Visiting Rajasthan
Rajasthan's climate reaches the extremes common to desert regions. Temperatures can rise unbearably to over 45°C between May and June, before the heavy skies over central and east Rajasthan break with a fierce monsoon that revitalizes the arid land and fills empty river beds. The fierce summer heat lingers until mid-September or October, when night temperatures drop considerably. The best time to visit is between November and February, when daytime temperatures rarely exceed 30°C; in midwinter, you'll need a shawl or thick jumper if you're outdoors, and a thin sleeping bag for night journeys and hotels that don't provide blankets. Getting around the state is rarely problematic, though there's no avoiding some tedious long hauls. The state-run bus company, RSTDC, has regular services between cities, but since it hiked its prices by fifty percent in 1997, private operators have become a more popular option, offering cheaper fares and greater comfort. For those who don't want to subject themselves to sleepless nights on buses, trains connect all major cities and many smaller towns - always book ahead for night journeys. The most luxurious way to travel in Rajasthan, however, has to be the Palace On Wheels , a rolling five-star hotel that takes in the state's highlights over a week-long whistle-stop tour. Thanks to massive government tax incentives, luxury accommodation is big business in Rajasthan. Cashing in on the kudos of their royal connections, the region's maharajas have ditched their former squeamishness about business to open their family homes as "heritage" or palace hotels . While some have been insensitively converted under the auspices of large chains, others retain their former charm and, by comparison with the cost of five-stars in other parts of the world, offer excellent value for money. At the opposite end of the scale, the state's laudable paying guest scheme , Rajasthan's equivalent of B&B accommodation, provides a great opportunity to get to know an Indian family. Tourist offices across the state keep names and addresses of local families who take part in the scheme, along with details of family members, languages spoken and diet (veg or non-veg). Prices range from Rs150 per night, to around Rs750, depending on the location and levels of comfort offered.
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