Amer Palace is a perfect side trip if you decide to stay in Jaipur Rajasthan for a few days. A short drive from the center of Jaipur we were granted permission to drive up to the palace otherwise be prepared to ride an elephant or walk.

The palace was the residence of the Rajput Maharajas and their families for centuries (starting in the 10th century) and was re-constructed with over hundreds of years. The Amber Fort (as it stands now) was built by Maan Singh I in 16th century.

The Palace is divided into four sections each with its own courtyard. At the entrance to the palace near the fort’s Gate, there is a temple dedicated to Sila Devi and this is a must visit – shoes off.

The palace is very beautiful and the details are luminous, a good example of the Maharajah lifestyle in India where attention to architectural detail was key. The fortress was designed to accommodate his extravagant lifestyle throughout the /4/ seasons and is well guarded with plenty of surrounding hilltop security lookouts, and lattice screens to watch secretly over the palace courtyards.

The long corridors are easy to access and are back stage ways to move throughout the palace with ease – no stairs just easy ramps everywhere.