A perfect blend of old world charm and contemporary vibrancy, Jaipur is a demanding location yet so captivating!
If you’re visiting Jaipur anytime soon, you might have already decided to check out the forts and palaces but there are so many other things to do in the city than just the normal touristy activities!
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Day 1
Begin your day early- visit the protective walls built around the city!
There are seven massive gates in this wall at strategic points- one faces the east side where the sun rises and is appropriately called ‘Suraj Pol’ which translates to the ‘Sun Door’.
Descending down, you will reach a natural spring called ‘Galtaji’. The water from the sprout collects in a deep tank constructed by the Lords of Jaipur and it is strongly recommended to take a dip in the fresh waters to experience a memorable start to your day.
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Then focus the morning on the grand City Palace of the Pink City, which is still the official residence of the Maharajah of Jaipur. The palace is centrally located and it takes around 2-3 hours to fully explore all the staterooms, museums and art exhibitions.
Highlights of the palace include-
The highly intricate Peacock Gate, the colossal silver vessels in the Diwan-I-Khas and the armory with its collection of weapons which speaks volumes about the history of Jaipur.
Fill your stomach with the delicacies of Rajasthani cuisine for lunch and then head over to the iconic Johri Bazaar which is considered to be a shopper’s paradise! While you stroll here, do not miss out on a delicious glass of lassi from the Lassiwala!
You can also check out Bapu Bazaar which is known for authentic Jaipur-style bedsheets, cushions, salwar suits, kurtas, chappals and so on. Head over to the Nahargarh fort to witness the sunset and then finish off your day with a hearty snack at the Durg Café!
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Day 2
Start your next morning really early in the sprawling skies with a hot air balloon ride. Soar high above the countryside with its patchwork of green fields and scrub forests, the blue-greens and browns of the water bodies, dry land and rocky outcrops. You can witness the picturesque villages here from a bird’s eye view and how they begin their daily routines in the Pink City! Float over hustling-bustling bazaars, forts, palaces and wave back at the localities looking up!
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After a quick breakfast at any local eatery, head over to the Amer Fort which is one of the most visited fort, just keep in mind that this would take up almost half a day to visit. The fort was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013 and you need to go to the top to embrace the royalty of the bygone era. Either take an elephant ride or hire a private vehicle and then enter the palace through Ganesh Pol. It is said that the royalties were welcomed in a pompous manner here every time they returned from a victorious battle, it called for a huge celebration.
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Highlights of the fort includes-
Flood your social media with pictures from the aesthetic Diwan-e-Aam or the ‘hall of general public’ and your friends will be struck by an intense sense of wanderlust! It is a hall where the kings used to listen to the needs and complaints of the common man and now this place houses intricate wall murals and a sprawling ceiling full of vivid colours.
From there head over to Jaigarh Fort- a grand structure perched on the top of the Cheel ka Teela hills in the Pink City of Jaipur. Jaigarh Fort is made-up of sand stones and was erected with the purpose of protecting Amer Fort! This fort is considered as the strongest monument of Jaipur and it houses weapons and other military utilities. The gigantic canon Jaivana Cannon is the major attraction of the fort along with its exceptional military architecture.
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Head over for a hearty lunch to 1135 AD restaurant and you’ll see the words ‘opulent’ and ‘regal’ flashing through your mind. Try out their laal maas, chicken tikka and biryani and it will be an experience you’ll boast about, for years to come.
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After lunch, there’s no time for you to be lazy- head to Jantar Mantar for moment’s peace and calm! This iconic spot houses the world’s largest sundial and astronomical observation instruments which you can see from the City Palace’s summit. It’s an interesting place for lovers of history but will be very crowded at this time of the day so make up your mind accordingly.
As tired you may already be, you can’t miss out on the sunset from the sun temple. It gives you a panoramic view of this touristy and oh-so-picturesque city so welcome the dusk with your camera!
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So if you’re here for 48 hours, these are some of the best places for you to explore and we’re sure, you’ll have tons of stories to share even after a short stint here. Utilize this upcoming weekend and beat the heat with your wanderlust priorities!
(Tip: Since summers are an off-season time, you’ll probably have a cheap trip due to scanty crowd.)
