Jaipur and slow Bundi
6 days, 5 nights: Jaipur (3N), Bundi (2N). Best time to go: Oct–Mar.
Day 1: Arrive in Jaipur
Jaipur
- Hawa Mahal and the old-city bazaars · 3 h. See the façade from a café terrace opposite, then climb inside. Walk on through Johari Bazaar for jewellery, Bapu Bazaar for block prints and mojris, and Tripolia for brass and lac bangles.
Local tip: See the façade from a café terrace opposite, then climb inside. Walk on through Johari Bazaar for jewellery, Bapu Bazaar for block prints and mojris, and Tripolia for brass and lac bangles.
Day 2: Explore Jaipur
Jaipur
- Amber Fort and Panna Meena stepwell · 3.5 h. Go at opening time and walk or take a jeep up — skip the elephant rides. Amber is on Jaipur's two-day composite ticket (about ₹300 for Indians; foreigners pay more), which also covers Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Albert Hall and Nahargarh.
- Albert Hall Museum by night · 1.5 h. Rajasthan's oldest museum, lit up after dark; it stays open into the evening.
Local tip: Go at opening time and walk or take a jeep up — skip the elephant rides. Amber is on Jaipur's two-day composite ticket (about ₹300 for Indians; foreigners pay more), which also covers Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Albert Hall and Nahargarh.
Day 3: Explore Jaipur
Jaipur
- City Palace and Jantar Mantar · 3 h. The royal family still lives in part of the palace; the Pritam Niwas courtyard's four peacock gates are the photo stop. Jantar Mantar's giant instruments are next door — a guide makes them make sense.
- Nahargarh Fort sunset · 2.5 h. The ridge-top fort looks over the whole city; stay for the lights. Jaigarh Fort, with its giant cannon, sits on the same ridge.
Local tip: The royal family still lives in part of the palace; the Pritam Niwas courtyard's four peacock gates are the photo stop. Jantar Mantar's giant instruments are next door — a guide makes them make sense.
Day 4: Jaipur → Bundi
Bundi · Jaipur to Bundi, Car ~4h
- Garh Palace and the Chitrashala murals · 2.5 h. Turquoise and gold miniature murals cover the Chitrashala's walls; the palace climb is steep and partly unrestored.
Local tip: Turquoise and gold miniature murals cover the Chitrashala's walls; the palace climb is steep and partly unrestored.
Day 5: Explore Bundi
Bundi
Day 6: Depart from Bundi
Bundi
- Taragarh Fort · 2 h. Overgrown ramparts with sweeping views; monkeys are bold here, so carry a stick and nothing edible.
Local tip: Overgrown ramparts with sweeping views; monkeys are bold here, so carry a stick and nothing edible.
Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.
Where to stay
- Jaipur (3 nights): C-Scheme, Civil Lines and heritage havelis. Restored havelis with courtyards and pools, central for the forts and restaurants.
- Bundi (2 nights): Restored havelis by Nawal Sagar. Painted rooms and lake views in the heart of the old town.