solo traveling new delhi - jaipur - agra (india) in 1.5 days
may 18-19, 2012 friday to saturday
new delhi morning city tour (india gate, humayun's tomb & red fort)
Arrived in jaipur train station at 1750H via platform #2. Lots of rickshaw drivers awaiting outside asking friendly for my reason for visit. I have to stop getting irritated by them that's why I submitted myself to one of them and asked where is this hotel I booked. He immediately replied he knows it but giving some bad insights on that hotel thinking I will change my mind. I paid 20INR because the hotel is almost 300 meters away the station. I immediately went-out the vehicle directly to hotel entrance. I asked the attendant that I have availed a tour that is affiliated with them. He phoned someone, confirming my tour then he said a van will pick me up on this hotel after couple of minutes.
Jaipur also popularly known as the 'Pink City', is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Founded on 18 November 1727. Jaipur is one of the finest planned cities of India, located in the semi-desert lands of Rajasthan. The city which once had been the capital of the royalty now is the capital city of Rajasthan.
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| jaipur pink city by night landmark stop-over |
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| jaipur pink city by night landmark stop-over |
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| jaipur pink city by night landmark stop-over(albert hall) |
This Jaipur pink city by night tour cost 375 INR (php313) and scheduled from 1830H-2230H. I I booked this in advance together with my hotel. The tour includes driver/tour guide in a 10-seater van, vegetable-meal dinner and a round to the following tourist spot; Raj Mandir Cinema Hall, Statue Circle, Amar Jawan Jyoti, Vidhan Sabha Bhawan, Laxminarayan Temple (Birla Mandir), Albert Hall, Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, Kanak Virndavan, Amber Fort, Nahargarh Fort (Dinner).
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| jaipur pink city by night landmark stop-over |
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| jaipur pink city by night landmark stop-over(amber fort) |
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| jaipur pink city by night landmark stop-over(amber fort) |
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| dinner at nahargah fort |
My observations on this tour are the following with 3 of 5 stars remark;
1. momentarily photo-ops only - the most gruesome part of the tour. I thought I can practice bight shot photography here but its not. If I don't have compressed itinerary, I would definitely not avail this package. The driver did not give some time to at least have a decent shot for every landmark that grabs my interest. We just passed-by most of the major spots without having a good night shot, sigh!
2. more time to shopping - yes, this is somewhat marketing strategy. the driver gave enough time on the handicraft store. I am here because of the landmark photography at night.
3. dinner at the highest peak - the best part of the tour. this will be done on the highest peak of jaipur which is in nahargarg fort. Though I did not feel I am above the city due to the walls, I like the joyride of right-hand drive at night with no lights outside going to peak. Another thing, this was my first time experiencing the sandstorm fierce and it was more than the storm due to sand penetration. I did not finished my meal, no drinks included.
4. missed-out some major landmarks - we did not visit all mentioned places as indicated in the tour and I did not even feel being pink city of jaipur.
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| hotel swagatam, 300 meters away from jaipur train station |
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| hotel swagatam private single room at 800 rupee |
room: private single room
rate: 800INR (php667) / night
how did i know: suggested from the tour website
address: 300 meters away from jaipur train station
services: fan-room, towel, private bathroom, tv, free breakfast (0700H-1100H)
remarks: 3/5 stars
The driver brought us back to our respective hotel around 2200H, and I was the only tourist that time who is non-local.
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