TIPS FOR VISITING JAIPUR

Getting to Jaipur: It is common for tour groups to come to Jaipur by road after visiting Delhi or Agra. The “highways” are wide, but driving between these cities involves frequent stops and it can take up to six hours depending on time of day and traffic conditions. Although the distance is relatively short, flying to Jaipur from Mumbai, Delhi or Udaipur also should be considered since Spice Jet, Jet Airways and Air India offer flights for $75 that take only about an hour.

Where to Stay: There are numerous hotels in Jaipur that offer modern and budget accommodations. One enjoyable and affordable property is the Trident Jaipur, which is located on the road between the Old City and the Amer Fort, opposite the picturesque Man Sagar Lake. Jaipur also has numerous heritage hotels that once served as palaces for the royal family, including the luxurious and expensive Taj Rambagh Palace and the Samode Haveli.

Driver and Guide: It is useful to hire a knowledgeable driver and a guide in Jaipur to assist you in finding a way through the narrow streets of the Old City and the wider horizons of this large city. Rajasthan Four Wheel Drive is an affordable and reliable company based in Jaipur that provided us with a skilled and friendly driver, Mahesh, throughout the eight days we spent in Rajasthan. Our Jaipur guide, Nitin Sharma, knew about all of the major sites and the hidden treasures of the area. During a morning walk through some villages around the Amber Fort, Nitin and I watched a troupe of several dozen monkeys frolicking alongside some neighborhood cows in a field. We also spoke with a local guru who lived in and watched over a 600-year-old Hindu temple, and visited a stable where a dozen working elephants enjoyed an entire garage of straw for their lunch after giving rides to a group of friendly Iranian tourists.