India Beat is working with Marie-Helene de Taillac to help her guests attending the New Years celebrations make the most of their time in India over the Christmas holiday.
We have put together a few ideas below of wonderful places to visit that will complement your time in Jaipur perfectly.
We will be delighted to help in every way, from your hotel bookings to organising a personal driver to incorporating your ideas and suggestions into your holiday itinerary.
Please complete our contact form detailing your preferences so that we can design your trip to your requirements.
Delhi
Delhi is a fascinatingly diverse city, encapsulating two very different worlds - the old and the new. New Delhi was built as the imperial capital of India by the British whilst Old Delhi served as the capital of Mogul India. It is easy to dip into both worlds, from the historically fascinating Red Fort, Jama Masjid and the old bazaars to fashionable restaurants, shopping and bars.
Alwar: Amanbagh
Amanbagh is an exceptionally luxurious place to stay. Derived from the Sanskrit word for peace, ‘aman’ and the Hindi word for garden ‘bagh’, this is an oasis of palm, fruit and eucalyptus trees where the beautiful rooms are built around a large, a stunning dark green marble swimming pool. Located 2 hours away from Jaipur in the Aaravalli hills Amanbagh offers the ultimate in luxury, including fantastic food, impeccable service, spa and massage treatments as well as superb rooms.
The hotel also offers brilliantly organised trips by open jeeps or camel into the idyllic surrounding countryside where you can visit old forts and temples, a deserted and famously haunted old city, go on stunning boat rides on the nearby lake and romantic dinners in old haveli ruins.
With privacy, peace and every luxury at hand this is an ideal place to recuperate after the New Year celebrations or a romantic spot to spend Christmas.
Well behaved children are also welcomed and will love the excursions, the large gardens to explore, the two swimming pools and the pet baby camels to play with.
Agra
Visiting the Taj Mahal over Christmas is a wonderfully romantic way to celebrate the season. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial for his second wife Mumtaz Muhal, who died giving birth to their fourteenth child in 1631 the monument took 22 years and 20,000 people to build. The exquisite marble screens and marble inlay work, made with thousand of precious and semi-precious stones, make this the most extravagant monument ever built for love.
The best hotel to stay at in our opinion is the Oberoi property, Amarvilas. With a wonderful swimming pool and unadulterated views of the Taj Mahal from every room it is an unforgettably luxurious experience.
The Taj View is also a good choice, offering 5* facilities and again, views of the Taj Mahal.
Ranthambore National Park
A great way to spend Christmas would be by going on tiger safaris round Ranthambore National Park. Ranthambore is one of the most picturesque game reserves in the world with the entire forest being dominated by the ruins of Ranthambore Fort. Ranthambore is noted for the fact that its tigers can frequently be seen during the day – seeing a tiger roaming over the ruins is an incredible experience. There is also a huge population of panthers as well as crocodiles, hyena, jackal and jungle cat.
There are many hotels in Ranthambore and we will recommend the most suitable for you according to your specific requirements.
Jodhpur
Jodhpur is the second largest city of Rajasthan and yet in many ways it has not changed from the fortified town that was built under the protection of Mehrangarh Fort. It is a wonderful place to stay with some fabulous hotels, the best being Umaid Bhawan, Ajit Bhawan, Ranbanka and Balsamand Lake Palace.
This is an ideal place to enjoy Christmas for friends and families travelling together. There are options for nearby camel safaris or, there is an overnight train to Jaisalmer where you may want to visit to really experience the desert region.
Udaipur
Udaipur is one of the most romantic and picturesque cities in Rajasthan, with beautiful lakes, hills and old palaces. The old bazaars are fantastic for shopping and with the wonderful Lake Pichola and the famous Lake Palace as a backdrop it really is an ideal place to relax and explore over Christmas.
Again, there are many wonderful hotels in Udaipur and we will make our recommendations based upon your requirements.
Chhatra Sagar
Chhatra Sagar is one of the loveliest places to stay in Rajasthan and is located between Jodhpur and Jaipur. Owned by the Nimaj family it is a perfect campsite overlooking an enormous lake with stunning views, where guests can stay in beautifully designed tents, complete with bathrooms. You spend your time under the stars, sitting round the campfire and enjoying home-cooked food using vegetables from the farm.
Horse safaris
An excellent way to see some of the most beautiful parts of Rajasthan is by going off the beaten track and on a horse safari. Going through the villages between Jodhpur and Udaipur, visiting the sites and stopping at some lovely properties at night is a thrilling way to spend your time over Christmas and great fun.
Goa
Should you choose to spend some time on the beach we recommend Goa. Here you will find India’s most spectacular beaches and natural beauty, an unrivalled relaxed atmosphere, lively markets and superb international cuisine. We have a variety of accommodation options available from outstanding hotels to private houses. If exploring the backwaters and the tea plantations is more appealing then Kerala is also a beautiful region to visit.