Duration: 09
Nights / 10 Days
(Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Jodhpur - Udaipur - Mumbai
)
Day 01 : 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 a perfect introduction
to the composite culture of an ancient land. A window to the kaleidoscope -
that is India. Overnight will be at Delhi.
Day 02 : Delhi
Start a full-day tour of Old and New Delhi after breakfast.
OLD DELHI - A sightseeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting the Raj Ghat
- the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest
Mosque in India and the Red Fort - once the most opulent fort and palace of
the Mogul Empire. Enjoy a Cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to Chandni Chowk.
NEW ELHI - An extensive sightseeing tour of New Delhi would include a visit
to the Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue
- Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House, the President's Residence
and Lotus Temple and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.
Spend night at Delhi.
Day 03 : Delhi - Agra (By road 201 km in 5 hr)
Transfer to station by North India Travel Executive for train to Agra.
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 reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously. A walk
down the narrow bustling streets of the city will introduce the visitor to the
wafting aroma of Mughlai cuisine. Proceed for sightseeing.
Visit the
TAJ MAHAL : one of the Seven Wonders of the World was built
by Shah Jahan in 1631 AD and was completed in 1651AD. Taj Mahal - The symbol
of Love was built in the memory of Mumtaz Mahal (Shah Jahan's second Wife).
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. After Agra Fort we will visit BABY
TAJ - The interiors of which are considered better than the Taj. Shopping or
relax in the evening. Overnight will be at Agra.
Day 04 : Agra - Jaipur (By road 221 km in 6 hr)
Breakfast will be at hotel. Drive to Fatehpur Sikri. 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 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. Proudly belonging 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.
Reach Jaipur and check in at hotel.
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 at Jaipur.
Day 05 : 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. Continue sightseeing.
CITY PALACE - A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani
architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the 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. Relax in the evening or visit the markets.
Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day 06 : Jaipur - Jodhpur (By Road 280 km/06 hrs)
Breakfast will be at hotel. Proceed to Jodhpur. Reach Jodhpur and check into
hotel. Set at the edge of the THAR Desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes
with tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. Once the capital of
the Marwar state, it was founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha-chief of the RATHORE
clan of Rajputs who claimed to be descendants of Rama - the epic hero of the
RAMAYANA. The massive 15th century AD Mehrangarh Fort looms on the top of a
rocky hill, soaring 125 Mts. Above the plains. The city is encompassed by a
high wall -10 km long with 8 gates and innumerable bastions. In the evening
visit the Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum. Overnight will be at Jodhpur.
Day 07 : Jodhpur
Breakfast will be at hotel. In the morning visit Mehrangarh Fort (1459 AD) by
Rao Jodha who considered themselves the descendents of Lord Rama. In this palace
you would see different miniature paintings & cradle room. After this you
would visit Jaswant Thada Memorial. In the afternoon visit the BISHNOI VILLAGES
and have a rare glimpse into the rich culture and true essence of India. Abundant
wildlife (game) and memorable moments of the great desert landscape fascinates
one while driving along the countryside. Overnight will be at Jodhpur.
Day 08 : Jodhpur - Udaipur (By Road 250km/05hrs)
Breakfast will be at the hotel. Proceed to Udaipur. Visit Ranakpur en route.
A visit to the famous Jain Temple, dating back to the 15th century is part of
the itinerary. 200 pillars, none of which are alike, support its 29 halls. The
Temple abounds with intricate friezes and sculptures. Includes visits to two
more Jain temples and the Temple of the Sun God with its erotic sculptures.
Reach Udaipur and check in at hotel. The city of Dawn, Udaipur is a lovely land
around the azure lake, hemmed in by the lush hills of the Aravallis. A vision
in white drenched in romance and beauty, Udaipur is a fascinating blend of sights,
sound and experiences and inspiration for the imagination of poets, painters
and writers. Its kaleidoscope of fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples, gardens
and narrow lanes strewn with stalls, carry the flavor of a heroic past, epitomizing
valor and chivalry. Their reflection in the placid waters of the Lake Pichhola
is an enticing sight.
Overnight will be at Udaipur.
Day 09 : Udaipur
Breakfast will be at hotel. Proceed for sightseeing tour of Udaipur in the morning,
stopping first at City Palace. Here you will marvel at rooms with mirrored walls
and ivory doors, colored glass windows and inlaid marble balconies and the Peacock
Courtyard. Proceed for Evening Motor launch cruise on the placid waters of Lake
Pichola. From the boat you will be able to view the city of Udaipur as it rises
majestically above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan desert. Also visit
the Jag Mandir Palace - the other island palace in the middle of the lake. Spend
some time at the Jag Mandir Palace. Visit the 300-year-old Jagdish Temple and
the Royal Cenotaphs of the Rajput kings. Relax in the evening. Overnight will
be at Udaipur.
Day 10 : Udaipur - Delhi or Mumbai (By morning or midday flight)
Breakfast will be at the hotel. Transfer to airport for flight to Delhi or Mumbai.
Reach and proceed for drive through sightseeing of the city. Take evening international
flight home in the evening as per time.
TOUR ENDS
North India and Rajasthan Highlights Travel Reservation Form