When someone asks me how many days it takes to explore Jaipur, I usually answer three – one day for Pink City, one day for fort visits, and one more for shopping. But if you’re in Jaipur for more time, plenty of hidden gems would take you months to explore. From places of spiritual significance to innumerable treks and cycling routes, Jaipur has much to offer. The Amer Sagar Lake is a hidden gem you can’t miss when visiting Amer.

Why you should visit Amer?

First, let me clarify that Man Sagar Lake and Sagar Lake are different lakes in different locations. So, please don’t confuse the two and miss out on the hidden place to visit.

You can’t possibly miss Man Sagar Lake, as the Jal Mahal is seated in the middle. It is also on the way to the Jaipur forts. Jal Mahal is close to the Pink City and easily accessible by e-rickshaws or Uber autos/cabs. So, Man Sagar Lake will inevitably be a part of your itinerary.

Sagar Lake in Jaipur is located in the old city of Amer. While most tourists visit the Amber Palace (Amer Fort), many miss out on unique experiences just 1 kilometer away.

If you have time, please keep one day of your Jaipur tour dedicated only to Amer. If you do so:

• come straight to the Amber Palace during opening hours around 9 am
• visit the fort in-depth and take about 2-3 hours to complete the exploration
• have lunch at nearby restaurants like Royal Rajwada, 1135 AD, The Garh, or The Stag Cafe
• visit Panna Meenu Kund, Jagat Shiromani Temple, and Anokhi Museum before heading towards Sagar Lake

Keeping one dedicated day for Amer lets you explore the offbeat places and takes you into Jaipur’s rustic old vibe. Amer is where you’d feel the real essence of Jaipur, while Pink City and other prominent places are heavily commercialized.

Things to know about Sagar Lake Amer

Sagar Lake Amer is a manmade lake built by Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur. It was established for rainwater harvesting, to benefit both animals and the inhabitants of Jaipur.

There are two parts of the lake, the Upper Sagar and the Lower Sagar. The one to explore here is the Upper Sagar, a 1-kilometer trek away from the Kheri Gate. You can reach the Upper Sagar by car, bike, cycle, or on foot.

While the area up to Sagar Lake is an easy trek, there are more treks you can take from here. The place is surrounded by pathways that lead you to treks like Chohde Ke Hanuman Ji, Bhuteshwar Mahadev Mandir, and Amba Mata Trek.

How to prepare for the trek?

Before visiting Sagar Lake, I didn’t know there was a trek route here. While it is moderately easy, it is steep and takes around 15-20 minutes to cover on foot.

If you’re coming during the summer, it is best to keep a water bottle handy, as there are no facilities available here.

Wear comfortable shoes that help you walk uphill. While the route is comfortable up to the lake, the treks above are rocky and require adequate gear.

Where is Sagar Lake Jaipur?

Sagar Lake is in Amer and around 1.6 kilometers away from the Amer Fort. To visit this place, navigate the Anokhi Museum on Google Maps or ask someone to take you to Panna Meena Kund. Right adjacent to Anokhi Museum lies the Kheri Gate, which leads you to this lake in Jaipur.

We visited the lake on a Sunday evening, and there were two police officers outside the Kheri Gate. They weren’t allowing locals to visit the place as Sundays are usually crowded, and it is a protected area. After we told the officers we weren’t locals, they allowed us in, and that’s how our trek began.

We were surprised to see the greenery as we hadn’t experienced Jaipur in monsoon before. We were also surprised to see houses and inhabitants and felt jealous of the view they wake up to.

The trek is a smooth road carved out of a hill, and there were plenty of langurs on the way. They were pretty harmless, but because I hadn’t seen so many of them at once, I considered myself courageous enough to walk past them.

We also saw cows and bulls before finally reaching the parking area, where cars and bikes are parked. After crossing this space, two parallel staircases led us to the top, and the view we saw next was unbelievable.

Making the most of our time

After exploring the lake city of Udaipur, we didn’t feel that something so remotely beautiful could also be found in Jaipur. Thankfully, we came here during the monsoon, as the water from the artificial lake was overflowing and cascading into a waterfall on the other side.

The view of Jaigarh Fort from this vantage point was interesting as the conjunction of hills looked magical. We lived in Jaipur for 15 months and didn’t know something so pretty was always one hour away!

As the sun was about to set, we wanted to have a cup of warm tea made over a clay stove. The lady selling tea was talking to me in a regional language, and I nodded away like I understood everything she was saying. The tea cost us Rs. 20 each in clay cups, while the same thing in plastic cups cost Rs. 10 each.

We headed back, realizing that this was the most beautiful place to visit in Jaipur and that now it wouldn’t feel that bad to leave and relocate elsewhere.

Best Time to visit Sagar Lake Amer

Amer Sagar Lake is best visited during the monsoon season because the lush greenery you find during this time is unbeatable. Summers are dry, and the trees are bare and withered. The winters (although the best time to visit Jaipur) don’t give you the charm monsoon does. The trees shed throughout autumn and become lifeless during this time.

During the monsoon, this place is filled with peacocks singing, langurs jumping from one tree to another, and cows grazing fresh vegetation. The cascading waterfall makes noises you wouldn’t have pictured Jaipur to sound like!

Final tips for the best experience

Jaipur has sunlight until 6:30 p.m., but it is best to come here by 4 p.m. We came here after 5 p.m., and the sun was setting, so we missed out on appropriate lighting. To enjoy the view, try coming here while the sun shines bright to capture the best images and videos.

The area is clean and protected, so littering must be avoided. Try to keep essentials handy, as you will not have access to food, water, medicines, or anything else that you might need during an emergency.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Man Sagar Lake famous for?

Man Sagar Lake is famous for Jal Mahal, a water palace built in the middle of the artificial lake. It also houses over 150 birds, both local and migratory. During winter, Man Sagar Lake is filled with these birds.

2. What lake is in front of Amer Fort?

The beauty of Amer Fort is enhanced by the Maota Lake, which is located in front of the Amber Palace. As you come to Amer from Pink City, you first get glimpses of the lake and then the massive architectural structure at the backdrop.

3. What is the history of Sagar Lake Jaipur?

Sagar Lake Jaipur is an artificial lake located behind the Amer Fort and overlooking Jaigarh Fort. It was built to harvest rainwater for the livelihood of animals and humans when the city was built by Sawai Jai Singh II.