Jaipur 1-day itinerary

Begin at Amber Fort, 11km north of Jaipur, arriving as it opens to experience the massive honey-coloured sandstone and marble fortress before the tour groups arrive. The Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) inside is extraordinary — thousands of convex mirror fragments set into the walls and ceiling that were designed to illuminate the chamber from a single candle flame. The Diwan-i-Khas, the Ganesh Pol gateway with its painted frescoes, and the Sukh Niwas with its ingenious wind-cooled water channels are highlights of Rajput-Mughal architecture at its finest.

Return to the walled Pink City and visit the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) — Jaipur's iconic honeycomb facade of 953 small windows designed so royal women could observe street festivals without being seen. Walk to the City Palace complex, still the residence of the Jaipur royal family, where the Mubarak Mahal textile museum and the Diwan-i-Khas with its enormous silver water vessels tell the story of Rajput royalty. Next door, Jantar Mantar houses the world's largest stone sundial and a collection of astronomical instruments built by Maharaja Jai Singh II in 1734 that are still accurate today.

Drive or take an auto-rickshaw up the winding road to Nahargarh Fort on the Aravalli Hills for the best sunset panorama over Jaipur. The entire Pink City spreads below in a terracotta grid, with the forts and palaces catching the last golden light. After sunset, descend into the old city bazaars — Johari Bazaar for jewellery and gemstones, Bapu Bazaar for textiles and mojari shoes, and the lane stalls for dal baati churma (baked wheat balls with lentil curry and sweet crumble), Jaipur's signature Rajasthani dish.