If you just do a quick internet search, the "Pink City" of Jaipur appears as a highly touristy historical city that attracts lovers of antiques, romance, and sightseeing.
But hold on... you're not coming to India as a tourist, you're immersing yourself in the culture by living like a local, not in a hotel, but possibly with a host family. During your internship or volunteer work, you'll be closely collaborating and spending time with locals. So, what is there for you to explore in Jaipur after checking off the touristy sights?
Panna Meena ka Kund
Panna Meena ka Kund, which is a most Instagrammable stepwell for Indians, is actually a hidden gem in Jaipur. Many foreign tourists visit Amber Fort and don’t really know that this ancient stepwell is located only 10 minutes away.
Next to Panna Meena ka Kund, there is one of the most ancient temples of Amber which can be visited on foot.
Amber City itself is an attraction as you get a chance to see how the life of local population was before the Pink City was constructed: Amber's population built and moved to today's Jaipur after they faced water shortage near the Amber Fort.
Today, one can feel the presence of the 14th century by visiting Panna Meena ka Kund and the Amber city after or before the touristic Amber fort tour.
Chokhi Dhani Heritage Village
This hidden spot is another huge hit for Indian tourists, but very few foreigners know about this heritage village, which offers a wide range of cultural activities with local artisans, performers and village residents, sharing their skills and craft.
On top of the dancing, music, and fun, you can find unlimited Rajasthani food while sitting on the ground like Rajasthani people do. The tsunami of spices and sweets will stun you. The traditional Rajasthani food is known to be one of the spiciest in India.
Reserve a full evening for this destination as the heritage village is huge and includes a local market, 3 museums, 4 reproductions of historic scenes, and much more.
Monkey Temple
Would you like to explore a more peaceful part of Jaipur and spend your day with monkeys all around you?
Galta ji temple is the one to offer you this opportunity. Thousands of monkeys live around the temple premises. Ensure you take some peanuts or bananas with you to feed the naughty creatures and spend a peaceful time away from the pink city traffic and hustle.
For Indians, this place is a sacred location where you can also observe a lot of locals performing various religious practices such as bathing in the pond, aarti (prayer), and meditation.
Bapu Bazaar
Indian outfits can be super comfortable, especially during hot summer seasons (not sarees, but kurtas and pants).
You can easily get some cheap but good quality items in Bapu Bazaar, which is one of the biggest markets of Jaipur where you can find not only clothes but also jewelry, crafts, various daily items required while traveling, souvenirs, etc.
Remember to always bargain in the market as you can cut 50% of the original price and even more.
Hawa Mahal Tattoo Café
Hawa Mahal is a attraction covered by all tourists, but do you know from where you can get the best view onto the palace?
Hidden among crowded shops, Chai makers, jewelry shops and buildings, Tattoo Café allows its visitors to have a clear view of Hawa Mahal while sipping your favorite drink.
The best time to visit is in the mornings as evenings are overcrowded with a lot of visitors.
Nahargarh Fort Sunrise
A unique place from where you can see the entire Jaipur from an eagle's eye view is Nahargarh.
It is one of the main forts to visit, but its breathtaking view is the main reason for those who go there at 5 am to experience a pink sunrise on top of the hill, while having some Indian chai.
Pack some snacks or your breakfast and enjoy a picnic in this antique fort with a splendid view of the awakening city.
Rooftops and Cafés
Jaipur is famous as a romantic city but not as a party place, and with its heritage looks, it seems as if the fun of going out could be limited. However, it’s absolutely the opposite.
The youth of Jaipur is very foodie and enjoys the evenings outside. Nightlife here starts from 7 pm onwards as the sunset is pretty early. It’s dark at 7 pm, a perfect time to go to rooftops away from the traffic and the crowd and enjoy some chilled atmosphere of Friday evening live music and drinks. Many of the local rooftops serve western food which can bring you some change to the daily Indian food.
If you are more of an afternoon person, then you have a chance to enjoy some of the best local cafés designed in western style, as Indian youth enjoys western snacks and coffee.
Remember to ask for NO SUGAR if you don’t need your coffee to be sweet. Indians put a lot of sugar in many drinks, including tea, coffee, shakes, etc.
To our participants we give a comprehensive list of cafes and rooftops. We also often go there together with our participants for their farewell dinners.
In a nutshell, whether you stay 1 month or 3 months in Jaipur, you will never feel a shortage of places to visit and things to do in your free time!
What not to do in Jaipur!
When in Jaipur, please do not ride on elephants. Riding on an elephant is a popular tourist activity. However, the elephants are usually kept in poor conditions and trained using harsh methods including physical and psychological abuse, to make them submissive to humans. Elephants used for rides may be overworked, spending long hours in the sun without adequate rest or water. Often, they are the victims of accidents in inner-city traffic, resulting in severe injuries. In some cases, elephants used for tourism are taken from the wild, contributing to the decline of wild elephant populations. Even those bred in captivity may face a life of captivity and limited social interactions.
