5 Things You Should do in Jaipur

Jaipur is a city full of magic, where you will find beautiful temples, lively bazaars and beautiful

palaces and forts. The chaotic streets are filled with richly decorated women, men with huge

mustaches and turbans, countless rickshaws and of course the many holy cows. Enough to see

in "the pink city of India". If you really want to see Jaipur at its best, these 5 sights should not be

missed.

Stroll through the Amber fort

The Amber Fort - also known as Fort Ajmer - is one of the most visited sights in India. And not for

nothing: in the castle, you will find beautiful palaces, gardens, and halls, one more beautifully decorated

than the other. The palace complex is about a twenty-minute drive from the center and it is best to take a

taxi from a best tour operator in Udaipur or rickshaw (200 to 300 rupees is a good price) to get there. You
can also take the bus for 25 rupees from the Hawa Mahal. Most drivers drive you to the parking lot at the
back of the fort, but it's nicer to be dropped off at the lake. From here you have a beautiful view of the
castle and the decorated elephants that walk up and down the hill.

Because thousands of tourists come to the fort every day, it can be very busy. We were there on a

Sunday morning around 10 a.m. and that is absolutely not recommended. During the week it seems to be

a lot quieter and if you really want to stroll around quietly, it's best to arrive just after opening time or

around lunchtime. You, unfortunately, you miss the elephants; they are only available from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Good to know

In the fort, you will find countless corridors through which you can roam. Many guards are only too happy

to show you the way or take you to a nice viewpoint and naturally expect a big tip for that. If you do not

feel like it, it is best to say 'no' clearly and continue immediately.

Practical information

The Amber Fort is open every day from 8 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. and the entrance costs 500 rupees per

person (2017). At the entrance there is a small cafe where you can buy drinks and at the exit, you will find

a Cafe Coffee Day, where you can also eat a sandwich.

Also read:  Festivals and Fairs of Rajasthan

Buy souvenirs at the bazaar

The old center of Jaipur is actually one big market. Everywhere you will find shops with colorful scarves,

handmade jewelry, and beautiful decorations, of course including screaming merchants and a few cows.

The best-known bazaars are the Johari Bazar on the main road and the Bapu Bazar just behind the main road. Do not hesitate to bargain; tourists are often asked the main prize and you can always talk off a

third of the prize. The bazaars are incredibly busy and the traffic is one big chaos, so watch carefully where you walk and watch your valuables.

Monkeys at the Galta Ji Temple

This huge temple complex is located just outside the city and has been visited by pilgrims for centuries.

You will find a natural water source in the complex that, according to the Hindus, has healing powers. The

spring water is divided into seven baths and everyday pilgrims wash with the holy water in

order to wash away their sins.

But the real reason to visit Galta Ji is, of course, the hundreds of curious monkeys that live there. You will

find most at the end of the complex, near the temple in the rocks. The monkeys are now used to tourists

and are therefore fairly tame, although they still like to pounce on you from time to time. To see most

monkeys, it is best to arrive at the end of the afternoon when they come to the temples to eat and rest.

Then you can also walk straight to the Sun Temple, where you have a beautiful view of the city, especially

during sunset.

Most tourists come for the monkeys but also don't skip the rest of the complex. These temples are all still

being used and the holy sadhus are happy to show you around, and then bless you with a dot on your

head. They naturally expect a donation.

Good to know

There are two entrances. When you take the main entrance, you immediately stand between the temples.

The route to this entrance is not that easy for rickshaws, so almost all of them drop you off at the end of

the Surjapol Bazar road. You first have to cross a hill - when you turn left on the hill, you will come to the

Sun Temple - and after about twenty minutes you will arrive at Galta Ji.

Practical information

Galta Ji is open every day from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. and the entrance fee is 50 rupees per person (2017). They also ask 50 rupees for a photo camera and a video camera.

Enjoy the sunset from the Nahargarh Fort

The sunset at the Sun Temple is beautiful, but nothing beats the view from the Nahargarh Fort. This fort

is located on a hill at the foot of the city, giving you a fantastic view of Jaipur. For the best view, follow the

signs to restaurant Padao. When you arrive here, you take a small road to the left and there you will find

a viewpoint on your right.

You also have a beautiful view from the fort itself. You can go up the roof of the Madhavendra palace and

from here you can see the entire city - actually better than from the viewpoint. The palace only closes at 5

pm, so you cannot see the sunset from here.

Good to know

The fort is quite remote, so it can happen that there is no rickshaw at the exit after sunset. You can, of
course, choose to keep your rickshaw waiting, but you can also walk down. If you leave immediately when

the sun is down, you are down before it is really dark. I would recommend doing this only if you are with a

group. The way down is quite remote and ends up in a poor suburb.

Practical information

The Nahargarh Fort is open every day from 10 am to 5 pm and the entrance costs 200 rupees per person

(2017). The gate is still open after 5 p.m., so if you only come for the sunset, you can walk on for free

after 5 p.m.

Drink coffee with a view of the Hawa Mahal

One of Jaipur's most famous sights is the Hawa Mahal, a special palace with nearly a thousand windows,

niches and balconies. Legend has it that the harem women of the kings could look out over the city

without being seen themselves. The building is on the main road and part of the sidewalk has been

closed off to take pictures. But if you really want to see the palace, you have to go across the street.

There you will find the Wind View Cafe, a rooftop restaurant with a great view of the Hawa Mahal and

very good coffee - also not unimportant.

Practical information

The Wind View Cafe is open every day from 8.30 a.m. to 8 p.m. For 200 rupees (2017) per person you can also enter the Hawa Mahal and look at the street through one of the many windows. The Hawa Mahal is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the entrance is at the back of the building.

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