Jaipur Itinerary for 3 Days – Things to do in India's Pink City

by - February 08, 2020


A visit to Jaipur in India is a must if you're looking to witness India's heritage and culture. From magnificent forts throwing a city view to palaces located in the city, I'd say you're at the right place if you're looking for a Jaipur Itinerary for 3 Days. 

I visited Jaipur solo as a female traveller and found it a cent per cent safe. Also, I did not find people stare at me with weird eyes but just a casual glance. The city has cheap local transport such as e-rickshaws, cycle-rickshaws, buses, local taxis, and private cabs. 

In all honesty, one must not skip this city. Read on further for my Jaipur itinerary!

How to reach Jaipur

There are several trains/flights that take you to the Pink City from most of the cities/towns in India. If you're somewhere near to Jaipur, then the best option would be taking a bus to reach Jaipur. (On my trip, I'd taken a bus from Mount Abu to Jaipur and while exiting Jaipur, I'd taken an evening bus for Agra, another city you must not miss when visiting India.)



A portrait outside Galtaji ka Kund

Jaipur was a part of my 40-day solo trip around India where I covered 15+ cities, towns, hill stations, and did a Himalayan trek. It was the second destination of my trip and I purposely planned a Jaipur Itinerary for 3 Days, keeping in mind I cover all the must-visit places in Jaipur as well as eat at all the popular restaurants. 

Jaipur Itinerary for 3 Days!

Watch: Jaipur Vlog

Day 1– Visit the Pink City

Reach Jaipur in the morning and after breakfast/snacks in the hotel, leave for the Pink City. Now it depends where you're staying in Jaipur, but I had taken a cycle-rickshaw for Rs 80 to reach the City Palace for a distance of 3.2 km, located in the Pink City. You can even book Ola/Uber if that's what you prefer or catch an e-rickshaw (approx. Rs 100 for the same distance). 

The City Palace




I badly wanted a photo against those picturesque gates inside the City Palace, so I was eager to visit this palace on the first day of my 3 days Jaipur Itinerary. The entry ticket for City Palace Jaipur museum is Rs 300 for an Indian (and I guess Rs 700 for a foreigner). 


If you wish to explore inside the grand rooms that are overflowing with rich decor, then entry fee for covering the entire palace (even its interiors and royal rooms) is Rs 3,000 and the entry fee for covering half the palace is Rs 1,500

Depending upon how much money you're willing to spend and the purpose of your visit, you can buy the tickets accordingly. If you wish to see what's more in the City Palace apart from the museum, then check my friend's blog. She had taken the half ticket of Rs 1,500 to explore more of the palace. 




The City Palace Jaipur is going to drive you nuts. Many people debate on whether Rs 300 (or Rs 700 from a foreigner's perspective) is worth the visit, but I say yes it is. In the basic ticket of Rs 300, you can cover the museum and the City Palace periphery up to a certain point. Worry not, as you get to see a lot in that price. 

In the museum, you'll come across all the heavy royal costumes worn by the rulers of Jaipur along with their many artefacts such as jewellery, weapons, photographs, etc. Do hire a guide for a better understanding of the museum and if you're solo, then he'll help with your photographs. The palace is so beautiful, you'll need a dedicated person to capture you. 

After bargaining, I paid Rs 150 for a guide. 


Diwan-e-Khas



About City Palace: When Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II shifted his court from Amer town to Jaipur, he built the City Palace along with the city of Jaipur in 1727. Though established centuries ago, the royal family of Jaipur still resides here. The complex has many artistic buildings, courtyards, galleries,  and restaurants, including a museum. 

Jantar Mantar



Next up, just a walk away from the City Palace is Jantar Mantar observatory, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The place has a collection of 19 architectural astronomical instruments which will drive you crazy! I skipped this place but if you have some time off, then surely pay a visit. The entry ticket for Jantar Mantar Jaipur is Rs 50 and you shall need about 30-45 minutes to cover this place. 

The area is quite spread out and is open from 9 am to 5 pm. The place also conducts light and sound show so if that interests you, do check it out. The most fascinating and famous structures here are the Vrihat Smarat Yantra (Sundial), Laghu Smarat Yantra, the Ram Yantra, Jaya Prakash Yantra. 

Do you know? The Vrihat Smarat Yantra is famous as the tallest sundial in the world and is 27 metres long. 


LMB Restaurant



Post all the walking, I'm sure you'll be craving some Rajasthani thali. I personally wanted dal bati as I love the dish. But instead of taking a separate dish, I thought of going with their Rajasthani thali for Rs 620. I know it's a little too much but I thought it's okay to spend lavishly once a while. Besides, I did not know this restaurant is a posh one. I hadn't researched their menu and ended up entering a super-posh place with expensive dishes.

