10 tips for choosing a luxury tour

Planning a luxury trip to Rajasthan? Get our top tips for making sure that everything lives up to your expectations and exacting standards.

1. Don't be fooled by the tags 'luxury' or 'five-star' as these tend to be liberally applied. Try to get some sort of validation of this from reviews or personal recommendations - price is not necessarily an indicator of quality. Be sure of your own definitions of luxury, charming, shabby-chic...and plain shabby.
2. Take a good look at your itinerary and don't be too shy to ask for changes if you're not completely satisfied. Your tour operator should be responsive, helpful and eager to make recommendations and have first-hand experience of each place or hotel.
3. Don't confirm your booking until your itinerary is completely finalised and hotel availability has been checked. Only accept last minute substitutions if you're satisfied that it's of an equal or higher standard.

   
   
4. Check the driving distances (and timings) you'll be covering between locations. For both safety and comfort lots of journeys of four hours or more are not advisable. Even if it means seeing less, opt for shorter drives and more time to soak up the atmosphere.
5. Find out about private dining experiences offered by hotels. As well as great food you can find yourself transported to some very special locations that make the trip more memorable and that are worth spending a little extra on.
6. Don't underestimate the additional costs of activities and meals. Check if these are included in your tour and if not then try to plan in advance as these can rapidly add up to a significant amount.
7. Make sure you've got a good balance of cities and more remote places. Whilst the well-known attractions are impressive, you're likely to be equally taken with the landscapes in rural areas.
8. Depending on your level of English and requirements from your guide, check this in advance as there is nothing worse than spending your two-week holiday with someone who can't communicate with you effectively. If you're a seasoned traveller consider taking just a driver and exploring by yourself.
9. Don't expect to achieve luxury on a tight budget. Prices in Rajasthan are comparable with Europe (especially when you're a tourist) so if you're offered a luxury tour at a bargain price, be prepared for a corresponding drop in quality.
10. Even though there is lots to see, don't forget to maximise your relaxation time. Some hotels have excellent facilities and activities – if you arrive late and leave at the crack of dawn you're likely to miss out on these!