Jaipur—Rajasthan’s fabled “Pink City”—was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, a scholar-king who loved astronomy as much as architecture. The result: a city grid centuries ahead of its time, studded with honeycombed palaces, observatories, and hilltop forts. You’ll feel that blend of science and splendor everywhere, from the precise sundials of Jantar Mantar to the rose-hued façades lining Johari Bazaar.

For families, Jaipur is a delight: safe, welcoming, and endlessly photogenic. Food is big here—think ghee-kissed dal baati churma, fiery laal maas, and flaky pyaaz kachori—best sampled at beloved institutions and modern cafés. Craft traditions thrive just outside town in Sanganer and Bagru, where block printing and blue pottery workshops open their doors to curious visitors.

This itinerary balances must-see sights with hands-on experiences and downtime. One full day is reserved for Ajmer—home to the revered Ajmer Sharif Dargah and Mayo College—so you can pair heritage with heartfelt moments. Plan for warm days, modest attire at religious sites, and early starts for fort visits.

Jaipur

Jaipur is the perfect base for a 5-day Rajasthan trip, with easy access to Amber Fort, the City Palace, and markets pulsing with gemstones, textiles, and lac bangles. Families appreciate the city’s parks, wide boulevards, and variety of food—from classic mithai shops to third-wave coffee roasters.

Top highlights include the sandstone ramparts of Amber and Jaigarh Fort, the sunset terraces at Nahargarh, the frescoed courtyards of City Palace, and the open-air Albert Hall Museum. Add in craft museums like the Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing and the dazzling Amrapali Museum for a fuller picture of Jaipur’s artistry.

• Where to stay (family-friendly areas): C‑Scheme and Civil Lines for cafés and calm; Bani Park for heritage havelis; MI Road for easy eats and transport.
• Hotel ideas by vibe: Heritage-style (Alsisar Haveli, Shahpura House, Samode Haveli), mid-range family favorites (Umaid Bhawan Heritage House Hotel), or a splurge with gardens and a pool (Rambagh Palace).
• Book lodging: Browse stays on VRBO Jaipur or compare hotels on Hotels.com Jaipur.
• Getting to Jaipur: Fly into JAI (domestic flights from Delhi/Mumbai often $35–$120 one-way; 1–2.5 hours). Search on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. From Delhi by train is ~4–5 hrs; from Udaipur/Jodhpur ~5–7 hrs—check Trip.com trains.
• Local transport: Uber/Ola, auto-rickshaws, or metro (limited). Expect INR 150–300 for most cross-town rides by cab.

Ajmer

Ajmer sits about 135 km southwest of Jaipur, framed by the Aravalli Hills and anchored by Ana Sagar Lake. Two reasons draw most visitors: the Sufi shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (Ajmer Sharif Dargah) and the stately Mayo College, one of India’s premier residential schools.

Dress modestly for the Dargah (headscarf recommended, shoulders and knees covered), and expect crowds—especially on Fridays and during festivals. Arrange Mayo College access in advance through school administration; visitors are typically received during working hours.

• Getting Jaipur ⇄ Ajmer: By train, 2–2.5 hrs each way (INR 120–400, reserved seats). Search schedules on Trip.com trains. By car, 2.5–3 hrs via NH48; a full-day car with driver is typically INR 3,500–5,500 depending on vehicle and tolls.
• Stays (if you decide to overnight): Compare Hotels.com Ajmer or browse VRBO Ajmer.

Day 1: Arrival, Old City Orientation, Markets, Sunset Views

Morning: In transit. If arriving early, drop bags and grab specialty coffee at Curious Life Coffee Roasters (C‑Scheme) or chai at Tapri Central. Light bites like avocado toast or poha keep it kid-friendly.

Afternoon: Head to the Old City. Take your first look at Hawa Mahal’s honeycomb façade; for the classic photo, sip chai across the street at Wind View Cafe. Walk Bapu Bazaar for block-printed cotton and Mojari shoes, then Johari Bazaar for gemstones—buy from reputed shops and ask for bills and certifications.

Evening: Early temple aarti at Birla Mandir offers calm and city views at dusk. Dinner at Laxmi Mishtan Bhandar (LMB) for a vegetarian Rajasthani thali and paneer ghewar for dessert. If you want a pretty, relaxed nightcap, the garden-lit Bar Palladio is lovely for mocktails or a glass of wine; arrive early with kids for a quieter vibe.

Day 2: Amber Fort, Stepwell, Anokhi Museum, Jaigarh/Nahargarh

Morning: Reach Amber Fort at opening (8:00 a.m.) before crowds and heat. Take the Jeep up (INR ~500 per jeep, split across riders); avoid elephant rides. Explore the Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors) and the airy Sukh Niwas. Continue to Panna Meena ka Kund stepwell for geometric photos, then stop at the Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing in a restored haveli—small, excellent, and interactive for kids.

