Founded in the early 1700s by Maharaja Jai Singh II as his new capital, the original ‘Pink City’ (so-called because almost all buildings were painted terracotta pink to honour the 1876 visit of the future King Edward VII) was laid out in a traditional grid with colonnaded streets and uniform façades. That layout remains intact and the city, now state capital of Rajasthan, has evolved and expanded into a modern metropolis with its own metro system. Yet its key sights and attractions lie within a relatively compact area. From vibrant bazaars and craft shops to grand palaces and huge forts, an extraordinary outdoor observatory and even one of the country’s most famous cinemas, Jaipur ticks every cultural, architectural and shopping box.
Day Itinerary
Flight TBA
Arrives Jaipur TBA Hrs
On arrival you will be met and transferred to the hotel for check in.
Rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight: Hilton Jaipur
Hilton Jaipur is ideally located on the outskirts of Jaipur, just 1km from Ram Nagar metro stop and 11km from Jaipur International Airport. The accommodation features comfortable guest rooms and suites equipped with modern amenities including coffee makers, LCD TVs, hairdryers, air conditioning, desks and Wi-Fi. Guests can enjoy dining at the on-site restaurant and bar. Leisure facilities include a swimming pool, fitness centre and spa.
Day 2: In Jaipur
Day Itinerary
After breakfast, proceed to visit Amber Fort. En-route photo stop at Hawa Mahal.
Afternoon, proceed for city tour of Jaipur visit City Palace and Astronomical observatory and explore local markets for shopping.
Activities
Amer Fort
Photo stop at Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds)
Jaipur City Palace
Jantar Mantar Jaipur
Amer Fort
Cresting a stark rocky ridge on the hilly northern fringes of Jaipur, 16th-century Amber (or Amer) Fort is one of the finest examples of a Rajput fort-palace. Overlooking a lake and enclosed by kilometres of wide crenellated walls that wriggle across the enclosing hills, this huge complex of audience halls, pavilions and royal apartments is a compelling blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. Although its once lavish interiors are now diminished, sufficient part-marble interiors, decorative frescoes, coloured glass and mirror-mosaics still reveal some of the grandeur of life in a maharaja’s court in what was one of Rajasthan’s most powerful princely states
Photo stop at Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds)
One of Jaipur’s most iconic buildings, the Palace of Winds’ intricate lattice-work façade was constructed in 1799 as an extension of the royals’ City Palace. Hundreds of tiny arched windows along with niches and hood-like mouldings present a striking appearance bolstered by its salmon-pink walls. Designed to allow ladies of the royal household to view the outside world without themselves being seen by strangers, this tradition of purdah, or female seclusion, was steadfastly observed by Rajasthan’s royal families. The latticed façade also helpfully funnelled cooling breezes while its overall shape reputedly resembled the crown of Krishna, one of Hinduism’s most important deities.
Jaipur City Palace
Up until India’s Independence in 1947, Jaipur’s City Palace was the ceremonial and bureaucratic seat of power of the Maharaja of Jaipur. Standing in the heart of the Old City founded by his ancestor, the 18th-century palace remains one of the city’s key sights. It’s a huge complex of courtyards, opulent audience halls, royal apartments, temples and pretty pavilions, some of which are still occupied by the royal family. It’s also home to a large museum with galleries devoted to textiles, armaments and painting.
Jantar Mantar Jaipur
The Jantar Mantar (which translates as ‘calculating instrument’) is an ensemble of nineteen astronomical instruments built by the city’s founder, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, in 1734. Jai Singh was almost obsessed by astronomy and mathematics and this complex is one of several he constructed in various cities. Superficially resembling a rather whimsical playground, these instruments are surprisingly sophisticated and capable of, for example, measuring sunrise and sunset, azimuth, the coordinates of stars and planets, and time. The ensemble includes a giant sundial – at 27m tall one of the world’s largest – with a visibly moving shadow.
Day 3: Jaipur – Ranthambore
Sawai Madhopur, the lively capital city of the greater Sawai Madhopur District, rests within southeast Rajasthan, on the northern extension of the sprawling Vindhyan Plateau. The city is famous for its flourishing fauna and flora and mouth-watering cuisine. Some of the best ways to experience these local treasures include a meander through enchanting public gardens and a sample of the delicious local dishes at the numerous atmospheric restaurants. Both a history and nature enthusiasts dream, Sawai Madhopur opens a world of enjoyable excursions with some of the most notable attractions being the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ranthambore Fort; the religiously significant Chamatkar Temple; and the remarkable Ranthambhore National Park, renowned for its abundance of free-roaming wildlife including the majestic Bengal tiger and Indian leopard.
Day Itinerary
Morning after breakfast you will be driven to Ranthambhore [Approx. 160 Kms – 3½ Hrs]. On arrival you will check in at your hotel.
Afternoon is at leisure.
Overnight: Ranthambhore Kothi
Ranthambhore Kothi is set by a natural water lake surrounded by green forests in Rajasthan, India. The rooms at the hotel come equipped with a mini-bar, safe, tea-kettle, and a private balcony. The hotel features an on-site dining facility, bar, outdoor swimming pool, gardens, spa, and a tiger sanctuary. Popular activities include a safari in the Ranthambhore National Park, the National Chambal Sanctuary Boat Rides, and exploring the Ranthambhore Fort.
Day 4: In Ranthambore
Day Itinerary
All meals at the hotel.
Enjoy morning and afternoon shared jeep safari at Ranthambhore National Park with an English speaking naturalist
[ Upto 6 persons per jeep including a naturalist]
Note:
On Tuesdays, the core zones from 1 to 5 are open and 6 to 10 are closed for safaris
On Wednesdays, the core zones from 1 to 5 remain closed and 6 to 10 are open for safaris
Day 5: Ranthambhore – Jaipur & Depart Jaipur
Day Itinerary
Morning after breakfast you will be transferred to Jaipur airport [Approx. 160 Kms – 3 ½ Hrs] to connect with your onward flight.
