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Day 01
Delhi |
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 You
will arrive at New Delhi’s International Airport. Following customs,
immigration formalities and baggage collection, a our representative
will meet you as you EXIT the ARRIVALS TERMINAL building after which
you would be transferred to your hotel.
DELHI
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.
Upon arrival at the hotel, you will be accorded with a Traditional
Welcome Welcoming guest is an age-old tradition. ‘Atithi Devobhava’
- treat your guest as if he were God. Indian hospitality can be
savored immediately as one arrives at the hotel. The guest’s
forehead is anointed with the traditional red ‘tika’ which is
considered auspicious along with garlanding. Relax with a
non-alcoholic welcome drink following which proceed to check in at
your hotel.
Overnight at the hotel. |
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Day 02
In Delhi |
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After
leisurely buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will proceed for a full
day combined city tour of Old & New Delhi.
You will first visit Old Delhi The tour will begin with a visit to
Raj Ghat a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi; drive past theRed Fort
continuing to the 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.
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.
The tour to Imperial Delhi will include a visit to the Qutub Minar
the tallest stone tower in India. Qutub-ud-din Aibak started it in
1199. Pulling down 27 Hindu and Jain temples and using their columns
erected the attached Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque also built by him. Then
visit Humayun’s tomb built by the widow of the second Mughal
Emperor, Humayun, it is an outstanding monument in the Indo-Persian
style, a precursor of the Taj Mahal. The tour also includes a drive
past the imposing India Gate the Parliament building and the
Rastrapathi Bhawan the President’s residence.
Overnight at the hotel. |
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Day 03
Delhi -
Agra |
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After
buffet breakfast in the hotel you will be driven from Delhi to Agra
(204 KMS/ 4.30 HRS).
AGRA
Agra in terms of ambiance is still associated with its Mughal
period. The Mughals besides being great rulers were also great
builders and they preserved their best architectural wonders for
Agra & its neighbourhood.
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. Their
architectural genius can also be seen in the forts, palaces and
aesthetically laid out gardens - each one a silent witness to a
grand style of a golden era.
As visitors walk down the narrow, bustling streets, they can’t help
but wonder if the man contentedly smoking a hookah is a direct
descendant of some bygone Mughal. Even the majority of the buildings
in the modern areas of town such as the cantonment, date back over a
hundred years.
Upon arrival proceed to check in at your hotel.
Rest of the day free for independent activities.
Overnight at the hotel. |
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Day 04
Agra |
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Today early in the morning you will proceed for a sunrise tour of
the Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays). Midway Tonga’s “horse carriages”
would be waiting for you and will drop you at the gates of the Taj
Mahal.
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.
Come back to your hotel for buffet breakfast followed which you will
visit the Agra Fort, an outstanding example of Mughal architecture.
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. |
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Day 05
Agra -
Jaipur |
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 Breakfast
at the hotel. After which you will be driven from Agra to Jaipur
(240 KMS / 5 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 continue your drive to Jaipur. Upon arrival at
Jaipur proceed for check in at your hotel.
JAIPUR
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". 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. |
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Day 06
Jaipur |
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 After
buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven just outside
Jaipur to the ancient capital of Amber to see the fabulous Amber
Fort.
Maharaja Mansingh, Mughal Emperor Akbar’s most successful General,
started the construction of Amber Fort in the 17th century. Before
the City Palace was constructed in Jaipur, Amber was the seat of
power. The fort is surrounded by fortified battlements and overlooks
the Moat Lake. Ruins and remains are spread over the Aravalli hills
and sprawling crenulated walls lattice the surrounding area.
An elephant will spare you the trouble of reaching up to the
fortress (Subject to availability). Once on top, stroll through the
sprawling complex of courtyards and halls. Many of the rooms have
delightful wall paintings, with precious stones and mirrors inlaid
in the walls. Most fascinating, perhaps, is the Sheesh Mahal (hall
of mirrors) where a single lamplight is reflected in the many
mirrors, lighting up the room. Come back to your hotel after your
visit.
In the afternoon, you will proceed to the city tour of Jaipur. Among
the highlights to be seen while touring Jaipur include the City
Palace, which is an overwhelming complex of exquisite palaces,
gardens and courtyards, decorative art and carved doorways. The
palace museum houses collections of rare manuscripts,
armoury, costumes, carpets and miniature paintings. Walk to the
adjacent Jantar Mantar or Astronomical Observatory made by the
Maharaja of Jaipur, built in 1726 and is one of the five such
astronomical wonders built by Sawai Jai Singh and makes accurate
predictions even to this day.
Your next stop will be ‘ Palace of Winds’, otherwise known as Hawa
Mahal. It is really an elaborate facade behind which the ladies of
the court used to watch the daily goings on in the street below. It
is extremely intricate in its pink sandstone carving. The cool wind
blows through its facade of windows and latticed screens through
which the queens of the court once viewed the streets of the city.
Come back to your hotel after your visit.
Overnight at the hotel. |
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Day 07
Jaipur -
Delhi |
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After
buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven from Jaipur to
Delhi (256 Kms/5 HRS).
On arrival in Delhi, check in at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel. |
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Day 08
Depart
Delhi |
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On
arrival proceed to straight transfer to the airport to connect
flight to back home. |
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Experiencing
the GOLDEN TRIANGLE this Journey combines Delhi, with memorable
visits to Taj Mahal (Agra) and the Pink City of Jaipur.