8 best offbeat experiences and things in Rajasthan

Rajasthan has nothing but forts, lakes, shopping lists, heritage sites, bird-watching sessions, and the Shekhawati Havelis. Her experience founder Sanchi Aggarwal and other team members have done several expeditions on the outskirts of Rajasthan. We are providing here the top 8 offbeat experiences of Rajasthan based on our team experience.

Take the leopard trail at Village Bera, Rajasthan

 

The village of Bera, at some 150 km from Udaipur, looks like any other village of rural Rajasthan. Women carrying water pots for miles, turbaned men, mud houses, kids scampering around the village streets in the dust, and the high and hot Sun. At least in the summers. But, when you look closer, like literally, you might see some strange movement near the bushes, some way off from the main streets. Zoom in and yes, there that’s a leopard. You would even see leopard cubs in the jungles around. And no, you don’t need to be lucky to spot a leopard at Bera, as the area is teeming with the species.

Visit the Sambhar Salt Lake, Sambhar, Rajasthan

If you thought that the Rann of Kutch is the only place in India you can watch salt marshes at, this one is for you. India’s largest inland saltwater lake, it’s a must-visit if you’re looking for a differential experience in Rajasthan. Surrounded by the Aravalli from all sides, Sambar Lake is a brilliant place to watch the setting Sun.

Go on a dessert trail in Rajasthan

       

  

Rajasthan has a lot more delights for the foodie in you. More so, if you take pride in satiating your sweet tooth. Much to your delight (and mine too), Rajasthan offers an entire route for dessert lovers. Choose where to start from the very famous laddoos of Jaipur and Jodhpur, Pushkar’s malpuas, Jaipur’s mishri mawa and ghevar, Ajmer’s sohan halwa, Udaipur’s dil jaani, Bikaner’s rasgullas to jalebis that can be found in even the tiniest villages of Rajasthan.

Explore Kudhara, the cursed village of Rajasthan

 

Kuldhara, a heritage site, lies at some 15 km west of Jaisalmer. Deserted by the villagers in the middle of the night in the year 1825, Kuldhara wears an air of creepy isolation. As the tales say, residents of the 83 neighboring villages disappeared the same night. Going by the legends, the happy lives of Kuldhara villagers was marred by the cunning local ruler, who wanted to marry the daughter of one of the village chiefs. Thus, the villagers deserted the area one night, cursing the ruler, and leaving only the remains of human settlements here. With some luck, you would find somebody at Kuldhara to recount the tale again.

 

  Discover the rural Udaipur

 

If the old city of Udaipur, with its open drains and explosion of “hello madam” touts, is as big a turn off for you, escape to mountain ridge homestay nestled on a forested hill away from the city. Lovingly and tastefully built by Piers and his team, this is your gateway to rural Udaipur, its stunning mountain vistas, and quaint tribal villages. You won’t see the city with the same lens again. Last I heard, Piers is leaving Udaipur for Nepal in the next few months and the management of Mountain Ridge will pass over to a Delhi-based family. So go before it’s too late!

    Drink Opium with the Rabari tribe

 

Believe it or not, villages of the Rabari people have a tradition whereby shepherds gather at the village elder’s house every morning, for an opium drinking ceremony. The drug is illegal, but everyone turns a blind eye to its consumption in these parts, where the men proudly claim they are addicted and that it makes them work faster. So if you show up at 7:00 AM for their gathering, you’ll see bearded men in red turbans drink opium from the village elder’s hand! You know you have to try some for yourself.

 

 Catch the sunset on the salt pans

 

In the Phalodi district of Rajasthan, panoramic salt lakes make for stunning vistas under the evening sky. Watch salt workers expertly dig out salt from the shallow lakes, and try your own hand at it. Lounge around with a cup of chai, and marvel at the reflections in the salt lakes. A sunset on these lakes could make anyone feel like a photographer.

 Sleep on the sand dunes

 

My most memorable “Incredible India” moment of 2013 was laying on a mattress near the Lakhmana sand dunes in the Thar Desert, watching the geminid meteor shower in the dark desert sky! We tracked the trajectory of the full moon through the sky, till it set on the other end. We spotted a million shooting stars and geminids. And this was undoubtedly the best bed to wake up in at sunrise.

 

Her expeditions team is organising offbeat trip of Rajasthan in coming month. If you are interested, fill the below form to register.