Laxmi Mishthan Bhandar (LMB) is located in the Pink City and is quite an old diner. They also have a sweet shop right next to it. You also get North Indian food and other Rajasthani dishes. But if you want to try all the dishes at one go, then the Rajasthani Thali at LMB would be perfect to add in your Jaipur Itinerary for 3 Days. 

Hawa Mahal


Hawa Mahal, also known as, the Wind Palace, is located on the edge of a busy street. It's one of the most popular monuments of Jaipur as well as India. Clicking pictures of the Hawa Mahal is an easy job as it is located in the heart of the Pink City. The beautiful symmetrical windows and the architecture of the palace drive many tourists to click its picture from the exterior.

When I visited Hawa Mahal, I noticed there weren't many people. Especially, I hardly spotted a few foreigners, which makes me wonder, are the interiors of the Hawa Mahal not as popular as the exteriors? 

The entry ticket for Hawa Mahal is Rs 100 and there's a cloakroom without charges at the entry. So if you're carrying any heavy luggage, you can store it here and roam inside the Hawa Mahal. 





About Hawa Mahal: The Hawa Mahal is made using red and pink sandstone and is a marvellous capture for your Jaipur itinerary of 3 days. The palace was built in 1799 and its inspiration was taken from the Khetri Mahal, another beautiful palace located in Jhunjunu, Rajasthan. 

The architecture is so unique that it resembles a honeycomb. The palace has about 953 windows or 'Jharokhas' and if you look closely, are decorated with elaborate work. These Jharokhas were built to allow the royal ladies to peep down the street to observe different festivals. And people believe that what they see is the front side, however, it is the backside of the palace. 

Even the inside of the Hawa Mahal is quite different and a must-visit. There's a Cafe Coffee Day inside the complex in case you're running out of energy. The palace is not huge however the views from here are excellent. 


Bapu Bazaar




The backside of the Hawa Mahal is where the Bapu Bazaar is located. In fact, several bazaars are next to each other and it's fun to shop from these markets. There are many stalls and small shops across the street, making a shopaholic fall in love with Jaipur. I request you to keep an additional space in your luggage because you'll feel like picking most of the goodies found in Jaipur. 

I personally shopped a pair of puppets and a pair of wall-hanging decor for a total of Rs 270. I think it was a great deal because I was looking for souvenirs to take back home from Jaipur that screamed Rajasthan. What to shop from Bapu Bazaar Jaipur if you ask, then I'd say, go for block-printed dress materials, jootis, leather bags, palazzos, and embellished decor pieces such as puppets, elephants, birds, and other interesting trinkets. 

The Wind View Cafe


Lastly, end your day in the Wind View Cafe not just to refresh yourself but also to get the fantastic view of the Hawa Mahal. If you don't want to visit this cafe yet want to click a picture against Hawa Mahal, then you can do so. 

It is difficult to find this cafe, so what you can do is, cross the street opposite Hawa Mahal and look for narrow steps that would take you up to this cafe. You will come across a chai-wallah as you climb the steps. 

The cafe is famous for its lassi, juices, Maggi, iced tea, garlic bread, and cheese sandwich to name a few.

Day 2 – Visit the Amer Town

The second day in Jaipur is going to be a rather long day. Worry not, as you can still start the day late, after a scrumptious breakfast at your hotel. So pack your bags with extra batteries and memory cards and ensure you're carrying a power bank with you because the second day of the Jaipur Itinerary is going to make you drop your jaws and click lots of pictures!


Lassiwala


Holding a short glass of lassi in hand

Start your day with a glass of lassi at the famous Lassiwala in Jaipur. They offer a tall glass and a shorter glass and has the best lassi in Jaipur. The glass is topped with fresh malai and the lassi itself is made using fresh milk. The taste is not too sweet and not bland, it's just perfect! 

There are several shops with the name Lassiwala, but try lassi at the one with a black coloured board and golden fonts. The shop is located in the Pink City area and is rather small and busy. There's no place to sit so finish up as many glasses as you want and head to the next spot. I don't remember the price, but I guess one short glass was for Rs 35. 

Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple



Santoshi Mata (L), Lord Ganesha (R)

The Tarkeshwar Mahadev temple is the oldest Shiva temple in Jaipur and a must-visit spot to take a look at India's religious richness. Located in the Pink City, not very far from the Lassiwala, is the temple with an ancient charm to it. 

Photography and videography are allowed here and I recommend you click as many pictures as you want because the idols are so fascinating, at least according to me. There's a tall idol of the Indian bandicoot rat (Lord Ganesha's vehicle/vahana) in whose ear we can whisper our wish. It is believed that the wish whispered is granted. (I can't recollect if it was the rat or Nandi.)

