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10 Best Things to do in Mauritius

Mauritius is a hidden treasure at the coastline of the Indian Ocean. It has amazing beaches that rank highly on the world map. The beaches are only a tip of the amazing features in the little paradise.

There is a lot to do on the island; once you step in Mauritius, you will witness the different kinds of life. It is full of life and welcoming smiles from the locals.

Here is a selection of the best things to do on the island.




1. Street food

Make sure you have tasted food randomly in the streets of Mauritius. The cuisine styles here are unique; you don’t want to miss any of these because you are rushing to a destination.

Besides the traditional foods, the island is full of immigrants who are represented in foods on the street. From the Chinese to African culture, you will experience the food magic on the Mauritius streets.

2. Go for long drives

In the deep of the island are beaches and villages hidden from most of the population. The meandering roads and the panoramic views characterize this part of Mauritius The only way to get here is to drive for long distances from the Southern coast to the tip at Gris Gris.

You will come across incredible and rugged cliffs on sandy beaches as you explore the countryside.

3. Specialty Teas

It doesn’t matter whether you like tea or not, the Mauritius tea is a treat for the soul. You have to sample the variety and feel like a local. One of the popular plantations is Bois Cheri; you have to stop and view the scenery.

Also, there are incredible restaurants in the area for tasting local food in a breathtaking environment. be sure to stop here at lunchtime.

4. Chamarel village

The route to Chamarel will give you an idea of the destination. You will begin feeling the rugged terrain as you near the waterfalls and gorges. You will be overwhelmed by the photo spots because everywhere you turn to will be incredible.

Visiting the place when the sun is out is the best time; you will experience the red, purple, yellow, and orange effect on the mountains.




5. The Stunning Coastline

It may sound too much but it is the basis of amazing features of Mauritius. It is the best place to waste away on a sunny day. The sand and water have little heavens to offer; be sure to try out kite surfing on the beaches. There are safety scuba gears and professionals for your best diving experience.

6. Try Mauritian Rum

This is ranked as the best beverage on the island. You will attest to this after the first sip. Mauritius has the big sugarcane plantations that cover most of its land, this attributes to the quality and variety of local rum.

There is plenty of choices; anything you pick will be delicious. Be sure to taste of the flavored rum and visit Rhumerie de Chamarel for experience with the best wine.



7. Undersea tour

Don’t worry about your experience with scuba diving, the experts here will ensure you have the best experience even without the lessons. You don’t want to miss the fauna and floral colors of the Indian Ocean.

The coral reefs and tropical fishes also characterize the trip. The oceans have a lot to offer. The guides accompany you to guarantee security.

8. Culture of Potpourri

The mosques, churches, and temples define the language on the island but there are lots of cultures that make Mauritius rich. Besides English as the official language, you will also hear of Hindi and Creole.

If you like hiking, Grand Bassin will be amazing. Be sure to try out the energetic Sega dance and climb up to view the holy Hindu shrine.

9. Black River Gorges National Park

After tasting the street food and experiencing the rich cocktails and local rum, you should explore ore of Mauritius outdoors. The Gorges National Park is the largest nature reserve on the island.

The fauna natural colors and other plants like the pink pigeon characterize this place. The pink plant is rare and is at the brink of extinction; this is probably the only place you will see it. The best view of the islands with respect to peaks, cliffs, gorges, is here. You will view multiple waterfalls as a whole.

10. Visit the crocodile park

La Vanille is renowned for crocodiles; it is the main attraction here. Fauna also offers incredible views but the crocodiles always teal the show. The crocodiles are huge and friendly; of course, there are all safety measures taken to ensure you can view without any risks.

Besides, there are tortoises, monkeys, mongooses, insects, and butterfly collections. You can take your kids with you, there is lots of fun here; you can feed and play with the tortoises. The climax of the visit here is usually at the Hungry Crocodile Restaurant on the treetops that makes everything exciting.



Mauritius is full of fun; you just have to know where to go. Engaging locals from the beginning will give you a good idea of where to explore. The island is naturally beautiful; whether you are here for fun or visiting to relax, the island will not disappoint. It is a hidden paradise on the Indian Ocean.

