Jaipur city tour
- Private tour
- Private guide and vehicle
- Reply within four hours, 9am-9pm IST
- No payment to start planning
- The bazaars involve genuine bargaining; agree a price before you buy rather than after. Hawa Mahal's front is at its best in the early morning light, when the street below is also at its quietest for photographs.
What’s included
- Private, government-approved local guide for the day
- Private vehicle and driver
- Help booking City Palace and Jantar Mantar tickets in advance
- Route planned around the day's heat and crowds
What’s not included
- City Palace and Jantar Mantar entry tickets
- The Amber Fort entry ticket if you add it
- Shopping or personal expenses
Cancellation terms are confirmed with your written quote
- No payment is taken until you approve the itinerary.
Amber Fort first, if you add it
Many Jaipur days start outside town at Amber Fort before the city gets hot and busy, then head back in for the walled city in the afternoon.
Hawa Mahal and the City Palace
Both sit inside the Pink City's walls a short walk apart — the Hawa Mahal from the street outside, and the City Palace's courtyards and museums properly, with a guide who can point out what belonged to which Maharaja.
Jantar Mantar
Next door to the City Palace, the 18th-century observatory's giant stone instruments are worth the extra half hour, particularly the huge sundial.
Johari Bazaar and the wider bazaars
The afternoon or evening is for the bazaars — Johari Bazaar for jewellery and gemstones, plus the wider grid of pink-painted market streets for textiles, block prints and street food.
Jaipur's main sights are unusually close together for an Indian city: the Hawa Mahal, the City Palace and the Jantar Mantar observatory all sit within the walls of the Pink City, a short walk from one another, with Amber Fort a short drive outside town. This tour covers the walled city properly, with a private guide who knows which gate to use and when each site is at its quietest.
What you see
The Hawa Mahal is a five-storey palace front of pink sandstone made up of small latticed windows, built so the women of the royal household could watch the street below without being seen themselves — the view from the street outside, in the early morning light, is the classic photograph.
The City Palace, still partly home to the former royal family, is a complex of courtyards, palaces and museums in the heart of the walled city, mixing Rajput and Mughal architecture. Next door, the Jantar Mantar is an 18th-century astronomical observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh II, its giant stone instruments, including a large sundial, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in their own right. Johari Bazaar, one of the old city's jewellery and gemstone markets, is part of the wider grid of pink-painted bazaar streets worth an hour or two on foot.
- Jaipur works most of the year, though October to March is by far the most comfortable for a day of walking between the Hawa Mahal, the City Palace and the bazaars. Dress modestly for the City Palace and any temples you pass — shoulders and knees covered works everywhere.
- The bazaars involve genuine bargaining; agree a price before you buy rather than after. Hawa Mahal's front is at its best in the early morning light, when the street below is also at its quietest for photographs.
How long do you need for Jaipur?
Two to three nights is the usual recommendation for the Pink City and Amber Fort together without rushing; a single very full day can cover the Hawa Mahal, City Palace and Jantar Mantar if that's all the time you have.
Can you go inside the Hawa Mahal?
Yes, there's a small entry fee and you can climb through its upper storeys, though most of the famous photographs are taken from the street outside, looking up at the facade.
What is the Jantar Mantar?
An 18th-century astronomical observatory next to the City Palace, built by Maharaja Jai Singh II, made up of large stone instruments including a sundial — a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its own right.
Is Johari Bazaar good for buying jewellery?
It's one of Jaipur's main jewellery and gemstone markets, and part of the appeal is the bargaining itself. Bring a guide who knows the market if you're planning to spend seriously, and always agree a price before you commit.
Should I combine Jaipur with Amber Fort on the same day?
Many people do, starting at Amber Fort before it gets busy and hot, then coming back into the walled city for the afternoon. It works well as one long day or split across two if you'd rather not rush either.
Reviews
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- 4 stars2
- 3 stars1
- 2 stars0
- 1 stars0
What our guests say
Tom R
Couple · Verified trip
5/55 days agoOur guide grew up in the old town and it showed. We got the version of the city locals see, not the coach-tour one. He also found us a wonderful sweet shop that has ruined all other sweets for me.
via Tripadvisor
Laura K
Friends · Verified trip
5/52 weeks agoAs a solo female traveller I was slightly nervous, but the driver was professional and respectful throughout, and the office checked in with me each evening. I felt completely looked after.
via Google
Sanjay T
Family · Verified trip
3/51 month agoMixed feelings. The sites were spectacular and the driver excellent, but our guide's English was harder to follow than we expected and we missed some of the detail. The office apologised quickly when we mentioned it.
via Google
Lukas S
Couple · Verified trip
4/52 months agoExcellent guide and a well-paced day. My only note is that lunch was at a fairly touristy restaurant; food was fine but we would have preferred somewhere more local. Otherwise faultless.
via Google
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