The temple complex is not huge however the vibes are really energetic. The main temple of Shiva has a Shivling and not much of a decor, keeping it simple. However, the walls of the temple are covered with silver. 

Panna Meena Ka Kund


Finally, we leave Jaipur city and drive towards Amer town. Our first halt is the Panna Meena ka Kund, the stepwell of Jaipur. I highly recommend you add it to your Jaipur itinerary for 3 days because it is not crowded and is an architectural wonder. 

It is believed that one who descends down these steps cannot take the same steps to climb upwards, especially if that person is a newbie. Though locals have mastered these steps, it is quite an amazing fact. The Panna Meena Ka Kund Jaipur was a place of social gathering during those days. Its emerald green water contrasts beautifully with the yellowish kund (well). 

There's a small boy who usually sells a miniature umbrella here, which has some mirror work on it. If you don't want to purchase the umbrella but want to use it as a prop for your photo, then the boy charges some fee of Rs 30 and lets you hire it!


Shri Jagat Shiromanaji Temple

The toran


Shri Jagat Shiromani temple is quite an attraction, according to me. Located in the Amer town, not very far from Panna Meena Ka Kund is this temple. Not just this temple, but the complete complex of Amer town containing Shri Jagat Shiromani temple and Panna Meena Ka Kund is quite a place to visit. 

The temple is dedicated to Krishna, Vishnu, and Meera bai. The temple was built by Queen Kanakwati in memory of her son Jagat Singh in 1608 AD. According to the legend, the Krishna statue is the same statue that was worshipped by Meera bai, who is a 16th-century poet and devotee of Lord Krishna. 

At the entrance of the temple, there's a huge toran (garland) made using a single piece of marble. There are many Hindu gods carved on the toran, including Lord Vishnu. 

Amer Fort/Amber Fort



View from Amer Fort

Amer Fort, also known as Amber Fort is located in Amer town, which is a part of the Jaipur Municipal Corporation. Located about 11 km from Jaipur, Amer Fort is one of the popular attractions in Jaipur. You should definitely include it in your Jaipur Itinerary for 3 days.

Amer Fort is known for its location, architecture, and serpentine fortification. The fort overlooks the Lake Maota. This lake supplied water to the residents of Amer Fort back then. The fort throws a splendid view of the Aravalli mountain range and is a must-visit place.

Right opposite to the fort, there's a hike which you can do. While the view from Amer fort is that of the mountains and tiny houses below, the view from this hike is the Amer fort itself! Unfortunately, due to my low stamina that day, I couldn't make it to the highest point of this hike so I had to step down from the mid. But the view I had from the mid of the hike was magnificent too! 



View from the hike opposite Amer Fort (midway shot)


If you're not interested in the Amer Fort (though I highly recommend you visit it), you can go for this hike. There is no source of water or food on the top so ensure you carry all the necessities before starting the hike. The starting point of the Amer Fort hike is near the parking area opposite the fort. You can submit your helmets too. Near the parking are stalls selling water, drinks, food, so refill your backpack here. For the hike, you can ask for the directions from the people at the parking area. 

Words of caution: When my friend had hiked all the way up, it had turned dark. Two locals tried to steal his and his friend's phones by throwing chilli powder in their eyes. My friend's companion almost slipped from the edge and would have fallen off from such a tall hill! Luckily, he was carrying a swiss knife and so could scare the goons. So please, be extremely cautious. Amer Fort looks beautiful lit up, but don't stay on top in the dark for too long, especially if you're a solo female traveller in Jaipur or in general, have a small group.

Read: Is India safe for Solo Women Travellers? Sharing my experience from a 40-day solo trip around India

Jal Mahal



Jal Mahal, also known as Water Palace is situated amidst the Man Sagar Lake on the way to Jaipur from Amer. The renovation happened in the 18th century and was done by Maharaja Jai Singh II. 

Earlier gondola rides were prevalent here but were stopped a few years ago. There's not much to do here, except stop on the way from Amer to Jaipur and click a few pictures against the beautiful palace. There's a dedicated area which encircles the lake where people can have ice cream, chaat, and a few makeshift roadside shops where you can shop souvenirs and other famous knickknacks. 

The palace is built using red sandstone and the four floors of the palace (there are a total five floors) are always underwater when the lake is full.

Galtaji Temple/Monkey Temple




View from the road that leads you down to the Galtaji Temple

I was completely blown over when I reached the temple complex. It's a highly recommended place and something you should not miss when in Jaipur. The good thing is, it's not frequented by many, which makes it a beautiful place. 

My suggestion is to take a bike/car to reach this temple as it is situated in the valley. On the way, you'll come across a gorgeous view of the temple from the top. Walking down will take up a lot of time and is not suggested. Because you have to catch the sunset from your next spot (the Sun Temple), you'll have to rush back sooner. 