Read Maldives and Mauritius Visa For Indian Citizens

Read 10 Best things to do in Sri Lanka

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14 Vegetarian Gujarati Dishes

Some people don’t know much about Gurajat, in that wise, they associate it with dhokla, kharkra, in fact, some associate it with drool-worthy Gujarati Thali. But maybe as a result of their ignorance, they do not know that there is more to Gurajat than what they think. Why is because, all the four Gujarat regions namely North Gujarat, Kacch, Surti, and Kathiyawad has its uniqueness to Gurajati cuisine.

Let’s take you through a list of 14 Gujarati food items you can’t afford to miss.

  1. Khaman: also called a sponge snack, khaman is made from freshly ground lentils and chickpea flour, it’s a taste and healthily steamed recipe that has similar qualities with that of its cousin, the popular dhokla. Let’s help you understand how to prepare this delicious delicacy, mix the khaman flour and boil with turmeric, salt, and baking soda to make it light and fluffy in hand. The next thing is to garnish it with mustard seed before cutting it into cubes; you can as well garnish it with some other stuff like coriander leaves, sev, and chopped onions to make it more nourishing. Serving it on an extended green leave is its preferred and traditional way of consuming it. Those in the urban areas serve it in used newspapers in farsan (snack) shops with tangy chutneys and some other several pieces of green chilies.

  2. Thelpa: this meal has its nickname, they refer to it with the following acronym “A snack that every Gurajati swear by” we may not be able to know the main reason it was given that acronym but because every Gurajati loves to go on a journey loves to take it they found an acronym for it. They love to take it when they go for a picnic, foreign trips; in fact, some take it while they are on business trips. Maybe these reasons are why they gave it that acronym. Thelpa is made from various ingredients such as gram flour, whole wheat flour, fresh fenugreek leaves, and spices. Thelpa is usually served pickles or chundo, making it a pleasant meal.

  3. Khandvi: also has an acronym “the delectable Gujarati Naashta” it’s a thin layer of gram flour usually cooked with buttermilk. Makers of this recipe roll it up in pulpy goodness, seasoned with sautéed and spiced with some other great spices to make it delicious for consumption. Depending on the area you find yourself, in a place like Maharashtra they call Khandvi their unique name which is ‘suralychya wadya’ which they find as a popular snack among them.

  4. Undhiyu: for those that are not familiar with it, its acronym is winter delicacy. This meal is the king of all Gurajati dishes, and it’s the main reason why the Gurajatis always await the winter season to come. Its name was derived from the Gurajati word Undhu which means inverted. Undhiyu, the classic gurajati dish is traditionally prepared is with a clay pot making it a special winter delicacy.

  5. Muthiya: nobody has ever said no to this meal. Muthiya is a first cake meal great for breakfast or evening snack. Preparing this great meal is easy; it only requires a few things to do, a mixture of chickpea flour, steamed, pan-fried, bottle gourd and spices is prepared and seasoned. However, in case you choose to skip the pan frying, it automatically turns to a great meal for folks that are conscious of their health.

  6. Handvo: here is the tasty cake that is prepared either traditionally over charcoal or in a modern way with a pressure cooker. For you to prepare this meal, you need to get a battle of lentils and rice prepared and fermented overnight and then baked.

  7. Fafda-Jalebi: this crisp is made largely by a daily soap company ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ulta chashma.’ It is made of wheat flour and eaten preferably when dipped into sugar, dipping it in sugar makes it taste like a match in heaven. If you visit Gujarat, every street in the city is filled with people and makers of this meal either shopping or selling it. If you want to be sure of what we are saying go there on Sundays, you will find a long queue outside particularly in front of farsan shops, not for any other purpose but just to indulge in breakfast of this heavenly duo, sugar, and fafda-jalebi.

  8. Lilva Kachori: it’s a perfect rainy day snack. With any filling of your choice, you can enjoy or take Lilva Kachori the great winter and monsoon tea-time snack as you like. These balls are made of flour, and it’s a very popular delicacy in the western world of India. The special Gurajati dish is patronized and enjoyed as most of the times it is filled with any lilva mixture like pigeon peas, green chilies, coriander and spices that are eventually rolled into balls before being fried.

