Day 7. Jaipur
Overnight – Rambagh Palace
Start your day with an excursion to the Amer Fort and Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located a little way away from Jaipur. This awe-inspiring complex was completed in 1599 AD after 25 years of construction. You will be driven to the back entrance of the main complex, thereby avoiding a long ascent. Trehan Journeys does not offer elephant-back ascents up the ramparts of the complex as many of the elephants are not well taken care off. Please note that there are organizations that rescue and care for such elephants in camps in the Jaipur region and in many other parts of India.
The massive Fort and Palace complex is one of India’s finest examples of Rajput architecture. Explore the chambers and hallways which are famous for their exquisite designs and handcrafted embellishments. Your guide will regale you with the history of the various structures as you take in the amazing workmanship of the craftsmen who created them. Return to the valley beneath the fort/palace complex and you can stop for lunch at the excellent restaurant at the upscale Trident Hotel, but there are other alternatives that you can discuss with your guide.
After lunch proceed for an exploration of the walled pink city of Jaipur. You will start with a visit to Jantar Mantar (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), a fascinating stone observatory built in 1728. Among other instruments, it includes a massive stone sun dial that is accurate to within 2 seconds. Located next to Jantar Mantar is the City Palace, the royal residence that was built in a delightful blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles. A part of this massive complex is still occupied by the Royal family and is not accessible to the public. Your guide will entertain you with stories of royalty as you admire their trappings. This immense complex also houses a number of museums that include displays of armor, miniature paintings, and a large and impressive collection of ancient royal garments and accoutrements.
Next comes a photo opportunity at the most photographed of Jaipur’s monuments, the enchanting Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Wind). This intriguing facade was built in 1799 so that the ladies of the court could use its unique windows and observe the bustling bazaar without being visible to the people on the streets.
Continue your exploration with a stroll through the fascinating main bazaar in the heart of the pink city and watch the locals as they shop for pretty much everything a consumer can possibly want. This atmospheric and crowded bazaar has street sellers of vegetables, fruit and other goods occupying the curbs with their displays. There are stores selling spices, nuts, flowers, toys, footwear, hardware, and a lot more, mixed in with street food vendors and brick and mortar eating establishments. Byzantine alleys lead into inner courtyard shops.
Optional late afternoon activity: Jaipur is India’s shopping mecca for all sorts of exquisite hand-crafted items, fabrics, carpets, as well as jewelery, and those who are interested in shopping can have their Connoisseur Guide serve as a personal shopper until the late afternoon, or you can choose to return to your spectacular palace hotel.
Start your day with an excursion to the Amer Fort and Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located a little way away from Jaipur. This awe-inspiring complex was completed in 1599 AD after 25 years of construction. You will be driven to the back entrance of the main complex, thereby avoiding a long ascent. Trehan Journeys does not offer elephant-back ascents up the ramparts of the complex as many of the elephants are not well taken care off. Please note that there are organizations that rescue and care for such elephants in camps in the Jaipur region and in many other parts of India.
The massive Fort and Palace complex is one of India’s finest examples of Rajput architecture. Explore the chambers and hallways which are famous for their exquisite designs and handcrafted embellishments. Your guide will regale you with the history of the various structures as you take in the amazing workmanship of the craftsmen who created them. Return to the valley beneath the fort/palace complex and you can stop for lunch at the excellent restaurant at the upscale Trident Hotel, but there are other alternatives that you can discuss with your guide.
After lunch proceed for an exploration of the walled pink city of Jaipur. You will start with a visit to Jantar Mantar (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), a fascinating stone observatory built in 1728. Among other instruments, it includes a massive stone sun dial that is accurate to within 2 seconds. Located next to Jantar Mantar is the City Palace, the royal residence that was built in a delightful blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles. A part of this massive complex is still occupied by the Royal family and is not accessible to the public. Your guide will entertain you with stories of royalty as you admire their trappings. This immense complex also houses a number of museums that include displays of armor, miniature paintings, and a large and impressive collection of ancient royal garments and accoutrements.
Next comes a photo opportunity at the most photographed of Jaipur’s monuments, the enchanting Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Wind). This intriguing facade was built in 1799 so that the ladies of the court could use its unique windows and observe the bustling bazaar without being visible to the people on the streets.
Continue your exploration with a stroll through the fascinating main bazaar in the heart of the pink city and watch the locals as they shop for pretty much everything a consumer can possibly want. This atmospheric and crowded bazaar has street sellers of vegetables, fruit and other goods occupying the curbs with their displays. There are stores selling spices, nuts, flowers, toys, footwear, hardware, and a lot more, mixed in with street food vendors and brick and mortar eating establishments. Byzantine alleys lead into inner courtyard shops.
Optional late afternoon activity: Jaipur is India’s shopping mecca for all sorts of exquisite hand-crafted items, fabrics, carpets, as well as jewelery, and those who are interested in shopping can have their Connoisseur Guide serve as a personal shopper until the late afternoon, or you can choose to return to your spectacular palace hotel.