Off-season travel refers to visiting a place during a period, which is not considered the ideal tourist season due to factors such as climate. It is also referred to as off-peak or low season. It is, essentially, the slow period in tourism terms.

Why should you consider off-season travel?

One simple reason: for the best deals. You will get both flight tickets and accommodation at prices way lower than with what you are bound to get for the peak tourist season.

Other reasons: you can travel with more ease due to less crowd even at main tourist attractions. You are likely to get more discounts on souvenir shopping. Opportunities to interact with the locals are likely to be more.

Why should you choose Rajasthan for off-season travel?

Rajasthan one of the best off-season travel destinations in India.

The peak tourist season in Rajasthan is from October to March. This is the most ideal time for foreign tourists who generally have a hard time handling hot Rajasthani summers. Temperatures can be extremely high and reach 50° Celsius or just below it in some regions of the state. Winters in Rajasthan are also brutal especially in the months of December and January. But winter months are bearable for tourists from USA and Europe where cold temperatures can be even more extreme. For most international visitors to Rajasthan, these winter months can be pleasing.

Visiting Rajasthan from May to June (even April at times) is not ideal. But it is quite possible to take advantage of the off-season monsoon travel in the months of July-September.

It doesn’t rain a lot in Rajasthan. There will be hardly any tourists in these months – both domestic and international. And Rajasthan in the monsoons will look and feel different. You can try food or dishes specific to these rainy months. If you can’t or don’t want to travel during winter months or the peak tourist season, book your flights to India during July, August, or September and explore Rajasthan to your heart’s desire.

How to plan your off-season Rajasthan trip?

You can take a flight to Delhi from major destinations around the world. Once you land in Delhi, you can take a train to Jaipur or travel to the city via road. Both modes of transport are excellent. Within a few hours, you will in the beautiful city of Jaipur; the capital of Rajasthan. The roads from Delhi-NCR to Jaipur are in excellent condition and very picturesque too. You can even stop at some villages on the way for authentic travel experience.

If you do not wish to travel to Jaipur (or have already seen it); you can take trains or flights from Delhi to Jodhpur, Udaipur, or Kishangarh and then explore nearby destinations. But Jaipur connects via road to many regional attractions and important towns. So, as per your itinerary, you can plan your travel from Delhi to Rajasthan. You can book cabs from Delhi Airport or pre-book them via your booking partners.

You can also take flights to Ahmedabad and then travel via road to Mount Abu – Rajasthan’s famed hill station.

Here are some of the best places to visit in Rajasthan in any season –

Destinations:

Cities – Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Bikaner, Kota, Ajmer etc.

Smaller towns – Alwar, Bharatpur, Bhilwara, Pali, Sikar, Tonk, Pushkar, Kishangarh etc.

Villages – Chandelao, (Jodhpur), Mandawa (Shekhawati) Ranakpur (Pali), Samode (Jaipur) etc.

Attractions:

Forts – Amer Fort (Jaipur), Kumbhalgarh Fort (Kumbhalgarh), Ranthambore Fort (Sawai Madhopur), Mehrangarh Fort (Jodhpur), Jaisalmer Fort (Jaisalmer) etc.

Palaces – City Palace (Jaipur), Lake Palace (Udaipur), Umaid Bhawan Palace (Jodhpur), Neemrana Fort (Neemrana) etc.

Markets – Johari Bazar (Jaipur), Hathi Pol Bazar (Udaipur), Bapu Bazar (Jaipur), Sadar Bazar (Jaisalmer), Sarafa Bazar (Pushkar), Nai Sarak (Jodhpur), Kote Gate (Bikaner), Pansari Bazar (Jaisalmer), Sojati Gate Market (Jodhpur) etc.

Explorations:

Festivals – Teej and Janmashtami

Crafts – Hand block printing, Bhandej (tie and dye), Blue Pottery, Marble Craft, Quilts, Miniature Painting, Enamel Jewelry, Gemstone Jewelry, Puppetry etc.

Experiences – Puppetry Workshop, Traditional Bazar Shopping, Volunteering at animal shelters etc.

Some Itinerary Ideas –

• Travel to Jaipur and take a day or two to tour the city as per your time and schedule. You can spend time exploring the ‘Walled City’ or sampling local delicacies. Then travel via road to Pushkar (around 145 km away) and spend a day there. Visit the holy lake in the evening and see the puja It is peaceful on the ghats as well as in the town.
• Travel to Jaisalmer and spend a day in town. Explore the Thar Desert and visit the main fort and various havelis Then travel by road to nearby towns and villages to get a glimpse of the places near and around the international border India shares with Pakistan. The Wood Fossil Park is a major attraction in town. Jaisalmer is connected with Delhi and other cites via flights and trains.
• Travel to Udaipur, which is one of the most popular cities to visit in Rajasthan. Visit its lakes, temples, and palaces. Check out the nearby villages and indulge in regional food made by the locals. You can fly directly to the city via Delhi or Mumbai. You can also travel by train to the city via various destinations in Rajasthan as well as from Delhi.