  9. Sev Tameta nu Shak: it’s a special delicacy made from tomatoes, and it is also one among other nice Gujarati dishes. The sweet, spicy shake with vegetable preparation is an exciting meal. Preparing this dish, you need diced tomatoes and onions sautéed with oil spices before eventually cooked in steam.

  10. Gujarati kadhi: there is no how you can make any of the Gujarati meal complete without the use of Kadhi. Kadhi is a traditional dish made of spiced, sour curd, sweetened with jaggery or sugar and distinctively recognized because of its white color. Its cooling nature makes it an excellent summer dish

  11.  Kichu: this is a soft and gooey snack. It is made from rice flour and commonly found across food stalls in many garba and dandiya venues during Navratri. This dough made from rice flour cooked in steam and seasoned with groundnut oil will give you a gourmet of this simple, wholesome dish.

  12. Gota: the Gujaratis has its acronym as the Gujarati Pakoras. Each state in the Republic of India has its own version of this yummy golden pakodas even as Gurajati is not an exception. This dish originated from a village called Dakor a suburb of Gujarati. This is a traditional Gurajati dish and special delicacy made available during the holidays. Best prepared with an iron kettle or a sweet and tangy chutney made from dates and tamarind.

  13. Mohanthal: its acronym is Janmashtami delicacy; it’s a sign of many Gujarati households. Every homemaker on their own adds their touch to this traditional recipe to make it unique. Made very lovingly during the festival of Janmashtami, is this simple and homely treat for the palate.

  14. Murghanu shaak: this recipe is mainly for all the non-vegetarians out there. This recipe is a slap on the face particularly for those who only think there is non-vegetarian food among all the Gurajati’s recipes. It is prepared with chicken marinated in a mixture of oil, yogurt, and spices cooked in lovely gravy of great ingredients like onions, garlic ginger and so on.

Read21 health benefits of using cinnamon 

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How to pack for a winter vacation ?

Winter is a period of cold, and it is something different compared to the usual weather. If you read travel publications and trawls, you will understand that European winter is unpredictable, with a constant threat of rainfall/snow everywhere you can’t do without your pullover and jackets to warm your body.

Winter Vacation

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Sometimes when you read those publications, you will feel scolded and begin to look for the best advice on how to pack for winter vacation. Don’t worry yourself when it comes to packing things and making special preparations, you only need to do simple stuff like dressing in layers, pack a hat, a glove, and some other little stuff.



To make things easy let me guide you on the easiest and best way on how to pack for a winter vacation. Here are hidden tricks that will help you know where to start if you are dumbfounded.

Guides like this one we are reading will help most travelers find packing tactics simple, straightforward, and useful for some other general vacations.

For every holiday you want to go, you should be sure the basics are essential, what are the basics? Your basics are underwears such as singlet pants and the rest to mention few.



Basic black: black clothes absorb cold, they are chic and lovely to match, and they don’t as dirty as they look. When preparing for a winter vacation particularly Europe, it’s nice to have black pants you will find them easy to pair with a t-shirt for casual outfit or dress in a lovely silk top or sweater for dinner.

Pack boots, not shoes: your best footwear during the winter period is a pair of socks and boots. You should be wondering why boot is recommended and not shoes. 

The reason is that in places like airports a slip-on is easy to take on and off. Boots match virtually everything aside from a shirt and trouser appearance.

Boots are suitable for long hours to walk, and they keep your feet warm dry better than sneakers and or flats. If you plan taking more footwear like sneakers along with you for hiking, then you can wear your boots while traveling so that they (sneakers and boots) will not occupy space in your carry on, otherwise.



Park warm, lightweight socks: boots alone is not capable of keeping your feet warm but with the help of a pair of socks you are good to go.

Pack three or four pairs of light socks as the thick socks will consume a lot of space and make a plan of how to keep them clean as you go.

Warm accessories: accessories helps you change your outfits while traveling and they are generally small and easy to fit in your bag. Accessories are also a great way to add a finishing touch color to an otherwise neutrals-heavy travel wardrobe.

