Jaipur

October–March is best — temperatures 15–28°C, dry, and ideal for the fort hikes and outdoor exploration. January is peak season (cooler, clear). February brings the Elephant Festival. March sees Holi — the festival of colours — which is extraordinary in Jaipur's old city. April–June is too hot for comfort (38–44°C). Monsoon July–September: rain softens the heat, prices drop significantly.

1. Amber Fort at dawn

A 16th-century Mughal-Rajput fort on a hillside 11km from Jaipur — one of India's most photogenic forts. Arrive by 7am (entry AUD $7) to avoid the tourist coaches and the worst heat. Climb the ramparts for extraordinary views over the Maota Lake below and the Aravalli hills beyond. The Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors) inside is covered in thousands of inlaid glass pieces that reflect candlelight into thousands of stars.

2. Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds)

Jaipur's most photographed facade — a five-storey pink sandstone screen of 953 small windows, built in 1799 to allow royal women to observe street festivals unseen. Entry AUD $3. The interior is small and not as impressive as the exterior — the best view is from the rooftop cafés across the street.

3. City Palace and Jantar Mantar

The City Palace (part-museum, part still used by Jaipur's royal family, AUD $10 entry) holds extraordinary Mughal and Rajput art, textiles, and armour. Adjacent Jantar Mantar (AUD $4) is an 18th-century astronomical observatory containing the world's largest stone sundial — accurate to 2 seconds. Both are in the old city heart, walkable from each other.

4. Bazaar shopping

Jaipur is India's best city for shopping: block-printed textiles (Johari Bazaar), blue pottery (a Jaipur speciality), semi-precious gemstones, and handcrafted leather shoes. The old city bazaars (Tripolia Bazaar, Bapu Bazaar) are extraordinary for immersion. Bargaining is expected — start at 40–50% of the first price. Fixed-price government-approved craft shops (Rajasthali on MI Road) offer a no-stress alternative.

• Heritage guesthouse (haveli) in the old city: AUD $30–80/night. Mid-range hotel: AUD $60–120/night.
• Thali lunch at a dhaba: AUD $3–6 all-you-can-eat.
• Laal maas (Rajasthani red meat curry) dinner at a proper restaurant: AUD $8–15 per person.
• Auto-rickshaw half-day sightseeing: AUD $10–20.
• Rajasthan is very affordable by Australian standards — AUD $60–100/day covers comfortable accommodation, excellent food, and all entry fees.

Jaipur is safer than Delhi but the same cautions apply: stomach bugs (eat cooked food, drink bottled water), transport scams (use Ola/Uber), and gem scams (Jaipur's notorious gemstone export scam — involving a "business opportunity" to carry gems to Australia — has caught Australian tourists. The answer is always no.)

Day 1: Old City

Morning: Amber Fort (6am jeep/walk up). Afternoon: City Palace and Jantar Mantar. Hawa Mahal exterior photograph at golden hour. Evening: old city bazaars — Johari Bazaar for textiles.

Day 2: Surroundings and departing

Morning: Nahargarh Fort (30 minutes from the city, extraordinary views over Jaipur, AUD $3). Afternoon: shopping at Bapu Bazaar or Rajasthali. Train or bus to Delhi (5 hours by Shatabdi Express, AUD $15–25) or Agra for the Golden Triangle completion.