Jaipur is a perfect city to add to your trip to India. With its vibrant culture, striking monuments, and incomparable art and architecture, you will fall in love in no time! And not to mention the sheer number of dazzling colors – in clothes, decor, and buildings! While you can easily spend many days exploring the city, if you are short on time, fear not! I will walk you through the ultimate 2 day itinerary for Jaipur.
Are you traveling around Jaipur? Check out whether you should include Chokhi Dhani to your itinerary!
Known by many different monikers such as The Pink City or The City of 7 Mahals, Jaipur is located in the sumptuous state of Rajasthan. If you have more time, you can travel to other cities of Rajasthan (this state has a lot of places worth your visit) such as Udaipur, Jodhpur and Jaiselmer (popular for the desert camel safaris). Or, you can make Jaipur your home base, and go on a few day trips. But whichever way you travel, you will undoubtedly find your hands inching towards your camera, because there are so darn many beautiful places and vistas to experience!
A two day itinerary for Jaipur could be a bit tight, but you can definitely do it with the right planning.
Things to know for your 2 day itinerary for Jaipur
- Since you have limited time, get a guide. Your visit will be so much better if you have someone explaining the history of this city (and it has a lot!).
- On a similar note, get a driver if your budget allows. India is a complex country with complicated traffic and public transit. Forego the headache of availing public transport with a driver. The drivers have their own car, and they are relatively affordable.
- If you don’t know where to avail a driver or a guide, check with your hotel staff . More often than not, they can refer you to a driver and guide. And they take the responsibility to ensure you have a smooth experience.
- If renting a car is not your thing, download the Uber app. Uber works okayish in India. Don’t expect a five-star service though, but it will do the job.
- Start your day early to beat the hot daytime weather and to avoid the large crowds. Head to the places you know will be busy, e.g., the City Palace, first on your itinerary.
- Dress appropriately for the places you will visit. India is a conservative country and it is recommended to wear clothes below your knees (for women and men) and a shirt/top covering your shoulders. I always recommend carrying a scarf as it is a handy piece of garment (and served me well in my travels in India and Italy).
Are you weary of the tried and tested Golden Triangle itineraries? Check out these 7 reasons why you should venture beyond the Golden Triangle.
The Ultimate 2 day itinerary for Jaipur
Since there will be a fair amount of details below, here is the shortened version of the 2 day itinerary for Jaipur:
Day 1 – Explore the Jaipur City Palace and Jantar Mantar in the morning, then head to Hawa Mahal and later Nahargarh Fort for sunset. End with some shopping and dinner at a rooftop restaurant
Day 2 – Start at Amer Fort, go to Panna Meena ka Kund, stop over at Jal Mahal. In the afternoon, explore Albert Hall Museum, do a photo op at Patrika Gate and end the evening with activities and incredible food at Chokhi Dhani
Day 1: Morning
Start your day early today and head out to the City Palace. The City Palace is the flamboyant residence of the current King of Jaipur and his family. The palace complex has plenty of ground to cover and will keep you busy for a couple of hours. Not to mention the countless photo stops you will make while touring the place!
Built in 1727, it has the Diwan-e-Aam, Diwan-e-Khas and Chandra Mahal showcasing unique architectural features and the traditional Rajasthani artwork. Don’t miss out on the giant Gangajali or sterling silver vessels that are 5 ft high!
The City Palace has some of the most beautiful arches in Jaipur. For every photo you could take, there’s a picture-perfect arch waiting to frame it!
After you’ve had your fill of extravagant doors and archways, head over to Jantar Mantar, located next door to the City Palace. Here is the time to learn some astronomy! The Jantar Mantar in Jaipur houses the world’s largest stone sundial and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This monument was built in 1734, and allows you to observe the positions of the sun and astronomical bodies with the naked eye.
There are other Jantar Mantars in India too, including one in Delhi and Varanasi!
Day 1: Afternoon
As you’re kicking up an appetite, head over next to the area where the Hawa Mahal is located. There are plenty of cafes opposite to the Hawa Mahal that offer the best photo op. You know, the half shot or portrait of you with the Hawa Mahal in the background? My recommendation would be to head to one of the rooftop restaurants which offer the best vantage point, and unblocked views of the beautiful pink sandstone facade.
Grab a bite (the food is good) as you gaze at the intricate lattice work on the pink sandstone, and admire the stark green windows. Take a moment to imagine the daily life that would have been viewed centuries ago by the royal women in pretty much the same way: a complete 180-degree view of the street below from a great height and the faint hustle and bustle of people and traffic.
Next, we head to Nahargarh Fort situated atop the Nahargarh hill. From here, you can enjoy panoramic views of the city of Jaipur, making it especially great to view the sunset. Make sure to reach the fort with plenty of time since there is a long walk from the parking lot to the fort. The fort walls to the west offer the best views.
Day 1: Evening
Afterward, head over to the Maharani Gayatri Devi Market for souvenir shopping. This market sources local artisan work and has a massive collection of textile and art. Buy a shawl, jacket, an Indian-style kurta, or even a home decor item or souvenir.
