Exploring & Climbing the Jaipur Wall Near Amer Fort

Learn how to visit the Jaipur Wall, a stone wall built around the Amer Fort in Rajasthan. Visitors can climb the wall to get incredible views of the city, the Aravalli Mountains, the Amber Fort, and the Rajasthani desert landscape.

For those visiting Jaipur, the incredible Amer Fort (Amber Fort), is undeniably one of the top “must-visit” attractions in the city. While the beautiful and fascinating historic Mughal-Rajput architecture of the fort itself is mind-blowing, the “Jaipur Wall” was, to me, the most underrated attraction in Jaipur.

Here’s what you need to know to visit.

Overview & Things to Know

Often referred to as the “Amer Wall” or even the “Great Wall of Amer,” this many-kilometer-long stone wall follows the jagged ridges of the Aravalli Mountains and served as the first line of defense for the Amer Fort and Jaipur City for hundreds of years. Here are some up-to-date details:

• Historical Significance: The Amer Wall dates back to the 16th century and was constructed by Raja Man Singh I. It served as a defensive structure to protect the Amber Fort from invasions and attacks.
• Architecture: The wall is made of red sandstone and marble, showcasing the typical Rajput architectural style. It spans a significant length, enclosing the fort and its surrounding areas.
• Length and Structure: The Amer Wall extends for about 20 kilometers (12.4 miles), at best estimates, making it one of the longest continuous walls in India. It features several watchtowers and gates, strategically placed for defense purposes.
• Conservation Efforts: The wall and the fort are maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and local authorities. Various conservation efforts are in place to preserve the historical and architectural integrity of the site.

Where is the Jaipur Wall?

The Jaipur Wall stretches along the mountain ridges beside the Amer Fort (Amber Fort), approximately 12 kilometers north of Jaipur Junction. Access to the Jaipur Wall is just beside the fort entrance in Amer, where a few staircases are leading to the top.

It's possible to access parts of the Amer Wall from opposite the fort. There are pathways and steps leading up to various sections of the wall. Here's how.

Getting to the Amer Fort

Since most people visiting Jaipur stay somewhere near Bani Park or the Pink City, you'll need to organize some transport to get to the Amer Fort. There is a large car park and bus stop just opposite the entrance to the fort. This is where you'll need to go to climb the wall.

Getting back to Jaipur won't be a problem since there are dozens of rickshaws and frequent buses near the entrance. Below I've listed a few standard options for getting to Amer Fort and the wall from Jaipur.

• Rickshaw: You can pick up a rickshaw anywhere in Jaipur to take you to Amer Fort. Expect to pay around 300-500 rupees for the one-way trip. Most Rickshaw drivers will probably try to talk you into a tour once you're there.
• Uber: Using Uber to get from A to B is a good option for reliable and cheap transport. The cost from Jaipur to Amer is usually between 350-400 rupees each way.
• Amer Fort tour with transfer: If you'd prefer a guided tour to Amer Fort, this walking tour with rickshaw transfer is a good bet for around $40 USD. This trip includes hotel pick-up/drop-off, an English-speaking guide at the fort, and a stop-by at the famous Panna Meena ka Kund stepwell.
• Bus to Amer Fort: There are regular buses (every 20 minutes) departing from the Hawa Mahal in the Old City. These only cost 15 rupees each way, or 30 rupees for an air-conditioned bus. This is the best option for travelers on a budget.
• Rent a motorbike: This is probably the least popular option for travelers in Jaipur. However, if you're keen to explore the forts on the outskirts, you can save a bit of money by renting a motorbike or scooter. Expect to pay between 500 rupees per day for the cheapest motorbike rental.

Amer Fort Entry Ticket Price

Visiting Amer Fort costs 550 rupees for foreigners and 100 rupees for Indians (10 for students). This includes entry to all of the attractions and sites within the fort.

You can purchase a ticket in the large courtyard near the entrance of the fort.

However, note that climbing the Jaipur Wall for epic views of the mountains, Jaipur City, and the Amer Fort is free. This is because visitors access it from outside the fort complex.

Climbing the Jaipur Wall

Want to get the best view and sunset spot in Jaipur? Climbing the Jaipur Wall is by far the most mind-blowing and spectacular scene you can get in the Rajasthani capital.

Access to the staircase winding up to the top of the Jaipur Wall is very easy to spot from beside the fort entrance. You'll see it immediately near the drop-off point for the buses and rickhsaw.

The stairs are tall and steep. You'll have to climb a fair few of them to get to the top. But, trust me when I say it's well worth it.

What I Learned About the Wall

The Rajput Rulers constructed the architecturally brilliant; "Great Wall of Amer" to serve as a line of defense for the Amer Fort and the city from invaders. This construction of the fort and wall began in 1592 by the then ruling Maharaja Man Singh.

It's not known precisely how long the wall is since best estimates indicate that only 50% of the wall remains. However, the Amer Wall is often referred to as the third-longest wall in the world and as mentioned above, it's around 20 km. This ranks it behind Kumbhalgarh Fort (also in Rajasthan), and of course, the Great Wall of China.

The wall follows the ridgeline of the mountains above Amer to create a compelling and impenetrable defense that's clearly withstood the test of time. Built mostly from stone blocks, the Jaipur Wall also includes tall watchtowers where guards would keep watch for intruding forces.

More Photos from Amer Fort & Jaipur Wall

I hope you've enjoyed this quick guide! If you have any new information or questions about visiting Jaipur, help other travelers out by leaving a comment below. Otherwise, here are some more guides to check out.

• Epic 1-month India Itinerary - the ultimate India travel itinerary covering the best places to go and things to see.
• Taj Mahal View Locations - best spots to see & photograph the Taj Mahal.
• Things to do in Rishikesh - explore the adventure & yoga capital of India in this travel guide.
• Training & HMI Darjeeling - my experience completing my Basic Mountaineering Course in Darjeeling.
• India Packing List - everything you need to bring on a trip to India (and what you should leave at home)

Here are some more photos of the Amer Fort and the Jaipur Wall that I snapped on my recent trip.