RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK & UDAIPUR

A visit to India is not complete without spotting the elusive Bengal tigers, an endangered species and one of the most magnificent creatures in all of nature. Bengal tigers are one of the biggest wild cats, each with a unique stripe pattern. One of the best places to spot the tigers, as well as some of India’s unique wildlife, is Ranthambore National Park, just 80 miles from Jaipur. The National Park, once the hunting grounds of Maharajas, is also home to leopards, bears, deer, and 300-plus species of birds.

After experiencing the crowds and dust of Rajasthan, Udaipur feels like a balm for the senses. This magical city of lakes, surrounded by the Aravalli Range, is the ideal locale to end your travels in northern India. Udaipur is also home to the Rajput royal family of Mewar, one of the oldest dynasties in the world. The city is well known for narrow streets, lakeside bathing ghats, slower pace, and Hindu shrines — particularly Jagdish Temple, a local landmark. Udaipur is perhaps Rajasthan’s most romantic city, with photo ops galore, particularly of Lake Pichola and its two natural islands at sunset. The largest of the two, Jag Mandir, was built in the 16th century as a summer pleasure palace by the Maharajas. The smaller, Lake Palace, is now a TAJ luxury hotel. To understand Udaipur, visit the City Palace, a labyrinth of richly decorated courtyards with frescoes and dazzling inlaid mirror work. Before returning home, wander through bazaars selling Rajasthani handicrafts. On your last afternoon, watch a mesmerizing sunset from your cruise on Lake Pichola — your journey’s end.