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Day 1: Delhi
Arrival at Delhi
Company representatives will receive you on arrival at the
international airport in Delhi late in the night or midnight.
Transfer to your hotel. Relax.
DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a
sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and
the present. It is aperfect introduction to the composite
culture of an ancient land. A window to the kaleidoscope - that
is India.
Overnight will be at Delhi.
Day 2: Delhi
After breakfast proceed for a day sightseeing tour of the city.
Start with the sightseeing of Old Delhi. The tour will begin
with a visit to Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi;
drive past the Red Fort continuing to the Jama Masjid by bicycle
rickshaws, one of Asia's largest mosques. The magnificent Red
Fort, overlooking the river Jamuna was built during the years
1638 - 48 when the Moghul Empire was at its peak. The tour
continues to Jama Masjid, one of Asia's largest mosques and
which is viewed from the outside.
People stream in and out of the mosque continuously and the
presence of a nearby bazaar means that the area is rarely quiet.
Enjoy the rickshaw ride at Old Delhi.
After visiting Old Delhi, you will be driven to New Delhi, which
reflects the legacy the British left behind. The division
between New and Old Delhi is the division between the capitals
of the British and the Mughals respectively. The division in the
walled city and New Delhi also marks the division in the
life-styles. The walled city is all tradition where one will be
able to glean a past life-style in all its facets, colours and
spells. New Delhi in contrast, is a city trying to live up to
the best of 21st century standards.
Imperial Delhi will include the Qutub Minar, the tallest stone
tower in India. The tour also includes a drive past the imposing
India Gate, the Parliament building and the Rastrapathi Bhawan,
the President's residence.
Spend night at Delhi.
Day 3: Delhi - Agra: By road 201 km in 4 hr
Start for Agra early in the morning after breakfast. Reach and
check in at hotel.
AGRA: Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan,
transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second
capital of the Mughal Empire - giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat
{seat of the Emperor}. Today a visitor to Agra is caught up in a
world of contrasting edifices, of red sandstone and white
marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies, and that irresistible
charm that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains. It
is not surprising, that modern Agra still reflectsits Mughal
heritage most conspicuously. A walk down the narrow bustling
streets of the city will introduce the visitor to the wafting
aromaof Mughlai cuisine.
Proceed for sightseeing.
TAJ MAHAL : Little needs to be said about this
architectural wonder which is always the soul raison-de-etre for
every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a
white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This
monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and
planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning
design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted
particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens
and some of the best inlay work ever seen.
AGRA FORT - Built by the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in
1565 AD, the fort is predominantly of red sandstone. Ensconced
within is the picture perfect Pearl Mosque, which is a major
tourist attraction.
Proceed to visit the Itmadullah's Tomb (also known as the BABY
TAJ) Return to hotel and relax in the evening.
Overnight will be at Agra.
Day 4: Agra - Jaipur
By road 221 km in 6 hr
Drive to Fatehpur Sikri after breakfast.
The deserted, red Sandstone City, Emperor Akbar built that as
his capital and palace in the late 16th century is an
exhilarating experience. It a veritable fairytale city and its
"ruins" are in pristine condition ... it's not hard to imagine
what the court life must have been like in the days of its
grandeur. Also visit the Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway in
the world.
Continue your drive to Jaipur.
Jaipur is the capital of the state of Rajasthan a romantic realm
of resplendent palaces, mighty fortresses and regal Maharajahs
that lies in the western deserts and is an utterly unique part
of India. Proudlybelonging to the KSHATRIYA warrior caste and
fiercely independent, the Rajput princes made fearsome foes.
However, many of them realized that to maintain their wealth and
authority locally, it was expedient to proclaim allegiance to
the central power. Thus, many enjoyed a privileged position
under the Mughal emperors and also the British Raj that
followed.
The bustling Rajasthan capital of Jaipur takes its name from its
venerated founder Jai Singh II, who was given the title Sawai
Maharaja by the Mughal. Literally translated this would mean
'one and a quarter', suggesting that the Mughal thought this
emperor to be more valuable than just 'one'. Jaipur is known as
the 'Pink City' on account of the distinctive colour of its
buildings. This did not, however, form part of the original
plan, but dates back to 1856, when the city was given a wash of
pink in honor of a State Visit from Prince Albert.
This evening, visit the Birla Temple to learn more about the
fascinating religious life of Jaipur. The marble structure,
built as recently as 1985, houses ornate statues including one
of Lakshmi (goddess of Wealth and Beauty) and Narayan dressed in
gaudy robes, representing a Hindu vision of heavenly luxury.
Carvings in the temple and on pillars supporting the covered
walkways include images of the Hindu pantheon, as well as Jesus,
the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Francis of Assisi. Your visit
will coincide with the AARTI Ceremony, which involves oil lamps
being lit and waved, in order to awake and invoke the deity.
Enjoy the experience and spend night at Jaipur.
Overnight will be in Jaipur.
Day 5: Jaipur
Proceed for a morning excursion to Amber Fort after breakfast.
Elephant ride ascent to the fort.
AMBER FORT PALACE - Amber is the classic romantic
Rajasthani fort palace. Its construction was started by Man
Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh I.
Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a
beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate
expression. At the foot of the hill you will mount your
caparisoned elephant for the slow but steady climb up to the
main gate, making your entrance in the time honoured fashion.
The Fort, completed in the early 18th century, took over 100
years to build and now, although deserted, offers a fascinating
insight into the lifestyle of the Moghul ruling families.
Continue sightseeing.
CITY PALACE - A delightful blend of Mughal and
traditional Rajasthani architecture, the City Palace sprawls
over one-seventh of the area inthe walled city. It houses the
Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace
Museum.
JANTAR MANTAR - This is the largest and the best
preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in
different parts of the country. This observatory consisting of
outsized astronomical instruments is still in use.
HAWA MAHAL - The ornamental facade of this "Palace of
Winds" is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. It is a five-storey
structure of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine
trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches
and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a
royal grandstand for the palace women.
This afternoon is free for you to relax, shop or explore
independently. Shopping is superb in Jaipur, particularly for
gold and silver jewellery, pottery, tie-dye materials, silk,
saris, wooden handicrafts and carpets.
Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day 6: Jaipur - Delhi
By road 260 km in 5 hr
After leisurely breakfast proceed for shopping.
Proceed for sightseeing of a royal village SAMODE.
Samode according to the Rajputana Gazetteer of 1879 was a large
and flourishing town. The Zamidars (landlords) of Samode - the
principal thakurs of the state of Amber were the Nathawat clan
from Chomu, a branch of the house of Amber, tracing their
relation to the Jaipur Maharaja the fabled Prithviraj Singhji
the 17th prince of the house of Kacchwaha Rajputs. Gopal Singhji
one of his 12 sons was awarded Samode, a noble feudatory of the
Amber & Jaipur principality. It was among the wealthiest
territories in the Amber kingdom. The Zamidari eventually passed
within the clan to the hands of Behari Das, a Rajput warrior in
Mughal Service. After 6 generations in the hands of his
descendants Samode was relinquished to the Raj.
The 400-year-old SAMODE PALACE has a wealth of frescoes, many of
them depicting religious subjects. The highlight is a vast
DURBAR HALL.
Take a walk of the Rajasthani village or take a camel cart ride.
Have lunch at SAMODE PALACE.
Leave for Delhi after lunch. Reach and check in at hotel.
Overnight will be in Delhi.
Day 7: Delhi - Home
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Day will be free to explore the markets and other places of
interest like the MUSEUM & DILLI HAAT.
You will be transferred in the evening to airport for flight
with sweet memories of India.
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