur)
An immersive Rajasthani village-theme cultural resort near Jaipur with folk dancing, camel rides, puppet shows, magic shows, traditional food stalls, and unlimited thali dinner — a wonderful family evening
Duration: 3-4 hours (evening)
Blue Pottery Workshop
Hands-on blue pottery painting workshop at a Jaipur craft studio — children design and paint their own piece in the distinctive Jaipur blue pottery style to take home
Duration: 2 hours
Kite Flying in Jaipur
Jaipur has a famous kite-flying culture and January's Makar Sankranti brings spectacular kite battles. Buy kites from old city vendors and fly them from a fort terrace or open rooftop.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Bird Watching at Keoladeo
Hire a cycle-rickshaw with a licensed birding guide at Keoladeo Ghana National Park in Bharatpur — spot painted storks, Sarus cranes, and hundreds of species in a beautiful wetland setting
Duration: 3-4 hours
Albert Hall Museum, Jaipur
Rajasthan's oldest museum has an Egyptian mummy that captivates children, along with armor, weapons, royal costumes, and an extraordinary carpet collection in a beautiful Victorian building
Duration: 2 hours
Mehrangarh Fort Audio Tour
Mehrangarh Fort's audio guide brings the fort's history to vivid life — narrated by Peter Ustinov with dramatic music. Teens particularly enjoy the weapons collection and fort towers.
Duration: 3-4 hours
Stargazing in the Desert
The Thar Desert's dark skies away from city light pollution offer extraordinary stargazing — the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye. Desert camps often provide guides for constellation identification.
Duration: 2-3 hours evening
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
ITC Rajputana
Well-run luxury hotel in Jaipur with large swimming pool, reliable international food standards, and spacious family rooms
Family features: Large pool, children's menu, multiple dining options, central location
Fateh Garh Resort, Udaipur
Spacious heritage-style resort on Udaipur's outskirts with beautiful gardens, a pool, and comfortable rooms
Family features: Large pool, garden, spacious rooms, children welcome
Jaipur Marriott Hotel
Modern business hotel with excellent pool facilities, reliable Western and Indian dining, and professional service standards
Family features: Outdoor pool, kids pool, multiple restaurants, Western food options
Haveli Hari Ganga, Haridwar
Peaceful family-friendly property in Udaipur with pool and reliable food
Family features: Pool, garden, air-conditioned rooms, family-style meals
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Most Rajasthani restaurants welcome children warmly — Indians love children and staff will go out of their way to accommodate families
Thali restaurants are ideal for families — children can try small portions of many dishes
Look for restaurants at larger hotels for more reliable food safety standards for young children
Carry your own snacks (biscuits, nuts, dried fruit) for long travel days between cities
Fresh coconut water and packaged fruit juices are safe and popular snacks for children
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Always carry a basic first aid kit including antiseptic, bandages, and children's medication
Book AC train sleeper compartments for overnight journeys — 3AC or 2AC is comfortable for families
Download offline maps as signal can be unreliable in rural areas
Heritage hotel pools are essential for entertaining children in the afternoon heat
Young children find the markets overwhelming — plan market visits for energetic morning hours
Hire a good private guide for fort visits — children engage far better with stories than with reading plaques