Tour operator
Vedic Walks
Jaipur-based tour company running since 2008, best known for its morning and evening heritage walks through the artisans' lanes and bazaars of the Pink City.
Pink City Rickshaw Company
Social enterprise running heritage, food, shopping and morning tours of Jaipur in electric rickshaws driven and guided by women from low-income communities.
At a glance
- Type
- E-rickshaw tours with women driver-guides
- Area
- C-Scheme, Jaipur, India
- Official site
- pinkcityrickshawcompany.com
Good to know
- Electric rickshaws
- Women-led social enterprise
- Short tours
Why we recommend it
The Pink City Rickshaw Company offers tours of Jaipur in electric rickshaws driven and guided by women. It is an initiative of ACCESS Development Services, a Delhi-based not-for-profit that works on sustainable livelihoods across India, and it was set up to create a new kind of employment for women from low-income households in Jaipur. The women are described as equity holders in the company, and the project has worked in partnership with the Intrepid Foundation.
The rickshaws are custom-designed electric vehicles with a folding canopy, comfortable seats, a locker for belongings, a phone charger, a holder for water bottles and city maps. The driver-guides are trained to give visitors an insider's view of their city, which means a tour is as much about conversation and local life as about monuments.
Current tours include the Pink City Heritage Tour, the Culture Gully Tour through the old city's lanes, a Shopping Tour, a Food Trail Tour, the early-morning Wake Up With Jaipur tour and a Spiritual Heritage Tour. Tours range from about one to four hours, so they fit easily into a sightseeing day. The Wake Up With Jaipur tour is a good way to see the city before traffic builds, while the food and shopping tours help newcomers find their way through the bazaars.
The rickshaws are open-sided, so wear sun protection and carry water, and bring a light layer for early winter mornings. The tours suit solo travellers, couples and small families, and anyone who wants their spending to support a social enterprise. The electric rickshaws also mean no exhaust fumes from your own vehicle as you move through the city. Booking is made through the company's website, where you can choose a tour and request a time.
The company describes its wider aim as offering an aspirational job to women who might otherwise have few options, and a tour gives you the chance to talk with your driver-guide about her own city and how it is changing.
The company's Jaipur office is on Bhawani Singh Marg in C-Scheme. Ask about pick-up and meeting points when booking. Combine a morning tour with a visit to City Palace or Hawa Mahal, or take the food trail in the evening as an introduction to Jaipur's street snacks before heading out to dinner.
Pink City Rickshaw Company FAQs
Who runs the Pink City Rickshaw Company?
It is an initiative of ACCESS Development Services, a not-for-profit organisation.
Who are the drivers?
Women from low-income households in Jaipur, trained as driver-guides.
What tours are offered?
Heritage, Culture Gully, Shopping, Food Trail, Wake Up With Jaipur and Spiritual Heritage tours.
How long do the tours last?
Roughly one to four hours.
Are the rickshaws electric?
Yes, they are custom-designed electric rickshaws.
How do I book?
Through the company's website, or by phone on +91 99280 27679.
Where is the office?
At S-1A, First floor, Bhawani Singh Marg, C-Scheme, Jaipur.
What should I bring?
Sun protection and water, plus a light layer on winter mornings.