My One Day Tour of Jaipur with Santalum Tours
I had only one day in Jaipur. Not enough to see everything, but I wanted to make it count. A friend told me about Santalum Tours, so I booked their one day tour. Honestly, I was not sure what to expect, but it turned out better than I thought.
The car showed up at my hotel in the morning. A Suzuki with air conditioning, clean inside, cold water bottles already waiting. The driver smiled, introduced himself, and we started off. It felt easy. No rush, no big group, just me and a guide who seemed to know the city like the back of his hand.
First stop was Amber Fort. I had seen it in photos, but standing there was something else. Big walls rising from the hill, the lake reflecting the fort below. Inside, I walked slowly through courtyards and small passages. The mirror hall still sparkled, even though the sun was not too strong yet. The guide didn’t hurry me. He let me take my time, sit down, click a few pictures, and just breathe. That already made the tour feel different.
We drove a short distance to Panna Meena ka Kund, the old stepwell. It looked almost unreal, like a staircase puzzle. Quiet, simple, but beautiful in its own way. Nobody pushed me to move along. I liked that.
Back in the city we stopped at Hawa Mahal. Everyone takes pictures from the street, but the guide showed me a café across the road. From the balcony there you get the full view, and I had a cup of chai while looking at the palace. Small tip, but it made the stop more memorable.
City Palace came next. The painted doorways, the open courtyards, the mix of old and new. The guide explained a bit about the seasonal gates, things I would not have noticed on my own. After that it was time for lunch. They took me to a local place, nothing fancy, but the thali was rich and filling. Dal baati churma, gatte ki sabzi, papad, and a sweet ladoo at the end. Heavy but worth it.
The afternoon was Jantar Mantar. Big stone instruments that still work, or so the guide said. I am not an expert in astronomy, but walking around those huge structures felt special. Then we went up to Nahargarh Fort. The drive was quiet, the road winding. From the top, Jaipur stretched out like a patchwork. I stayed longer than planned, watching the colors change as the sun moved lower. The driver didn’t mind at all. That kind of flexibility makes a difference.
Last stop was Birla Mandir. White marble glowing in the evening light, bells ringing softly, families walking in and out. After a day of forts, crowds, and traffic, it was the calmest moment.
What I really liked about this one day tour with Santalum was the personal touch. Nothing felt rushed. If I wanted to stop for photos, I did. If I wanted to ask about food, the guide suggested local shops. When I wanted to linger at the fort for sunset, nobody pulled me away. It felt like the city was being shown to me, not sold to me.
One day is not enough for Jaipur, that’s true. But with Santalum Tours I felt like I got the essence of it. The big sights, the hidden corners, the taste of local food, the quiet moments too. For a single day, that was more than I hoped for.