Galtaji is an ancient temple famous for its location and lots of monkeys, hence it is also called Monkey temple. There are seven kunds (ponds) in the temple complex and the holiest one is the Galtaji ka kund. It is said that this kund is always full, irrespective of the weather. 


Pilgrims bathing in the hot water springs in one of the kunds


Shri Gyan Gopal Ji temple

There's a hot water spring on top of the hill that flows downwards filling all the seven kunds, which are used by the pilgrims to swim. The temple's complex is truly a spiritual place and a must-visit place in Jaipur. If you can squeeze in some time, then I request you to spend real quality time here. I couldn't, but I wish I could. 

A saint named Galav meditated here and did Tapasya, and I would love to do the same. It's a different world altogether. The priests at the entry gate on top tell you photography is not allowed, but people usually do it anyway after passing the priests. 

When I went, pilgrims were bathing in one of the kunds. You can see it in my Jaipur vlog


Sun Temple




Sunset from Sun Temple

Lastly, one of the best features of the second day of 3 days Jaipur Itinerary is capturing sunset from the Sun Temple. No hike is involved, you just have to climb a few steps or take your vehicle to the Sun Temple for an incredible sunset view against the whole of Jaipur city! 

When my guide took me here, I was blown over. The vibes were so good. The Sun Temple in itself is very unique, though small. Definitely set a tripod here to capture the best sunset timelapse on your camera! 

You come across the Sun Temple while you drive down to the Galtaji temple. However, we visit it later for the sunset. Once you're satisfied with breathtaking clicks of the sunset from the Sun Temple, you can start back for your hotel.

Day 3 – Capturing sunrise & a lot more!

The last day in Jaipur requires you to wake up early to catch the best sunrise in Jaipur. Basically, last day includes all the must-visit places in Jaipur that you couldn't cover in the first two days of Jaipur Itinerary. 

Nahargarh Fort


View from Nahargarh Fort


Check the sunrise timings a night before and set alarm to capture the best sunrise in Jaipur. Nahargarh fort is about 19 km from Pink City area (takes about 45 mins max) so plan accordingly. I missed it on my Jaipur Itinerary for 3 days but you should definitely visit it for a beautiful view of the cityscape from the fort and the sunrise, of course. It's quite popular amongst travellers and they wake up early morning and reach the haveli to capture the sunrise.

Nahargarh Fort is located on Aravalli Hills and is said to be one of the strongest defensive points of that time. The fort means 'abode of tigers'. It is believed that the fort was haunted by Nahar Singh Bhomia, whose spirits stopped the further construction of the fort. 

The entry ticket for Indians for Nahargarh Fort is Rs 50 and for foreign nationals, it is Rs 200. 


Masala Chowk



I didn't know a food joint called Masala Chowk existed until a friend who visited Jaipur told me about it. He said he loved the place so much, he had meals from there thrice, which made me add it to the Jaipur itinerary. 

With all the climbing of Nahargarh Fort, I'm sure you'll be hungry and need breakfast. So head to the Masala Chowk, one of the best food joints in Jaipur, and savour some really mouthwatering Indian cuisine. So whether it is biryani, chole bhature, street food items such as chaats, samosas, ice cream, faloodas, etc. It's a well-kept place and something you should not miss when in Jaipur. It's truly a food lover's paradise. 

I suggest you eat a nice filling brunch here so that you are full for most of the day. 

Patrika Gate 



Another from the best Instagrammable places in Jaipur and a must-visit is the Patrika Gate. I couldn't visit this due to the proximity and because I couldn't find another place in the same area to spend money on the travels. Plus, I knew I couldn't get a guide (or rather, there won't be a guide for this place) so to avoid the hassle, I skipped it. However, I regret so badly to miss it!

Patrika Gate is at a distance of 12 km from Pink City and lies close to the airport. So you can maybe leave for the airport a few hours earlier and visit this place so that you don't have to pay extra money for travelling the same direction twice. 

The Patrika Gate is located at the Jawahar Circle Garden. People say it takes about 2-3 hours to and fro plus visiting this place. There's no entry fee and the best time to visit it is in the mornings to beat the crowd.




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Where to stay in Jaipur

I stayed in Hosteller, which is a backpacker's hostel, on my 3 days Jaipur trip. I stayed here for a total of two nights and just like any other hostel, the Hosteller works similarly. I stayed in an all-female dorm on the first night but moved to a private room the next. There are strict eco-friendly hours during the day time when the air-conditioning in the dorms is shut. Only the common area will have the air-conditioner working at that time. It is a bummer for someone who wishes to spend their day indoors, so if you're planning any resting time during the daytime, then Hosteller is not the right place for you. 

They have an in-house kitchen but it's not always functional. However, you can order food from outside, which is a plus point. 

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