End the night at one of the new rooftop restaurants in town. I can recommend Skyfall Restaurant for its delicious food, drinks, and awesome ambiance courtesy of its live band.
Day 2: Morning
This morning, start your day early again, and head over to Amer Fort. Also known as Amber Fort, it is located 11 kms from Jaipur and is one of the most recognized monuments of Rajasthan. One of the unique features of Amer Fort is that it amalgamates both Hindu and Muslim architecture. The highlights include Diwan-i-Aam (Public Audience Hall), the Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors), and the Sukh Mahal (House of Pleasure).
If you see similarities in the halls between the City Palace and Amer Fort, it is because the Maharaja of Jaipur initially ruled from Amer Fort. He moved his capital from Amber to Jaipur in 1727 due to shortage of resources, increasing population, and clashes with the Mughals.
Nearby, is one of the coolest places I have ever seen – the Panna Meena ka Kund. It is a 16th-century stepwell that was built for local residents to collect water. Due to the dry desert soil of Rajasthan, water is scarce. And a stepwell provided a way to avail water even in the dry seasons. You cannot go down the steps anymore due to safety reasons though, but you can still take many awesome photos.
Afterward, you are ready to head back to Jaipur city. On your way, make a pit stop at Man Sagar Lake for a photo op with the Jal Mahal. It is surrounded by the picturesque Nahargarh hills and boasts fine Rajput architecture. Sadly, visitors are no longer allowed to go to the palace due to ongoing restoration work. You can take a stroll along one part of the lake and observe teeming birdlife.
You may see camels around the lake looking for riders. This is a classic tourist trap, so pass on this (more info below). Opt for a walk instead.
Day 2: Afternoon
By now, it should be afternoon already. Stop for a quick bit of lunch, and then head to the Albert Hall Museum. It is built in the style of Indo-Saracenic architecture and was initially intended to be a town hall. This museum displays the craftsmanship of local artisans from centuries ago. It houses collections of paintings, coin, ivory, textile, pottery, and unexpectedly, an Egyptian mummy!
Next, head over to the famous Instagram spot, the Patrika Gate. Because of its incredibly vibrant and colorful archways, it attracts a lot of buzz on social media. And rightly so! Just check out the photo below. There is no entrance fee here, so get out there and take a photo or two, and promptly upload on your IG!
Day 2: Evening
Now that your social media is updated, drive over to Chokhi Dhani. Located about 20 kms from the city center, you can sample delicious Rajasthani fare and Indian hospitality amid a colorful setting. Chokhi Dhani is a village style resort that showcases the lifestyle of rural Rajasthan and culture. You can stay the night here, or pay a visit for an evening of Rajasthani folk dance, music, camel rides and puppet shows. They also exhibit Rajasthani handloom and textiles, with local artisans weaving garments in front of you (and you can try your hand!). Take a souvenir home from their stalls.
Going to Chokhi Dhani from Jaipur Airport? Read this post to learn about 4 different ways to get there.
If you’re itching for a camel ride, try one here. It will last all of 3 minutes, which is more than enough time you should spend atop a camel in my humble opinion!
After you’ve worked up an appetite, make a beeline to the exquisite food options you’ll have there. There are multiple restaurants serving vegetarian thalis as well as a buffet style restaurant with non-vegetarian options. Either way, you’ll be tucking away delectable Rajasthani food making for a perfect way to end your 2 day itinerary for Jaipur.
Things to avoid on your visit to Jaipur
While it has a ton of experiences to offer, here are the things I would avoid in your 2 day itinerary for Jaipur:
- Camel rides around Jal Mahal: It is a total tourist gimmick, and not a pleasant experience
- Going inside the Hawa Mahal, especially if you are short on time. The most beautiful thing about Hawa Mahal is its facade, and you can look to your heart’s content from the outside. For an incredible photo op, head to the rooftop cafes opposite the monument.
- Do not indulge in shopping in and around the monuments. The prices are steep, and the quality is bad.
- Avoid the jewelry stores. Jaipur has some of the most beautiful jewelry stores housing precious stones that are locally mined. However, unless you actually want to spend a pretty dime on jewelry, give it a miss.
When to visit Jaipur
The winter months of November to February are the best time to visit Jaipur since there is little chance of precipitation and the weather is pleasant. Due to the desert landscape, expect cooler nights, so carry a light jacket and you should be fine. The months of October and March are pleasant as well, albeit it gets hot during the daytime.
Summer is extremely hot, especially the months of June to August, and I would advise you to not travel to at that time.
Where to stay in Jaipur
Jaipur has a lot of options for stay, depending on your budget. For easy access to sightseeing, stay close to the Old City. You can walk to the City Palace, Jantar Mantar and Hawa Mahal.
For good nightlife and relatively easy access to the main attractions, stay in and around the Rambagh area (where I stayed).
So, are you ready to travel to Jaipur yet? With its diverse architecture, spectacular art, engrossing history, and savory food, few places can rival the distinctiveness of Jaipur. Even if you opt for only 2 days there, you will see plenty to fall in love with the city, and who knows – maybe develop a love for vibrant colors!
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