When going on a winter vacation may be in Europe or within America, focus on accessories that can warm you as well. Samples of accessories include hats, gloves, scarves, long socks (for ladies).

A coat: coat is one of the essential packs you must take with you when going for a winter break; a long lightweight parka can make a good fit.

On a sunny day when the weather is around 60 degrees you can wear it over a t-shirt, but once the weather starts to get cold moving towards below 40-degree ass a sweater to give it an extra layer, this is a perfect match in the Mediterranean.

Let’s give some tips on the type of coat that fits your winter vacation. Choose a cloth that can befit the coldest destination of your trip. Choose a waterproof jacket so there won’t be a need for you to get an extra rain jacket.

Go for a long and slightly over-sized coat that can allow you to wear some other layers underneath. If you will be going to a severely cold place like Moscow it is advisable you go for a long down-filled coat that will keep you extra cozy and warm.



Day pack: no matter how you try to make your backpack small for your journey, there is no doubt you will still need a smaller pack for excursions after you arrive.

A day backpack is necessary as it allows you to leave your main bag in the hotel room where you are lodging, and you will be able to travel even lighter on a day pack.

If you are looking to get something small and lightweight but big enough for essentials things for your day outing, a nice pack you will enjoy is Set-out pack-able day-pack.

It’s such a convenient pack that allows you to move around without stress. However, if you are someone who needs to always walk around with his/her personal computer, perhaps you want to work a bit as you go then a day pack is essential.

You don’t need to worry yourself; this short piece will help you know how to go about packing a few things for a winter vacation, and it is all you need to get going.



Remember that you need to travel with enough budgets to cover your expenses so that you can have a hitch-free vacation. Going on trips like this is always interesting; you can’t afford to stop meeting new people, the more you go, the more you meet with new faces every day.

When you are on vacation, you will get to see entirely new things different from what you see usually see. It’s always a pleasant and great experience when you go on a vacation.

( Read    5 Tips on How to Keep Your Home Secure When You Are Abroad  )

Read Tips To Travel During Monsoon Season  

Read Fast or Slow Travel: Which is better?

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6 Tips for Family Road Trips on a Budget

Going on a road trip with your family is more interesting than going by flight. The best budget-friendly road trips start with a car.

Road Trip

Ensure your vehicle is roadworthy and in good repair, so you will not be disappointed, put the tires in good condition for the best gas mileage. But not to worry, our six tips for family road trips is a standard packing list for your road trip on a budget.

If possible get a car: the first thing that can help you enjoy your family on a trip is a car. Put your vehicle in good condition before you embark on your journey so that your ride will not be a thing to worry about when you are supposed to be catching fun with your family.




Pick the right vehicle that is roadworthy if you have more than one in your family most especially the one that has a better gas mileage or has low operating and maintenance cost.

Rent a car: for long journeys that your ride may not be fit for, or you find stressful for your aging ride, you can choose to rent a car. Such ideas can eventually become a money-saving method in the long run; unexpectedly saving you some money.

Sometimes, situations may warrant you rent a ride when the number of family members that want to go on a trip is more than the size of the car. You don’t have any option in situations like this than to rent a car.

With this, you will over time realize that you have saved so much avoiding parking fees and other costs by all piling into a car instead of road tripping in two separate ones.

Stock your ride with plenty of foods: long drives automatically turn kids into bottomless food pits. Stock up enough snacks and drinks so that when kids need to fill up their stomach, you will not always have to stop to get them something to eat, it makes a journey boring.



Make a plan for a hotel stay along with your route: different families make different plans for their hotel stays when going on a journey.

Some map out their favorite hotel far in advance while some would have studied how long they could remain on wheels thereby crash at the first available option when they could not drive anymore.

Whatever decision you have chosen, it is essential you have a plan that will enable you to get a room at the right price. In case you are lost or stranded, you can make use of any available car camping tips.

You can use the red roof (red roof website), it has a feature tagged “Along-a-route” that allows traveler input their journey starting point and final destination and find the nearest hotels available along the way.

In this case, no matter the distance of where you choose to cover, this soft touch loving feature can give you a last minute place to stay while actually on the road or planning months in advance.

