This region has some of the country's most popular destinations. In Rajasthan, the desert forts of Jaisalmer and the magnificent sand-dunes evoke all the romance and splendour of its princely past. Gujarat's Jain temples and intricately designed stepwells are architectural marvels, while its natural beauty can be enjoyed on the beaches of Diu.
The landscape in the West varies from the sand-dunes of Rajasthan to the vast salts of the Kutch, to the urban bustle of Bombay and Ahmedabad.
As in the rest of India, most of the people in the tourist industry speak basic English at the very least. Hindi is widely spoken and understood except in remote rural areas.
Rajasthanis speak regional Rajasthani (and its dialects like Marwari, Mewari, Shekhawati, Hadoti etc) as well as Hindi is also widely used for media and education. Maharashtrians speak Marathi, Goans Konkani while people from Gujarat and the union territories speak Gujarati.
Flying in is convenient, and there are many airports in the West. Railway and sea links do exist, but are not recommended for a number of reasons.
By far the most convenient way to enter the west. There are many international airports and Mumbai is the busiest in the country.
International options are terribly limited given the length of the Rajasthan-Sindh border. The ''Thar Express'' connects Jodhpur, Rajasthan to Karachi in the Pakistani province of Sindh. However, the inconvenience and slow speed of the train do not make this a feasible option. You have to get off at the Attari/Wagah border, pass through security, get your visa stamped and change locomotives. Besides, it's an overnight journey and catching a flight to Pakistan from Mumbai or Delhi is a far better option.
[http://www.irctc.co.in Indian Railways] trains connect the West to many important cities in other parts of the country. Mumbai Churchgate, Victoria Terminus, Pune City, Jaipur, Chhatrapati Sahu Maharaj Terminus and Ahmedabad are important junctions. The Delhi-Mumbai ''Rajdhani Express'' is the fastest train to the West, connecting the capital to Mumbai in 18 hours. The Trivandrum Rajdhani also passes through the West and is the fastest way of travelling through some parts of Gujarat.
Cruises from the mediterranean ports can be organized and are generally very expensive, amounting to well over 500 ? one-way. Mumbai is the busiest port in the country. Unless you have a lot of time to spare and a deep pocket, this option is not recommended. There are cheaper boats that ferry passengers from the UAE and Yemen to Mumbai.
Getting around generally isn't a problem, as the transportation network is extensive.
The West is a large region, so you might want to fly long distances. Even within the West, flights may well be over an hour long, the Pune-Ahmedabad flight takes one and a half hours. You have to check in an hour and a half in advance. There are numerous airlines serving the West, for a comprehensive list see India#Get Around. '''Visa Airlines''' flies regional routes and currently serves Pune-Mumbai and Mumbai-Nashik only. The following airports are used for commercial purposes, there are numerous other small airfields that serve as training centers.
There is plenty to see in the West, which makes it a particularly touristy area.
The spectacular forts of Rajasthan were originally unforgiving defensive citadels, but by the mid-16th century luxurious palaces, pleasure pavilions and gardens were added, displaying Mughal-inspired features. In the early 20th century there was another spate of palace building in Rajasthan and Gujarat. As a result of increasing contact with the British Raj, a marked European influence in both architecture and decor is clearly visible in these palaces.
Hill forts such as the ones in Chittorgarh and Jodhpur are the most impregnable examples of Rajasthani forts. The forts at Jaisalmer, on the other hand, lie amidst the sand-dunes of the Thar Desert. Bharatpur's '''Lohagarh''' fort used thick mud walls for protection. The Neemrana fort Palace, now a hotel [http://www.neemranahotels.com/] is another architectural wonder with brilliantly designed balconies and lush green patches.
'''Lalgarh Palace''' in Bikaner was built in 1902 and is a wonderful example of Indo-European architecture. The unique blend of both styles in reflected in the banquet halls and old-fashioned billiard rooms. The '''Wankaner Palace''' is crowned with Italianate pillars and Gothic arches. The cities of Jaipur and Udaipur have the best palaces.
Sariska National Park and Ranthambore National Park are both home to tigers. However, the chances of spotting them are low (especially at Sariska since there are barely a handful left), unless you decide to spend a week or more at these places. The '''Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary''' on the outskirts of Bharatpur is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to over 275 species of migrant birds. Don't expect miles and miles of forest green in these sanctuaries, most of the landscape is dry and slightly rocky scrubland.
Mumbai, Jaipur and Pune house a number of good museums. See the city pages for more information. The '''Prince of Wales Museum''' and the '''National War Museum''' perhaps the most well-known.
You will find some great cuisine groups in the region. Gujarati cuisine is mostly vegetarian, sweet, and makes heavy use of milk products. Gujaratis make some of the best snack items such as the Dhokla and the Muthia. Rajasthani cuisine is similar to Gujarati, but somewhat spicier. Maharashtra and Goa are famous for their seafood.
''Bhang'', a form of cannabis is available at government-recognized shops and is socially accepted in Rajasthan.
[http://www.cafecoffeeday.com Cafe Coffee Day] and [http://www.barista.co.in Barista] have coffee stores in Mumbai, Pune, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Nashik, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur and Surat. Fresh juice is available off the sidewalk for nominal prices, usually Rs 10 a glass.
Unlike the plains, the West has a low crime-rate. Pickpockets are known to operate in Pune and Mumbai. Keep your money, passport and credit card safely in your wallet. The '''National Toll-free Police Helpline''' is '''100'''.
Rajasthan has plenty of persistant touts, just ignore them and walk on. Hotel-scams are not uncommon and booking a room in advance is highly recommended.