This week Travel Guides spend seven days touring India’s Royal State of Rajasthan.
Arriving in Rajasthan’s capital, Jaipur our guides take an exhilarating journey through The Pink City (Jaipur). Twins Stack and Mel are stupefied when they learn locals worship cows – for them this is inconceivable.
Our guides are treated to a royal welcoming ceremony at the Taj Rambagh Palace. This jewel of Jaipur has played gracious host to many illustrious guests, including Prince Charles, Diana and Jackie O, once home to the Maharaja (King) of Jaipur – even natives Deepesh and Sage are spellbound by this architectural masterpiece with its elegance personified.
In the evening the guides trawl through the crowded food markets for some authentic street grub. The Target Boys discover Rajasthani dishes are rich and spicy, they entertain the locals with their King Kong attempts trying the eye-wateringly hot delicacies.
Our guides leave the hustle and bustle behind and head 6 hours west, arriving in Bishnoi village. Imagine their shock when they’re asked to participate in what’s introduced as an opium tasting ceremony.
On the fringe of the great Thar Desert is Jodhpur – the Blue City. Amazed by its beauty, our guides check in to one of the world’s best and most opulent hotels – the Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace, which is still home to the local King and a famously extravagant celebrity wedding hot spot.
From there it’s a chaotic tuk-tuk ride downtown to a local favourite, the Sardar market. This market sells more than just fruit and veg. Cathy and Victoria Fren soak up the vibe and celebrate with a spiritual henna tattoo, startled by what wanders by.
On their last day in India our Travel Guides get a farewell dose of the royal treatment at the palace. But will regal Rajasthan get the thumbs up?
9pm Tuesday on Nine.
