Day 01 Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Delhi
Day 02 Arrive at Delhi
Arrive Delhi. On arrival, you will be greeted and assisted by our representative and transferred to the hotel.
(Rooms will be available from 1400 hrs)
DELHI – It is a city that bridges two different worlds. Old Delhi, once the capital of Islamic India, is a labyrinth of narrow lanes lined with crumbling havelis and formidable mosques. In contrast, the imperial city of New Delhi created by the British Raj is composed of spacious, tree-lined avenues and imposing government buildings. Delhi has been the seat of power for several rulers and many empires for about a millennium. Many a times the city was built, destroyed and then rebuilt here. Interestingly, a number of Delhi’s rulers played a dual role, first as destroyers and then as creators.
On arrival in Delhi, transfer to hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 03 Delhi
After breakfast, enjoy sightseeing of Delhi including following:
Rickshaw Ride
Rickshaw ride (Paddy cab) around Jama Masjid. Enjoy Rickshaw ride through the narrow streets of Old Delhi. The humble cycle rickshaw is not only the common man’s beast of burden, but it also serves to generate considerable employment. Most of all however, in an age when our cities are beset by the pollution menace of the automobile, it provides perhaps the only viable alternative for the short-haul
Enhance this exotic experience by visiting the famous Chandni Chowk- one of the oldest and busiest markets in Old Delhi is the perfect place to shop. However, in the early hours of the day as all the shops would be closed only the famous sweet vendors can be spotted selling mouth-watering delicacies. visit Khari Baoli- Delhi’s bustling wholesale spice market. Take in the sights and smells of the herbs and spices that add flavour to the Indian cuisines. Stroll through Parathey wali gali to see the local food being made.
Red Fort from outside
The Red Fort, Shah Jahan’s elegant citadel in red sandstone, was built on the western bank of the river Yamuna. Shahjahan, started the construction of this massive fort in 1638, when he shifted the capital from Agra to Delhi. The Red sandstone walls of the massive Red Fort rise 33-m above the clamor of Old Delhi as a reminder of the magnificent power and pomp of the Mughals. Inside is a veritable treasure trove of buildings, including the Drum House, the Hall of Public and Private Audiences, the Pearl Mosque, Royal Baths and Palace of Color. (It remains closed on Mondays).
Drive past the Govt. Buildings
New Delhi houses several government buildings and official residences reminiscent of the British colonial architecture. Today we will drive past few of them, like The Parliament House, designed by Baker is 173m in diameter, the Rashtrapati Bhawan once the Viceroy’s residence is now the official residence of the President of India. Designed by Lutyens, it combines western and eastern styles.
Photo stop at the India Gate
At the centre of New Delhi stands the 42 m high India Gate, an “Arc-de-Triumph” like archway in the middle of a crossroad. Almost similar to its French counterpart, it commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during the World War I. The memorial bears the names of more than 13,516 British and Indian soldiers killed in the Northwestern Frontier in the Afghan war of 1919. Under the arch, the Amar Jawan Jyoti commemorating Indian armed forces’ losses in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971.
Humayun Tomb
Humayun’s Tomb is probably one of the most innovative and experimental monuments of its time, incorporating within it Indo-Islamic architectural styles. This magnificent garden tomb is the first substantial example of Mughal architecture in India. It was built in 1565 A.D. nine years after the death of Humayun, by his senior widow Bega Begam. Inside the walled enclosure the most notable features are the garden squares (Charbagh) with pathways water channels, centrally located well proportional mausoleum topped by double dome.
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is the most prominent Sikh gurdwara or Sikh house of worship, in Delhi, known for its association with the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan. A pond is located inside the complex, known as “Sarovar”, whose water is considered holy by Sikhs and known as “Amrit”. It was first built as a small temple in 1783 by Sikh General, Sardar Bhagel Singh, who supervised the construction of the nine Sikh shrines in Delhi in the same year, during the reign of Mughal Emperor, Shah Alam II.
Overnight at the hotel.
Meals : Breakfast/–/–
Day 04 Delhi / Agra (205 Kms / 4 ½ hrs)
After a leisurely breakfast drive to Agra.
AGRA – The city of the inimitable “TAJ MAHAL”.
The architectural splendour of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces is vivid reminder of the opulence of the legendary Mughal Empire. While its significance as a political center ended with the transfer of the capital to Delhi in 1634 by Shah Jahan, its architectural wealth has secured its place on the international map. A pleasant town with a comparatively slow pace, Agra is known for its superb inlay work on marble and soapstone by craftsmen who are descendants of those who worked under the Mughals.
On arrival in Agra, transfer to hotel.
