Jaipur Questions? Go ahead!

Sadhu

Thanks for the hot tips - I'll be kitted out in no time! Don't know if I'll be there long enough to get tweeds made, what with the holidays happening and all. As for the camel hat, I think I'll stick with something 'veggie' - maybe a nice straw local version of the 'pork pie'.

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'Walk the Earth, Have Adventures'

Lily

Hi

This is just to remind you all that the annual elephant festival will be held on the 28th of March, so if you are in the vicinity of Jaipur, plan your trip around this.

The day consists of

Elephant Procession through the city

Elephant polo

Tug of war

Elephant Race

Holi on Elephants

Folk dances and fire works

And you are welcome to visit us for tea/coffee on the evening of the 29th after you have played Holi! (I somehow can't get rid of the Holi colours for days, and so stay indoors!)


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Lily

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Lily

tracyprier

Hi Lily

I know you are based in Jaipur but hope you can help with this anyway.

My wife & I will be taking a camel safari into the Thar desert leaving from Jaisalmer mid-November this year.

Can you tell me how cold it is likely to get out in the desert overnight and are sleeping bags normally included with the safari?


Just in the process of deciding how much warm clothing to bring.


Thanks for your comments

Lily

Tracy,

When you take an overnight safari, you normaly stay in a tent at night where all your needs are taken care of - blankets, sheets, etc. are provided and are part of the safari cost.

Jaisalmer can be cold at night but if you carry a pull over and a windcheater, you should be fine.

Also, India has a world class, thriving industry in woolens and you will be amazed at the variety of designs available. So should you feel too cold, you can always buy a warm sweater without spending too much!

KathSF

Lily and Tacy:

Sorry to disagree with you Lily, but as one who has taken a camel safari from Jaisalmer (and who has spoken to many others who also have), I must say that tents and sheets are generally NOT part of the picture if you take a regular safari. They might be provided on some sort of high class safari, but normally it's out under the stars (no tents), and very warm blankets are provided, but no sheets. Still, I found it quite comfortable (though i'm a veteran camper).

Anyway, enjoy! You won't be sorry that you took a camel safari.

-Kath

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Happy trails!

tracyprier

Doesn't sound as if I need to bring a sleeping bag then. Great, one less fairly bulky item I won't be packing.

Lily

Just spoke to someone from Jaisalmer!

Information on Safari Prices - Jaisalmer

Safaris where tented accommodation is provided cost upwards of INR 1200/-. The other feature of these safaris is that food is cooked on site and served outdoors, and not carried in tiffins!

However you can negotiate with a camel driver and embark on a basic safari for around INR 450/- a night

mia

Hi Lily,

I know you must get asked this about a thousand times, but i am looking for some good accommodation in Jaipur for my trip in January next year.
As i am travelling with my father, i am specifically looking for a room with an adjoining bathroom and air conditioning (if possible) for a moderate price.. it would also be great if the place wasn't too far from where the 'action' is in jaipur!
If you could give me some recommendations that would be great

Thank you!

Lily

Mia!

Since we have our own hotel and know the owners of at least ten hotels in Jaipur, and maybe fifty more in the state of Rajasthan (most of them family), it is very embarrassing for us to recommend specific hotels on this public forum! Also it depends to a large extent on your budget, as Jaipur has a number of hotels that fit your needs. And you are not likely to need air-conditioning (in India air-conditioning is synonymous with cooling!) in the month of January, though some hotels will provide room heaters.

Kirsten

Hi Lily.

I'm know this might sound like a very strange question,
but when we were in Rajastan a few years back, we spent some time checking out your granite and marble.
Now we are thinking of going out to Jaipur buying granite for our new extension to our house.
We have been looking at balustrade of wrought iron for our new roof-terrace here in Denmark, but all of it looks very factory-made.
Do you think it will be possible to have that made in Jaipur,
if we are going to send a container back home,we might as well fill it up.

Are the hotels in Jaipur usualy fully booked over Xmas and New year?

I'm sorry if my question is out of line.

Kind regards Kirsten.

indiawise

hello Lily,
i should be passing through jaipur in a day or so. Would like to drop in and have a look at your place. And off course meet some one from this forum!

Lily

Kirsten,

Jaipur has plenty of skilled fabricaors who can make the wrought iron balustrade for you to your design. The usual cost is the cost of steel plus a fabrication charge of 10 or 15 rupees a kilo depending upon how much work is involved

Indiawise

Please call me at
2204638 or
2204902
(The numbers have changed from today; Jaipur is now a seven digit city!)
and I will give you directions on how to reach Jasvilas.

(After ages we are having full house!)

riya

Hi Lily,

In case you are familiar with the Rajvilas hotel, could you please tell me more about it? Also, what do you recommend I sightsee in 1 day? I know it's a very short time, but it's all I got. I would like to try a camel or elephant ride Do you know where this would be offered? I heard at Amer Palace, they have regular elephant rides to take visitors up because of the countless steps there are to climb up to the palace.

Lastly, my husband is looking for a chess set and also a chess table that sits low to the ground(you know those Indian style wooden tables that are have really small legs). What shop or market area(hopefully close to the main city's center) would be a good place to get this? Thanks a bunch Lily, you are great

Riya

Lily

Riya,

Rajvilas is the most luxurious hotel in all of Rajasthan at this moment but I understand the Udai Vilas in Udaipur is all set to surpass it soon! Both are Oberoi properties and really are the top of the line. But my personal preference is always for the heritage hotels - where else can you get them but here?

Amber is the place for an elephant ride. You can also go up to the fort in a car or on foot but this is how the hundred or so elephants of Jaipur make their livelihood and it is a grand feeling as you go up the hill at a majestic pace!

For camel rides the favourite place is the Chokhi Dhani restaurant where you can also experince the ethnic ambience of a village in Rajasthan. Some guests find it a bit touristy but a lot of people cannot get to see more of Rajasthan and simply love it there.

For the chess board and low stool, I will send you a private mail.

Happy to be assistance - we need to do all we can to boost tourism!

Reastieboy

Hi Lily
I'm in India from mid may to the end of June. I know not the ideal time weather wise. Although maybe wise to put Rajasthan off for another trip i would love to see the area and was wondering if it is too hot to really enjoy and if there are other travellers around that time of year.
Could go to Kerala but since it might be almost as hot and humid adn also quite a trek from kathmandu where I'm starting, i'd like some positive but mainly honest assesment from you as to what to expect in Rajasthan at that time of year.
In advance thanks loads.