The Pink City: a planned 18th-century capital among Rajput hill forts.
Jaipur was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, a ruler with a passion for astronomy and town planning. His walled city is laid out on a grid of broad streets and bazaars, and was painted its famous terracotta pink in 1876 to welcome the Prince of Wales. The walled city is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Above the city, the Aravalli hills are crowned with forts, including Amber, the former capital of the Kachhwaha rulers.
Jaipur combines spectacular monuments with some of India's best shopping: block-printed textiles, gemstones, silver, carpets and blue pottery. It is the third corner of the Golden Triangle and the natural gateway to the rest of Rajasthan.
A hilltop palace of pale sandstone and marble, begun in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, with the mirrored Sheesh Mahal and views over Maota Lake.
The palace of the former royal family, part of which is still their home, with museums of costumes, arms and paintings.
The Palace of Winds, a five-storey screen of small windows built in 1799 so royal women could watch street life unseen.
Jai Singh's observatory of giant masonry instruments, including the largest stone sundial in the world. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A palace that appears to float in Man Sagar Lake, seen from the road to Amber.
Hill forts above the city with wide views, best visited in the late afternoon.
Johari Bazaar for jewellery, Bapu Bazaar for textiles and shoes, and Tripolia Bazaar for brass and lac bangles.
One full day covers Amber Fort and the main sights of the old city. Two days let you add the hill forts, the museums and a shopping or cooking experience.
October to March has warm, dry days. Summer, from April to June, is extremely hot. The monsoon, from July to September, brings some rain but also green hills.
Jaipur is about 280 km from Delhi (5–6 hours by road) and 240 km from Agra (4½–5 hours). Jaipur International Airport has domestic flights across India and some international routes.
Opening hours, fees and seasonal conditions change. We confirm current details when we plan your trip.
The old city was painted pink, a traditional colour of hospitality, for the visit of the Prince of Wales in 1876. Buildings in the walled city are still required to keep the colour.
Many travellers now prefer to walk up or take a jeep. If you want to meet elephants, consider a visit to Hathi Gaon, the elephant village near Amer.
Private itineraries you can take as they are or change to suit you.
4 nights / 5 days
The classic Delhi, Agra and Jaipur circuit at an easy pace, with the Taj Mahal at sunrise and a full day in Jaipur.
Price on request, quoted for your group
6 nights / 7 days
The Golden Triangle with two nights in Ranthambore National Park for safaris in one of India's best-known tiger reserves.
Price on request, quoted for your group
9 nights / 10 days
Mughal monuments, Rajput palaces and two of India's holiest river towns, Varanasi and Rishikesh, in ten days.
Price on request, quoted for your group
2 nights / 3 days
The Golden Triangle at a brisk pace: three cities, two nights and the Taj Mahal at sunrise.
Price on request, quoted for your group
3 nights / 4 days
Four days with an evening in Agra, the Taj Mahal at sunrise and the highlights of Delhi and Jaipur.
Price on request, quoted for your group
7 nights / 8 days
The Golden Triangle, then south to Chittorgarh Fort and two nights in Udaipur by Lake Pichola.
Price on request, quoted for your group
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