Known For : Jaisalmer Fort Desert Safari in Jaisalmer Gadisar Lake
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Rann of Kutch Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary Dholavira
Virtually an island that resembles the shape of a tortoise, Kutch is an erstwhile princely state of India holding onto its grandeur nature from the past. Known as the white desert of India, vast expanses of white salt desert in the Rann of Kutch area is an amazing to witness.
Best Time: July to March
Known For : Junagarh Fort Karni Mata Temple Gajner Palace
Located in the midst of the largest desert in India, the Thar, Bikaner is a "cultural paradise and a traveller's haven". The city will mesmerize you with the camels sauntering its beautiful sand dunes and captivate you with its ancient palaces and forts. Rightly called as one of the three great desert kingdoms of Rajasthan, the dazzling city boasts of old-world charm, opulent havelis and depicts a pleasing bygone era of the Rajputs. Best known as the "camel country" for breeding some best-known riding camels, Bikaner also happens to house one of the only two models of the biplane used by the British in World War 1.
Best Time: October to March
Filled with vibrant colours, rich heritage, and warm hospitality, Barmer is India's fifth largest district that represents the true reflection of Rajasthan. The historic town of the 13th Century is rooted in its flamboyant culture and is the perfect place to visit the wide expanses of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan. The town is also home to the majestic Barmer Fort and the ancient temples. A visit to Barmer gets more enjoyable than ever if you get to be a part of the Barmer festival which takes place during March. The small mud houses with their walls adorned with folk motifs and colourfully dressed people all together on the sandy lands give you a peek into Rajasthani living.
Known For : Mehrangarh Fort Umaid Bhawan Palace Camel Safari
Also, known as the "Gateway to Thar", it is famous for its Mehrangarh fort, blue houses, temples, sweets and snacks. Apart from the fort, there are multiple temples, lakes, shopping streets that are like a mirage from a bygone era. Jodhpur allows you to spend your day trekking on the glades of the rocky mountains and get adventurous in this desert in India
Best Time: November to February
Known For : Pangong Lake Khardung La Nubra Valley
A land like no other with a superabundance of attractions to visit and phantasmagoric and fabulous landscapes, amazing people and culture, Ladakh is truly a heaven on Earth. Ladakh is one of the cold deserts in India with long stretches of icy glaciers and extremely low temperatures.
Best Time: Jun to Sep
Known For : Chandratal Lake Key Monastery Kunzum Pass
Long winding roads and picturesque valleys presenting glimpses of cold deserts and snow-crowned mountains, with intermittent greenery and picture-perfect villages welcome you when you set foot into Spiti Valley. Bordered on all sides by the Himalayas, Spiti Valley, located in Himachal Pradesh, has an altitude of 12,500 feet above sea level, and gets around 250 days of sunshine in the year, making it one of the coldest places in the country. With the thick Himalayan snow cutting Spiti off from the rest of the country for around 6 months a year, the summer months are the only time Spiti is directly accessible via motorway.
Best Time: Mid May to Mid Oct
Known For : Chittorgarh Fort Padmini Palace Kalika Mata Temple
A depository of ancient monuments, an extremely rich heritage, and an immortal folklore boasting of its majestic glory, every building in Chittorgarh still reverberates with the history of its sacrifice and heroism. The capital of the erstwhile kingdom of Mewar, Chittorgarh is a land of forts, citadels, ruins, and evergreen stories. Situated in the South Eastern corner of Rajasthan, Chittorgarh stands at the helm of Chattari Rajput pride, and is remembered in the pages of history for its glorious battles, especially the siege of Alauddin Khilji. Once known for its grandeur and opulence, today, Chittorgarh has left its tales of bravery and betrayal far behind to catch up to commercialization, but those stories of splendour and magnificence will never be forgotten.
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Kumbhalgarh Fort Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary Badal Mahal, Kumbhalgarh
Famous for its gigantic snake-like fortress, Kumbalgarh town is yet another feather in Rajasthan’s royal cap. The historic town is renowned for its majestic monuments, extravagant palaces, an array of temples and flamboyant chattris. The Kumbhalgarh fort is the second most important fort of Rajasthan and is a truly magnificent sight. The charming location of the fort at the foothills of pebbly Aravalli hills increases the overall appeal of the place and giving it a stunning topography for a desert in India.
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Taragarh Fort Moti Mahal, Bundi Badal Mahal, Bundi
A princely state for a princely stay, in the northwest of India, lies the district of Bundi, in the Hadoti region of the royal state of Rajasthan. In ancient times, the area around Bundi was apparently inhabited by various local tribes.
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Pushkar Lake Brahma Temple Savitri Temple
Pushkar, the city often referred to as the ‘rose garden of Rajasthan’ is a city of culture and intellect. Nothing can describe this iconic city better than a sought-after destination that provides the essence of Pushkar roses, the charm of culturally vibrant atmosphere and the dynamic festivities make it one hot cultural spot. The west wind of Pushkar gives an easygoing vibe of Westwood lifestyle in the hot sandstone town. The home of the only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma in the world, it is one of the ultimate pilgrimages for Hindus to attain divine spiritual bliss. A place of holy spirit for Hindus, ample ghats are flooded with devotees, closing eyes in the serenity of chants coming from temples around. A soothing and calm place with the glitter of spirituality makes Pushkar a must visit.
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Ajmer Sharif Dargah Ana Sagar Lake Adhai Din ka Jhopra
Surrounded by Aravali ranges, the city of Ajmer is most famous for its Dargah Sharif of saint Muin-ud-din Chishti. Firmly bound by its traditions and culture, Ajmer has a unique charm which lies in the ethos and craftsmanship practised over centuries. Visit Ajmer to witness the exquisite Mughal architecture set in an aura of peace and spirituality.
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Sand Dune Village Khimsar Fort The Village
Famous for the Nagaur Festival, Khimsar is a small village in the state of Rajasthan, Ideal for a relaxed weekend getaway in the winters. Perched on the edge of the Thar Desert in India, Khimsar is famous for its golden sand dunes and its magnificent fort Khimsar Fort. Camel safaris on the sand dunes, leisure activities like campfires, folk dance and songs take place at night for the visitors.
Best Time: November to February
Known For : Bactrian Camel Safari Panamik Hot Springs Yarab Tso, Sumur
This masterpiece of God's own creation lies on the Silk route, in the paradisiacal of Jammu and Kashmir at a distance of around 140 Km from Leh. The valley is embellished with Shyok and Nubra river snaking through it and some beautiful monasteries colored with rich shades of golden, red and others.
Best Time: June to September
While the largest desert in India is the Thar Desert, it covers almost the entire state of Rajasthan making it a formidable area to explore. If you are not one of the desert heat, visit the cold deserts of India in the northern Himalayan district of Ladakh. Whichever way you plan to go, be prepared for the most extreme of climates in these Indian deserts.