Rajasthan’s Pink City and the forests of Ranthambore sit comfortably within 400 km of Gurugram, making them a perfect 5-night, 6-day escape. Jaipur brims with Rajput history—amber sandstone forts, mirror-studded halls, and bazaars fragrant with cardamom and gajjak—while Ranthambore offers the thrill of tracking Bengal tigers among ruined palaces and lakes.

Founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, Jaipur was one of India’s first planned cities. Its signature terracotta hue dates to 1876, when the city was painted for the Prince of Wales; today, the grid of markets and monumental gates remains captivating. Nearby, the UNESCO-listed Hill Forts of Rajasthan include Amer and the dramatic Ranthambore Fort, both anchors of this itinerary.

Practical notes: October–March offers mild days for fort-hopping; Ranthambore’s core safari zones typically close in the monsoon (roughly July–September). Book tiger safaris 60–90 days ahead with valid photo ID. Expect 4.5–5 hours by train to Jaipur and ~3 hours onward to Sawai Madhopur; road times vary with traffic. Carry cash for small stalls, dress modestly at temples, and bring a light scarf for dust on game drives.

Jaipur

Jaipur is equal parts museum and living city: marble halls at the City Palace, astronomical wonders at Jantar Mantar, and the honeycombed façade of Hawa Mahal. Forts crown the Aravallis, while artisans still hand-block-print textiles in nearby Bagru and shape the city’s famed blue pottery.

Top sights include Amer Fort’s Sheesh Mahal, the cliff-top ramparts of Jaigarh, sunset views from Nahargarh, and the photogenic Patrika Gate. Food is a highlight: flaky pyaaz kachoris, gatte ki sabzi, laal maas, and kulfi to finish.

• Where to stay: Browse stays across budgets on VRBO Jaipur or compare hotels on Hotels.com Jaipur. Look for heritage havelis near the walled city, boutique stays in Civil Lines, or palace hotels if you’re celebrating.
• How to get there from Gurugram/Delhi: Trains to Jaipur run ~4.5–5 hours; check schedules and book on Trip.com Trains. Chair Car/3A fares typically ₹500–1,500. By road via NH48, plan 5–6 hours plus breaks. If you prefer to fly (approx. 55 minutes from Delhi), compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com—though door-to-door time is often similar to rail.
• Eat & drink shortlist: Tapri Central (tea, masala omelets, views); Rawat Mishthan Bhandar (iconic pyaaz kachori); LMB—Laxmi Misthan Bhandar (traditional thalis and sweets); Anokhi Café (fresh salads, hummus, cakes); Curious Life Coffee Roasters (third-wave coffee); Handi (laal maas, tandoori); Spice Court (Jungli Maas, keema baati); Bar Palladio (Italian plates, cocktails in a moody teal salon); Peacock Rooftop (value-friendly North Indian with city views).

Ranthambore (Sawai Madhopur)

Ranthambore National Park is where ruined Rajput pavilions peek out from the jungle and tigers pad silently through dhok forests. The park’s lakes attract sambar deer and crocodiles; birdlife is excellent year-round, especially near Surwal Lake.

Sawai Madhopur town serves the park, and the 10th-century Ranthambore Fort—part of a UNESCO ensemble—delivers panoramic views and a beloved Ganesh temple. Between safaris, support community-run craft centers like Dhonk and Dastkar.

• Where to stay: Search resorts and tented camps on VRBO Sawai Madhopur or compare lodges on Hotels.com Sawai Madhopur. Options range from forest-fringe boutique camps to heritage properties in town.
• Getting there from Jaipur: Trains take ~2.5–3 hours to Sawai Madhopur; check and book via Trip.com Trains (₹250–900 depending on class). A private transfer is ~3.5–4 hours; typical one-way rates ₹4,500–7,000 depending on vehicle and season.
• Safari basics: Choose a shared canter (20-seater) or gypsy (6-seater). Shared safaris usually cost ~₹1,700–2,800 per person per drive; private gypsies are higher. Morning and afternoon slots vary by season; carry the same passport/ID used for booking.
• Eat & drink: Many lodges include meals. In town, Dhonk Craft Café (light lunches, good coffee; supports ex-poacher families), the Dining Room at Sawai Madhopur Lodge—IHCL (Rajasthani thalis), and simple local spots serving daal-baati-churma.

Day 1: Arrive Jaipur (Afternoon Arrival)

Morning: Travel from Gurugram/Delhi to Jaipur. For fast, comfortable rail, use Trip.com Trains (about 4.5–5 hours). If flying, compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Afternoon: Check in via VRBO Jaipur or Hotels.com Jaipur, then head to the City Palace and Jantar Mantar (astronomical instruments from the 18th century). Sip specialty coffee at Curious Life and snack on mirchi vada at Samrat outside the walled city.

