Jaipur - Pink City of Maharajahs and Elephants

In every country there is one town or city that exemplifies a nation whether it be Siena, Stratford-upon-Avon or Heidelburg. 

Jaipur is the fantasy India you have come to see and is a mandatory stop on the 'Golden Triangle.' It has been a tourist destination for so long that the baggage of tourism (touts, beggars, hawkers etc) is very persistant here - and may wear you down. However it's setting and buildings are spectacular. And you would be mad not to come to India and not see the jewel of Rajasthan, Jaipur.

You need at least three days for Jaipur as there is so much to see. The heat especially in the hot season (March- June) is incredible and while we were there reached forty degrees. In this heat it is an idea to see the great sights in the morning or evening when the heat is less and have a quiet siesta during the heat of the day.

There is a reason for Jaipur's popularity and the sights here are some of the best in India. The City Palace can be generally walked to from your accommodation but others such as the fabulous Amber Fort need an autorickshaw or a bus that leaves outside the Hawa Mahal. Jaipur is very rewarding but you can feel you are a moving target in this city for beggars/rickshaw-wallah's etc. If you are sensitive to this then maybe base yourself in Bharatpur and to Jaipur on day trips.

One of the highlights of Jaipur is getting around. The streets are bedlam - camel-carts, tongas, motorbikes, autorickshaws, bicycles, even elephants - weave their way around stalls and cows. Walking is tiresome, although fascinating, and you will be targeted by shopkeepers, hawkers etc so autorickshaw is probably best. 

 This is a tourist town and bartering is pretty non-existant. If one tourist leaves then another one arrives who will pay their fare. Walking is a great way to explore the city as it is full of nooks and crannies, especially behind the imposing Ganesh pol (elephant gate) where pachyderms are kept in stables and can be seen from the street