The Amber Fort was by far the most beautiful place I have visited in Jaipur and for good reason. Imposing fortifications, large courtyards, palaces and temples beautifully decorated and embellished with impressive interior gardens, are just a few of the words I would use to describe the world that lies beyond the walls of the Amber Fort.
In case you plan a trip to this place, you should take into account a few useful tips:
1.First of all it’s important to know that you have a few options you may choose from, when it comes to the way you can get to the Amber Fort. The fort is situated at a 20-minute drive from Jaipur. In case you travel on your own and you don’t have an agency to take care of your transport, you can use the public transport, a rented car or a taxi.
Even though it is the cheapest option, I don’t recommend the public transport because their buses are really crowded and dirty. In case you decide to rent a car, you should take into account the chaotic traffic in Jaipur and the fact that there are few parking spaces in the area. The best options to get to the fort and enjoy your visit there are to choose an organized tour or to rent a car, but with a driver at your disposal.
2.After reaching the parking area, you should know that you have three options to get to the fort. You can choose an elephant ride around the ruins of the fabulous Amber Fort, you can go by jeep or you can simply walk. If you choose the four-wheel drive you should know that there is a jeep that comes every 60 minutes and if you choose to walk you should know that it will take you about a half an hour to get to the fort.
An important and also disappointing aspect is the fact that travel agencies promote these elephant rides because they are more profitable. This is why they will give you the impression that these rides are the only option you have to get to the fort.
3.I advise you to inform yourself about the places you are going to visit inside the complex, especially if you don’t have a guide at your disposal. There are a lot of interesting places inside the Amber Fort and reading about them will help you decide upon the most beautiful and interesting ones.
4.If you can, you should spend an entire day inside the Amber Fort. Unfortunately, I spend only the first half of the day there and I couldn’t enjoy the evening activities. You should know that in the evening, you can admire the image of the lighted fort from the bottom of the hill or you can enjoy a classical dance program which takes place in Sukh Mahal. You have to pay a fee if you want to watch this show. The icing on the cake is the fact that after dark, you will have the opportunity to watch a gorgeous light show.
5.Bring water with you because the temperature is pretty high inside the temples. Don’t worry in case you run out of water because there is a restaurant inside the complex, called Surabhi, where you can have a meal or a drink. During dinner you can enjoy puppet shows and traditional songs inside this restaurant.
All things considered, there is one more thing left to do. Plan your trip and enjoy it to the fullest!