Evening: Photograph Hawa Mahal’s latticed windows glowing at sunset from the cafés opposite. Dinner at Handi (laal maas with tandoori roti) or at Suvarna Mahal for a royal, silver-service tasting of Rajasthani classics. End with kulfi at Bapu Bazaar’s stalls.

Day 2: Amer, Stepwells, and Fort Views

Morning: Early start for Amer Fort before crowds; explore the Sheesh Mahal’s mirror mosaics and the frescoed Ganesh Pol. Detour to Panna Meena ka Kund, a symmetrical stepwell perfect for photos. Breakfast after at Anokhi Café (avocado toast, carrot cake) or Rawat Mishthan Bhandar (pyaaz kachori and lassi).

Afternoon: Ride up to Jaigarh Fort for cannon lore and ridge-top panoramas; continue to Nahargarh for the best city views. Lunch at 1135 AD inside Amer (mughlai gravies, candlelit arches) or The Stag rooftop opposite the fort for casual bites.

Evening: Sundowners at Bar Palladio’s teal salon or at The Johri’s Swan Café for tea and small plates. Dinner at Spice Court—order Jungli Maas (a rustic hunter’s-style meat curry) and ker sangri. Night stroll past the illuminated Albert Hall Museum.

Day 3: Bazaars, Crafts, and Patrika Gate

Morning: Sunrise at Patrika Gate in Jawahar Circle—its painted archways are a color-lover’s dream. Breakfast at Tapri Central (masala chai, pesto paneer sandwich). Stop by the Albert Hall Museum for Kushan coins, miniature paintings, and taxidermy curios.

Afternoon: Choose a hands-on craft: a block-printing workshop in Bagru (half-day; make your own scarf) or a blue pottery session at a local studio. Lunch at Anokhi Café or LMB for a vegetarian thali. Shop Johri Bazaar for kundan jewelry and Bapu Bazaar for textiles; bargain politely.

Evening: Go immersive at Chokhi Dhani (folk dances, puppetry, and a Rajasthani feast on leaf platters), or opt for a refined haveli dinner at Samode Haveli’s courtyard. Gelato or rabri at Saras Parlour near MI Road on the way back.

Day 4: Jaipur to Ranthambore + First Safari

Morning: Board a mid-morning train from Jaipur to Sawai Madhopur (≈2.5–3 hours). Reserve seats on Trip.com Trains. Alternatively, drive ~3.5–4 hours; aim to arrive by early afternoon.

Afternoon: Check into your lodge via Hotels.com Sawai Madhopur or VRBO Sawai Madhopur. After a quick lunch, prepare for your first Ranthambore safari (carry ID, wear neutral colors, no strong perfume).

Evening: Afternoon game drive (timings shift by season). Watch for tigers near Raj Bagh ruins, crocodiles at Padam Talao, and owls in the scrub. Return for a campfire dinner; if dining out, try the Dining Room at Sawai Madhopur Lodge for hearty Rajasthani fare.

Day 5: Morning Safari, Fort & Crafts

Morning: Dawn safari—light is golden and wildlife active. With luck, you’ll spot tigresses with cubs or a sloth bear ambling across the track. Breakfast back at the lodge; relax by the pool or nap.

Afternoon: Explore Ranthambore Fort: climb past banyan roots to the hilltop Ganesh temple and battlements overlooking the park’s lakes. Visit Dastkar Ranthambore and Dhonk for block prints, bags, and home goods that directly support local artisans.

Evening: Early dinner at your lodge or a simple veg thali in town. Review your photos over ginger chai; stargazing is lovely on clear nights thanks to low light pollution.

Day 6: Birding & Return to Gurugram (Afternoon Departure)

Morning: Optional sunrise birding at Surwal Lake (winter is superb), or a gentle village walk to see mustard fields and traditional chulha kitchens. Brunch before checkout.

Afternoon: Train back to Delhi (≈4.5–5.5 hours) from Sawai Madhopur—check availability on Trip.com Trains—then onward to Gurugram. A private car takes ~6–7 hours door-to-door; plan buffer time for traffic.

Practical Costs & Tips (Quick Reference)

• Rail fares (Delhi–Jaipur; Jaipur–Sawai Madhopur; Sawai Madhopur–Delhi): typically ₹250–1,500 per sector depending on class; book via Trip.com Trains.
• Ranthambore shared safari: ~₹1,700–2,800 per person per drive; private jeeps higher. Two safaris (one morning, one evening) are ideal for sightings.
• Monument tickets (approx.): Amer + composite tickets ₹200–1,000 depending on nationality and combos; keep small notes/cards handy.
• Tipping: Guides/drivers appreciate ₹200–500 for half-days; restaurant service 5–10% when not included.

In six days, you’ll read Jaipur’s history in stone and mirror, then trade city color for Ranthambore’s dappled forests and tiger tracks. It’s a balanced, close-to-home Rajasthan itinerary—rich food, rich culture, and the pulse-quickening chance of a big-cat encounter, all within 400 km of Gurugram.