Today you will arrive at Delhi’s International Airport. Following customs, immigration formalities and baggage collection, local representative will meet you as you EXIT the ARRIVALS TERMINAL building and transfer you to your hotel (Standard check in time at Hotel is 1200 Hrs).
India’s capital and a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds - the ancient with the modern. Amidst the fast spiraling skyscrapers the remnants of a bygone time in the form of its many monuments stand as silent reminders to the region’s ancient legacy. The first impressions for any visitor traveling in from the airport are of a specious, garden city, tree-lined with a number of beautiful parks
Overnight stay at the Hotel
DAY - 02 Delhi
After buffet breakfast in the hotel, Proceed for full day sightseeing tour of Delhi and Old Delhi
Tour starts with visit to Old Delhi - Old Delhi is a world all in its own. As you meander through the bustling streets of this Mughal nerve-centre of old, is difficult to imagine that way back in 1648, Emperor Shah Jahan’s daughter Jahanara built up the area only to pander to her father’s fetish for grandiose processions, Here you will see the Jama Masjid, built in 1650 AD, and one of the largest mosques in India.
. Drive through the fabled Chandni Chowk (literally, 'Silver Street'), once the most opulent perfume market of India, but now a bustling market, good for hunting down old and new silver and gold from jewellers whose forefathers served the emperorsTour the Red Fort (closed on Mondays), dating back as far as 1639-48 AD, and built by Emperor Shah Jahan, who also built the Taj Mahal. Visit Raj Ghat where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated following his assassination in 1948. Continue visit to India Gate.
Later lunch on your own
Post Lunch continue tour of the New Delhi - New Delhi was planned and built by the British in the 1920s and is characterized by Sir Edwin Lutyen's monumental architecture. You will visit Humayun's Tomb, aptly called the predecessor of the Taj Mahal because of its ornate Mughal style of architecture, later perfected in the Taj Mahal. Continue drive to 12th century Qutab Minar, considered one of the most perfect towers in the world, measuring 72 meters high. Nearby, amidst the ruins of the Quwwat ul Islam Mosque stands the iron pillar, which is over 1500 years old and seemingly immune to rust.
Visit India Gate - a 42 meter high gateway, constructed as a memorial in honour of 90,000 soldiers who sacrificed their lives during World War I. 'Amar Jawan Jyoti' or the flame of the immortal warrior is burning under it since 1971. The eternal flame reminds the sacrifice of these brave soldiers. These soldiers valiantly sacrificed their lives during the Indo-Pakistan War of December 1971. Finally drive past the government buildings, President's House and Parliament House.
Overnight stay at the Hotel
DAY - 03 Delhi – Mathura - Agra By: Surface
Morning leave Delhi for Agra by surface (204 kms/4 ½ hrs) enroute visit Mathura – a long stretch of beautiful ghats - with their steps leading to the water's edge, arched gateways and temple spires extending along the right bank of the River Yamuna, enhances the sacred character of the town of Mathura. The birth place of Lord Krishna - Mathura is today an important place of pilgrimage, flocked by thousands of pilgrims daily....
Upon arrival at Agra you will proceed to hotel for check-in.
Agra in terms of ambiance is still associated with its Mughal period. The Mughal besides being great rulers were also great builders and they preserved their best architectural wonders for Agra & its neighborhood. It has many wonderful monuments and the Taj Mahal, the greatest of them all, is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture at its best. The massive but elegant Agra Fort, the delicate artistry of Itimad-ud-daulah’s tomb, the magnificent Taj and Akbar’s deserted capital, Fatehpur Sikri, are each unique and outstanding.
DAY - 04 Agra
After breakfast proceed to visit Agra Fort - the seat and the stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations. This was the seat of Mughal rule and administration and the present structure owes its origins to Akbar who erected the walls and gates and the first buildings on the eastern banks of Yamuna River. Shah Jehan added the impressive quarters and the mosque while Aurangzeb added the outer ramparts. Visit its Hall of Public Audience and its Royal Pavilions.
ITMAD-UD-DAULAH – To the north of Agra fort, on the opposite bank of the Yamuna, is the tomb of Mirza Ghiyas Beg, Jehangir’s wazir, also known as Itmad-ud-daulah. The tomb is also referred to as the ’baby Taj’, as it was the very first Mughal structure to be totally built from marble and make extensive use of pietra dura.
Afternoon visit the Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays)
The Taj Mahal is everything that has been said about it and more. Taking 22 years and 20,000 men to build, the white marble was quarried 200 miles away and was transported to the site by a fleet of 1000 elephants. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, in mid 17th century, the Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world. Though the Taj appears to be amazingly perfect from almost any angle, it is the close-up marble inlay work, which is really astounding. You will have ample time to view and be mesmerized by this outstanding piece of architecture.
After leisurely buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven from Agra to Bharatpur (54 KMS / 1 HRS) en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted red sandstone city, built by the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the late 16th century. It was abandoned soon after it was built when the local wells went dry and it remains today in much the same condition that it was over 300 years ago. It is complete with palaces and mosques and used to be a town larger than London when it was originally constructed. Now it is an extraordinary place to wander around with its buildings in near perfect condition.
After your visit proceed to Jaipur surface.
Upon arrival proceed for check in at your hotel.
Jaipur's past is never too far from hand. The city of victory, Jaipur presides over the fascinating desert state and its people: surrounded by rugged hills, each crowned by a formidable fort; and beautiful palaces, mansions and gardens dotted throughout its precincts. The palaces and forts of yesteryear that were witness to royal processions and splendour are now living monuments, accepted quite naturally into the lifestyles of the people of the "pink city". Except for the busy traffic of bicycles, cars and buses, little seems to have changed. There is a timeless quality to Jaipur's bazaars and its people. With its historical past, Jaipur revives legends of the ancient Rajputs. The dresses of the women and the turbans of the men add colour to this fascinating city.
Overnight at the hotel
DAY - 06 Jaipur
Morning excursion to Amber Fort with an Elephant ride up the hill and descend by jeep
Amber Fort -- 12 kilometers from Jaipur is the deserted city of Amber and the Amber Fort. It was once the ancient capital of the Rajput Empire. From the road you can climb up to the Fort in approximately 10 minutes, but it is also possible to ride up on elephant back (subject to availability of elephants). In addition, there is a small Kali Temple on the premises.
Later explore the ‘Pink City’, the bustling metropolis that is Rajasthan’s capital, seeing the Observatory and the City Palace
Well known as the Pink City of India, Jaipur is the state capital and largest city of Rajasthan. Most of the structures in the old walled city are built with pink sandstone, giving the city its name. You will visit the City Palace which houses a museum containing rare manuscripts, paintings and an armoury. Then, proceed on to the Jantar Mantar Observatory, built in the 17th century by Jai Singh, a famous astronomer. The observatory has a 900-foot-high sundial. The Central Museum, founded in 1876, has a large collection of antiques. You will drive past the Hawa Mahal, also known as the “Palace of Winds”. Hawa Mahal, built in a unique design, is the landmark of Jaipur, and was used by the ladies of the court to watch the daily goings-on in the street below.
Rest of day at leisure
Overnight stay at Hotel
DAY - 07 Jaipur – Delhi By Surface
After leisurely buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven from Jaipur to Delhi (252 kms / 6 hrs).
Upon arrival, you will transfer to the international airport for your flight back home.
