Start your Jaipur journey by visiting the magnificent Amber Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fort displays a perfect blend of Hindu and Rajput styles of architecture and houses several palaces, temples and gardens. Take a guided tour to understand the history and significance of each structure. Enjoy an enthralling elephant ride to reach the fort entrance and cherish the stunning views of Maota Lake and Aravalli Hills. Don't miss the mesmerising light and sound show in the evening which narrates the stories of the fort's past.
Proceed to the City Palace, a magnificent palace complex built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. The palace boasts of a fusion of Mughal, Rajput and European architectural styles and houses several courtyards, gardens, museums and galleries. Explore the royal artefacts, armours, paintings and manuscripts in the museums and admire the intricate carvings, paintings and mirror work in the palace. Take a stroll through the beautiful Mubarak Mahal and Chandra Mahal and enjoy the panoramic view of the Pink city from the palace terrace.
Visit the Hawa Mahal, also known as the Palace of Winds, an iconic five-storeyed palace built for the royal women to witness the street festivals while being hidden from public view. Admire the pink sandstone structure with 953 jharokhas (small windows) decorated with intricate latticework and enjoy the cool breeze passing through them. Next, head towards the Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. The observatory houses several instruments for measuring time, predicting eclipses, tracking stars and planets and other celestial observations. A guided tour is recommended to understand the functioning and significance of each instrument.
End your Jaipur trip by visiting the Nahargarh Fort, perched on the Aravalli hills and overlooking the Pink City. The fort served as a defence fortress and later as a summer retreat for the royal family. Enjoy the panoramic view of the city and the sunset from the fort ramparts and explore the Madhavendra Bhawan, a two-storeyed palace within the fort complex. Head back to the city centre and indulge in some authentic Rajasthani shopping at the Bapu and Johari Bazaar. Buy some traditional textiles, handicrafts, jewellery, pottery and paintings as souvenirs of your trip.
Make sure to enjoy some authentic Rajasthani cuisine during your trip. Some popular delicacies include dal bati churma, laal maans, gatte ki sabzi and pyaaz kachori. Also, don't miss the Jaipur Literature Festival in January, the largest free literary festival in Asia, which attracts several renowned authors and speakers from around the world. You can also opt for a hot air balloon ride over Jaipur to enjoy the aerial view of the city and the stunning landscapes.