Namaste, travel friends! If you’ve been following our family adventures over on Away With The Steiners or diving into our tips on Away To India, you probably know by now that we are head-over-heels in love with India. But have we told you about Raja yet?
Having travelled to this incredible country six times as a family, we’ve explored bustling megacities, quiet mountain towns, and desert oases. But there is one place that always pulls us back with open arms: Jaipur, the famous Pink City of Rajasthan!
A huge part of why Jaipur feels so special to us isn’t just the grand palaces or fortresses though – it’s the people.
On our first ever visit to Jaipur, we spent the day touring the city with our now dear friend and expert rickshaw driver, Raja (along with his co-driver for the day, our then young son Harry!).
Since then, we tour Jaipur with Raja every time we visit, and we recommend driving and tour Jaipur with Raja to anyone visiting!
Finding a Driver to Tour Jaipur: Raja
Finding a great driver in India makes all the difference when navigating the vibrant streets. Raja is an absolute wealth of knowledge, full of energy, and knows every hidden alleyway and detail that most tourists miss.
Here is what an unforgettable, action-packed day exploring Jaipur in an auto-rickshaw looks like with a local by your side!
1. Starting the Day with 60-Year-Old Famous Masala Chai
You simply cannot start a day of exploring in India without a steaming glass of authentic chai. So before diving into the sights, Raja brought us to a legendary local spot: Gulab Ji Chai.
This iconic stall was started around 50 to 60 years ago by an old gentleman named Gulab Ji, and it serves up what might just be the best Masala Chai in all of Jaipur.
It was already one of those pinch-me kind of moments, sitting together, sipping hot chai spiced with ginger and cardamom, and catching up with Raja while the morning streets of Jaipur slowly woke up. It was the absolute perfect start to our day.
2. Albert Hall Museum & The Story Behind the “Pink City”
With our chai fix sorted, we hopped back into Raja’s rickshaw and navigated toward our first major historic landmark: Albert Hall Museum.
Standing in the middle of Ram Niwas Garden, this breathtaking Indo-Saracenic building serves as the state museum.
While we were gazing at its intricate arches and stone carvings, Raja shared the wonderful story behind why Jaipur was painted pink in the first place:
Back in 1876, Prince Albert (Albert Edward, Prince of Wales) was visiting Jaipur. The King of Jaipur, Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh, ordered the entire city to be painted a warm terracotta pink – the traditional colour of hospitality – to welcome the prince. During the visit, Prince Albert laid the foundation stone for the museum hall, which was then named in his honour.
Essential Travel Tip: The Jaipur Composite Ticket
If you’re planning to visit multiple heritage sites in Jaipur, get a Composite Ticket!
- Cost: 1,000 Rupees per adult (kids under 7 are free!).
- What’s Included: Entry to Albert Hall Museum, Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, Nahargarh Fort, and several other major attractions.
- Why It’s Worth It: Buying single entries at three different sites will easily cost more, so the composite ticket saves you time, money, and hassle.
If you’re planning to visit multiple heritage sites in Jaipur, get a Composite Ticket!
3. Gaitore Ki Chhatriyan: The Royal Cenotaphs
Next up, Raja took us to one of our absolute favourite places in all of Jaipur – and one that many first-time travellers completely miss: Gaitore Ki Chhatriyan.
Tucked peacefully at the foot of the Nahargarh hills, this site served as the royal crematorium for the Kachwaha Rajput rulers of Jaipur. The complex is filled with beautifully carved marble and sandstone chhatris (dome-shaped pavilions/cenotaphs) dedicated to various kings and maharajas.
After cremating the royals here, their ashes were traditionally carried to the sacred River Ganges. Stepping out of the city’s frantic traffic and into this serene, quiet sanctuary is magic. The boys loved watching the local monkeys playing among the ancient stone structures!
4. Amer Village: Stepwells, Ancient Temples, & Amber Fort Views
From Gaitore, we rolled out toward the historic town of Amer (Amer Village), sitting just beneath the world-famous Amber Fort.
Panna Meena Ka Kund (The Ancient Stepwell)
Next Raja guided us to Panna Meena Ka Kund, a stunning 16th-century stepwell. Built during royal times to collect rainwater in the arid Rajasthan climate, its symmetrical geometric staircases are visually incredible.
Raja explained that the village and stepwell were named after the Meena community, the original inhabitants of this region before the Rajputs arrived.
Bihari Ji Temple & Local Hidden Gems
Just a short stroll from the stepwell lies the ancient Bihari Ji Temple, a unique, centuries-old temple constructed entirely out of stone. Raja showed us around the courtyard, pointing out architectural details and hidden spots off the beaten path.
We also made a stop near a 500-year-old local mosque right in the heart of Amer, soaking in the rich cultural blend that makes Rajasthan so special.
5. Jal Mahal: The Water Palace at Sunset
To cap off an incredible day of exploring, we pulled up along the banks of Man Sagar Lake to view Jal Mahal(The Water Palace) as the late afternoon sun began to dip.
This magnificent sandstone palace appears to float serenely in the middle of the lake. What most people don’t realise – and something Harry loved learning – is that three stories of this five-story palace are actually submerged underwater!
The lakeside promenade comes alive in the late afternoon and evening with street vendors, local snacks, and families out enjoying the cooler air. Sitting by the lake, watching the reflection of the illuminated palace on the water, was the perfect finale to our day with Raja.
Top Tips for Traveling & Getting Around in India
Having visited India seven times with our kids, here are our top tips for making the most of your journey:
- Hire a Trusted Local Rickshaw/Auto Driver: Skip booking nameless big-bus tours! Finding a knowledgeable driver like Raja gives you flexibility, authentic local insights, and access to hidden spots.
- Start Early in the Morning: The morning traffic in cities like Jaipur is much lighter, temperatures are cooler, and major sites are far less crowded.
- Embrace Street Food & Chai Wisely: Look for busy stalls with high turn-over (like Gulab Ji for chai!). Freshly boiled tea cooked right in front of you is both safe and delicious.
- Travel Slow with Kids: Don’t try to cram ten major sights into a single day. Mix high-energy palaces with peaceful spots like stepwells, parks, or quiet temples where everyone can recharge.
Final Thoughts: Book a Day Trip with Raja
Jaipur is a sensory feast of colour, history, and warmth. Touring the Pink City in an open-air rickshaw alongside a dear friend who knows every corner of his home city made the day completely unforgettable.
If you’re planning your own Indian adventure, check out more of our family travel guides, itineraries, and tips over at awaytoindia.com or awaywiththesteiners.com!
Want to see all the action from our day with Raja? Catch our full YouTube video here: TUK-TUK TOUR OF JAIPUR WITH RAJA.
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- Ultimate India Food Tour: 10 Must-Try Treats.
- India Tourist e-Visa: Our Step-By-Step Guide.
- 10 Things We’ve Learned Traveling India as a Family.
- Best Tourist SIM Card For India.
- What To Wear In India.
- 10 Tips To Avoid Delhi Belly In India.
- 10 Best Things To Do in Delhi.
- The Varanasi Burning Ghats: What To Expect, Honestly.
- Visiting the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab.
Travel Planning for India & Beyond
These are the companies we use while traveling and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere in Asia through 12Go.
- Skyscanner – Our favourite flight search engine. They can search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide – A huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for short or longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have travel insurance as soon as you start planning your trip to India!
Hi! I’m Sarah. I am the self-confessed dreamer, travel-schemer and the main editor behind this blog. I love to write, and it is a dream come true to share so many experiences together and inspire others in our stories.