Afternoon visit the art of marble inlay or “Parchin Kari” was introduced to India in the 17th century by the Mughals. The Mughals had a great passion for art and architecture. They brought many different forms of art during their rule, which is considered the golden period in India’s architectural history. “Parchin Kari” was a lesser-known art in ancient times. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan envisaged the “Taj Mahal” and made this art famous worldwide. Its most sumptuous expression is found in the Taj Mahal. Also, you will see some inlay work at the marble factory.
Overnight at the hotel.
Meals : Breakfast/–/–
Day 05 Agra
After breakfast, enjoy visit of Agra including following:
Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal or Crown of Palaces is a white marble mausoleum, built by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan as a memorial to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. A world-renowned wonder, Taj Mahal looks the same from all the four sides and is widely recognized as “the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage”. The Taj Mahal is phenomenal not in the beauty alone but in the deep planning and design that went into its making. This enchanting mausoleum started in 1631 and it took 22 years to complete with the help of an estimated 20000 workers. (It remains closed on Fridays). Note: Since Taj Mahal is a World Heritage Sites and hence require some maintenance or restoration work routinely
Agra Fort
The great Mughal Emperor Akbar commissioned the construction of the Agra Fort in 1666, A.D. although additions were made till the time of his grandson Shahjahan. The forbidding exteriors of this fort hide an inner paradise. There are a number of exquisite buildings like Moti Masjid – a white marble mosque akin to a perfect pearl; Diwan-I-Am, Diwan-I-Khaas, Musamman Burj – where Shahjahan died in 1666 A.D. Jahangir’s Palace; Khaas Mahal and Shish Mahal. The massive Agra fort is 2.5 km long and is considered as the predecessor of the Delhi Red fort.
Rest of the day is at leisure at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Meals : Breakfast/–/–
Day 06 Agra / Jaipur (245 Kms / 05 hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Jaipur.
JAIPUR – The fascinating capital of the marvellous state of Rajasthan.
Jaipur is popularly known as the Pink City, thanks to the colour of its buildings. It was built in 1727 A.D by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, followed a grid system, which made it the only planned city of its time. A young Bengali architect Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya designed the city in accordance with Shilp Shastra – an ancient Hindu treatise on architecture. There are innumerable sagas and stories of culture, traditions, practices and valour. This diverse land of rich cultural heritage is a royal treat for tourists all over the world.
On arrival in Jaipur, transfer to hotel.
In the evening enjoy Aarti Ceremony at Lakshmi Narayan Temple
Birla Temple – Popularly also known as Lakshmi Narayan Temple, it is a Hindu temple in Jaipur city. Located on an elevated ground at the base of Moti Dungari hill, this temple was built by “Birlas”(industrialists who have also built several temples in India) and the presiding deities are Lord Vishnu (One of the Hindu Trinity Gods) and his consort Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth and good fortune). Made up of white marble, this modern temple dominates the skyline of south Jaipur.
Overnight at the hotel.
Meals : Breakfast/–/–
Day 07 Jaipur
After breakfast enjoy visit of Jaipur including the following.
Photo stop at the Hawa Mahal Palace
The poet king Sawai Pratap Singh built this palace of winds. This is easily the most well-known landmarks of Jaipur and is also its icon. This five-storey building overlooking the busy bazaar street is a fascinating example of Rajput architecture and artistry with its delicately honeycombed 953 pink sandstone windows known as ‘jharokhas’.
Jeep ride Amber Fort – The Amber Fort set in picturesque and rugged hills is a fascinating blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. Constructed by Raja Man Singh I in 1592 and completed by Mirja Raja Jai Singh, the fort was made in red sand stone and white marble. Amber is the classic and romantic fort-palace with a magnificent aura. The interior wall of the palace depicts expressive painting scenes with carvings, precious stones and mirror settings. Built mainly for the warring enemies as a safe place, the heavily structured walls could defend the residents within the ramparts of the fort.
City Palace
Located in the heart of the Pink city and a blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture, it was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II as part of his ambitious city project. His successors continued to ornament and add to the elegant buildings up until the 20th century. It is a unique complex of several courtyards, buildings, pavilions, gardens, and temples. The most prominent and most visited structures in the complex are the Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple, and the City Palace Museum.
Also experience a session of Turban and Saree Tying – The men receive pointers that how to tie a turban, whereas ladies will learn how to transform 6 yard of silk into deceptively simple looking Sari. You may want to go local and try wearing a turban or Sari on your own.
Also enjoy Local Masala Tea at a famous Tea Stall.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 08
Jaipur / Delhi (260 Kms / 5 ½ hrs) Departure
After breakfast drive to Delhi. (Rooms will be available till 1200 hrs)
On arrival in Delhi, transfer to the Airport to connect flight for onwards journey.