If you are looking for the best destinations for off-season travel in India then look no further than Rajasthan. Off-season travel can be exciting to plan. You are also likely to enjoy it more due to the discounts you are sure to get on flight and hotel bookings. You can book flights to many places in India via Indian Eagle and enjoy your holiday to the maximum.

Off-season travel to Rajasthan can be really worthwhile.

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Rajasthan is often described as colorful in tourist brochures and travel articles. And the description is not without merit.

The red and orange and green and blue hues of the traditional attires form a nice symphony with the golden sand of the Thar Desert. The land is thirsty – wanting more. The satiation is in the form of colors galore – not only in the everyday clothing of the native people but also in the traditional arts and crafts, wall paintings adorning almost every house, the beautiful doors framing the brown or white structures – it is in the very lifestyle of the region.

This vibrancy is one of the reasons tourists from far and wide come to visit Rajasthan. The land itself is inviting even though it is arid and dry. The forts, palaces, sand dunes, markets, and the food are, of course, what is advertised and these are true and tangible. These aspects cohesively make Rajasthan a tourism paradise. But the secluded desert areas, by the border, remain largely untouched by tourists for two main reasons; namely safety and lack of accessibility. But it is all set to change soon.

Rajasthan Border Tourism

Rajasthan is definitely not lacking in either domestic or international tourists. But the government is constantly adding new tourism avenues for both first-time and repeat visitors; which is commendable. As per an update by the state government; some border areas will now be open for tourists. This plan for border tourism has also received the central government’s approval along with a financial support of ₹ 17.67 crore. The Border Security Force (BSF) will closely work with the state government on this venture.

As of now parts of Barmer, Sri Ganganagar, Bikaner, Jaisalmer etc. are places that tourists can visit without concerns. But not all border areas are accessible without permits or proper safety measures.

The main attraction in this new initiative is the development and promotion of Shri Tanot Complex. Tanot is a place some 100 km or so away from Jaisalmer. There is a temple here of a highly-revered lady (born around 752 A.D.) who is considered a goddess incarnate here. So, essentially, the Tanot Mata Temple is quite famous with the locals. The BSF jawans also come to the temple to pay their respects. There are other attractions nearby such as the Kishangarh Fort and Longewala (the town most famous for the 1971 Indo-Pak War).

As per the proposed plan; there will be an amphitheater and cafeteria for the tourists. Children will have a dedicated area for various activities. Solar power will light up the streets. An enhanced surveillance system for the area is also in the works. BSF will organize activities for tourists such as documentary screenings, photo and weapon exhibitions etc. The operations and the subsequent maintenance of the tourist attractions in this initiative will be the under the BSF.

The Appeal of the Rajasthan Border

The Rajasthan border in the proposed plan is a big deal. The state of Rajasthan shares a long (international) border with Pakistan. This volatile region is what most people see in the movies. For natives, of course, this is their home ground; a part of their everyday lives. Fathoming it is beyond those who do not face the daily adverse conditions of the inhabitants.

Life on the borders; especially in the conflict regions, is difficult. A glimpse into it may offer more insight about what the civilians go through each day and about the perilous lives of the Indian soldiers on the borders. So, Rajasthan Border Tourism is actually quite significant for these reasons.

Is Rajasthan Border Tourism a good idea? Well, only time will tell. But if the plan is executed well; this is certainly a novel idea. And with BSF at the helm of the project along with other stakeholders; it is likely that this idea will soon bear fruit and the region will receive the impetus it deserves. It will, perhaps, also add a new bright hue to Rajasthan tourism.

If you are keen to visit Rajasthan, you can take flights to any major city in India and then fly or travel by road or train to various destinations in Rajasthan. The easiest way is to choose airlines that fly to Delhi Airport and then travel to Rajasthan by train or bus. You can also take a flight to Jaipur Airport or others in the state. It is best to travel to the border areas by bus or train to experience local landscapes and regional life as closely as possible. You can book flights to India via Indian Eagle easily.

What is Border Tourism?

Tourism activities or attractions planned around the border area/s is termed as border tourism. It is not a new concept in India (or internationally). Several regions around Leh are being developed for border tourism. Banaskantha district in north Gujarat was added to India’s border tourism destination list in April 2022. Wagah Border, perhaps, is the most famous border tourism place in India; where tourists go in large numbers to witness the Retreat Ceremony. This is one of the borders (the Wagah-Attari Border) India shares with Pakistan and tourists have to first go to Amritsar in order to visit it.

Also Read: Sightseeing Places to visit in Gujarat during winters

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