Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan, India’s largest state, was built by Sawaji Jai SIngh in the 18th century. Located 268 Km away from New Delhi, it is a major tourist destination that forms an important part of the famous Golden Triangle tourist circuit.
The chaotic, colourful streets of Jaipur present a recurrent pattern of new and old. The city, encircled by besieged walls and rugged hills, is full of well-preserved historical buildings and royal heritage. It forms a part of the Golden Triangle Tourist Circuit, with its wide roads dotted with majestic statues and its impressive palaces.
The City Palace is an iconic landmark that lies at the heart of the city, still housing the royal family. The Jantar Mantar is another famous attraction, with its vast collection of ancient astronomical instruments. While here, prepare to get bedazzled by the architectural brilliance of the Hawa Mahal and the grandeur of Jaipur’s star attraction, the Amber Fort.
On the outskirts of Jaipur lies the Aravalli hills, which presents ample trekking opportunities at Chouri Ghat and Bhuteshwar Nath. You can also take part in cycling tours and check out some of the seasonal waterfalls around here. Nahargarh and Jhalana provide wildlife photography and jungle safari opportunities. ATV rides and zip-lining are some of the other activities you can try out in Jaipur.
Jaipur has a hot semi-arid climate with hot summers and mild winters that are short lived. The monsoon season runs from July to August, providing yearly precipitation of more than 63 cm. The average temperature here lies around 25.1 degrees Celsius and on rare occasions, it can fall below freezing point in winter.
Nahargarh Fort sits on the Aravalli Hills, offering stunning views of the entire city of Jaipur. Built back in 1734 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, it showcases a blend of Indian and European architecture. Once a royal retreat, the fort is famous for its Madhavendra Bhawan which is adorned with intricate frescoes. With tales of haunted pasts and majestic architecture, it also attracts history buffs. It is the perfect spot to watch the sunset or explore Rajasthan's royal heritage.
Jal Mahal, the Water Palace, is a stunning architectural marvel situated in the midst of Man Sagar Lake in Jaipur. Built in the 18th century, its unique feature is the single exposed story, showcasing exquisite Rajput and Mughal styles. Nestled against the backdrop of the Aravalli hills, the palace offers a tranquil and picturesque setting. Surrounded by water, Jal Mahal creates a mesmerizing reflection during sunrise and sunset, making it a prominent cultural and natural landmark in Rajasthan's Pink City.
In the heart of Jaipur stands the City Palace, a marvel of architecture. Built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in the 18th century, it is a grand complex of courtyards, buildings, and gardens. This palace showcases the royal heritage of Jaipur, blending Rajputana and Mughal architecture.
The Albert Hall Museum in Jaipur, Rajasthan, is a splendid architectural gem, showcasing a diverse collection of artifacts, including paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts. Built-in 1887, it combines Indo-Saracenic and European architectural styles. The museum provides a rich cultural experience, narrating the history and artistry of Rajasthan.
1. Village Jeep Safari: Feel like a real Rajput Maharaja as you explore the local villages near Jaipur on a jeep. Along the way, you will see agriculture farms, occupations, village houses and the rural life of the locals as you visit the local panchayats and schools.
This is a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture, sipping masala tea and gossiping with the villagers about their daily lives. In the villages, you can have a fun time playing tyre rolling and cricket with the kids.
Location: Amer Palace Road, Narsingh Colony, Amer, Jaipur.
Timings: 8 AM to 11 AM and 5 PM to 7 PM.
Price: Rs 1116.
2. Leopard Safari: The Jhalana Leopard Safari Tour is the perfect opportunity to spot cheetahs and leopards in the wild. This place once used to be the hunting ground for the Rajput royals, and now it is a great place to take a safari in the afternoon.
Spanning an area of around 20 square kilometres, the healthy leopard population here ensures you spot one just after entering the reserve. You will ride in an open-air car with a guide accompanying you.
Location: Apex Cir, Malviya Nagar Industrial Area, Malviya Nagar, Jaipur.
Timings: 7.00 AM to 9.30 AM & 3.15 PM to 5.45 PM.
Price: Rs 600.
8. Hot Air Balloon Ride: One of the best things to do in Jaipur for an adventure enthusiast is to ride a hot air balloon over the city. While up in the air, you can see all the major attractions of Jaipur like the Jantar Mahal, City Palace, Jal Mahal, and others. It can be a romantic activity to enjoy with your loved one, and you can click several stunning photographs from a bird's eye point of view.
Location: Delhi-Jaipur Road, Shiv Vilas, Jal Mahal, Amber Fort.
Timings: 6 AM to 4 PM.
Price: Rs 7500.
9. Cycling Tour: An early morning bicycle ride can be a great way to explore the sightseeing destinations around Jaipur. It is advisable to start the tour at dawn when you can cycle along the lazy paths flanked by trees and farms while being accompanied by a guide.
Along the way, you will get to meet people from different backgrounds and make stops every now and then at a tea shop for refreshments. There are also local temples where you can see the locals offering prayers.