Afternoon: Lunch near the fort at 1135 AD (royal Rajasthani and Mughlai in historic chambers; pricier) or The Stag rooftop for casual wraps and views. Drive to Jaigarh Fort for cannons, tunnels, and sweeping Aravalli vistas. Ticket ballpark: Amber INR ~200–500 foreigners/INR ~100–200 Indians; combo tickets can save.

Evening: End at Nahargarh Fort for Jaipur’s best sunset—dine at Padao terrace cafe or Once Upon A Time at Nahargarh, both with skyline views. Alternatively, return to Amber for the Light & Sound Show (check daily timings, typically after dusk). Late dessert back in town at Jal Mahal Ice Cream Parlour on MI Road.

Day 3: City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Museums, Chokhi Dhani

Morning: Tour City Palace (Mubarak Mahal textiles, armory, peacock gate courtyards). The optional “Royal Grandeur” or “Royal Splendor” tickets grant access to private apartments—worth it for design lovers. Walk next door to Jantar Mantar to test the giant sundials and zodiac instruments; guides bring it alive for kids.

Afternoon: Lunch at Anokhi Cafe (salads, lasagna, excellent carrot cake). Then choose one: Albert Hall Museum (mixed antiquities under a grand Indo-Saracenic roof) or the Amrapali Museum (jaw-dropping jewelry and tribal adornments). Quick shopping stop at Tripolia Bazaar for lac bangles.

Evening: Book Chokhi Dhani (village-theme dinner plus folk dance, puppetry, camel carts, mehendi). The sit-down thali is generous; go hungry. If you prefer a city dinner, Spice Court does robust laal maas and jungli maas; order a milder gatta curry for kids.

Day 4: Ajmer Day Trip — Mayo College and Ajmer Sharif Dargah

Morning: Depart Jaipur around 6:30–7:00 a.m. By train (2–2.5 hrs; INR 120–400 per person), look for morning intercity expresses—check Trip.com trains. By car, plan 2.5–3 hrs via NH48 (round-trip with driver ~INR 3,500–5,500). Visit Mayo College first—ensure prior written permission and follow campus rules; the architecture museum and playing fields are highlights for students considering admission.

Afternoon: Head to Ajmer Sharif Dargah. Dress modestly; carry a light scarf; leave shoes at an authorized stand. Expect security checks and a moving qawwali atmosphere. Offer flowers or a chadar if you like; make donations only at official counters. Afterward, stroll Ana Sagar Lake for fresh air.

Evening: Early dinner back in Jaipur at Masala Chowk (family-friendly open-air court with local stalls—try samosa from Shankar, pao bhaji from Bhishanlal, and kulfi). If energy remains, a gentle walk through well-lit MI Road for sweets at Rawat Mishtan Bhandar (famed pyaaz kachori to-go for tomorrow’s breakfast).

Day 5: Sunrise Photos, Crafts Workshop, Last Bites, Departure

Morning: Sunrise at Patrika Gate for colorful archway photos, then a lap in Jawahar Circle Garden playgrounds. Breakfast at Tapri Central (cutting chai, pesto paneer sandwich) or Curious Life for waffles and pour-overs. If time allows, join a 2–3 hour block-printing workshop in Sanganer/Bagru to stamp your own scarf—great souvenir and kid-pleaser.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping: Jaipur Modern for contemporary crafts, or Bapu Bazaar for fabrics and quilts. Quick lunch at Peacock Rooftop Restaurant (family-friendly North Indian, rooftop murals). Transfer to the airport or station; keep 2–2.5 hours for airport formalities at JAI.

Evening: Travel home, snacks packed. If overnighting, consider a relaxed dinner at The Rajput Room (Rambagh Palace) or a casual pizza at On The House in C‑Scheme.

Practical Notes, Costs, and Booking Tips

• Best seasons: Oct–Mar is coolest; hot-air ballooning (SkyWaltz) typically runs in these months. Summers are very hot; start early and hydrate.
• Tickets (approx.): Amber Fort INR 200–500; City Palace main areas INR 200–700; special palace rooms higher; Jantar Mantar INR 50–200; Albert Hall INR 50–300; Chokhi Dhani dinner packages INR ~800–1,200 adults, discounted for kids.
• Food budget: Street snacks INR 50–150; café mains INR 300–600; sit-down restaurants INR 600–1,500 per person. Your stated mid-range budget fits well with this plan.
• Transport bookings: Use Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com to reach Jaipur; for Jaipur–Ajmer trains, check Trip.com trains. Lodging via VRBO Jaipur or Hotels.com Jaipur.
• With kids: Carry sun hats, hand sanitizer, and small bills for tips. Many sites have uneven steps; a foldable stroller is handy in parks but not forts.
• Etiquette at Ajmer Sharif: Cover head and knees; avoid filming in restricted zones; keep valuables minimal; Fridays and Urs days are most crowded.

In five days you’ll experience Jaipur’s grand forts, living craft traditions, and a soulful day in Ajmer—all paced for families. Expect vivid color, memorable meals, and a deeper understanding of Rajasthan’s history and hospitality. Safe travels and happy feasting!