DAY 01 : ARRIVE DELHI

Namaste! Welcome to India.
With a civilization that is over 5,000 years, richly steeped in history; a land that is diverse and colorful, mysterious and exotic; a land that offers a bewildering mix of adventures; the land of the Himalayas, INDIA has some of the most beautiful luxurious resorts to offer to the world, rich architectural marvels to feast your eyes on, and food fit for an Emperor. A visit to India is a power-package of changing spectacles of religions, customs, festivals, sights and sounds.
Arrive in Delhi. On arrival, you are given a traditional Indian welcome and escorted to your hotel in Delhi.

Overnight stay in DELHI

DAY 02 : DELHI – SIGHTSEEING
After a buffet breakfast at the hotel, proceed on a sightseeing tour of DELHI – India’s capital and tourist gateway.

This is a city steeped in history, having seen the rise and fall of many empires, all of which have spawned an interesting mix of cultures, monuments, and handicrafts. What is now known as DELHI was once seven independent cities, with the Delhi of today being the eighth in succession. Each empire also left behind monuments that commemorate important personalities and events, which explains the profusion of local architectural styles. Sightseeing revolves around these monuments from the past, built by the dynasties that ruled in the region.

Start at the Qutub Minar, Delhi’s signature monument, a 72.5 metre high tower dating back to the 13th Century. Then explore the magnificent Mughal monument like Humayun’s Tomb, architecturally the forerunner of the Taj Mahal.
Visit India Gate and Amar Jyoti, the memorial constructed in the memory of our soldiers. Drive past the triumphant House of Parliament, Presidential Palace, both grandiose masterpieces of the British Raj and end the drive along Rajpath, New Delhi’s broadest avenue. Continue onwards to
Jantar Mantar, a famous astronomical observatory with masonry instruments, built by Jai Singh the astronomer king. Minutes away lies the National Museum with its collection of artifacts spanning several centuries.

Get spiritual with a visit to The Birla Temple; also known as the Laxmi Narayan Temple & enjoy a brief respite from the otherwise bustling city.House sit Birla Mandir, a modern and colorful

This afternoon your attention focuses on Old Delhi, the 17th century walled city of royal Shahjehanabad. Geographically and culturally, there is a fine dividing line between Old and New Delhi.

Visit the imposing Red Fort, the opulent residence of Shah Jahan, builder of the Taj Mahal and the magnificent Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) which dominates the skyline. Just across lies Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque and adjacent is Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi’s vibrant nerve centre, a busy, bustling commercial centre literally bursting at the seams. Enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride through the Bazaar and end the day with a visit to Raj Ghat—the cremation site of the Father of the Nation.
Enjoy a welcome Dinner with Cultural Dances & Music at Chor Bizzare Restaurant.

Overnight stay in DELHI

DAY 03 : DELHI – JAIPUR
After a buffet breakfast in the hotel, drive down to JAIPUR – the PINK CITY & the capital of Rajasthan

Universally known as the ‘Pink City’, thanks to its pink sandstone buildings, Jaipur is the gateway to Rajasthan and the fabled Thar Desert. Considered to be among the world’s first planned cities, it combines architectural beauty with rich heritage and culture. Not surprisingly, it’s among India’s premier tourist destinations. Jaipur owes its founding and name to Maharaja Sawai Jai

Singh 11 who laid out the city in a systematic way with surrounding walls and six rectangular blocks, with the walled city featuring seven gates. It is this old part that boasts of the famous historical buildings that have given Jaipur such fame.

On arrival in Jaipur, transfer to hotel and relax.

Afternoon is at leisure to pursue own activities.
Jaipur’s charm stems from its heritage. Swirling crowds, brightly dressed people, hustle and bustle, and an atmosphere thick with the aroma of spices, create a distinct world in itself.
Jaipur offers exciting bargains in handicrafts, block-printed textiles, paintings and bric a brac. But the real buy is silverware and jewellery, the Pink City being India’s jewellery capital, particularly famed for its ‘kundan’ work jewellery.