Fun and cheap roadside attractions: you cannot just be driving all along without stopping over some places to catch fun before you continue your journey. American high ways and byways have spots filled with exciting road attractions most of which are right for both kids and adults. Particularly for budget travelers, most of these fun-loving places are less expensive while some are free.

Say no to souvenirs: souvenirs are majorly for kids, too much of it cost a lot of money while on a trip not to talk of the ones in our house back home. As you genuinely try to avoid spending money unnecessarily while on a trip, the trip its self is a gift. But when you think of getting some for them, you set their budget, that way you will be able to stick to your budget while you should also try to teach them some financial lessons of how to spend money.

Going on a trip with a budget is necessary and exciting only if you have a fixed budget for the trip. Beware that despite your budget there are cases you may need to spend some unexpected expenses that are why while planning you need to inflate some of the figures of the amount required for the trip or you go with your credit card to avoid disappointments.

However, do not forget to make room for first aid. How do I mean by first aid, although it is not a normal thing for accidents to happen but it is one of those things you need to prepare for, that is why you need first aid preparation so that you can make for an unforeseen occurrence.

Among the first aid gadgets, you might need to take along is a first aid kit containing different kinds of first aid equipment. Also, take with you pain medicine for both kids and adults it helps a lot. You can also go with a disinfectant like iodine antiseptics for wound treatments.

Another useful thing you can take with you is mosquito repellent. Usually, travelers embark on their journey with a mosquito repellent just in case they get to a place they want to pass over the night; mosquito repellent bracelets seem to work so well in situations like this.



Do not forget that entertainment is essential; kids particularly would not love to go on a boring trip, what do I mean in essence is that you should be able to make music available a piece of popular music that will make everybody on-board happy.

Road tripping is one of the best way to enjoy a vacation on a budget. There’s definitely work to be done in the planning process and the planning process  itself is a part which makes the road tripping fun. Next time you hit the road, keep it safe and thrifty.

Read Is Hitchhiking Illegal?

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10 Best Things To Do In Rajasthan



Have you ever been to India but you’re yet to visit Rajasthan? I must let you know you’re missing many exciting features. In case you’re set for a trip to India, then, it is important you visit Rajasthan to explore the enthralling and fascinating attributes of this great state.

Important facts about Rajasthan

Rajasthan is the largest state in India with well over 80 million population and 30 districts. It was founded on 30th March 1949 and located at the Northwestern Region of the Asian country. The people of this great state are well-read; therefore, communicating with them won’t be a problem.

Nicknamed ‘the land of the kings’, Rajasthan is made of numerous palaces and royal families who had ruled the people sometimes in their history. Considering the fact that there are many Palaces and royal families in the state, you would expect many cultural heritages, norms, traditional artifacts, ancient sculptures among many other valuable properties.




In terms of food and drinks, Rajasthan has some attractive, delicious and mouthwatering dishes which you would want to taste over and over again. The Indian state is more than being the largest state in the country, it equally possesses some festivals you must experience; activities you must do and some important places you must visit during your trip to the Asian country.

We have come up with the top 10 things to do while you’re in Rajasthan. See the list below.

* Watch the World Sacred Spirit Festival

As said earlier in this article, Rajasthan’s citizens value the spiritual aspect of human life so much that they engage in an annual sacred spirit festival. The world-class annual sacred spirit festival takes place every February in Nagaur and Jodhpur province of the state. This festival is aimed at protecting their cultural and religious heritage as many religious rites would be made. Mind-captivating music is often played, whirling of Dervishes and untiring dances are some of the most enthralling performances during the festival.

* Visit the Ranthambore National Park

The Ranthambore National Park is located in the Southeastern region of the state. It is a large spacious area where animals and natural creatures are being preserved.

In time past, the Ranthambore park served as the main source of Maharajahs (kings), meaning, Kings and rulers are chosen from people living in this region.  However, Ranthambore is now occupied by a large number of Wild Bengal Tigers. As a tourist, a visit to this National Park will be an unforgettable experience for the rest of your life.

