How To Choose A Walking Tour in Jaipur
Travelers and tourists often wonder how to choose a good walking tour in Jaipur among so many on offer. It is mindboggling to find a variety of Jaipur walking tours listed on online portals and google maps. With so many reviews praising the ones that they have undertaken, it becomes very challenging to choose the best walking tours. A large number of people select a walking tour based on the lowest price on offer. This is more so in the case of India where people feel why pay more? Quite logical but not entirely true. This blog is intended to help you choose the best walking tour in Jaipur.
The parameters to choose a walking tour in Jaipur?
I’m sharing some of the parameters you can use to pick a walking tour among the large numbers that one finds listed on various portals or search engines like google. This will also help you to select the best walking tour in Jaipur.
Credentials of a Walking Tour Guide
With the lack of any guidelines from the department of tourism in Rajasthan/Rajasthan Tourism Development Corp. it is very easy for anyone to become a walking tour guide in Jaipur. While this does allow a lot of freedom and choice from the tourist perspective, it has its own issues. Many experienced travelers have highlighted that these walking tour guides in Jaipur have been cooking up stories and sharing false facts. Often, they share distorted facts to add spice up their narratives.
What is the recourse? One of the options when choosing a walking tour guide in Jaipur is to find a licensed tour guide. Even though there are a large number of licensed tour guides in Jaipur, very few walking tours meet the standards.
Even if you don’t find a licensed tour guide, ensure that the tour guide is knowledgeable. Check their credentials online especially their knowledge and grasping on subject.
Communication Skills of a Guide in Jaipur Walking Tour
It is vital to check if the communication of a tour guide is clear and loud enough. What is his or her accent? Does the tour guide speak in a strong local accent? Is he fluent in the language? In my opinion, good communication of a guide is vital to select a walking tour in Jaipur.
How can you check his communication abilities? Ask to get on a phone call before you fix up your tour. There are many tour agencies who will refuse to connect you with the tour guide. The reason is that these tour agencies hire freelancers. There is no way you can speak with tour guides. This is a red flag.
Group Size for Jaipur Walking Tour
What is the size of a group tour? Every traveller has his or her choice when opting for a walking tour. Some prefer large group tours, others smaller.
Some opt for a large group tour because it offers lower rates. Others prefer smaller groups because it allows them a lot more individual attention. Having clarity on what group size is preferred will help select a walking tour in Jaipur.
Read reviews of Jaipur walking tours with a pinch of salt
It is well documented that TripAdvisor reviews are manipulated to create a favourable impression. However, traveller reviews are important. Check for reviews on websites and Google reviews too.
One of the best ways to check the authenticity would be to have a conversation with a tour guide. Many travellers these days rely on WhatsApp calls or voice notes to ascertain whether booking that particular walking tour makes sense. This also addresses their questions and queries, if any.
Price of a walking tour in Jaipur
Is price an important parameter in selecting a walking tour in Jaipur? Yes and No.
Price is an important parameter in terms of affordability. What is not affordable is ruled out completely.
Many people think expensive tours don’t make sense. This is a fallacy. Quality of a walking tour also matters. Price is not everything; at least, not for everyone.
Large group tours can offer lower prices. Small tours usually don’t. They address a different traveller’s need.
Private walking tours in Jaipur tend to be more expensive because they rely on a fixed group size.
The price of a walking tour in Jaipur ranges from Rs. 600 to Rs. 4000 per person. How to choose the best walking tour in Jaipur with such a wide price range? Expect to pay at least Rs 1800/person to 3000/person for a quality tour in Jaipur. Low price Jaipur walks comes at a “cost.” Either the content is not high quality or the tour guides work for a kick backs. Low price walks are used as bait. Your time is the cost of a low quality Jaipur walk.
Hiring a local walking tour guide
Hiring a local from Jaipur for your walking tour will provide you with an edge when selecting a walking tour in Jaipur.
Students working as freelancers generally tend to offer lower prices because it is a source of extra money. However, in general they don’t offer high quality walking tours. Many students in Jaipur are working as tour guides to earn extra income. However, they are neither local, nor connected with the city. Usually, they find a job and move out of Jaipur; in a way, Jaipur is just a transit stage in their life. It might not matter to everyone but if you are seeking a local who grew up in the same locality, he or she can definitely throw a lot more insight during a walking tour because he is connected and has experienced so much over a period of time.
In summary, selecting the best Jaipur walking tour will enhance your Jaipur trip experience,
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