Jaipur is the acknowledged gateway to the region. Historically, by virtue of its proximity to Delhi, it was open to the cultural influences of Mughal rule and, later, British colonial rule. Today, it has the state's only international airport. Jaipur is an unspoilt, 18th. century experience that prepares the traveler for what the rest of the state has to offer. Along with Delhi (250 kms) and Agra (230 kms), Jaipur makes up the 'golden triangle' that offers probably the single largest concentration of places of tourist interest in northern India.

Jaipur - the 'Pink City' - was built in the early 18th. century as a planned city with seven gates, to replace Amber as the capital of the Kachchawa kings. The Kachchawa Rajputs trace their ancestry back to the sun, hence the Sun God as the symbol of Jaipur. Maharaja Jai Singh, its founder, was India's greatest astronomer king, who opened his court to scientific knowledge from all over the world, and designed the Jantar Mantar, the world's largest stone and marble crafted observatory with 17 large instruments.

Essential viewing of historical monuments in Jaipur are: Amber fort, the City Palace and museum, Ram Niwas Bagh museum, Hawa Mahal, and the Jantar Mantar observatory. No trip would be complete without handicraft and jewellery shopping.

For the leisurely and focused traveler, there are more monuments: Sisodia Rani ka Bagh (Mughal-style pleasure garden), the ancient springs and temples of Galta, the cenotaphs of Gaitore, the step-well at Abhaneri, the Govind Devji Mandir (temple), the ancient craft bazaars, the timeless temple town of Pushkar, the 13th. century shrine of the Sufi saint Chishti...