Location: Ramganj Chaupar, Brahampuri, MI Road.
Timings: 6:30 am to 9:30 AM.
10. Paintball: If you wish to escape your hectic routine and de-stress while in Jaipur, paintball is indeed a great game to play. You are best off playing this game with your friends, forming teams and shooting each other in some harmless fun.
Flaunt your stylish outfit and challenge your friends while trying to escape being hit. The organisers will provide you with sophisticated German gear and 25-50 paintball pellets. The terrain is pretty exciting and you can take cover and take part in a real-life battle simulation.
Location: Kukas, Jaipur.
Timings: 9:30 am to 5:30 PM.
Price: 510.
11. ATV Ride: This thrilling activity involves riding a quad bike and exploring a forest trail for an action-packed experience. These powerful machines can go up to 570cc and travelling the 2000 metre long circuit is a great way to test your riding skills.
These machines are fully automatic and you can operate them easily without any difficulties whatsoever. The instructor will brief you about the safety instructions first and provide you with safety gear, after which you can start your adventure. Witness majestic sand dunes along the way and get to see some exotic animal species as you ride these mean machines.
Location: Kukas, Jaipur.
Timings: 10 am to 5 PM.
Price: Rs 756.
12. Zip Lining: This thrilling activity involves you being harnessed to a wire, as you slide fast over a terrain. The Aravalli Hills near Jaipur offers the perfect opportunity for this activity.
Here, you can cross the valley and catch some stunning sights while being tied to a rope for about 30 minutes. Since you will be 50 feet above the ground, the instructor will first tell you about the safety guidelines and provide you with a helmet.
Location: Kukas, Jaipur.
Timings: 9:30 am to 5:30 PM.
Price: Rs 510.
13. Bhuteshwar Nath Trek: Apart from its rich cultural heritage and bright colours, Jaipur also offers unparalleled natural sight. You can catch such a sight by trekking to the Bhuteshwar Nath temple for an adventurous as well as a spiritual experience.
After walking through the green trails of the ancient Aravallis, you will reach the temple. The path through the woods is quite exciting and not too difficult for those who are not experienced trekkers. You will receive refreshments and a guide along the way.
Location: Vidyadhar Nagar, Jaipur.
Timings: 24 hours.
Price: Rs 790.
Checkout: Rajasthan Honeymoon Packages
You can explore all the attractions in and around Jaipur in about three days or so. This will give you enough time to cover all the temples, forts, and natural attractions. But if you want a more relaxed tour, then you should increase the number of days to 5.
If you are planning for a corporate outing, then checkout Thrillophilia Mice Tour Packages!
Violent crimes in Jaipur are extremely rare but petty crimes do occur around here. So you should be mindful of your belongings and travel in company whenever possible. Pickpockets roam around the crowded areas of the city and you should avoid these areas if possible. Otherwise locals are friendly and you will not face any issues while exploring the city.
Also Checkout: Rajasthan Budget Tour Packages & Rajasthan Packages Under 10,000
There are endless resorts and hotels in Jaipur, depending on your budget you can choose any but some of the most luxurious and best in quality resorts in Jaipur are listed below:
- The Oberoi Rajvilas: Staying in a Haveli is not only royal but also rewarding when the best name in the hospitality industry is at your service. The Oberoi Raj vilas are sprawled over a land of 32 acres caving a 200year old Shiva temple inside.Yes. Around 20 to 25 KM off Kukus- Charparadi Road from Jaipur, there are several desert campsites which offer tented accommodation in a deserted setting. However, Jaipur is semi deserted land and hence, for a better camping adventure head to Jaisalmer, Jodhpur or Bikaner.
Shopping in Jaipur is an exciting affair since the city is home to unique and traditional items which are sold in many markets of the cities like:
- Tripolia Bazaar: Shop for precious stones & gems, semi-precious stones, and handmade traditional jewelries.This name owes to the rich cultural heritage of Jaipur. Maharaja Ram Singh of Jaipur painted the whole city in Pink to welcome the Prince of Wales and Queen Victoria in 1876 and since then, Jaipur is called as Pink City which is not only the capital of Rajasthan but also the largest city in the state.
The address of Hawa Mahal is Hawa Mahal Rd, Badi Choupad, J.D.A. Market, Kanwar Nagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302002. The fort is open to visitors from 9 AM to 5 PM.
In the evening at 7.30 pm (English) and at 8 pm (Hindi) light show can be enjoyed at Amer Fort.
Amber Fort Elephant safari in Jaipur is one of the fun things you can indulge in. The cost for 2 is INR 900 (approx.) and then entry tickets to the fort can be obtained at INR 25, if you are an Indian national and students can get at INR 10. The camera charges are exclusive.
The region is endowed with ancient ruins and monuments but the large number of Museums in the Jaipur city is a well kept secret of the place.
- The City Palace Museum: It occupies almost one-seventh of the city’s total area and is the most visited museum of Jaipur.