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DAY
01 : ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi in the evening. Upon arrival, you shall met & assisted
with your baggages at the airport by our executive and transferred
to your prebooked hotel.
DAY
02 : DELHI
After breakfast, full day city tour of Delhi : Indias capital
& a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling
metropolis which successfully combines in its fold the ancient &
the modern. Its strategic location was one of the prime reasons
why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. New Delhi
also reflects the legacy the British left behind . The division
between New & Old Delhi is the distinction between the capitals
of the British & the Moghuls respectively. So, wherever the
visitor goes, he will invariably confront the citys past.
Visit
Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Built by Shah Jahan, the
construction was started in 1844 and was not completed until 1658;
drive past Red Fort, which was also built by Shah Jehan. This massive
fort was built from 1638 to 1648; Chandni Chowk and Rajghat - the
cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. Visit Humayuns Tomb : built in
mid 16th century this is an early example of Mughal architecture;
Qutab Minar, drive past India Gate, President House, Connaught Place.
The tour ends with a visit to Laxmi Narayan Temple.
DAY
03 : DELHI - AGRA (210 KMS., 04 – 05 HRS. DRIVE)
Morning, leave for Agra enroute visit Sikandra - Four kilometers
before Agra is the mausoleum of Mughal Emperor Akbar. This structure
is a perfect blend of Hindu, Christian, Islamic, Buddhist, Jain
motifs. The tomb has three-storey-minarets on its four corners.
These minarets are built in red sandstone with stunning inlay work
of marble.
Afternoon,
visit the highlight of the tour - The Taj Mahal - Epitome of Love,
One of the Seven Wonders of the World - was built by Shah Jahan
(King of the World) for his beloved Begum Mumtaz Mahal (the exalted
of the Palace). Work on the mausoleum began in 1633 and 20,000 workers
laboured for 17 years to build it. The
most skilled architects, inlay craftsmen, calligraphers, stone-carvers
and masons came from all across Indian and lands as distant as Persia
and Turkey. The master mason was from Baghdab, an expert in building
the double dome from Persia, and an inlay specialist from Delhi.
The marble, India's finest was quarried at Makrana near Jodhpur,
Jasper from Punjab, the garnets from Bundelkhand, Jade & Crystal
from China, Turquoise from Tibet, Lapis from Afghanistan and Ceylon,
Chrysolite from Egypt, Amethyst from Persia, Agate from Yemen, Malachite
from Russia, Diamonds from Golconda and Mother of Pearl from the
Indian Ocean. Mumtaz Mahals final resting-place was ornamented
like a queens jewel-box.
NOTE
: TAJ MAHAL CLOSED ON FRIDAYS
Visit
Red fort, Built principally as a military establishment by Akbar
in 1565, the red sandstone Agra fort was partially converted into
a palace during Shah Jahan's time. Though the principal structure
was built by Akbar, many more additions were made by his grandsons.
This massive fort is 2.5 kms long and is considered as the predecessor
of the Delhi Red fort. The maze of courtyards, mosques, palaces,
gardens, halls of private & public audience of the fort echo
the story of the Mughal Empire.
Itmad-ud-daulah,
which was constructed by Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628 and is
very similar to the tomb she constructed for her husband, Jehangir,
near Lahore in Pakistan.
DAY
04 : AGRA - FATEHPUR SIKRI - JAIPUR (240 KMS., 05 – 06 HRS. DRIVE)
After breakfast, leave for Jaipur, enroute visit the abandoned Mughal
city of Fatehpur Sikri : 37 kms before Agra, built predominantly
in Red Sandstone by Emperor Akbar in 1569, was the old capital of
the Mughals, which was abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity
of water. Witness the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid,
Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal & other Palaces which are
still preserved in its original glory.
Continue drive to Jaipur - The Pink City : Jaipur needed a fresh
coat of paint to welcome its distinguished guest the Prince of Wales
in 1905-6. The contractor inability
to supply any other color in the required quantity compelled the
choice of pink shade for its walls. A contractors compulsion
famed Jaipur to Pink city. Since then the PINK color is associated
with hospitality in Rajput culture. The capital city of the state
of Rajasthan owes its name, its foundation and planning to the great
warrior astronomer Maharaja Jai Singh II. The city of Jaipur has
broad avenues & sits on a dry lake bed in a wild and somewhat
arid landscape, surrounded by barren hills surmounted by fortresses
and crenellated walls. Upon arrival, check-in at prebooked Hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure.
DAY
05 : JAIPUR
After breakfast, excursion to Amber Fort enroute witness the façade
of Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds which was built in 1799.
Amber Fort - The ancient capital of the state until 1727 when Jai
Singh decided to move from his hillside fortress at Amber to new
site on the plains. The construction of this fort began in 1592
by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput commander of Akbars army. The
fort is a superb example of Rajput architecture, stunningly situated
on a hillside and overlooking a lake which reflects its terraces
and ramparts. Visit the Jagmandir or the hall of victory glittering
with mirrors, Jal Mahal & temple of Kali. Ascend on elephant
back, the hill, on which the fort is situated.
Afternoon,
city tour of Jaipur. Visit the Jantar Mantar the observatory
built by Maharaja Jai Singh II in 1728 ; the City Palace which is
a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. It also has a museum
with an extensive collection of art, carpets, paintings, enamel
ware and weapons dating back to the 15th century.
DAY
06 : JAIPUR - GOA (FLIGHT, SG 807 : 1035-1420 HRS)
Transfer to the airport to board flight for Goa - Situated on Indias verdant western coastal
strip, with its palm fringed beaches, Goa is much more
than just a beach resort. Captured in 1510, became the Portuguese
headquarters and the capital of a fast-growing maritime empire,
a vital and an important port on the sea routes to Indonesia and
Sri Lanka, which indeed remained in Portuguese hands until as late
as 1961.
Arrive Goa and transfer to prebooked hotel.
DAY
07 - DAY 11 : GOA
Day at leisure. Free for individual activities.
DAY
12 : GOA - DELHI (FLIGHT, SG 254 : 1415 - 1700 HRS)
Transfer to the airport to board flight for Delhi. Arrive Delhi and transfer to prebooked hotel.
DAY
13 : DEPART DELHI
Transfer to the airport to board your flight for onward destination.
This
itinerary can be modified as per your requirements. For any modification,
please mail
us
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