From Childhood Memories to New Adventures: Sushila’s Rajasthan Family Trip Review with Thrillophilia
Hi! I’m Sushila. Growing up, family trips were something I always looked forward to, but as the years went by, life got busier with exams, work, and fewer holidays, and those trips became rare.
Now that I’m an adult, I decided it was time to flip the script and take my parents on a trip. With the help of Nitinji from Thrillophilia, I planned an incredible journey to Rajasthan, the Land of Kings, and finally got to give my parents an unforgettable experience.
The Iconic City Tours
With so much to see in both Jaipur and Jodhpur, we knew a single trip wouldn’t do justice to all the attractions. So, we booked city tours to capture the essence of these royal cities, giving us just enough time to experience the highlights without rushing.
Dad was like a kid as soon as we stepped into Amber Palace in Jaipur. “Can you imagine living here?” he said, looking up at the grand walls. “I’d probably get lost on my way to dinner.” I laughed, but he wasn’t wrong- the palace was massive.
Jaigarh Fort, with its enormous cannons, was the next stop, and Dad’s inner history buff was in heaven. “Just imagine firing one of these things,” he said, clearly lost in his thoughts. Meanwhile, Hawa Mahal's beautiful lattice windows caught his eye, and he couldn’t stop snapping pictures.
Mom, on the other hand, was in her element at the Govind Dev Ji Temple. “It’s so peaceful here,” she whispered, closing her eyes for a moment of calm. But her true joy came when we hit the bustling markets. “Look at these scarves!” she squealed, bargaining like a pro. She made sure to drag us through every lane, picking out small treasures while Dad and I trailed behind with amused smiles.
And, Jodhpur was no less exciting. Our visit to Mehrangarh Fort was incredible, and Dad couldn’t get enough of its sweeping views. But the fun really started when we explored the market outside the fort.
Mom was munching on some snacks she had bought when suddenly, out of nowhere, a monkey swooped in and snatched the packet right from her hands. Her startled scream had us all in stitches, and from that moment on, Dad didn’t let her forget it. Every little noise, every movement in the trees, was “another monkey,” according to him, keeping Mom on her toes. Despite the mischief, Jodhpur’s charm, coupled with the laughter, made the day truly unforgettable.
In the Aravallis
Udaipur felt like a peaceful escape, so different from the bustling cities we had visited. Honestly, I think it became my favourite stop on the trip.
The City Palace was grand but in a more laid-back way compared to Jaipur’s forts. We wandered through the halls, taking in the beautiful architecture, but the highlight for all of us was the sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola.
As the sun dipped behind the Aravallis, the entire lake seemed to glow. Mom sat back, closing her eyes to soak it all in, while Dad quietly admired the scene. “This is what a vacation should feel like,” he murmured, and I couldn’t have agreed more. It was serene, calming, and such a welcome contrast from the rich, busy feel of Jaipur.
Mount Abu, on the other hand, was like stepping into a chilly hill station, a complete shift from the warmth of Rajasthan’s deserts. We could hardly believe we were still in the same state!
Achalgarh Fort was our first stop, and while the fort was impressive, it was Guru Shikhar, the highest point in Rajasthan, that truly amazed us. The air was crisp, and the views from the top were simply breathtaking. “You could spend hours up here,” Dad said, looking out over the landscape. It felt like we had left Rajasthan entirely and entered a new world, filled with hills and cool breezes.
This change of scenery, from palaces to peaceful hilltops, made the journey even more unforgettable.
Into the Golden Desert’s Charm
Jaisalmer was definitely the highlight of our trip, no doubt about it. We spent two days in this golden city, soaking in its charm and rich history.
On our first day, we started with sightseeing, visiting Gadisar Lake and the incredible havelis- Patwon ki Haveli, Nathmal ki Haveli, and Salim Singh ki Haveli. The intricate carvings and filigree work on these ancient buildings left us in awe. "How did they even do this back in the 12th century?" I remember Dad saying, totally mesmerised by the craftsmanship.
But the real adventure started on our second day when we headed to the Sam Sand Dunes. As we checked into our desert camp, our excitement kicked in. The vast stretches of sand under the golden sun were like nothing we’d ever seen.
We got ready for some dune bashing, and wow- what a thrill! "Hold on tight!" the driver yelled as we sped over the dunes, and all we could do was scream and laugh as the sand flew around us.
After the adrenaline rush, we slowed things down with a camel ride at sunset. Watching the fiery sun dip behind the dunes was pure magic. "This is unreal," I thought as we soaked it all in. Our day ended with a traditional Rajasthani folk performance around a bonfire, where we ate an authentic meal under the starry sky.
As the flames flickered in the darkness, we gathered around the bonfire, our hearts full of warmth and joy. “This has been such a magical adventure,” I said, glancing at my parents.
“It really has,” my dad replied, nodding in agreement. “ Rajasthan is just fantastic.”
My mom smiled at me. “We’re so proud of you, Sushila. You embraced everything with such enthusiasm!”
With laughter and stories filling the night air, I knew these memories would stay with us forever. What a perfect way to wrap up our Rajasthan journey!
Read More: Thrillophilia Rajasthan Reviews