Ah, impromptu plans! We booked a random date, grabbed train tickets from Bandra Terminus, and before we knew it, Jaipur was on our radar. It was December 2022—chilly mornings, warm sunsets, and the famous “Gulabi sheher ki gulabi thand.”
Day 1: Work Calls and Tuktuks – A Soft Start to the Gulabi Adventure
We checked in at Moustache Hostel, a cozy and budget-friendly dorm that cost peanuts (well, almost) compared to hotels. It was my first dorm experience, and I can confirm—it’s as much about the vibe as the savings.
Morning tasks involved a unique combo: tapri chai at Gulab Ji Chai Wale and replying to Slack messages (Work-from-anywhere mode ON). By noon, we were on a tuk-tuk spree, ticking off Jaipur’s classic gems:
- Hawa Mahal – The pink façade is Instagram-worthy, sure, but standing inside made me feel like I was in a royal kaleidoscope!
- Albert Hall Museum – A treasure trove of quirky exhibits; think mummies and artifacts that screamed, “Ancestors had swag.”
- Jantar Mantar – My inner nerd woke up here; those astronomical instruments left us all awestruck.
Foodies that we are, our taste buds were treated to:
- Chhole Kulche (Near Ganpati Plaza, a spicy delight)
- Masala Chowk’s Rajasthani Thali
- Ending the day with Hostel’s Man Chow Soup (yum!).
Pro Tip: Don’t underestimate how magical a tuk-tuk ride feels in the soft glow of Jaipur’s streetlights.
Day 2: Scooty Rides, Forts, and That Dreamy Sunset
The day began, yet again, with Chhole Kulche and Gulab Ji’s chai. There’s something oddly comforting about a ritual breakfast in a new city!
Next on the agenda: a scooty to tackle the city’s royal spread! The feeling of breezing through Jaipur on two wheels—bliss.
- First Stop: Amer Fort – Majestic. Massive. Mind-blowing. Its mirror palace had us wondering, “How did they design this centuries ago without AutoCAD?!”
- Panna Meena ka Kund – Imagine the most symmetrical, Insta-perfect stepwell. Yup, that’s this place! (Also a brief history lesson—free of charge, thanks to enthusiastic locals.)
- Jaigarh Fort – The famous “Sona-Chandi hidden treasure” story made us giggle, but the sheer grandeur of the place left us speechless.
- Nahargarh Fort – This fort sits pretty on a hilltop, serving us a sunset to die for. Jaipur, wrapped in hues of pink, orange, and gold—seriously breathtaking.
Fueling our adventures were street delicacies like Aloo Chaat, Khicha Papad, Shikanji, and hostel night talks with a new dormmate over Raj Kachori.
Day 3: Gate Goals, Shopping Frenzy, and Farewell Feasts
Our final day started, unsurprisingly, with our now-favorite breakfast. We and our dorm-friend-turned-companion decided to tuk-tuk it out this time!
Patrika Gate was our first destination. Let me tell you—it’s like Jaipur’s colorful mood board wrapped in stunning symmetry. And yes, it lived up to every bit of hype as Jaipur’s photo-op hotspot.
Shopping at Bapu Bazaar followed, where our bargaining skills were truly tested. We left victorious, armed with quirky bags, colorful dupattas, and souvenirs to flood our Insta feeds.
For lunch, we went full Rajasthani mode with a feast at Laxmi Misthan Bhandar (daal baati churma, we love you). By evening, our Jaipur chapter came to an end as we boarded the train back to Mumbai, replaying beautiful moments from the trip.
From stunning pink architecture to indulgent street food, from budget hostel memories to stories written atop forts—Jaipur was a medley of royal charm and cozy comfort.
If a quick, budget-friendly adventure is on your mind, Jaipur’s pink allure awaits you. Trust me; it’ll paint your travel diary in golden hues.