Exploring the Royal Charm: Nilesh's Thrillophilia Review of a Trip to Rajasthan
After weeks of juggling between a variety of destinations for a family vacation, Rajasthan won the vote. We were all drawn to its rich history, massive forts, and peaceful lakes. The promise of adventure, culture, and royal vibes had us hooked. A quick online search led us to Thrillophilia, and after checking out hundreds of fantastic reviews and their customized itineraries, we knew they were the right choice. With a perfect plan in hand, and our bags packed, we couldn’t wait to dive into this royal escape!
Jaipur’s Timeless Charm
The first day of the trip led us into exploring the rich history of Jaipur. Our first stop was Albert Hall. It was amazing to see the pigeons fluttering around as we tried to capture some cool photos.
Next, we made our way to the iconic Hawa Mahal. I had seen so many pictures of it before, but seeing it in person was something else. We stood there for a few moments, just taking it all in, and then I noticed how much my girl loved its architectural design. She couldn’t stop pointing out the little details. It was like she had a new perspective on how history could be so beautifully captured in architecture.
After Hawa Mahal, we went to Jantar Mantar. The sundial over there is the biggest one in the world, and I couldn’t help but wonder about how they built such precise instruments hundreds of years ago. The kids were amazed too - especially at how accurately they could tell the time using those ancient instruments. I asked my daughter, “Can you imagine trying to use that in the old days?” and she chuckled, “I’d probably be late every time!”
By the time we reached the City Palace, it was a bit of a blur. We had seen so much already, but this was different - it felt royal. It was amazing to imagine how life must have been for the family that once lived there. We ended the day by visiting the Govind Dev Ji Temple. The temple had such a peaceful vibe, and we spent some time just soaking in the calmness before heading back to the hotel. It was a perfect start to our Rajasthan adventure.
Fortresses, Cannon, and City Views
The next day was packed with even more sightseeing. Our first stop was the Amer Fort, its sheer scale was overwhelming, and climbing up to the entrance on the elephant ride added a whole new level of excitement. We walked around the fort, checking out the old halls, the beautiful architecture, and even the views of the surrounding landscape. I remember turning to my wife and saying, “I bet they’ve seen a lot of battles fought here.” She just nodded, completely lost in the history around us.
After Amer Fort, we headed to the Jaigarh Fort. It was quite a hike, but it was a small price to pay for witnessing the world’s largest cannon. The kids were fascinated by the size of it and, naturally, we took a ton of photos.
Then came Nahargarh Fort, and the view from there was just splendid. The entire city of Jaipur unfolded before us, and I overheard my son telling my wife, “I can see everything from here! I can almost spot our hotel!”
But the day wasn’t over yet! We made a quick stop at the Jal Mahal, which looked beautiful against the backdrop of the water. I think the kids enjoyed this the most because they loved the idea of taking pictures in traditional attire. Later, we visited the Birla Temple, a stunning structure made entirely of white marble. It was quiet and carried a peaceful and spiritual ambience. The detailed carvings of the temple left us all in awe.
Lakes, Forts, and Timeless Beauty
The following day, we hit the road for Udaipur. En route, we stopped at Nathdwara to see the Tallest Shiva Statue. It was impressive, and I remember thinking how surreal it was to stand in front of something that grand. We then continued to Eklingji Temple, where the peaceful atmosphere gave us a much-needed break before arriving in Udaipur.
Udaipur was very different from Jaipur. The moment we stepped out, the calmness of the lakes made it feel like we had entered a different world. We started by visiting Gulab Bagh, and it was like stepping into a secret garden with roses everywhere. We even stopped by Lake Pichola for a view of Jagmandir.
The City Palace was grand, but the Crystal Gallery was a real surprise. The size of the collection and the fact that it was the largest private collection of crystals in the world had us all impressed. In the evening, we took a boat ride on Lake Pichola, and it was the perfect way to see the city as the sun set.
After Udaipur, we travelled to Jodhpur, where we got a chance to explore Mehrangarh Fort. We wandered the fort for hours, feeling like we had traveled back in time, before heading to the stunning marble monument of Jaswant Thada.
Our final stop was Jaisalmer.
It was a long drive, but well worth it. The Jaisalmer Fort, with its golden walls, was like something out of a dream. The kids were fascinated by the idea that people still lived inside the fort. We ended the day by exploring the streets before heading back to the hotel. It had been a long but fulfilling day, and as I thought about everything we had done so far, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the experience in Rajasthan.
The trip was incredibly well-planned, with each day offering something new and exciting for our family. The hotels we stayed in were of excellent standards, providing comfort and convenience after our long days of sightseeing. However, as the name of the package promised, we were a bit disappointed that we didn’t get the free Lakeview Dinner as expected. Despite this small hiccup, the overall experience was fantastic, and it didn’t take away from the amazing memories we made exploring Rajasthan.
Read More: Thrillophilia Rajasthan Reviews