These Palaces Have Room for Tourists

Getting there: There are no direct flights between Los Angeles and New Delhi, but there are flights available with carriers requiring one plane change: Pan Am via New York; British Airways via London; Singapore Airlines via Singapore, and Japan Air Lines via Tokyo. Airlines flying out of LAX and connecting with other airlines include TWA, Northwest Orient, Lufthansa and KLM.

Indian Airlines flies between Jodhpur, Jaipur and Udaipur. Fares range from $28 to $56, depending on the routing. Inclusive air packages are available from Indian Airlines, including 21 days of unlimited travel for $400 and 14 days’ travel for $300.

Where to stay: Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur. Telephone: 011-91-291-22516. Single rooms start at $58 per night, double rooms at $70. Suites run as high as $155. Reservations: Call The Welcome Group at (212) 545-2222.

Rambagh Palace Hotel, Bhawani Singh Road, Jaipur. Call 011-91-141-75141. Singles start at $67 per night, doubles at $73. Suites begin at $112 and escalate to $426.

Lake Palace Hotel, Pichola Lake, Udaipur. Call 011-91-294-232415. Single rooms start at $61 per night, doubles at $67. Suites range from $134 to $365.

For reservations for Rambagh Palace or Lake Palace, call the Taj Group of Hotels at (800) 458-8825 or (212) 972-6830.

Visas: Americans need a visa to travel in India. A triple-entry visa costs $15 and is valid for 90 days.

Health: There are no vaccination requirements for Americans traveling to India, but vaccinations against cholera, polio, tetanus and typhoid are advisable. Malaria tablets should also be taken. Sanitation has improved in most Indian cities, but it is still advisable to drink bottled water and avoid uncooked foods.

When to go: Rajasthan is a desert state, hot and dry most of the year. November through February is the most pleasant season. Summer--from late March to mid-June--is extremely hot. The monsoon season, from June to September, is a little cooler.

For more information: Contact the Government of India Tourist Office, 3550 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 204, Los Angeles 90010, (213) 380-8855.