Jaipur, Rajasthan

Discover Jaipur

Mesmerising Jaipur is the capital city of Rajasthan and makes up one third of the ‘Golden Triangle’ destinations along with Agra and Delhi. Inspiration for the Paul McCartney song ‘Riding into Jaipur’, the bustle and culture of ‘the Pink City’ due to its vibrant pink buildings make it an unforgettable destination.

Step back in time as you visit one of the many historical sites, haggle in the market for beautiful handmade patchwork quilts, or sample locally made sweets.

Things to do in Jaipur

• Amer Fort – The main attraction of Jaipur is the opulent Amer Fort, a series of gates, cobbled paths and ramparts overlooking Maota Lake. Laid out on four levels, this marble and red sandstone construction consists of the Diwan-e-Aam (Hall of Public Audience), Diwan-e-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), Sheesh Mahal (mirror palace) and the Sukh Niwas which benefits from an historic version of air conditioning created by winds blowing over a water cascade. The original structure of the Fort dates back to 967 CE, and it is connected to the nearby Jaigarh Fort by a subterranean passage, used as an escape route in times of war for royal family members.
• Hawa Mahal – Translated as the ‘Palace of Winds’ or ‘Palace of Breezes’, this pyramid-shaped red and pink sandstone palace is located on the edge of the City Palace in Jaipur. The palace was built in 1799 by the Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, and resembles the honeycomb of a beehive thanks to its 953 small windows. This design was intended to allow the women of the royal family to observe everyday life on the street below without being seen, as they were forbidden from appearing in public without wearing face coverings
• City Palace – Constructed around 1727 at the same time as the city of Jaipur was established, the City Palace is an impressive landmark that was once the venue for cultural and religious events and a centre for commerce and industry. As the ceremonial and administrative seat of the Maharaja of Jaipur, the palace was located on the site of a royal hunting lodge, with a designated entrance for the royal family and separate gates for commoners and visitors. The complex contains buildings, courtyards, temples, restaurants, galleries and offices of the City Palace Museum
• Jantar Mantar – The Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is an astronomical observation site and the largest of its kind in India. Built in the 18th century, it includes a set of instruments that assist with star gazing, including the world’s largest stone sundial, measuring the time of day correctly to half a second
• Tuk -Tuk ride around the busy streets and markets
• Bargain hunting in one of the numerous market stalls
• Try your hand at pottery using a potter’s wheel to create a wonderful handmade souvenir.

The best way to see Jaipur

If you would like to visit Jaipur, why not take a look at one of our wonderful ATOL and ABTA protected holidays?  Please remember all our private tours are designed to meet your exact requirements, and the tours mentioned are just examples to help inspire you. Contact our travel experts on 01792 315499 or email info@aitholidays.com for more information.