* A Trip to the Amber Fort at sundown

 

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Getting up to this amazing place for sunrise was one of our favorite experiences in India… standing there while the sun slowly rises through the mountains and the wind is blowing through our hair, taking in the incredible view and simply appreciating the moment ✨! Nowadays in all the hustle and bustle of daily life it happens quite easily that you forget to take some time for yourself and to appreciate the moment without thinking about all the chaos around you. Life is short, time is fast, no replay, no rewind, so stop and take your time to to enjoy the moment and feel the place. . ➳ Amer Fort, Jaipur, India 📷 @puneetyadav . #amerfort #amerfortjaipur #amberfort #amberfortjaipur #jaipur #instarajasthan #rajasthan #indiagram #storiesofindia #indiaclicks #travelcouple #travelcouples #travel #couplesthattravel #earthcouples #coupletravel #coupleswhotravel #travelingcouple #travel_photography #photographers_of_india #wanderlust #travel_captures

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As a tourist or a lover of nature, a trip to the Amber Fort is a must as you are destined to view interesting and thrilling pictures. Amber Fort is located in Rajasthan’s largest city, Jaipur, and it comprises of huge buildings which are architecturally designed mainly for tourism purposes.

These houses are made of Hindu decorative materials and royal Mughal costumes which give them a befitting, eye-catching and wondrous look. It’s not enough to read about these Amber Fort buildings, go take a clear look at it and see the wonderful features yourself.



* Take a visit to Hawa Mahal

Hawa Mahal is a collection of great gigantic buildings with extraordinary features such as its hue, uncountable ornaments, and eye-catching artworks among others. Though these buildings have been in existence since the 18th century, they are still relevant and very attractive like a newly-built mansion.

* Have your dinner at Sheesh Mahal

Your trip to Rajasthan would be incomplete until you treat yourself to a dinner at the Sheesh Mahal restaurant which is situated at the Opulent Leela Palace Hotel in Udaipur. The highly-rated restaurant sells a wide range of dishes to choose from, depending on your taste. You should go for Indian traditional meals which are rich in creamy curries, meats, regal among other recipes.

Sitting at the restaurant’s balcony gives you the opportunity to view every activity taking place in Lake Pichola. Sheesh Mahal is one of the best places to be in Rajasthan.

* Take a camel ride in the Thar Desert

 

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Find your golden glow and never let it go

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Merely looking at the Thar Desert, you will take it for a Sahara. However, a closer look will give you a clearer picture of what it is. It is a wide acre of land, hence, it’s important you ride on a camel to see every intriguing feature of the hot but beautiful Thar Desert.

* Take a Maharajas Express Train

 

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During your stay in Rajasthan, endeavor to take a train from the Maharajas Express and see how luxurious and comfortable a journey could be. Their train is very easy to book and it comes at a very affordable price.

Apart from its affordability, you tend to enjoy your journey because every Maharajas’ train possesses unrivaled features such as air-conditioning, full beds, healthy toilets and much more.

Maharajas Express ride is mainly for luxury traveler who would love to experience the finer things in life. The express fares can be quite costly for a normal traveler. ( Maharajas Express Fares Chart )



* Visit Taj Hotel and view Taj Lake Palace

Taj hotel is located at the heart of Lake Pichola in Udaipur, meaning you can only get there by boat. This hotel is mainly created for royalties (prince and princess) in 1946, but as time goes on, it became a commercial hotel for both guests and princes.

It affords you the chance to view the Taj Lake Palace and it equally helps you to relax your nerves as you enjoy your trip to Rajasthan.

* Explore the Mehrangarh Fort

Mehrangarh Fort is a group of tall buildings painted in bold blue color. It contains some breathtaking attributes you can’t afford to miss.

* Experience the Pushkar Camel Fair

Why not end your trip to Rajasthan by seeing how a bejeweled camel competes with its peers at the Pushkar Camel fair. This activity is only done once a year and it occurs in November. This is a form of competition for camels whereby the most beautiful ones are chosen at the end of the contest. It sounds crazy, right? You can’t afford to miss this fun-filled experience.




I’m sure you can’t wait to book a flight to Rajasthan so as to explore all of the things we’ve talked about. However, don’t forget to take your camera along because it will be very useful throughout your journey to the Indian largest state.

Read Best time to visit Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, and Udaipur