Itineraries for Your Trip to Jaipur
1 Day in Jaipur for First Timers
With my passion for handmade textiles and literature, it's no surprise that I’m drawn to Jaipur, a city that excels in both. While the vast desert state of Rajasthan is beautiful and exciting, Jaipur is where it all comes together: tradition and modernity, labyrinthine bazaars and handmade textiles, desert landscapes and exquisite architecture.
Jaipur isn’t necessarily Rajasthan’s most beautiful city—I think that award goes to Udaipur or Jaisalmer, which both take more time to get to—but if you only have time to visit one place in Rajasthan, make it Jaipur. You’ll see what the desert state is about in one easy package.
Jaipur is Rajasthan’s capital and largest city, so there’s a lot to see and do. Get your bearings in the Pink City with a morning walking or cycling tour, depending on how active you’re feeling. Introductory tours let you see many of the highlights of central Jaipur, including the Palace of Wind (Hawa Mahal), Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory, City Palace, and the colorful Bapu Bazaar. Stop to buy some souvenirs, if you like—hand-printed woodblock textiles are a local specialty.
After eating tasty local street food in the bazaars for lunch, travel about 20 minutes out of town to the nearby Amber Fort, a 16th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site on top of a hill. Exercise by walking from the base to the fort, or go up in a Jeep to preserve your energy (avoid the elephant rides for animal welfare reasons). Inside the giant fort walls, wander the gardens and courtyards, check out the Mirror Palace and temples, and admire the sweeping views.
If you’re short on time in Rajasthan, make the most of your day in Jaipur with an evening visit to Chokhi Dhani Village, a dining and entertainment venue replicating rural Rajasthani life. Eat at one of the restaurants serving classic Rajasthani dishes—which make delicious use of dairy products and dried fruit—before strolling through the “village” and catching a dance performance, riding on the small lake, and admiring the camels. It’s what an authentic Rajasthani village would be like if the carnival came to town every day of the year and a fun way to experience local culture.
