I traveled to Bangalore, India for the first time for work and then decided to make a side trip to Jaipur. I wanted a private guide and my hotel made the arrangements
with Kiran Chouhan of Pink City Tours. I started out with a tour guide-- I ended up with a dear life-long friend. Kiran's knowledge of Jaipur was extensive. There was not a question I asked for which she did not have an answer. She took the time to find out what my interests were and then customized my two days around those interests: Amber Fort, City Palace, City Museum, textile factories, Royal Spice Shop, gem stores, etc. I loved her company, her love of her culture and its people, her willingness to be flexible and her understanding that I wanted to purchase quality goods to take home. She was constantly taking photos with me in them (something I always forget to do) ...so that I would have every experience documented. And then she enabled me to experience a life long dream which was to ride, feed and love on an elephant by taking me to Elephant Village where I met Shobu, a 25 year old female who stole my heart! We became so connected on a human level, Kiran met me at the Royal Spice Shop (on her own time) on my way to the airport so that we would have a few more minutes together. She even gifted me a statue of Ganesh from her own alter. I cannot say enough good things about Kiran Chouhan and Pink City Tours. I felt safe, attended to and cared for as a single, older woman traveler. I can assure you that when I return to Jaipur (I fell in love with India...especially the soulfulness of its people), she will be my guide again.
