India is far larger than it seems on the map, and it’s additionally way more numerous than you may suppose it’s. You may even argue that completely different areas of India are like fully separate nations.
One of the very best examples of this reality is within the nation’s northwestern Rajasthan state. Defined by deserts and open house, it feels extra like someplace within the Middle East or Central Asia than it does the Indian megacities of Delhi or Mumbai. If you’re planning to go to Rajasthan, you’ve virtually definitely bought the “Pink City” of Jaipur in your radar. But is Jaipur value visiting?
First of all, a chunk of nice information in regards to the metropolis lodging. Jaipur accommodations are a few of the least expensive on this planet, whether or not you keep at five-star properties like The Lalit or the Umaid Bhawan, one of many many boutique visitor homes on provide within the metropolis. To put a quantity on it, it’s greater than attainable to spend lower than 100 USD per night time on completely opulent lodging in Jaipur.
Visit Amber Fort
If you wish to get a panoramic view of Jaipur, you’ll wish to ascend Amber Fort, a Sixteenth-century outpost that fortunately now not serves a defensive function. Do be aware that despite is identify (and its presence within the pink metropolis), it’s not truly amber in coloration—its alternate identify is definitely “Amer.”
Don’t Ride an Elephant
The majority of vacationers use elephants to go as much as the highest of the fort, which is smart: An Elephant Booking Office is true subsequent to the ticket workplace. Riding elephants just isn’t humane, nevertheless, so I’d counsel that you just hike up as a substitute. Even if it’s tough for you, you’ll look again on it as one factor that made Jaipur value visiting.
Take Pictures at Hawa Mahal
As I’ll clarify later on this publish, Jaipur doesn’t have any buildings that evaluate to the Taj Mahal in Agra. The Nineteenth-century Hawa Mahal might be probably the most iconic place you could find right here, nevertheless, even when it’s not a lot of a mahal (which implies “palace”) when in comparison with the Taj.
Study Ancient Astronomy at Jantar Mantar
Although it may be tough to inform today, because of air pollution, skies over Rajasthan had been as soon as among the many clearest on this planet. This is why the assorted astronomical devices you see at Jantar Mantar have been there for hundreds of years. This distinctive observatory is likely one of the essential causes I consider that Jaipur is value visiting!
Continue to Jodhpur
Rajasthan is a giant place, and Jaipur is simply the start. While I extremely advocate persevering with on to the “Blue City” of Jodhpur, which makes an incredible companion to Jaipur, this isn’t a requirement. If you do, nevertheless, you’d may as properly get pleasure from a Thar Desert camel safari, and dig even deeper, persevering with to Udaipur.
How Many Days Do You Need in Jaipur?
Jaipur isn’t an enormous metropolis, however overlaying floor right here does take a while. Moreover, after the journey right here (doubtless, however not essentially, from Delhi), it’s your decision a minimum of a day to calm down. As a common rule, I like to recommend spending a minimal of three nights in Jaipur. This offers you what I simply described—in the future to sit back—plus two full days for sightseeing. (Or, a full day for sightseeing and a second chill day!)
Of course, there’s additionally the fact that any dialogue of what number of days in Jaipur you spend should essentially embrace the remainder of Rajasthan. In this case, it’s essential to be considering not a lot of days, however per week or longer, particularly if you happen to plan to spend any time on camelback within the Thar Desert. In reality, I’d advocate a minimal of seven nights if you happen to plan to go to Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur, dromedaries however.
What is so particular about Jaipur?
Jaipur is particular for a few key causes. Superficially, it is named India’s “Pink City,” with many essential buildings painted both pink or an orange-pink terra cotta. More substantively, Jaipur is normally the primary metropolis vacationers go to after they come to Rajasthan, so there’s a sure sense of arrival upon setting foot there for the primary time.
Which is healthier, Agra or Jaipur?
On one hand, Agra is residence to the Taj Mahal, which could simply be probably the most magnificent constructing on all the planet. On the opposite hand, Agra itself is a dusty, congested nightmare of a metropolis; I personally choose visiting Jaipur by a fairly large margin, even when there’s nothing near the Taj Mahal on provide right here.
Is Jaipur, India value visiting?
Jaipur is unquestionably value visiting in case your India itinerary consists of plans to go to Rajasthan, the desert state within the nation’s northwest. Do take into account, nevertheless, that Rajasthan is simply as far in miles from main Indian cities as it’s in tradition. A “quick trip” up right here may not be so fast in any respect!
The Bottom Line
Is Jaipur value visiting? Yes, if you happen to’re planning on being in Rajasthan anyway, though its distance from different cities in India means it could be too lengthy a trek in any other case. I notably love spending a number of days in Jaipur previous to touring deeper via Rajasthan, whether or not that’s with a fast bounce over to the “Blue City” of Jodhpur, or persevering with all the best way to Udaipur and its well-known floating palace and making per week—or longer—of it.
Robert Schrader is a journey author and photographer who’s been roaming the world independently since 2005, writing for publications equivalent to “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” alongside the best way. His weblog, Leave Your Daily Hell, offers a mixture of journey recommendation, vacation spot guides and private essays overlaying the extra esoteric facets of life as a traveler.