Jaipur

1. ~8:30a●Rajasthani breakfast

   Pyaaz kachori (a spiced onion pastry) or poha, with masala chai — or the hotel's lavish spread before the heat of the day.

2. 9:30a◆City Palace & Chandra Mahal

   The still-royal palace complex at the heart of the old city — the peacock gateways, the textile and armoury museums, and the blue Pritam Niwas courtyard doors.

3. ~11:30a◆Hawa Mahal & Jantar Mantar

   The honeycomb 'Palace of Winds' facade with its 953 windows, then the UNESCO astronomical observatory's giant stone instruments, including the world's largest sundial.

4. ~1:30p●Thali lunch

   An unlimited Rajasthani thali — dal baati churma, gatte ki sabzi, ker sangri, and a sweet — replenished until you surrender.

5. ~3:30p✦The bazaars of the old city

   Johari Bazaar for gemstones and Kundan jewellery, Bapu Bazaar for textiles and juttis — Jaipur is India's capital of block-printing, blue pottery, and precious stones. Haggle warmly.

6. 8:00p✦A royal thali at a palace tableAnchor table

   A regal Rajasthani degustation — laal maas (the fiery Rajput mutton curry), safed maas, and saffron desserts in a palace dining room with live folk music. The marquee meal; book a heritage-palace table (India's stars sit in the metros).

The old city's sights cluster within the pink walls — do them in a morning loop before the afternoon heat. Jaipur is a shopper's city; for gemstones, buy only from reputable, government-approved dealers.

1. 8:00a◆Amber Fort at opening

   The honey-and-amber hilltop fort above Maota Lake — go early for the cool and the light. The Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) flashes like a galaxy when lit, and the Ganesh Pol gate is exquisite.

2. ~10:30a◆Panna Meena stepwell & Jal Mahal

   The geometric criss-cross steps of the Panna Meena ka Kund, and the Water Palace seeming to float in the middle of Man Sagar Lake below.

3. ~12:30p●Lunch with a fort view

   A heritage restaurant near Amber — Rajasthani curries and fresh tandoori breads with the hills as a backdrop.

4. ~2:30p◆Jaigarh & the great cannon

   The military fort above Amber, holding Jaivana — once the world's largest wheeled cannon — and sweeping ramparts over the valley.

5. 5:30p◆Nahargarh Fort at sunset

   The 'Tiger Fort' on the ridge for the whole Pink City spread out below as the sun sets and the lights begin to twinkle — Jaipur's best sunset.

6. ~8:00p●Dinner back in the city

   A rooftop restaurant in the old city — dal makhani, a rich curry, and hot naan under the lit fort on the hill.

Amber Fort is the day's centrepiece — go at opening to beat the heat and crowds (and skip the elephant rides; a jeep or the walk up is kinder). Nahargarh at sunset is the perfect close to a fort-filled day.

1. ~9:30a✦A block-printing workshop

   Out to Sanganer or Bagru, the block-printing villages, or the Anokhi museum in a restored haveli — try stamping your own textile with carved wooden blocks.

2. ~12:00p✦A Jaipur cooking class or gem workshop

   A hands-on Rajasthani cooking class in a family home, or a visit to a gem-cutting and Kundan-jewellery atelier to see the craft Jaipur is famous for.

3. ~1:30p●Lassi & street snacks

   A thick saffron-and-pistachio lassi in a clay kulhad at a famous lassiwala, with samosas and mirchi bada from the street stalls.

4. ~3:30p◆Albert Hall Museum & gardens

   The Indo-Saracenic museum in Ram Niwas garden — Rajasthani arts and curios — and the pigeons wheeling over its floodlit facade at dusk.

5. ~7:00p✦A folk dance & puppet evening

   Chokhi Dhani or a heritage venue — Rajasthani folk dancers, Kalbeliya performers, kathputli puppets, and a village-style feast eaten on the floor.

Jaipur is the craft heart of Rajasthan — a block-printing or jewellery workshop is the souvenir you'll keep. The folk-culture evening is touristy but genuinely joyful and a great last-night feast.