Overnight stay in JAIPUR

DAY 04 : AMBER FORT EXCURSION – JAIPUR CITY TOUR
After a buffet breakfast at the hotel, this morning’s excursion will take us to Amber Fort. Amber was once the capital of the Mina tribes believed to be the original inhabitants of this area. History recalls the glory and wealth of Amber’s association with the Mughals. Raja Man Singh was the Commander-in-Chief of Akbar’s army and Mirza Raja Jai Singh was a powerful ally of Jahangir. You will have a unique experience of riding a caparisoned elephant heralded by musicians from the foothill to the ramparts of the ancient fort. Once inside we explore the Palace of Mirrors inlaid with millions of tiny glistening mirrors, the hall of Public Audience and the beautiful manicured gardens.

In the old city, still encircled by a crenellated wall, visit the Hawa Mahal or “Palace of Winds,” Jaipur’s central landmark, an extraordinary façade of multiple airy windows used by the court ladies to watch the outside activities without being seen. Explore City Palace, characterized by balconies, tiny windows, cupolas, courtyards and arched entrances. It now houses an excellent collection of Rajasthani costumes, miniatures and an armory of weapons. Jantar Mantar, The Maharajah’s observatory, originally built in the city’s early years, first appears as a collection of

abstract sculptures, but is in fact a collection of the huge masonry instruments for studying the movement of constellations and stars in the sky.

Overnight stay in JAIPUR

DAY 05 : JAIPUR – FATEHPURSIKRI – AGRA (Journey Time: approx. 06 hours)
After breakfast drive to Agra.
Enroute visit the abandoned and nearly intact Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri, a masterpiece of Muslim architecture. It comprises the remains of the new capital that Akbar built. Predominantly red sandstone buildings sprawl over a huge area. The architectural style is very much in tune with the emperor’s dreams and includes both Hindu and Muslim styles. The shortage of water at the site was one of the main reasons for it being deserted.

Continue to Agra. On arrival at Agra transfer to hotel and relax.

AGRA is universally famous as the City of the Taj Mahal, the most beautiful monument to love, and the most photographed building in the world. Agra has a rich and old history. It finds mention in the Mahabharata (3rd Century B.C.) in which it is called Agrabana or ‘Paradise City’. It was the capital of the Mughals in the 16th and 17th Centuries, and many of its monuments were built during their reign. The city reached its zennith in the period 1556-1658 under the successive rules of Akbar, Shah Jehan, and Jehangir. Akbar’s reign was the most memorable in the city’s history, when it visibly became a leading centre of art, commerce, and culture. Thenceforth it continued to draw intellectuals and artists to its darbars and havelis.

Visit the Agra Fort, the huge red-sandstone construction built by the famous Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565 AD. It is shaped like an irregular triangle, encircled by two and a half km of walls, 21 metres high, and surrounded by a 10-metre wide moat. Its vast interiors contain Akbar Mahal, Jahangir Mahal, Diwan-I-Am (Hall of Public Audience), and Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque).

And finally, we arrive at the magnificent monument to the memory of love, the Taj Mahal. The Taj is essentially an emperor’s testimony to love, and has become synonymous not only with the city but with the whole of India. Its fame brings people from far and wide, eager to see and feel

its pristine beauty. Built by Shah Jahan as a memorial to his queen Mumtaz Mahal, the monument made of white marble, is a fine example of symmetry, balance of design and traditional inlay work. Your romantic encounter is further enhanced by the opportunity of viewing this magnificent edifice in the warm glow of sunset.

Overnight stay in AGRA

DAY 06 : AGRA – DELHI (Journey Time: approx. 04 hours)
After capturing the breathtaking view of the Taj Mahal at sunrise, return to the hotel for a buffet breakfast.
Check out and drive to Delhi.

Enroute stop at Sikandra to visit the tomb of Akbar the Great. The tomb shows an interesting fusion of Hindu and Mulsim art and architecture, reflecting the spirit of the emperor himself. Sikandra was the first Moghul building to use the four-minaret style made famous by the Taj Mahal.

Farewell Dinner before being transferred to the Airport to board your flight back home.

IMPORTANT
• THE TAJ MAHAL is closed on Fridays
• RED FORT and Lotus Temple in DELHI are closed on Mondays