India Jaipur “Pink City” Extension
Jaipur is the capital city of the state of Rajasthan and is often referred to the Paris of India.
About this expedition
After spending two weeks with India’s wildlife, it’s now time to explore their rich cultural heritage! And what better place to do so than in the city of Jaipur? Jaipur is the capital city of the state of Rajasthan and is often referred to the Paris of India. In 1876, it was painted pink to welcome Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, and is now known as the “Pink City” due to its dusty romantic pink hues. The city’s foundation and planning are attributed to the great astronomer Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, and today you will encounter many royal palaces, bustling bazaars, and ancient forts. Don’t miss this opportunity to photograph the historic and cultural wonderland of Jaipur!
Itinerary
Saturday, February 11 (B, L, D)
Continue on from the 2023 India Tiger Photo Safari. When we arrive back in Delhi, we’ll get ready to board a flight and head to Jaipur, dubbed the “Pink City of India” by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
Get settled in at the Samode Haveli, our hotel for the next three nights. Tonight we’ll experience private fine dining and a real welcome to Jaipur at the 1135 AD Restaurant at Amber Fort.
Sunday, February 12 (B, L, D)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. We’ll start the day with a return to Amber Fort to further explore and photograph this extensive complex clad in white marble and colorful sandstone.
Amber Fort, also known as Amer Fort, is arguably the most eye-catching of the six majestic forts included in the Hill Forts of Rajasthan UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cradled high in the hills, this majestic fort with its maze-like cobbled passages and meandering staircases is an architectural masterpiece, a beautiful blend of Mughal and Rajput styles. Construction began in 1592 under the auspice of Maharaja Man Singh I with modifications added several years following.
The opulent palace within the fort was the primary residence of the Rajput Maharajas (kings) and their families. Each of its four sections has a marvelous gate and courtyard of its own. Within you’ll find many attractions suited for a royal family including the King’s quarters, zenana (the women’s/King’s wives’ quarters), lush gardens, underground tunnels, and sacred temples. Pay special attention to the walls and ceilings comprised of exquisite ornamented mirrors, colorful mosaics, and intricately decorated marble.
After a fascinating historical visit to Amber Fort, we’ll make our way to a more intimate historical setting, the Anokhi Museum of Hand Painting. Located in a magnificently restored haveli (mansion), the museum displays a variety of block printed textiles alongside images, tools, and related objects, all chosen to provide an in-depth look into the complexity of this ancient tradition. Like most crafts worldwide, the block printing industry faces serious challenges trying to keep pace with modern manufacturing. The museum addresses this fragile situation primarily through education, hopeful that all who visit become more sensitive to the need of protecting this enduring heritage craft for future generations.
Following our visit to the museum, we’ll take a break and have lunch at Baradari Restaurant located in Jaipur’s Royal City Palace and then take a private tour of the palace itself. The palace is home to the royal family of Jaipur, and we will have access to exclusive rooms in this private residence.
We’ll take some time to go back to the hotel and relax before we head to Bar Palladio for drinks and dinner. Bring your camera, as this vibrant peacock-blue restaurant is extremely photogenic!
Overnight Samode Haveli
Monday, February 13 (B, L)
Rise and shine! Very early this morning, there is an optional hot air balloon safari (350 additional fee applies). This is a special opportunity to see India’s spectacular forts, hidden palaces, breathtaking terrain, and traditional local villages from a very unique perspective. We’ll return to the hotel for a proper breakfast.
In the afternoon, we’ll take a walk to explore Jaipur’s bazaars, crafts, and cuisine. Since its foundation in 1727, royal families and nobles of Jaipur have patronized various craftsmen and artisans in the Pink City. Observe local silversmiths and bangle makers at work. Traditional methods are still used to produce these valuable and highly prized items.
On our walk, be sure to mingle and talk with the locals while sampling some of the region’s culinary delights. Try samosas and kachoris, Indian fried or baked pastry doughs filled with spices and ingredients such as vegetables, lentils, and noodles. Kulfi, a popular Indian ice cream dessert, is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. You’ll also likely find lassi, a simple yogurt-based beverage with spices and fruit. Sample even more sweets from the city’s most popular Mithai Walas, or ancient Indian sweet shops.
People and personalities make for a special journey, so today a local Rajput guide will join us for a portion of the day. In the afternoon, he will take us to his home for a cooking demonstration and lunch.
For our final evening together, we’ll travel outside of Jaipur to enjoy a special farm-fresh, homemade dinner and have an opportunity to interact with the resident elephants of Dera Amer Wilderness Camp.
Overnight at Samode Haveli
Tuesday, February 14 (B, D)
Our time in Jaipur has come to an end, so today we’ll board our flights and head back to Delhi. All guests have their own dayrooms to freshen up or stay overnight. Group farewell dinner this evening. Depart on a late evening flight out tonight or overnight at the JW Marriott Hotel New Delhi Aerocity.
Wednesday, February 15 (B)
Transfer to Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) for your flight home today.
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